March 17, 2016

 

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL 

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"A Growing community making disciples who love and serve Christ and His world"
                               
 
 
The Grand Mosaic: The Journey from Palm Sunday to Easter
March 20th - 27th
  
Trinity Cathedral is about to enter into her most glorious season of the year. The days of Palm Sunday through Easter are all part of one Grand Mosaic. Each piece assembled carefully, deliberately, placed next to each other with precision, poetry and purpose. It's intended to be experienced as one grand liturgical event.
 
We begin with Palm Sunday, and Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We realize that it is Christ alone who chooses to go and face the ultimate purpose of God's gift of Love, the redemption of the human race. On Sunday, March 20th, we gather at our regular services times, beginning on the steps of the Cathedral. The palms are blessed, the prayers said, and we process into the Cathedral singing, "All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer King." The service continues and during the drama of the Passion story we move from shouts of "hosanna" to "crucify him, crucify him." We are reminded of our own frailty that causes us to move from cheers to jeers. We too stand in need of forgiveness and seek God's mercy and amendment of life. Bishop Barry Beisner will be the celebrant for the Palm Sunday liturgy.
 
On Tuesday, March 22nd, we gather at 7:30pm for The Solemn Office of Tenebrae. The word "Tenebrae" is the Latin word for "darkness". The service includes lessons from the Psalms, Lamentations, Isaiah, and Canticle 16 - The Song of Zechariah. Resurrexit, an a cappella choral ensemble, chants the music in plainsong. It is an exquisitely beautiful service that causes one to long for the days of hope to come.
 
On Thursday March 24th, we gather at 7:30pm for the Maundy Thursday Eucharist and the stripping of the altar. Bishop Barry Beisner will be the celebrant for this service. Following the Eucharist, the altar is stripped and the reserve sacrament is placed in repose by the columbarium on the east side of the church. A silent vigil is held until Compline is prayed at 9:00 pm.
 
The Solemn Liturgy for Good Friday is held at two different times at the Cathedral. The first service begins at noon and concludes at 3pm. Seven different sets of reflections and prayers are said during this service based on scenes from the Gospel of St. Luke. Those in the congregation are invited to come and go throughout this service as suits one's schedule. Others may choose to stay and pray during the entire three-hour period. (We ask that if you need to leave, that you depart during one of the hymns.)
 
The second Good Friday liturgy begins at 7:30pm and concludes in an hour. 
 
"Good" Friday seems an odd title for a day that held such despair for Jesus' disciples, family, and friends. What makes it "good" is Jesus' obedience, even unto death upon a cross, so that the power of evil and death might be destroyed once and for all. We come into the church realizing that something is terribly wrong. The altar is stripped and the adornments have been taken away. We listen to the story of the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death of the One who loves us. Our hearts burn at the silence...
 
The Solemn Liturgy of Holy Saturday is held at 9:00 am. It is a service of "absence". Jesus is dead, dead, dead. And yet, we are not without hope. Holy Saturday commemorates Jesus' descent to hell, that repository of all who have looked God in the face and said, "NO". But Jesus is in relentless pursuit. Perhaps his first encounter was with the disciple who just betrayed him.
 
The Great Vigil of Easter begins on the steps of the Cathedral at 7:30 pm with a "new" fire and the Lighting of the Paschal Candle. The Light of Christ is carried into our darkness as we process into the church to the singing of the Exsultet. Stories of God's faithfulness in ages past are shared and we are reminded the Paschal mystery through which we were baptized into Christ's death and resurrection. We reaffirm our baptismal covenant and are refreshed in the waters of baptism in preparation for the proclamation of the good news of Easter: Alleluia. Christ is Risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. 
 
We conclude this Grand Mosaic of mystery and celebration with the good news of Easter on Sunday, March 27th, at 7:30am, 9am, 11:15am and 12:45pm. Christ is Alive! Christ has conquered the sting of sin and death and has raised us to new life with him. The tomb is empty, Alleluia! The great Easter hymns of faith ring out. The power of darkness has been conquered, once and for all.
 
I encourage you this year to take it in, to take it all in. Give yourself the gift of participating in all the pieces of the Grand Mosaic this year.

Blessings, 
 
Lynell+
 
The Rev. Lynell Walker
Canon Pastor
Trinity Cathedral
Sacramento, CA
In this edition....
Attention SHARES cardholders...
Cathedral Bookshop...
Traveling Bible Study...
Lunch Bunch & Writing Group...
Centering Prayer...
Concert...
Cathedral Choir Residency...
TNAC on March 17.
This Sunday...
The Great Vigil of Easter...
Easter Bunnies Needed...
Easter Brunch Help Needed......
Holy Week at Trinity...
TNAC on March 31...
Harry Katzakian...
Women's Retreat...
Why I am Proud...
e-News Submission Guildlines...
Join Our Mailing List

Links

Attention S.H.A.R.E.S. Cardholders

 

The SHARES card is being discontinued as of April 1, 2016.  BUT your grocery purchases can still benefit River City Food Bank if you visit the savemart.com/shares website to re-register through e-Scrip using your phone number and selecting River City Food Bank from the list of organizations.

Cathedral Bookshop 
 
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
 
We will be taking a break until Thursday, April 7, when
Lunch Bunch will focus upon Abundant Living: A Book Study on The Soul of Money. We will look at this book and explore ways on how we can change our mindset from scarcity thinking to abundant thinking. Bring your lunch and bring a friend and we'll see you then!
 
If you have any questions, contact the Rev. Pamela Anderson at pamela@trinitycathedral.org
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
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
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contemplative Eucharist
at St. Paul's
1430 J Street
4:30 pm on Saturday,
February 20,
March 19,
April 16,
May 21,
June 18
Contact Sally Smith at sally0236@comcast.net for more information.

In the Community... 

Music Society at Cathedral Square
presents
 
Leçons de ténèbres:
Music for Contemplation
 
Capella Antiqua
Baroque Orchestra and Soloists

Saturday, March 19, 2016, 7:30pm
 
at the
Cathedral of the
Blessed Sacrament,
11th and K Street, Sacramento
 
Experience a deeply moving concert combining music, word, and contemplation.
 
Featuring
works by Couperin, LeClair, and Castello.

Tickets $15 general $10 student/senior/under employed

Cathedral Choir Residency in England 2020

 

The Cathedral Choir has exciting news! We will making our sixth tour of England in July of 2020. We have been invited to be the choir in residence at Durham Cathedral (pictured above) the last week of July, and will probably have another week long residency on the same trip. Stay tuned as things develop!
Thursday Night at the Cathedral
 on March 17

Compline - 6:00pm
Dinner - 6:15pm
Healing Service - 7:00pm
  
As we close out our Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice series, we will have a Healing Service at 7pm in the Assembly Area.  We will be on break on Maundy Thursday, March 24, and TNAC will resume on Thursday March 31 with a new set of classes. We look forward to seeing you Thursday night!
 
Questions? Rev. Dr. Pamela Anderson (pamela@trinitycathedral.org) or
Rev. Steve Skiffington (deaconskiff@gmail.com) 
This Sunday - March 20
Newcomers' Group
Meets in the Cathedral after the 9:00am service
 
The group will Tour the Cathedral. ALL are welcome!
 
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.
30s/40s and Beyond
Meets in the Conference Room after the 9:00am service
 
Today we will look at options for what we want to do for post Easter, a video series, the book The Soul of Money and other possible studies. Come join us in the conference room and have some input in to what we do for the Easter season!
 
Contact is Amy Dierlam - dnarock@pacbell.net

Next Week and Beyond... 

The Great Vigil of Easter
Saturday, March 26th at 7:30pm
 
Ring the bells!
 
Worshippers at the Great Vigil of Easter, are encouraged to bring with them any sort of hand-held bell they would like to ring as Church proclaims the Good News of the resurrection: Alleluia! Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
Easter Bunnies Needed...

...to help set up and serve at the evening Easter Vigil reception on Saturday, March 26.  Please e-mail Georgianna at dugongs@sbcglobal.net for more info or to sign up. 

And all attending are invited to bring finger food for the reception.  Please leave it in the kitchen before the Vigil.

Thanks!
EASTER BRUNCH...HELP NEEDED

WE NEED HELP for both cooking and serving at the Easter Brunch.  The Easter Brunch is a favorite for Trinity members and for our guests.  There are current Trinity members who have joined after attending an Easter service and Brunch.  Please help us out in the kitchen.  Kevin Donohue is our chef.  We need many sous-chefs and servers!  Call the office (916-446-2513) if you can help.
Holy Week at Trinity Cathedral
 
 
March 22: Solemn Office of Tenebrae Service - 7:30pm
 
March 24: Maundy Thursday Liturgy for Families and Children - 5:00pm
 
March 24: Maundy Thursday Eucharist with Foot Washing - 7: 30pm
 

 
March 25: Good Friday Meditations: Noon - 3pm
 
March 25: Solemn Liturgy for Good Friday with music by the Cathedral Choir - 7:30pm
 
March 26:
Holy Saturday Liturgy - 9:00am
Pancake Breakfast: 9am - 10:30am
Easter Eggstravaganza! - 10:00am
 
Easter Day
March 26: The Great Vigil of Easter - 7:30pm
 
March 27: Easter Sunday Services: 7:30am, 9am, 11:15am and 12:45pm
Thursday Night at the Cathedral (TNAC)
Classes beginning Thursday, March 31, 7:00pm

Dog Whistle Politics: As a congregation, we just finished a series of "Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice." This had a tremendous impact on our community. As a continuation of this conversation, Deacon Steve Skiffington and Deacon Tina Campbell will lead a book study on Ian Haney López' book entitled Dog Whistle Politics. Dog-whistle politics is political messaging employing coded language that appears to mean one thing to the general population but has a different meaning for a targeted subgroup. The analogy is to a dog whistle, whose high-frequency whistle is heard by dogs but inaudible to humans. This class will discuss racist policies in American through the lens of code words.
 
The Soul of Money The Soul of Money: Vaughn Wolff will lead this class. While we honor Lynn Twist's story by reading her book, The Soul of Money, the challenge is for each of us to affect our culture by making changes in our attitudes, beliefs, vocabulary and behavior. This can be less scary when we feel supported and then with each person discovering the Truth about our Source and our True Nature, the little changes we make become hallmarks, approved by no one else, but the Indwelling God. This will be an opportunity to dig deeper into our own beliefs and experiences, to break clouds of darkness of fear and lack, which ultimately mirrors how we act and react in our closest relationships. Come join Vaughn's class on Thursday nights at 7pm in the Cathedral Book Shop.
 
The Soul of Money: The Soul of Money is an enjoyable, inspiring book inviting us to live our lives with gratitude and a sense of sufficiency. We are constantly fed messages of scarcity and insufficiency. Lynn Twist uses moving stories from her life and her work to look at the power money has over our lives. While focusing on our relationship with money, this book is really inviting us to live all of our lives with more joy, gratitude and connection to one another. Pamela Anderson and team will be leading a book study on this in the Conference Room on Thursday evenings at 7pm.
 

 

Harry Katzakian

 

Harry's memorial service will be held at Trinity Cathedral on Saturday, April 16, at 11:00am.

Women's Retreat

The annual women's retreat will be held April 29-May 1, 2016 at Mercy Center Auburn.  This year's theme is "Finding Sanctuary:  Anytime, Any Place, Any Where."  We will look at ways that we can create mental headspace in the middle of chaos to create sanctuary so that we can reconnect with God and find deep peace.  The cost is $175.00. If you would like to come for the day on Saturday, the cost is $34.75 and that includes the lunch. If you need a scholarship, please speak with Pamela Anderson. There are only 25 slots and they are filling fast so be sure to sign up soon. For your convenience, you can register online through Eventbrite using this link. Or you can register with the front desk office volunteer Monday-Friday. If you write a check, please write "Women's Retreat" in the memo line.
 
Additionally, on select days, you can sign up on Sunday mornings in the Great Hall at the Women's Retreat table. If you have any questions, please contact Pamela Anderson at Pamela@trinitycathedral.org. Come join the fun!
Why I am Proud to be an Episcopalian
 
by Deacon Steve
 
You all know that I am your Deacon, but many of you may not know when I came to the cathedral - or why. I want to share that with you now as a background to why the communication below from the House of Bishops means so much to me.
 
I was first brought to The Episcopal Church (TEC) by the well-publicized announcement was made back in 2003 that The Rev. Gene Robinson, an openly partnered Gay man, was going to be installed as a Bishop in the church. That was earth shattering, and it made me leave the church tradition of my birth. I came to TEC because it made it very publically clear that 'people like me' are truly children of God and as such are entitled to "...the dignity and respect of every human being." And so I came to Trinity in June of 2003, and it changed my life. It never entered my mind thirteen years ago that I would one day be ordained as a Deacon. This June I will celebrate the third anniversary of my ordination, but I give thanks every day for TEC and this congregation that we all call home. The communication below, issued by The House of Bishops today, is just one more reason why I am proud of my church. Our Bishops, and the church as a whole, continue to speak out for those on the margins, those who truly deserve "...the dignity and respect of every human being", and yet continue to be denied it. I pray that this church will never cease to speak out when we see actions and words that are so contrary to what Jesus was trying to teach us.
         
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
From The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs 
 
"We reject the idolatrous notion that we can ensure the safety of some by sacrificing the hopes of others."
 
March 15, 2016
 
The House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church, meeting in retreat, unanimously approved the following:
 
A Word To The Church.
Holy Week 2016
 
"We reject the idolatrous notion that we can ensure the safety of some by sacrificing the hopes of others."
 
On Good Friday the ruling political forces of the day tortured and executed an innocent man. They sacrificed the weak and the blameless to protect their own status and power. On the third day Jesus was raised from the dead, revealing not only their injustice but also unmasking the lie that might makes right.
 
In a country still living under the shadow of the lynching tree, we are troubled by the violent forces being released by this season's political rhetoric. Americans are turning against their neighbors, particularly those on the margins of society. They seek to secure their own safety and security at the expense of others. There is legitimate reason to fear where this rhetoric and the actions arising from it might take us.
 
In this moment, we resemble God's children wandering in the wilderness. We, like they, are struggling to find our way. They turned from following God and worshiped a golden calf constructed from their own wealth. The current rhetoric is leading us to construct a modern false idol out of power and privilege. We reject the idolatrous notion that we can ensure the safety of some by sacrificing the hopes of others. No matter where we fall on the political spectrum, we must respect the dignity of every human being and we must seek the common good above all else.
 
We call for prayer for our country that a spirit of reconciliation will prevail and we will not betray our true selves.
 
The Episcopal Church House of Bishops met in retreat March 11 - 15 at Camp Allen Conference Center in Navasota, TX.

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