Dear Cathedral Family,
Our New Year here at Christ Church Cathedral has gotten off to a big start. On Saturday, January 10, we celebrated the ordination of our “Deacon Dan” Wagner to the priesthood, rolling out Cathedral-style hospitality for family, friends, and clergy gathered for that special day in the life of the Church. I am thankful for the many loving and gifted volunteers who worked to make the day both beautiful and joyous. That same weekend saw the beginning of Christ Church Cathedral’s new Epiphany Concert Series, the brainchild of our talented and energetic organist/choir master, Christopher Powell. Attendance has been encouraging, and the programs of the highest quality, as well as being reflective, peaceful, and meditative.
Bishop Search “Walkabouts” occupied the week of January 18-22, with bishop candidates visiting Christ ChurchCathedral on January 21, for a Wednesday afternoon Eucharist, followed by a historical presentation about Mobile and Christ Church. That evening our convention delegates and clergy attended the Walkabout information sessions at St. Paul’s, Daphne.
Your finance committee and vestry completed and approved the 2015 budget for presentation of the parish meeting on Sunday, January 25. We also welcomed in January two new part-time staff members: Corinne Betbeze will be here on Sundays to coordinate our programs for children from nursery-age through second grade. She will be working with our nursery staff and Christian Education teachers to ensure our children have the best experience here at their church home. Sarah Bolt will be working with Canon Wagner, Christian Education teachers, parents, and youth to plan activities for our older children. Please offer them your support and keep them and our children in your prayers—all this in January!
February also promises to be a period of exciting activity as our youth make plans for their annual Mardi Gras event on Sunday, February 8, for the evening parade, fun starts happening here on Parade Route A! We are already planning our worship for Ash Wednesday, February 18, when Bishop Duncan will be with us at noon; yours truly will celebrate and preach at the 5:30 p.m. service that day. Our Lenten concert series will begin on Wednesday, February 25 at noon with Holy Eucharist preceding it at 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel. This year we will also offer a special adult Christian Formation group meeting on Sundays after worship: A Journey with Matthew will be led by Banks Ladd and George Inge. It will meet in the library. More information on the book for this group is in the Jan-Feb 2015 issue of The Messenger.
Our diocesan convention will begin the day after Ash Wednesday, on February 19 at Trinity Church, Mobile. That Saturday, February 21, lay and clergy delegates will elect our next bishop. Please keep the candidates and their families in your prayers—also pray for delegates to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit. Once our new bishop is elected, we will begin planning for his consecration here at Christ Church Cathedral on July 25, 2015.
During this busy time, I have found grounding and focus in my daily reading as part of the Bible Challenge. If you would like to join me in reading a part or all of the Bible this year, you will find more information on page 7 of the Jan-Feb 2015 issue of The Messenger.
2015 promises to be a “break-out” year in the life of Christ Church Cathedral. We will all need to “show up” and offer our gifts and labors for the glory of God and the life of the Church. What a joy and privilege!
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