Grace Cathedral

Dear Friends,

I am writing with very exciting news. The Rev. Canon Jude Harmon has recently accepted an appointment as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Menlo Park. This is one of the most prominent and influential churches in our Diocese. Over the last twenty years, I’ve admired the work that this church has been doing. They will be blessed by his ministry, although we will miss him very much.

Jude arrived at Grace Cathedral and was ordained ten years ago as a priest. At first, he served in the short-term position of Minor Canon. Soon Jude began developing new ministries like Yoga and Labyrinth Walks. As Director of Innovative Ministries, he helped to bring us The Vine and Sound Bath. He introduced creative new worship services like the cherished annual Pride Mass and fostered important relationships in the San Francisco community. He will leave here as Canon for Innovative Ministries and as a valued voice in the Cathedral Chapter.

Like so many of us, I have been deeply blessed by Jude’s ministry to me. When I have questions about New Testament scholarship or the early church, I walk down the hall and have a conversation with Jude. As I faced some minor health concerns over the last year, he always checked to see how I was doing and offered helpful perspectives as I tried to figure out the best way forward.

Jude has a wisdom that I value very much. He is humble, thoughtful, and a great colleague. When we were setting up The Vine, Jude included me in the process of visiting other churches. It really gave me an insight into his role as a spiritual leader in the contemporary church. Jude is also one of our most popular preachers and could be the best preacher to a yoga community anywhere in the world.

We will celebrate Jude’s ministry at the 11 am Choral Eucharist on August 14, his last Sunday. He will have a short break before he starts at Trinity at the beginning of their program year in mid-September.

Until then, there will be many opportunities for each of us to thank Jude for all he has done for us, and for all the ways he has fed us over the years. I look forward to many more years of having him as a colleague in our Diocese. It will be a delight to watch as he continues to transform the church and share God’s word.

Love,
Malcolm

The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young
Dean of Grace Cathedral