cathedral connections
TRANSCRIPT
Cathedral Connections
SEPTEMBER 2021
PREACHING SCHEDULE
Redeeming God, your arms embrace, all now despised for creed or race,Let peace, descending like a dove,make known on earth your healing love
-Hymn 395, verse 3 Twenty years ago this month, I began seminary in New Haven, Connecticut…just a short train ride from New York City. I had lived for several years in New York, where I worked in film production, so NYC still felt like home to me. My work took me all over the five boroughs at all hours of the day and night. For one gig, I spent a week on the top floor of the World Trade Center, joined by many thousands of stockbrokers and hospitality workers in a surreal vertical commute into the sky. The 9/11 attacks occurred on my second day of seminary. As divinity school students we grieved, as many did, the loss of life and security, and the increased militarism that flowed from it. We wept in response to such callous and devastating violence, the murder of innocents. We reflected theologically on questions of evil and the costs of exceptionalism, which means we argued passionately about what was required of us as Christians and as pastors-in-training.
And, like so many of you, we prayed. Everyone seemed to know instinctively to put on some church clothes and head to our weekly chapel service. In the depths of grief and loss we were drawn into the gravitational pull of togetherness and prayer, as I know the people of Trinity Cathedral did in those first days.
Twenty years is a long time, but also the blink of an eye. The trauma of the attacks may have unified us at first but led to decades of war and a more polarized, mistrustful culture. The recent loss of Afghanistan to the Taliban has amplified the grief and bitterness of the legacy of 9/11. Silver linings are elusive; yet given how much we’ve lost, how could it be otherwise? I’ve reflected lately on Jeffrey Rowthorne’s hymn, Creating God, which speaks in the 3rd verse of the redeeming one “whose arms embrace” all those whose creed or race makes them the object of scorn, who sends peace descending like a dove, making
known the healing love of our creator. The past 20 years tell us that this is not a simple, saccharine idea of love. This is love that stands after we have suffered loss and fear, love that must be proclaimed if we are to heal from the epidemic of violence and hate that fueled 9/11 and then prevented us from healing properly in its wake. Yet if we can still sing, then we can still love. On Sept. 11 we will mark the 20th anniversary of the attacks with a concert – in-person and livestreamed – by Music & Art at Trinity. Join us as we gather to grieve, to remember, and to create a space for hope that proclaims the healing and peace that is God’s dream for us all.
Blessings,
- The Very Rev. Bernard J. Owens
FROM THE DEANSeptember 5- The Rev. Adrienne Koch
September 12 - The Very Rev. Bernard J. Owens
September 19- The Rev. Adrienne Koch
September 26- The Very Rev. Bernard J. Owens
Dan Moulthrop, CEO of The City Club of Cleveland will be the guest at The Trinity Forum being held Sunday, Sept. 12 after the 10 a.m. worship service. He will join Dean Owens to discuss the upcoming Cleveland mayoral election. The non-partisan primary election on Tuesday, Sept. 14 will narrow the candidates to the top 2 and the general election on Nov. 2 will decide the winner.
The City Club is considered the nation’s oldest continuously running free speech forum. Moulthrop was appointed CEO in 2013 after many years as a member, volunteer and frequent forum moderator. He is the former host of 90.3 WCPN’s Sound of Ideas. He is an author and award-
A MESSAGE FROM THE VESTRYPlanning is in process for vestry’s annual retreat on Friday evening and Saturday, October 15 and 16.
Yvonne Harrold and Darrell Lausche were elected as convention delegates.
As it does at every meeting, vestry reviewed Trinity’s COVID policy, especially in light of the effects of the delta variant. At the time of this writing, we will continue with the current policy for inside worship of having masks and social distancing required. Outside worship will not require masks but will be encouraged and those attending will be socially distanced. Todd Wilson shared recommendations on choir size and participation. All singers will be vaccinated, masked and socially distanced. At this time, the number of singers will be capped at 17 with ongoing
evaluation of safety protocols. Congregational and diocesan small groups will begin meeting in person on September 1st with masks and social distancing required in all public spaces and encouraged in conference rooms and small areas. Staff will continue to be masked. Congregational events will occur with safety protocols and ongoing safety evaluation.
The annual stewardship campaign will begin on Sunday, September 26th. This year the theme is Let Every Life be Touched by Grace. This is very appropriate recalling all we have experienced during the past COVID months and how God has blessed us despite difficulties and often sadness. Please join the stewardship committee on September 26th in the promenade and pick up your pledge packet. Any packet not picked up will be mailed.
Vestry minutes are available at trinitycleveland.org/about/governance/vestry-minutes. Our next meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 5:30 p.m. At the time of this writing we are planning
VESTRY MEMBERSGary BenjaminMark BiddlestoneElizabeth BillingsMartin HermesPaul Herrgesell, TreasurerDiane HexterJanet Lechleitner, Junior Warden Linda LeeCynthia RiesPatricia Roberts, Senior WardenJeff Spiess
to conduct this meeting via Zoom. As always, if you have any concerns, you may send them to the wardens at [email protected] or contact any member of vestry above.
The Trinity Forum: Dan Moulthrop
winning journalist, a former high school teacher and a alumnus of UC Berkeley’s graduate school of journalism.
The mayor’s race will choose the first new mayor of Cleveland in the last 16 years. Incumbent Frank Jackson has elected to retire after serving four terms as
mayor. The election will be impactful not only to Cleveland residents, but all those living in northeast Ohio.
The forum will take place in the cathedral nave at approximately 11:30 a.m. The livestream will be carried on trinitycleveland.org and facebook.com/trinitycleve.
Thursday Healing Service
with Holy Eucharist
As we continue our return to the cathedral, one of our weekly services has become monthly for the time being. The Thursday Healing Service with Holy Eucharist takes place at 12:10 p.m. and is now held in the nave.
This special service is perfect for those who can’t attend on Sundays or anyone seeking spiritual nourishment midweek. The service allows time for prayer, reflection and partaking in the Eucharist before continuing our day’s work.
The next Thursday service will take place on Sept. 23. You can make a reservation to attend at bit.ly/September23Service. It will also be livestreamed at trinitycleveland.org and facebook.com/trinitycleve.
On the east wall of the baptistery, as part of an altar located there, stands a remnant of a medieval French choir screen. A former curator of the Cleveland Museum of Art wrote this about the sculpture.
“In the early sixteenth century, Southern Champagne (the wine region), and more particularly the city of Troyes, was the animating centre from which spread a school of sculpture of very high quality and of decidedly marked characteristics. At this time, Italian Renaissance ideas and types were seeping into France almost everywhere, and Troyes alone held out for the distinctively Gothic. Finally, even there, the Renaissance ideas won out.
The fairs of Champagne had brought
Cathedral History – Baptistery Sculpture
great wealth into this part of France, and many of the finest churches of Troyes and vicinity were built or reconstructed during the early sixteenth century; they were then profusely decorated both in the round and in low relief, by native sculptors. A most characteristic and beautiful piece, the gift of Samuel Mather, which came from Troyes or its vicinity, is being installed in Trinity Cathedral. It must have formed
part of the decoration of a choir screen, and its subject, “A Baptism,” makes it a very fitting decoration when it is installed in the new Baptismal Chapel. Its small scale, its highly individualized and realistic types sum up the best characteristics of the sculpture which make this the School of Troyes.”
On the back of the altar, visible from the nave aisle but not the
baptistery itself is this inscription, “In memory of The Life and Services of Samuel Mather, A devoted Churchman and philanthropic Citizen. For forty years Senior Warden of this Cathedral.”
– Source, Trinity Cathedral Cleveland Historical and Architectural Guide, 1939 version
Cathedral Connections
Faith Journey Book Club
The Faith Journey Book Club will be discussing We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time. by Jose Andres. The meeting will take place on Zoom on Saturday, Sept. 25, giving you plenty of time to read the book. You can join in by visiting us02web.zoom.us/j/86911213224 using the passcode: 467309. The meeting ID
is 869 1121 3224. Contact Janet Morrison if you have questions, [email protected].
Join us at the Trinity Barbeque
TRIN
ITY CATHEDRAL
Let’s get together for some outdoor food, music and fun this fall with barbeque and bluegrass in the cathedral garden. Old Carolina Barbecue Company will prepare the food, our homegrown bluegrass band, Poor Orn’ry Sinners, will provide the soundtrack and there will be activities for kids and adults. It’s true, our dean has been hankering for some barbeque ever since he arrived in Cleveland, but he’s now looking forward to having Trinity friends all together again.
Choose a traditional barbecue meal,
vegetarian meal or kids meal.
You can pay for your meal when you arrive at the event with cash, check, Mastercard
or Visa. This is an advance
registration event–we will not have extra
meals available for walk-ins. Place your order by Sept. 19 at trinitycleveland.org/bbq or fill in an order form at church on Sunday. You must register/place an order for every member of your party. If you have questions, please contact Ginger Bitikofer at [email protected].
Saturday, Sept. 25 • 3 p.
m.
Music & Art at Trinity Cathedral will host a free, in-person and livestream concert on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. The concert, featuring music, prose and poetry will commemorate this solemn remembrance.
Trinity musicians Todd Wilson, director of music, and Nicole Keller, associate organist will play organ and piano. Choral music will be offered by members of the cathedral choir. Additional performers will include Claire Peyrebrune, viola; Danna Sundet, English horn; and George Kiteley, percussion. Dean Owens and the Rev. Adrienne Koch will provide the spoken portions of the program. “Music & Art at Trinity Cathedral is proud to present this special evening of music on the day so closely associated with American unity emerging in the face of terrible loss and grief,” said Wilson.
Memorial Concert Remembering 20th Anniversary of 9/11
“The concert will include works primarily written by American composers, some with close ties to New York City including pieces by Samuel Barber, Aaron Copeland, Calvin Hampton, Gerre Hancock and David Hurd.”
Seating for this concert is limited and can be reserved at bit.ly/ma-911-20th. Masks and social distancing are required. Attendees are asked to start
arriving at 7 p.m. to allow enough time for parking, check-in, and seating. A limited amount of free parking will be available A freewill offering will be taken.
The concert will be livestreamed on facebook.com/musicandartattrinitycathedral) and trinitycleveland.org. Registration will not be required for the livestream audience. Those wishing to donate to Music & Art at Trinity Cathedral can do so on their Facebook page.
Community Conversations
Youth & Children’s Programming Begins Sept. 12
Youth and children’s programming will begin on Sept. 12. It includes Children’s Chapel, held during the 10 a.m. worship service. After the service, there will be a kickoff event at 11 a.m. in the cathedral garden. There will be a chance to meet teachers, play games and eat snacks. Regular Sunday school classes and youth group meetings will resume Sunday, Sept. 19.
Trinity’s Youth & Family Center
Plan to be there on Sunday, Sept. 19 when Community Conversations: How We Worship Together, begins. This series of open conversations will be conducted in the nave after the 10 a.m. service from Sept. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 31.
The goal of these sessions is to continue our return to church, after many months of COVID, with as much intention as possible. Much as the national Episcopal Church is having discussions about liturgical
revision, Trinity would like to learn what we’re really good at in the eyes of our congregants and what might be improved. We’ll talk about the value of practices from the past and think positively about what we’ll do next.
The conversations will start with a 10 minute introduction, followed by the rest of the time spent on work in small groups. Those attending livestream services will also be included. Join the conversation at us02web.zoom.us/j/83151291610.
Inquirer’s ClassAre you interested in finding out more about The Episcopal Church, with a goal of perhaps being confirmed, received or baptized? The Rev. Adrienne Koch will lead an inquirer’s class starting Tuesday, Sept. 7 from 5:30 p.m.–7 p.m. and continuing the first Tuesday of each month through Feb. 1. The group analyzes the theology of the baptismal covenant and shares spiritual journeys for 6 sessions. Discussion topics include spirituality, religion, Episcopal history and polity, Scripture and theology. If you are interested, please contact Adrienne at [email protected].
Trinity’s Holy Work: Racial Reconciliation
Interested in deepening your understanding of racial equity? Join a Trinity lay-led Sacred Ground group. This is a 10-part series built around documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories. You can learn more here: episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground.
Please email Char Nichols ([email protected]) if you are interested in a virtual class and email Debbie Lik-ins-Fowler ([email protected]) if you are interested in an in-person class. Whether classes will be offered in person or virtually will be based on interest and facilitator availability.
Did You Know...
...that an estimated 70% of Episcopalians were not born Episcopalians? Most came from other Christian denominations or from no church background at all. As of 2012, about 12% of members are former Roman Catholics.
The Episcopal Church has been consistently called a “middle road” or via media between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. This has proven to be a worthy philosophy by many new church members. Our celebration of diversity is another draw. Many people came to the church as adults, implying logic and reason played a role in their decision.
The Episcopal Church has always been aware of the connection of all believers, and acknowledges the baptisms enacted by other Christian churches and traditions.
The Windows of Trinity Cathedral This month’s featured window is known as the Healing Window and is located on the left side of the nave aisle as you face the altar. The scene depicts Jesus healing a blind man. All 4 Gospels contain a story about this scene (in Matthew 20: 29-34 the story is about 2 blind men) but we can reason that this particular account comes from Mark 8: 22-26 because Jesus is healing a single man by touch.
This is one of many windows made by Wilbur H. Burnham Studios in Boston. As with other Burnham windows in the nave, they were commissioned by Dean Chester Emerson and funded by individual donors. In this case, Mrs. Fanny Tewksbury King funded the window in memory of her husband, Ralph Thrall King. King was a prominent businessman and largest owner of downtown real estate at the turn of the century. Mr. and Mrs. King were renowned patrons of the Cleveland Museum of Art. They created the museum’s print department with Mr. King as volunteer curator. According to a museum publication in 1923, “Through the kindness and generosity of Mr. and Mrs. King we have in Cleveland one of the half dozen great (American artist James) Whistler (print) collections in the United States.” One of their most famous gifts was Rodin’s “Thinker,” located at the south museum entrance today.
Congregational Volunteer OpportunitiesAs a priesthood of all believers, we participate in the life of the church through volunteer ministry. For instance, refreshments on Sundays are provided by congregation members who offer their time to make coffee and plate cookies. Most positions don’t require a lot of time, just commitment to show up and be a part of making an event happen. The spirit of God gifts all
new folks and regulars. All services.Refreshment volunteers—help with Sunday refreshments; between servicesUshers—offer hospitality and guidance in worship; all servicesFriends for Shut-ins— write messages to people who can’t visit in personNewcomer Welcome—contact new folks
to see if they have questions or help them get connectedAdult Formation Clerk – The adult for-mation committee plans and produces all adult education at Trinity. A clerk is need-ed to take minutes at monthly meetings.
Christians with practical and spiritual gifts to build His kingdom. Our goal at
Trinity is to provide excellent worship, warm hospitality, high-quality programs. While the staff organizes, facilitates, and coordinates, we believe everyone at Trinity can do something small or big to create Trinity’s witness in Cleveland.Please contact Ginger Bitikofer, gbitikofer@
trinitycleveland.org regarding congregational volunteers:
Acolytes— Assist at the altar and during walk-in processionAltar Guild/Sacristans—prepare communion elements for worship, help set the altar; all servicesFacebook Greeters—welcome online worshipers, answer questions; 10 a.m. Greeters (in-person at Trinity)—greet
Bible Study Every Wednesday Night
Did you know that Trinity members host a “Community Gospel Reflections” Bible study each Wednesday at 8 p.m.? The group was born as the dean’s Bible study shortly after the pandemic began as a way to keep Trinity folks connected through spiritual practice outside of worship.
The group has carried on and each week, they examine the Gospel text from the following Sunday’s lectionary using the lectio divina method. Lectio divina is a form of meditative prayer that is understood as leading to an increased knowledge of Christ. The group “enters” and shares the peace of Christ, leading to an increased knowledge of Him.
This study is held via Zoom. If you would like to participate, contact Doreen Hughes at [email protected] for the link and passcode.
Sacred Space meeting Sept. 7
Sacred Space is a small group that meets to explore a variety of forms of contempla-
tive practices. The purpose is to sup-port one another’s growth in prayer and spiritual practice.
The group will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 5:45 p.m. You can join them on Zoom at bit.ly/TrinitySacredSpace us-ing the passcode 902705. The meeting ID is 879 7978 9560. New participants are welcome at any time.
Music & Art at Trinity Cathedral has a number of upcoming in-person and livestream events set for the coming months. These are in addition to the 9/11 memorial concert covered on page 4. Find more details at musicandartattrinty.org.
Oct. 6 – BrownBag Concerts return at 12 p.m. The first will be an organ spectacular featuring playing from Todd Wilson and Nicole Keller. BrownBag concerts continue every other Wednesday through December when there will be 3 concerts.
Nov. 7 Choral Evensong and the blessing of the new organ (4 p.m.)
Dec. 5 Advent Blessing & Carols. This will be in addition to the annual lessons & carols traditionally played on the first Sunday after Christmas.
Episcopal Supreme Court JusticesByron White Nominated in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, Episcopalian Byron White led a diverse life. He attended the University of Colorado as an economics major and played halfback on the Colorado Buffaloes football team. At this time he was given the nickname “Whizzer” by a newspaper reporter, a name that followed him throughout his career, much to his chagrin. He was the valedictorian of his class and won a Rhodes scholarship to the University of Oxford in England but deferred to play pro football for the Pittsburgh Pirates (now Steelers) of the NFL, where he led the league in rushing. He attended Oxford the next year but left at the outbreak of World War II and enrolled in Yale Law School in 1939. He took a leave of absence and again played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions in 1940, once again leading the league in rushing.
He entered the Navy in 1942 and served as an intelligence officer in the Pacific during the war. He returned to Yale Law and graduated first in his class in 1946, His time on the Supreme Court was characterized by support of civil rights and opposition to substantive due process. His remains are interred in St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Denver, Colorado.
Thurgood MarshallNominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson, in 1967, Marshall was the 96th
person to hold the position of Supreme Court Justice and the first African American. He was a grandson of a freed slave. He was a lifelong Episcopalian.
He applied to the University of Maryland Law School but was denied admission due to his race. Undeterred, he received his law degree from Howard University, then successfully sued the University of Maryland, resulting in the admission of minority students. In 1954 as chief council for the NAACP, he won the famous
Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court desegregation case. A civil rights lawyer, Marshall spent 30 years defending the rights of America’s oppressed minorities through the NAACP’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Beginning in 1938, he became active in historic St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church in Harlem, serving on the vestry, as senior warden and deputy to the 1964 general convention. He strongly believed in the separation of church and state and as such, attended church infrequently while Supreme Court justice. He passed away in 1993. At the 2009 general convention of The Episcopal Church, Marshall was added to the Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints calendar, designating May 17, the day of the landmark decision in Brown vs. Board of Education, as his feast day.
Sandra Day O’ConnorNominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor was the first female justice ever nominated and confirmed to the Supreme Court. She graduated from Stanford Law School after earning an economics degree from Stanford, enrolling at age 16.
She had problems finding work as an attorney because of her gender. She eventually worked as a deputy county attorney in San Mateo, California after agreeing to work for no salary. She went on to be attorney general of Arizona. She was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Arizona senate and became the first woman in any state to serve as majority leader in the state legislature.
She was a baptized and lifelong Episcopalian. She received an honorary doctorate from the Berkeley Divinity School, an Episcopal seminary, in 2008. In Washington, D.C., she was an active member of the Washington National Cathedral, attending Sunday services in the Bethlehem Chapel. She retired from the Court in 2006. Now 91 years of age, she has been retired from public life since 2018.
The theme for this year’s upcoming stewardship campaign is borrowed from the lyrics of the same hymn Dean Owens referenced in his cover article this month, Hymn 395 . The theme is Let Every Life Be Touched By Grace, and its reflects
on our appreciation for your faith and generosity and on how we can continue to help touch others’ lives with God’s abiding grace.
This year’s campaign kicks off on Sunday, Sept. 26 and pledge packets will be distributed that morning and mailed to
those who can’t make it in person that day. Other events during the campaign will include a screening of the silent film The Phantom of the Opera with organ accompaniment by Todd Wilson on Saturday Oct. 30, the evening before the campaign concludes. We hope you’ll prayerfully consider your pledge for 2022.
Let Every Life Be Touched By Grace
2022 Stewardship campaign
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDCleveland, OHPermit #4418
Email: [email protected]: trinitycleveland.org Facebook: @trinitycleve Instagram: @trinitycleveTwitter: @trinitycleveYouTube: youtube.com/trinitycleveland
Prayer Requests: Doreen Hughes, 216-774-0415, [email protected]: trinitycleveland.org/supportSpace Rentals: trinitycleveland.org/about/space-rental-inquiryCathedral Connections: Submit your news items by sending to [email protected]
Trinity Cathedral2230 Euclid AvenueCleveland, Ohio 44115Telephone 216-771-3630The Very Rev. Bernard Owens, Dean
Cathedral Connections
CONTACT US
Volunteers NeededOutreach MinistriesMarion Sterling SchoolAssist with annual school supply collection, providing all students and their families with a Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas gifts for students and tutoring for students.
College Ministry Assist in welcoming CSU and other college students each year and welcoming them to Trinity. Plan and participate in events.
Wall of LoveOrganize collection of Wall of Love items
such as hats, underwear, personal products and toiletries, warm winter
clothing and more. Stock and replenish the wall as items are taken. Create volunteer schedules.
If you are interested in any of these ministries, contact the
Rev. Adrienne Koch, [email protected].