Grace Cathedral

Dear friends,

Christians are often described as followers of Jesus.

This phrase can evoke the kind of journey described in last Sunday’s gospel reading from Luke, where the first disciples left everything they had to follow their Lord (5:11). 

Our church teaches us that following Christ involves stillness as well as movement. We are called not just to embrace new ways of being but to be open to being transformed by Scripture and traditional practices. We can draw closer to God by immersing ourselves in the sacred texts and practices from which people of faith have drawn comfort and guidance for many centuries. Through these, we can discover God’s vision for our lives and how we will be in the world.

As we draw closer to Lent, the great season of contemplation that has formed and strengthened followers of Jesus throughout the ages, Grace Cathedral is offering a series of formation sessions on the traditions and practices of our church. 

This Sunday at 12:45 pm, Roberta Sauter and Robert Ward will lead a lively and interactive grounding in Episcopal 101. As the name suggests, this session has been designed specifically for those who consider themselves new to the study of the Episcopal Church. It will cover topics including an introduction to the Book of Common Prayer to the foundations of Anglicanism and the structure of the Episcopal Church. This session is highly recommended for those seeking to prepare for Baptism, Confirmation, or Reception during Lent.

Next Sunday, February 23, the Rev. Canon Anna Rossi will lead us in a session designed for those seeking to observe Lent with traditional practices and disciplines: My Soul is Thirsting. On March 9, the first Sunday of Lent, the Rev. Canon Mary Carter Greene will lead us in a session exploring Christian Contemplative Practices for Lent.

In a time of seemingly constant change, young people continue to be drawn to the cadence and practices of the Lenten season. The Children, Youth, and Family Ministry is offering a program of study, service, and worship for youth in middle and high school during Lent. Through this program, we will accompany youth as they explore spiritual practices and consider how to integrate these into their faith journeys. 

Formation is a lifelong journey that brings us closer to God and each other. It is a gift to be a member of this community and to journey in faith and love with you all.

Our worship this Sunday will include a special form of processional journey. To celebrate Lunar New Year, the 11 am Choral Eucharist will conclude with a procession led triumphantly by lion dancers. Please join us for this joyful celebration of the Year of the Snake. Please also note that traffic may be busy due to the many joyful celebrations across the city. The SFMTA website has updates on road closures and public transport.

With gratitude

Steph