The CATHEDRAL TIMESThe weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · September 9, 2018

EVERY GOOD GIFT IS THE PERFECT GIFT

By the Very Rev. Sam Candler Dean of the Cathedral

It doesn’t matter what gift catalog we receive in the mail or in our email inbox. It doesn’t matter what classic boutique we are fond of visiting. Wherever we turn, we hear the same pitch: “The Perfect Gift!” Here is the perfect gift store! Here is the perfect gift!

We wander through shops that are just fine, with all sorts of delightful treasures, curiosities. Yet, we can’t seem to find the perfect gift for … that loved one, that child, that parent, that friend. What is the perfect gift?

The stern and quirky little Epistle of James, appearing near the end of the New Testament, might offer some advice. This verse appears in the first chapter: “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” ( James 1:17).

Essentially, the verse is saying that “Every good gift, every perfect give, is from above.” Can that verse help us? What are the perfect gifts of life?

Let’s start by reminding ourselves that the biblical sense of the word “perfect” is not what we tend to think. Awkwardly, that word “perfect” shows up on our list of moral goods and commandments. But, in the New Testament, the word “perfect” rarely means having obeyed every commandment, or having no blemishes, or even having no error. Instead, the word “perfect” is usually a translation of the word that means “goal” or “finish.” The perfect is what we are and what we have, when we have reached our goal or met our conclusion. Thus, whenever we read the word “perfect” in the New Testament, we might better understand it to mean “perfected.” When Jesus says, “Be perfect,” in Matthew 5:48, he means “Be perfected. Reach your goal. Go for the finish.”

Here in the Book of James, we meet another familiar word in the New Testament, the word “above.” The Book of James says, “Every perfect gift… is from above.” Well, that word “above” is the same word Jesus used when he told Nicodemus that one “must be born again” to see the kingdom of heaven. The phrase “born again” means, literally, to be “born from above.” John 3:3 says that one must be born from above in order to see the kingdom of heaven.

Every perfect gift, then, according to the Epistle of James, has the same characteristic of those seeing the kingdom of heaven. A perfect gift carries something with it “from above.” Could giving, and receiving, the perfect gift be like being born again? Yes, I think so. A perfect gift is that which carries some element of the divine, a heavenly glory, that comes from outside and above us. Every good gift, then, carries perfection with it when it comes with something “from above,” something holy, something of God. Every good gift, delivering something holy, is the perfect gift.

But here’s the thing. I hope we have all experienced giving, or receiving, that gift that became so perfect when we realized how personal it was. It came from who we are authentically; or it came to us with a sense of who the giver authentically is. Its honesty and authenticity and personal-ness is what touched us.

Thus, every perfect gift also carries some element of authentic humanity. Every perfect gift does not merely carry divinity. A perfect gift is also something that quite clearly comes from within us, to another person. A perfect gift delivers something of our authentic self to that other person.

Could it be that, ultimately, something of our authentic self, and something of the divine (from above) are the same thing? We are born again, and born from above, when we realize God; and we are born again, born from above, when we realize our true and authentic selves. And when we give of who we are, when we give of our authentic selves, we are giving the good gift that comes from above; we are giving the perfect gift. Every good gift, from within and from above, is the perfect gift.

7:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa

8:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder Preacher: The Very Rev. Sam Candler Staff Singers: Richard Shephard, O for a thousand tongues to sing Robert Poovey, There is a balm in Gilead

9 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa

11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa Preacher: The Very Rev. Sam Candler Cathedral Choir: Richard Shephard, O for a thousand tongues to sing Robert Poovey, There is a balm in Gilead

11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA, MIKELL CHAPEL Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval

4 P.M. CHORAL EVENSONG, CATHEDRAL THE FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder Staff Singers: Gerre Hancock, Preces & Responses Herbert Murrill in E Richard Proulx, We adore you, O Christ Giovanni Maria Nanino, Adoramus te, Christe

This SUNDAYSEPTEMBER 9, 2018 · The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 18, Year B

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 · Psalm 125 · James 2:1-17 · Mark 7:24-37

The CATHEDRAL of ST. PHILIPThe Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, DeanDale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music

The Rev. Lauren R. Holder, Canon for Outreach and Congregational LifeThe Rev. George M. Maxwell, Jr., Vicar

The Rev. Catherine Zappa, Canon for Education and WorshipThe Rev. John William Harkins III, Ph.D., Priest Associate

The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic MinistriesThe Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate

The Rev. Carolynne G. Williams, Canon Associate for Pastoral Care and Elder Ministry

Austin Hall, Senior WardenDoug O’Bryan, Junior Warden

CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES:

FOR THE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 ISSUE, THE

DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5. FOR THE

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12.

PLEASE EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENT REQUESTS TO THE

EDITOR, DAN MURPHY, AT DMURPHY@CATHEDRALATL.

ORG. TO RECEIVE THE TIMES BY EMAIL, CONTACT JANIE

HARRIS AT JHARRIS@CATHEDRALATL.ORG.

404-365-1000 | cathedralATL.orgcathedralatl

Adult EDUCATION

MEMBERSHIP TRANSITIONS DEATHS

James Earl Scott, Jr., husband of Deborah Scott, father of Austin

and James Scott III, died August 25, 2018

NEW MEMBERS

Jim Myrick, from Atlanta

By virtue of our baptism, all of us are called to ministry, whether ordained or not. Our adult education offerings help us live into that call, through teaching about our Scriptures, traditions, practices; cultivating skills for ministry; engaging together in theological reflection and crucial conversations; and building communities of spiritual support. Sunday classes start September 9 and meet at 10:10 a.m.

OLD FASHIONED SUNDAY SCHOOL

Child HallCanon George Maxwell will introduce a series that will focus on what Paul, the apostle, was actually doing and why. All are welcome. You will find a light heart, warm welcome, and good coffee! For more information, contact Canon Maxwell at gmaxwell@cathedralATL.org.

LIVING FAITH

Room 120 Join Canon Lauren Holder and Canon Cathy Zappa as we explore what it means to live out our faith through conversation with scripture and tradition, contemporary books, and, most important, one another. All are welcome!

LIVING AN EXAMINED LIFE: WISDOM FOR THE

SECOND HALF OF THE JOURNEY

Room 239Based on the user-friendly and highly practical book by James Hollis, a Jungian scholar and psychotherapist, this 4-week series will include shared reading of the text along with supplementary materials from film, novels, poetry, and our own life experiences. This class is taught by the Rev. Dr. Bill Harkins, priest, therapist, and professor of pastoral care.

SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY

Room 122Jim Bingham and Gordon Mathis lead an ongoing small group Bible Study focusing on a particular book of the Bible for several months at a time. This year, we will read the book of Exodus. For more information, please contact Jim Bingham at 404-373-3273 or binghamjim@bellsouth.net.

BIBLICAL GREEK

Room 356Continuing Biblical Greek classes are offered on Sundays from 1:15–2:45 p.m. for anyone who wants to learn the basics of translation using grammar aids, lexicons, and commentaries. For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith at tsmith@cathedralATL.org.

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a program of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Participants commit one year at a time to meet weekly in seminars led by mentors trained in studying the Bible, church history, and theology, while also developing a wonderful community of members. There is a weekly lesson and study guide, but no tests or papers to prepare. A few spaces are available for an EfM class that begins Tuesday, September 18. The class meets in the Lanier House on Tuesday nights, 7-9:30 p.m. For more information and enrollment forms, contact Rick Tyler, 404-375-6470, or Deirdra Glover, 770-865-2141.

JOIN THE CATHEDRAL'S BOY SCOUTS

Boy Scout Troop 74 is starting its 67th year at the Cathedral. The Boy Scouts want to get all boys, age 11—17, into the outdoors for camping, hiking, boating, and other high adventure. For more information on Troop 74, call David Burge, 404-237-2977. After all, what did you do this weekend?

CONGREGATIONAL Life

SUNDAY FLOWER DONATIONSPlease consider making a donation for flowers, in memorial or thanksgiving, to decorate the Cathedral each Sunday.

Complete and return the form below, or make your donation online at cathedralATL.org/altarflowers.

Please list name (or names) as you want them to appear:

In Memorial for: In Thanksgiving for:

name(s):

sunday for which you are donating:

In Memorial for: In Thanksgiving for:

name(s):

sunday for which you are donating:

REQUEST FOR SUNDAY ALTAR FLOWERSPlease complete the following information about you:

your name(s):

daytime phone: date:

Please include a check with your request, made payable to: The Cathedral of St. Philip. While any gift is appreciated, a minimum of $75 per printed line is suggested. Checks and forms should be sent to: The Cathedral of St. Philip, Attn.: Janie Harris, 2744 Peachtree Rd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. You may also make arrangements by contacting Janie Harris, 404-365-1034 or jharris@cathedralATL.org.

JOIN FOYERS TO MEET NEW FRIENDS

Do you enjoy eating good food and meeting new people? Then Foyers is for you! Experience friends, food, and fellowship in small groups of 8 to 10 each month beginning with Super Foyers on Sunday, September 23 at 6 p.m. in Child Hall. Please contact Jackie Hollingsworth, jackiech03@gmail.com, with your name, address, phone number, and email to sign up.

WORD TO YOUR MOTHER

Word To Your Mother (a book study for busy, busy moms) is reading Harriet Lerner’s The Dance Of Connection to be discussed on Tuesday, September 11 at 7 p.m. The group meets the second Tuesday of every odd month, but the location varies. To find out where we are meeting in September, please contact Canon Lauren Holder, lholder@cathedralATL.org. You can purchase The Dance of Connection at the Cathedral Book Store, or listen on Audible.

FLOWER GuildJOIN THE FLOWER GUILD

Flower lovers: enjoy wonderful camaraderie, learn new skills, and help enhance worship in our parish by joining the Flower Guild! An orientation and planning meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 25 at 7 p.m. An optional, hands-on flower arranging workshop is slated for Saturday, October 13.

We seek flower arrangers of every skill level - including none at all! We will train you and pair you with experienced members to learn the essentials of materials preparation, arrangement mechanics and design styles. The guild arranges flowers for every Sunday service, funeral, reception, and wedding at the Cathedral, as well as other special events.

Email Grace Foster, gracefoster@mindspring.com, to sign up.

MUSIC

EYSEEDLINGS FOR 4TH

AND 5TH GRADERS

Our EYSeedlings are heading to Topgolf ! All 4th and 5th grade students are invited to join us Sunday, September 16 at Topgolf in Midtown to kick off the 2018-2019 school year. We will play golf from 4–6 p.m. The cost per golfer is $15 and includes two hours of tee time, dinner, and a lifetime Junior Membership to Topgolf.

Parents: please drop off and pick up inside the Topgolf lobby, not curbside.

Sign up at cathedralATL.org/topgolf to register your seedling for this fun event!

CHILDREN'S Ministries

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS ON THE LAWN

5–7 p.m.Bring your own picnic dinner

or buy from one of our vendors:

Chick-fil-A, Good Food Kitchen, and King of Pops!

CAPITOL CITY OPERA COMES TO THE CATHEDRAL

St. Veronica’s and St. Ruth’s Guilds present the annual performance of the Capitol City Opera at the Cathedral! This year’s presentation is a tribute to Leonard Bernstein on his 100th birthday anniversary, including many wonderful excerpts from On the Town, Our Town, The Mass, West Side Story, Candide, and some of his song literature. Please join us Tuesday, September 11 in Child Hall for dessert, coffee, and great entertainment. Coffee and desserts will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the musical presentation will start at 7 p.m. All parishioners and friends are invited to join us for this wonderful opportunity to enjoy good food, great fellowship, and fabulous music. There is no charge but please RSVP by calling the Cathedral at 404-365-1000 by Monday, September 10.

WORSHIP SupportHELP SERVE SUNDAY EUCHARIST

Would you like to meet other Cathedral parishioners? Do you feel called to give back to your faith community? Do you love Holy Eucharist and want to share it with others? Please consider serving as a Eucharistic Minister, serving the wine at communion. Contact Hillary Jones, 404-365-1038 or hjones@cathedralATL.org, for more information.

SPIRITUALITYREFLECTIONS AFTER IONASixteen pilgrims from the Cathedral spent a week in June on the Isle of Iona, Scotland, to learn about Celtic Spirituality from John Philip Newell and Ali Newell. These reflections of the pilgrims’ time on the island are all available at cathedralATL.org/iona.

By Betsy ElliottWhen I reflect on my week on Iona, my first thought

is about the people that I shared the week with and the opportunity to do contemplative exercises in a shared environment. I was so impressed with how the pilgrimage was organized from morning quiet time to wonderful breakfasts on to teaching from John Philip to more quiet time. Afternoons were free time to explore the island, have lunch, take a nap. We then gathered again at 5 p.m. for more contemplative exercises, followed by dinner which was always full of hospitality and wonderful sharing. I have picked this picture to share because it is the view from the St. Columba Hotel’s Quiet Garden. It reflects not only the beauty of the Iona, but it was taken during the late morning quiet time when we were invited to go outside with our eyes wide open and listen to our hearts through which God speaks to us and see all of God’s beauty. I also love this photo because in the distance is the Benedictine Abbey which holds the history of Iona. I found my way to this garden during our second quiet time each day. I have brought home with me the quiet that this pilgrimage gave to me. A certain peace that I did not have before and I have been able to hold on to it.

MUSIKGARTEN ALLEGRO MUSIC CLASSES FOR

CHILDREN THROUGH AGE 8

If you want a fun, structured activity for your child that is as educational as it is fun, Allegro is for you! Movement and music activities are perfect for child development. Music immerses the child in language, evokes movement, stimulates the brain and fosters physical coordination – all in a group setting that builds community. Using Musikgarten’s newly revised curricula for infants through second graders, Brenda Pruitt teaches our Allegro classes, which offer children a joyful setting for mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and social growth.

All class costs have been reduced to $100 for the first child, $70 for each additional child in the same curriculum, except for K-2 Allegro Choir ($75 for all).

Four class options for infants and toddlers to age 3:• Monday, 11:15 – 11:45 a.m.• Tuesday, 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. • Wednesday, 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. • Thursday, 11:15 – 11:45 a.m.

Two class options for ages 3-5: • Monday, 12:15 – 1 p.m.• Tuesday, 1–1:45 p.m.

Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Allegro Choir:• Wednesday, 4:30–5:30 p.m.

Enroll online at cathedralATL.org/allegro.

MUSIC

CENTERING PRAYER ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS

Centering prayer is spiritual practice that stills the body, opens the heart, and helps center our lives in a heightened sense of God’s presence. Join other Cathedral parishioners as we sit in prayer in the Lanier House library, Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralATL.org.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING: IMMEDIATE NEEDS

Sun Ja Kim

LONG TERM PRAYERS

T. Mayo and Pat Atkins • John Beane • Virginia Bicksler • John Blair • Pat Brinson • Dick Burgin • Kaye Cairney • J. Franklin Clark • Heather Clark • Lawrence Cowart • Terry Dornbush • Sarah duBignon • Kitty Dukehart • Randy Farmer • William Ham • Jane Hannah • Caroline Hatcher • Katie Harris • Louise Kan • Elaine Lyon • David MacGilvray • Robert and Aggie Maddox • Carol McDonald • Jim McKenzie • Charlie Neal • Paul O’Connor • Marian Palmore • Garry Pryor • Rubye and Wayne Reid • Pamela Reid • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Charlie Roper • Louis “Skip” Schueddig • Jane Skogstad • Jim Segars • Ruth Swanson • Andy Westafer • Susan White • Sandy Williamson • Hollis Youngner

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Bettina Bass  • Andrew Clark  • Carroll Family  • Carleton Fuller  • Katharine Alexander Golding • Agnes Gonterman • Peggy Govan • Doyce Gunter • Bobby Hearn • Greg Hentz • Liz Grant Hilton • Betty C. Lyons • Pat Martin • Michelle Maxwell • Michael McClelland • Andy Nelson • Irene Nesper • Helen Fleming Nixon • Ralph Pitfield • Betty and Bill Poole • Kathy Ravenscraft  • Frank Roth • James Sands • Patricia Schooley • Jeff Straw • Brian Sturgell • Tina Susco • Hubert Tate, Sr. • Roger Traylor • Janiece Townshend • Christi Vasquez • Peter Veverka • Nina Vila • Ron M. Wallace • Jacqueline Watkins • Susan Wellman • Marion Wilson • Whit A. Wright • Patricia Young

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIEDSang Ho Kim • James Scott, Jr.

PRAYER List

CALLING ALL DOKS!

The first meeting of the program year for the Daughters of the King will be Sunday, September 9, after the 11:15 a.m. service. We will meet in Room 240. Please RSVP to Cathy Hutcheson, 770-451-0907, and bring $5 to cover the cost of a light luncheon. We will be studying Richard Rohr’s Gospel of Luke. All visitors are welcome.

OUTREACH

WALK THE ROAD WITH EMMAUS HOUSE

Emmaus House invites you to rally your friends, families, and church communities to “Walk the Road” on Sunday, September 16. This is an opportunity to learn, serve, and walk with neighbors in Peoplestown exploring the community’s experience living in the neighborhoods south of downtown Atlanta. This year, the theme is gun safety. Save the date for an afternoon of service projects and a guided tour. Before the march to the Capitol Building Plaza, clergy and advocates will share perspectives on gun safety and legislation. The afternoon will conclude with a community meal. Contact Canon Lauren Holder, lholder@cathedralATL.org, for more information.

Peachtree Al-Anon Family Group

Al-Anon is a mutual support group of peers who share

their experience in applying the Al-Anon principles to

problems related to the effects of a problem drinker

in their lives. We meet on Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.,

in Room 122. All are welcome. For more information,

contact Canon Cathy Zappa at czappa@cathedralATL.

org or Margaret Jameson at peachtreeafg@gmail.com.

POSTMASTERSend address changes to:The Cathedral of St. Philip2744 Peachtree Road, NWAtlanta, Georgia 30305-2920404-365-1000

CATHEDRAL TIMES(USPS-093440) is published weekly by The Cathedral of St. Philip2744 Peachtree Road, NWAtlanta, Georgia 30305-2920

Periodicals Postage Paid at Atlanta, GA

POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by September 8, 2018

MUSIC

Jewelry SaleSave the Dates:

September 27–28Sponsored by St. Veronica’s Guild

Supporting local ministries

The jewelry sale sponsored by St. Veronica’s Guild is almost here—September 27–28! We have over a thousand pieces of costume, vintage, and contemporary jewelry. We have necklaces, bracelets, earrings, religious pieces, pins, children’s pieces, men’s cufflinks, seasonal pieces, pearls, and glitz for evening wear.

St. Veronica’s Guild has been busy cleaning, tagging, and pricing the many pieces of jewelry collected over the past eight months. We believe we have the largest selection of costume jewelry in the area.

The jewelry sale will benefit Good Samaritan Health Center’s Friday Clinic and St. Veronica’s ongoing ministries in our diocese: Crossroads, Holy Comforter, Church of the Common Ground, and Emmaus House.

Evensongresumes

September 9

SUNDAY AFTERNOON RECITAL SERIES 3:15 P.M.EVENSONG AND HOLY EUCHARIST 4 P.M.

this Sunday

ORGANIST DAVID BRENSINGER TO OPEN

RECITAL SEASON

The Cathedral is thrilled to welcome as our opening recitalist organist David Brensinger, currently serving as interim director of music at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta. Prior to that, David was the director of music at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Sandy Springs for 30 years. He is one of Atlanta’s most talented musicians, and we encourage everyone to attend his performance at 3:15 p.m. this Sunday, September 9. His program will consist of works by Mendelssohn, Schumann, Sumsion, and a rarely heard work of Russian composer Alexander Glazunov. It is a recital not to be missed!

David Brensinger, organ (All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Atlanta)

Felix Mendelssohn, Sonata No. 5 in D Major, Op. 65, No. 5

Herbert Sumsion, Variations on a Folk Tune

Robert Schumann, “Allegretto” from Four Sketches for Pedal Piano

Alexander Glazunov, Fantaisie in D minor for Organ, Op. 110

Episcopal Church WOMEN