Cathedral Congregation News
May 2010
Cathedral Congregation News is published on the fifteenth of each month. Contact the editors with content or email address information at newsletter@cathedralcongregation.org »
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From the Vicar Next Sunday we celebrate Pentecost. We might think of Pentecost as the power that keeps the gift of Easter alive generation after generation. Without Pentecost the miracle of Easter would simply have been lost many years ago.  According to Acts of the Apostles, the Spirit of God descended upon the Church on Pentecost. In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul talks about the Spirit as a gift to individual Christians. Jesus told his disciples before he went to the cross that he would always be with them, but in a new way. He promised to send the Spirit-Paraclete. And St. Paul says that it is the Spirit that most intimately connects us to our divine parent through Jesus. In other words, the Holy Spirit is that generative power that invites our relationship with God to always be in the present tense. And like any relationship, the Spirit allows our interaction with God to grow and deepen and move us to unexpected places in our lives. The Spirit give us courage to step out in witness to God’s love for all the world. I know that this can sound like a lot of religious talk that isn’t grounded in reality. Yet, when we have the conviction to believe, we begin to experience the presence of God in our lives and all the world and we become willing to take risks on behalf of this relationship. It’s hard to fall in love if you are not willing to believe and risk that it can happen. I’m writing from Los Angeles, where I attended the ordination of the two new suffragan bishops of that diocese. Mary Glasspool, one of the new bishops, is in a partnered relationship with another woman. She was a deeply faithful highly qualified priest. So the Holy Spirit doesn’t necessarily get the credit for the Church realizing her qualifications for this office. But it is the Holy Spirit who prodded us as the Church on to act with courage on our convictions despite pressure on many fronts to do otherwise. I pray that all of us will trust, risk, and believe that through the power of the Spirit we will be given the insight and courage to be faithful disciples of Jesus as individuals and as a congregation. Happy Pentecost. Celebration of Steve Huber Wednesday, May 19, 7 pm  
Join us for our next congregation Eucharist in the Cathedral nave. Our potluck reception (in the back of the nave) will follow. The service and reception will serve as the congregation and Cathedral staff’s farewell to our vicar, Steve Huber. Please bring reception-type refreshments of food and beverages. Small plates, napkins, and beverage cups will be provided. You may drop off your refreshments before the service or bring them directly to the reception. No warming or refrigeration is available, so plan accordingly. Please bring any necessary serving utensils. Volunteers are needed to help with the worship service and the reception, including set-up, clean-up, and table management. To volunteer, please contact bwillette@cathedral.org » Urban Ministry May is Washington Interfaith Network Month 
Show up and be counted. Join interfaith members from across the city in a meeting with DC Council Chair Vincent Gray and other council members at Foundry United Methodist Church on Monday evening. Demonstrate concern over the high unemployment rate and support the WIN Jobs initiatives. Numbers matter to officials. WIN brings predominantly faith-based organizations together to work for economic and social justice in our city and beyond. The Cathedral, in partnership with St Alban's Church, is an organizational member and active participant. Sign up to be notified of future actions at coffee hours during May. For more information or contact Melanie Sletten. Darfur Interfaith March Sunday, May 23, 2-3:30 pm 
Join members from the Cathedral and congregations of many faiths throughout the DC area for the Hope for Darfur-Justice for Sudan march and rally. Learn more » The Cathedral Congregation is a participating sponsor of the Darfur Interfaith March. To learn more about this action and initiatives to raise awareness on the continuing impact of the genocide. Contact Suzanne Robinson. Summertime pleasures 
Each of us relishes our all-time favorite or newly discovered books, recordings, or movies that we want to share with the world. Here’s your chance! Contribute your recommendations for this year’s Congregation Summer Pleasures Guide. The tabulations will be posted in June. Click here » 20s and 30s Group Sit-Together-Sunday and Brunch 
Have you always wanted to participate in the 20s & 30s Group? Wondered where all the Group members are on Sundays? Attend the 11:15 am Pentecost service and sit with members of the Group. Enjoy some fellowship at a local restaurant following the service. For more information about this event and the 20s & 30s Group, email Victoria Smith » 2nd Annual 20s and 30s Group Retreat Jesus tells his disciples to “come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” Join the Group for this weekend of contemplation, discussion, and renewal in the company of others who seek a deeper relationship with God. Learn more » The gargoyle tours are back! 
Explore the whimsical stone gargoyles and grotesques that decorate the Cathedral. The tour includes a slide show followed by an outdoor tour. Binoculars recommended. Cameras welcome. More information » Vicar Search Update Did you miss the Dean’s email on the Vicar
search? Read it here » |
Wisdom Jesus: Transformational Teaching for Today’s Times with Cynthia Bourgeault Monday, May 17, 7:30 pm Organ Recital with Scott Dettra Sunday, May 23, 5:15 pm Cathedral Crossroads: Unifying Spirit, Intention and Physical Form Tuesday, May 25, 6:30 pm Choral Evensongs Wednesday, May 26, Thursday, May 27, 5:15 pm Pentecost Pilgrimage Saturday, June 5, 3 pm Benedictine Life and Prayer Monday, June 7 and each Monday, 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm Listening, Hearing, and Living with Margaret Guenther Saturday, June 12, | |
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