The
Angelus
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral • Kansas City, Missouri •
Vol. 74, No. 5 • May 2005
Contents
From the Dean
A historical glance at the Cathedral buildings and grounds
Ascension Day Choral Evensong
Summer Camp for Children
Adult Education
With sympathy
Congratulations
Churches Working Together --
Building together: Harmony House
News from Guild of the Christ Child
The Cathedral’s Financial Status
Homer Saves the Day!
Flower and music gifts help make for beautiful Easter
celebration
The Leaders in Children’s Education
Summer Bible Study for Children
Area programs for youth, children in need of adult volunteers
Come Eliot mavens, aspiring thespians, plain hams and everyone
else
Reel People
Bachathon XXVI promises great sounds from renovated organ
A day to recognize Cathedral’s youth
Flower memorials and thanksgivings
New linens donated
Parish Picnic
Making Preparations:
Palm crosses and candy-filled Easter eggs
Celebrating the Resurrection:
Easter services full of beauty and joy
Weekly Activities
Activities for the Month of May
From the Dean
Those who are new to the Cathedral may not know that there is an annual gathering of North American Cathedral Deans the second week of Easter. The Deans have a saying: “I’d rather be Very than Right” (as in Reverend.) Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral hosted the Deans Conference two years ago, and I was told repeatedly how much they enjoyed being here and how welcomed they felt.
This, my first conference, was split between two cities in Southwest Canada, Victoria and Vancouver, just a 35-minute helicopter ride apart. In Victoria, under the leadership of Dean John Wright, we considered Christian Leadership in a Time of Climate Change.
Several scholars informed us about issues such as air and water pollution and energy consumption. The presenters challenged the deans to make cathedrals strong advocates of environmental stewardship, and encouraged us to make decisions, such as the construction of new buildings and care of property and grounds, based upon what is best for the environment and not what costs the least.
In Vancouver, the see city for the Diocese of New Westminster, we heard from Bishop Michael Ingham and Dean Peter Elliot about the diocesan synod’s (convention) decision two years ago to allow for the blessing of a union between two people of the same gender.
This in turn lead to a discussion about the role of cathedrals in modeling what it means to be an inclusive community of baptized people, from handicapped accessibility to respectful dialogue to seeking out the disenfranchised. I was greatly impressed with the Canadian Anglican Church as well as my sister and brother deans.
While at the conference, I watched the Mass of Christian Burial for John Paul II. To be sure, the continuous press coverage was first about the death of the pontiff of the Roman Church. But to a large degree the cameras were showing the world the faith of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, what it means to believe in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection. Karol Wojtyla’s dying and burial gave comfort and hope to people who needed it the most.
What I heard at the Deans Conference about the public role of a cathedral is akin to the very public display of Christian faith expressed in the rituals at the pope’s death.
Jesus told the disciples that it made no sense to light candle then hide it under a basket. Like a city on a hilltop, reaching to the heavens, we must be seen. You and I know that we must work hard at being noticed for the right reasons. (We’ll never lack being noticed when we make mistakes.) Our Lord does not call us to be noticed for the sake of pride, but to be noticed for the sake of those who are seeking God, desperate for God’s love and peace.
Just as a televised funeral helps people come to grips with death and loss, our public presence gives hope to those who are sure that they are sinners not worthy of entering the Lord’s House, not eligible for God’s forgiveness, not worthy of God’s love, not welcome at the Table.
Our presence at 13th and Broadway says that God is very much present in the city, and as God’s people, we will be about building God’s reign here. Imagine what something as simple as a full parking lot on Sunday morning says to those who slowly drive by, wondering if what is going on in Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral might be as important as what is happening at Bartle Hall.
The work of the Kansas City Community Kitchen feeding 400 hot meals Monday through Friday will never get as much attention as when local business provides an annual Thanksgiving meal. The dozens of area Episcopal parishes who provide childcare, senior care, meals and tutoring to those who otherwise can not afford such services will never get the attention that a parish voting to leave the Episcopal Church draws. So be it.
What I hope we can achieve together is finding more ways to tell our story to more people in a more public way. That means not simply saying “This is what we do,” but also saying, “and this is why we do it: because Jesus loves, forgives and accepts us all.”
It is not up to the media to tell that story: it is up to me, and to you. By our care of creation, our commitment to be inclusive, our respect of others, and our genuine desire to serve, let us get up on our soapbox and say to Kansas City: “Listen up, everyone. Have we got a story to tell you!” Because we do.
With affection, in Christ,
Terry+
A historical glance at the Cathedral buildings and grounds
We have many new members who may not be aware of how or why certain Cathedral updates to the campus were made and how they were funded. Our Deans, Wardens and Vestry have always been prudent stewards of our Cathedral’s money and investments. However, even though safeguards are put in place, unforeseen things happen.
In 1981, we installed a new Gabriel Kney Organ and organ loft for about $450,000 with money from a fund-raising campaign. The new organ pipes were lying all over the Nave floor ready to be installed. The installation team had opted to work late that night and noticed the Cathedral was extremely warm.
They went down in the undercroft and discovered the main boiler was cherry red and ready to blow. Had they not been working that night, we could have lost the new organ and our beloved Nave. We could not have replaced the organ for the same price we had contracted to have it built two years before. Also, the Nave could not be duplicated today.
We had Temperature Engineering under contract to monitor all our heating plants. They had inspected that boiler the previous week and said, “Everything is working properly, including all the sensors and safety valves. Unfortunately, either we had a poor inspection or the equipment failed that week, causing a near catastrophe. God was definitely with us that night!
The Dean and the Vestry in the fall of 1985 appointed a Physical Facilities Master Plan Committee. Their charge was to plan the renovation of the Cathedral and long-range facility needs. As a church, we have always tried to put together the best expertise available before moving forward on any project.
That committee was soon to find work because on January 22, 1986, a section of the north wall of our Cathedral Nave collapsed, displacing worship into Haden Hall for twenty months.
The project was difficult and so risky that no one wanted to do the renovation. Bill Dietrich persuaded the David Ross Construction Co. to take on the job. We always assumed the huge walls were solid stone. We were wrong! It was rock outside, rock inside and rubble in the center.
The previous year, we had tuck-pointed the outside walls to keep the element out of the wall. Unfortunately, the tuck-pointing was now trapping the water and snow from the roof that entering the center of the wall because of freeze cracks in the copper gutters which set on those exterior walls.
This had been happening for a long time because the moisture had rolled off the base of the wooded trusses supporting the roof. The repair estimate was $1,452,000.
This would have been the perfect time to join the flight to the suburbs and finance much of the move by selling our very valuable square city block. The Vestry and the congregation, however, chose to raise $1.6 million needed to restore our Cathedral and continue our Downtown ministry.
We replaced the top seven feet of the stone wall on both the North and South walls, hand painted the stone to copy the 1929 fire watermarks, installed steel shoes on the base of the wooden trusses, replaced the tile roof, reanchored the massive stone cross on the roof and made major renovations in the Nave.
A long-range plan was developed under the guidance of Gould Evans architects. Discussions and deliberations went on for months and months with input from staff, Sunday school teachers, Vestry and many members of the Congregation. Seven years went into the development, planning and fundraising to create Founders’ Hall. The project would cost $4.5 million. Two and a half million dollars would be raised through a major fundraising campaign.
Our annual $200,000 bequest from the William T. Kemper Trust would be earmarked for ten years to fund remaining $2 million required to make Founders’ Hall a reality. [Mr. Kemper left the Cathedral a perpetual gift of $200,000 a year for ministry. His generosity enabled Founders’ Hall to happen.]
After the dedication of Founders’ Hall, it was obvious to the Senior Warden, Al Mauro, Senior Warden Emeritus, Shawsie Branton, and myself that we had lots of deferred maintenance in the Nave, Parish House, Haden Hall and the campus at large.
Mr. Mauro arranged for the experts at DST’s MC Real Estate Service to review all of our facilities and recommend a ten-year plan. They created a guide that identified problems, a timetable and expected cost. They created this for us at no charge. They very generously developed this program exactly as they do for their own properties to show a profit at the end of the day.
The areas that were identified carried a $756,825 price tag. Some work needed to be done immediately but the timing was too soon for another major fundraising campaign. Parishioners were still completing three to five year pledges to Founders’ Hall. The Dean, Wardens and Vestry elected to take $500,000 out of the Endowment and an additional 2 percent per year to do the long-overdue deferred maintenance and replacement.
Haden Hall was our first priority. The Master Plan called for replacing the present structure with a new education building that could cost around $2.5 million. Since we didn’t have $2.5 million, we decided to rehab the building.
We made Haden Hall functional again with bright, clean, permanent classrooms that had carpeted floor for sound and replaced the ugly plywood building front with steel framing and bullet-proof glass, updated and enlarged the nursery, painted inside and out and installed new stage curtains.
Bud McDowell, a member of the Building and Grounds committee, offered to provide us with a very good three-year-old boiler his from was removing from a Shawnee Mission school. We could get it installed in Haden Hall for about $12,000 - that was a wonderful gift of reliable heat! Next, we replaced the air conditioning system.
We were being “nickled and dimed” with heating and air condition failures in Haden Hall, the Parish House and the Nave because all the systems were more than 25 years old.
The next building for renovation was the Parish House - our oldest building on campus, having been built in 1894. MC Reality loaned us an interior designer to help plan the office space to be more efficient and attractive. All the second floor windows, the offices, the bathrooms, the walls, ceilings, the heating and air conditioning were to be redone and the roof repaired. Our price tag was about $300,000.
The Nave’s air conditioning and air handlers needed to be replaced. We hired Larry D. Riggs of the Engineers Consortium to design the most efficient and quiet system possible. We updated breaker boxes and electrical panels in the Nave, Haden Hall and the Parish House.
Country Club Nursery pruned and removed trees on campus and lawn sprinkler systems were fixed and/or replaced. The Nave and Parish House was tuck-pointed. The asphalt parking lots not replaced during the Founders’ Hall construction were replaced and striped.
We did not get everything done on the MC Reality list but we did complete most of the items. The Parish House elevator has yet to be replaced. We have things in good shape but just like in our own homes, things will always mange to need fixing and updating.
The Dean, the Wardens and the Vestry have always tried to obtain the best expert counseling and perform extensive deliberation before embarking on a major project.
Some things would not have been possible, however, without the benefit of our endowment funds. It is important that we remember the Cathedral in our estate plans so that we can continue to grow the endowment for both ministry and occasional emergencies!
- by Richard Fanolio, Chair, Building and Grounds Committee
Adapted from a presentation to the Vestry at their March 2005
meeting.
The Angelus
A laypersons’ newspaper published in the interest of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral.
THE ANGELUS SMALL GROUP CONTRIBUTORS:
Emily Akins
Mary Byrne
Rachel Chambers
Jan Frizzle
John Hornbeck
Sergio C. Moreno
Chris Morrison
Cynthia Newman
Julie Toma, Editor
Submissions from parishioners and small groups are welcome and encouraged. All entries are requested by the 15th day of the month prior to publication via fax: (816) 474-5856 or e-mail: communications@ghtc-kc.org
Ascension Day
Choral Evensong
The Very Rev. Terry White,
officiant
Sung by The Trinity Choir
with organists
Jieun Kim Newland, John Fowler and Kenneth Walker
May 5, 2005 • 7:00 p.m.
Summer Camp for Children
June 27-July 2
3rd-6th Grade
at YMCA Camp Marving Hillyard, five miles southeast of St. Joseph.
Registration forms and information are available at: www.diowestmo.org.
Adult Education
All classes begin at 9:15 a.m.
Adult Forum • Founders’ Hall
May 1 • Dean’s Forum led by the Very Rev. Terry White
May 8 • Children’s Books for All Ages led by The Rev. Linda Yeager. Stories are valuable–they hold our history, values, heroes and our most important ideas about life. Everybody loves stories, especially those that pass on themes of faith, hope, love courage, sacrifice grace and resurrection. Children’s books can reveal so much-you’ll see!
May 15 • How Do You Know? Descartes, Pascal, and God: a conversation led by Dr. David Rice Take part in this intriguing forum as seventeeth century philosophers Rene Descartes and Blaise Pascal “dialogue” about the nature of knowledge and how it connects to the Christian understanding of God.
May 22 • Topic TBA, led by the Very Rev. Terry White.
May 29 • No adult forum classes • Memorial Day
Religious Book Discussion • Common Room
The group is completing Christ on Trial: How the Gospel Unsettles our Judgment by Archbishop Rowan Williams. Watch the Sunday announcements, the bulletin board or the Adult Education section of the Cathedral website for the group’s next reading selection. The books for this group are available at the Cathedral Bookstore.
Sunday Scripture Study • Youth Room
A Bible study centering on the scripture readings of the day will be held in Haden Hall’s Youth Room. Everyone is welcome to come and explore the Bible in a deeper way.
With sympathy
We ask that you remember the following parishioners and their families in your prayers this month:
• Deena Buckner, mother of Chip Buckner
• Farris O’Neal, father of Jan Duncan-O’Neal
• Marian Winslow, mother of Nancy Rozell
• Mike Lichtenauer, brother of Cyndi Sexton
• Carol Spencer, wife of Ron Spencer
• Dan Campbell, friend and member of the Cathedral
Congratulations
Congratulations to parishioner Emily Davidson, who is pursuing a PhD in music at UMKC, for receiving the Dean’s Doctoral Fellowship, which is awarded to one person in each school of the University.
Churches Working Together
Building together: Harmony House
An ecumenical gathering of Christians coming together to build on a foundation of faith. No - this is not a new religious council that is comprised of a variety of churches. This is “Harmony House.” Harmony House, as a Habitat for Humanity project, has been coming together since 1991 starting with the participation of six churches. The foundation that they build upon is typically concrete.
In 2005, what is now a group of ten churches will help build their sixteenth Habitat for Humanity house. This house will be located on 34th and Tracy.
Habitat for Humanity is celebrating their 25th anniversary in Kansas City.
In a small way, this year’s project has already begun. On Saturday April 9, a group including Habitat staff and Vivian Gibbens “had a shovel, said a prayer, and called it a ground-breaking.” John and Mary Pritchard, for whom this house is being dedicated were took part in the groundbreaking.
John and Mary Pritchard founded Kansas City Habitat for Humanity and nurtured it and the families through the first 100 houses built in Kansas City. Their children and grandchildren will be coming to work us during the build.
However, the work begins in earnest on Thursday, June 2. That is the first of a four-week “blitz build” in which we will be participating. Instead of spreading this project over several months, it was decided to compress the building time into a shorter period this year. And this is where we need your help.
We need volunteers from Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. You do not need to be “Bob the Builder” who was born with a tool belt around his waist. You need to be someone who is able and willing to help with anything from carrying lumber to hitting a nail with a hammer. (And sure, we could use a few people who know their way around power tools as well).
We will be building on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in June. You may sign up for individual days or make a more substantial commitment of time. Our Saturday workday is June 18; we will need five volunteers on that day.
To volunteer, please stop and sign up on one of the sheets that will be available at coffee hours through the month of May – or contact Vivian Gibbens or any member of the Social Action Committee.
Come and put your faith in action. During the month of June, let’s build together!
– by John Hornbeck
Congregations participating in building the Harmony House:
All Saints Episcopal Church
All Souls Unitarian Church
Calvary Lutheran Church
Colonial Church in Prairie Village
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
Immanuel Lutheran Church
St. Charles Catholic Church
St. James Lutheran Church
Second Presbyterian Church
Valley View Methodist Church
News from Guild of the Christ Child
Just a reminder, children of all ages are welcome to join GCC and Wonderscope’s “Sticky Business” during the May 22 Parish Picnic after the 10:15 service. We will have Bocce, Volleyball and croquet for older kids, parents please note we will provide lawn activities but parental supervision is required.
Mom’s Bible Study will be having a mini-retreat on Friday morning May 6 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. in the Common Room. We will be reflecting on our individual spiritual journeys and those who have helped us along our way. Our present study book, Sacred Companions by David G. Benner, revolves around this theme. Childcare will be provided.
Our heartfelt congratulations to those families celebrating Baptism on April 3. It was a glorious day and we joined you with joy on this special occasion. Our next baptism Sunday will be May 15. We are looking for more moms to add to our coffee hour calling tree and kitchen fellowship. If you are interested in joining the Guild in this uplifting part of our ministry please call Linda Yeager at 816.474.8260.
The Cathedral’s Financial Status
March was another good month for pledge and plate income at the Cathedral. A continuation of parishioners prepaying their 2005 pledges and plate offering being well above budget, partially explained by Easter coming in March this year, brought about this excellent result.
Expenses were over budget in March but are on budget for the year. Your continued financial support will help maintain and expand the essential ministry of the Cathedral.
– by Doyle White, treasurer
| MARCH MTD | BUDGETED MTD | ACTUAL MTD |
| INCOME | $ 84,833 | $ 117,932 |
| EXPENSES | $ 114,843 | $ 118,468 |
| VARIANCE | $ (30,010) | $ (536) |
| MARCH YTD | BUDGETED YTD | ACTUAL YTD |
| INCOME | $ 299,472 | $ 334,903 |
| EXPENSES | $ 349,052 | $ 350,477 |
| VARIANCE | $ (49,580) | $ (15,574) |
Homer Saves the Day!
The April 17 Adult Forum with guest presenter Ellen Goheen was almost a miss when the slide projector bulb cracked.
Thanks to Homer Williams’ quick thinking, and the cooperation of several traffic signals, he made his way to his North Kansas City office to retrieve a slide projector (with working bulb) and kept the program’s start time on schedule.
– by Valerie Johnson,
Adult Education Coordintor
Flower and music gifts help make for beautiful Easter celebration
FLOWER GIFTS
In Memory of:
Pat and Bill Deramus and Bruce Gehlbach
Elizabeth and Earl Branson by Betty Branson Holliday
Virginia and Max Foresman; Fudie Barlow; John Ingram-Eiser; Dr.
Timothy Mitchell Sifers and Dr. Earl Sifers by Sarah and Adam
Ingram-Eiser and Allie Sifers
Bill Haberland by his wife Clint and his family
Phil and Barbara Rahm and Creighton Hart by Phyllis Hart
Jacob E Klassen; Florence Klassen; J. Raymond Klassen by Jan Seaman
Esther I. Rogers by Gina, Grace and Ruth Fenger
Edward by Elizabeth Gordon
Charlotte S. Morgan by J. Gregory Morgan and Alexia Christine Morgan
Dorothy E. Leib by Laura E. Leib
Paublino Monteil and Iris Best by Bruce and Lil Weekes
Pat and Jean Patterson; Larry and Gary Bass; Marlaine Ousley; Rev.
Donald Parkinson by Vivian Gibbens
Sally Polk Howard by Denny, Denny, Michelle and Kent Brisley
Joseph Francis Kretsinger; Lyle H. Ranson; L. Scott Ransom by Jason
and Martha Ransom Chester, Ruth, Leonard, Ruthie by June McDonald
Beulah Shenkel and Thomas Hornbeck by John and Sandra Hornbeck
Hildreth Adams Riess and Jack Andrew Lester by Jane A. Lester
Hannah Hollingsworth and Willard Arnold by Jodie Kavanaugh
Margarita Estevez, my mother-in-law, by Jeanne Estevez
Anne and Clarence Hansen; Lena and Guy Lewis; Kenneth Lewis; Helen
and Keith Jones; Homer Mitchell and Gib Tinney by Gordon Hansen and
Newt Lewis
Mary and Michael Cavanaugh; Helen and Emory Gingrich by Nancy and
Earl Cavanaugh
Lola and Otis England; Harold and Delores Dealey by Bryan and Linda
England
John and Rose Arnold Muriel Algeo Gibson by Ruth MaGill
Betty Jennings by her family
Willard C. Arnold and Hannah Betty Hollingsworth by Janeece Buckner
Anne Pence Little by Mr. and Mrs. William L. Pence
Lynn McLeroy and Max McLeroy by Ron and Carolyn McLeroy
The Rev. Richard E. Mason by Barbara, Chris and Carol Mason and
Cathie LaPreze
Weadell Beckord; Mabel Beckord; Wilhelmin Christie by Pat McKenna
Paul and Jim Hendrickson by Anna Mae Hendrickson
Grandpa Chantrasuwan by Gay Smith
Denice Morton Tebbe by Violet E. Morton
My husband Tom by Sally Wood
My grandmother Edith; my mother Dorothy; my brothers Charles and
Robert by Joyce Morrow
Charles and Esther Lacey; Frank and Lora McMullen by Marilyn and
Larry McMullen
Frances and Chester Wright; Chloe Thorn; Sara Lahey; Margaret
English by Suzanne Wright
In Thanksgiving for:
Benjamin Ingram-Eiser by Sarah and Adam Ingram-Eiser and Allie
Sifers
The Church School teachers, chapel and homily leaders by Joe and
Jackye Finnie
Mary and Barry Howe and Linda Yeager by Elizabeth Gordon
Our children, Hughes, Kathryn and Jack Ransom by Jason and Martha
Ransom
The clergy, staff and Vestry of GHTC by Joe and Jackye Finnie
My children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren by Sally Wood
My husband, Ben; my children Benj and Amy, Elaine and Jon, Sarah and
Drew; my grandchildren Kelsey, Zach, Emma, David, Brendan, Evan and
most especially Kathryn Elizabeth celebrating her first Easter by
Joyce Morrow
The Sextons of GHTC by Joe and Jackye Finnie
Matthew; Sarah; Hannah; Rachel; Abigail and Sophia by Marilyn and
Larry McMullen
For friends and family by Suzanne Wright
The Church School parents and children by Joe and Jackye Finnie
Connell and Liam by Jae McKeown and Robin Rusconi
Emily, Maggie, Sam and Lydia by Dave and Diane Barker
The supporters of Children’s Education by Joe and Jackye Finnie
The engagement of Miguel Sancho III to Felicia Morton by Mike Sancho
and Bridgett Shirley
Tanner and Mason Rozell; Kate Rozell and Marian Winslow by Terry and
Nancy Rozell
The Altar Guild by Joe and Jackye Finnie
Kenneth Sherman; Steve Chester; Todd Chester; Daniel Houb
My children and grandchildren by Jean Rau
My husband Joe and my family by Jackye Finnie
Additional Gifts by:
The flowers in the Tower entrance are in thanksgiving for Betty
Phillips and her work with the Altar Guild
MUSIC GIFTS
In Memory of:
Richard Kiene and Richard Kiene, Jr. by Jean Kiene
Elizabeth and Richard Greer by Betsy Phillips
Samuel and Thelma McCalmon & L.R. and Lottie Jones: grandparents of
Malinda McCasland by Robert and Joyce Jones
Hope by Marnell Sparks
Harley and Mildred Miller & William and Hortense Lambert: our
parents by Harley and Patricia Miller
Mary Belle, Frank and Augusta Fanolio; Loyd and Hazel Smith;
Georginna King; Eleanor Halley and Dorothy Williamson by Richard and
Jill Fanolio
Josephine Ann Caldwell Hurlburt by Beth Titterington and Lee
Hurlburt
Drew Atkin by Thomas and Charlene Atkin
Cornelius F. Cole Jr.; Jeanette Starkweather Cole; John William
Fowler by Charmaine and John Fowler
Clinton and Dorris Gates, my parents, by Paget Higgins
Jennifer Bradley by Thomas Taylor and Catherine Green
Louise R. Peterman by Raymond W. Peterman
Bevier H. and Gretchen S. Sleight; William P. Sleight; Mary Stewart
Brown; Irwin S. and Helen Mell Brown; Ann K. Brown by John and Peg
Brown
Pat and Bill Deramus and Bruce Gehlbach Elizabeth and Earl Branson
by Betty Branson Holliday
Virginia and Max Foresman; Fudie Barlow; John Ingram-Eiser; Dr.
Timothy Mitchell Sifers and Dr. Earl Sifers by Sarah and Adam
Ingram-Eiser and Allie Sifers
In Thanksgiving for:
Lisa and Richard Kiene III by Jean Kiene
Leona and John Schaefer and the Trinity Choir by Richard I. Preis
Harold and Betty Phillips by Alvin Schneider
Jackye Finnie for her dedication to the children of this Cathedral
by Karen and Ron Brink
The Trinity and Youth Choirs by Janet Frizzle
Gordon Hendrix, our grandson, by Harley and Patricia Miller
Our daughter Alexandra by her parents, Paula and Howard Connors
Benjamin Ingram-Eiser by Sarah and Adam Ingram-Eiser and Allie
Sifers
All God’s gifts of music by Thilde Beuing
The Choirs and the Schaefers by Barbara Bucker
Hilary, Kevin and Cathy Thomas by Michael Thomas
Additional Gifts by:
Ron and Carolyn McLeroy
The Leaders in Children’s Education
Part two in an ongoing series which introduces persons who work with the Cathedral’s Children’s Education ministry.
Nancy
Cavanaugh
Nancy Cavanaugh, Children’s Chapel Homily leader for 3-4 year olds, is probably best known at GHTC as the “better half” of our beloved Dean Emeritus, Earl Cavanaugh. Yet ask anyone who knows Nancy and you will hear that “she is as much responsible for the warmth and Christian love that our Cathedral family exudes as anyone.” A Cathedral member since 1976, when Dean Cavanaugh began his ministry here, Nancy has been a pillar of strength and support to her husband and the Cathedral family.
“What has Nancy Cavanaugh done?” you may inquire. “What hasn’t she done?” is a more pertinent question. Nancy has participated in most of the vibrant groups at GHTC. Some are the Stephen Ministers Program, former Wedding Director for the Altar Guild (and still assists), the first Director of the Children’s Christmas Pageant.
She has routinely visited those in need at hospitals and homes. She has participated in many study groups, performed secretarial work in relation to her husband’s ministry and assisted Dean Cavanaugh in his recurringrole as Deputy to the General Convention of the National Church every three years.” In late 1970s, when the all male choir dissolved at GHTC, Nancy and several other women stepped in to provide the “heavenly voice accompaniment.”
“It was pretty grim,” she jokes. “But we’re sure we must have sounded beautiful.”
While giving and doing so much at GHTC, Nancy had time to teach second grade at Pembroke Hill. Recently, she retired from this position and the school honored her work by adding her name to their “Wall of Fame.”
When asked about her benefits gained from Children’s Ministries she says,” Children’s ministry gives me exposure to many adults, parents and children and a chance to see their faith. The children benefit from a curriculum that involves them in articulating and experiencing their religion. The children also gain much from the active involvement of adults. This brings me joy.” She adds, “ Another joy comes when I assist in the weddings of those I taught in second grade.“ Nancy calls it, “coming full service.” She goes on to say how much she appreciates Jackye Finnie, Acting Children’s Education Director, for asking her to be a Homily leader.
Nancy resides in Kansas City with her husband Earl. They have one married daughter and four grandchildren ages 11-16 who live in North Carolina. Nancy enjoys taking walks in Loose Park, reading, and traveling and as a former director of a children’s choir in Los Angeles commends Malinda McCasland for the great job she is doing with the Choraliers.
Jeff Johnson
Jeff Johnson is an energetic and charismatic member of the Children’s Ministry. Raised as an Episcopalian, Jeff appreciates the value of Christian youth formation. Jeff knows that the children benefit greatly from this ministry. Jeff says,” The children see that the church community and their parents care about them, love them and place Christian formation as a high priority in their lives no matter what age they are.” Working with the Children’s Ministries for about a year, Jeff served in a third through fifth grade Church School teacher rotation team in the fall and now does “whatever he is called on to do in Church School and Children’s Chapel.”
“My relationship with the other teachers, the children and their parents have strengthened my commitment to God,” says Jeff. “I enjoy volunteering at the church because I feel like I am fulfilling my Baptismal Covenant and my promise to God to walk in the Christian way.” After moving to Kansas City in the early 1990s Jeff was persuaded to attend the Newcomers Luncheon by Father Peter DeVeau and the late Pollie Elmquist. Jeff has been active at the Cathedral ever since.
Jeff has served on many committees at GHTC. Some are the Vestry, the Strategic Planning Committee, in the Youth Group and on the ad hoc Education committee. Presently, with two small children, Brian, 4 and Eliza, 2, his and his wife’s primary focus is formation. He is married to Valerie Johnson, the Cathedral’s Adult Christian Education Coordinator.
In his spare time, Jeff enjoys activities with his family and traveling with them. He loves the outdoors and reading. “Helping with Christian youth formation brings me great happiness,” said Jeff.
“What a joy it is to watch our children and youth and adults interact in the Church School. Our teachers are simply wonderful people spending time with really great kids. It is such a pure form of Christian expression when a teacher or helper in the school reaches out to a child and the child reaches back,” Jeff said. “Whether it is walking with a preschooler to get a drink of water of sitting close by until a 6-year-old’s shyness subsides or listening to a wide-eyed teenager tell everyone about a dream they had about Jesus, spending time around these great kids is just another wonderful part of our life at our Church.”
Jeanette
Coletti
Jeanette Coletti, Godly Play teacher and Chapel leader, likes plaid and Grace and Holy Trinity is all the better for it. It was the Kirkin o’ the Tartan celebration that drew her to the Cathedral in November 1997. She has been a faithful volunteer at the church ever since. Jeanette is “ a roll-up-her-sleeves, how-can-I-help” type of person who is always willing to pitch in wherever she’s needed.
She has assisted with the Vacation Bible School. She has cooked hot dogs and organized lunch for “throngs” of hungry children for special events after church. She and her husband, Steve, even supplied their baby, Aimee, for the role of Baby Jesus for the Christmas pageant two years ago.
Jeanette is not new to teaching. She has been a Church School teacher since the fall of 2004 but has been home schooling her two older children for four years. She became a part of the Children’s ministries by progressing with her children, Garrett, 9, Bethany, 6, and Aimee, 22 months, from the nursery to this point. She enjoys working with the kindergarten through second grade children and being a part of their faith formation. Jeanette says, “The beginnings of a knowledge that they are to learn about God and his love for them, surrounded by a loving community are the great benefits the children gain from this ministry.”
“I love the children’s curriculum and I think the children love it too” Jeanette said. “They get to participate in wonderful stories and be a part of the Biblical teaching rather than just listening, or not listening.” “The children are engaged,” she adds. “This engagements is also in the Children’s Chapel which is just wonderful,” she continues.
In reflection Jeanette recalls, “One Sunday as I was telling the story of Abraham and his family to the preschool aged children, a little girl was so engaged she responded and said ‘Oh yes, that Abraham’ and ‘Sarah she is just so wonderful.’ I truly thought listening to her that these people had been over for dinner the night before and were obviously very old and dear friends to her. What a joy.”
Jeanette feels blessed by “the love and friendship of the community of families encountered in the children’s area!” “I have been so amazed to see God’s hand lifting up our children’s programs in this past year. To see prayers being answered right in front of you is such an awesome gift. And to know and love those who have answered the call is even better.” For anyone considering the Children’s Ministry Jeanette recommends, “Jump in feet first! Seriously, take the time and visit in the children’s area if for no other reason than to watch and see how blessed our children are by those who have dedicated their time to this ministry. Be inspired!”
Jeanette and her husband Steve, are always actively doing something with their children or at church, But in the days of BK (before kids), as Jeanette calls it, she liked to sew, garden, be outdoors, travel and read.
Gary Hicks
Gary Hicks began his association with Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in September of 1996 when his dear friend, the late Louise Barton, the Children’s Education Director, asked him to assist her with Children’s Ministries.
He began teaching the 5th and 6th grade children at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Gary was happy to help and the children were happy to have him. Gary’s class started with both boys and girls that later evolved into a boys only class. Gary says, “This proved to be especially enjoyable for the older boys who are sometimes self-conscious. They needed a chance to speak their hearts openly without fear of embarrassing themselves in front of the girls.” Many of the boys still see Gary as an outstanding male role model in their lives. Gary is now a Children’s Chapel Homily leader.
Gary and his wife, Annie, whom he met here at the cathedral, are very active members. In addition to Gary teaching church school, he has played the front end of Saint Nicholas horse at Christmas. He has served as a part of the Cathedral Ministries of EFM, Social Action Committee, Eucharistic Visitor, Men’s Bible Study, Reel People, Book Group and Healing Ministry.
Gary says, “The greatest benefits I have attained through this ministry come from the wonderful lessons I have learned from the curriculum, the teachers and the kids.” Gary’s advice to other potential volunteers is that you “must love the kids first.” The children’s greatest benefit Gary thinks comes from them knowing “they are loved and welcome here.” He thinks also that it helps the children to know that as teachers “you don’t have all the answers.”
As for the curriculum materials used in the ministry, Gary feels that the Children’s Chapel materials are very helpful for the Homily Leaders. “The children help me to gain wisdom for every day of my life. It helps me in church as well as outside of church,” he said.
One of Gary’s fondest memories is an in-class church school project from Valentine’s Day, a few years ago. Since Valentine’s Day is also National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, his church school class annually made valentines to take to the VA Hospital for distribution to the veterans there. Nicolas Kemper made a beautiful tank from red construction paper-complete with a gun and hearts for wheels to make the vets feel loved. “This card really hit home with me and I know the person receiving it at the hospital,” said Gary.
Gary’s hobbies are reading, listening to music and mediating which he rarely has enough time to do. Gary says, “For all my work in children’s ministries, I’ve learned and had more fun than anyone.”
Deborah
Wattenberg
Music is what led Deborah Wattenberg, her husband, Gene, and son, Will, to the Cathedral in 2000. Canon John Schaefer and the Choraliers Children’s Choir are responsible for getting them here.
“It is the loving Cathedral family that persuaded them to stay,” Deborah said. “It’s a blessing to me and my family to be a part of this joyful and thriving spiritual community of worshippers.”
Deborah is a Church School teacher and Children’s Chapel Homily leader who became involved with children at GHTC when the late Louise Barton asked her to fill in for the third grade teacher in the spring of 2001. She enjoyed that experience so much that she volunteered to become a regular instructor and has been teaching ever since.
“It’s a privilege to be with the children on Sunday mornings,” Deborah said. “Meeting and greeting parents help build community at the Cathedral. I become familiar with their lives, care deeply about them and pray for their families.”
Deborah believes the children gain great benefits from the Children’s Ministries. “The children experience Bible story discussions with peers and caring adults that promote their personal growth, understanding of Scripture and deep meaning for their lives,” she says. “It’s a relaxed and positive environment.”
Deborah strongly advocates the curriculum. “The value of the new curriculum is its simplicity. Prep time is ten minutes. Tips and background information are provided. Support materials such as charts, posters, CDs and handouts–it’s all there for you. The children make it all come to life with their contributions of reading and discussion.”
To anyone considering this ministry, Deborah says: “Sharing stories with the children is a joy. Hearing the stories, their eyes sparkle and they listen and comment. Singing with young children is uplifting. We’re passing on a grand tradition. Participation with the Children’s Ministry gives you a fresh view of our parish. You meet parents, grandparents and extended family. Every tool available is provided to make the teaching experience easy. The children are joyful and kind.”
Deborah has a home-based spa escape business and in her spare time loves to grow roses and work out at the gym. She wishes for more time to reflect and read positive books. However, she finds time to read daily devotions, scripture and Christian books. Recently she completed Waking the Dead by John Dredge. A real joy for Deborah presently is looking forward to her son Will’s twelfth birthday on 05-05-05!
– by DeAnn McTavish and Jackye Finnie,
Acting Children’s Education Director
Summer Bible Study for Children
This summer, during the 9:15 a.m. Christian Education hour, the Cathedral children will be engaged in an exciting Bible study program.
Jackye Finnie, Acting Children’s Education Director, is looking for individuals who would be willing to teach or help in the classroom for the Summer Bible Study. No experience is necessary, only a willingness to serve! Contact Jackye at the Cathedral office if you are interested. Classes begin June 5 and continue through the end of August.
Area programs for youth, children in need of adult volunteers
MissionPalooza for youth
For five days this summer, area youth from two dioceses, Kansas and West Missouri, come together in community, missions, fellowship and worship–both inside and outside the walls of the Church. Students “camp out” nightly at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and spend their days in the urban mission field heeding Christ’s call to feed the hungry, visit the sick and comfort those in need. Adult volunteers are needed to make MissionPalooza a success. There are four ways in which you can volunteer: chaperone a work site for one to three days, stay overnight at St. Paul’s, help with meals and commit to Area programs for youth, children in need of adult volunteers pray for the youth and MissionPalooza. Prayerfully consider your offering of time and talents to MissionPalooza. Contact Robin Parks, MissionPalooza Volunteer Coordinator at 816.561.8920.
Summer Camp for 3rd-6th grade children
The Diocese of West Missouri has arranged with the YMCA Camp Marvin Hillyard to host the third-fourth and fifth-sixth grade camps this summer, June 27-July 2.
In order for the camps to be successful, 16 counselors, eight women and eight men, are needed to serve as cabin counselors and small group leaders. They also need four adults to help the camp cook and four adults to serve on the support staff team. No camping experience is necessary!
Boys and girls in third through sixth grades in the 2005-2006 are eligible to come to camp this summer. The camp will feature horseback riding and swimming (staffed by the YMCA).
Camp Marvin Hillyard is located five miles southeast of St. Joseph.
Registration forms and information are available at: www.diowestmo.org.
Come Eliot mavens, aspiring thespians, plain hams and everyone else
There’s Murder in the Cathedral,
but Dean Terry survives!
On June 12, 19 and 26 at 9:15 a.m. in Founders’ Hall, Tom Brous will lead a class examining T.S. Eliot’s first play written in 1935 for the Canterbury Cathedral Festival. This is a dramatization in verse of the murder of Thomas Becket at Canterbury. This play has a strong literary relationship to Eliot’s Four Quartets, especially “Burnt Norton,” the first quartet.
Rene R. Rocha, College Station, Texas, describes it this way: “T.S. Eliot, arguably, the best poet of the twentieth century, displays his brilliance in this play. Written after Eliot’s conversion, this play discusses the fundamental issues of the burden of temptation, the need for humbleness, and the role of motivation in actions. His brilliant use of symbolism and imagery to convey the profound themes makes this rather short work excellent reading.”
What others have said: “The Come Eliot mavens, aspiring thespians, plain hams and everyone else theatre as well as the church is enriched by this poetic play of grave beauty and momentous decision” (New York Times). “Within its limits the play is a masterpiece. ... Mr. Eliot has written no better poem than this and none which seems simpler” (Mark Van Doren, The Nation).
How will you describe it and what will you say? Make plans to be there!
Copies will be available in the GHTC bookstore.
Murder in the
Cathedral
June 12: Overview of the play
June 19: Read Act I*
June 26: Read Act II*
*Parts to be assigned. No audition
necessary, just unbridled enthusiasm.
Reel People
TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY
May 25 • 6:30 p.m.
Common Room
For further information,
please call 816.741.0992.
Bachathon XXVI promises great sounds from renovated organ
The Bachathon began in 1980, and since 1981 has made its home at the Cathedral nearly every year. The series began as a showpiece for organ performances, but soon expanded to include choral pieces and compositions for various instrumental groups. The series has become very popular, drawing up to 2,000 people over the eight-hour program.
As always, this year’s Bachathon features a cross-section of Bach’s music, but this year the emphasis is on organ works. “This celebrates the recent renovations to our organ,” said Canon Musician John Schaefer.
Selections range from various chorale preludes and secular pieces to an organ concerto. Performers include organists John Ditto, music director at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Sharon L. Hettinger from St. Andrew’s; Central United Methodist Church’s Barry Wenger and our own Jieun Kim Newland. Performing ensembles include Schola Cantorum, directed by Dale Shetler, The Village Presbyterian Church Chamber Choir, directed by Mark Ball and Trilla Ray Carter and the Carray Ensemble performing Bach chamber music.
For a complete program listing, including works and performers, visit the American Guild of Organists Greater Kansas City Chapter website at www.kcago.com.
The Bachathon begins at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 1 and will run until around 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be welcomed. Feel free to come and go between selections. Refreshments will be available. Contact John Schaefer at the Cathedral office for more information.
– by Chris Morrison
A day to recognize Cathedral’s youth
Youth Sunday is the day we specially recognize the children, our future church leaders, for their work and presence in the church. On this occasion, the youth of the church will be able to take on responsibilities of the service and participate in certain roles that they normally might not be involved in.
This year, Youth Sunday will be Sunday, May 22. At the 10:15 service, the church school children will be greeters and ushers, and will participate in the processional and recessional, as well. Ruth Fenger will give the sermon at that service.
All children’s organizations and groups will participate throughout the service on Youth Sunday; there will be no children’s chapel on Youth Sunday since all the children will worship in the Nave. The Choraliers and the Youth Choir will be singing and providing music for the service.
In celebration of this day, Coffee Hour on Youth Sunday will be held in Haden Hall. The classrooms and the chapels will be open to show some of the activities that the children engage in during the school year. Also, the leaders will be available to answer questions as well. This will give everyone, including parents, an opportunity to see what the children do during church school and to meet the teachers and show their appreciation.
Youth Sunday is the culmination of the 2004-2005 church school calendar year, and the following Sunday, May 29, will be registration for the church school Summer Bible Study Program, which begins on June 5. There will be no church school on May 29, but Children’s Chapel will resume on that day.
– by Emily Akins and Jackye Finnie,
Acting Children’s Education Director
Flower memorials and thanksgivings
April 3 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Frank D. and Lora C. McMullen by the Larry McMullen Family.
April 10 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of her mother, Louise Hutt Shackelford, by Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Seidlitz, Jr.; and also in loving memory of Clark Woods Faulkner, Sr., Anthony D. Lioy, Franklin Robert Parker, and Rosemary Ruth and Edmund Judson Callahan by Terry and Clark Faulkner.
April 17 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Charles Rex Fowler; also in thanksgiving for the life and ministry of Bishop Edward R. Welles, II by Ferne Welles.
April 24 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Arnold Luther Frizzle, by his wife, Janet; and in loving memory of Charline Schmelzer by Bill Fisher. At the chapel altar, flowers are given in thanksgiving for the wedding anniversary of Rebie and Richard Foote by Mary Jo Browne. At the baptismal font, flowers are given in loving memory of George and Frances MaGill by Ruth MaGill. Candles are given in thanksgiving for her granddaughter, Heidi Sloan, by Mrs. Herbert A. Sloan.
If you would like to donate flowers, contact Mary Byrne at 816.531.8944.
New linens donated
During the April 17 service, new linens were blessed. The linens were donated by Anna Mae Hendrickson in memory of her son, Jim. Thank you Mrs. Hendrickson for your generous gift.
Parish Picnic
MAY 22 • 11:45 A.M.
Join us for a time of sharing and fellowship as we gather for our annual parish picnic. The church will be providing the main courses (hot dogs and brats) and beverages; all those in attendance should bring a favorite side dish to share.
Making Preparations:
Palm crosses and candy-filled Easter eggs
Celebrating the Resurrection:
Easter services full of beauty and joy
photo by Julie Toma
Weekly Activities
SUNDAY
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:15 a.m. Christian Education
10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist - Children’s Chapel - Grace
Choraliers
5:00 p.m. Order for Evening & Eucharist
MONDAY-FRIDAY
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer
TUESDAY
1:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study
WEDNESDAY
7:00 p.m. Youth Group
THURSDAY
7:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study
9:30 a.m. Cathedral Outreach Program
6:00 p.m. Cathedral Bell Ringers
6:30 p.m. EFM
7:00 p.m. Choir Small Group
7:30 p.m. Trinity Choir
FRIDAY
9:30 a.m. Moms’ Bible Study
SATURDAY
9:15 a.m. The Tallis Singers
Activities for the Month of May
1 • SUNDAY
6:15 p.m. Centering Prayer Group
3 • TUESDAY
6:00 p.m. Table Top Games Group
6:30 p.m. Needlework/Quilting Group
4 • WEDNESDAY
6:00 p.m. Moving Meditation
6:30 p.m. Couples’ Bible Study
5 • THURSDAY • ASCENSION DAY
7:00 p.m. Choral Evensong
6 • SATURDAY
4:00 p.m. German Song Recital
7:30 p.m. Fine Arts Chorale Concert
8 • SUNDAY • BLOOD PRESSURE SUNDAY
11:45 a.m. Social Action Committee
9 • MONDAY
5:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee
10 • TUESDAY
6:00 p.m. Guild of the Christ Child
7:00 p.m. Cancer Support Group
7:00 p.m. The Angelus Small Group
12 • THURSDAY
6:30 p.m. Thursday Evening Bible Study
15 • SUNDAY • THE DAY OF PENTECOST
6:15 p.m. Centering Prayer Group
16 • MONDAY
4:30 p.m. Building and Grounds Committee
17 • TUESDAY
6:00 p.m. Table Top Games Group
7:00 p.m. Book Discussion Group
7:30 p.m. William Baker Festival Singers Concert
18 • WEDNESDAY
7:30 a.m. Finance Committee
6:30 p.m. Couples’ Bible Study
22 • SUNDAY • YOUTH SUNDAY
11:45 a.m. Parish Picnic
12:00 p.m. People Caring for Friends and Family Group
3:00 p.m. Recital: Jieun Kim Newland
25 • WEDNESDAY
6:30 p.m. Reel People
26 • THURSDAY
5:00 p.m. Vestry
6:30 p.m. Thursday Evening Bible Study
30 • MONDAY • MEMORIAL DAY
Buildings and offices closed. No services.
Please verify times and dates of the events listed with the appropriate person(s) or by contacting the Cathedral Office.
The Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri
P.O. Box 412048
Kansas City, Missouri 64141
Telephone: (816) 474-8260
Facsimile: (816) 474-5856
Website: www.ghtc-kc.org
E-mail: office@ghtc-kc.org
The Right Rev. Barry R. Howe
Bishop of West Missouri
The Very Rev. Terry White
Dean
The Rev. Benjamin J. Newland
Associate Priest
The Rev. Linda Yeager
Deacon
The Rev. Bryan England
Deacon
The Rev. Bruce Hall
Deacon
Mr. John L. Schaefer
Canon Musician
The Very Rev. J. Earl Cavanaugh
Dean Emeritus and Pastoral Adjunct