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Dear Friends in Christ,
This edition of the CALL will take us through Advent, Christmas and into the season of Epiphany. Also, before the next edition, we will have entered a new calendar year having said good-bye to 2011 and greeted 2012. My prayers for all of us that our journey through both the Church Year and the Calendar Year be enriched by the unrelenting grace of God. Indeed, that we may be open to that grace and be instruments of its revelation.
The Biblical story of God's grace shatters the common wisdom of the world. A god who creates the stars, the planets and the creatures of the Earth, surely would reveal his grace in acts of power, with a show of might. But no, to the contrary, the story presents a different picture. Grace is revealed through a wanted murderer named Moses; through a shepherd boy named David, through a child-woman named Mary and through the birth of an infant named Jesus. In other words, God does not force grace upon us. Rather God offers it in unexpected ways, surprising us into awareness.
It may well be, and I believe it so, that the marvelous grace of God has no more surprising revelation than in that which is symbolized by a manger and a cross. The humility of the manger and the shamefulness of the cross are transformed to be signs and symbols of God's reign and God's victory, giving us the sure and certain hope of God's kingdom come.
Being attentive and responsive to the gift of grace means being prepared to be led in ways not imagined, perhaps even, at least initially, unwanted. Moses did not welcome the revelation that he was to be an instrument of God's grace and Mary found it daunting when her eyes were open to it. But Moses did say yes, all-be-it seemingly kicking and screaming; and Mary, with the impulsiveness of her youth, responds, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord."
A yes is a yes whether it be given reluctantly or impulsively, and once given cannot be taken back. It might be ignored, even betrayed, but it cannot be retrieved. Moses lived his yes even in the Wilderness, and Mary lived hers through the often bewildering life and ministry of the child she bore.
The Church is the fellowship of "yes" people. In Advent we live through a time of preparation for our "yes" giving, being made aware that God will present the opportunity to give that "yes." At Christmas that opportunity is revealed in the Incarnation, and calls for our "yes" to being in relationship with the one in whom that incarnation is manifested. And during Epiphany, we exercise the mission of living that "yes" and inviting others to make it theirs as well.
Being in relationship with the incarnate one, with Jesus of Nazareth, means that there will be times in which we live with uncertainty and discomfort, save that we have the certainty and comfort of God's grace, of God's presence. In the midst of his world of oppression and turmoil, Jesus never lost his vision of the kingdom of God. He seemed aware that his mission was to present that kingdom as already present to those for whom justice, mercy and compassion were not only desired but lived as well.
May our eyes and hearts be open to the grace and goodness of our God, and may we in the New Year be instruments of that grace for one another and for the world.
Faithfully,
Bill Lane
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Christmas Service Schedule
Christmas Eve, Saturday the 24th of December
- 10:00 p.m. Christmas Concert with the Cathedral Choir of Men, Women and Choristers
- 10:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist with the Bishop of Delaware Presiding, and the Cathedral Choir of Men, Women and Choristers
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Christmas Day, Sunday the 25th of December
- 10:00 a.m. ONE Service-Holy Eucharist
The 1st Sunday after Christmas, Sunday the 1st of January
- 7:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
- 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
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Choir News
Upcoming Choir School Concerts
December 14- Featured opening music @ Delaware Community Foundation's Annual Holiday Reception, 5:30 p.m., University of Delaware's Arsht Hall
December 24 - Christmas Eve Concert, 10:00 p.m., Cathedral Church of St. John
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Director's Tours
Wednesdays 5:45-6:45 p.m.
December 7
January 18
February 15
March 21
April 18
May 16
Meet our students, sit in on a rehearsal and get an inside look at
The Choir School in action!
Seating is limited! Call (302) 654-6279 x2 for reservations.
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WE NEED YOUR HELP
Cold-weather items needed as temperatures drop....
AND Toys for children for Christmas
Donations of socks, hats, scarves, gloves and mittens will be given to the shelters in the City for Christmas and throughout the winter. Collection baskets are located next to the Neighborhood Assistance table in the Great Hall.
New toys are also being collected to help provide a special Christmas for the many children who live in these shelters with their parents.
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LITURGICAL MINISTERS
DECEMBER 4
Advent Lessons and Carols
7:30 a.m.
Communion Assistant Greta Parris
Acolyte Greta Parris
Lectors Sherry Goodill Greta Parris
Altar Guild Team 2
10:30 a.m.
Communion Assistants Adele Meredith, Walter Meredith
Acolytes Mali Mase, Lydia Stinson
Lectors Joan Bobnick, Adele Meredith, Tom Angell
Susan Thomas-Holder, Tracey Dixon
Vestry Greeter Debbie Layton
Greeter Team/Ushers Cislyn Taylor, Helen Whitson, Paula Glover
Altar Guild Team 2
DECEMBER 11
7:30 a.m.
Communion Assistant Roberta Walker
Acolyte Roberta Walker
Lectors Charisse Rodgers Roberta Walker
Altar Guild Team 2
10:30 a.m.
Communion Assistants Rich Wadman, Odette Hartenauer
Acolytes Adele Meredith, Clare Wadman
Lectors Dan Hayes Dan Colburn
Vestry Greeter Adele Meredith
Greeter Team/Ushers Tom Angell, Scott Serota, Laura Eisenman
Altar Guild Team 2
DECEMBER 18
Pageant
7:30 a.m.
Communion Assistant Bill Kauffman
Acolyte Bill Kauffman
Lectors Bill Kauffman Anne Kauffman
Altar Guild Team 3
10:30 a.m.
Communion Assistants Catherine Maguire (Need additional C.A.)
Acolytes Crystal Meredith Tracey Dixon
Lectors TBA
Vestry Greeter Anna Winslow
Greeter Team/Ushers Bud Walls, Al Grunfeld
Altar Guild Team 3
DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day
One Service at 10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Communion Assistants TBA
Acolytes TBA
Lectors TBA
Greeter Team/Ushers TBA
Altar Guild Team 3
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December Anniversaries
John and Sherry Goodill 12/27
Jack and Jane Runkle 12/27
Barry and Cathy Young 12/28
Arthur and Pairlene Padmore 12/29
Jim and Pat Wormley 12/30
December Birthdays
Virginia Kimble 12/1
Las Celles Amore 12/1
Bill Kauffman 12/1
Charisse Rodgers 12/2
Tony Rand 12/3
Jan Denning 12/5
Audrey Johnson 12/6
Suzy Veasey 12/7
Ben Knox 12/7
Brian Hannon 12/8
Mary Stinson 12/8
Jeff Brzezicki 12/9
Cathy Shaw 12/11
Lydia Stinson 12/11
Malafa Mase 12/11
Debbie Layton 12/13
Edith Puican 12/13
Holly Wright 12/14
Ed Cook 12/17
Hugh Bryan 12/17
Ellie Hoffman 12/20
Lorraine Pringle 12/21
Sofia Brzezicki 12/21
Betsy Cole 12/24
Christen Hayes 12/24
Peggy Patterson 12/27
Sheridan Williamson 12/27
Pat Walbert 12/28
January Birthdays
Sally Chandler 1/1
Allison Murillo 1/3
Daniel Koob 1/7
Anna Winslow 1/8
Tom Angell 1/8
Norm Veasey 1/9
Keyanna Mozie 1/9
Carol Shackleton 1/10
Bud Walls 1/10
Arthur Padmore 1/12
Lena Eisenman 1/13
Rich Wadman 1/15
Cathy Young 1/23
Gustavo Bravo 1/25
Susan Thomas-Holder 1/25
Nancy Huston 1/28
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You Can Help Neighborhood Assistance
Prepare for Christmas
With Christmas in just a few short weeks, our Neighborhood Assistance Program will once again provide food for special family holiday celebrations. As with Thanksgiving, we will again offer holiday bags, filled to the top, to those participants who have been faithfully involved with our program throughout the year. And so, we are again requesting monetary donations. (It's much easier to fill the bags with identical items and they can be purchased at a lower price when buying in bulk.) Your donations will help us keep this tradition alive by welcoming our Brandywine Village neighbors into our "family" at Christmas. Checks should be made to: "Neighborhood Assistance" with "Christmas" on the memo line. To those who have already donated, thank you.
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DECEMBER
4 THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
10.30 AM ADVENT PROCESSION & HOLY EUCHARIST
Prelude Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 Johann
Sebastian Bach
Matin Responsory Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Adam lay ybounden Peter Warlock
Canite tuba Francisco Guerrero
E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come Paul Manz
People, Look East! Craig Phillips
The angel Gabriel from heaven came Old Basque Carol
arr. Edgar Pettman
Offertory Magnificat in G Sir Charles Villiers Stanford
Communion O Thou the Central Orb Charles Wood
Voluntary Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645
Johann Sebastian Bach
11 THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
10.30 AM HOLY EUCHARIST
Prelude Passacaglia in D minor, BuxWV 161 Dieterich Buxtehude
Gradual Magnificat in D George Dyson
Offertory We wait for thy loving-kindness Sir William McKie
Communion Ave verum corpus Sir Edward Elgar
Voluntary Toccata on 'Veni Emmanuel' Andrew Carter
18 THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
10.30 AM "PEOPLE, LOOK EAST" - PAGEANT & HOLY EUCHARIST
Prelude Advent Chorale Improvisations Sigfried Karg-Elert
Carol People, Look East Besançon Carol
Carol Now the Holly Bears a Berry Sans Day Carol
Carol Joseph took a Gentle Bride French Noël
Carol I wonder as I wander Appalachian Carol
Offertory Nativity Carol John Rutter
Voluntary Prelude on 'God rest you merry, Gentlemen' John Rutter
24 CHRISTMAS EVE
10.00 PM CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Organ Carol-Prelude on 'Greensleeves' Searle Wright
Choir Sans Day Carol John Rutter
Organ Pastoral Dance on 'On Christmas Night' Robin Milford
Choir Sussex Carol Philip Ledger
Choir Magnificat in D major George Dyson
Organ In dulci jubilo Jean Langlais
10.30 PM HOLY EUCHARIST
Gradual Psalm 96 John Randall
Offertory Nativity Carol John Rutter
Communion In the bleak midwinter Harold Darke
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Sir David Willcocks
Voluntary Carillon-Sortie Henri Mulet
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Personal Care Donations
Our Neighborhood Assistance Program occasionally assists people from the neighborhood with personal care items made available thru donations of toiletries. Bar soap, shampoo and / or conditioner, deodorant, Q-tips, tissues, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, razor and shaving cream, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, lip balm and body lotion are frequently-mentioned needs. Please include your donations with the food basket offering. Thank you!
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GIFTS FOR LIFE
For several years in the fall and early winter we have featured the Episcopal Relief and Development's "Gifts for Life" catalog as a tool for gift shopping for family, friends and others whom we may give gifts to, especially at holiday or birthday time. So, once again, you are encouraged to pick up a copy of the catalog from the table in the Great Hall.
And, as a challenge to our Cathedral fellowship, I am calling upon us as community to raise $1,460 to provide a family with an Animal Farm-a cow, goat, ox AND plow. Beverly and I will contribute $200 toward this wonderful gift that will make a real difference for a family's well-being. If you are willing to take up the challenge, make your donation by check to the Cathedral Church of Saint John and in the memo write "Animal Farm". You can mail your check to the office or place it the Sunday offering.
Bill Lane
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SERVICE SCHEDULE REMINDER
The next parish lunch and information/conversation session will be on Sunday, January 22.
REMEMBER-there will be only ONE service which will start at 10:00 a.m.
The meat course for the lunchtime meal will be provided. Bring a covered dish to share.
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Christmas Flower Memorials
As in past years, the Flower Guild will be decorating the Cathedral for Christmas. You can donate to this in memory or in honor of loved ones. Please complete the form below and return it to the Cathedral office no later than Wednesday, December 21, 2011.
Given by ________________________________________ Phone _________________
[ ] in memory of [ ] in thanksgiving for
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
(Please mark "Christmas Memorial" on the memo line of your check)
Please make checks payable to:
Cathedral Church of Saint John
10 Concord Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19802
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CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN
2012 PLEDGE/OFFERING COMMITMENT
January 1 - July 31, 2012
I (we) will continue my (our) present pledge/offering through July 31, 2012. This pledge is submitted: weekly - monthly - one payment (please circle one). For January 1 - July 31, 2012, it will total $_____________.
Name___________________________________________
Phone_______________________________
E-Mail_______________________________
OR
For the period January 1 - July 31, 2012, I (we) commit as my (our) pledge/offering:
$_____________ weekly OR
$_____________ monthly OR
$_____________ in one payment
Name___________________________________________
Phone_______________________________
E-Mail_______________________________
Please provide offering envelopes for me (us)._____
I (we) do not need offering envelopes. _____
Please mail to:
Stewardship
Cathedral Church of Saint John
10 Concord Avenue
Wilmington, Delaware 19802
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CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN
10 Concord Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19802
Phone: (302) 654-6279 FAX: (302) 777-5789
www.cathedralsaintjohn.org
Sunday Service Hours
7:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
9-3:00 p.m.
The Right Reverend Wayne P. Wright, Bishop
The Very Reverend William B. Lane, Dean
The Reverend Nancy Calhoun, Liturgical Assistant
Eugene Lavery, Choirmaster, Organist
Lee Detra, Organist
Cindy E. Timko, Cathedral Administrator
Edward Johnson, Sexton
CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY SERVICES
Nick Orlando, President
CATHEDRAL CHOIR SCHOOL OF DELAWARE
Eugene Lavery, Director
Valerie Woodruff, Director of Office of Development
and Alumi Relations
Leslie Acker-Rowe, Director of Mentoring and Student Services
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