Grace Cathedral

“And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
— Jesus of Nazareth

 “My! People come and go so quickly here!”
— Dorothy of Kansas

Yesterday the cathedral’s Thursday Evensong swelled in prayer, song, emotion and solidarity as we bade farewell to Head Verger Charles Shipley on the occasion of his retirement and his being named an Honorary Canon of Grace Cathedral. Our whole community is feeling renewed in commitment even as we are already missing such a wonderful model of that commitment in the person of Charles.

This Sunday, May 1 at 11 am Choral Eucharist, we welcome the Rev. Dr. Greg Kimura as our Vice Dean. After two interims have accompanied the cathedral congregation since the departure of the Rev. Dr. Ellen Clark-King just before the pandemic, we are blessed now that Greg and his family have chosen to make Grace Cathedral and the Bay Area their new and lasting home. I am personally so grateful and excited that God has called the cathedral community and such an experienced and inspiring witness to the values of the Gospel together to pray and work in service to the world. And on Sunday we also welcome an absolutely unique new set of festal vestments specially commissioned for Grace Cathedral!

After a few years of longing, we are anticipating a Congregation Retreat on the last weekend of May. In the spirit of our “Year of Connection,” it will be a restorative experience for all: single adults along with every shape and kind of family and household. Registration is now and not for long! And while you’re on that page, review the invitation to come to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem in September!
Looking outward, our congregation and its leadership welcome the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, along with our own Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr. Marc Handley Andrus, on May 11 for a spirited dialogue about the growing movement in our nation to “End Slavery for Good.” This is your chance to be up to date and part of this expanding awareness and call to action.

“So stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high!”
— Luke 24:49 

With affection and gratitude,

Mark

The Rev. Canon Mark E. Stanger,
Interim Executive Pastor