An article from the Cathedral Times
by the Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler,
Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip
We celebrated Pentecost a week early at the annual Cathedral parish retreat. What an outpouring of love and Spirit! When you see these people, thank them for a job well done: Sherri Musgrove, Catharine Kelly, Susan Scully, Liz Wiggers, Jo Reeves, Jeannie Scully, Charlotte Ann O'Neal, Sydney Shipps, Jackie Cushman, Buddy and Judy Weston, Dorsey DeLong, Sharon Jenkins, George Maxwell, John Mark Wiggers, Monnie Hammett, Courtney Vaughn, Brandon Peete, and Lara Lowman.
In fact, thank everyone who was there at Kanuga! We had to make some critical last-minute changes. Our wonderful new Director of Children's Ministries, Monnie Hammett, had to change her plans and be with her mother and family (her mother died on Sunday: may the soul of dear Audrey Eubanks, through the mercy of God, rest in peace). But gracious parishioners and staff stepped in to fill the need. We were blessed.
Then, our daring bus drivers, John Hartwell and George Maxwell, developed a flat tire about a half mile after their departure from the Cathedral. They were carrying our care-givers, meant to provide child care on Friday night. We had to make other plans. "Life is what happens when you make other plans," about four or five famous people have said.
The parish retreat has become one of the hallmarks of our year, because so many people are willing to "Catch the Spirit" and enjoy God's life and community together. Even if we had no official program, God's Holy Spirit would be there in our worship, in our fellowship, in our playing together, and in our community together. In Atlanta, most of us are driving, and being driven, together; we are incessantly here or there or on our way. At the retreat, we take time simply to enjoy one another, and our time together.
Fortunately, the program we did have was tremendous. One of the most creative and faithful actors in the Southeast, Mr. Tom Key, presented us with poetry, insight, faith, stories, and wonder. His presence itself is a gift of the Spirit. I can usually feel the rushing, refreshing, wind of the Spirit whenever he opens his mouth and releases his lungs! (Support the Theatrical Outfit, he would say!)This past Sunday, while many of the Cathedral community observed the Seventh Sunday of Easter at the Cathedral (and thanks to so many of you who were at church on Memorial Day weekend!), those at the retreat had an early Pentecost. We just could not resist the Spirit, pouring various gifts of ministry and love among us. So we had Pentecost a week early. May we observe the gifts of the Spirit every Sunday!
This coming Sunday is the formal Day of Pentecost. We will baptize new members of Christ's Body into this church, this community of faith. We will welcome new members of the church. We will hear the gospel in various languages. We will pray for the various ministries of our church. We will welcome Barbara Brown Taylor at the Dean's Forum. We will celebrate the birthday of the Church.
Yes, I give thanks for the beautiful gifts of the Holy Spirit at the Cathedral. And I give thanks for each of you who takes the time to observe and celebrate them. The Holy Spirit of God has blessed us!
The Very Rev. Sam Candler