An article from the Cathedral Times by
the Very
Reverend Samuel G. Candler,
Dean of the Cathedral of St.
Philip
What joy floats around the Cathedral of St. Philip in these
last several weeks! The August 14 Homecoming was packed, and I enjoyed
simply walking around greeting friends old and new. And most of you
returned the next two Sundays, too! The Fall season has definitely begun
here in this holy place. I am thrilled to be back in this beautiful
community!
Even though the natural world begins to show colors of aging in the Fall, even though the tree leaves will turn red in a month or two, the Fall season in the Church is different. In the Church, the Fall always represents new life and new faces! For instance, we always welcome new families into our community this time of year. Even households without children see this time of year as an occasion to re-commit to church life, and to a particular church community. We welcome you!
This Fall at the Cathedral, we will also say good-bye to a
familiar face. Last week, I received news that I had been expecting for a
while, but it was still sad. The Reverend Buddy Crawford, who has
served as Priest Associate here for two years, has accepted a call to be
Assistant for Liturgy and Senior Pastoral Care at St. Luke's Church,
Atlanta. Most of us, I hope, know Buddy. He has been here a long time,
as parishioner, as chapter member, as nominating committee member, as
verger, as confirmation class teacher, as almost everything you can
imagine!
You might not know, however, that Buddy never intended to be a full-time priest here at the Cathedral of St. Philip, his sponsoring parish. Rather, we were providing him a place to exercise his new priestly ministry while he sought a full-time call. But what a great ministry he has had among us! Already a dear friend, he became a dear priest to us as well. He has preached, and taught, and provided pastoral care for us, truly beyond measure. Thank you, Buddy!
Buddy's last Sunday among us will be September 18, 2011. Fortunately for us, he is not traveling far - just down the street to St. Luke's Church, our sister parish. Thus, I hope we will continue our friendship, and our common vocation serving God and God's people, together.
As we pray Buddy good-bye, however, we also welcome a new staff member! You may already have noticed in previous newsletters that the Cathedral of St. Philip is welcoming a new Director of Youth Ministries this Fall! Welcome to Rebecca Storace, a recent graduate of Candler School of Theology (M.A.), and originally from Miami, Florida. Rebecca has hit the ground running! With great spirit, she is meeting with youth and parents and staff in this complex community of the Cathedral of St. Philip. If you see her, welcome her! And thank our Youth Advisory Committee, too. They worked tirelessly throughout the summer, with George Maxwell, in helping us reach the decision to call Rebecca. She will be wonderful!
Each of us needs Fall renewal. Sometimes, that renewal means saying Good-bye. Sometimes, it means saying Hello. It always means recognizing the grace of God in a new way. So, look for God's grace in a new way this Fall. The Cathedral of St. Philip is here to help us, to help all of us, do just that!
What joy floats around the Cathedral of St. Philip in these last several weeks! The August 14 Homecoming was packed, and I enjoyed simply walking around greeting friends old and new. And most of you returned the next two Sundays, too! The Fall season has definitely begun here in this holy place. I am thrilled to be back in this beautiful community!
Even though the natural world begins to show colors of aging in the Fall, even though the tree leaves will turn red in a month or two, the Fall season in the Church is different. In the Church, the Fall always represents new life and new faces! For instance, we always welcome new families into our community this time of year. Even households without children see this time of year as an occasion to re-commit to church life, and to a particular church community. We welcome you!
This Fall at the Cathedral, we will also say good-bye to a familiar face. Last week, I received news that I had been expecting for a while, but it was still sad. The Reverend Buddy Crawford, who has served as Priest Associate here for two years, has accepted a call to be Assistant for Liturgy and Senior Pastoral Care at St. Luke's Church, Atlanta. Most of us, I hope, know Buddy. He has been here a long time, as parishioner, as chapter member, as nominating committee member, as verger, as confirmation class teacher, as almost everything you can imagine!
You might not know, however, that Buddy never intended to be a full-time priest here at the Cathedral of St. Philip, his sponsoring parish. Rather, we were providing him a place to exercise his new priestly ministry while he sought a full-time call. But what a great ministry he has had among us! Already a dear friend, he became a dear priest to us as well. He has preached, and taught, and provided pastoral care for us, truly beyond measure. Thank you, Buddy!
Buddy's last Sunday among us will be September 18, 2011. Fortunately for us, he is not traveling far - just down the street to St. Luke's Church, our sister parish. Thus, I hope we will continue our friendship, and our common vocation serving God and God's people, together.
As we pray Buddy good-bye, however, we also welcome a new staff member! You may already have noticed in previous newsletters that the Cathedral of St. Philip is welcoming a new Director of Youth Ministries this Fall! Welcome to Rebecca Storace, a recent graduate of Candler School of Theology (M.A.), and originally from Miami, Florida. Rebecca has hit the ground running! With great spirit, she is meeting with youth and parents and staff in this complex community of the Cathedral of St. Philip. If you see her, welcome her! And thank our Youth Advisory Committee, too. They worked tirelessly throughout the summer, with George Maxwell, in helping us reach the decision to call Rebecca. She will be wonderful!
Each of us needs Fall renewal. Sometimes, that renewal means saying Good-bye. Sometimes, it means saying Hello. It always means recognizing the grace of God in a new way. So, look for God's grace in a new way this Fall. The Cathedral of St. Philip is here to help us, to help all of us, do just that!
The Very Reverend Sam Candler