The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · December 15, 2024
I THANK MY GOD EVERY TIME I REMEMBER YOU!
(excerpts from Sam Candler’s sermon at the Annual Parish Meeting of the Cathedral of St. Philip!)
I thank my God every time I remember you. (Philippians 1:3) …Even in prison, Saint Paul used the word “joy,” or some version of “rejoice” some 27 times in this short letter to the Philippians. “Joy.” …Today, I, too, speak of joy. And I speak of thanksgiving and prayer. I want to claim these words of Saint Paul, for myself and for all of us. I remember this past year as one of giving thanks whenever I remember each of you. In the great mystery of spiritual life, I have learned a wonderful thing about thanks: giving thanks releases us. Giving thanks frees us! Lets us go!
I thank my God every time I remember you. This past year, and every day, I have walked around this Cathedral campus giving thanks. Early in the morning, I see young preschoolers and their parents. I see older walkers. I see joggers and bicyclers and exercisers. I see those who gather for morning prayer. I give thanks for them.
I give thanks for the Cathedral Farmers Market, with about 68 vendors and around 5,000 customers and visitors every week. I give thanks for the red-shouldered hawks who live around us and above us. A few months ago, I escorted the Saint Monica’s ECW Guild to the top of the Cathedral Bell Tower, and there was our red-shouldered hawk on the cross below us, watching for us.
I give thanks for the Cathedral Thrift House and the Cathedral Bookstore. I give thanks for the Cathedral Preschool, and for the Cathedral Counseling Center. People! People who come to learn, people who come to serve. People who come to pray, who come to lament, who come to laugh and rejoice. I give thanks for the Cathedral Choir! People who come to sing! I give thanks for the gatherings of joyful wedding services. I give thanks for the gatherings of holy funeral services. I give thanks for our All Saints’ Dinner for the Homeless, and for our Homeless Requiem.
In the afternoon, I give thanks for LaAmistad, our after-school tutorial program for members of the Hispanic community. I give thanks for Cathedral Towers, which is now a giant opportunity for service, for providing housing to low-income seniors, but whose original physical footprint is now called “Parish Grove.” I give thanks for Parish Grove!
I give thanks for you, for each of you whom I see walking in, to this church every week. Some of you are dancing, and some of you are trudging. …I watch for you, and I give thanks for every single one of you who enters and exits there. Thank you!
All year, I have been giving thanks for the vision, and now the construction, of the Good Faith Chapel. For each one of the construction workers. …I give thanks each one of you who is praying for the chapel. And for your contributions! Of whatever sort and size. Every week now, I am signing individual letters of thanks for each of your pledges and contributions! Wow! Thank you! I send you a prayer with that signature.
Giving thanks is a blessed gift, and the Bible is full of it. Full of thanks. Someone told me once, “Gratitude is wealth; complaint is poverty.” I understand that sometimes there are legitimate reasons to complain! But the time comes for gratitude, for giving thanks. The time comes for the wealth of gratitude. …
Our Cathedral year is a classical pilgrimage of prayer and thanksgiving. Advent preparations. Christmas grandeur itself. Epiphany green. The Feast of the Presentation Sunday. Lent and Easter. Pentecost. Homecoming. St. Francis Day and St. Philip’s Day, and All Saints’ Day. We are a classical Christian church with progressive vision. We are traditional and liberal. We are a medieval cathedral without the medieval theology. We are a House of Prayer for All People, gathering daily for thanksgiving. …
“I thank my God every time I remember you,” said Saint Paul to the Philippians. He concluded by praying that their “love of God would overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight,” so that they might produce a “harvest of righteousness.” And we are praying for a harvest of righteousness, too. Remember my definition of righteousness; in the Bible, righteousness means “right relationship.” Paul prays for a harvest of right relationship!
I give thanks for that harvest of righteousness here at the Cathedral. I give thanks for our harvest of right relationship, when we are in right relationship with God, with each other, and with the whole world.
This SUNDAY
DECEMBER 15, 2024 · The Third Sunday of Advent, Year C Zephaniah 3:14-20 • Canticle 9 • Philippians 4:4-7 • Luke 3:7-18
8:45, 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. Canon Ashley Carr
8:45 AND 11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL
Celebrant: The Very Rev. Sam Candler
Preacher: The Rev. Canon Ashley Carr
8:45 a.m. Cathedral Singers / 11:15 a.m. Cathedral Choir: arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), The great forerunner of the morn Anonymous, Rejoice in the Lord always
11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA, MIKELL CHAPEL
Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval
4:00 P.M. CHORAL EVENSONG, CATHEDRAL
Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener
Cathedral Schola: William Smith (1603-1645), Preces & Responses William Byrd (1540-1623), Second Service Anonymous, Rejoice in the Lord alway s Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), O thou, the central orb
STEWARDSHIP
Thank you so much for your financial support! The Cathedral needs to receive over $1,400,000 in contributions in December in order to have our income meet our expenses for the year. Here’s how you can help:
• Online contributions can be made via cathedralATL.org/contribute. Contributions can be processed through Tuesday, December 31 in order to be considered for a 2024 tax-deduction.
• Cash and check contributions can be mailed, placed in the plate at any service, or hand-delivered to the Cathedral stewardship or finance offices. A contribution must be received at the Cathedral by Tuesday, December 31 or postmarked by Tuesday, December 31 in order to be considered a 2024 tax-deduction.
Shares can be transferred electronically to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (DTC #0015), Account #308-130762. Our contact is Cathy Lamb at 404-266-6315. Please notify David Rocchio, drocchio@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1033, of the transfer.
Consider your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from an IRA: If you are 70½ or older, you may choose to direct funds from your IRA payable directly to the Cathedral of St. Philip. Amounts distributed as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can be counted toward satisfying your RMD for the year, up to $100,000. The QCD is excluded from your taxable income. Contact your financial advisor or retirement plan to arrange the QCD.
Giving history can be checked anytime by logging into your TouchPoint record: cathedralATL.tpsdb.com.
Year-end statements of contributions will be mailed in late January 2025 accounting for all contributions in the 2024 calendar year. Please contact David Rocchio, drocchio@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1033, with any questions.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON RECITALS
JUNWEN LIANG, PIANO
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15— 3:15 P.M.
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/RECITALS
Claude Debussy (1862-1918), Selections from Images, Book 2
Catherine Likhuta (b. 1981), Rondo For Piano (2001)
Franz Liszt (1811-1886), Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 in C-sharp minor, S.244/12
NEW TRAFFIC PATTERNS
After a fun and prayerful groundbreaking ceremony earlier in November, the Good Faith Chapel is underway! Traffic patterns into and out of the Cathedral parking lot will change throughout construction.
• On weekdays, the Andrews Drive driveway will be closed in both directions. All cars will enter and exit at Peachtree Road; pedestrians can access the Cathedral campus from Andrews Drive via the stone path at the Lanier House or a new sidewalk leading to Mikell Chapel.
• On weekends and Christmas Eve, the Andrews Drive driveway will be one-way only into the parking lot. All cars will exit at Peachtree Road. Pedestrians can access the Cathedral campus from Andrews Drive via the driveway, the stone path at the Lanier House, or a new sidewalk leading to Mikell Chapel.
We have worked with the Georgia Department of Transportation to change the traffic light timing at Peachtree Road. As always, please drive slow, use courtesy, and exercise patience. For more information, contact David Rocchio, drocchio@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1033. Thank you!
The CATHEDRAL of ST. PHILIP
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Dean
Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music
The Rev. Canon David E. Boyd III, Canon for Pastoral Care
The Rev. Canon Ashley Carr, Canon for Parish Life
The Rev. Canon George M. Maxwell, Jr., Vicar
The Rev. Canon Julia B. Mitchener, Canon for Mission
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
CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES: FOR THE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 AND 29 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11. FOR THE SUNDAY, JANUARY 5 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26.
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
PRAYER List
FOR THOSE WITH IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Bill Roth
FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING:
LONG TERM PRAYERS: R. Huntley Allen • Lucy Baker • Ed Black • Ann and Frank Blackistone, Jr. • Lawrence Booker • Cheryl Bryant • The Bryant Family • Elizabeth Coil • The Crossley Family • Rita Daly • Jerri Darnell • Debbie Dewees • Keith Dumke • Deborah Ellington • Paul Fekete • Phoebe Forio • Tom Frolik • Jenny Ham • Tory Hartness • Gena Inman • Bobby Johnston • Jane Jones • Bennie King • Randi King • Lisa Krysiak • Bonnie Lamberth • Virginia LaMon • Liza Lanier • Ralph Lewis • Robert Lewis • Stewart Long, Jr. • Jill Mahaffey • Tommy Mason • Floyd McRae • Sally Menning • Graham Mulling • Susan Myers • Jim Myrick • Charlie Neal • Lori Hegwood Owens • Marian Palmore • Jim Powell • Nancy Qarmout • Buddy and Sue Redd • Rubye Reid • Lorraine Reynolds • Barbara Rice • Bob Riggins • Tom Roberts • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Kay Sanders • Nancy Sanders • Louis “Skip” Schueddig • Brandon Stephens • Tommy Truesdale • Susan Wilson • Jonathan Wright
FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Josephine Rose Adams • Kenya Anders • Steve Baker • Bettina Bass • Annette Bechtold • Ray and Pat Bell • Will Benton • Jason Borland • Scott Bouchillon • Jason Brady • Trip Bray • Darnell Brown • Chaz Brownfield • Anne Bumbak • Lila Jo Callaway • Roanne Chandraratna • Mika Chorey • Anna Clifford • Ava Corroon • Veta Durman • William Erb • Marilyn Epstein • William D. Estes • Kyle Garcia • David Garlock • Ann George • Nikki Greenaway • Kerry Gresham • Joanne Dopp Hamlyn • Carole Ann Harris • Davis Hatcher • Shirley Helmke • Keith Hinze • Lisa Hoybach • Jane Hunnicutt • Beth Ingle • William Irwin • Chris Lemley • Kathy Jones • Pat Jones • Delores and Lee Josephs • Jack Karch • Neal Littlejohn • Pete Livezey • Carolyn R. Lusk • Lauren Makhlouf • Elaine Metcalf • Nael McCarty • Iris Miller • Barbara Moate • Melanie Myers • Vonnie Nahill • Fred Neuschel • Linus Nickel • Stephen Pararo • David Raj • Peggy Reese • Terri Robertson • Pierce Robbins • Jean Rudolph • Einar Sagstuen • Joe Salas • James Sands • Patricia Schooley • Lelia Sinclair • Don Smith • Michael and Kathryn Snider • Joe Spencer • Izzy Straus • Brandon Streets • John and Cleary Tanner • Pierson Thames • Leopoldo Velita • Pat Volpicella • Suzette Walling • Jay Whitten • John Wilmer • Cutler Woodfin • Whit A. Wright • Hollis Youngner FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Beth Allison • Isaac Jackson • John Anthony Ogden • Manny Pargman • Mary Ann Warren
YOUTH Ministry
REGISTER FOR YOUTH CONFIRMATION CLASSES
Youth Confirmation Classes will start in January and run through March 2025. There are five required classes that will be held on Sunday afternoons from 4–6 p.m. The classes culminate with a retreat weekend for all participants and leaders.
All youth in 8th grade or higher who wish to deepen their faith and learn more about the Episcopal church are invited and encouraged to register for the classes. Please contact Keith Dumke, kdumke@cathedralATL.org for more information. Register at cathedralATL.org/youthconfirmation.
MUSIC
A CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
Sunday, December 22
4 p.m., Cathedral Nave
Cathedral Schola, Dale Adelmann, conductor
Modeled on the beloved carol service broadcast each Christmas Eve from King’s College, Cambridge, this is our most popular choral service of the year. Ancient prophecies foretelling the coming of a Messiah and the Gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus are illumined by extra-biblical texts, anthems and Christmas carols that have inspired composers, choirs, and worshipers throughout the world and across time. For those who are traveling at Christmas and wish first to celebrate with loved ones here at home, and for all who hold the music and message of Christmas dear, this service is a meaningful and joyous way to celebrate the season. All are welcome! Invite a friend: it may be the best gift you give.
ATLANTA GAY MEN’S CHORUS 44TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT
Friday, December 20, 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 21, 2 p.m.
Saturday December 21, 6 p.m.
The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus is back with their 44th Annual Holiday Concert. This holiday show at the Cathedral is an Atlanta tradition that is not to be missed. This year the show will be on the third weekend in December and the chorus will be joined by a jazz combo to bring you holiday favorites and the combination of beauty, camp, power, and joy that only the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus can. Buy tickets at voicesofnote.org.
OUTREACH
HOW CAN I HELP OTHERS THIS CHRISTMAS?
VOLUNTEER
LaAmistad Holiday Parties
Tuesday, December 17, 3:30 p.m. or Wednesday, December 18, 3:30 p.m
Help spread cheer among students in the Cathedral’s after school tutoring program by serving refreshments and assisting with games and a gift exchange.
Church of the Common Ground Christmas Luncheon
Friday, December 20, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m
Help welcome and serve a holiday meal to our friends from Church of the Common Ground or bake homemade cookies in advance to serve for dessert.
DONATE
St. Monica’s Guild Toy Drive
Through December 15
Bring new, unwrapped gifts to the bins in the Atrium through December 15 for kids all over Atlanta. You can also make a donation and learn more at cathedralATL.org/toydrive.
Provide Emergency Assistance for a Neighbor in Need
The Cathedral’s Discretionary Fund for the Needy provides short term help with food, clothing, shelter, and other life essentials for community members experiencing an emergency. Donate at cathedralATL.org/discretionary.
For more information about these and other outreach opportunities through the Cathedral, please contact the Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener, julia.mitchener@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1083.
ADULT CONFIRMATION CLASSES
Sundays, 4–6 p.m., Child Hall
January 26
February 9
February 23
March 9
March 23
Our adult confirmation classes are for all adults who want to learn more about the Episcopal church. Whether you are interested in confirmation or wish to be received into the Episcopal Church, want to re-affirm your faith, or are just curious, we welcome you! Contact the Rev. Ashley Carr, ashley.carr@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
Register at cathedralATL.org/adultconfirmation.
Cathedral GIVING by DESIGN
Join us on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25, 2025 for Cathedral Giving By Design, a two-day event celebrating the joy of home design and hospitality with events including a festive welcome party, live auction, designer speaker panel and tour of homes. Benefiting Wellspring Living, these events sold out in 2024, so don’t wait and purchase your tickets today! We’re thrilled to dedicate this year’s Cathedral Giving By Design to our honorary chairs, Dr. and Mrs. Randy Rizor. Long-time members of the Cathedral of St. Philip, Nancy and Randy are servant leaders at our church and in the community, and their thoughtful and quiet approach over decades has set the example for “doing for others.” Nancy has served the Cathedral in many capacities, including serving on the Altar Guild, being a member of St. Anne’s Guild, serving as Chapter treasurer and on the Chapter nominating committee, and serving on the board of the Cathedral Towers and the Cathedral Farmers Market. Randy has also been very involved, serving as a lector/intercessor and usher captain, as well as serving on the Chapter and Chapter nominating committee. Join us as we celebrate this inspiring couple! Learn more and buy tickets at cathedralgivingbydesign.org.
ORDER YOUR DINNER FROM BELA!
Bela Yemane, the Cathedral’s resident caterer, offers prepared meal pick ups every week on Sundays until 3 p.m. Bela’s menu changes each week and can be found at cathedralATL.org/bela. Orders must be placed on the Friday preceding Sunday’s pick up, and you can order by emailing Bela at belayeman@gmail.com. Bela also has a special Christmas menu available for pick up on December 21, 22, or 24.
PARISH Life
Come celebrate Epiphany in Child Hall on Monday, January 6 from 6–8 p.m.! This will be an adults-only BYOB potluck. Bring a dish to share, and be merry and bright with old and new friends. We will celebrate the light of Christ together with festive piano music! RSVP at cathedralATL.org/celebrate.
FESTIVE NEWCOMER ADVENT & APPETIZERS
5:30 P.M., GOULD ROOM
Are you new to the Cathedral? Or new-ish? Join us Sunday, December 22, in Child Hall after Christmas Lessons and Carols for appetizers and a warm welcome.
We are glad you’re here!
Contact Liz Aull, laull@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
4 p.m. A Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 5:30 p.m. Festive Newcomer Advent & Appetizers
BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Wednesday, December 18
6:30 p.m., St. Mary's Chapel
As we prepare for the joyful arrival of the Christ child, we hold space for all the other feelings we may carry with us. This service is a refuge for all who are bereaved or bewildered. Come experience the peace of Christ.
ST. VERONICA’S GUILD EPIPHANY DRIVE RETURNS TO THE ATRIUM IN JANUARY
In Epiphany the Wise Men came from the East, bringing gifts to the Christ Child. In this Epiphany the wise women of St. Veronica’s Guild will be coming to the Atrium for their annual Epiphany Drive to raise funds for their gifts of toiletries to four Atlanta ministries. The drive, St. Veronica’s wise women will tell you, will help underwrite costs for the toiletries they give six times during the year to help Emmaus House, Church of the Common Ground, Holy Comforter Friendship Center, and Crossroads Community Ministries serve thousands of our Atlanta neighbors who struggle with poverty, housing and health challenges. Watch the Cathedral Times and the Outreach e-newsletter to learn more about this ministry and visit cathedralATL.org/toiletries to donate.
Christmas ALTAR FLOWERS
We will once again have beautiful floral arrangements and decorations in our sacred spaces this Christmas, with your help! Donations are appreciated throughout the Christmas season.
Your donation can be made in memory of or thanksgiving for a loved one using the form below or online at cathedralATL.org/christmasflowers. Volunteers will be in the Atrium to collect donations before and after services on Sunday, December 1, 8, and 15 as well as before and after Christmas Lessons & Carols on Sunday, December 22 at 4 p.m. Those received on or before December 16 will be listed in the Christmas service leaflet. Those received after that date will be listed online only.
If you use the form below, please include a check with your request, made payable to The Cathedral of St. Philip. While any gift is appreciated, a minimum of $125 per printed line is suggested. Checks and forms should be sent to: The Cathedral of St. Philip, Attn.: Hillary Jones, 2744 Peachtree Rd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. You may also make arrangements by contacting Liz Aull, 404-365-1034, or laull@cathedralATL.org.
Please list the name (or names) as you want them to appear:
In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for:
name(s):
In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for:
name(s):
Please complete the following information about you:
your name(s):
phone:
date:
In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for:
name(s):
In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for: name(s):
This Sunday at a Glance
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Mikell Chapel
8:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral
10:10 a.m. Living Nativity Atrium
10:10 a.m. Living Faith Child Hall
10:10 a.m. YP Sunday School Room 368
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral
11:15 a.m. La Santa Eucaristía Mikell Chapel
12:30 p.m. La Virgen de Guadalupe Reception Gould Room
1:15 p.m. Enjoy Biblical Greek! Room 239 and online
