The
Angelus
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral • Kansas City, Missouri •
Vol. 74, No. 12 • December 2005
Contents
From the Dean
Ready or not
The Twelve Days of Christmas at the Cathedral
The Cathedral musicians invite
you to share the beauties of the
season in sight and sound...
Moving on with Maison de Naissance
Hats, gloves and socks for KCCK
Adult Formation
Children's Formation
Holiday Stress
Grief, loss and
Christmas
Ten Thousand Villages Visits
GHTC Sunday, December 11
Behind the Christmas banner
Messiah Singalong
Episco-Disco Halloween Costume Ball
Fall Festival
Flower memorials and thanksgivings from November
Remember your family and friends
Photos from the 2005
Diocesan Convention
The Cathedral’s Financial Status
News from Guild of the Christ Child
Three Cathedral members honored
For the love of painting, for the love of the
Cathedral
With sympathy
Trunk-or-Treat
Weekly Activities
Activities for the Month of December
From the Dean
Advent is its fullest this year, four full weeks of anticipation and preparation. For the first three weeks, in our readings and hymns, the Church contemplates the Second Advent of Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s reign. As the Fourth week arrives on December 18, our focus turns to the First Advent, the birth of the promised Savior and Deliverer.
There may be no other time of year when our Anglican tradition is so obviously at odds with our surrounding culture. Well before the Advent journey begins, the Christmas shopping season is in full swing. And once the Twelve Days of Christmas get started, before we sing of “five golden rings,” decorations begin to disappear, the radio waves are Christmas music-free for the first time in seven weeks, and shoppers are encouraged to stock up on Valentine cards and candy.
This is the perfect year to reclaim the wisdom and richness of our tradition. Consider the following culturally subversive attitudes:
Advent is a wreath of green and the light of four small candles that does not blink, does not chase itself, and does not slowly fade from one color to another. Advent is awaiting the coming of Light from Light that shines in the darkness, which no darkness can overcome.
Advent is the chant that cuts through the synthesized bells extolling the heroism of the most famous reindeer of all, distracting our focus ever so slightly. O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, in lonely exile, in desperate need of a Savior.
Advent is the savory cutting through the shopping season’s excessive sweetness. Advent’s expectation and hope hang in the air like rosemary, a hearty fragrance that cannot and must not be sugarcoated or dipped in chocolate.
Advent points beyond the sure and certain return of the gift-giver dressed all in fur from his head to his foot, to the sure and certain return of the Long-Expected One: Lo, He comes with clouds descending. Alleluia! Christ the Lord returns to reign.
Advent does not bombard us with promises of the perfect gift at low, low prices, but promises a new landscape, where mountains of anguish are brought low, valleys of fears are filled in, and the path to God so often seemingly hidden and filled with twists comes into plain view and is made straight.
In Advent, peace is found where peace was created: And his name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Enjoy four weeks of subversive behavior. Then let your joy know no bounds for Twelve glorious Days. Amen. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Yours in Hope and Expectation,
Terry+
Ready or not
I consider it the triumph of hope over experience that each year I go into Advent thinking, “It’ll be different this year. This year I’ll do my shopping early. This year I WILL get Christmas cards written and mailed before Ash Wednesday. This year I’ll have neighbors over for coffee and cookies. This year I will employ my organizational skills so that preparations for Christmas are calm, deliberate, and yes, joyful.
Yeah, right. Oh, and that’s just the secular expectations I place on myself. There’s another whole laundry list of spiritual goals I set for myself that I have no chance of attaining either. Experience has taught me that Advent only gets more chaotic with each passing year. By the third Sunday of this brief season I’m all but panicking, thinking, “I’m not ready.”
It makes me think of playing hide-n-seek when I was a child, when whoever was It would call out, “Ready or not, here I come.” And no matter how clever I thought my hiding place was, I’d feel that momentary jolt as I would think, “Wait! I’m not ready yet. This place isn’t good enough. I need to keep on looking. Don’t come yet. I’m not ready.”
Seems that no matter how far in advance we know something is coming – be it a holiday, an upcoming wedding, the birth of a child, or the death of a loved one – we are still taken by surprise at the suddenness of it all. I have no doubt that Mary wasn’t ready for labor to begin, camped out as they were in a stable, for heaven’s sakes, in a strange city far from the comforts of home and a Nazarene midwife.
This was the child of promise, the one destined to be called the Son of the Most High, the one who would ascend the throne of his ancestor King David.
If God could swing a miraculous conception, surely God could have arranged for a shorter pregnancy so that Jesus could be born before this ill-advised trip took place. Or if it was ordained that the Messiah must be born in the City of David, then surely God could have pulled some strings to get them a room at the inn. I wonder if Mary felt as some of us feel before our first-born is delivered: you’re more than ready to not be pregnant any longer, but you’re not at all sure that you’re ready for what lies ahead.
But part of the human equation is that the two great markers of existence life – birth and death – occur apart from calendar time. We don’t generally get to plan the specifics around either of these two events. Birth especially happens not because we are ready but because God is.
They are holy moments because they occur in the fullness of time, when the eternal breaks in to the temporal. And though it does not always seem this way at the time, it is God’s great gift to us that our own personal readiness is not remotely a crucial factor. Any birth, but especially the birth we celebrate at Christmas, comes to us whether we are ready or not.
Thank God. Were the birth of the Savior left up to human timetables, we would still be saying to God, “Wait! I’m not ready yet. I haven’t pursued all the avenues of Salvation-by-Self. I’m not done trying to do this on my own yet. I need more time to work a little harder, maybe bit a bit more deserving. Don’t come yet. I’m not ready.”
Suffice to say, I suspect I shall arrive at Christmas Eve breathless as usual, having left undone far too many things that I ought to have done, or at least believed I ought to have done. Perhaps some of you can relate. And yet in the stillness of a midwinter night, the gift of the Incarnation will be handed to us all by a God who is less interested in our readiness than in our faithfulness.
And part of the gift is that God asks only that we put down our unbaked cookies, our unwritten cards, our unwrapped gifts, our self-important busy-ness, and hold out our arms that we might receive the newborn Christ Child given to us.
Ready or not.
– by the Rev. Canon Sue Sommer, Canon Pastor and Subdean
The Twelve Days of Christmas at the Cathedral
December 24 • Eve of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
5 p.m. • Sung Eucharist with Christmas Pageant
The Right Rev. Barry Howe, Bishop of West Missouri, celebrant. The
Rev. Canon Linda
Yeager, preacher.
The first Eucharist of Christmas. The birth of Christ is interpreted
by the young people of the Cathedral.
The Tallis Singers and the Grace Choraliers offer anthems, and the
congregation joins in singing carols and the service music. The
pageant and liturgy will be signed for the hearing-impaired.
10 p.m. • Music of Christmas Prelude
The Trinity Choir sings “Creator of the Stars of Night” by Vittoria
and “See, see, the Word is incarnate” by
Gibbons. Congregational carols and organ prepare us for the Liturgy.
10:30 p.m. • Solemn Eucharist of the Nativity
The Very Rev. Terry White, celebrant. The Right Rev. Barry Howe,
Bishop of West Missouri,
preacher.
With the fullness of sacred ritual the Christ Mass is celebrated.
Tonight the Trinity Choir sings Gloria in
Excelsis and Agnus Dei from William Mathias’ Missa Aedis Christi, a
Latin setting composed for Christ
Church Cathedral in Oxford where the Trinity Choir will be in
residence next summer. Other music includes
congregational carols, anthems and organ.
December 25 • The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ: Christmas
Day
10:15 a.m. Sung Eucharist with carols, choir and organ.
The Rev. Canon Susan Sommer, celebrant. The Very Rev. Terry White,
preacher.
(one service only • no formation classes)
December 26 • Second Day of Christmas
Buildings & Office closed. No 12:05 Eucharist.
December 27 • Feast of St. John
12:05 p.m. • Holy Eucharist
December 28 • Feast of the Holy Innocents
12:05 p.m. • Holy Eucharist
December 29 • Feast of St. Thomas Becket
12:05 p.m. • Holy Eucharist
December 30 • Sixth Day of Christmas
12:05 p.m. • Holy Eucharist
December 31 • Eve of the Holy Name of Jesus
5 p.m. • Holy Eucharist
The Rev. Carol Sanford, celebrant
January 1 • Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
10:15 a.m. • Sung Eucharist and carols with choir and organ
The Very Rev. Terry White, celebrant. The Rev. Canon Susan Sommer,
preacher.
(one service only • no formation classes)
January 2 • Ninth Day of Christmas
Buildings & Office closed • no noon Eucharist
January 3 • Tenth Day of Christmas
12:05 p.m. • Holy Eucharist
January 4 • Eleventh Day of Christmas
12:05 p.m. • Holy Eucharist
January 5 • Twelfth Day of Christmas
12:05 p.m. • Holy Eucharist
January 6 • The Epiphany
12:05 p.m. • Holy Eucharist with carols
The Cathedral musicians invite you to share the beauties of the season in sight and sound...
Sunday • December 10th
the Fine Arts Chorale
presents its
Christmas Concert
The performance begins at
7:30 p.m.
Monday • December 12th
William Jewell College
offers its annual
“City Come again”
The service begins at 12:00
noon
Friday • December 16th
the William Baker Festival
Singers present their
annual Christmas
Concert
The performance begins at
8:00 p.m.
Saturday • December 17th
join us for our annual
“Messiah” Singalong
begins at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday • December 28th
Canon John Schaefer
presents a
Christmastide organ
recital
The performance begins at
7:30 p.m.
Moving on with Maison de Naissance
On November 9, a group of individuals, Friends of Maison de Naissance (MN), at GHTC began discussing ideas and outlined action steps that will address our desire to minister to our neighbors in Haiti.
The house of birth, Maison de Naissance, in Torbek, Haiti, is committed to providing excellent care for mothers and babies in extreme poverty in Haiti. The challenges are many and our help is needed to assist through a number of ways.
This year, a Christmas catalogue has been organized and copies are now available in the Cathedral tower. Gifts from ‘access’ to care to ultrasound, vaccinations and water are listed with price tags beginning at $10. Other donations may be made to the birthing home by going to www.maisondenaissance.com.
Next month, we will be providing information about how we will all have opportunities to be godparents to these children of God in honor of those baptized at GHTC. Be sure to watch future communications! Every child deserves a healthy start to life and in that country, being close to home and having the support of community, locally and worldwide, is invaluable.
Although the need for financial support at the birthing home continues to be great, our relationship, alone, is valued and appreciated. Our prayers and concerns are just the beginning to an engaging partnership other Kansas Citians have already discovered.
Our first contact in 2006, with this community will be made through a personal, pastoral connection as The Rev. Canon Linda Yeager travels to Haiti in January. On this trip, she plans to visit with families, in Torbek, in their homes while witnessing the gift of new life at Maison de Naissance. About ten individuals will travel together and will stay for eight days.
Linda says the reason she has chosen to travel to Haiti is, “I want to know the ministry and the people. Perhaps I can better involve the people of our congregation when I have stories to tell. I feel called to make this trip.”
Please keep Linda, the group, and the lives she touches in your prayers as they make this journey.
If you are interested in being a part of this ministry group at GHTC, meetings will be held the second Wednesday of odd-numbered months throughout the year. The next “Friends of MN” meeting will be Wednesday, January 11, at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Marian Philip at Mphilip1976@juno.com.
Maison de Naissance is a program of The Healthy Mothers-Healthy Babies Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation. Individuals who travel to Haiti in this ministry incur their own expenses, which are tax-deductible. For more information about trips to Haiti, contact Cindy Obenhaus at 913 236-7839 or cobenhaus@kc.rr.com.
– by Valerie Johnson, Director of Adult Christian Formation
Hats, gloves and socks for KCCK
As cold weather approaches, we remember those who eat lunch in the Kansas City Community Kitchen, many of whom are without the warmth needed to protect them against the cold temperatures of the winter. It has been our custom to distribute hats, gloves, scarves, and socks to our guests. The need is great this year, so please consider purchasing hats, gloves, scarves, and socks to donate. There is a basket in the tower in which to place your items. We will distribute these in the Kitchen on need basis. The greatest need is for men’s items, with lesser need for women and children. Warm socks are particularly helpful during the winter season. Thank you for your contributions in the past and for your thoughtfulness again.
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
Adult Formation
Sunday Mornings at 9:15 a.m.
November 27, December 4, 11 and 18
Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel’s Messiah
You will never listen to Handel’s Messiah in quite the same way
again after this study of one of the best-loved musical compositions
of all time. You do not need to be an expert in either music or the
Bible to benefit from this series, which will focus upon the sacred
story of Advent. Each week will lead us closer to a deeper
appreciation of the content of this profoundly spiritual oratorio.
Jesus’ Wish List
If you asked Jesus what he wanted on His birthday, do you think it
could be found in a department store or on a dot com site? Is stress
hurting your holiday? When we seek ways to honor the true meaning of
Christmas through celebrations that suit our circumstances and
reflect our values, it can be difficult with the pressure of
commercials and catalogs. At Christmastime, we seek family
fellowship; a renewed, deepened faith; peace and goodwill. Instead,
the commercial season can often seize us and leave us feeling empty
and overspent. We will examine the elements of our current
celebrations and support one another as we attempt to fulfill the
wishes of our Prince of Peace for a blessed and meaningful season.
Wednesday Evenings
November 30, December 7, 14
6:30 dinner • 7:15 class • 8:20 Compline
• Suggested donation for dinner is $5 per individual or $10 per
family.
• Nursery care for children 3 years and under will be available.
For the Time Being
W.H. Auden wrote For the Time Being, a Christmas Oratorio between
October 1941 and July of 1942. It is a dramatic prose-poem which
recounts
the major themes of Advent and Christmas: the Annunciation,
the Incarnation, the Slaughter of the Innocents, and the Flight to
Egypt.
Auden brings to this work a profoundly modern (i.e., post-War)
perspective.
In it, he eschews all sentimentality while embracing a rigorous,
challenging,
ironic, witty, distinctly Anglican faith. Influenced by the works of
Soren Kierkegaard, Paul Tillich, and Reinhold Niebuhr, Auden
explores
the consequences involved for humankind when we “choose to conceive
the Child who chooses [us.]” Copies of the selections will be
available and
participants will read and discuss selections from this poem.
A Shining Light
Let’s shine some light on some of your unanswered questions about
your faith and the Episcopal Church. Hear from well-known and
respected
theologians and religious scholars as they introduce the selected
topics for our discussion: God and Creation: The Abundance of God’s
Goodness; The Bible: the Word of God for the People of God; and
Thy Kingdom
Come: The Promise of Christian Hope.
These sample sessions from a new program called Via Media promise
to inspire conversations about our beliefs and what it means to be
an
Episcopalian in today’s world.
The Mystery of Christmas
Everyone enjoys a good story and if we consider the Bible a
storybook
and the calendar of the church year an outline of that story, then
we experience
the Word rather than simply reading it. John Westerhoff explains
that theology is abstract, but story is not. Story invites
participation--we
discuss theology but we experience story. Let us move toward
Bethlehem
together through storytelling about the Holy Family, the shepherds
and
the Magi. Each week, we will have an opportunity to hear a Bible
story,
reflect upon its meaning through discussion and express our reaction
to
the encounter through art or journaling. This Godly Play
storytelling format
for adults welcomes children who are accompanied by an adult.
Children’s Formation
Sunday Mornings at 9:15 a.m.
November 27, December 4, 11
and 18
During Advent children in Godly Play Formation,
ages 3-8, prepare for the Mystery of
Christmas through a journey with the prophets,
the Holy Family, the shepherds, the angels and
the Magi. Gathered in a circle, around the story
teller, each child becomes a part of the sacred
story and a symbol of God’s never-ending love
for us. Children in grades 3-5 are working on
silence and listening to God while preparing
their hearts and minds for the birth of our Savior
Jesus Christ.
Thank You
As we enter a new church year we are mindful
of the many blessings Children’s Ministry has
received in this past year. We are always thankful
for the beautiful, eager children entrusted
to our care and the opportunity to guide them
in their faith discovery. We are thankful for our
dedicated teachers, chapel and homily leaders
and and our wonderful parent volunteers.
We have been blessed by the talents and
gifts of Bud McDowell, Sally Wood, Mike
Flora, Amy Cornwell, Angela Michka,
Bill Hawley and Sally Livengood. Through
their generosity our classrooms, chapels and
library are brimming with good things.
Children’s Christmas Eve
Pageant
The children will be working hard, this
month, practicing their roles in our Christmas
Eve Pageant. We’ll need plenty of barn
animals, shepherds and angels. If your child
hasn’t signed up yet give Mrs. McCasland a call at 913-829-7916.
Thank you to Jennifer
Lowry for teaching our children to sign the
chorus of one of our hymns. We are delighted
that a sign language interpreter will be with us
at the 5:00 pm service. What a joyous time!
– by DeAnn McTavish, Director of Children’s Christian Formation
Holiday Stress
The annual celebration of the Word made Flesh is often, unfortunately, a time of significant tension and anxiety for many people. Preparation for Christmas and the holiday itself presents us with multiple tasks: gifts to buy and wrap, decorations to be placed, meals to be cooked, and parties to be hosted or attended.
For parish leaders, both clergy and lay, there are many liturgies and special events to be planned and celebrated. A survey conducted several years ago by Dateline NBC and Prevention Magazine found 41 percent of respondents stating that they find the holidays to be at least as stressful as asking the boss for a raise.
Four rather obvious sources of holiday stress are having too many things to do, the disruption of ordinary routines, financial worries, and difficult relationships. These sources can become particularly stressful for people who are working hard to grow and change, who are planning to visit or be visited by difficult family members.
Consider these suggestions if you are in this situation.
If it’s dangerous, don’t go. Our families and our culture imply that one must be with one’s family during the holidays. This is simply not true. The only person whose presence is a necessity for Christmas is Our Lord Jesus. If you are considering visiting, or allowing to visit, family members who have a history of physically, emotionally, or spiritually abusing you, it is fine to change your plans.
When you’ve got it, don’t flaunt it. After having worked hard to gain insight into your own behavior or that of your family, it is natural to want to share your new awareness. In general, it is a good idea to resist this temptation. Your growth and change may seem threatening to some members of the family because it changes the family dynamic.
Try not to let old patterns upset you. Family members relate to each other according to patterns, rather like a dance. Each family has its own dance, which gets repeated regularly. When you change your behavior, you change the dance. It is natural for others in the family to ask you to get back in step with the family dance. The best response to a “change back” message is to establish a healthy boundary with a clear “yes,” or “no,” and as little reactivity as possible. Striving to attain this response is, of course, something which all growing people do for most of their lives.
Stop wishing they’ll be different. The most common way that people undermine their desire for a happy holiday is to spend time wishing that their family would be different than it is. For example, if Dad and Great Aunt Sarah have an intense and public conflict each year, then it’s a safe bet they will have that fight again this year; particularly if neither of them has worked on his or her own growth during the past year. To spend a great deal of energy wishing that this annual event not occur is to spend a great deal of energy setting yourself up for a disappointment. The only person whom you can change is you.
– by the Very Rev. Terry White, Dean
Grief, loss and Christmas
One side of the Christmas season not often talked about is how to deal with loss and grief even as so much of the world around seems to be happy and carefree. No matter how much time has elapsed, we miss those we have shared past Christmases with, and naturally wish to find a way to acknowledge how life has changed.
The first Christmas following the death of a loved one, or after a marriage or significant relationship has ended, especially invites us to change in some way how we celebrate.
Have reasonable expectations. There will be times of great sadness, times when you prefer to be alone, and times when you very much need the company of others.
Do not try to do all the things you have done in the past. Baking, decorating, writing cards, and shopping can be too much in the best of times. Be aware of the energy you have, and allow yourself to do things differently.
At special gatherings, name your loss in a healthy way, and talk about those you miss. Some families offer a special toast to those who have died and now live in the nearer presence of Christ. This is a powerful time to share tears and fond remembrances. You put yourself and those around you at ease when you speak of those you miss.
You may wish to begin a new tradition, such as reaching out to a lonely neighbor, taking gifts to a shelter or food to the local fire station. In years to come, this tradition becomes known as, “What we began doing the Christmas after N. died.” This celebrates the life of your loved one, and in succeeding years, makes it easier to name those who have died.
Pay special attention to children who can be overlooked in the grieving process. More toys will not give comfort and hope. They need to know they are not alone in their sorrow, that adults, too, miss departed loved ones. Assure them of God’s special care in the days ahead, that the Christ Child is with them always.
Be regular in worshipping God and receiving the Eucharist. There is no greater comfort in sorrow than the presence of the Risen Christ.
Hold fast to the promise in St. John’s Gospel for Christmas Day: “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shall not over come it.”
– by the Very Rev. Terry A. White, Dean
Ten Thousand Villages Visits GHTC Sunday, December 11
Looking for a way to make your gift-giving significant in more ways than one? Consider making purchases that provide vital, fair income to third world people. Thanks to a non-profit store, Ten Thousand Villages, this is possible.
Since 1946, Ten Thousand Villages has been working around
the world with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or
underemployed, providing sustainable income through fair trade.
This income helps pay for
food, education, health
care and housing.
Thousands of volunteers in Canada and the United States work with Ten Thousand Villages stores in their home communities. In our metropolitan area, there are two store locations: Independence and Overland Park. These stores offer everything from folk art and heirloom-quality home dιcor, to ceramics, textiles, baskets, jewelry and musical instruments.
Each product is handcrafted and reflects the traditions and cultures of artisans from the developing world. Additionally, gourmet coffees or chocolates made from fairly traded coffee or cocoa beans can be found along with music recordings from musicians from around the world.
On Sunday, December 11, representatives from the Overland Park store will be in Founders’ Hall during both morning coffee hours with a display of items to view and even purchase. As part of the Advent Series, “Jesus’ Wish List” a presentation will begin at 9:15 a.m. with stories about some of the artisans as well as information about the materials used.
It is wonderful to see what beautiful items these artisans can make with the limited materials available to them. Although selling is not the main purpose of the presentation, we will have the opportunity to purchase nativities and Christmas decorations from many countries as well as some non-seasonal items.
Come and see how Ten Thousand Villages is helping to promote world peace and economic justice and how we can also!
Behind the Christmas banner
The Christmas banner was designed to reflect the Norman Gothic style of the Cathedral’s Nave in a contemporary manner. The background color is a red-orange to bring a dramatic warmth to accentuate the birth of Christ. Mary is clothed in the traditional blue that is symbolic of heavenly contemplation and she also wears a royal purple coat edged in gold, symbolic of heavenly treasure. Christ is wrapped in white swaddling cloth. Both the baby and Mary have halos that resemble gold crowns made with rays.
Mrs. Frank L. Hagaman gave the banner in memory of her husband, Frank Leslie Hagaman, who was the Lt. Governor of Kansas, and ultimately became governor for one day.
– by Richard Fanolio
Messiah Singalong
Saturday • December 17, 2005
4:00 p.m.
Jack Ergo, Conductor
Admission is free.
The audience sings the choruses!
Bring your score or purchase one at the door.
Episco-Disco Halloween Costume Ball
Trinity Teens had a wonderful time at the Episco-Disco Halloween Costume Ball, with approximately 60 youth in attendance, including Cathedral teens and their friends as well as youth from other parishes. This may become an annual event!
Other Trinity
Teens News
The Teens performed a one-act
play during Trunk or
Treat and are now working
in junior and senior groups
tackling issues such as
defining evil and dealing
with success and failure.
Trinity Teens will not
meet on December 21
or December 28; we
will resume meetings on
January 4.
photos by Grady Sanford
Fall Festival
photos courtesy of Cathy Thomas
Flower memorials and thanksgivings from November
November 6 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Harriet Minty Russell and Frederick Forsha Russell; and in loving memory of Edward and Margaret Gillespie, by their daughter, Joyce; also in thanksgiving for her daughter, Beverly Sloan, by Mrs. Herbert A. Sloan. At the baptismal font, flowers are given in thanksgiving for the birthdays of Maya Ellen McLeroy and Gracelyn Frances Leonard by their grandparents, Ron and Carolyn McLeroy; and in thanksgiving for their daughter, Eliza Lynn Johnson, on the anniversary of her baptism, by Jeff and Valerie Johnson.
November 13 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Sue Hendrix and Melvina Nickerson by Scotty, Jason and Holly Hendrix; and in loving memory of Charline Schmelzer by Bill Fisher; also in loving memory of Lillian Cozzi Pellet by her daughter, Tricia Pellet Lyddon. At the baptismal font, they are given in thanksgiving for Carl Ryder; and in loving memory of her parents, Muriel and Harry Hall, by Mr. and Mrs. Haywood Walker, Jr. At the Chapel altar, flowers are given in loving memory of Dr. Charles Culloden Chapple by his wife, Sally Chapple.
November 20 • The Harvest Altar is given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Charles Henley and Marie and Earl Hankins; and in memory of Aletha Osborne by Sandra and John Hornbeck. The wreath on the tower door is in loving memory of her parents, Al and Aletha Osborne, by Sharyl Wallace.
November 27 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of her father, William H. Shackelford, Jr., by Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Seidlitz, Jr.; in thanksgiving for the wedding anniversary of Brooke and Charles Dillman, by Mary Jo Browne; in thanksgiving for my great grandsons Fischer and Tyler Kirchhoff by Sally Wood; also in loving memory of Herbert Adams Sloan, Sr., by Mrs. H. A. Sloan and in thanksgiving for Frank Terrell, Jr. At the baptismal font, the flowers are given in thanksgiving for Amanda Tilley. At the chapel altar, the flowers are given in thanksgiving for Zachary Ryder and Guy and Sue Mare by Alan and Phyllis Ryder.
Other flower gifts
In thanksgiving for Mrs. H.A. (Bebo) Sloan
In memory of Paul and Jim Hendrickson by Anna
Mae Hendrickson
In Memory of Charles Culloden Chapple by Sally
Chapple
In the pew racks at the Cathedral, you’ll find a new way to donate toward the flowers you see each week at the front of the church. Place your gift, in any amount, in the “Flower Offering” envelope and then place it in the offering plate. There’s a place on the envelope to indicate if your gift is in thanksgiving or memory of someone. These will be listed each month here in The Angelus.
Remember your family and friends
Let your family and friends know that they are being remembered by your gift of flowers or candles at the Cathedral.
• Celebrate a baptism, confirmation or the
birth of a child
• Honor the accomplishments of someone
you admire
• Note a special birthday, wedding or anniversary
• Memorialize a friend of loved one.
All gifts are listed in the Sunday bulletin and in The Angelus as a record of your thoughtfulness. If you are interested in giving flowers, please contact Mary Byrne at mbyrne2457@sbcglobal.net or 816-531-8944.
Prices for the flowers vary depending on where you would like the flowers: $75 Tower door wreath; $40 Altar; $30 Chapel; $25 Baptismal Font; $10 Candle. Remember your family and friends
Photos from the 2005 Diocesan Convention
Bishop Howe with the Rt. Rev. Robert M. Moody, Bsihop of Oklahoma, who was the preacher at the Gathering Eucharist.
Youth from around the diocese participated in the Diocesan Youth Event.
photos by Richard Fanolio
The Cathedral’s Financial Status
October was a good month financially at the Cathedral. Income and expenses were on budget. Pledges in particular were strong in October finishing almost $6,000 over budget.
November and December are busy months at the Cathedral so expenses are higher. Please continue your support of the Cathedral’s ministry and 2005 will indeed be a successful year. – by Doyle White, treasurer
– by Doyle White, treasurer
| OCTOBER MTD | BUDGETED MTD | ACTUAL MTD |
| INCOME | $ 129,282 | $ 128,654 |
| EXPENSES | $ 116,500 | $ 117,400 |
| VARIANCE | $ (12,782) | $ 11,254 |
| OCTOBER YTD | BUDGETED YTD | ACTUAL YTD |
| INCOME | $ 1,156,499 | $ 1,178,531 |
| EXPENSES | $ 1,171,390 | $ 1,190,824 |
| VARIANCE | $ (14,891) | $ (12,293) |
News from Guild of the Christ Child
What a blessing it was to see Genevie Mariah Triplett Baptized on November 6th and a special treat to see her grandfather share in the joyful event. Congratulations to Genevie and her family on this glorious occasion. And thank you to all who helped with the feast.
The Guild of the Christ Child is blessed to work in this ministry and share in the joy of these families. The next baptism will be December 11 at the 5 p.m. service. Madeline Claire Molise, granddaughter of John and Ellen Goheen, will be baptized.
In December the Guild will be continuing their tradition of a Christmas Dinner Out. We will be meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20 for dinner, refreshments and an evening without our kids. Our destination is still being debated but Dolly McCarson (816-523-0664) will have all the details of “where” by December 1.
The next Baptism will be January 8, 2006. Know you will always be welcomed in preparing the celebration feast on these special days, set up begins at 9:30 a.m. and clean up ends when many hands quickly finish the work. If you have a baby or older child or adult that would like to be baptized, please contact Deacon Linda (816-474-8260).
– by Jeanette Coletti
Three Cathedral members honored
Larry McMullen has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Missouri. One alumni is recognized each year for service to the university. The award was presented at a dinner in Larry’s honor in Columbia on October 21. Larry and his wife Marilyn have both been active in Mizzou activities. Larry has served as co-chairperson of the fundraising committee for the university which has raised 600 million dollars for programs, activities, scholarships, and salaries. In addition, Larry has offered his time and talents to the law school and to the library at the university.
Parishioner Cheryl McDonald, Vice-President/General Manager for WDAF-TV/FOX 4 was recently inducted into the Silver Circle of The National Academy of Television and Arts Science. Each year the academy recognizes individuals in this 11-state region who have made significant contributions to the industry and the community and have careers spanning 25 years or more. Cheryl was honored at a dinner in St. Louis.
Jane Tally received the Bishop’s Shield at the annual Gathering and Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri. Bishop Howe yearly honors individuals within the diocese who have dedicated themselves to the welfare of the diocese and their own parish. Jane has been instrumental in both the funding and operation of the Kansas City Community Kitchen and has served the Cathedral on the vestry, the Social Action committee and in many other capacities. The award was announced by the bishop at the convention in Springfield and presented to Jane during church services on November 13.
We congratulate the honorees and thank them for living their faith.
– by the Rev. Canon Linda Yeager
For the love of painting, for the love of the Cathedral
Parishioner Ron Brink recently presented the Cathedral with an original watercolor painting. Entitled “After the Rain,” the painting depicts Founder’s Hall, as seen across Broadway in early morning light. The street is glistening and streaked with rain. Reflected in the wet street are a “trinity” of trees and the cross in the window on the east side of Founder’s Hall.
Dean White accepted the painting on behalf of the Cathedral. “It’s a marvelous gift,” said the dean, “and a wonderful way for Ron to give back to the Cathedral.”
Ron, who teaches public speaking at Maple Woods Community College, is a self-taught artist and has been creating watercolors and pen and ink drawings for 20 years. In addition to commissioned portraits of pets, he has also given several prints and paintings to the Cathedral over the years.
“I do it for the love of painting,” Ron said. “You almost can’t help yourself – you get an idea and you just do it.”
Ron began “After the Rain” shortly after Founder’s Hall was completed – he has worked on it intermittently and it has evolved over the last two years.
More of Ron’s work can be seen in the Cathedral bookstore and in the stairwell leading up to the Cathedral office. He began painting the Cathedral – and painting FOR the Cathedral – five years ago, just after a serious lung operation. The dean at that time, The Very Rev. Dennis Schmidt, visited Ron while he was hospitalized.
Having come out of the operation successfully, Ron told the dean, “I really feel as if I have a new lease on life.”
“In gratitude to God for giving me more days, I wanted to do something for the Cathedral that people will enjoy,” said Ron. The dean encouraged him to use his skills as an artist to give back to the Cathedral.
“We’re not given any guarantees in life,” said Ron, “I had excellent medical care and spiritual care and I was inspired.”
“After the Rain” will always remain at the Cathedral, but “for the time being,” said Dean White jokingly, “I am going to be very selfish and keep it in my office.”
– by Emily Akins
photo by Julie Toma
Ron Brink recently presented the Cathedral with this painting, “After the Rain.”
With sympathy
We ask that you remember the following families in your prayers:
• Judy Collins, daughter of John Platt
• Stephen Van Blaricum, uncle of Jay Carter
• Eloise Evans, former wife of Emanuel
Cooper
• Logan A. Woodley, father of Kathy Jennings
• Maryan Aletha Osborne, mother of
Sharyl Wallace
• Norman Sprung, brother of August Sprung
Trunk-or-Treat
photos by Grady Sanford and David Pierson
“The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”
photo by Chris Morrison
Weekly Activities
SUNDAY
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:15 a.m. Christian Formation
10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist • Children’s Chapel
5:00 p.m. Order for Evening and
Holy Eucharist
MONDAY
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
TUESDAY
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
1:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study
WEDNESDAY
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
5:45 p.m. The Tallis Singers
6:00 p.m. Grace Choraliers
7:00 p.m. Trinity Teens (youth group)
THURSDAY
7:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study
9:30 a.m. Cathedral Outreach Program
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
5:45 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
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
Activities for the Month of December
Please verify times and dates of the events listed with the appropriate person(s) or by contacting the Cathedral Office.
4 • SUNDAY
11:45 a.m. Music Committee
12:00 p.m. Pageant Rehearsal
3:30 p.m. Centering Prayer Group
6 • TUESDAY
6:30 p.m. Needlework Arts Small Group
7:00 p.m. The Angelus Small Group
7 • WEDNESDAY
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Advent Study
8:20 p.m. Compline
8 • THURSDAY
6:30 p.m. Thursday Evening Bible Study
10 • SATURDAY
9:00 a.m. Altar Guild Cleanup
11 • SUNDAY • Blood Pressure Sunday
11:45 a.m. Social Action Committee
12:00 p.m. Pageant Rehearsals
12 • MONDAY
4:30 p.m. Buildings and Grounds Committee
5:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee
6:00 p.m. Robbery Victims Support Group
13 • TUESDAY
6:15 p.m. Cancer Support Group
14 • WEDNESDAY
7:30 a.m. Finance Committee
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Advent Study
8:20 p.m. Compline
15 • THURSDAY
5:00 p.m. Vestry
17 • SATURDAY
10:00 a.m. Grace Choraliers Rehearsal
10:30 a.m. Pageant Rehearsal
4:00 p.m. Messiah Singalong
18 • SUNDAY
12:00 p.m. Integrity Group
12:00 p.m. Pageant Rehearsal
3:30 p.m. Centering Prayer Group
21 • WEDNESDAY
6:30 p.m. Couples’ Bible Study
22 • THURSDAY
6:30 p.m. Thursday Night Bible Study
24 • SATURDAY
5:00 p.m. Sung Eucharist with Christmas Pageant
10:00 p.m. Prelude of Christmas Music
10:30 p.m. Solemn Eucharist of the Nativity
25 • SUNDAY
10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist (only one service this day)
26 • MONDAY
Cathedral Office Closed
31 • SATURDAY
5 p.m. Holy Eucharist
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. Susan Sommer
Canon Pastor and Subdean
The Rev. Carol Sanford
Curate
The Rev. Canon 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