The Cathedral Times - February 12, 2023

The CATHEDRAL TIMES

PURITY INSISTENCE AND EMPIRE ARROGANCE

(I am reading Numbers 11 in my Bible studies this week. This article is from my sermon of September 27, 2015.)

By the Very Rev. Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral

In Numbers 11, the people complain, “Why have you brought us out to the desert? We would rather be back where the food was delicious. We remember the fish and the melons and the onions and garlic and leeks of Egypt!” Yes, the Hebrews, in their anxiety and distress, are so upset that they are longing to return to the conditions of slavery. Such is the human condition!

Moses, in turn, great leader that he was, turns to deliver the same sort of complaint to his Lord! Moses asks God, “Why have you treated me so badly? Why have you laid the burden of all these weeping people on me?” “I am not able to carry the burden of this people alone,” Moses says. He is exasperated.

So, according to the story, Yahweh commands Moses to specify seventy people, seventy elders, and take them to the Tent of Meeting. There, Yahweh will take some of the spirit that Moses has and place it upon the heads of the seventy elders. Thus, the leadership assigned to Moses will be distributed and delegated. Moses’ burden will be mitigated; and the people will actually be cared for in a better way, with distributed leadership. It’s a great story about distributed authority, again a story with much to teach us in our own time, and in any time. Authority that rests in only one individual, even if that person is wonderful, is not as effective and healthy as distributed authority!

But something crazy happens! When these newly ordained seventy elders have received the spirit and are prophesying healthily, why, they hear about two other people. Apparently, Eldad and Medad, way outside the tent, are not with the seventy properly ordained elders; and, yet, some of the spirit has come upon them, too, and they are prophesying! Joshua comes running up to Moses and says, “Moses! Stop them! They are not with us!”

Moses, in his expansive wisdom, recognizes immediately what has occurred. “Are you jealous for my sake?” he asks, “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!” That is, the Lord’s spirit is larger than any one set of people, or any one system, or any one authority. There is enough of the Lord’s spirit to rest upon all of God’s people, not just those properly delegated and ordained, not just upon the chosen few, not just upon the ideologically pure.

Ideological purity. In many of our strongest institutions today, there exists a self-destructive illness which has been inside humanity for our entire existence. I call it an illness, but it is really a psychological predilection marked by twin viruses: the virus of purity insistence, and the virus of empire arrogance. In politics, in church, in society, purity insistence and empire arrogance clamor for “all or nothing” strategies: “my way or the highway,” they say. “If you are not exactly for me and like me, then I am against you.”

There is a disturbing similarity between purity insistence and empire arrogance. The church is at its worst when it is tempted towards empire, when it wants to anoint emperors instead of servants, when its leaders think leadership is simply making sweeping and absolutist pronouncements. Even when those pronouncements seem good, and even when we might agree with them, if the nature of those pronouncements is imperial, then a dangerous disease is imminent. The church is also at its worst when it insists on purity, when it demands that every member follow every jot and tittle of whatever the contemporary standard of law is. And remember: every party, every religious system, contains some sort of law. Democrats have their liberal markers, and republicans have their conservative ones. So do churches. We have little markers, indicators, litmus tests, of whether someone is with us or against us. Those litmus tests are our purity indicators.

I am reminded that the way of Jesus is not the way of “All or Nothing.” At Mark 9:38-40, Jesus says, “Do not stop him; …whoever is not against us is for us.” Great governments include strong voices who honor and respect those across the aisle. Great churches recognize that the Spirit of God is larger than any one party or doctrine. While seventy leaders are being ordained in the main tent, let Eldad and Medad prophesy enthusiastically in another place. Our energy and good will need not be diminished because someone else, not with us, is doing something equally good!

The way of Jesus lets other disciples, not only his own, also cast out demons and heal the sick. You don’t have to agree with my politics for me to appreciate the good that you are doing in the world. You don’t have to be a member of my church, or of my religion, or of my group of disciples, for the Spirit of God to be at work in you.

This SUNDAY

FEBRUARY 12, 2023 · The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 • Psalm 119:1-8 • 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 • Matthew 5:21-37

8:45 A.M., 11:15 A.M. AND 4 P.M.: IN-PERSON AND ONLINE

CATHEDRALATL.ORG / THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PHILIP APP / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE

7:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL

Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Thee Smith

8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL

Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder

Preacher: The Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener

8:45 a.m. Cathedral Singers / 11:15 a.m. Cathedral Choir:

William Byrd (c. 1540-1623), Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes

Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924), Beati quorum via

11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA, MIKELL CHAPEL

Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval

4 P.M. CHORAL EVENSONG FOR THE FEAST OF ABSALOM JONES, CATHEDRAL

Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa

Cathedral Schola:

Gerre Hancock (1934-2012), Preces & Responses

David Hurd (b. 1950), Sewanee Canticles

Spiritual, arr. Moses Hogan (1957-2003), This little light of mine

Spiritual, arr. Gerre Hancock (1934-2012), Deep River

SUNDAY AFTERNOON RECITALS

SARAH JOHNSON, ORGAN

Church of the Ascension, Rochester, New York

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 — 3:15 P.M.

IN-PERSON AND ONLINE AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/RECITALS

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Major, BWV 564

Jacques van Oortmerssen (1950-2015), Nun ruhen alle Wälder

Percy Whitlock (1903-1946), Fantasie Chorale No. 1 in D-flat Major

John Knowles Paine (1839-1906), Fantasia in E minor, Op. 2, No. 1

STEWARDSHIP

2023 STEWARDSHIP: TIME TALENT & TREASURE

The 2023 Stewardship Campaign is off to a strong start with almost $2,375,000 in pledges from 475 households. Thanks to all who have made a financial commitment to God through the Cathedral this year.

Our Wildly Important Goal for stewardship is to add 375 more pledges amounting $1,675,000 to a total of 850 pledges and $4,050,000. We can do it with your help. If you have not made a pledge, please respond today. Also, please consider joining the Stewardship Committee to educate, solicit, and thank pledgers—the parish can use your time, talent, and treasure. Contact David Rocchio at drocchio@cathedralATL.org or 404-663-2838 to make a pledge or learn more about service on the committee. Thank you!

The CATHEDRAL of ST. PHILIP

The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Dean

Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music

The Rev. Lauren R. Holder, Canon for Community and Education

The Rev. George M. Maxwell, Jr., Vicar

The Rev. Canon Julia B. Mitchener, Canon for Mission

The Rev. Catherine Zappa, Canon for Liturgy and Pastoral Care

The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic Ministries

The Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate

Ward Bondurant, Senior Warden

Melody Palmore, Junior Warden

CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES:

SUNDAY, THE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8. FOR THE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15.

TO RECEIVE THE TIMES BY EMAIL, CONTACT LIZ AULL, LAULL@CATHEDRALATL.ORG. TO SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT REQUEST, CONTACT SARA CRAIGGOODELL, SCRAIGGOODELL@CATHEDRALATL.ORG.

404-365-1000 | cathedralATL.org pastoral care emergency line: 404-365-1003

SPIRITUALITY

SPIRITUALITY CONFERENCE

Seeing the Unseen: A bishop and gun safety activist offers a way forward from opposing viewpoints

Saturday, February 18, 2023

9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Child Hall

Have you ever walked away from a conversation because of the partisan politics it evoked and later regretted it? Have you ever wondered how you might find someone who could broaden your understanding about an issue without judging you for not agreeing with them? Have you ever thought there was a better way to frame an issue than the positions being defended by our political parties?

Bishop Mark Beckwith says that it doesn't have to be this way. He urges us to find the courage to look directly at those whose views and experiences are different from our own so that we might see the goodness that is inherent in all things. “We are trained to think,” Beckwith says, “yet the cultural emphasis on thinking has not been applied to our ability to see . . . We are not as well trained in seeing the world’s fullness–pain and joy, compassion and cruelty. We regularly receive glimpses of pain and joy, but they are often presented in such a way as to reinforce our thinking.”

Bishop Beckwith, who formerly served as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark (NJ), developed strategies for learning how to see in this way while working with religious and other leaders to address a number of politically charged issues. He is the co-founder of Faith Leaders for Ending Gun Violence, a national ecumenical group of diverse religious leaders; has been part of the leadership team for Braver Angels, a national movement that seeks to depolarize America; and is the author of Seeing the Unseen: Beyond Prejudices, Paradigms and Party Lines (Morehouse Publishing, 2022). Register online at cathedralATL.org/Beckwith.

Tickets:

Regular Price: $80

Sliding Scale 1: $60

Sliding Scale 2: $40

Sliding Scale 3: $20

Lunch is included!

Livestream Price: $20

The livestream link will be provided via email a few days before the conference.

Women's Lenten Retreat Altars and Altered

To pay by check:

Please mail your check (noted “Spirituality”), phone number, and email address to:

The Cathedral of St. Philip Attn: Jeannie Mahood

2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, GA 30305

WOMEN’S LENTEN RETREAT: ALTARS AND ALTERED

March 17-19, 2023

Cathedral women, along with women friends or relatives, are invited to attend our annual Lenten Retreat, March 17-19 at St. Mary’s Sewanee in Tennessee. As we weather transformations in our lives, it is important to remember and revisit our sacred core with intention. This weekend we will explore altars. What are they for? How do they ground us? What can they look like? And we will build altars—sacred spaces to visit within ourselves and outside ourselves. In the beautiful setting of St. Mary’s Sewanee, there will be plenty of time to rest, play, enjoy the outdoors, and be in fellowship with God and one another.

The retreat will be led by Canon Lauren Holder. Contact Canon Holder, 404-365-1036 or lholder@cathedralATL.org, or Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1031, with questions. The cost for a single occupancy is $320 or $260 for a double. Registration deadline is February 23. More information and registration at cathedralATL.org/spirituality.

Pastoral CARE

RESILIENCE: DISCOVERING YOUR STRENGTH THROUGH GRIEF

Saturday, March 4, 2023

1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

This bereavement workshop includes professionally facilitated, loss-specific small groups, as well as an inspirational message on the resilience we discover within ourselves as we grieve, and its powerful role as we heal.

Welcome & Introduction:

Dr. Ferrol Sams III

First Georgia Physician Group Palliative Care Expert

Special Guest Speaker:

Dr. Kerry P. Duncan

Executive Director of Covenant Counseling & Family Resource Center

A Fellow with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, Kerry specializes in psychotherapy designed to help clients find the best in themselves, which they can use to overcome obstacles in their relationships with themselves, others, and God. Kerry is an ordained Minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Light refreshments will be served. Registration required on or before February 17, 2023.

To register, contact: Chandelle Carter

Bereavement Coordinator, Grief Specialist – Hospice Atlanta Chandelle.Carter@vnhs.org, 404-869-3052

OUTREACH

SUPPORT FOR SUICIDE GRIEF

A 6-week grief group

March 12 – April 30

This group is for adults across all walks of life and stages of bereavement to find a place for support and connections with others who are grieving a death by suicide. It is facilitated by counselor and suicide expert Dr. Mary Chase Mize and by Canon Cathy Zappa. The group meets on six Sunday afternoons from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. (there is no meeting on Easter Sunday). Contact Canon Cathy Zappa, czappa@cathedralATL.org, for more information or to register.

ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK HUNGER WALK RUN

In-Person and Virtual Event: Sunday, March 12, 2023

In-Person Event at The Home Depot Backyard 12 p.m.–4 p.m.

Make plans now to walk or run with the Cathedral team at the Hunger Walk/Run! If you can't participate in the festivities onsite, you can join virtually or simply contribute to the cause! Visit cathedralATL.org/youth to learn how you can help make a difference!

ADULT Education

THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Old Fashioned Sunday School Child Hall , 10:10 a.m.

This week's topic is titled “The Holy Eucharist: How Our Liturgy Shapes Us into Who We Are.” All are welcome. You will find a light heart, warm welcome, and good coffee!

Living Faith Room 319, 10:10 a.m.

Mary Chase Mize, parishioner and licensced professional counselor, will talk to us about mental health first-aid and how to care for someone in crisis.

Young Professionals "Coffee & Conversation Cards" Walthour Library, 10:10 a.m.

On Sunday mornings during the formation hour, the Young Professionals' Group will gather in Walthour Library using conversation cards to inspire Christian discussions on scripture, faith and life.

Enjoy Biblical Greek Room 239 and on Zoom, 1:15 p.m.

This newcomer-friendly class is open to beginners, while including long-term members who enjoy exchanging tips, best learning practices, and coaching points on how to translate the Greek New Testament. Please contact the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith, tsmith@cathedralATL.org, for more information.

NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19

The Dean’s Forum with Bishop Mark Beckwith Child Hall , 10:10 a.m.

The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith will join Dean Sam Candler during the education hour after his conference on Saturday, February 18. Bishop Beckwith’s book Seeing the Unseen: Beyond Prejudices, Pradigms and Party Lines is available now at the Cathedral Book Store.

Body and Soul: Men’s Health and Spirituality Walthour Library and on Zoom, 1:00 p.m.

A men’s group for discussion of various men’s health issues and spirituality. Next week, the Rev. Canon John Thompson Quartey will discuss Centering Prayer. Please join us!

LENTEN QUIET DAY WITH DR. LERITA COLEMAN BROWN

Walking in the World with Inner Authority

Saturday, March 18, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

During these times of misinformation, disinformation, and personal attacks, how can we walk confidently in the world? Both Howard Thurman and Richard Rohr suggest we become aware of and engage our inner authority. Join us for this Lenten Quiet Day, our “wilderness time,” to ponder our relationship with inner authority and its link to the restoration of the self God created. The day will include time in silence and meditation, journal reflections, walking the labyrinth, and other expressive activities.

Lerita Coleman Brown, PhD, Professor Emerita of Psychology, Agnes Scott College, is a spiritual director/ companion, retreat leader, author, and speaker. She promotes contemplative spirituality, the living wisdom of Howard Thurman, and uncovering the peace and joy in one’s heart. Lerita’s new book, What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman was recently published by Broadleaf Press. Lerita is a most grateful heart (28 years) and kidney (17 years) transplant recipient and survivor of several medical ordeals.

The Quiet Day will take place in the Lanier House on the Cathedral campus, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 18. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. Please register before March 13 by contacting Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1031.

PRAYER List

FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING:

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Joe Moss • John K. Ottley, Jr.

LONG TERM PRAYERS: R. Huntley Allen • Randy Allen • Virginia Bicksler • The Bryant Family • Don Cameron •

Connie Chapman • Geraldine Charles • Heather Clark • Robert F. Clayton • Sharon Crews • The Crossley Family •

Rita Daly • Terry Dornbush • Sarah duBignon • Deborah Ellington • Paul Fekete • Max Ferguson • Joyce Egan

Ferris • Phoebe Forio • Ken Griffiths • Jenny Ham • Suzanne Haerther • Karen Howard • Jane Jones • Louise

Kan • Randi King • Lisa Krysiak • Jill Mahaffey • Tommy Mason • Lee Moran • Susan Myers • Jim Myrick •

Charlie Neal • Marian Palmore • Gene Paradise • Charles Puckett • Scarlett Reece • Rubye and Wayne Reid •

Lorraine Reynolds • Karen Richardson • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Nora Robillard • Betty Roper • Louis

“Skip” Schueddig • Mary Sorrel • Gail Morgan Timmis • Tommy Truesdale • Ron Wallace • Jonathan Wright

FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Josephine Rose Adams • Elizabeth Alexander • Bettina Bass • Charlotte Eloise Bell •

Ray and Pat Bell • Catherine Brinton • Lila Jo Callaway • Mika Chorey • Randy Coleman • Marie Corrigan •

Ava Corroon • Bob Crawford • Judy Crosby • Jerad Davis • Jean DeSante • Sammie Dixon • Redell DuBose •

Harriet Ellis • Dan Elson • Kenneth Farr • Jack Flanigan • Don Harp III • Vivian Hartz • Martha Heinze • Gayle

Higley • Jackie Hoder • Caroline Hooper • Jay Horton • Beth Ingle • Kathy Johnson • Tom Jones • The Kelly

Family • Robin Kemp • Herb Larrabee • Rachel Laurin • Pete Livezey • Carolyn R. Lusk • Lauren Makhlouf •

Michele McBride • Katie McRae • Susan Mendivil • Elaine Metcalf • Ruth Ann Metcalf • Betsy Moore • Deloria

Musgrove • Nan Nettleman • Linus Nickel • Einar Sagstuen • James Sands • Don Smith • Michael and Kathryn Snider • Christine Still • John and Cleary Tanner • Pierson Thames • Donnie Waller • Cheryl Waybright • Doyle Weekley • Whit A. Wright • Hollis Youngner

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Michael Hale

Cathedral GIVING BY DESIGN

THANK YOU FROM CATHEDRAL GIVING BY DESIGN

With all net proceeds of the event going directly to the beneficiary, the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence, the inaugural Cathedral Giving By Design event was a success because of our wonderful committee, our amazing community, and all the people who supported the event.

The Welcome Home Party on Friday night was sold out. The guests enjoyed food by Soiree Catering, participated in the Live Auction, heard from Jean Douglas (the Executive Director of the Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence) and danced to music by Johnny Utah.

The Saturday Design Panel moderated by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Editor-in-Chief Lauren Iverson welcomed Clary Bosbyshell, Christina Dandar (The Potted Boxwood), Brandon

Ingram and Janie Molster for a panel titled “Beyond the Front Door: Trends in Decorating, Lifestyle and Entertaining.” The panel surpassed expectations with over 250 guests enjoying the morning.

The three stunning Atlanta homes available to tour in person for the Tour of Homes was a huge success. Guests were also able to take a virtual stroll through three homes located in Cashiers, NC, Lake Rabun, GA, and Birmingham, AL. They could hear and see fantastic details about these houses as well as the décor.

Commentary from the homeowners, architects and designers made this an afternoon that people did not want to miss.

We were thrilled by the Cathedral community’s support of the event and thankful for the opportunity to increase awareness for the Women’s Resource Center.

FEBRUARY 12, 2023

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Mikell Chapel

8:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral

10:10 a.m. Old Fashioned Sunday School Child Hall

10:10 a.m. Living Faith Chapter Room (319)

10:10 a.m. Youth Sunday School Room 382

10:10 a.m. Godly Play

3rd Floor above the Atrium

10:10 a.m. Young Professionals

“Coffee and Conversation Cards” Walthour Library

11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral

11:15 a.m. La Santa Eucaristía Mikell Chapel

1:15 p.m. Enjoy Biblical Greek Room 239

3:15 p.m. Sunday Afternoon Recital: Sarah Johnson Cathedral

3:30 p.m. Landscapes of Grief Lanier House

4:00 p.m. Choral Evensong Cathedral

6:00 p.m. Sunday Evening EYC Room 382

Market opens

March 4, 2023

SOUPER BOWL FOOD COLLECTION DRIVE

The Cathedral Youth are sponsoring a food collection drive to support the Intown Collaborative Ministry’s Food Pantry. Drop your pop-top canned donations into your team’s bin on or before this Sunday, February 12. Learn more and make a monetary donation at cathedralATL.org/souperbowl.