An article from the Cathedral Times
by the Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler,
Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip
This Sunday is it!
We observe the Feast of St. Francis on the first Sunday of every October, and this Sunday is it! We invite parishioners and friends to bring their (well-behaved!) pets and animals to church at the 8:45 service. That service will be devoted to a grand celebration of God's creation, and we will bless everyone! In addition, we will continue the celebration with individual pet blessings at 10:10 on the Lanier House Lawn.
For those of you who are uncomfortable around animals, please be warned! The 8:45 service will be teeming with them! Other services on Sunday will observe the Feast of St. Francis, and will honor God's creation, but will not include the blessing of pets and animals.
This tradition of bringing all of God's creation into our sacred space is one of the most popular events of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Join us at 8:45 and at 10:10 !! (Regular Sunday School education classes are suspended on this day.)New Canon Supervision Arrangements
However, these times have called for the development of new responsibilities and oversight arrangements for our full-time canon clergy. While the Cathedral of St. Philip enjoys the ministry of several excellent associate clergy and canons (part-time), they do not usually have particular supervision responsibilities; they officiate, preach, teach, and do pastoral care without having to supervise any special departments.
Our canons, however, Carolynne Williams, Dale Adelmann, George Maxwell, and Beth Knowlton do have commensurate full-time responsibilities. Dale Adelmann, of course, is our new Canon for Music; he is not a priest, but has canon status overseeing a tremendous department at the Cathedral.
The responsibilities of our other canons are changing. Carolynne Williams will be Canon for Pastoral Care and Eldercare. Beth Knowlton will be Canon for Liturgy and Prayer. George Maxwell will continue as Vicar, with particular oversight responsibilities for Administration, Outreach, and Education. Each of them has served the Cathedral well in their past responsibilities, and I am excited about their willingness to take on new challenges.
If you serve in one of the ministry groups affected by these changes, you will hear more details later. Be prepared for fun and energetic new leadership. And be open, as always, to God's continuing direction for your own ministry!
The Very Rev. Sam Candler