An article from the Cathedral Times
by the Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler,
Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip
OK. First of all, I want to say I won the bet. I wagered that the Rolling Stones would sing "Satisfaction" during halftime of Super Bowl XL. Check out my sermon of that morning, 5 February 2006 ("Those Who Wait On the Lord, Shall Renew Their Strength"). They've been singing it for forty years. I'm not sure everyone was satisfied by all the events of the Super Bowl, but most folks are now satisfied it's over!
Meanwhile, I believe that God wants to satisfy us with something even deeper than we can imagine. And, in Christian churches across the world, we continue to offer events, programs, and prayers which we hope will satisfy our human need for grace. Our offerings are not always perfect, but we pray that God works through our weaknesses to show graceful power.
This Sunday, February 12, I will begin a two-part presentation during the "Dean's Forum" devoted to the Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church, and General Convention. We'll continue it on February 19. The title is simply "Communion. Community, and Convention." I will lead discussions and answer questions about who we are, how we are related to other Christians, and what General Convention is.
What is the Anglican Communion? What are the distinctive features of the Episcopal Church? What goes on at General Convention? Who votes and who do the voters represent? We'll discuss all those questions, and probably many more!
Some folks want to talk about the Anglican Communion. Some other folks want simply to celebrate our local community, and our relationships. Thus, on Tuesday, February 14, "Valentine's Day," we will do just that. Join other parishioners-and friends-on that evening to hear and to sing love songs in our beautiful Cathedral Atrium.Yes, I will play piano and sing love songs on that evening. This is a fund-raiser, to be sure; we want a $50 contribution per person to the Cathedral Building Fund! But this is also a reminder that many, many folks have contributed generously to our new building and renovation. We have much to rejoice about. One of those things is that our new building is encouraging a new kind of community, and new kind of relationship. Come rejoice with us!
Guess what? Canon Todd Smelser is also an accomplished pianist and songster! If you cannot make evening dessert and champagne, join us for lunch on Feb 15. This event is part of a larger program of re-energizing our "Prime-Timers," and senior citizens activities. Todd Smelser will play piano, and Margaret Lias will sing. What fun!
I encourage you to enjoy this Cathedral parish! In any given week, some of us are celebrating, others are grieving. Some are rejoicing about something; others are upset about something. Some of us are weak; some of us are strong. But the Spirit of God is present here, the Holy Spirit of new life and grace.
When St. Paul was praying to be relieved of "a thorn in the flesh," Jesus spoke to him with these words: "My grace is sufficient for you, for (my) power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12.9). That grace is ultimately what satisfies us. The meaning of "satisfy" is to "make sufficient." If we can't get no satisfaction, it may be because we have not let the grace of God flow into our lives in this place. Let's get some satisfaction here; let God's grace renew you this year!
The Very Rev. Sam Candler