Dean's Letter to the Parish

September 2007
Episcopal Cathedral Church
of Saint John
Wilmington, Delaware

Dear Friends in Christ,

A couple of weeks ago I was in Staples with Father George buying school supplies. I noticed that we were not alone in this endeavor. Children, accompanied by a parent or parents, were also intent on selecting notebooks, backpacks, rulers, paper, etc. While Father George and I were not buying supplies for ourselves or our families, rather for the yearly collection that the Cathedral participates in, I still found myself enjoying that sense of excitement that always seems to come with back to school. And back to school begins with getting the necessary supplies.

For me, there is a similar sense of excitement as the fall approaches signaling the coming of a new season of activity in the Church. Not that the summer isn’t a busy time, especially here at the Cathedral, but the fall brings the opportunity to enter again into the fullness of the liturgical, programmatic, and spiritual life that goes with being a community of faith. I look forward to the fall launching of the familiar, the tried and true, and to new opportunities that may present themselves over the days and months ahead.

If back to school begins with gathering the necessary supplies, the new season of life in the Church will begin with celebrating the fellowship of its people. On Sunday the ninth of September at the 10:30 a.m. service, all will gather, children as well as adults, to enter into the fullness of the church’s liturgy and worship and then to enjoy a good old fashion picnic. I suggest that you come dressed for a picnic. This will be a grand time to invite someone or some others to join you at the Cathedral.

During the 2006–07 programmatic year, we worked hard affirming and enjoying our life together. We will continue that for 2007–08, but will add to it a process for discerning what God wills for the Church in the 21st century here at Concord and Market in the City of Wilmington. We will be doing this in cooperation and relationship with the Diocese. I for one look forward to the revealing of the 21st century paradigm for the Cathedral Church of Saint John. Details about this process will be shared shortly

As we look forward to the life and work that is ours in this place, I find meaning in the words of the Right Reverend Suheil Dawani spoken recently during his installation as Bishop of the Diocese of Jerusalem.

Now, as ever, Jesus Christ is the hope of the world. He is the hope of the Christians of the Holy Land. According to His wisdom, we shall look positively to the future. As Christians we shall face the future with a hope that grows out of our faith in the providence and purpose of God, Jesus Christ.

As Christians we shall face the future with a hope that grows out of our faith… Good words for us as we continue the journey into the 21st century.

Faithfully,
The Very Rev. William B. Lane

DEAN'S DIRECTORY:

• A recent sermon by the Dean
• The Dean's Letter of Welcome
• Meet the Dean

Cathedral Call Letters

• 2008: January | March
• 2007: September | October | November | December