from the Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa
Grace to you, and peace, in Jesus Christ, our Lord! I am Cathy Zappa, Canon for Liturgy and Pastoral Care at the Cathedral of St Philip, in Atlanta. It is Wednesday, June 24, and I am delivering our regular Wednesday evening Parish notices today.
The Cathedral parish community remains as vibrant as ever, and continues to be church, the body of Christ for the world, even when we aren’t gathering and worshipping together, in person. Indeed, I am proud of, and grateful for, this community—for you, and the many ways you are participating in God’s healing work in this world, staying connected to each other, worshipping and praying and studying and serving together. Seeking God’s presence and guidance in these disorienting times.
Bible studies, classes, book groups, and social gatherings are all taking place online, as is worship. You can worship with us every day at 12:15 for our Midday Meditation. And if you can’t make that time, you can catch the podcast later! (Yes, there are some perks to doing things online!)
Likewise, we continue to worship together every Sunday at 8:45 and 11:15 online, with services that have been prepared ahead of time, in careful social distance. This Sunday, the Reverend Nate Huddleston will be our celebrant, and the Reverend Dr. Thee Smith will be our preacher.
But that’s not all: this Sunday, at 10 a.m., Dr. Dale Adelmann will be teaching Old Fashioned Sunday School, on “Praying the Psalms: A Spiritual Practice.” A personal testimony: listening to Dr. Adelmann talk about the psalms and liturgical music has enriched my experience of worship—so I encourage you to join him.
Looking ahead, on July 12, Canon Holder will be starting a 3-week adult Sunday-school class on Jennifer Harvey’s book Raising White Kids. I mention it now so that you can pick up the book, from your favorite local bookstore, the Cathedral Book Store, and start reading!
You can access all of this and more, all of the Cathedral’s digital spiritual content, at your convenience, on the Cathedral website or the Cathedral app, which is available for Apple and Android. Plus, you can log in to make financial contribution, see your giving history, or change your contact information.
Not everything is online, though! The Cathedral Book Store, Cathedral Thrift House, and Cathedral Farmers’ Market are all open for business. You might check the website of each to familiarize yourself with their new hours and safety precautions. The Book Store and Farmers Market also offer online options and curbside pick-up.
Though there is a lot going on, I miss being with you all in person. We continue to discern when and how we will be able to gather and worship together in person again, safely and in a way that is real and authentic to who we are. We care about you, and the church, and our broader community, and so we continue to monitor public health conditions and other guidelines about gathering, and about the use of our space. And we are listening to you and your concerns about gathering in-person, as well as your desire to do so
If you need to be inside of any of our buildings, please contact one of the staff members associated with your ministry, and we can make preparation for you. We request that all visitors and staff of the Cathedral wear masks and otherwise comply with our safety protocols if you have to be inside.
We look forward to seeing you soon, in one way or another! May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and love of God, and the fellowship of Holy Spirit, be with us all, evermore.
Here endeth the Parish Notices for Wednesday, June 24, 2020!