December 17, 2015

 

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL 

e-News

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"A Growing community making disciples who love and serve Christ and His world"
Brian Baker                              

In one week, we will be gathering in the Cathedral to celebrate the Nativity of Jesus. Between now and then there are many opportunities to pray, sing, learn, serve and be together.  I encourage you to look through this edition of the e-news to see your many options.  I want to highlight a few things that are different this year.  The greening will be right after the 11:15 service on Sunday.  We will have four, instead of five services on Christmas Eve.  You can see the schedule of the services here.

On Monday night, we will be hosting a memorial service for people who died this past year who were homeless.

Just as the birth of Jesus happened in a particular political context - Caesar Augustus issued a decree that caused Mary and Joseph to leave the their homes - each Christmas happens in the midst of our personal lives as well as a unique social and political context.  This year we will be celebrating in the wake of a wave of violent terrorist attacks.  This has led to significant hatred and violence directed toward our Muslim neighbors.  It must be a particularly scary Christmas for some.  On Monday evening some of us went to a remarkable and moving gathering at the Salam Center. There were clear statements from the Muslims present denouncing the terrorists as well as a variety of faith and civic leaders speaking out against the violence and hatred such terrorism fosters.  It is clear that the terrorists are trying to get us to act out of fear and turn against one another. It was uplifting and encouraging to gather in diverse community and display love in the midst of hate. We need to be proactive and visible in our stand against hatred. While at that event I learned about a rally this Saturday on the north steps of the State Capitol from noon to 2:00 pm.  I plan on being there and I hope you can join me.

At Tuesday's vestry meeting, we talked about putting a sign in front of the Cathedral that says something like, "Trinity Cathedral stands against fear and hatred in solidarity with our Muslim friends and neighbors."   The vestry was supportive of this and I would like to see if you have any input as to the wording of the sign and if you have any suggestions of other things we can do.  I have invited Imam Azeez to preach at Trinity and we are working on getting some classes on Islam set up for early next year.  If you have any input, please email me at bnbaker83@gmail.com.

I hope you have a joy-filled Christmas as we celebrate the birth of God's light into our dark world

Brian
The Very Rev. Dr. Brian Baker, Dean
Trinity Cathedral
In this edition....
e-News Publication...
Remember Our Veterans...
Room Wanted...
The Reading Corner...
Cathedral Bookshop...
Traveling Bible Study...
Lunch Bunch & Writing Group...
Centering Prayer...
December 17 TNAC...
Floyd School...
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols...
This Sunday...
What does LOVE look like...
Christmas Bake Sale...
Greening of the Cathedral...
Christmas for the Homeless...
Christmas Services at the Cathedral...
Help Wanted...
Office Closed...
New Year's Eve...
Rally Against Hate & Violence...
Divine Ammunition...
e-News Submission Guildlines...
Join Our Mailing List

Links

The regular Trinity Cathedral e-News
will NOT be published on
Thursday, December 24 or
Thursday, December 31.
Watch your e-mailbox for the next regular edition
 on Thursday, January 7.

Remembering Our Veterans at Christmas

 

~~Submitted by the Rev. Diana Turner

Trinity parishioner is looking to Rent a Room in a home.  Please contact Nancy Stoltz at 916-420-8476. 

The Reading Corner... 
There's always something new in our library, which you can check out on the first Sunday of the month.     ~~Phyllis Ehlert
 
God's Hotel: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine by Victoria Sweet, that's Dr. Victoria Sweet, physician and healer in the broader sense as she administers Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco. This institution works with people on the fringes of society, starting with their medical problems, but has found itself resistant to efficiency experts, politicians and architects. Sometimes something more is required to heal.
Cathedral Bookshop 
 
Merry Christmas!
 
Bookshop Hours: 
Tue, Wed, Thu:
11:00am - 5:00pm
Sun: 8:30am - 1:00pm
  
Phone: 916-442-9194 

Ongoing... 

Traveling Bible Study and 
 Spirituality Group
Every Sunday at 5pm young adults gather at restaurants, coffee shops, and other fun locations around Sacramento for fellowship and conversation on the Bible and spirituality. If you would like to be added to the email list contact Rev. Megan at megan@trinitycathedral.org
Lunch Bunch
meets Thursdays at Noon
in the Conference Room
 
While there will be no single topic, all are invited to bring a poem, quote, reading or any other subject we could discuss during our time together. 
 
Bring lunch and come to join in some holiday fellowship.
 
If you have any questions, contact the Rev. Pamela Anderson at pamela@trinitycathedral.org
or Susan Van Dyke at svandyke59701@gmail.com   
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Writing
Writing Group
Meets on Thursdays at 
4:30pm in the
Conference Room

Anyone who would like to write in an informal setting is welcome to drop in. Writing prompts are offered, we write for 20 minutes, then share what emerges or not, as the spirit moves. For information, please contact June Gillam at jgillam@wavecable.com. 
Centering Prayer 
Centering Prayer
 
Tuesday's, 6-7pm,
Thursday's, Noon-1:00pm,
Cathedral East Transept
and
Friday's, 5:15pm,
St. Paul's - 15th and J
(Please don't come later than 5:20 because doors close to provide for a quieter experience.)
Contact the Rev. Anne Slakey at
  
Centering Prayer is a method of meditation that helps quiet the mind and participate in God's presence. It is a receptive form of prayer - a kind of resting in God.  Learn to just be...in the midst of God's love. All are welcome. 
 
Cathedral Contacts are:
Shelley Mydans: smydans@gmail.com
 
Looking for a Few Good Women!
 
We need several women to partner with some of our candidates for baptism and confirmation. "Growing in Faith" meetings are on Sunday afternoons from 3 - 5 and they go from January through mid-May. This is a wonderful opportunity to guide another person on their faith journey and to enhance your own faith! Interested? Contact Jerry Paré (916-930-8032 or jpare@trinitycathedral.org) Jesus needs you! We need you!

Thursday Night at the Cathedral

 on December 17

 

Compline - 6:00pm

Dinner - 6:30pm

 Classes - 7:00pm

Classes
 
A Christmas Carol
Facilitated by Susan Hotchkiss
Join us tonight as we watch "A Christmas Carol" on the big TV in the Assembly Area.  Bring cushions and pillows if you wish to lounge on the floor or just feel comfy in the lovely chairs.  We will provide hot chocolate and popcorn.  Hope to see you there.

A Peaceful Christmas:
Honest Communication that Connects
Facilitated by Alex Leach
Christmas and the Holidays can be tough. None of us want to be biting our tongues, or tip toeing around certain topics. Come learn and practice concrete communication skills to honestly connect this Christmas season.

Christmas Gifts for Floyd School

On Friday, December 18 - We will deliver the Christmas bags to the children.

Santa giving gift bags to
Floyd School students.
We need at least 10 cars to deliver all of the bags. Please come to Trinity Cathedral at 9:00am to pick up a grade of bags.

We will deliver them to each grade at the school with Santa and his elf. We hope to be at the school by 10am. Usually we are finished delivering by noon. Holiday garb and Santa hats are encouraged!

Thank you for your help.

Advent Blessings,
Canon Nancy Tennyson
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Saturday, December 19th at 7:30 pm
 
Please join the Cathedral Choir and Cathedral Choristers for our traditional service of Lessons and Carols. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a service celebrating the birth of Jesus, which is traditionally followed at Christmas. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings, interspersed with the singing of carols, anthems, and hymns. The service was originally designed by the Reverend Eric Milner-White, and has become known worldwide through the broadcasts from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, England.

Included will be music by George Malcolm, David Willcocks, Otto Goldschmidt, Peter Hallock, and others. For more information click here.
This Sunday - December 20
What does LOVE look like to YOU?

This Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Advent and we will light the candle that represents LOVE. 

Here is an invitation to immerse yourself more fully in the season of Advent. You are invited to reflect on, and to look for, examples of LOVE in your daily life, then capture them with your camera/camera phone. What does LOVE look like to you?

Once you take your photos, you are invited to share your pictures with the congregation, online and/or in print. Please  follow this link for information on how to do this.

Blessings,
Pamela
The Rev. Dr. Pamela Anderson
Director of Adult Spiritual Formation
Trinity Cathedral Church
(916) 446-2513

Potluck Dinner Church

Christmas Bake Sale
 Sunday, December 20

between services

 

Stop by our inviting and delicious table where you can purchase Christmas confections to delight any palette.  All proceeds go toward our monthly alternative Eucharist and potluck.   

Awaiting the Already:
An Advent Journey Through the Gospels
Meets in Room A at 10:15am
 
This book by Magrey R. deVega will be our guide for the four Sundays of Advent. Each week we will look at what one Gospel has to say about the season, eventually touching all four Gospels. Some material will be presented each week to get us started, but there will be lots of time for shared thoughts and discussion. Bud Swank is the leader.
Living Well Through Advent: 
Practicing Patience With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind
Meets in the Conference Room at 10:15am

Join us for this Advent Journey! Questions? contact Amy Dierlam - dnarock@pacbell.net.

Newcomers' Group

Meets in Room C at 10:15am 

 

The group will meet to discuss Worship and Stewardship.

 

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.

Greening of the Cathedral

Sunday, December 20 after the 11:15am service

The Greening of the Cathedral is a long standing event at Trinity. Following the 4th Sunday of Advent services (this coming Sunday), parishioners gather together and decorate the Cathedral with evergreen boughs and trees. Coming into this wonderland on Christmas Eve is a joyous moment for parishioners and visitors alike. COME AND JOIN IN THE FUN!
 
In the past we have made our own boughs. The Men's Group is generously supplying pre-made boughs this year. We still need to hang them and forest the Cathedral and Great Hall with evergreen trees. And....lunch will be served! Tom Robbins is making a hearty minestrone soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.
 
Please join in the wonderful Advent Event!
GROWING in FAITH
is still in start-up mode.
Meets at 3:00pm in the Assembly Area
 
"Change ourselves. Change our hearts" and "get off of our butts and change the world!"
 
These are the two "how to's" that Dean Baker gave us in his sermon on November 1. What was the Dean talking about? How we can become part of what Presiding Bishop Curry calls "the Jesus Movement".
 
GROWING IN FAITH is an excellent way of changing ourselves; changing our hearts and getting off of our butts to be part of the Jesus Movement! How do we...how do YOU do this? Come and see!
 
What do we do? We gather at 3:00 in the "Upper Room" (also known as the Assembly Area). We form small groups. We reflect on Scripture using a method called Lectio Divina (no previous Bible knowledge necessary). We take a break. We pray together and we return to our daily lives enriched by this moment of our road trip with Jesus. Who is this "we"? There are your fellow members of Trinity participating in this Spirit filled process. There is a team of small group leaders to facilitate our discussions. Sound simple? It is. Following Jesus is simple...and not so simple. Becoming part of the Jesus Movement is simple...and not so simple. Bishop Curry and Dean Baker are challenging us. Come this Sunday and find out more. Just bring yourself, your questions, your curiosity. Jesus said to each of his disciples, "Come, follow me!" Take this opportunity to do just that.

Next Week and Beyond... 

Help Trinity Cathedral host an

early Christmas dinner for

the homeless community! 


On Monday, December 21, Trinity Cathedral will once again host the Safe Ground Pilgrimage Outreach Ministry, as well as the Interfaith Homeless Memorial Service.   We are looking for donations of spiral-sliced ham for this very special dinner on this year's Winter Solstice!  Your generous donation will help feed many people who would otherwise go hungry that evening.

Please drop off your spiral sliced ham donation at the Trinity kitchens or office on the weekend of December 19 and 20, and label your donation "Safe Ground."  For more information, please contact Michael at (916) 992-3196.

Thank you, and may you and your family have a warm, safe Christmas!

Christmas Garland Christmas Services at the Cathedral
  
Christmas Eve at 3:00 pm
Christmas Pageant and Family Eucharist *
Music sung by the Cathedral Choristers
  
Christmas Eve at 5:00 pm
Christmas Pageant and Family Eucharist *
Music sung by the Celebration Choir
  
Christmas Eve at 8:00 pm
Solemn High Mass - Rite I **
Music by the Cathedral Choir
  
Christmas Eve at 10:30 pm
"Unto us is born a Son"
A Festive Christmas Concert by the Cathedral Choir
  
Christmas Eve at 11:00 pm
Festive Holy Eucharist ("Midnight Mass") **
Music by the Cathedral Choir
  
Christmas Day at 10:00 am
Holy Baptism and Christmas Eucharist
Simple service with Christmas Carols.
  
A reception will follow each service.
Please bring finger foods to share.
  
* Denotes that childcare is available during the service.
** Incense is used during the service.
  

There will be Centering Prayer on
Thursday, December 24 at Noon
Elf Help Wanted!

Want to be a "Santa's Helper"?  Consider helping with set up or serving at one of the Christmas Eve receptions (which follow the services at 3, 5, 8 and 11 p.m.).  It's fun and we need a few people for each one.  Please email or call Georgianna at dugongs@sbcglobal.net or (916) 266-1802 by 12/20 with any questions and to sign up for a specific service and task (set up and/or serving).  Thanks! 
The Trinity Cathedral office
will be closed 
from noon on Thursday, December 24
until Monday, December 28.

New Year's Eve

Thursday, December 31 at 5:30pmCandle

 

Please join us on New Year's Eve for an Evening Prayer service in the Cathedral.  It will be quiet and comforting - a wonderful way to start an evening of celebration or reflection.  And a way of letting 2015 go and welcoming 2016. 

In the Community... 

RallyRally to Stand
Against Hate & Violence

Saturday, December 19th Noon - 2 pm
State Capitol North Steps (L and 11th Street)
Rain or Shine - bring your umbrellas
 
Join interfaith, elected and community leaders for a solidarity community rally to grieve and condemn the tragic mass shooting in San Bernardino as well as stand against hate.

#United4HumanitySac

Hosts:
Interfaith Council of Greater Sacramento
Sacramento ACT
MLK 365
NAACP
Florin JACL
Sikh Community
Jewish Voice for Peace
Council of Sacramento Valley Islamic Organizations (COSVIO)
American Muslim Voice
Pakistani American Association
 
~~ Submitted by Deacon Steve Skiffington
Divine Ammunition: 
The Sculpture of Al Farrow 

A collection of miniature religious buildings, built by Bay Area sculptor Al Farrow, is on display at the Crocker Art Museum at 216 O Street in Sacramento, from now through January 3, 2016.
"Using guns and ammunition, Al Farrow transforms the tools of destruction into creation in his sculptures of reliquaries, cathedrals, synagogues, mosques, mausoleums and other devotional objects." - Crocker description.
This incredible display of 26 metal sculptures, some containing bones, can be found on the second floor of the Crocker, near the connecting hall between the new and old buildings. It includes his elaborately detailed sculpture of a cathedral, that belongs to the DeYoung Art Museum in San Francisco.

Please see this timely, amazing exhibit, that Al Farrow has been creating since 1995.

-Barbara Pattow-Vigil, Trinity member

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