The CATHEDRAL TIMES
The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · January 26, 2025
WHAT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS?
By the Very Rev. Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral
“Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). It is one of the great verses of scripture. But, we tend to think of that statement as a form of divine legal transaction. Tradition has taught us that somehow Abraham “believed the right way,” and thus the legal and formal transaction was made valid. He would receive progeny and land.
But I think otherwise. That is not, that is NOT, what righteousness means. Throughout the Bible record, from Genesis to Exodus, from the prophets to Jesus, and certainly to Paul, I have found a healthy definition of “righteousness” which does not mean legal justification or legal standing. The better definition of the word “righteousness,” the holy definition, is “relationship.” “Righteousness” really means “right relationship.”
“Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as relationship.” That’s what belief does for us, too, and it is what faith does for us. Good belief is not simply reciting the correct formula or the correct creed. Good belief puts us into good relationship. Good faith puts us into right relationship. It is right relationship that means righteousness for us.
Sure, land and descendants feel good. But there are people in this life for whom the material and objective signs of success do not occur. People who lose their land. Couples who cannot have children. Couples whose children die too soon. These are some of the inevitable features of life. Sometimes life serves us wonder and delight – and land and progeny. But sometimes life serves us sour wine indeed.
There is one salvation in life, one thing that gives us hope; and it is not land or descendants. And it is not a legal standing of righteousness, or some kind of legal transaction that gives us hope. The true salvation in life is relationship. To believe in God is to be given relationship. My interpretation of Genesis 15:6 is that Abraham believed God; and, thus, he was given relationship.
Even people with no children at all can teach us much about relationship. That is what Harper Lee, who never had children, taught us in her book, “To Kill A Mockingbird.” She taught us right relationship. In the 1962 movie version of that book, Atticus Finch tells his daughter Scout this, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”
Abraham believed God even when he knew he was licked, that he was too old, that he was hopeless. It is his belief, his faith, that continues after him. That’s why Saint Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, could say that every person of faith is a child of Abraham, whether that person is blood-related to Abraham or not, whether that person is religion-related to Abraham or not!
Abraham’s contribution to God’s kingdom is not the children he sired; it is the faith he chose. Those who believe like Abraham, even when life looks hopeless, are the descendants of Abraham. The rituals that genuinely commemorate that event are those that draw us closer to God, and those that draw us closer to each other. The rituals of true holiness are those that remind us of relationship.
The great promise of God, then, is not land or descendants. The promise of God is relationship. Holy relationship. Abraham believed God, and it became relationship for him.
This SUNDAY
JANUARY 26, 2025 · The Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 • Psalm 19 • 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a • Luke 4:14-21
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. Canon David Boyd
8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL
Celebrant: The Very Rev. Sam Candler
Preacher : The Rev. Canon David Boyd
8:45 a.m. Cathedral Choristers and Cathedral Singers / 11:15 a.m. Cathedral Choir:
Philip Stopford (b. 1977), The Spirit of the Lord
Richard Shephard (1949-2021), The secret of Christ
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 TIMOTHY AND TITUS , CATHEDRAL
Officiant: The Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener
Cathedral Choir:
Käthe Wright Kaufman (b. 1993), Preces & Responses Herbert Sumsion (1899-1995) in G (SATB)
Richard Shephard (1949-2021), The secret of Christ
Gabriel Jackson (b. 1962), Creator of the stars of night
SUNDAY AFTERNOON RECITALS
BRIAN PARKS, ORGAN
First United Methodist Church
Marietta, Georgia
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26— 3:15 P.M.
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/RECITALS
Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901), “Introduction and Passacaglia” from Sonata No. 8
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), “Andante” from Second Piano Concerto
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908), transc. Brian Parks, Movements from Scheherazade, Op. 35
COMMUNITY
Newcomers
Brunch
This Sunday, February 9
12:30 p.m. | Gould Room
Are you new to the Cathedral? Or new-ish? It can take a while to navigate this beautifully complex community. Whether you’ve been here one week or eighteen months, please join us after the 11:15 a.m. services for a lovely brunch with parishioners and staff. We are glad you’re here!
Please contact Canon Ashley Carr, ashley.carr@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 26
Old Fashioned Sunday School
ADULT Education
Epiphany: Discovering Christ’s Light in the World 10:10 a.m., Child Hall
Epiphany is a time of light, revelation, and mission in the life of the Church. Canon Maxwell will lead a discussion about how Christ is revealed in the rich biblical stories about the Magi, Jesus’ baptism, and his first miracles and how those stories help us to recognize the presence of Christ in our own lives. We look forward to seeing you there.
Living Faith
10:10 a.m., Room 239
Join us as we learn what it means to live out our faith through conversation with scripture and tradition, contemporary books, and, most importantly, one another. We are discussing David Brooks’s bestselling book How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen. Intended for anyone seeking deeper a connection with others and yearning to be understood, this title draws from the worlds of religion, education, theater, neuroscience, psychology, and more. For more information, please contact Canon Julia Mitchener, julia.mitchener@cathedralATL.org.
Enjoy Biblical Greek!
1:15 p.m., Room 239 and on Zoom
Young Professionals Sunday School: Baptism & Eucharist 10:10 a.m., Room 368
The Young Professionals Sunday School class will journey into the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist—foundational practices of our faith that invite us into deeper communion with God, strengthen our bond with one another, and unite us with the universal Body of Christ.
Whether you’re new to exploring these topics or looking for fresh insights, this class promises thoughtful discussion and opportunities for spiritual growth. All young professionals are welcome—come as you are! For more information, please contact the Rev. Salmoon Bashir, sbashir@cathedralATL.org, or 404-365-1035.
Godly Play Parents (GPP)
10:10 a.m., Room 316
Join fellow Godly Play parents and Deacon Linda Rosengren weekly for fellowship and conversation as we explore how we might engage in the stories and lessons of the Bible alongside our children. Contact Lynn Wilmoth, lwilmoth@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
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. The goal is enhanced Bible study, not language mastery. Provided on a drop-in basis, first-time visitors need no previous knowledge of Greek. Please contact the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith, tsmith@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
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
The Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate
Geoff DeLong, Senior Warden
Mary Hall Perrin, Junior Warden
CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES: FOR THE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22. FOR THE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29.
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: Edna Thornton Kennedy • John Mercer • Coley Sheats
FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING:
LONG TERM PRAYERS: R. Huntley Allen • Lucy Baker • Ed Black • Ann and Frank Blackistone, Jr. • John Blair • Lawrence Booker • Cheryl Bryant • The Bryant Family • The Crossley Family • Rita Daly • Jerri Darnell • Debbie Dewees • Mary Wayne Dixon • Deborah Ellington • Paul Fekete • Phoebe Forio • Tom Frolik • Jenny Ham • Tory Hartness • Gena Inman • Jane Jones • Bennie King • Randi King • Lisa Krysiak • Bonnie Lamberth • Virginia LaMon • Liza Lanier • Ralph Lewis • Robert Lewis • Stewart Long, Jr. • Jill Mahaffey • Kit Mason • Tommy Mason • Floyd McRae • Sally Menning • Graham Mulling • Susan Myers • Jim Myrick • Charlie Neal • Lori Hegwood Owens • Marian Palmore • Jim Powell • Nancy Qarmout • Buddy Redd • Rubye Reid • Lorraine Reynolds • Barbara Rice • Bob Riggins • Tom Roberts • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Bill Roth • Kay Sanders • Nancy Sanders • Louis “Skip” Schueddig • Tommy Truesdale • Susan Wilson • Jonathan Wright
FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Josephine Rose Adams • Kenya Anders • Steve Baker • Bettina Bass • Annette Bechtold • Ray and Pat Bell • Jason Borland • Darrell Boyette • Jason Brady • Trip Bray • Chaz Brownfield • Anne Bumbak • Lila Jo Callaway • Roanne Chandraratna • Mika Chorey • Anna Clifford • Linda Connelly • Ava Corroon • Mike Dangerfield • Veta Durman • Marilyn Epstein • Kyle Garcia • David Garlock • Ann George • Nikki Greenaway • Kerry Gresham • Ted Hackett • Ryan Hamilton • Joanne Dopp Hamlyn • Carole Ann Harris • Davis Hatcher • Shirley Helmke • Lisa Hoybach • Jane Hunnicutt • Beth Ingle • William Irwin • Scott Jachthuber • Farley Jenkins, Sr. • Rhonda Johnson and family • Pat Jones • Delores and Lee Josephs • Jack Karch • Pete Livezey • Carolyn R. Lusk • Lauren Makhlouf • Elaine Metcalf • Iris Miller • Barbara Moate • Carole Musarra • Melanie Myers • Tom Myer • Vonnie Nahill • Fred Neuschel • Linus Nickel • Mary Jane Noyes • Jon Oscher • Stephen Pararo • David Raj • Peggy Reese • Hugh Ripps • Terri Robertson • Pierce Robbins • Einar Sagstuen • Joe Salas • James Sands • Patricia Schooley • Lelia Sinclair • Don Smith • Michael and Kathryn Snider • Joe Spencer • Izzy Straus • John and Cleary Tanner • Pierson Thames • Leopoldo Velita • Pat Volpicella • Suzette Walling • Jay Whitten • John Wilmer • Christie Woodfin • Cutler Woodfin • Hollis Youngner
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Kay Bomgardner • William “Bill” Kelly, Jr.
FOR THOSE WHO WERE BORN: Audrey Jane Myers, granddaughter of Melanie and Marshall Myers
ST. VERONICA GUILD’S 2025 EPIPHANY DRIVE CONTINUES
St. Veronica’s Guild is deeply grateful to the generous parishioners of the Cathedral of St. Philip for the financial support you have given through previous years and as we begin 2025. With your help, we have been able to maintain our toiletries distribution without interruption for more than 40 years, even during COVID!
Ours is a year-round ministry and donations of any size now and throughout the year are welcomed and easy. Just scan the QR code or visit cathedralATL.org/toiletries.
On behalf of Church of the Common Ground, Church of the Holy Comforter, Crossroads Community Ministries, Emmaus House and St. Veronica’s Guild: Thank you, Cathedral Parishioners!
The Cathedral Thrift House will be collecting donations of fine, vintage, and high-end costume jewelry during February and March for their Jewelry Box Bazaar. Donations will be collected at the Cathedral on the following Sundays: February 2, February 16, March 2, and March 16. Donations will also be collected at the Thrift House Tuesday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and designate your items as for the Jewelry Box Bazaar.
Then visit the Cathedral Thrift House April 8–11 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. to shop the sale!
THE CATHEDRAL THRIFT HOUSE 1893 Piedmont Road NE Atlanta, GA 30324 cathedralthrifthouse.org
FAITHFUL Politics MUSIC
BRAVER ANGELS WORKSHOP
With political change swirling around us we’d like to offer an opportunities for Cathedral parishioners, friends, and neighbors to explore how our Baptismal Covenant informs our civic and political engagement. Braver Angels is America’s largest organization that brings conservatives and progressives together on equal terms to understand our differences, find common ground where it exists, and help the country we all love find a better way. We have the following opportunity to explore how we “seek and serve Christ in all persons, … strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” Contact Canon George Maxwell, gmaxwell@cathedralATL.org, or Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
COMMON GROUND WORKSHOP ON IMMIGRATION
Saturday, February 8
10 a.m.–3 p.m., Lanier House (lunch included)
This Braver Angels Common Ground Workshop will bring together equal numbers of Conservatives and Liberals - Reds and Blues (4-8 of each) - for a structured deep dive into this issue of Immigration. Together participants talk about their connection to the issue and their opinion on solutions. By the end of the 5-hour event they have come up with jointly and unanimously held Points of Agreements on values, concerns and policies. You can join us as a participant or observer. Everyone will receive brief educational materials on immigration.
“Are you willing to listen to the other side, and are you willing to speak to the other side with respect?” If yes, please join us! Register at cathedralATL.org/FEBbraverangels.
ABO CONCERT: MONTEVERDI VESPERS
March 28, 2025, 7:30 p.m., Cathedral Nave
March 29, 2025, 3:00 p.m., Cathedral Nave
A special collaboration between the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra and the Cathedral of St. Philip
This may well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Atlantans to hear Monteverdi’s Vespers performed live by virtuoso soloists, multiple choirs, and expert period instrumentalists in acoustical and aesthetic surroundings similar to those for which it was written. Come and be swept away by one of the transformative works in the entire history of music, and marvel at this kaleidoscopic work of sonic grandeur, extraordinary virtuosity, constant changes in color and performing forces, compositional brilliance, originality, and ravishing beauty, as Monteverdi ushers music from the Renaissance to the Baroque.
Presented by Friends of Cathedral Music at the Cathedral of St. Philip and the Cathedral’s Moore-Wilkerson Concert Endowment. Tickets can be purchased at cathedralATL.org/concerts.
CHOIR OF ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE
Friday, April 11, 2025
7:30 p.m., Cathedral Nave
The return to U.S.A. of one of the most celebrated choirs of men and boys in the world—for the first time since adding girls to the top line—will move and delight listeners! At home in the University of Cambridge, the choir sings six Evensongs and a full Choral Eucharist each week during university term, giving them a facility of musicianship and breadth of repertoire that is truly astounding. Over the past half-century, the Choir has toured independently throughout the world – on many occasions as official representatives of the British government – and released more than one hundred critically acclaimed recordings on international labels including EMI, Decca, Chandos, Hyperion and Naxos. This will be an extraordinary evening, featuring some of the most beautiful treble singing one will ever have the privilege of hearing anywhere!
Presented by Friends of Cathedral Music at the Cathedral of St. Philip.
STEWARDSHIP
WHY I GIVE:
PARISHIONER KIM FLANAGAN
I came to the Cathedral in 1984 straight out of UVA, based on the recommendation of Bob Clayton. Some of you may remember Bob who was a former Chapter member and sang in the choir, among other roles. He was my first manager at Citizens & Southern National Bank who offered me my first “real job.” I introduced Bob to my mother over lunch one day and he ended up being an awesome stepfather for 32 years until he passed away two years ago. As a friend of mine likes to say, it was a “Godcident.”
For the first several years, I attended services but did not get engaged. It felt odd to see so many people who all seemed to know each other when I considered St. Philip as my church. Things changed rapidly when my first child was born, and suddenly, I became involved in many aspects of the Cathedral. My bonds with the church deepened and widened, and the value of the Cathedral and its amazing community to me expanded exponentially.
As time progressed, I plugged into even more ministries. It has been so enriching to teach Children’s Chapel, Volunteer as a House Captain for Giving By Design, participate on the Newcomers Committee and Foyers as well as co-chair St. Catherine’s Guild. At this point, the Cathedral is such a significant part of my life that I can’t imagine not being part of this wonderful group of parishioners.
I give because the message that the church provides is very much needed, and the value of a supportive and welcoming community cannot be underestimated. This church is unique, in my opinion, with its focus on hospitality, and not just enriching the lives of so many in Atlanta but serving the world. It is a blessing to have called the Cathedral of St. Philip my faith home for so long, and the Cathedral could not be the beacon of light and hope that it is without our continued financial support.
To join Kim in donating to the Cathedral, please visit cathedralATL.org/giving or contact David Rocchio at drocchio@cathedralATL.org, or 404-365-1033 for more information about other giving opportunities.
PASTORAL Care
LANDSCAPES OF GRIEF: ADULT GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
Sundays, February 9 – March 9 3:30 – 5 p.m., Lanier House
This grief-support group, offered in partnership with Hospice Atlanta, is open to anyone in the community who is grieving the death of a loved one and is willing to commit to attending all five sessions. We meet from 3:30–5 p.m. on Sundays. To maintain a comfortable group size, space is limited, and registration is required. Contact Canon David Boyd, david.boyd@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
WOMEN’S LENTEN RETREAT
Save the Date!
March 14-16 at St. Mary’s Sewanee All women of the Cathedral are welcome. Watch for more information in the coming weeks.
This sunday at a glance
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 Room 239
10:10 a.m. YP Sunday School Room 368
10:10 a.m. Godly Play Parents Room 368
10:10 a.m. Youth Sunday School Room 382
10:10 a.m. Godly Play 3rd Floor above the Atrium
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 and online
3:15 p.m. Sunday Afternoon Recital: Brian Parks Cathedral
4:00 p.m. Choral Evensong for the Feast of Timothy and Titus Cathedral
6 p.m. EYC for Middle and High School Room 382
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by January 25, 2025
POSTMASTER
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The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920
404-365-1000
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Next SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 2 IS SCOUT SUNDAY
Scout Sunday celebrates the founding of the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910. In 2024, the Cathedral’s Boy Scout Troop 74 is also celebrating its 73rd birthday. It is a tradition for the Scouts of Troop 74 to observe Scout Sunday on February 2 by worshiping with their families and serving as ushers at the 8:45 service. All Scouts (Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts) and Scout leaders are invited to join this service in uniform, regardless of their Troop or Pack affiliation.
The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord
Sunday, February 2
Bring candles for a special blessing!