Cathedral Congregation News
January 2012
Cathedral Congregation News is published on the fifteenth of each month. Contact the editors with content or e-mail address information at newsletter@cathedralcongregation.org »
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From the Vicar Arise, shine for your light has come! Following our glorious Christmas services, we are now living in the season of Epiphany. The word Epiphany comes from the ancient Greek epiphaneia, meaning “showing forth”—the manifestation of Christ to the peoples of the earth. The season of Epiphany spans from the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The Gospel stories of this season describe the various events that manifest the divinity of Jesus.  Two very important events are happening today which continue in the spirit of Epiphany to shine a light on our ongoing life together. At 5:30 pm we commission our recently announced Cathedral Dean Search Committee at a special choral Evensong. Immediately following at 7 pm, we gather for our Congregation Eucharist with our new bishop, Bishop Mariann, as our preacher. A festive reception follows the service to welcome both Bishop Mariann and our new interim dean, Frank Wade. Please join us! Looking ahead to Lent, just about a month away, I am excited to share our plans for a variety of new small group discussion offerings. One of the requests that I have heard from many of you is your desire to deepen your relationships with one another as we all seek to know and serve God. My Cathedral colleagues and I have planned six different discussion group opportunities from which you can choose to participate depending on your own spiritual interests and schedules. As you will see from the information below, we have offerings on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, as well daytime courses on Wednesdays and Sundays. Because we will have some space limitations, I encourage you to sign up early for the Lenten journey that is beckoning to you this season. As we begin this new year, I am filled with thanksgiving and gratitude for each one of you—for who you are individually and who we are together as a community of faith. 2011 was a remarkable year in so many ways, and I begin 2012 humbled by being in ministry with you and excited about the ministry that awaits us in the year ahead. Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise, Blessings and in faith, Special Choral Evensong 
Choral Evensong, 5:30 pm The Cathedral community gathers to commission the search committee for the next dean of Washington National Cathedral. Details » Worship and Fellowship Reception, 7 pm 
Since her consecration in November, Bishop Mariann has been visiting parishes in the diocese. This Wednesday, it is our turn to welcome her. Gather in the great choir to celebrate Holy Eucharist, to commission our new Eucharistic Visitors, and to recognize our intercessory prayer members and healing ministers. Bishop Mariann preaches. Stay for a potluck reception with her and our interim dean, Frank Wade. More information » Eucharistic Visits (Home Communion)  One of the ministries highlighted at this week’s Congregation Eucharist provides home communion for those unable to be present physically for worship services at the Cathedral throughout the year, Eucharistic visitors are sent forth every Sunday to share the sacrament with fellow congregation members. Additionally, if needed, Mary Wright Baylor, our pastoral care nurse, makes Eucharistic visits during the week. For more information about this ministry for those that are sick or homebound, please contact Mary (202) 537-3127 or mbaylor@cathedral.org. Sunday Epiphany Series: Minority Status 
Sundays, January 22—February 5, 10:10—11 am, nave Lenten Journey: Meditations  Many have commented that the meditations of Advent and the earlier cycle of Lenten meditations became part of their daily rhythm. We are again seeking volunteers from the Congregation and Cathedral family to write a 200-word meditation for one day in Lent. The meditations are to be based upon one of the lessons assigned for the day (Daily Office for weekdays and RCL for Sundays). We will post a meditation on the congregation home webpage for each day of Lent, from Ash Wednesday, February 22, to Easter Day, April 8. If you are interested in writing a meditation or have any questions, please contact Ellen Spencer or sign up at coffee hours starting on Sunday, January 22. Learn more » Lenten Discussion Groups:  With an emphasis on small group exploration, six new courses have been designed around compelling books, reading material, and the Sunday 10:10 series on the “State of Politics.” Meeting weekly, participants will explore and confront topics that include: looking afresh at the timeless truths of Christianity; the way of forgiveness; reading the Bible politically; Cathedral worship as a bridge between the world and God; how ancient Abrahamic practices can help us find our way today; and politics and religion in this election year. Download the course descriptions from the Congregation Programs section. Courses range from four to eight weeks in length. Participants are expected to purchase the books or reading materials for the courses. Due to enrollment limits, please make your first choice early. Email Ellen Spencer to enroll starting on Monday, January 23. Lenten Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 
March 17-27. Registration is ongoing. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus with the Rev. Canon John L. Peterson as he leads this pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Explore the region through lectures, local cuisine, and contemplative walks in sacred spaces, worship services, evening events, and the hospitality of the many different peoples in the Holy Land. Worship at important Christian sites such as Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Mount of Beatitudes, and Jerusalem. Organized through the Cathedral’s Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage. Learn more or contact tmontavon@cathedral.org or call (202) 537-2373. Stewardship Update  The Cathedral was blessed with many year-end gifts in addition to our December congregation pledges. As of mid-December, we are pleased that the numbers are running on a par with 2011. (The final December numbers are receiving final review.) We continue to accept pledges from members for calendar year 2012 to achieve our ultimate goal of 100% participation—a goal that is appropriately lofty for our beautiful Cathedral. Thank you to all who have already pledged and special thanks to those who have pledged for the first time. Your pledge broadly supports the many ministries of the Cathedral. If you need a pledge packet or would like to make a pledge over the phone, please call Nat Wyeth at (202) 537-5792 or email nwyeth@cathedral.org Volunteering  Looking for ways to serve and also meet members? Why not join one of our active ministries such as the Sunday coffee team, greeters, or ushers? Whether you have a knack for hospitality or wish to contribute to the worship experience of others, there’s a place for you. To learn more, contact Ellen Spencer. And if you love to sing, see below. Cathedral Voices Is Recruiting  Calling all voice parts and particularly tenors and basses. Cathedral Voices, the Cathedral’s volunteer adult choir, sings at the 8:45 am Eucharist and rehearses every Thursday evening, 7:30–9:30 pm. Voices also sings at special services such as the Easter Vigil. If you enjoy singing and socializing with like-minded amateur singers, please contact Jeremy Filsell to schedule a short, informal audition. Learn more » Hunger: It’s Local and Global  We’ve had plenty of reminders in recent months of the needs of our neighbors. Thanks to the generosity of our Cathedral community, many families were able to sit down to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. However, in our city, one in four children goes to bed hungry every night. Chronic hunger affects one billion people around the world on a daily basis. Our Global Hunger Advocacy Group asks us to consider some serious questions. Can the world feed itself? How are aid groups, rural farmers, and other innovators working together? What steps can we take? If you wrestle with these questions, our Global Hunger Advocacy Group recommends viewing the 30-minute movie, Challenging Hunger, produced by Bread for the World. View it online. For more information on hunger issues or to join members who are trying to live on a food stamp budget for a period of time, contact globalhunger@cathedralcongregation.org With Gratitude  As mentioned above, the holiday basket drives were a huge success. More than 400 Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets were delivered to Covenant Baptist/UCC Church to help feed needy families in wards 7 & 8. Your response to the Advent Giving Tree project was overwhelming. Along with contributions from NCS and Cathedral staff, hundreds of items were distributed to Bright Beginnings, Martha’s Table, OUR PLACE DC, Key to Heaven Church, Covenant, Covenant Baptist/UCC, Episcopal Church of the Atonement, and several families in crisis. In addition, recipients of more than $1,000 in gift cards included The Community of Hope and Friendship Place/Community Council for the Homeless. |
Weekday Evensong WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 5:30 pm Congregation Eucharist and Fellowship WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 7 pm Minority Status: Judaism SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 10:10 am Organ Recital: Chelsea Vaught SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 5:15 pm Mid-Winter Monastic Quiet Day with Kurt Aschermann and Greg Finch SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 7:30 am Ultimate Sunday Brunch SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 8:45 am and 12:45 pm Minority Status: Islam SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 10:10 am Cathedral Crossroads: Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 6:30 pm Kindling the Flame: An Evening Pilgrimage Celebrating Saint Brigid FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 6 pm Minority Status: Christianity SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 10:10 am Cathedral Sings! SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 7:30 pm Inquirer's Class THURSDAYS, FEBRUARY 16—MARCH 29 7-8:30 pm Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 6:30 pm |
Washington National Cathedral
3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
(202) 537-6200
The Cathedral community gathers to commission the search committee for the next dean of Washington National Cathedral. The Rt. Rev Mariann Edgar Budde officiates at this service. 
Gather in the great choir to celebrate Holy Eucharist, to commission our new Eucharistic Visitors, and to recognize our intercessory prayer members and healing ministers. Bishop Mariann preaches. A potluck fellowship reception to welcome the new bishop along with our new interim dean, Frank Wade, follows. Parking is free. All are welcome! 
Live webcast. This three-part interfaith series on Sunday mornings during Epiphany explores the impact that being minority groups has had on Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein of the Union for Reform Judaism considers the Jewish faith on January 22. 
Guest organist Chelsea Vaught from Lawrence, Kansas, plays a recital on the Cathedral’s great organ. Her program features works by Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms, and Carl Nielsen. 
Experience the rhythms of monastic communities in the midst of daily life. After an evening of silence at home on Friday, convene at the Cathedral for Eucharist, breakfast, periods for reflection, shared learning, and brown-bag lunch. Led by Kurt Aschermann. 
20s and 30s participants choose a restaurant and enjoy one another's fellowship. 
Join us for an engaging evening that celebrates the life and legend of St. Brigid and inspires us to kindle renewed hope and growth in our own lives. 
Cathedral Choral Society conductor J. Reilly Lewis leads a sing-along of the Mozart Requiem. 
These classes are intended for people who are new to the Episcopal Church, new to the Cathedral, want to be baptized or confirmed, or just want to get into some basics of the faith. The classes will provide the opportunity for newcomers and regulars alike to explore how the spiritual journey toward Christ begins and why it matters. 
On the eve of Lent, join fellow members of the congregation at the Cathedral College as we eat, drink, and are merry before the solemnity of the next forty days.