The CATHEDRAL TIMES
The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · July 14, 2024
THE FRIENDLY CHURCH BEHIND TACO BELL
by the Rev. Julia Mitchener, Canon for Mission
The church I grew up in was nothing like the Cathedral of St. Philip, at least not at first glance. Nobody went there because the building was beautiful—it wasn’t, unless you happened to love mid-century modern. The artwork above the altar did not portray scenes from the Bible; rather, it looked like someone had dropped a handful of sharpened pencils on the floor, then preserved the moment in stained glass. There were majestic long leaf pines on the lawn outside, and late on a winter’s afternoon, the sight of the sun on them could take your breath away. In 2013, however, a devastating tornado felled those pines, reducing half the church to rubble. The congregation rebuilt, but it took several years of worshipping in the cinder block parish hall and selling plates of barbecue on Saturdays to get there.
Not many members of my childhood church were prominent or well connected. It was a small congregation and tended to draw those who did not fit in elsewhere—people like biologists from the local university who had been told by other Christians they weren’t welcome so long as they embraced the theory of evolution. Or the young widow and her children who visited the church food pantry for powdered milk and cereal one day and were surprised when they were invited to stay for worship.
It’s amazing they found their way in the first place. Plenty did not know our church existed, or, if they did, they couldn’t remember its name. Tucked between a service road and the fast food restaurants of the town’s main drag, it didn’t call much attention to itself. Our pastor once shared how, as he was trying to tell someone about us, the person with whom he was talking suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, now I know—that’s the friendly church behind Taco Bell!”
What makes for a good church, a healthy, vital church, one that attracts people to it? Those who study congregations, their growth and their decline, might answer this question by naming some obvious assets: a desirable location, well-tended buildings that can accommodate a wide range of activities, interesting programming for all ages, uplifting worship services, an engaging and committed staff, maybe even delectable treats served at coffee hour!
We here at the Cathedral are blessed with all of these and more. The beauty of our building and grounds never ceases to inspire. Our vibrant farmers market attracts patrons from across the city each Saturday for fresh produce, good coffee, and lively conversation. Our children’s ministries are both faithful and fun. Our top notch music program fills the nave and makes our hearts soar with its ethereal sounds. These are just a few of the things that draw people to the Cathedral, this is what brings many through our doors. But what makes people stay? What makes you stay? Maybe it’s one of the things I’ve just mentioned. Maybe it’s not. Maybe, as it turns out, it’s something less “marketable” but no less meaningful.
An usher patiently helping an elderly man with a walker get safely to his pew, week after week after week.
An email from someone you barely know telling you she has been praying for you in the wake of your sister’s death. An offer from a member of your Bible study to care for your pets while you recover from surgery. An older, well liked kid coming and sitting next to your awkward tween because she knows it’s her first time at EYC. Worshippers of different generations, backgrounds, and ethnicities passing a fussy baby around during the sermon, rocking and cooing and bouncing as if they’re all related, because, in a way, of course, they are. Some might call this friendliness, others, faithfulness, still others, hospitality. Whatever it is, The Friendly Church Behind Taco Bell had it in spades, and the Cathedral of St. Philip has it, too—which is an awfully fine thing in this complicated, conflicted, and ever changing world. Storms arise, both real and metaphorical; sometimes they topple things over. Traditions evolve and expand, making room for something new. Myriad transitions occur in the life of a parish. Down the street, a Taco Bell gets replaced by a Chipotle. As for love and the People of God, though? They endure.
This SUNDAY
JULY 14, 2024 · The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 10, Year B Amos 7:7-15 • Psalm 85:8-13 • Ephesians 1:3-14 • Mark 6:14-29
8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.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. Salmoon Bashir
8:45 AND 11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL
Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener
Preacher: The Rev. Salmoon Bashir
Please pray for our choir on their pilgrimage as they serve as choir-in-residence at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, and York Minster from July 15—July 28. We invite you to sing joyfully during our services and to “praise God with all your skill!” (Psalm 47:7)
11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant: The Rev. Dr. Thee Smith
Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval
STEWARDSHIP
JOIN A CATHEDRAL SMALL GROUP!
The Cathedral continues to be a vibrant, growing parish, with numerous small groups. These small groups are one of the best ways to engage with others. From liturgical to spiritual to educational to social, there is a place for everyone here. Last year, working through our small groups, pledge participation increased almost 20% simply by one, two, or a few more members of that group raising their hand and saying “I want to financially support the Cathedral!” This year almost all of our small groups have over 50% participation and 11 small groups already have 100%! We encourage you to help your small groups reach greater participation! No amount is too small, and all contributions support our groups at the Cathedral. We are a better, more dynamic parish because of these small groups and YOU! If you are looking for a group to join, please attend the Ministry Fair in Child Hall on Sunday, August 11 at 10:10 a.m. To pledge, please visit cathedralATL.org/pledge or contact David Rocchio at drocchio@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1033.
The Cathedral’s Super Singles group (ages 50+) will gather on Saturday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Scofflaw at the Works, 214 Chattahoochee Row NW. Look for the gold star – we look forward to meeting you!
For more information, fill out this brief form to get in touch: cathedralATL.org/supersingles.
PRAYER List
FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING:
LONG TERM PRAYERS: R. Huntley Allen • Lucy Baker • Emma Duke Bleke • Virginia Bicksler • The Bryant Family • Heather Clark •
The Crossley Family • Rita Daly • Jerri Darnell • Terry Dornbush • Joan Duncan • Darrell Dyas • Jill Dyas • Deborah Ellington • Paul Fekete • Joyce Egan Ferris • Phoebe Forio • Tom Frolik • Ken Griffiths • Jenny Ham • Tory Hartness • Gena Inman • Bobby Johnston • Jane Jones • Randi King • Liza Lanier • Olivia Leon • Ralph Lewis • Robert Lewis • Stewart Long, Jr. • Lisa Krysiak • Jill Mahaffey • Tommy Mason • Sally Menning • Christopher and Mary Chase Mize • Graham Mulling • Susan Myers • Jim Myrick • Charlie Neal • Lori Hegwood Owens • Marian Palmore • Nancy Qarmout • Buddy and Sue Redd • Rubye Reid • Lorraine Reynolds • Barbara and Joel Rice • Bob Riggins • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Lisa Rowe • Kay Sanders • Nancy Sanders • Louis “Skip” Schueddig • Bill and Julie Sutton • Tommy Truesdale • Alyn Wambeke • Ginny Wolf • Jonathan Wright
FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Josephine Rose Adams • Bettina Bass • Ray and Pat Bell • Jason Borland • Scott Bouchillon • Jason Brady • Trip Bray • Paul Brewer • Catherine Brinton • Darnell Brown • Chaz Brownfield • Lila Jo Callaway • Mika Chorey • Anna Clifford • Ava Corroon • Dale Deese • Marty Dunn • Veta Durman • William Erb • Sam Fender • Kyle Garcia • Ann George • Melinda Miller Greenough • Kerry Gresham • Ann Blair, Joe, & Lulu Gribbin • Larry Hamilton • Christine Hanson • Judson Harper • Carole Ann Harris • Gayle Higley • Keith Hinze • Sarnia Hayes Hoyt • Jane Hunnicutt • Beth Ingle • William Irwin • Kathy Johnson • Melanie Johnson • Pat Jones • Mary Kyle • Pete Livezey • Hilda Lukwago • Carolyn R. Lusk • Lauren Makhlouf • Lisa Reeves Martin • Delaney McGowan • Margaret McKinnon • Elaine Metcalf • Marion Hickman Meythaler • Aaron and Ally Miller • Margaret Moriarty • William Morris • Rick Nelson • Fred Neuschel • Linus Nickel • Sterling Pace • Rosemary Palmer • Stephen Pararo • Kimbrooke Pavlich • Ginny Quinn • David Raj • Peggy Reese • Patrick Romett • Jean Rudolph • Einar Sagstuen • Joe Salas • James Sands • Skip Saunders • Patricia Schooley • Mary Sittig • Alan Smith • Don Smith • Christopher Smithers • Michael and Kathryn Snider • Esther Rose Spade • Izzy Straus • Brandon Streets • John and Cleary Tanner • Timothy Tew • Pierson Thames • Leopildo Velita • Pat Volpicella • Marjory Wall • Thomas Francis Wall • Curt Weaver • Jay Whitten • Christie Woodfin • Karen Woodward • Whit A. Wright • Hollis Youngner
FOR THOSE WHO WERE BORN:
Rose Fabel Harps, daughter of Elizabeth and Patrick Harps, granddaughter of Libba and Bill Shortridge
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. Salmoon Bashir, Curate for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
The Rev. Deacon Linda Rosengren
The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic Ministries and Pastoral Care
The Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate Geoff DeLong, Senior Warden
Melody Palmore, Junior Warden
CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES: FOR THE SUNDAY, JULY 21 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, JULY 10. FOR THE SUNDAY, JULY 28 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, JULY 17.
TO RECEIVE THE TIMES BY EMAIL: CONTACT LIZ AULL, LAULL@CATHEDRALATL.ORG.
TO SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT REQUEST: CONTACT SARA CRAIG-GOODELL, SCRAIGGOODELL@CATHEDRALATL.ORG.
404-365-1000 | cathedral ATL .org pastoral care emergency line: 404-365-1003
cathedralatl
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by July 13, 2024
Adult EDUCATION
ADULT EDUCATION THIS SUNDAY
Old Fashioned Sunday School: July Speaker Series 10:10 a.m., Child Hall
This Sunday, July 14, our speaker will be our own Canon for Mission, the Rev. Julia Mitchener. Julia will reflect on where she is finding hope during these challenging times in our community, country, and world and on how each of us might find renewed joy, meaning, and strength by reaching out to one another.
Living Faith: Book Study
Poverty, by America, by Matthew Desmond 10:10 a.m., Room 239
Enjoy Biblical Greek!
1:15 p.m., Room 239 and on Zoom Newcomer classes begin with alphabet and pronunciation practice prior to translation. Led by the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith, tsmith@cathedralATL.org.
SPIRITUALITY
THIRD MONDAY FACILITATED LABYRINTH WALK AND TAIZÉ
Monday, July 15
7 p.m., Labyrinth and Child Hall
Refresh your soul with a contemplative Third Monday of July. We’ll begin in Child Hall for an hour of walking the sacred labyrinth path starting at 7 p.m. Or come a few minutes early for a brief introduction if you are new to the labyrinth.
Then, come to Mikell Chapel at 8 p.m. for Taizé Prayers for Peace. Originating in Taizé, France, this simple service of scripture, music, silence, and candlelight will bring a beautiful and prayerful close to your Monday.
The facilitated Labyrinth walk and Taizé service take place every third Monday at the Cathedral. Come to one, or both – and bring a friend! Questions? Contact Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1031.
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to:
The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920 404-365-1000
CATHEDRAL TIMES
(USPS-093440) is published weekly by
The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920
Periodicals Postage Paid at Atlanta, GA
OUTREACH
It’s hot on the streets of Atlanta this summer. Help keep our neighbors hydrated by making a contribution to our partner ministry Crossroads. Bring a case of bottled water and drop it off in the Child Hall breezeway (the double doors that lead outside towards the labyrinth) by August 11 and help keep our neighbors safe!