An article from the Cathedral Times
by the Very
Reverend Samuel G. Candler,
Dean of the Cathedral of St.
Philip
We had 1310 souls attending eight church services this past Sunday. And that does not count the estimated 100-150 other souls of dogs and pets who were also here! They were here on the first Sunday of October, our observance of the Feast of St. Francis. Of course, St. Francis stood for far more than just "be kind to animals;" but those animals"”and their spirit!"”helped us mightily to experience the simplicity and joy of God. And St. Francis did stand for simplicity and joy. I suppose that our total Sunday attendance surpassed the total population of many villages across the United States!
Plus, our attendance number did not count the assembly of Cathedral members (and friends) who made their way to Turner Field for the final Atlanta Braves home "regular season" game. What a game it was! Surely the Braves would not have been able to pull off their victory without the slim edge that our 100-person assembly provided. Together, we joined the greater village of Atlanta to cheer our team.
Life thrives around the Cathedral of St. Philip. And life thrives wherever two or three of us are gathered together, whether that place is our physical cathedral, or Turner Field, or the homeless shelter where still more of us prepared meals on that same Sunday afternoon. Life thrives where we gather in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Those places become villages of faith and hope for us.
Life also thrives when we gather in our own homes and neighborhoods. For me, one of the most exciting programs of this Fall, and throughout this coming year, will be our "Village Visits." We are inviting every member of the Cathedral to attend some reception in, or near, their neighborhood this coming year.
At those Village Visits, I will be present to share life with you"”and to speak about the life and hope and ministry that the Cathedral of St. Philip offers the world. I will listen to your own stories of life and hope and ministry, too. My thanks, in advance, for so many of you who will host these events. Thank you! The gift of hospitality is central to the Christian life, and to our Cathedral life, too!
So, join a Cathedral village this Fall, and throughout this year. Wherever two or three of us are gathered together, there is life"”there is Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Very Rev. Sam Candler