Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral • Kansas City, Missouri Vol.73, No.1 • January 2004

The AngelusPolity in the Episcopal Church

Polity is not a word used often in general conversa-tion, but its meaning extends to include the way weare governed. So Church polity includes the mecha-nisms of government which a given congregation ordenomination utilizes. There is no divine polity, butusually given our experience as Episcopalians or Ro-man Catholics, Presbyterians or Pentecostals we tendto like what we grew up knowing. Episcopalians havea very differentway of governingthemselves. Aslong as it is fol-lowed it works ex-tremely well.When it is not fol-lowed, it becomes,by definition, dys-functional.

There are threeareas of polity im-portant to theEpiscopal Church-the bishop, thecongregation, andthe rector. We aregoverned by bish-ops and we take our identity as a church from our rela-tionship with the diocese and the bishop. The bishopleads the diocese and assents to clergy in each place.But beyond his assent, we through the national and di-ocesan church determine our canons (or laws), we edu-cate deacons and priests, and we carry out a world-widemission. It is the bishop who represents the world-wide church for us and to us. While congregationalmembers have limited contact with the bishop, yourclergy have much more and much of what happens in acongregation has the blessing, often the advice, andsometimes the direction of the bishop. He or she ismost involved with a parish when it is in conflict ortransition between priests. The bishop is elected by layand clergy delegates to Diocesan Convention so we allhave that say in who the bishop is to be.

The congregation is made up of the people of Godwho have been baptized and usually confirmed, andhave their membership recorded in the parish bymeans of baptism, confirmation and/or a letter of

transfer from some other Christian body. The pri-mary function which the congregation serves in ourpolity is to elect the vestry at the Annual Meeting eachJanuary, and then to support that elected body by theirprayers, presence in liturgy and by their pledged gift.The congregational members who are on the vestryare then required to make all other decisions, for whichthe congregation is responsible, including maintain-

ing the buildingsand grounds, pay-ing the obligationsof the congrega-tion and callingthe rector. At theCathedral, the ves-try confirms theBishop’s choice ofDean and Rector. Final ly, theDean and Rectoronce chosen bythe bishop andvestry, becomes apartner of the ves-try in a ver yunique manner.

He or she does not work for the vestry, but with them,actually becoming chairperson of the vestry. His orher responsibility is to manage staff, to oversee allprograms, and to be pastor to the congregation. TheDean and Rector is called for life.

Polity is a strange beast. In all government, follow-ing polity closely is required or that organization willsimply not function well. Understanding as much aspossible about our polity is recommended. Many mis-understandings can be avoided, many relationships ad-vanced when polity is understood and embraced.

The Governance Committee authorized by the ves-try is working on bringing Cathedral practice and by-laws into conformance with Diocesan canons. Theyshould be applauded and supported by every memberin that work. Let us look forward to the Annual Meet-ing (see article by John Hornbeck on page 6) where all mem-bers participate in making our process work as it doesso well when carefully observed.

- by The Very Rev. Dr. James A. Hubbard, Dean Interim

The AngelusA laypersons’ newspaper published in the interest

of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Submissions from parishioners and small groupsare welcome and encouraged. All entries are

requested by the 15th day of the month prior topublication via fax: (816) 474-5856

or e-mail: communications@ghtc-kc.org

Cynthia NewmanKeith Jordan

Rachel ChambersChris Morrison

Jan FrizzleJohn Hornbeck

Erin CaseEmily AkinsMary Byrne

Julie Toma, Copy EditorSergio C. Moreno, Editor

The Angelus • Page 2

THE ANGELUS SMALL GROUP CONTRIBUTORS:

Somewhat ironically, I was asked to leadone of the Advent Reading Series programswhose topic was Sabbath. I say “ironically”because I am probably a person who needsSabbath as much or more than anyone else.Thanks to Wayne Muller’s insightful and en-lightening book “Sabbath: Finding Rest, Re-newal, and Delight in our Busy Lives,” I havebegun to take the idea of Sabbath muchmore seriously.

Muller explains that all life requires arhythm of rest. When we fail to take thatrest, we “lose our way. . . . We miss the quietthat would give us wisdom. We miss the joyand love born of effortless delight.” Sabbath,Muller contends, can be a day, but it can alsobe an afternoon, an hour, a walk. He viewsSabbath as a refuge that nourishes and re-freshes us so that we can be the people Godwants us to be.

This quiet, easily readable book is dividedinto sections with titles such as “Rest,”“Rhythm,” “Time,” “Happiness,” “Wisdom,”and “Consecration.” Each section has severalideas for opportunities to practice Sabbath.The suggestions that Muller makes for Sab-bath include ones that are easy and simple todo, such as finding a beautiful candle; sayinga simple prayer or blessing; lighting thecandle; and taking a few “mindful breaths.”This is a Sabbath moment.

Another suggestion for Sabbath is to blessstrangers. Offer a blessing, Muller suggests,“to people you notice on the street, in themarket, on the bus. ‘May you be happy. Mayyou be at peace.’ Feel the blessing movethrough your body as you offer it. Notice howyou both receive some benefit from the bless-ing. Gently, almost without effort, each and

every blessing becomes a Sabbath.”Other ideas for Sabbath take a little more

time, such as creating a space for an altar.This might be a table or even a box. “Sitquietly, perhaps in meditation, for a fewmoments, and imagine what belongs there.Allow images to arise, people, sacred ob-jects, things that hold meaning or great love.Then place these things, one at a time, onthe altar, noting how you feel to see themso honored. You may want to light a candle,say a prayer. Let this be a place you cometo, a Sabbath in your home, whenever youneed to remember something precious youhave forgotten.

Since studying Muller’s book, I have be-come increasingly conscious of Sabbath andof Sabbath moments. Holding a baby in myarms and asking God’s blessings on this newbirth is a Sabbath moment. Listening to theWilliam Jewell Christmas musical programwas a Sabbath hour for me. Watching, in thedark, the candles on our Advent wreathtwinkle was Sabbath time. Taking a quietwalk on a snowy morning is Sabbath. Sab-bath is music; it is prayer; it is talking to afriend; it is taking a walk; it is planting a gar-den; it is taking a bath.

Maybe we have more Sabbath than we re-alize. By becoming aware of these Sabbathexperiences, I believe that we begin to placemore value on them, to yearn for more ofthem. “The world seduces us,” contendsMuller, “with an artificial urgency that re-quires us to respond without listening towhat is most deeply true.” Let us, in thistime of new beginnings, look for and prac-tice Sabbath.

- by The Rev. Linda Yeager, Deacon

Practicing the Sabbath

For some time now, the Cathedral has been blessedto have two Couples’ Bible studies. Beginning in Janu-ary, the group which meets on the second and fourthThursday nights of the month will become the Thurs-day Evening Bible Study. We hope that those unable tomake it to the many other Bible studies the Cathe-dral offers, will find this one convenient.

Regardless of your domestic status, please considerjoining us at 7:00 p.m. on January 8th and January22nd in the Multi-purpose room, located on the lowerlevel of Founders’ Hall.

These first two meetings will be important as weplan our focus of studies for the upcoming year.

- by The Rev. Bryan England, Deacon

Thursday Evening Bible Study to Begin

The first Regional Gathering of the WestMissouri Lay Academy will be held Saturday,January 10 at Church of the Redeemer inKansas City. The subject matter for the dayis Holy Scripture, and the presenter will TheRev. Cathy Cox, Vicar of St. Alban’s, Bolivar.

Who should attend? Anyone desiring todeepen their knowledge and understandingof God’s Holy Scripture. Most especially thiswould include Church School teachers,LEMs and Lay Readers, Lay Preachers andLay Catechists, and priests and deacons.Those who attended the Lay Academy semi-nars at the Diocesan Gathering are especiallyencouraged to participate.

This day-long class also fulfills the basicScripture requirement for laity who wish tocomplete all the requirements of the WestMissouri Academy in preparation for com-missioning by Bishop Howe at next year’sGathering and Convention.

Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The sessionwill begin at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude at4:00 p.m. Participants should bring lunch.There is a $10 fee which may be paid at check-in. Both clergy and laity are warmly welcome.

To register: Contact Mother SusanMcCann at MotherMcCann@prodigy.net orat Grace Church, 520 S. 291 Highway, Lib-erty, MO 64068, to reserve a place. Advanceregistration will ensure that we have adequatematerial available for all participants.

-from the Diocesan Officewww.diowestmo.org

Lay Academy

“Show me your faith without deeds, and I willshow you my faith by what I do.” James 2:18

Although a new church year begins in De-cember, the beginning of the calendar yearoccurs on January 1. Along with the onset ofa new year, there comes a time when we allevaluate our lives and decide to improve our-selves in some way.

It has been my experience to always prom-ise myself that I will improve in some physi-cal way: to workout or to eat bet-ter, for example,have always beenmy intentions. Ihave been in gymsin January when itwas overcrowded;our joke was thatwe had to leaveearly to get there“due to resolutions.” However, in September,the sharp contrast was that there were only ahandful of people ready to exercise.

In the past, along with exercise and diet-ing, I have also been guilty of making too easyof resolutions or not making them at all.While I have not answered the resolutionquestion by joking “I think I’ll breathe thisyear” as I have heard others say, I have prom-

ised myself to be a better person. Conse-quently, when I am really not specific aboutwhat that means and when I fail to be ascharitable or as positive as I could be, I re-ally have not failed myself or anyone else.

According to the Standard Encyclopedic Dic-tionary, resolutions are defined as “the makingof a resolve, also the purpose or course resolvedupon,” or to “fix or set in purpose.” What is itabout resolutions that are hard to keep? It is

not unlike Lentwhere we must sac-rifice somethingthat we love, onlyfor a much longerperiod of time. Self-improvement typi-cally involves sacri-fice, and relinquish-ing our wants is soincredibly difficult.

Via the Internet, there are actual web sitesthat will send you e-mail reminders about yourresolution as well as offer tips on how to keepthem. Of course, these websites also run ram-pant with advertisements on buying items tohelp you achieve your personal goals. Why isit that we would rather buy something thanachieve it for ourselves? Is it that much easier?

On one particular website that will send e-

Story About New Year’s Resolutions

mail reminders called hiaspire.com, they listthe most popular resolutions made by theirsubscribers. Not surprisingly, exercise comesin first with dieting as a close second. Savingmoney and being a better person are popularas well. A handful of people want to quit cer-tain behaviors, such as smoking and drink-ing. Ones that made the list that surprisedme, and may surprise you, are to have morefun and to get a hobby.

As of yet, I do not know what my resolu-tion will be for next year, but I do know thatif I promise myself to be a better person, Iam going to be a little more specific aboutwhat exactly that means and try to stick toit. Whatever you decide for your own per-sonal resolution, may it be meaningful, wor-thy of your time, and most importantly,keepable. - by Erin Case

The Angelus • Page 3

A daunting project here at the church was taken on by one its youngermembers, Thomas Smith. Thomas, who will turn eighteen this month,is a senior at Shawnee Mission North High School. He is also a mem-ber of Boy Scouts Troop 1 based out of Emmanuel Baptist Church inWyandotte County. Thomas has been an ac-tive member of his troop for the past tenyears, and is trying to obtain his Eagle Scoutstatus. Part of the process in becoming anEagle Scout required Thomas to pick aproject to work on, and then the completedproject had to be approved and passed by theEagle Board of Review.

Finding a project was the first hurdle Tho-mas Smith had to tackle, and it was not easy.The first two ideas for projects at otherplaces Thomas had did not work out due tocircumstances beyond his control. He then met with Deacon LindaYeager back in October to see what could be done here at the Ca-thedral. Deacon Linda suggested organizing the library; Thomasdecided to take it on and collaborated on a plan with Dan Campbell,who gladly accepted to help.

According to Dan Campbell, the library has been a little disorganizedsince it was moved from what is now the bookstore into the Common

Room in 2001. When the books were moved, all the outdated materialwas removed from the collection, but the card catalog was removed aswell. That is where Thomas Smith and his Eagle Scout project came into organize the existing library using the Dewy Decimal System as well

as to create a new card catalog.Thomas organized three workdays on No-

vember 8, 15, and 27. Dan Campbell did muchof the preliminary work, organizing and cat-egorizing the books by topic; then Thomascame in and labeled the books with a num-ber, card and card pocket and date due slips.

Unfortunately, there was more work thantime and Thomas was unable to completethe whole library. At present, a small sectionof books has been completed; the library it-self is better organized but still needs the

majority of books assigned a dewy decimal number and card for thecatalog. Thomas’ father, Hal Smith, is also involved with his son’s projectby working on a computerized database of all the books contained inthe library to go along with the card catalog system.

Dan Campbell plans to continue working on the library reorgani-zation, and estimates it should be ready for use shortly after thiscoming spring. - story and photo by Rachel Chambers

Eagle Scout Project Benefits Cathedral Library

New Arrivals

Mark Joshua Nelson was born No-vember 29. He is the son of Katie andJosh Nelson and grandson of Joan Bock.

The Angelus • Page 4

Can you identify everyone at Grace andHoly Trinity by name? If not, do you at leastknow the names of everyone in your groupor activity? Maybe you can answer “yes” tothe second question but wouldn’t it be niceto have at your disposal a list of photographsof all the families in the church along withspouse’s and children’s names and addresses?And even e-mail addresses! Now we’re get-ting somewhere!

The planning for a new pictorial directoryfor GHTC is underway and the committeeneeds your help. All you have to do is sign upat coffee hour to bring you and/or your fam-ily for a portrait sitting. The Olan Mills pho-tographers will be on campus two separateweeks in January and there are plenty of sign-up times left. But if your time is limited bywork and family activities, please sign up early.Each family will receive a copy of the newdirectory and an 8x10 portrait FREE. At thetime of your sitting, you will see on a com-puter screen the poses the photographer hastaken and select your favorite for the direc-tory. At that time you will also be able to or-der additional prints from Olan Mills.

We want to be able to hand our new Deana directory of this congregation so that hewill feel at home and be able to recognize useach by name. One hundred percent partici-pation in this project would be an invaluabletool in making that a reality. If you have anyquestions about the directory, please contactme. Remember - Sign Up and Smile!

- by Patti Howell, (913) 451-8386

Pictorial DirectoryA Lenten Retreat for Men

This spring, we will begin what we hopewill be a new tradition at Grace and HolyTrinity Cathedral - a Men’s Lenten Retreat.This retreat will be a combination of Chris-tian education, contemplationand fellowship.

The Rev. Benjamin J. Newlandwill lead the Christian educationportion this year, with a study ofThe Psalms of Lent and Easter.For obvious reasons, most of us tend to focuson the Gospels and the letters of the New Tes-tament during the Easter season, but there ismuch relevant content in the Psalms as well.

In addition, there will be plenty of oppor-tunity for contemplative prayer and medita-tion. The retreat will take place at theRivendell, an Episcopal religious communityof prayer and hospitality in Dunnegan, Mis-

souri. For further information, visitwww.rivendellcommunity.org.

Rivendell has plenty of open space forprayer walking and meditation. In fact, for

those sturdier souls who arefamiliar with the uncertaintiesof March in Kansas City, youcan join several of us who arealready planning on campingout in tents.

For others there are more comfortable (andwarmer) rooms and beds available at the re-treat center. Meals will be included. The re-treat will take place March 26-28, the week-end before Palm Sunday. Contact Fr. Ben atthe Cathedral office for more details on theretreat and to sign up. Space will be limited(unless you are one of the brave campers.)

- by John Hornbeck

On November 21, a small contingent ofCathedral folks (and one St. Paulite) gatheredto hear one of our own, Richard Preis, sing.Richard Preis, baritone; andRiva Capellari, soprano; ac-companied by Wayne Smithand Marian Thomas, per-formed at the popular BrownBag Concert Series which hasbeen held for the past tenyears at the Westport Presby-terian Church.

For those who may notknow, Richard is a retired pas-tor of the EvangelicalLutheran Church of America.He has given more than 100performances of his one-manprograms, “The Gospel According toBroadway” and “The Gospel of Love Ac-cording to Broadway,” in 18 states andCanada. He also performs in local musicalsand dramatic productions.

Richard opened the program with Songs ofthe Sky, beginning with O du mein holderAbendstern from Richard Wagner’s Tannhauser.

This was followed later in theprogram with arias from theOratorio Elijah, by FelixMendelssohn. And then hesang a series of Favorite Songswhich included VincentYoumans’ Through the Yearsand Without a Song, whichwere particularly appealing.

The program concludedwith Richard and Ms.Capellari singing a selectionfrom Don Giovanni.

As with all of the BrownBag Concerts, the very well

behaved children from Willow Woods DayCare Center, which is also housed atWestport Presbyterian, were in attendanceand sat on the front row. Watching thesechildren enjoying the music and the lovely

surroundings of the sanc-tuary, added to the plea-sure of hearing these tal-ented musicians. We are fortunate tohave Richard at the Ca-thedral and to be able tohear him perform.

- story by Mary Byrne,photos by Jan Frizzle

Richard Preis Featured at Concert Series

Interested in Confirmation,Reception or Reaffirmation?

Episcopal 101:

UnderstandingAnglican Christianity

Sunday Mornings9:10 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.January 11 - February 29, 2004

See bulletin for details, speak withone of our clergy or call ValerieJohnson at the Cathedral Office.