One of the blessings of being the Cathedral of the Diocese of Northern California is the way we get to serve and connect with other congregations. This past Saturday we hosted a choir festival that welcomed singers from throughout our diocese. I officiated at the evensong service that concluded the festival.  The music was spectacular and it was great to see the diversity of singers wearing the distinctive choir robes of their various congregations.

This Sunday I will be at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Fair Oaks. Their rector, The Rev. Joe Duggan, has been leading their Vestry in a conversation about the Episcopal Church's authorization of same-sex marriage and he would like to broaden the conversation to include the entire congregation. Trinity Cathedral had conversations about welcoming persons who were LGBT years ago. Our inclusion has evolved over years and has become an important part of our identity. There are congregations who are just starting this process, and St. Francis is one of them. I will preach at St. Francis and then lead a forum conversation.  I am proud of the work they are doing and I am honored I get to be a part of their process. Please hold us in prayer as you gather for worship.

I'm sorry I will miss church at the Cathedral this Sunday. Our preacher will be Pastor Joy Johnson.  Joy is the founder and senior pastor of Higher Hope Christian Church in Sacramento and the President of the Board of Directors of Sacramento Area Congregations Together.  She is a dynamic, African American preacher.  We asked her to come at this time to launch us into our Lenten conversation about racism and racial justice.  While we have done a good job at Trinity Cathedral listening to voices of people who are gay, lesbian or transsexual, we have not given the same attention to the stories of people struggling with racism. It is now time for us to enter into this conversation and I'm grateful for Pastor Joy's willingness to preach on Sunday.  I'm also grateful for Deacon Steve, Pastor Pamela and the many volunteers who will be leading us in our Lenten conversations.

There is a striking symmetry in the fact that I will be preaching at St. Francis Episcopal Church inviting them into a conversation about marriage equality at the same time Pastor Joy will be preaching here, inviting us into a conversation about racism. I hope you are able to come and hear Pastor Joy on Sunday morning.

The Very Rev. Dr. Brian Baker, Dean

Trinity Cathedral