March 2010 Cathedral Record

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March Edition , 2010 Lent

Our Worship Life

Sundays Holy Eucharist 8:30 AM, Rite 1

10:30 AM, Rite 2

Church School Classes meet at

10:30 AM

Wednesday 12:10 PM,

Holy Eucharist

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A Word From Our Dean... Dear Cathedral Family, March brings us to the heart of Lent. In fact, Palm Sunday and Holy Week bring this month to a close. As wouldn’t surprise you, I trust that each of us has been using Lent as a time to learn more about ourselves and our relationship to Jesus and to our neighbors. Recently I was having a look at Paul’s Letter to the Galatians and as I was doing so, it occurred to me that the Galatians should have had the advantage of Lent, (these seasons having only come on the scene in the 4th century). Their difficulty was that they were tempted to give up “the responsible adventure” of salvation by faith in the promises of God in Christ and go back to the safety of slavery to the law, that is, of keeping the rules and hoping they would be good enough for heaven. This approach is not Good News and it certainly isn’t Christianity. Christianity is food in the dessert for the hungry and weary; it is the prodigal bounty of God to women and men in need. This is what needs to have our attention in Lent for it is crucial, pun intended, to having the strength and excitement to be part of the great adventure of salvation. There are all of the usual ways to be energized for the adventure of salvation: the various worship opportunities which we offer, education for adults and young people and our Thursday evening Lenten series, the details of which you find elsewhere. Please make every effort to join the other members of the Cathedral family this month as we embark again on the adventure. Our support of The 1810 Society is moving along nicely, but I do hope that each of us will participate. It is very important that all of us will support this effort to restore our Godly home so that it can be passed on in good shape to be the home-base of the adventure in faith we yearn for the coming generations to enjoy. With every good wish and faithfully, Faithfully, Harry KraussHarry KraussHarry KraussHarry Krauss

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From The Deacon’s Bench

It is always remarkable to me that the human spirit has such enormous resiliency. It seems as though the world is taking a pounding right now from the events that planetary upset can cause. I wonder, almost fearfully, what may happen next. Famine in East Africa, earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, drought to the point of destruction in Australia— just a few of the natural occurrences that cause us to ponder the fragility of our natural world. Of course, this is in addition to what we impart on each other through our own human short-sightedness, weakness and lust for wealth and global domination. And yet, the world seems to heal itself and justice eventually prevails, though it often takes longer than we can sometimes imagine. As I watched the unfolding of the Olympics in February, I once again found myself thinking about a world without the artificial ways that we differentiate ourselves from one another. Yes, there was huge nationalism, and yes, it was indeed a race for the “medal count”, but the world stopped to mourn the death of a young Olympian in a training run, and it didn’t seem to matter what flag you carried at the time. The world stopped to carry a little bit of the burden of a young woman whose mother died unexpectedly just before she was to test her own endurance, and we watched as she rose above her own grief and sadness, to bring the true spirit of what she was doing to the fore, even though tears followed when she was done. We set aside our own personal stuff and, for a brief instance, we were part of an intimate, nurturing humanity. Hmmm. What a good time of year to think about that. Lent is all about inward assessment to bring about changes that make us better people, better communities— a better humanity based in Christ. Why are we here, if not to attempt to build one another up in Christ? I often take issue with the church, and I often take issue with our government when they run off, making decisions that offer little or no kindness or compassion. But in my heart I know that Jesus has nothing to do with these odd decisions or rules, and that eventually the love of a compassionate Christ will bring to world to a good end. That’s what I pray for in this Lenten season— that we build our humanity to follow the compassion and love of Christ. Not the Christ who has become a political battle shield for justification of hatred, but the Christ who only asks, through the outstretched arms on the cross, that we follow Him. May we all continue to have a holy and thoughtful Lent. Your sister in Christ, Deacon Barbara

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From the Seminarian From The Seminarian My Dear Friends in Christ, As you know, this is Black History Month. What you don’t know is that I am taking two very interesting courses at the Episcopal Divinity School this semester that pertain directly to this topic. I am taking a course called the Church and the Civil Rights Movement: Non-violence and Social Challenges. The course explores the history of nonviolent resistance as a tool for social change during the last two centuries of our country’s history. As a future priest, I took the course to explore various leadership styles and strategies that empower people to pursue the goals of equality and justice through non-violent social action. The course promises to look at well known, as well as, lesser Black figures in the Civil Rights Movement. The second course is called Encountering the City: Ministry in the Urban Context. I selected this course because I come from Grace Church, Providence and I am serving as your seminarian in an urban context. Last Friday, we gathered in the refectory at EDS and then hopped the ‘T’ and headed to the West End of Boston with our professor to walk the Black Heritage Trail. It was a fascinating story told through the architecture surrounding the trail from just after the Revolutionary War all the way up to Urban Renewal. The course is designed to meet with individuals and agencies ministering in “street and shop and tenement.” The course promises to address urban issues such as homelessness, community organizing, criminal justice, political advocacy, environmental justice, and educational reform. My hope is that with both of these courses, I will begin to develop my own pastoral approach to urban ministry and be able to nurture relationships with networks of individuals and organizations committed to social justice and peace. During this Lent, I ask you to please keep me in your prayers as I finish up my seminary studies. Faithfully, Your Seminarian, John Higginbotham

Episcopal Church Women News and Notes The mission of Episcopal Church Women is that, centered in congregations, we empower women

to do Christ’s ministry in the world.— National Mission Statement of ECW Upcoming dates to note: April 17 Alvin Ailey Dancers performance, in Boston April 25 ECW Bake Sale, at the Cathedral May 1 May Breakfast at the Cathedral October 17 Bake/Plant Sale at the Cathedral

More information coming next month!

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Winners of the 2010 Deaconess Frances Semle Scholarship

Joyce Thorne 8:30 AM on September 8, 2007, I began my journey as a first year student in Deacon School. The day began with Morning Prayer , and at 9:10 AM my first class began. In the first semester, I took classes in the Old Testament, Christianity and Poverty, The History of the Anglican Church and Disciplines of Spirituality. Second semester classes included New testament, Issues in Contemporary Society, The Anglican View and Human Awareness and Understanding. In the beginning, it was a little overwhelming, since I had not been in a classroom in more than 30 years! It took me about two months to be able to prioritize my study schedule, because I also work full time. Once I had a set routine, it became easier to get the readings done and the papers written. During the past year, I learned things about the Anglican/Episcopal Church were not taught to me in any history class in the past. History of the Church is fascinating and the Old and New Testament classes helped me to understand the books of the prophets and the Gospels in particular. I have always read the Bible, but now understanding it in these new ways is wonderful. My classes pertaining to anything regarding Christianity and Poverty, Human Awareness, Issues in Contemporary Society and Disciplines in Spirituality have definitely been great eye-openers! I am more aware of what is facing the church today among its homeless, those living in great poverty and living with prejudices. Issues in Contemporary Society taught about the many types of diaconal ministries in the church. I was amazed at how much there is, and after my studies, it will be hard for me to decide what my particular diaconal ministry might be, in concert with the Bishop’s needs. For many years, I have served the Cathedral as lay leader and sub deacon. I am currently assigned to serve my Deacon Student placement at Grace Church in Providence. Sam Dorbor, Jr. My name is Sam Dorbor and I am currently attending Rutgers University, majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with a concentration in Electrical. I really first became curious in electronic appliance when I was younger and always loved taking things apart and putting them back together. With technology constantly changing, our everyday lives have become a “learning society”, always reaching for more. As I became older, I found myself thinking about designing, rather than just fixing because I enjoy problem solving and challenging my own abilities. I have been attending the Cathedral of Saint John since I was a child. I have ushered and I have taken part in various activities. I also work at the Paul Robeson Cultural Center as building manager, where I support the work of the Cultural Center by holding events, maintaining relationships with the school, community and school organizations. I feel that all these opportunities have formed and improved me as an individual and I am very thankful to God. This scholarship would be a great help in continuing my education at Rutgers.

(Continued on page 9)

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Images from the Annual Meeting Photos courtesy of Mr. Al Martin

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Musical Notes

Here is a little posthumous information for Black History Month. While I was surfing the web and came across a musician composer from the 18th century dubbed “the Black Mozart.” Even though he was French I thought it would make an interesting subject for Black History month. The Chevalier de Saint-Georges (Joseph Boulogne) studied music in Saint-Domingue with the black violinist Joseph Platon before emigrating to Paris in 1752. The teacher, Platon, played an unspecified Saint-Georges violin concerto at Port-au-Prince (Haiti) on April 25 1780. The Chevalier de Saint-Georges in a 1787 painting probably commissioned by the future George IV of the United Kingdom. While still a young man, he acquired multiple reputations; as the best swordsman in France, as a violin virtuoso, and as a composer in the classical tradition. He composed and conducted for the private orchestra and theatre of the marquise de Montesson, the morganatic wife of the King's cousin, Louis Philippe I, Duke of Orléans. In 1771, he was appointed maestro of the Concert des Amateurs, and later director of the Concert de la Loge Olympique, the biggest orchestra of his time (65-70 musicians). This orchestra commissioned Joseph Haydn to compose six symphonies (the "Paris Symphonies" Nr. 82-87), which Saint-Georges conducted for their world premiere. Renowned both for his skill as a composer and musician, he was selected for appointment as the director of the Royal Opera of Louis XVI. But this was prevented by three Parisian divas who petitioned the King in writing against the appointment, insisting that it would be beneath their dignity and injurious to their professional reputations for them to sing on stage under the direction of a "mulatto". Recent research suggests that Boulogne may have performed in recital with the French composer Jacques Marnier Companies and may have introduced to him the unusual comb instrument for which Companie composed several works. Thwarted in his musical career, Saint-Georges earned fresh renown as a competitive fencer. He had already been dubbed "chevalier" by appreciative crowds at the Palais Royal. There is a famous portrait of him crossing swords in an exhibition match with the daring transvestite spy, the Chevalier d'Eon, in the presence of George of Hanover, the Prince of Wales and Britain's future king. Like many others associated with the aristocracy and the court at Versailles, Saint-Georges served in the army of the Revolution against France's foreign enemies, although he is not known to have joined the domestic revolutionary struggle prior to the imprisonment of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. He was appointed the first black colonel of the French army, and commanded a regiment of a thousand free colored volunteers, largely consisting of former slaves from the region of his birth. Repeatedly denounced, however, because of his aristocratic parentage and past association with the royal court, he was later expelled from the army, arrested, and jailed for nearly a year. After the revolution, he was entrusted with the leadership of the orchestra of the Royal Palace. He died destitute in Paris in 1799. For those interested, log into this You Tube address to hear one of his most famous compositions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUvuXJP_LOg This month I’ll be away for two weekends, March 14 and 21. Brian Larkin and Howard Phelps former cathedral organist will be my substitutes. Friday March 12 will be my debut with the Allen Organ Co. headquarters in Allentown PA. The Allen Organ Co. is considered the leader in digital organ technology in the world today. The concerts will take place at Octave Hall at the company headquarters. The series has been an on going event for many years. I am told by the hall manager that my concert is already sold out. Following that event, I am traveling to Americus GA, my hometown to visit my family where we will celebrate three birthdays collectively. My father has turned 80, my mother 75 and my sister 50. I will be back to join you for Palm Sunday. On Sunday, April, 25 at 3pm, I will be presenting my annual spring recital. Every year I try to learn new repertoire to add to my existing repertoire. This year I will present a large work by J. S. Bach, a work by Gerard Bunk and a new work by Wilhelm Middelschulte. I hope you will join me in the joy of music making on that day. +Musical Blessings+ Brink Bush

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Monday, March 29, 2010 Holy Eucharist at 12:10PM

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Holy Eucharist & Renewal of Ordination Vows at 9:30AM

Wednesday, March 31, 2010 Holy Eucharist at 12:10PM

Maundy Thursday, April 1, 2010 Holy Eucharist at 6:00PM

Good Friday, April 2, 2010 Holy Eucharist at 6:00PM

Holy Saturday, April 3, 2010

The Great Easter Vigil and Holy Eucharist at 6:00PM

Easter Day April 4, 2010

Holy Eucharist at 8:30AM and 10:30AM Easter Egg Hunt for the children following the 10:30AM service

Upcoming Events

Gourmet Pasta Party Hosted by 2010 Chapter to support 1810 Society

April 9, 2010 6-9 PM

ADULTS: $12.00 CHILDREN : 3 - 12 $5.00 Under 3 years, FREE Menu will include: Orzo w/Roasted vegetables and feta cheese, Sausage and Peppers ,Spaghetti and Meatballs, Lasagna, Tai Noodles with peanut sauce and peppers, Tortellini Carbonnara, Ziti and Sausage, Garden Salad, Caesar Salad, Dessert. Breadsticks Soda, Tea, Coffee

Annual Spring Crafting and Arts Festival Saturday, April 24, 2010

10: AM to 4:00 PM At the Cathedral of Saint John

Applications for vendors are available. Please email: [email protected], [email protected] or call 401-331-4622

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-Thoughts from the Senior Warden- I generally feel that there is not much point in looking backward instead of looking toward the future. But in the last couple of weeks I haven’t been able to stop reflecting on our Annual Meeting 2010. It was a joy to be a part of it. While it was moderately attended, those who participated seemed to be truly “there” and involved, not simply observing. Dean Krauss’s presentation of our newly formed 1810 Society was enthusiastically received and I’m hoping we can anticipate continued support in the journey forward. Also received with enthusiasm was the introduction by Deacon Barbara and Anaezi Modu of the impressively reconstructed website, along with our new blogging and tweeting capabilities. (Isn’t it wonderful to firmly plant our feet in the 21st century?) Treasurer Sam Dorbor’s explanation of the issues he faces brought about a healthy response of volunteerism which I pray is only the beginning. Our positive attitudes and high spirits are going to be two of our most important assets as we move forward. Thank you, Everyone. God’s Peace To All Leah

Lenten Series Continues The Lenten series began February 11 and is being led at The Cathedral of Saint John by The Rev. Jan Grinnell. It is based on her book, “In Response to the Steps.” The remaining sessions are as follows: Feb 25th Lent 1 Steps 1 – 3, Our Relationship with God Mar 4th Lent 2 Steps 4 – 7, Our Relationship with Ourselves March 11th Lent 3 Steps 8-9, Our Relationship with Others March 18th Lent 4 Steps 10- 12, Maintaining our Spirituality March 25th Lent 5 Recap and Finish All sessions will be held in Synod Hall at the Cathedral of Saint John, from 6 to 8:30 PM on the above dates. There will be a simple supper, followed by discussion. Participants may sign up to cook! We are looking forward to seeing you there!

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Images of the Black History Month Cathedral Event Photos courtesy of Mr. Al Martin

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DEADLINES FOR The RECORD The Record, our parish newsletter, is published monthly and is available by email, hard copy and on the Cathedral website. If you would like to receive the Record electronically, please give your email address to our Parish Administrator, Miss Tinker or call the church office at (401) 331-4622. Please send articles to Deacon Barbara at [email protected]. The deadlines for submission to The Record are as follows:

March 23 for the April edition April 23 for the May edition May 23 for the June edition

The Very Reverend Harry E. Krauss, Dean Leonard E. Walker, Jr. [email protected] [email protected] Toni Harrison William B. McBorrough [email protected] [email protected] Leah Nastasi, Senior Warden *The Right Reverend David Joslin, Assisting Bishop [email protected] [email protected] Andrew Costa, Junior Warden Jimps Jean Louis [email protected] Email will be published Samuel Dorbor, Treasurer *Keith Hudson [email protected] [email protected] Arline Walker, Clerk [email protected] *Non parishioners

(Continued from page 4) Scholarship Awards Lydia Dorbor I am Lydia Dorber, member of The Cathedral of Saint John since 1990. I have served on the monthly schedule as an Altar Guild member for the past three years and have volunteered occasionally in other activities in the parish. I am attending The Community College of Rhode Island. I am taking courses in the nursing program. I am interested in applying to the Deaconess Semle Scholarship to help me pay for my classes. Education is the key to successful society. Every little helping hand is greatly appreciated. Your gift not only brings hope to me and to my family, it also enriches many lives. Thank you for your kindness and consideration.

2010 Chapter Members

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Cathedral of St. John Providence, RI

Junior Warden’s Report: March 2010

Junior Warden’s Annual Report 2009 It was a busy and productive year. Below is the ambitious list of priorities I drafted last January. January 2009 priorities: 1. Complete furnace installation. 2. Get quote to repair tower roof leaks. 3. Install repaired clapper in bell tower. 4. Schedule RISE to install energy efficient Lighting as quoted. 5. Schedule plaster repairs in Nave. 6. Get quote from carpenters to install Wise Virgin. 7. Windows, windows, windows. Recruit more help for Weekend Warriors. So how’d we do? We achieved the major changes by installing a new heating system and repairing the tower leaks. Our Ca-thedral is by no means in tip top condition, but we have made significant moves to stabilize the building for the future. Other improvements / repairs throughout the year include; exit signs, more efficient lighting in the rear stair-well, elimination of kitchen and bathroom floods, toilet repairs, water heater repairs, bell repairs, bell tower pigeon dung removal, refrigerator cleaning, storm window repair, hallway painting and installing the Book of Remembrances display case. During the Spring Clean-up and cookout, handrails and ramp decking were replaced then stained, and a new flagpole was erected. Our tower clock was even coaxed to run for an hour or so. Providence College students came by on September 5th during their “Day of Service” and helped with scraping and priming the Portico. Then on Columbus Day Bendolyn, Harrington and William gave up their day off to finish the job for us. Along the way contractor quotes were obtained for; the Wise Virgin display, a Fire alarm system, Church School repairs (burst pipe) and Nave window repairs. Unfortunately, one area we failed in was recruiting of help for the Weekend Warriors and sadly that group has disbanded. We will continue to work on projects when people are available, but it won’t be on a regular Saturday schedule. Overall I think we did a pretty good job in 2009, considering our limited resources, and I look forward to scratching more items off “the list” in 2010. Frankly, I’m encouraged by Formation of the 1810 Society with its’ vision for growth. And I believe that if we can band together in this purpose we have a unique opportu-nity to play an important role in charting the future for the Cathedral of St. John.

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Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1

Foundry M

eeting 6:30PM (S

H)

2

Prayer S

hawl 9:30AM

Mealsite 4

PM

3

HE 12:10PM

4

Lenten S

eries 6PM (S

H)

Healing &

HE 7PM

5

6

Food P

antry 11AM

7

HE 8:30&10:30AM

Adult E

d. 9:45AM

Choir R

ehearsal 9:50AM

Church S

chool 10:30AM

HE La Inglesia del M

esias 6PM

8

9

Prayer S

hawl 9:30AM

Mealsite 4

PM

10

HE 12:10PM

11

Clergy A

ssociation 11:30

AM (S

H)

Lenten S

eries 6PM (S

H)

12

13

Food P

antry 11AM

14 E

piscopal Charities

Sunday

HE 8:30&10:30AM

Adult E

d. 9:45AM

Church S

chool 10:30AM

Taize 4

PM


esias 6PM

15

16

Prayer S

hawl 9:30AM

Mealsite 4

PM

17

HE 12:10PM

18

RI S

tate Council of C

hurches

3:45PM (S

H)

Lenten S

eries 6PM (S

H)

19

Staff M

eeting 10AM

AMC 6PM (S

H)

20

Food P

antry 11AM

Father R

oberts 2PM (S

H)

21 F

arewell to

Mark

and Edie

HE 8:30&10:30AM

Adult E

d. 9:45AM

Church S

chool 10:30AM


esias 6PM

22

23

Prayer S

hawl 9:30AM

Mealsite 4

PM

24

HE 12:10PM

25

Lenten S

eries 6PM (S

H)

26

27

Leadership T

raining Day

9AM (S

H)

Chapter R

etreat 9AM

Food P

antry 11AM

28 Holy W

eek

Palm

Sunday

HE 8:30&10:30AM

Adult E

d. 9:45AM

Choir R

ehearsal 9:50AM

Church S

chool 10:30AM


esias 6PM

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HE 12:10 PM

30

HE &

Renew

al of Vows

9:30AM

Staff M

eeting 1:30

Mealsite 4

PM

31

HE 12:10AM

April 1

Maundy T

hursday HE 12:10PM

HE 6PM

2 G

ood Friday

HE6PM

3 H

oly Saturday &

Easter E

ve Food P

antry 11AM

Easter V

igil 6PM

March 2

010

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The Episcopal Cathedral of Saint John 271 North Main Street

The Record

Mailing Address

Goes Here

The Very Rev. Harry E. Krauss, Dean The Rev. Barbara Mays-Stock, Deacon

The Rev. Mark Warter, Deacon Mr. John Higginbotham, Seminarian

Mr. Brink Bush, Music Director/Organist Leah Nastasi, Senior Warden Andy Costa, Junior Warden

Church Office Hours 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Monday through Friday Office closed on Saturday

Office Phone: (401) 331-4622

Email: [email protected] [email protected]

The Newsletter of

The recordThe recordThe recordThe record

Annual Meeting of the Cathedral

of Saint John Photos, courtesy of Bob & Leah Nastasi

March 2010 Cathedral Record

Documents

Transcript of March 2010 Cathedral Record