The Angelus
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral • Kansas City, Missouri •
Vol. 76 No. 2 • February 2007
Contents
From the Dean
Adult Formation
Another month of fine concerts
Lenten Academy
Friends of MN
Absalom Jones: A man who served the hearts of his
people
January’s memorials and thanksgivings
With Sympathy
Caring for God's Creation: Twelve things you can
do to make a difference
February calendar includes priests and poets
Lay Academy: helping the laity understand
their ministry
Fat Sunday
A look at giving: Who Really Cares: the
Surprising Truth
Transforming water to wine, and other
miracles
Financial support of the Cathedral’s mission in
2007
The Cathedral’s Financial Status
The First Day of Lent: Ash Wednesday
Weekly Activities
Activities for the Month of February
From the Dean
Our Lenten pilgrimage begins in ashes and ends in glory. We travel from the desert through the waters of baptism, from bondage to deliverance. We journey from darkness into light, from sin into grace. We experience again the Gospel truth that the way of the Cross is the way of Life. This Lent at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral will hold before us a particular challenge and opportunity to plumb the depths of God’s grace, love, and redemption. Our practice for the last several years of joining together with the clergy and people of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Ash Wednesday evening will not take place.
The Lenten Academy, while open to all, will not reflect any joint planning and leadership with our sisters and brothers at CIC as in years past. And sadly, this will also likely mean that we will not be joining together at the end our Lenten journey to kindle the New Fire on Easter Eve.
In the spirit of the Covenant between the two cathedrals created in 1974, Bishop Howe and I are seeking a meeting with our counterparts, Bishop Finn of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph, and Msgr. Gregory, rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, to discuss this current situation. It is our fervent hope that as brothers in Christ we might engage in face-to-face conversation about any issues which need to be addressed. An unofficial conversation has suggested that the vote this fall of the Convention of the Diocese of West Missouri to support the position of the 2003 General Convention of the Episcopal Church that embryonic and adult stem cell research, conducted with certain restrictions, is consistent with the moral practices and teachings of the Episcopal Church (Read about it in the November 2006 issue of The West Missouri Spirit - PDF) is the reason that our two congregations are not joining together this Lent.
The leadership of the Roman Catholic Church in Missouri publicly opposed Amendment 2 which protected stem cell research, yet it now appears that because the Episcopal Church publicly endorsed the research described in the amendment, the people of our cathedrals will not share what we have in the past. This situation has created sadness and a sense of profound emptiness for Bishop Howe and me and for so many in both of our congregations.
The Covenant between the Roman Catholic and Episcopal cathedrals in Kansas City has been a beacon of hope for church unity and model of what our traditions can share not only in this city, but throughout the country. Since its creation the Covenant has flourished amidst significant differences between our two churches: the ordination of married men, the ordination of women, contraception, the role of the laity in the governance and mission of the Church, the place of gay and lesbian people in the life of the Church, and divorce and remarriage.
The Covenant did not end when the first women deacons and priests were ordained, nor when the first woman bishop and then the first openly gay male bishop were consecrated in the Episcopal Church. The Covenant continued amidst revelations of priestly abuse throughout the Roman Catholic Church and how in many places past complaints had not been dealt with adequately.
In November, Pope Benedict and Archbishop of Canterbury Williams met in Rome, and pledged that, despite current realities and tensions both within the Anglican Communion, and between the Roman and Anglican churches, that the work of unity must not stop. A joint statement said: “… in renewing our commitment to pursue the path towards full visible communion in the truth and love of Christ, we also commit ourselves in our continuing dialogue to address the important issues involved in the emerging ecclesiological and ethical factors making that journey more difficult and arduous.” (Read a press release about their meeting) It seems right that we on the local level should make the same commitment.
I hope that you will join me in praying and working toward strengthening our resolve to be faithful to the Covenant. What we as Roman Catholic and Anglican Christians share in Baptism is an indissoluble bond with Christ and all Baptized people. This common faith and our affection for each other must enable us to speak honestly to each other and face our differences.
As we engage in dialogue, we can continue to serve the people of this city, especially the most vulnerable. Let our prayers and deeds echo the hope expressed by St. Paul: I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let it be so.
With affection,
Terry+
Adult Formation
February 4, 11
How to Read the Bible and Why Bother?
Led by Fr. Michael Johnston
Common Room • Sundays at 9:15 a.m.
This class continues to meet in February and is led by Fr. Michael Johnston. If you attended this class in January, you know there’s still quite a bit to discuss and discern about strategies for reading the Bible that work in community.
If you did not attend in January, you’ll be joining us as we all gain a deeper encounter with the biblical literature, how it has shaped the content and character of Christian life throughout the centuries, and what its narrative might mean for us today.
We’ll wrap up this series with some thoughts about all the things you’ve always wanted to know about the Bible but were afraid to ask!
February 24-25
Let’s Stroll through the Scrolls
Want to learn more about this important archeological find? In case you didn’t get the ‘word,’ fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as more than 150 artifacts that reveal the mystery behind the daily lives of the scrolls’ scribes are on display at the Union Station. We’ll begin our excursion at the Cathedral with an introduction to the scrolls (led by Fr. Michael Johnston), tour the exhibit at Union Station, and enjoy a Saturday lunch together (optional). On Sunday, we’ll continue our study and discussion in class.
Ticket cost for this event is $15.95. This fee is for the tour only and is the group rate set by Union Station. Lunch is separate checks. Please make your reservation NOW by contacting Fr. Johnston at mjohns06@sbcglobal.net and making your check payable to GHTC memo: SCROLLS. You may mail to the Cathedral office “Attention: Fr. Michael Johnston.”
So here’s the plan:
Saturday, February 24
- Gather at GHTC for 9:30 a.m. for an introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls
- 10:30 a.m. Depart for Union Station for 11 a.m. tour (A tour is 90 minutes)
- Enjoy lunch at the Union Cafe
Sunday, February 25
- 9:15 a.m. Class study and discussion
Another month of fine concerts
The Cathedral is once again the venue for concerts in the month of February.
The William Baker Festival Singers present their winter concerts Friday, February 9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 11 at 3 p.m. Joining the Festival Singers is a number of fine area choirs who will sing their own songs before combining with the Festival Singers for the grand finale. Different choirs are featured at each concert. Tickets are available from the Central Ticket Office (816-235-6222) or at the door.
On Saturday, February 24, the Friends of Chamber Music present Dialogos, six musicians who will present “The Vision of Tondal,” music derived from the 12th century use of the Glagolitic alphabet as its linguistic source. The performance is described as “a visionary voyage through time and space that gripped the imagination of Europe for over 500 years.” Besides the music, there will be shown visuals that relate to the music. The tickets are available from the Friends’ office, (816) 561-9999.
A day later, Sunday, February 25 at 3 p.m., the Simpson College Madrigal Singers will present a free concert. The college, where Agie Sparks of our congregation is a student, is well-known for outstanding music. It is also possible that the Singers will sing at the 10:15 service as well.
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral is highly regarded in the arts community as a place to hear great music. The February performances will confirm that high regard. Do come to hear superb performers and performances.
– by Canon John Schaefer
Lenten Academy
Save these Wednesday evenings during Lent
February 28, March 7, 14, and 21
Be a part of this year’s Lenten Academy!
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Travel back in time and be witness to the rise of Christianity.
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Explore a spiritual form of meditation, and charity, as you cast on and knit stitch.
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Allow Bach’s music to accompany you on your Lenten journey.
Watch our future communications for more details as we near this Lenten season.
Friends of MN
Please note the corrected date is February 7!!
The
next meeting of Friends of MN (Maison de Naissance) will be
Wednesday, February 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room (lower
level, Founders’ Hall).
Questions? Contact Marian Philip at MPHILIP1976@juno.com or 816-421-5808.
Absalom Jones: A man who served the hearts of his people
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Absalom Jones |
In 1786 the membership of St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia included both blacks and whites. However, the white members met that year and decided that thereafter black members should sit only in the balcony. Two black Sunday worshippers, Absalom Jones (1746-1818) and Richard Allen (1760-1831), whose enthusiasm for the Methodist Church had brought many blacks into the congregation, learned of the decision only when, on the following Sunday, ushers tapped them on the shoulder during the opening prayers, and demanded that they move to the balcony without waiting for the end of the prayer. They walked out, followed by the other black members.
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Celebration of Saturday, February 10
The Rt. Rev. Barry Howe, Bishop of West Missouri will be the celebrant. Emanuel Cleaver, U.S. Representative and pastor of St. James United Methodist Church, will be the preacher. Voice of Praise choir from St. James will be featured as will the liturgical dancers from St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church. All are welcome! Reception with Black
History Exhibit Event is co-sponsored by Anti-Racism Task Force of the Diocese of West Missouri and St. Augustine’s Church. |
Absalom Jones conferred with William White, Episcopal Bishop of Philadelphia, who agreed to accept the group as an Episcopal parish. Jones would serve as lay reader, and, after a period of study, would be ordained and serve as rector. Allen wanted the group to remain Methodist, and in 1793 he left to form a Methodist congregation. In 1816 he left the Methodists to form a new denomination, the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). Jones (ordained deacon and priest in 1795 and 1802) and Allen (ordained deacon and elder in 1799 and 1816) were the first two black Americans to receive formal ordination in any denomination. (So I am told by my Episcopal source. On the other hand, a Baptist correspondent tells me of the earlier ordination of a black American to the Baptist ministry. Perhaps my first source either did not know of this, or did not consider the Baptist ordination to be “formal.” This is not a question of snobbery. Some congregations I know simply ask someone who they think is a good speaker to be their preacher for a year, and there is no ceremony beyond the vote and his saying, “I accept.”)
The African Methodist Episcopal Church Zion (AME Zion) formed in New York in about 1796 for similar reasons. The two groups were well organized before they heard of each other. The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, also historically black, was an offshoot in 1870 of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. (The Methodists split into North and South before the War of 1861-1865, and have since re-united.) These three black groups, and the United Methodist Church, and some other denominations of Methodist origin, are committed in principle to eventual union, but bureaucracies move slowly. Meanwhile, the groups are united in doctrine, and members of each are free to worship and to receive the Sacraments with members of the others.
– Info taken from this excellent Lectionary website
January’s memorials and thanksgivings
January 7 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of their mothers, Thelma Clutterbuck Kerr and Mary Ellis, by Day and Whitney Kerr; and in thanksgiving for Hilary and Franηois-Rιgis Gaboriau and Kevin Thomas by Michael and Cathy Thomas. At the baptismal font, flowers are given in thanksgiving for Bryant Johnson by Valerie, Jeff and Eliza, on the anniversary of his baptism. Memorial candles are given in loving memory of her father, Jacob E. Klassen, and brother, J. Raymond Klassen, by Janet E. Seaman and in loving memory of Loris Grant Jones by Elaine Grant.
January 14 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of her husband, William L. Brown, and her twin sister, Kathryn Smalley, by Virginia Brown; and in blessed memory of Lillian Cozzi Pellet by her daughter, Tricia Pellet Lyddon.
January 21 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in memory of Maria Hey and in thanksgiving for her grandson, Brian C. Marrs, by Miriam Marrs.
January 28 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of her daughter, Julie Carlson, by Virginia Brown; also in loving memory of her mother, Louise Hutt Shackelford, by Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Seidlitz, Jr At the baptismal font, flowers are given in memory of her father Everett Gibson, by Mr. and Mrs. Whitney E. Kerr, Sr. Memorial Candles are given in loving memory of her mother, Florence Klassen, by Janet E. Seaman. At the chapel altar, flowers are given in thanksgiving for their wedding anniversary by Jeffrey and Valerie Johnson; and in memory of Carl and Audrey Ryder by Phyllis and Alan Ryder.
With Sympathy
We offer our sympathy to the members of the Cathedral who have experienced the death of family members this past month:
Carmen Burke, sister of Bev Burke
Mary Hoffner, mother of Dianne Saphiere
John Boustead, nephew of Harold Phillips
Gladys Sprenger, mother of Connie Kurtz
Caring for God’s Creation:
Twelve things you can do to make a difference
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Reduce
thermostat setting to 68 degrees—and throw on some layers of
clothing. - Set back thermostat at night and when house is unoccupied—while at work or out of town.
- Install a programmable thermostat. This allows your furnace to automatically cut back during the times mentioned above.
- Change the furnace filter to allow proper airflow, check the filter monthly.
- Run the dishwasher only when it is full.
- Let sun shine in south windows during the day.
- Check for drafts and replace weather stripping on doors and windows.
- Install storm windows. Windows can account for up to 25 percent of total house heat loss.
- Replace five of the most frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
- Lower the thermostat set point on your water heater. Temperatures above 125 degrees are too hot.
- Install a water heater blanket on older units without adequate insulation. This requires following manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Reduce hot water use whenever possible. Wash laundry in warm or cold water.
February calendar includes priests and poets
This month we observe the feast days for several figures in the church, including missionaries, reformers and a poet. Much has been written about some of them. Others are less known, although their work was no less significant.
The accomplishments of a few are mentioned here briefly. You can read more about each person at http://satucket.com/lectionary/Calendar.htm.
1 - Brigid (Bride), 523 – Helped spread Christianity among Druids in Ireland.
5 - The Martyrs of Japan, 1597 - Six Franciscan friars and twenty of their converts were executed in 1597. The Church was totally driven underground by 1630, but a community of Japanese Christians survived underground for 250 years, without clergy or Scriptures, and with only very sketchy instructions in the doctrines of the faith.
14 – Cyril (Monk), 869, and Methodius (Bishop), 885, Missionaries to the Slavs – Invented a written alphabet for Slavonic, becoming the first to produce written material in Slavic languages, including sacred scripture. Their devotion to preaching and worshipping in native languages resulted in friction with Latin-preferring Rome.
15 - Thomas Bray, Priest and Missionary, 1730 – English country parson who modernized the Church in the colony of Maryland. Wrote and preached in defense of the rights of enslaved Africans and of Indians deprived of their land, worked for the reform of prison conditions, and for the establishment of preaching missions to prisoners.
17 - Janani Luwum, Archbishop of Uganda & Martyr, 1977 – One of many Ugandan martyrs. His violent killing for opposing policies of Idi Amin inspired thousands of Ugandans to practice their faith more openly.
23 - Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr of Smyrna, 156 – His church in Smyrna was one of the seven persecuted churches in Asia mentioned at the beginning of the Revelation to John. His teachers of Christian faith included the Apostle John. Executed at age 86 for refusing to renounce his religion.
27 - George Herbert, Priest, 1633 – Poet and generous priest in England. Remembered today mainly for his book of poems, The Temple, which includes the basis for five hymns in the Hymnal 1982.
28 - Anna Julia Hayward Cooper, Educator, 1964 – One of the most important African-American scholars, born to a slave mother and a white man. Emphasized the importance of education to the future of African Americans, and was critical of the lack of support they received from the church. In 1925, became the fourth African –American woman to complete a Ph.D degree. Wrote and spoke widely on issues of race and gender, and took an active role in national and international organizations founded to advance African Americans.
The Angelus
A laypersons’ newspaper published in the interest of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral.
THE ANGELUS SMALL GROUP CONTRIBUTORS:
Emily Akins
Tom Atkin
Mary Byrne
Jan Frizzle
John Hornbeck
Geoff Logan
Chris Morrison, Small Group Facilitator
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
Lay Academy: helping the laity understand their ministry
John and Lucy Richards, parishioners and Adult Formation presenters at the Advent Series and in the Lectionary Learners, are graduates of the Lay Academy of the Diocese of West Missouri.
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The next Regional Gathering
of the Lay Academy will be Topic: Church History This session: Heresy Now! – Back to the Future Presenters: Dr. Ann Marie Shannon, The Rev. Cathy Cox, The Rev. Steve Wilson, The Ven. John McCann Cost: $10, paid at check in Times: Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The session will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Please bring your lunch. To reserve your spot please e-mail MotherMcCann@prodigy.net. |
The Lay Academy, begun in 2002, arose out of Bishop Howe’s vision to “help the laity at large understand their ministry, and be confident in carrying it out in their daily lives,” said Archdeacon John McCann. It also emphasizes the importance, and even the primacy of lay ministry in relation to the ordained ministry. The Academy consists of bi-monthly instructional gatherings over 12 months and an annual symposium.
The Academy is open to all, laity and clergy alike, and offers a shorter, less expensive, and thus more easily available route to instruction in the prime topics of Scripture, Church History, Theology, Ethics, Liturgy and Anglican Spirituality, than the traditional, four year EfM course. Graduates of the academy, so far, are of quite diverse backgrounds, and include an 18 year old from Bolivar, Mo., and a 92 year old. Being involved in the Academy also allows you to form relationships with people from all around the diocese.
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photo by Chris Morrison |
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John and Lucy Richards were recognized for their completion of the Lay Academy. |
John and Lucy Richards said, “We found the Academy fulfilling and are grateful that we were involved. We look forward to continuing involvement with the Academy and the Church.”
Graduates may be commissioned as lay ministers, who are expected to be exemplars of lay ministry, and, in turn, to give back to the Academy by serving on its Board, helping to plan its courses of instruction, in addition to helping plan topics and speakers for the first day of the Annual Convention.
John and Lucy will be most happy to answer parishioners’ questions about the Lay Academy. They may be contacted at coffee hour, after the 10:15 Eucharist, or at home. Their telephone number is in the Cathedral directory.
– by Geoff Logan
Fat Sunday
Annual
Pancake Breakfast
February 18
Seating open in Founders’ Hall after both morning services. Entertainment following the 10:15 service.
Ticket Info:
Buy your tickets in advance or at the door for
$10 (individual) or $20 (family).
Proceeds go to the Cathedral’s outreach ministries!
A look at giving: Who Really Cares: the Surprising Truth
’Tis the season to do taxes. We prepare for this arduous chore by gathering our ramshackle, coffee stained file folders of receipts, forms and statements to set about the task of figuring out where we are financially. Who would have guessed that tax time, in tandem with the quiet reflection of Lent, is a perfect time to figure out “who” we are financially as well? The individual contribution reports we receive this time of year from the financial administrator of the Cathedral contain the statement “the only goods or services provided are intangible religious benefits.”
No question about it: intangible spiritual benefits are the greatest gift from God. But a recent book on charitable giving, authored by a down-to-earth professor of public administration, makes the case that when you give of yourself –your money, your time and even your blood, ultimately, there are tangible economic benefits for you and your community and you will be a better American for doing so.
Who
Really Cares: the Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism;
America’s Charity Divide, Who gives, Who Doesn’t and Why It Matters
by Arthur C. Brooks, published by Basic Books, is a pragmatic,
non-partisan look at charitable giving. Brooks is professor of
public administration at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of
Citizenship and Public Affairs and a frequent contributor to the
Wall Street Journal.
A basic premise, that Brooks’ research bears out, is that charity and intangible spiritual benefits reflected in “happiness, health and financial well-being” can work together to boost the United States GDP. An increase in GDP in turn generates more funding to care for those in need as well as create and maintain focused giving that provides the most good for the greater society.
While there is a long history of charity in America, Who Really Cares links the most charitable givers to belief systems not government policies. The most charitable givers include religious people, strong families, the working poor and those who believe in voluntary charitable freedom and economic opportunity as opposed to forced equality through income redistribution. The most overwhelmingly present attribute of a charitable giver is faith.
Religious people are more likely to give “in every measurable way.” Daily prayer is credited for a 30 percentage point greater likelihood of giving to charity (83 to 53 percent). Belonging to a congregation constitutes a 32 point greater likelihood of voluntary giving (88 to 56 percent). The most charitable givers not only contribute to their churches but to secular causes as well. They are also more likely to volunteer, give money to family and friends, give blood and return change when too much is given by a cashier.
The most exciting aspect of this research for me, as a parent and children’s formation director, is that the children of givers are more likely to become givers. While there may be a genetic component to this, the strongest suggestion is that children learn by doing and by example. Good parents want their children to experience the happiness that is felt when you do something for others. A parent’s sense of religious duty will lead them to teach their children about charity.
Children who inherit money are especially generous if their parents were charitable givers. The lessons of charity learned in formation classes, in childhood, resonate throughout adulthood. Faith, family and charity really do matter in very real terms.
Though I may be preaching to the choir, I submit that sometimes it is appropriate to give a pat of encouragement to the choir. The bigger challenge as Professor Brooks sees it is to bring everyone together “to protect the great tradition of giving we have and to expand the ranks of givers.”
– by DeAnn McTavish
Transforming water to wine, and other miracles
“Dearly beloved, we have together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.”
At every wedding rehearsal I stop at this point and ask the wedding party if, for extra credit, anyone can name that first miracle performed at a wedding. On a good day, a few can. My guess is that given a multiple-choice list, many people could identify changing water into wine as a miracle of Jesus. Many would find it harder to identify the setting of the miracle. And I continue to work on my answer to the question, “What is the meaning of this Our Lord’s first miracle?”
Katerina Whitley suggests that there is something almost mystical about a new beginning. “It is exactly what Epiphany calls forth—with the coming of Light, with the announcing of the coming Kingdom of God, and the revealing of the well-beloved Son at his baptism, we enter into a new time, a new season of hope. All will be different, we pray, and this will be a better year than the last. We enter each new year hoping.
“The Gospel of John is quite different from the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), and there is something absolutely fitting in the story John chooses to tell as the first sign that ushers in the public ministry of Jesus. It happens at a marriage feast, where hope abounds.” (K. Whitley, Sermons that Work)
Marriage is the beginning of a new life for the couple and for their extended families and friends. Mary’s presence at the wedding may suggest that she was related to the bride or groom given that fact that she has access to the kitchen and wait staff and they followed her directions. Jesus arrived with group of followers in tow who may not have been expected. Thus, perhaps, the shortage of wine. Thus, perhaps, his mother’s irritation. Nonetheless, the scene is a joyous peasant wedding in a peasant village, where a mighty act will give us a glimpse of the glory of God. Glory is all around us.
On this particular weekend in January, three revelations of that glory that surrounds us leap to mind for me.
For two families in Missouri and their friends, miracles have occurred, as kidnapped boys, one missing for four days, another for over four years, are found and given back to their families. If you heard even a few words from those involved following the reunions, you know that a season of hope has dawned. The story will unfold well beyond the joy of this weekend. Once attention shifts, real and hard issues will be addressed, pain will be shared so that healing can begin, and for years to come these boys and their families will encounter problems stemming for the abductions. The strength these families need to persevere is found in the Life and Presence of the One who changed water into wine. Because Jesus is among us, despite our trials and pain, there will also always be hope and light and life. May Ben and Shawn and their families continue to be sustained by that hope.
A second manifestation of God’s glory. Here in Kansas City today we remember the late Larry Stewart, who shall forever be honored as the ultimate Secret Santa. His story is both amazing and rather eloquent in its simplicity: he struggled through part of his life and was blessed one day when a man handed him $20 and took the time to put his faith into action by caring and sharing, by manifesting God’s glory in a concrete act of love. And Larry built upon that act and took such living and giving to a new level. His now famous gifts of money given to shoppers in a thrift shop, or handed to a homeless person on a street corner, or given to a single parent outside a low-income day care center gave people hope.
Repeatedly recipients said, “Secret Santa has renewed my faith in humanity.” And while news stories the last several years highlighted some gifts, and Donna McGuire’s book has done much to inspire others to such a life—for years very few people really knew about these small miracles. But the works still had the same impact on the recipients’ lives. At the wedding feast in Cana, only a handful of people knew anything about the miracle Jesus worked, and even fewer had any notion of its meaning. But the effect lasts to this day and will motivate and inspire people until the end of time. Miracles can have audiences of various sizes.
A third manifestation of God’s glory. The nation this weekend honors the witness and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr, who helped usher in new hope, new life, and a new way of living. His life and death taught that evil and discrimination and hatred could only be defeated though non-violent action. He wrote: “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars ... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
Dr. King preached the words of the prophets and used the witness of the Church as his foundation: “The church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society,” he wrote from a Birmingham jail in 1963.
Today we seem more uncomfortable with the Church avoiding taking a position on most things, placing the cause of false unity above the call of Christ to be agents of God’s transforming power. But like the water in Cana, the Church can be transformed.
Brother Martin said, “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” (Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963)
“Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.” (Martin Luther King Jr., December 11, 1964)
While the direct quote is from Dr. King, one can imagine Isaiah, or Micah, or Jesus saying those same words. In fact, they more or less did.
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. A new light has come; this is a new season of hope. Hope for ourselves, and hope for all people. Can our eyes see the glimpses of God’s glory around us? Can our hearts thrill to the hope spring forth all around us?
When two kidnapped boys are found alive, that is a miracle, worth giving high thanks for and demanding that we our petty complaints about life into perspective.
When a Secret Santa not only helps people directly but causes others to imitate his life, that is a sign that our society is not lost, that people do care, and can care, if we put forth the effort and sacrifice required. If we put ourselves before others.
When a nation learns it must do more to fight oppression, when each generation is more successful than the last in living into our national ideals and into our faith’s demands that we not judge or care about others based upon the color of one’s skin, or gender, or first language, or who one lovingly commits to—the miracle at a wedding of Cana in Galilee lives on. In fact, changing water into wine may just take a back seat to these other miracles.
So on a morning like this, when, given the snow and ice, just getting to the Cathedral was a minor miracle, we ponder that first miracle of Jesus. And let us be open to the possibility that the miracle does not rest alone in the transformation of water into wine, but also in our transformation into people of hope. People who have hope, and share hope, and live hopefully. By caring for others. By sharing our wealth. By being simply and purely thankful for life. By living as people who will not tire from creating justice and opportunity and respecting the God-given dignity of all, especially of those who are denied dignity today.
May we celebrate the certainty that the most powerful agent of transformation in life is love.
Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.
Let love transform us and this Cathedral into wine for a world thirsting for hope.
– by the Very Rev. Terry White
This sermon was preached January 14, 2007 (Epiphany 2 Year C, RCL).
Financial support of the Cathedral’s mission in 2007
We
give thanks for the generous pledges received as of January 22. In
addition to those listed below, some making a 2007 pledge asked that
their names not be printed. Every gift is important! You may submit
a pledge by filling out a card found in the Tower, or by going
online to
www.ghtc-kc.org/stewardship.
| Kitty Asbridge Tom and Charlene Atkin Jean Bacon Dave and Diane Barker Mike and Toni Bennett Jodi Bergstrom Thilde Beuing Don and Doris Biellier Frank and Harriet Bigham Elmer and Lynn Binford Leigh Dennert-Blackman Shawsie Branton Denny Brisley Tom and Mary Lou Brous John and Peg Brown Bill Bruning Barbara Bucker Janeece Buckner Chip and Deborah Buckner Simon Buckner Jordan Buckner Bev Burke Mary Byrne John and Kay Callison Burton and Donna Canfield Bob and Linda Carlson Cecelia Carter Sandra Carter Earl and Nancy Cavanaugh Sally Chapple Sharon Cheers Bill and Sharon Chinnery Penny Citro Matt and Heather Cleavinger Mark and Brenda Colburn Wayne Coldsnow Janet Conley Morgan Conley Howard and Paula Connors Sara and Mark Galus Walter and Kara Costner James and Marti Crockett Chuck and Jo Curran Doug Curran Stephen and Hilda Davis William and Carroll Dickinson Bill and Marjorie Dietrich Larry Downs Jan Duncan Rosemary Durkin Bryan and Linda England Jeanne Estevez Dick and Jill Fanolio William and Michelle Fasel Jodi Finnie Joe and Jackye Finnie, Jr. Bill Fisher Ted and Lucy Ann Fleischman Ron and Arianne Fortune John and Charmaine Fowler Gael and Beverly Frank Jan Frizzle Dorothy Gershman Vivian Gibbens Phineas and LaGretta Gitta Ellen Goheen Elaine Grant Clint Haberland Bruce Hall James Halling Curtis Hamilton Gordon Hansen Phyllis Hart Bill Hawley and Sally Livengood George and Caroline Helmkamp Jeanne Henley Gary Hicks and Annie Heck Paul Hicks Thomas and Paget Higgins, III John and Sandra Hornbeck Susan Houdek Barry and Mary Howe Patti Howell Bill and Hampton Hubbard, Jr. Robert and Sharon Hudson Clint and Krissy Freyaldenhoven Sarah Ingram-Eiser Jim and Kathy Jennings Premkumar and Caroline John Jeff and Holly Steve and Lenette Johnson Rev. Michael Johnston Lucille Johnston Rick Jordahl Keith and Jodie Kavanaugh Karla Kelly Whitney and Debbie Kerr, Jr. Tom and Carolyn Kretsinger, Sr. Mike and Bonnie Kropff Mary Lagergren John and Patricia Lambert Susan Lenz Jane Lester Newt Lewis Marlene Link Geoff and Dianne Logan |
Neil and Ann Lombardi, Jr. Paul and Bonnie Lowrey David and Jennifer Lowry Bill and Shirley Lusk Ruth MaGill Tom and Taloyre Mahoney Larry and Pat Martin Barbara Mason Ed and Ann Matheny, Jr. Mark and Miriam Matzeder Al and Sandra Mauro, Sr. Steve and Diane McClure Ken and June McDonald Bud and Candy McDowell Gary and Jaunita McKee Pat McKenna Jae McKeown and Robin Rusconi Gene McLaughlin Ron and Carolyn McLeroy Larry and Marilyn McMullen DeAnn McTavish James and Karen Meek Ron and Angela Michka Harley and Pat Miller Tom and Paula Miller Ronald Miriani Pauline Mischanko Steve and Kristy Moore Chris and Peggy Morgan Greg Morgan Ben and Joyce Morrow Ruth Moss Elizabeth Murphy Jeannette Nichols John and Grace Obetz Randall and Elizabeth Keith and Linda Oliver Keith and Jean Oliver Thomas Palma William and Elizabeth Pence Raymond Peterman Jim and Jane Pfeffer Marian Philip John Phillip Jim and Pattie Phillips Harold and Betty Phillips David Pierson John and Shirley Platt Richard Preis Walt and Alison Randall Jean Rau Bruce and Page Reed Jack Reed Jacob Reeves Gerry and Barbara Reynaud David and Judy Rice John and Evangeline Rich John and Lucy Richards Faye Richards Bob Richmond Claudia Risebig Meribeth Risebig Chuck and Michelle Ritter Alan and Phyllis Ryder Mike Sancho and Bridgett Shirley Grady and Carol Sanford Dianne Saphiere and Greg Webb Carl Sappenfield John and Leona Schaefer Al Schneider Helen Schumacher Jan Seaman Pete and Barbara Seidlitz, Jr. Silvestre Silvas Betty Simmons Michael and Elizabeth Simms John Simpson Andrea Skowronek and Eric Vianello Gregory and Michelle Smith Rick and Susan Sommer Marnell Sparks Thomas Taylor and Catherine Green Michael and Cathy Thomas Chester Thompson Carl and Sue Towley Robert Trapp Don and Susan Traub Haywood and Lyn Walker, Jr. Collin and Kelli Walker Herman Wallace Sharyl Wallace Bruce and Lill Weekes Daniel Welch Ferne Welles Jack and Marie Whitacre Doyle White Terry and Linda Sue White Homer and Mary Kay Williams Marjorie Williams John and Helen Windsor Thomas and Sally Wood Brad and Kim Woods Pat and Kay Woolley Rodger and Pat Wright Suzanne Wright Sara Yocum |
The Cathedral’s Financial Status
December was an excellent month financially at the Cathedral. Income exceeded expenses by $18,679 and pledges received exceeded budgeted pledges by $12,237. While actual expenses exceeded budgeted expenses by $21,738, this is within the historical norms. December expenses are always the highest of the year.
The year 2006 saw income received $76,941 less than budgeted income. This was primarily due to pledges received coming in at a slightly lower rate than usual. Expenses for the year were $11,000 less than budget. This represented good financial stewardship by the Cathedral staff for the entire year.
– by Doyle White, treasurer
| DECEMBER MTD | BUDGETED MTD | ACTUAL MTD |
| INCOME | $ 176,425 | $ 182,334 |
| EXPENSES | $ 141,916 | $ 163,655 |
| NET TOTAL | $ 34,509 | $ 18,679 |
| DECEMBER YTD | BUDGETED YTD | ACTUAL YTD |
| INCOME | $ 1,729,737 | $ 1,658,796 |
| EXPENSES | $ 1,691,881 | $ 1,660,779 |
| NET TOTAL | $ 37,856 | $ (1,983) |
The First Day of Lent:
Ash Wednesday
February
21
7 a.m. + 12:05 p.m. + 7 p.m.
All liturgies include homily, Imposition of Ashes, Litany of Penitence, and Holy Eucharist.
Music at 12:05 p.m.
Sung liturgy with choir at 7 p.m.
Palm fronds to be burned may be left in a basket in the chapel by February 18, or burned at home with the ashes being returned to the ground.
|
Meditation booklets
will be available for your Lenten journey |
Weekly Activities
|
The Cathedral offices
and buildings will be closed
|
SUNDAY
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:15 a.m. Christian Formation
10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist
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. Tuesday Afternoon 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
6:30 p.m. EfM
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 February
Please verify times and dates of the events listed with the appropriate person(s) or by contacting the Cathedral Office.
3 • SATURDAY
10:00 a.m. Baptism Class
4 • SUNDAY
11:45 a.m. Music Committee
3:30 p.m. Centering Prayer Group
5 • MONDAY
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
6 • TUESDAY
6:30 p.m. Needlework Arts Group
7:00 p.m. The Angelus Small Group
8 • THURSDAY
6:00 p.m. Children’s Formation Committee
6:30 p.m. Thursday Evening Bible Study
9 • FRIDAY
8:00 p.m. Concert: Baker Festival Singers
10 • SATURDAY
7:30 p.m. Concert: Fine Arts Chorale
11 • SUNDAY
8:50 a.m. Blood Pressure Sunday
11:45 a.m. Social Action Committee
3:00 p.m. Concert: Baker Festival Singers
12 • MONDAY
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. Friends of MN
18 • SUNDAY
8:00 a.m. Pancake Breakfast
3:30 p.m. Centering Prayer Group
5:00 p.m. Integrity
19 • MONDAY • Presidents’ Day
Offices and buildings closed • No Services
20 • TUESDAY
6:00 p.m. Guild of the Christ Child
21 • ASH WEDNESDAY
Services at 7 a.m., 12:05 p.m. and 7 p.m.
22 • THURSDAY
6:30 p.m. Thursday Evening Bible Study
24 • SATURDAY
8:00 a.m. Concert: Friends of Chamber Music
25 • SUNDAY
1:00 p.m. Simpson College Madrigal Singers
26 • MONDAY
6:00 p.m. Robbery Victims Support Group
28 • WEDNESDAY
Lenten Academy
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. Bryan England
Deacon
The Rev. Bruce Hall
Deacon
The Rev. Michael Johnston
Scholar-in-Residence
Mr. John L. Schaefer
Canon Musician
The Very Rev. J. Earl Cavanaugh
Dean Emeritus