The Lenten Journey Begins

Wednesday, February 18

7am, 9am, 12:10pm, 4pm (Family Service), 6pm

On Wednesday, February 18th, we will celebrate Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral and begin our Lenten Journey. Lent is the name for the 40 days that begin next Wednesday and end at the Vigil of Easter. Living a Holy Lent is an ancient practice of the Church and commends us to a time of intentional living by: self-examination and repentance; prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. The purpose is to "clean house". It is a time when we take stock of our lives and celebrate what it is that we are doing that is life-giving and pay attention to our choices that are life-robbing.

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Lent is an intrusive pest. We didn't invite her, she just presents herself and demands our attention. Our best efforts to ignore her and pretend she isn't here are thwarted when we come to church and our habits are disrupted. Our liturgy for worship has changed. We have lost singing the Gloria and any reference to "Alleluia" is postponed. Instead, we sing, "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us." The crosses are draped in purple. The vestments have taken on the same hue. It seems like the Baby Jesus was just born. How did we get here so soon?

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Every year at this time I am faced with pondering what to do for Lent. I asked Pat, my partner, to see if she would like to do something together this year. That would be new for us. I'm also listening to see what pulls at my heart.

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

In the end, I have found that life is simply easier when I have built up a reservoir of "Good News" as I meet the challenges of each day. Lent can be a time to soak in things that bring joy - it doesn't have to be punitive to be a blessing.

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Lent is a gift. It invites us to acknowledge what drags us down, simplify our life from excesses that drain us, and invites us daily to find a quiet space to hear God's Word in a new way.

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Lent is a mysterious journey. The discovery of her meaning is born only in the doing of Lent.

May this be a sacred time for you and for all who come through our doors at the Cathedral.

Blessings,

Lynell+

The Rev. Lynell Walker

Canon Pastor

The Cathedral Organ Restoration

Phase one is nearly complete!

Thursday Night at the Cathedral

 on February 12

6:00pm - Compline

6:15pm - Dinner ($7)

7:00pm - Classes

Jesus, Galilee, Palestine 

Facilitator: The Rev. Randy Knutson

Drawing from experiences, photographs and video from his January 2014 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Bishop Beisner and members of our Diocese, Rev. Randy Knutson will present a class focusing on Jesus' time in Galilee and a book by one of the speakers they heard on the Pilgrimage.

The first half of the class will be timely, covering sites mentioned in the Gospel texts for the Sundays in Epiphany of 2015. The second half of the class will focus on a new book by Mitri Raheb, Faith in the Face of Empire: The Bible Through Palestinian Eyes; whose ministry in Bethlehem they visited last year.

Spirit Flow Yoga or Soul Fired Yoga

Offered by Solfire Yoga teacher/owner Ellen Moe

Join in a yoga practice that provides you the opportunity to connect with your mind, body, spirit, and heart. Through breath, movement and music discover how yoga can be a tool to help you pray and be present with God and your Holy Spirit within. This yoga class may allow you to let go of things that trouble you, to release physical and emotional tension in the body, and to embrace a sense of peace, serenity and connection to your best self...the person God wants you to be. Please bring a mat and water and avoid eating anything other than a light snack before participating

Trans 101 

Bring your honest questions and your open mind and heart to this series of six facilitated presentations, addressing various aspects of the transgender experience in a spiritual setting.  We will explain terms, share stories, and together, come to an even deeper understanding of what it means for an institution, church, or group to be radically inclusive. The following topics are scheduled (but are subject to change) for the class: Let's start at the very beginning, The Episcopal Church's Response to transgender individuals, Parents and Friends, Gender Identity and Youth, Schools and Transgender Youth, Transgender Military life. Guest speakers and facilitators will change each week. Check the website (trinitycathedral.org/learn/thursday-night-cathedral) for updates on topics and/or presenters. 

E-Squared              Facilitator: Vaughn Wolff

"E-squared could best be described as a lab manual with simple experiments that prove reality is malleable, consciousness trumps matter, and you shape your life with your mind. Yes, you read that right. It says prove." From the back cover of E-squared, by Pam Grout, available in the Cathedral Bookshop. Drop-ins are welcome! 

Thea Chitambar Memorial Service

Trinity Cathedral was saddened to learn of the death of Thea Chitambar, a long time member of our church.  Her memorial service will be at the Carlton Plaza, 1075 Fulton Ave., Sacramento on Friday, Feb. 13th at 1:30pm.  There will be a graveside service at Trinity's Columbarium at date to be announced.

Potluck Dinner Church

Presents a Mardi Gras Eucharist

Friday February 13 at 6:30 pm

in the Assembly Area

Trinity Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento

Bring your friends and a festive dish to share

King cupcakes will be provided

Douglas Witt Memorial Service

The church was saddened to hear of the death of Doug Witt, long-time Trinity member.

A service for Doug will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Carmichael, on Saturday, February 14 at 11:00am.

Newcomers' Group

Meets in Room C at 10:15am

The group will discuss Ministry Opportunities.

All are invited to be with us especially Newcomers and visitors. If you have questions contact Randie Strike at email randie.trinity@gmail.com or 916-446-2513.

30/40s and Beyond

Meets in the Conference Room at 10:15am

We will watch a DVD documentary, A Complaint Free World, by Will Bowen and then begin a 21 day commitment to complaint free living. ALL ages welcome! Contact: Amy Dierlam at dnarock@pacbell.net  

Tradition of Covering All Crosses

On Shrove Tuesday, February 17 beginning at 4:00pm, we will be veiling all the crosses in the church as we prepare for Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.  ALL are welcome to come and help.

The practice seems to have originated in ancient times when it was deemed proper to veil images of Christ, covering his glory during the season that focuses on his suffering and death.  In time it became the custom to veil the cross, for the cross is the sign of his glory.  The practice makes a startling transformation of the church and helps us focus single-mindedly on the Passion of Our Lord.  The veiling in the color purple provides an austere quality that reminds us that Lent is a time of fasting and completion.

After we've veiled the crosses, stay and enjoy a Pancake Supper.  Traditionally, it is the day that Christians prepare for Lent by eating up all of the fat and sweets in their homes.

2014 Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday Shindig

Tuesday, February 17, 5:30-7:00pm

Get your beads out and Mardi Gras hats on. Trinity Cathedral's Men's Group is sponsoring the Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras Shindig on February 17.   Be prepared to have the best gourmet pancakes and New Orleans red beans and rice ya'll ever had. The whole family can eat for a paltry $12 or $5 per person (really??? YES really). Come on down. The party starts at 5:30 and ends at 7:00pm sharp in the Great Hall. Get there early before all the gators eat everything up. 

2014 Ashes to Go The Rev. Megan Anderson and Susan Van Dyke at Caesar Chavez Park

Ashes-to-Go

On Ash Wednesday, February 18th, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral will be offering "Ashes to Go," a new approach to a centuries-old Christian tradition. Teams of clergy and lay people will be offering ashes and prayer from 11am-2pm at the following downtown Sacramento sites:

- Outside Trinity Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Ave.

- Outside St. Paul's Church, 1430 J St.

- Outside Sacramento Main Jail, 251 I St.

- At the Rapid Transit Stop at R & 29th St.

- At Caesar Chavez Park, 910 I St. 

Ashes will also be available in the evening at the free community dinner at Trinity Cathedral. 

2014 Ashes to Go St. Paul's Deacon, Rik Rasmusson, at 15th and J Streets

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is part of a new nationwide movement that has clergy and lay people visiting transit stops, street corners, coffee shops, and college campuses to mark the foreheads of interested passers-by with ashes and invite them to repent of past wrongdoing and seek forgiveness and renewal.

In the Christian tradition, Ash Wednesday marks the start of the holy season of Lent, a time for reflection and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Easter. For centuries, Christians have received a cross of

2014 Ashes to Go at 15th and J Streets

 ashes on the face at the beginning of that season as a reminder of mortal failings and an invitation to receive God's forgiveness.

Ashes to Go provides the opportunity to participate in that tradition for people who have lost their connection to a church, or have never participated before.

For questions please contact Rev. Megan at megan@trinitycathedral.org

Matthew Fox to Speak at Trinity

Friday, February 20 at 7pm

Fox has written 30 books that have sold millions of copies and by the mid-1990s had attracted a huge and diverse following.  He will be speaking on his book entitled "Original Blessing" which refutes Augustine's view of Original Sin.  Fox argues that before there was ever sin (i.e. the eating of the apple), there was and is always blessing:  "And God said, it was good."  Fox is the first of a speaker's series that the Cathedral is launching.  The Rev. Dr. Pamela Anderson, our Adult Ministries Director, is excited to report that Fox's speaking engagement will launch a six week small group series [follow this link to read more about the small group series] that church members and the community can sign up for to dive deeper into this theme of blessing during the season of Lent.  Fox is an intriguing speaker because he was formerly a member of the Dominican Order within the Roman Catholic Church.  He became a priest in the Episcopal Church following his expulsion from the order in 1993, by Cardinal Ratzinger due to his challenging of the Vatican's status quo. We invite you all to attend this inspiring event and individuals will have the opportunity to sign up for a small group experience to explore their faith in a safe setting.  The cost is $12 and the doors will open at 6:30pm with a jazz pianist in the sanctuary.  Tickets can be purchased ahead of time in the Cathedral bookshop. 

Seating is limited so be sure to purchase your tickets early.  See you all then! To learn more about Matthew Fox please visit his website.

Meditation Practice and Spiritual Practice Conversation

Exploring the

Body, Mind, Spirit Connection 

Join Rev. Megan Anderson and Rev. Kathy Hopner for a weekly gathering with simple meditation practice and conversation on spiritual practice beginning on Sunday March 1st at 5pm in the Assembly Area.

Rare Fine Art Bible

Sunday, March 8 at 10:15

Trinity Cathedral is pleased to announce a program featuring The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition. Brad Neary, Heritage Program Director, will provide a presentation on The Saint John's Bible project. One of the seven Heritage Edition volumes, Gospels and Acts, will be on display during the session. Mr. Neary will also host a more informal "open house" following the 11:15am service in the Great Hall during which the volume will be on display. Follow this link to read more...

"Singing in the rain, just singing in the rain..." I do believe the garden is dancing with delight to have a wonderful, deep drink of rain. Plants and trees are standing up crisply, and my succulents at home are putting out a burst of new leaves. What wonders God hath wrought!

With the warmer temperatures this year, I'm not sure if we are in late winter or early spring. My daffodils are in bloom at home, and at the community garden there is mustard in glorious yellow bloom, as well as yellow oxalis. Which I'm sure has a purpose other than to thwart my weeding efforts, but I will have to get back to you on that.   Some of the crops grown this season are carrots, chard, kale, beets, snow peas, leeks, mustards, lettuces, parsley, cilantro, arugula, and onions. I will write more about spring gardening in the next few weeks.

For those of us who didn't plant a winter garden, it is time to finish clearing out last summer's dead foliage. The compost bin against the south fence has been started; please use your clippers to cut stalks, roots and foliage to about four inches before adding them to the first compost bin (closest to 27th), then cover them with leaves. There are several bags of leaves collected and placed next to the compost bins for our use during this coming spring and summer.   We will be raking up and collecting additional leaves as they dry out.

Would you like to learn more about gardening? I am working with the Sacramento Master Gardeners to have a master gardener visit with us quarterly. If there is a subject you would like to know more about, please let me know at eileen@qualset.net or 916-502-0633. I'll see what we can do. We are lucky that we have knowledgeable gardeners who like to share their knowledge. I'm often in the garden and happy to answer gardening questions, too, although I am not a certified master gardener.  

I have been reading "Original Blessing" by Matthew Fox, and am delighted with the quotes he is including from Hildegard of Bingen, who was, as he says, one of the "great creation-centered mystics of the West." This multitalented and prolific abbess of a Benedictine abbey was an influential preacher, healer, scientist, composer, theologian, artist, and poet. She coined the term viriditas, or greening power, connecting it closely with creativity. I hope you enjoy this quote of hers, in closing:

Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars.
Gaze at the beauty of earth's greenings.
Now, think.
What delight God gives to humankind
with all these things. . . 
All nature is at the disposal of humankind.
We are to work with it. For
without we cannot survive.

Questions or comments please contact Eileen Harvey-Qualset, Trinity Community Garden Coordinator, at eileen@qualset.net or 916 502-0633.