Sunday's liturgy celebrates nation's history

Prayer at Valley Forge by Arnold Friberg

Join us for a special service complete with patriotic music featuring the Cathedral Brass players at the 10:30 service.

Greetings!  

In honor of our nation's birth, we are officiating our 8 and 10:30 Sunday's worship services from the 1662 Prayer Book, close to how the faithful would have worshipped in the United Colonies in 1776. Historian David Holmes writes:

To discuss the religion of the founding fathers means to discuss religion in the United States of their time. Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe were born and baptized in what Virginians of the time called "the Church," "the Church of England," "the Established Church," or "the Church of Virginia." The independence of the thirteen colonies from the mother country prompted the American members of the Church of England to discard the word "England." In its place they adopted the term "Episcopal" (essentially meaning "we have bishops") and named their denomination "The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America." The name "Episcopal" traced back to the tumultuous Commonwealth period in English history, when clergy and laity who desired continued rule by bishops employed that term for themselves.

This church provided the religious background out of which Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe-as well as such founding fathers as Patrick Henry, George Mason, and George Wythe-emerged. The earliest religious memories of these men would have revolved around the wood or brick church their families attended on Sundays. Most of their fathers would have served as vestrymen of their parishes. In due time, the founding fathers would have assumed the same position. The parish priest-or parson-would have been a familiar figure to them, and they would have received much of their early education at academies run by Anglican clergy. The words and cadences of the Book of Common Prayer ran in their blood.

From The Faiths of the Founding Fathers by David L. Holmes (Oxford University Press, 2006).

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!     

Summer 2011 is shaping up to be fun and busy for St. John's Youth Group. Members of our youth group depart this Sunday, July 3, for a week of mission work in Daytona. Pray for safe travel and work for Danilo Villavicencio, Maya Cochran, Amber Adderly, Andrew Iguina and Aaron Mayeski. And more great youth activities are planned throughout the summer. Read more.

NEW WEDNESDAY PROGRAMS HAVE BEGUN!  The Basic A class with Dean Kate begins at 5:30 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., Dean Kate is leading a book study of "Walking The Bible: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses" by Bruce Feiler. Books are available for $15 in the cathedral bookstore.  

HELP BUY SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR ST. MARY'S CHILDREN.  June's Bag-a-Month Theme is Gift Cards for the children of St. Mary's Episcopal Church. St. Mary's staff will take the children shopping for back-to-school clothing, shoes and school supplies. Please drop off your gift card (with the amount marked somewhere on the card) in the offering plate no later than THIS SUNDAY, July 3. Thank you for your generous spirit for those less fortunate.

INTERESTED IN SERVING AS AN ACOLYTE?

We will be holding a training for acolytes and chalice ministers next Sunday, July 10, at NOON in the cathedral. This training is open to all who are interested.

ENJOY 'BREAKFAST WITH HENRI NOUWEN' 

Our traditional 9 a.m. summer breakfasts begin this Sunday-- a great way for those who attend the 8 and 10:30 services to meet and fellowship over a delicious meal. Each Sunday we will read a short passage by Henri Nouwen to discuss at our tables. Ministry groups are needed to prepare this Sunday meal time together-- contact the office to sign up. The suggested donation for breakfast is $4 for all ages. This week's breakfast will be provided by the Men's Breakfast & Bible Study Group. Thank you Gentlemen! 

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SUMMER BREAKFAST CHEFS! 

June 19: The Properties Committee

June 26: The Early Birders (Don & Jackie Neifert, Claude Moulton & Christine Whitney, Gil & Nancy Wright)

July 3: Men's Breakfast & Bible Study Group

July 10: The Cathedral School Board & Staff

July 17: DoK

July 24: Vestry

July 31: Godly Play Teachers

 August 7: Rolland Kohls, Judith Halpin & Charlotte Walker

August 14: The Vergers Guild

August 21: Sanctuary Guild 

August 28 Rally Day Refreshments: THIS SLOT AVAILABLE!

 This is really great fun! Sign up today with your family or friends!  Summer Breakfasts will continue until August 21.

ANOINTERS OFFER PRAYER MINISTRY EACH SUNDAY 
Do you have a concern and wish to pray with someone? Did something good happen to you? Come to the side altar and ask God for guidance or thank God for what has happened. This confidential ministry is available in the Holy Communion and Ascension Chapels during Communion.   The anointer will say a prayer for you and then anoint you with holy oil. You will leave with a blessing and know that God is there for you whenever you need Him. Please come and see.

WHEELCHAIR MINISTRY -  Art Towson gathers volunteers to be helpers for the Wheelchair Ministry. They support our parishioners who need assistance in getting over from the surrounding residences to Communion. Can you help out with this?  Call Art at 744-6982 or email cloverlyfl@comcast.net to assist.

LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED PASTORAL CARE, PRAYERS  Because of recently enacted privacy laws, hospitals do not call the cathedral to let us know automatically if you are in the hospital. Please call the office and let us know so that our clergy can visit you, bring flowers and pray for your swift recovery. Our prayer list is kept with Judy Maurer in the office and then included each week in this bulletin. Confidential prayers are passed on to the Daughters of the King through the pew cards. Let us know so that we can pray for and help you.

SAVE THE DATE/RALLY DAY: Rally Day is Aug. 28. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the many classes, volunteer opportunities and the outreach ministries offered at the cathedral.