Grace Cathedral

Grace Cathedral

Article | January 24, 2025

Congregation Update: Annual Meeting & What’s Next for Love

Blog|The Rev. Canon Mary Carter Greene

Dear Friends,

Among many of the stories emerging from the devastating fires in Los Angeles, example upon example have demonstrated the power of people coming together, showing that even though a place may be gone, its community is not. So many tragic stories of family and friends’ loss of life and property have been shared with evidence of love in the worst of times. How good it is to be a part of a loving community.

Last week, staff clergy called the approximately 75 Grace Cathedral members who live in the Los Angeles area to hear how they were doing, to let them know we are praying for them, and to see if we might support them pastorally. The stories shared on the phone included heartening descriptions of neighbors and communities coming together to offer food, water, shelter, prayer, and hope. Tragic stories reflected the heroism of strangers becoming friends, evidence that in unsettling times the grace of being together can carry us through.

It may take time to know how to best respond, but early conversations among our ministries are prioritizing this need. As an immediate response, and in concert with the Diocese of California, we are suggesting that those who wish to donate money give to Episcopal Relief and Development.

Congregational leaders are looking ahead to see how we might engage over time. The Congregation Council will consider possible service and action projects to come. Our formation programs for all ages this spring will focus again on issues around the climate crisis, using The Episcopal Church’s Creation Care curriculum, Events are planned to encourage personal practices that reduce climate impacts such as a springtime treasure swap and a beach cleanup. The Social Justice Working Group is looking at climate-related social justice advocacy work such as that supported by the Episcopal Church.

To discern how we might faithfully live our lives as people with hearts for justice, join friends from the diocese and the national church for a Sacred Ground Regional Gathering THIS Saturday, January 25, from 10 am to 5 pm at Epiphany, San Carlos. Together, we can imagine what’s next for the church’s work for racial justice. Register now!

Community helps us weather any storm. This Sunday, Grace Cathedral’s community will celebrate at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation, Sunday January 26 at 9:30 am in the Nave. Join Bishop Austin Keith Rios, Dean Malcolm Clemens Young, and members of the Board of Trustees to review the blessings of 2024, elect new leaders, grant awards, and hear our hopes for 2025. 

Read the Annual Report here and cast your vote here. Voting will be open at 5 pm Friday, January 24 and close at 5 pm on Sunday, January 26.

I look forward to coming together this Sunday to celebrate all that is good in our community at the Annual Meeting and to worship together at the bishop’s annual visit at the 11 am Choral Eucharist, following.

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