Grace Cathedral
Article | October 21, 2022
Congregation Update: Release, Receive, Renew.
Blog|The Rev. Canon Mary Carter Greene
Dear Grace Cathedral Community,
Release, receive, renew. At my training last month at Chartres Cathedral with the Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress, I learned these are the guiding directions for a labyrinth walk.
Release while walking into the labyrinth.
Receive at the center of the labyrinth.
Return a new walking the same way out.
Lauren says of this sequence that the part we find most challenging is the middle step, receiving and discerning what the Spirit has in mind for our community or us.
One of the clear messages we clergy have been hearing from the congregation is that you are looking for ways to get involved, to paraphrase Lauren’s terms, looking for places to receive and be renewed. And great news! There are several ways to get involved right now:
Join our New Choir
Do you like to sing? Our renowned music program is growing, and men, women, and youth can be a part of it! Join our new mixed-voice choir. The first rehearsal will be this Sunday, October 23, at 4 pm. For more info, contact Chris Keady or Gabriel Fanelli at ofcmusic@gracecathedral.org.
Volunteer for our Children’s Edge of Halloween Event
On Sunday, October 30, Children, Youth, and Family Ministries will be joined by numerous staff and cathedral volunteers (might you be one of them?) to offer our second annual festive treasure hunt inside the cathedral. Volunteers are needed to help decorate and staff the event. Contact Steph McNally at stephm@gracecathedral.org.
Special Coffee Hour Honoring Cathedral Staff
On Sunday, November 6, at the 11 am Eucharist and following Coffee Hour, our cathedral congregation will honor and recognize the cathedral staff’s steadfast support and commitment during the pandemic shutdown, recovery, and return. Please join us at the 11 am Eucharist and the following celebration at Coffee Hour, when our congregation will meet and thank the incredible team behind the cathedral’s success. Cathedral staff holds our shared Grace community so lovingly in all that we are and do. Thank you to our docents for hosting last week, they really outdid themselves! If you wish to contribute to the coffee hour on Nov 6, please contact Joanne Compean at joannejcompean@gmail.com.
Sponsor a Coffee Hour
Love to cook or host events? Sign up to host coffee hour after a Sunday service. This is a great way to get to know people at the cathedral and share your gifts of hospitality. Contact Pete Young at Petey@gracecathedral.org.
Attend Inquirers Class
Want to learn more about Grace Cathedral and the Episcopal Church or to get to know some new people? Sunday following the 11 am service, join us in the Chapter Room across the plaza from the cathedral to join an interesting discussion about our tradition.
I hope one of these opportunities will invite you and offer you renewal and inspiration that you can take out to the world. And if you are still looking for inspiration, perhaps one of our labyrinths is calling you to walk it and to hear that still, small voice.
Finally, in preparation for the All Souls’ Requiem, Sunday, November 13 at 11 am, submission of Tributes for your beloved dead that are received by Monday, October 31, will be recognized in the Requiem service leaflet.
With every blessing,
Mary Carter
The Rev. Mary Carter Greene
Minister for Congregational Life