From the Dean

Get the popcorn and candy ready, it’s movie time! Please join us at 7 p.m. this evening in the Founders’ Hall courtyard as we watch Hocus Pocus. The weather will be a bit cooler, but the company will be warm and inviting. Feel free to bring extra candy or snacks to share. Next month our game night will be Cathedral Family Feud. Please fill out a survey HERE if you haven’t already. I’m sorry we had to cancel our Hymn Sing and dinner last week. I hope to be able to reschedule it sometime after the first of the year….

“I sing a song of the saints of God, faithful and brave and true…” This is the first line of Hymn 293, that I hoped we sing at our Hymn Sing tonight. It is one of my favorites since I was a child and still is to this day. Unfortunately, the hymn sing is canceled tonight due to illness.   Other events this weekend include the Halloween costume party tomorrow in Riverside and a lunch gathering at the Rock Island Bridge following the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday (details can be found later in this email). Also this month: October…

Most High, omnipotent, good Lord, To thee be ceaseless praise outpoured, And blessing without measure. Let creatures all give thanks to thee and serve in great humility. These words were written by St. Francis of Assisi in his “Canticle of the Sun.” His feast day is October 4, but we will gather tomorrow for our annual Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis because of his devotion to all of God’s creatures. Feel free to bring as many pets and animals as you like to our north lawn at 11 a.m. We will be joined by Fr. Paul…

It’s beginning to look a lot like…fall! Now that the autumn season has officially begun, the temperatures have dropped, and it feels like it’s supposed to at this time of year. Pumpkins and mums haven’t completely taken over – yet – but it’s nice to be done with the summer heat. Just because that heat is gone, for now, it doesn’t mean things aren’t still heating up around the Cathedral. We have lots going on as we head into October. I’d like to announce the addition of two people to our Cathedral family. They aren’t new to us, just new…

Thank you to everyone who came out to or helped with this year’s croquet tournament. Special thanks to Camille, Kristy & Steve Moore, Colin Chambers, Holly Campbell, Julie Brogno, Joan Bergstrom, and Burma Cenovich. Our winners for the Consolation Prize were Ethan Evans and Patrick Jacquinot. The Runners-up were Christine and Chris Morrison. Our Champions were Chris Bridgforth and Nick Flowers. Congratulations! Thank you, as well, for everyone who came out and helped with our Ministry Fair. If you signed up for any ministries, you will be contacted soon. One more, final, thank you … to Mother Clare. This Sunday…

I’m looking forward to our annual Cathedral Cup Croquet tournament tomorrow starting at noon on the North lawn. This year’s theme is “Tiki Cup” and will be great fun as we come together for some friendly competition and fellowship. If you didn’t sign up to play, feel free to come and enjoy the day as a spectator. All are welcome to cheer the teams on and join in the fun. We’ll see if last year’s champions can hold on to the Cathedral Cup, or if another team will take the crown. On a different note, today marks the 25th anniversary…

On this 25th anniversary of national tragedy, we remember before you all the families affected by the events of that day, for those who died on American Airlines flight #11, American Airlines flight #77, United Airlines flight #93, and United Airlines flight #175; for those who worked in the World Trade Center, those who worked in the Pentagon building, the emergency workers who sacrificed their lives for others, and for all those who died by acts of terrorism or retaliation for terrorism. We ask you to help them grow from strength to strength in your eternal presence. God of endless…

We had a wonderful gathering at the Cathedral last Saturday for the ordinations of Christopher Dodson, Richard Liantonio, Janette Platter, and Brandon Smee as priests. It was especially great to see Richard being ordained and to be with him as he celebrated the Eucharist at both services on Sunday morning. Fr. Richard was ordained deacon in February and has been serving with us since last March. I am grateful for Richard’s ministry and for being a part of our Cathedral family. Thank you for all you do and will continue to do in your ministry. Speaking of ministries, one of…

Today is the Lesser Feast of St. Augustine of Hippo, noted by Lesser Feasts and Fasts:2018 as “perhaps the most influential theologian in the history of Western Christianity.” (p. 370) He was born in 354 at Tagaste in North Africa. He was a restless seeker for truth, struggled much inwardly against sin, and finally took on the Christian faith in the year 386 thanks to the influence of his mother, Monica (whose feast day is May 4). Augustine was baptized soon after by Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan, and eventually returned to North Africa, to the city of Hippo, and was ordained…

Attention all lovers of Trivia…tonight’s the night! Please join us at 6 p.m. in the Common Room for Trivia Night. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks to share and be part of the action. I had to miss Trivia Night last year, so I’m glad to be able to be there tonight. Next Saturday, August 29, will be Diocesan Ordinations to the Priesthood in the Cathedral at 10 am. Please join with our diocesan family as four candidates for ordination will be ordained by Bishop Amy, one of them being Deacon Richard. The next day, August 30, Richard will…

I’m looking forward to being back with all of you this Sunday! It has been a wonderful sabbatical and I’m excited to share what I’ve been doing the last three months. I have travelled to several places and had some extensive down time right here in Kansas City. I have to say it was strange driving by the Cathedral at various times and not turning in to park! My time away started by driving to Chicago for Mary-Mullis’ graduation from Columbia College Chicago. It was a great weekend filled with family and friends. We drove back to Kansas City only…

After a summer break, the full forces of our Trinity Choir will be back in the saddle on Sunday, August 16. With the choir tucked away in the gallery each week, it becomes easy to overlook new faces in the ensemble. Starting September 6, we will feature brief choir member biographies at the back of our bulletin. The Trinity Choir is also in need of volunteer singers. In addition to enjoying beautiful music, choir membership offers many benefits: new friendships, a sense of community, and helpful mental, social, and physical stimulation. If you are interested in the Trinity Choir but…

As we enter into August, our Gospel tells the story of the feeding of the 5000. While the disciples saw no solution to the hungry throng of people, seemingly thinking it wasn’t their responsibility (‘send the crowds away’); Jesus showed that through faith and working together, anything is possible. This Gospel ties directly into food ministry. There is no easy way to assure all of God’s children have access to food and shelter. We must continue to work together for those less fortunate than us, within and outside of our congregation. The food ministry at Pete’s Garden, St. Paul’s Food…

As Episcopalians, we speak often about the ministry of all the baptized. Those words can become so familiar that we stop hearing their invitation. In the Baptismal Covenant, found on pages 304-305 of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), we commit ourselves, with God’s help, to continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to strive for justice and peace among all people. These promises are more than beautiful words; they provide a foundation for the lived ministry, also…

The Crowned with Grace chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King recently joined Outreach Ministries, led by Terri Curran, to serve dinner at Sheffield Place, a local shelter supporting women and children transitioning out of homelessness. We prepared salads, made desserts, and served the meal. Director David Hanzlick gave our chapter a tour, sharing how the program walks alongside families toward stability. It was a joyful evening of fellowship and service, made possible through this partnership between our chapter and Outreach Ministries. We look forward to returning soon. Parishioners interested in joining a future service project are…