SD
November 25, 2015
NEWS from the CATHEDRAL

Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Please join us this evening at 7:30pm for our
 Thanksgiving Eve Holy Eucharist Service at the Cathedral.
All are welcome!

In Observance of Thanksgiving the Cathedral and Cathedral Office will be closed on Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th. 
 Ordinations at the Cathedral
On Saturday, December 5th at 11:00 am The Rev Andrew Durbidge and The Rev Jesse Lebus will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests and The Rev Deacon Joseph Occhiuto will be received into the Sacred Order of Deacons. All are invited to celebrate with Andrew, Jesse and Joseph.
Advent: The season of waiting 
What are we waiting for? The prophet Isaiah dreamed and preached about a world where the nations came to God's holy mountain to learn how to walk in God's paths. Isaiah saw a world where tools that were used for war and violence and death were made instead into tools that would cultivate growth, planting, harvest, life, and where war was no more. People flocking to be taught the right way to live - who'd have thought? Tools meant to kill used instead to give life - who would have expected that?
 
I don't know about you, but waiting is one of the hardest things that life hands me. Whether it's waiting on line, waiting for the light to change, waiting for test results or just waiting for the rinse cycle so that I can put in the fabric softener. Waiting is never a pleasant thing for me. I don't want to categorize that and tell you that I'm basically an impatient person because there are times when patience is one of my strengths. So I've come to the conclusion, at least for this year, that waiting, when put in the proper perspective, can be a very beautiful thing.
 
That's what I believe our season of Advent can be for each of us: an opportunity to wait in stillness, in silence, for our souls to wait for the voice of God who is our only hope. But so often silence and stillness are the very doors that attract our impulse to be impatient and not to sit still. So many thoughts come into our heads, the "to do lists," the piles of work, all the things that we've waited for the right time to accomplish, and most of all those really stupid things that really don't need our attention at all. I try to remind myself that Christmas will come whether I'm ready or not. But in the meantime, there is this stretch of time, this gift of time, if you will, when I come to the Cathedral and I gather with others in advent waiting. It is there, very often, when I make a place, set a time, finally become still so that God can work in unexpected ways in my life.
 
This new year, this new season of Advent, calls on all of us to not lose hope, to not give up, and to keep the faith as we work for that just world that Isaiah envisioned. We are the transforming agents in the world, we are the ones called out by God to speak up and speak out. This can only become a reality for you and for me if we enter into the stillness and silence of this holy season.
 
May the God of silence nurture and feed us during this time of Advent waiting.
 
Fr Michael
Everyone is Invited to Celebrate
Advent with Saint Nicholas!      
Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.
 
Join us December 6th after the 9:30am Eucharist as we highlight the story of St. Nicholas - the kind and generous patron saint of children, sailors, the poor and the innocent. The Undercroft will come alive with food and activities including a visit from this notable Bishop of Myra.
 
Gifts of unwrapped toys will be collected for St. John's Episcopal Hospital.
2015 Adopt-a-Family
Christmas is coming and it's time for Adopt-a- Family!  Please bring your gifts to the Cathedral on or before Friday, December 11th. If you need additional information, please contact Margaret Taggart at 516.248.0948.
Save the Date: 
Executive Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00pm in the Stewart Room of Cathedral House.

Conversations in Scripture will meet this Wednesday, December 2nd at Mercer School of Theology from 7-8:30pm. 
 
Stewardship Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 8th at 7:00pm in the Stewart Room of Cathedral House.  

Our Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Sunday, December 13th in the Chapel of the Resurrection at 10:15am. All are welcome, experienced knitters, crocheters and beginners. For more information please contact Kathy Janoff at 516.485.4352.

The next Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 15th at 7:00pm in the Stewart Room of Cathedral House. 
Please Pray For...
...the Church: Michael the Presiding Bishop, Lawrence our Bishop, Geralyn our Assisting Bishop; Michael, our Dean; Bruce, Michael and Andrew our Cathedral Clergy; 
the Cathedral Staff; Shirley, Kristin, Larry, Vince, Charlie, George, and Rafael;
...the Nation: Barack, our President; Andrew, our Governor; Nicholas, the Mayor of Garden City and, the members of our Armed Forces, especially Deepak, Raymond, Jason, Thomas, Liam, Adam, Charles,  and their families;  
...In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we remember the Diocese of West Malaysia in South East Asia and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we remember St. Luke's in Sea Cliff; For those who have asked of our prayers, especially Headley, Karen, Niyjah, Eladio, Mary, Wayne, John, Janet, John R., Steve, Rob, Barbara, Jean, Peggy, Dianne,  Diana, Danielle, Kathy, Pat, Brenda, Tommy, Linda, Lauren, Bob, Carey, Elizabeth, Andrew, Kathleen, Dorothy, Barratt, Tommy, Ricky, Emma, Jean,  Louis, Hank, Kerry, Gregory, Bridget, for all those who in transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, may they find healing, patience and strength in the days to come. 
...and for those who have died and for those who are grieving the death of a loved one, may they find comfort and peace.    
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Sunday, November 29, 2015
                              
  8:00am: The Holy Eucharist, Rite I
  9:30am: The Holy Eucharist Rite II
10:30am: Coffee Hour in the Undercroft
10:30am: Church School at Mercer School of Theology
10:30am: Wellness Committee Walk 
11:15am: The Holy Eucharist, Rite II 
       
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated this week in the Mercer Chapel on Tuesday at 12:15pm, Wednesday at 12:15pm and Thursday at 12:15pm.

 Cathedral Office Hours
   Monday - Friday
   9:00am to 4:30pm
50 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, New York, 11530  516.746.2955