2011 parish r - the cathedral of st. philip | atlanta, georgia · doreen cummings, housekeeping...

CATHEDRAL ofThe

S PHILIP.TSERVING ATLANTA AND THE WORLD

The CaThedral of ST. PhiliP2744 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 | 404-365-1000 | www.stphilipscathedral.org

2011 PariSh rePorT

2011 Parish Report cover photography by Ann Fowler, Sherri Musgrove,

Jo Reeves, and David Rocchio

Clergy and Senior Staff

The Rev. Elizabeth C. Knowlton

Canon for Liturgy and Prayer

The Rev. George M. Maxwell, Jr.

Vicar

The Rev. Carolynne G. Williams

Canon for Pastoral Care and Elder

Ministry

The Rev. John William Harkins III,

Ph.D. Priest Associate

The Rev. Todd D. Smelser

Canon Associate for Pastoral Care

The Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith,

Ph.D. Priest Associate

Dale Adelmann, Ph.D.

Canon for Music

The Rev. C. Wallace Marsh IVCanon for

Congregational Life

The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler

Dean

The Very Rev. Harry H. Pritchett, Jr. Priest Associate

Chapter

Ward Bondurant, Senior WardenKimberly McOmber, Junior WardenSydney Shipps, SecretaryGeoff DeLong, Treasurer Julie Rief, Executive Committee Member-at-LargeMatt Tarkenton, Executive Committee Member-at-LargeFrank BazzelDavid Burge Scott Goodman Susan GrahamAdrianne Hill Carter Hoyt Jack HuberBryan Kibler Mary MercerJohn McCollumGreg O’Neal Toby ReedSusan Rothschild

This year we celebrated the ministries of five staff members who have been at the Cathedral for 15 years or more:

Charles Hall, Sexton — 33 years (retired in May 2011)David Fishburn, Associate Organist/Choirmaster — 25 yearsBrenda Pruitt, Staff Singer and allegro Choirmaster — 21 yearsTim Gunter, Program Coordinator for Music — 18 yearsWillie Stephens, Sexton — 16 years

Lay Staff Liz Aull, Nurturing Center CoordinatorEmily Bazzel, Program Coordinator for Christian FormationShanelle Brown, HousekeepingKelton Bryant, Facilities ManagerLauren Carey, Market ManagerLorenzo (Bo) Coleman, SextonDoreen Cummings, HousekeepingFarah Dennis, HousekeepingTalitha Dixon, HousekeepingVeronica Dixon, HousekeepingDondi Dubose, PrinterGretchen Ellis, Nurturing Center CoordinatorDavid Fishburn, Associate Organist/ChoirmasterAnn Fowler, Director of CommunicationsTim Gunter, Program Coordinator for MusicBessie Hunter, HousekeepingRuben Ivy, SextonCharles Jacobs, Director of FinanceJudy Johnson, Executive Assistant to the Dean Hillary Jones, Calendar and Events Coordinator Jeannie Mahood, Program Coordinator for Pastoral Care, Worship, and Elder MinistriesBrant McCaskill, Sound TechnicianDan Murphy, Program Coordinator for Membership and StewardshipBrenda Pruitt, allegro ChoirmasterIvory Richardson, Parish AdministratorDavid Rocchio, Director of Stewardship and Planned GivingMary Rodriguez, Assistant to the Finance DirectorDereck Rowe, SextonChauncey Slack, SextonWillie Stephens, SextonRebecca Storace, Director of Children’s MinistriesMary Hunter Strange, Director of Children’s MinistriesLarry Watts, SextonJames White, Sexton

Table of Contents

Annual Report of the Dean .............................. 1 Wardens’ Report ............................................... 3 Worship ........................................................... 4 Pastoral Care ................................................... 4Elder Ministry ................................................ 5Music .............................................................. 6Christian Education ........................................ 8Mission and Outreach ................................... 11Spiritual Formation ....................................... 13 Stewardship ...................................................14Membership .................................................. 15Financial Statements ..................................... 16Chapter and Lay Staff Listing ............. back cover

2011 Parish Report 1

The 2011 Annual Report of the DeanThe Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler

I give thanks for a beautiful and supportive parish this year.

As I review our 2011 year at the Cathedral of St. Philip, I remember that we lived out the gospel and served the world in our usual and wonderful ways. But I also remember that this parish had to endure the publicity of me, the Dean of the Cathedral, being a public nominee for Bishop of Washington.

That was not easy. Here at the Cathedral, the pastoral mood was disrupted a bit. Various people wondered if I would be elected, then imagined all sorts of possibilities—welcome and unwelcome, and then just waited. I was not elected. But I did enjoy two things in that experience. First, I actually enjoyed the process. From this wonderful and very gratifying position of ministry, I offered myself for wider service in the kingdom of God. I liked talking about what a servant bishop might be, and I liked adding my perspective to an important discernment process.

Secondly, I enjoyed the prayers and support of so, so many people here at the Cathedral. You were wonderful! I was proud to be Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip during that process, and I am even prouder to be Dean of the Cathedral after that process! I believe that if we are faithful to God, then we must be open to the new things that God might have for us and for the world. This Cathedral showed me how to be open.

So, this past year, from our sure and steady position overlooking the city of Atlanta, the Cathedral of St. Philip proved again to be a faithful destination point in the Episcopal Church. I must start with our daily and weekly occasions of worship. We pray here. We preach and teach here. We sing here. We serve here. And people enter this Cathedral from all parts of the city and from all walks of life—to seek God and to glorify God.

The Cathedral Farmers Market, for instance, continues to be a weekly event that locates us. It is a place of Saturday morning pilgrimage for so many neighbors and families. We are serving local farmers, local artisans, and local neighbors. We are serving with the global hospitality grace of God.

In fact, each of the parochial entities of this Cathedral are destination points; and each one started, at one point, as just another parish ministry: The Cathedral Book Store, the Cathedral Preschool, the Cathedral Thrift House, the Cathedral Counseling Center, the Cathedral Towers, the

Friends of Cathedral Music. Each has become another reason to make the Cathedral one’s destination.

Many guest preachers, teachers, and speakers also made the Cathedral a destination place this year. The Reverend Canon Titus Presler, Th.D., Principal of Edwardes College in Peshawar, Pakistan, addressed the Dean’s Forum. The Most Reverend Frank Griswold, former Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, preached and taught here. (The Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, was scheduled to preach here, but he had to cancel because of Occupy London issues; then, we sadly learned that he had resigned from St. Paul’s, London. What a year this has been.)

J. Philip Newell was the featured speaker at our annual Spirituality Conference, and I salute our Cathedral’s Spiritual Formation and Nurture Committee for their work on that event. In the same way, our Cathedral Book Store brought to us The Reverend Sam Portaro, noted author and Episcopal priest. The Right Reverend Eugene Sutton, Bishop of Maryland, preached at the annual Absalom Jones observance, and Deacon Joe Beasley, of Antioch North Baptist Church, was with us for the Requiem Eucharist for the Homeless.

Of course, I love to preach and teach myself; and I continued this year my weekly traditions of men’s Bible study and women’s Bible study, my frequent gatherings of men and small groups, and my weekly Dean’s Forum sessions. I especially enjoyed teaching a series on “The Minor Prophets of the Old Testament,” and “The Art of Resurrection.” I led this year’s program at the parish Kanuga retreat, “The Spirituality of 60s and 70s Rock Music.”

I was honored to preach in some of my familiar places—Linville, North Carolina, and Magnetawan, Canada—but also this year at Trinity Church, New Orleans, and at Harvard Memorial Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

My Fall was highlighted by a visit to Lambeth Palace and the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Compass Rose Society, and by speaking at a conference in Durban, South Africa, as a guest of The Chicago Consultation. That conference with key African leaders was titled, “A Consultation on Human Sexuality.”

Also this Fall, I answered the call of the Mayor of Atlanta, Kasim Reed, when he asked for local ministers’ counsel in dealing with Occupy Atlanta protesters. That week, we hosted our annual Dinner and Requiem Eucharist for the Homeless, with many of the Occupy Atlanta representatives present. We were a place standing for economic justice, and also for order and civic structure: social order and social justice.

Samuel G. CandlerDean

2 The Cathedral of St. Philip

In the wider Episcopal Church, I also served this year on the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations; and I assisted at the historic Atlanta Consultation on Rites for Same-Sex Blessing in the Spring.

Like every priest on this staff, I presided at numerous baptisms, weddings, funerals, house blessings, and hospital visits. All of us love these routines of dear parish ministry. In addition, Village Visits continued in the Spring; they are occasions where I visit groups of parishioners in the neighborhoods where they live—all over metropolitan Atlanta! We have taken a break from Village Visits this Fall, but they will resume! I always enjoy hosting parishioners and friends at my home. My wife, Boog, and I hosted chapter members, parochial entity leaders, and Cathedral staff members at the annual Parish Meeting Party and Lunch. We also invited the clergy of the Diocese of Atlanta to our home for a Clergy Gathering on the Monday after Easter Day—“The Great Sabbath Rest.”

This year, I especially thank God for great and patient wardens—Kimberly McOmber and Ward Bondurant. Ward has completed his second year as Senior Warden and thus rotates away from the Chapter. But, like all great wardens, he will continue to serve!

I am blessed this year with thanks for a splendid staff. Every single one of them is critical here, and I especially value the collegiality and wisdom of our Senior Canon staff: Carolynne Williams, Dale Adelmann, Beth Knowlton, and George Maxwell. We meet at least twice a week together, and I have learned from their counsel. We said goodbye to long time Cathedral saint, Buddy Crawford. He has been here as parishioner, verger, chapter member, search committee member, and confirmation class teacher, and then his first two years of priesthood. We sent him to our sister parish, St. Luke’s Church, with blessing and thanksgiving. We also thanked Charles Hall this year, after working here as sexton, one of our most sincere and faithful staff members, for 33 years.

However, we also called The Reverend Wallace Marsh to be Canon for Congregational Life, and he accepted! Wallace is known to some of our Cathedral membership already; he has served at the chapel of The University of the South, Sewanee, and at parishes in Albany and Marietta, Georgia.

The Bishop of Atlanta, The Right Reverend J. Neil Alexander, announced his intention to resign during this past year. Thus, the Diocese of Atlanta has initiated a nominating and election process that is well underway. Our own Carolynne Williams serves on the Nominating Committee, representing the Mid-Atlanta Convocation; and our own Beth Knowlton serves on the Transition Committee. It so happens that our new canon, Wallace Marsh, is also on the Nominating Committee, having been elected by his previous convocation, the Marietta Convocation.

Finally, I also thank my splendid wife, Boog, who faithfully joins me in ministry. Besides her work in the Cathedral Preschool, she has accepted the invitation to be Co-Chair of the Cathedral Antiques Show for 2012. In one of the other transitions of this past year, her mother died rather unexpectedly, and this parish was beautifully supportive.

As I look ahead to 2012, I know there will be changes. The Diocese of Atlanta will elect a new bishop on June 2, 2012. The General Convention of The Episcopal Church will meet in July 2012. Inevitable changes will occur in our own parish. But I give thanks that the Cathedral of St. Philip will continue to be a destination place, a place destined for the grace and glory of God. It is an honor to serve here as Dean!

The Very Reverend Samuel G. CandlerDean of the Cathedral of St. Philip

Dean Sam Candler (right) welcomed the Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold, 25th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, to the Cathedral on November 13. Bishop Griswold preached during two services and spoke on “The Anglican Tradition: Gift and Frustration,” at the Dean’s Forum. Photo: Ann Fowler


“We who are many are one body, because we are one in Jesus Christ.”

W ith those words each Sunday we send the lay Eucharistic

ministers into the parish to share the sacramental elements with those who cannot join us in person at Sunday services. It is a simple statement, but it speaks volumes about the nature of the relationships we have with each other and with all people in community with Christ. During the last year the parishioners, clergy, and staff of the Cathedral have found many opportunities to come together as the body of Christ, sharing God’s gifts with each other, the community and the world through worship, education, fellowship, and outreach. We are thankful for all of

those opportunities and everyone who has made them possible.

The greatest of the Cathedral’s gifts, the gift of worship, continued to inspire and invigorate us this year. From the solemn intonations of the names of the deceased at the Homeless Requiem to the splendor of Christmas Eve and from the renewal of the Easter Vigil to the “beasts” of the Feast of St. Francis, our clergy, choirs, vergers, acolytes, readers, guilds, and ushers brought us back time and again to the glory of the celebration of the Word and the sharing of the holy sacrament.

The gift of teaching also continued to grow and thrive this year at St. Philip’s. The halls of the Cathedral echoed with the teachings of Christ in Sunday school classes, the Dean’s Forum, weekday Bible studies, confirmation classes, Week of Wonder, and many special programs including the Spirituality Conference with J. Philip Newell and the Jane Baird Lecture with Sam Portaro. We were pleased this Fall to welcome Rebecca Storace, our new Youth Director, and are very excited to have Rebecca helping our youth to find their own paths to discover the gifts of God.

The Cathedral also echoed with the laughter, music, and conversations of parishioners sharing the gifts of fellowship with each other and with others in communion with Christ. Our fellowship opportunities ranged from small gatherings at newcomers’ dinners and Village Visits to festive parish picnics, retreats and Saturday morning gatherings at the Farmers Market. The 40th Annual Antiques Show was a huge success, breaking new ground with its transformation of the Deanery

into its “Inspiration House” and providing more than $366,000 to its 2011 beneficiary, H.E.R.O. for Children.

Musically, we cherished the gifts that our choirs contributed every week and welcomed two wonderful international choral guests, the Choir of St. John’s College and The State Capella of Russia. We also gave thanks and celebrated David Fishburn’s 25th anniversary as associate organist/choirmaster.

Through numerous outreach activities, the Cathedral and its parochial entities were also able to share the many gifts of the body of Christ with the less fortunate, providing almost $800,000, plus countless volunteer and board service hours and food and meals, to organizations doing God’s work in the wider community both on and off the hill.

Our facilities also received a number of repairs and updates this year thanks to the generosity of our benefactors. In addition to the improvements to the Deanery provided by sponsors of the Antiques Show, the Thrift House provided the funding necessary for us to purchase a new organ console for the nave, replacing our failing 49 year-old console, and the Endowment, supported by your gifts, was able to fund the completion of the repairs to the nave roof, the waterproofing of the Lanier House, and the upgrades to the electrical systems in the nave. Our operating budget ran smoothly this year as the parish met the stewardship pledge goals in record time and has done a very good job of paying those pledge commitments throughout the year.

We look ahead with optimism and are very grateful for all of the people that, collectively, make up the body of Christ that is this Cathedral of St. Philip.

Kimberly McOmberJunior Warden

From the Wardens

Ward BondurantSenior Warden

Kimberly McOmberJunior Warden

Ward BondurantSenior Warden

The annual Fall Festival held at the Cathedral in October features hayrides, games, barbecue, music, and fun for the whole family. Photo: Ann Fowler


F or Episcopalians worship is at the center of our religious life. As the Catechism in

the Prayer Book reminds us, “in corporate worship, we unite ourselves with others to acknowledge the holiness of God, to hear God’s Word, to offer prayer, and to celebrate the sacraments.” Worship sustains the work we do in the world as we go forth to love and serve.

Cathedral worship involves large space, complex liturgies, and many participants. There are more than 700 members of the Cathedral parish involved in orchestrating the worship life of this community, and your service and faithfulness is deeply appreciated by us all.

Every Sunday the Cathedral offers eight services of worship which includes six celebrations of the Holy Eucharist in English, one in Spanish, and choral Evensong during the academic year. Two services are held in Mikell Chapel, and the Sunday evening Eucharist is held in the more contemporary St. Mary’s Chapel. We also have special children’s worship during the school year.

The Eucharist is celebrated daily at 12:15 p.m. in St. Mary’s Chapel; Morning and Evening Prayers are offered in Mikell Chapel at 8:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Prayers for healing are included in the Friday Eucharist. A monthly Taizé service is held on the third Monday at 8 p.m. in Mikell Chapel and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is always available with one of our priests. Our hope is that any visitor or member may find the service that fits his or her wishes in terms of scheduling, size, and preferred worship style.

Holy Baptism is celebrated six times a year on major feast days, and special services are offered during Advent, Lent, Holy Week and Easter. On All Saints’ Sunday, we remember our members and friends who have died in the past year. This year marked a very special celebration and memorial as we again joined with the Music Department to create a service that included a sung choral mass as well as the remembrance by name of those who had died. On November 1 we hosted more than 350 guests for the 23rd Annual Requiem Mass for the Homeless, commemorating those who died on the streets of Atlanta during the past year. On St. Francis’ Day we blessed all of our pets who joined us in church, and in February we hosted the Absalom Jones commemoration. As the Cathedral church for the Diocese, we also hosted three confirmation services, ordinations to the Diaconate and Priesthood, and other Diocesan services as requested by our Bishop.

We offer periodic training sessions for lectors, intercessors, youth and adult acolytes, and Eucharistic ministers and visitors. Chairs of worship guilds meet to share ideas and review the liturgical calendar.

Many thanks to all who contribute their time and talent to the worship of God and assistance in our corporate worship: acolytes (Catherine Skeen, youth acolyte chair; Al Mullins, acolyte advisor; Kitty Cook, Sarah Cordele, and Joe Cullen, senior captains; and Will Mason, adult acolyte chair); altar guild (Nancy Rizor and Mary Mercer, chairs); flower guild (Laura Iarocci and Victoria Denson, chairs); Eucharistic visitors and Eucharistic ministers; ushers (Emile Fisher, chief usher); lectors; intercessors; lay readers; vergers (Richard Perry, chief verger); wedding guild (Sherri Musgrove, chair); and funeral guild (Bobby Helton, Walker McCune, and Eleanor Strain, chairs); brass polishers (Mimi Pendergast, chair); prayer team leaders; and all the wonderful people of God who worship here day after day, and week after week. May God bless you all in your ministries. I am honored to serve with all of you who are the daily face of grace and hospitality here at the Cathedral of St. Philip.

The Rev. Elizabeth C. KnowltonCanon for Liturgy and Prayer

P astoral Care for the communicants of the Cathedral of St. Philip,

their families, and friends is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. A ministry of prayer, presence, and guidance, both spiritual and practical, are major components of pastoral care for this parish. The pastoral care department offers a ministry of presence and visitation. A visit may take place at the communicant’s home, the hospital, the care facility, or wherever the member may be. Pastoral support is provided in a crisis and hospital visits are made on a routine basis when we are informed that a member or a family member has been hospitalized.

Communication via email, texts, telephone, and mail has crisscrossed this country and boundaries beyond in the spirit of remaining connected and promoting the model of love given to us through the example of the life of Jesus Christ and extending the love and care for which he became known.

Worship

Pastoral Care


Canon for Liturgyand Prayer


Canon forPastoral Care and

Elder Ministry


A priest is on call during any twenty-four hour period for pastoral emergencies. A member of the clergy regularly visits members and others in several assisted living facilities and retirement homes throughout Atlanta.

Monthly services of Holy Communion are celebrated at Cathedral Towers, Lenbrook Square, and NurseCare of Buckhead. Our clergy also lead vespers by invitation at St. Anne’s Terrace, Canterbury Court, and other locations where parish members may reside.

The clergy are available to bring Holy Communion to those who are no longer able to attend church. Lay eucharistic visitors are sent after Sunday morning services to bring Communion to the infirm communicants of the parish.

The Pastoral Care department coordinates all weddings and funerals at the Cathedral. A wedding coordinator with assistance from volunteers provide direction and hospitality to brides, grooms, their families, and their guests. Weddings are not usually performed during the season of Lent.

We encourage families to pre-arrange funeral plans. An End of Life Decisions workshop is held twice a year on Sundays during the Sunday School hour at 10:10 a.m. An End of Life Decisions booklet is available from the Pastoral Care department and on the Cathedral website. The department also coordinates burials in the Cathedral Memorial Garden.

The Cathedral Counseling Center is a satellite office under the auspices of the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia (CCCG). Communicants and friends may call the Counseling Center for appointments at 404-636-1457. Cathedral member Marion Tilson chairs the center’s six member board. Beginning in 2012 Cathedral member Ginny Plummer will serve as chair. We continue to offer pre-marital workshops for couples who are preparing for marriage through the Cathedral Counseling Center and one of CCCG’s staff members.

The Reverend Canon Todd D. Smelser continues to serve as Canon Associate for Pastoral Care on a part-time basis. The Reverend Buddy Crawford served as Pastoral Care Associate until he received a full-time call in September to serve at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, as associate priest.

Jeannie Mahood, the Coordinator for Pastoral Care, Worship, and Elder Ministry, and all of the Cathedral clergy are available to address concerns of parishioners, their families, and friends.

We are committed to the care and continued building of community through relationship in this parish and in the wider community.

The Rev. Carolynne G. WilliamsCanon for Pastoral Care and Elder Ministry

Grey Mentors

There is a rich, but hidden, tradition of grey mentors who can show the church the way.

These mentors are more often found in the background of the Biblical narratives and Christian tradition. The focus of attention is rarely on them. In Luke’s story of the presentation of Jesus in the temple, the old people step briefly from the shadows to receive the Messiah whom they recognize. Their recognition is the sweet fruit of the faithfulness which ripened over the long years. (Pathways, Spring/Summer 2010, p. 9)

T he Elder Ministry is now in its fourth year. The Cathedral is an integral part of the lives of our senior communicants, associates and friends, especially those

who have been Episcopalians for much of their lives.

There are presently 647 parishioners and associates who are age 72 and older. Of that 647, there are 116 couples.

Less than 1% of our parishioners are unable to attend church on a regular basis. The majority of our elders continue to live their lives as active, involved and committed people of God. Their faith serves them well in the parish, the community, and the world.

LifeSpan, an organization providing programs for seniors, offered a variety of classes at the Cathedral during the summer. The Cathedral was one of the founding and supporting parishes of Lifespan more than 25 years ago. The average attendance for the 2011 Lifespan program was 89. Morning Prayer and lunch were also part of the summer program.

The third annual St. Anthony of Padua picnic, recognizing St. Anthony as the patron saint of elders, was held on June 13 in the atrium. It was an inter-generational event.

In 2011 and 2012 Cathedral PrimeTimers is partnering with the Holy Innocents’ elder ministry, Great Expectations, to present program offerings. On the first Thursday and the third Friday of every month from September through June programs are offered on topics including music, religion, and history.

We continue to collect stories through interviews with elder parishioners who are an important part of the history of the Cathedral of St. Philip. These stories are of significant value. By recording them we will hold in perpetuity the prayers and offerings of lives past and present.

Elder Ministry


Canon forPastoral Care and

Elder Ministry


Inquiries are made monthly in regard to varied offerings for elders. Adult children call with questions or concerns about their parents. Elders call just to have a conversation. We respond to those needs with individual attention and care.

Each month elder volunteers send hand-made cards to parishioners to affirm that their parish is here and is supportive of them, their family, and their friends.

The Elder Council meets monthly from September through May. Volunteer Coordinator Ann Burns and twenty-one Council members continue to serve faithfully and with commitment to the life of the Cathedral. The Council organizes field trips two or three times a year.

The Elder Council members are:

Bill Beach Ken Brownlee Carol Goodman Cathy Hutcheson Hazel Hutcheson Molly Jones Guyton McCall Cecil Miner John Miner Jean Morris Rex Morris

Jeannie Mahood, the Coordinator for Pastoral Care, Worship, and Elder Ministry brings optimism, initiative, and hospitality to her work.

The common bond across all generations is supported by the continued love and presence of God in each of us and through the life of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Rev. Carolynne G. WilliamsCanon for Pastoral Care and Elder Ministry

Lucy Perry Mary Ann Quin Edyth Shadburn Susan Sharrow Nancy Smith Eleanor Strain Ruth Vaught Jackie Stewart Bobbie Williamson Anne Willingham Ann Burns, Volunteer Coordinator

P eople often stop me in the halls of the Cathedral to say how moved and inspired

they have been by some musical aspect of a recent worship service or sacred concert. What these people are confirming, at some level, is the simple truth that music is among the most mysterious and deeply profound means through which humans may encounter the Divine. When planning music for worship, in addition to my concern that the music supports the Biblical themes of the day’s readings and the tone of the current liturgical season of the Church year, I always hope that there will be something musical, somewhere in every service, that has the potential to inspire each person present. I also hope that people will listen attentively to the choral and organ music, and participate heartily in the singing of the hymns — whether or not the style of music is what one listens to at home, or the hymn tune is familiar — because the ways in which the Holy Spirit can speak to us through music are limitless if we approach music in worship with an open heart, expecting to hear God speak.

Considered from the benchmark of inspiration, the music ministry of the Cathedral has flourished in 2011. This would not be possible without the genius of Associate Organist/Choirmaster David Fishburn whose first 25 years of distinguished service at the Cathedral we celebrated in May, or the prodigious organizational abilities of our Coordinator for Music, Timothy Gunter. Both of these gentlemen consistently go the extra mile to help ensure that the music here will be inspiring. A flourishing music ministry here would also not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the singers in our Cathedral Choir, Cathedral Schola, and Cathedral Chorister programs (not to mention the parents who drive their children back and forth to rehearsals and services), or without the renewed and quite remarkable efforts of our Friends of Cathedral Music and its tireless Board. Over a hundred singers and volunteers are involved. Their faithful dedication pays dividends of inspiration, and within their smaller ministry groups, they seek to function not merely as a well-oiled arts organization might, but as kind and generous faith communities, who work by musical means toward spiritual ends that are far more profound than the musical notes performed or the individual personalities involved.

The Cathedral Choirs’ offerings in worship have continued to be made with a high caliber of excellence. While I enjoy all of our services, our four o’clock Sunday afternoon choral services are often the most meaningful hour of my week. These are typically services of Choral Evensong followed by a lovely, intimate service of Holy Communion at the high altar, and a

Lucy Perry shows her purchase to cashier Paul Hinson at the Cathedral Thrift House. Photo: Ann Fowler

Music

Dr. Dale AdelmannCanon for Music


growing number of people are making this their regular Sunday service. While attendance has typically surpassed 400 people in recent years for our Choral Requiems on All Saints’ Sunday and for our Advent and Christmas services of Lessons and Carols, attendance for the normal week-by-week Choral Evensongs has risen from about 60 per week in 2009 to approximately 100 people each Sunday.

We are deeply grateful to the Cathedral Thrift House for its generous multi-year commitment to raise funds to replace the console for our historically significant Aeolian-Skinner organ which arrived in July. This significant gift secures and enhances all of our guest and resident organists’ abilities to use the organ fully and to adorn our worship services with beautiful music for decades to come. Many thanks to the Thrift House Board and their kind-hearted volunteers who have labored so selflessly to make this happen!

The allegro program merits special mention for its exciting transformation initiated by Brenda Pruitt beginning in the fall of 2010. Adapting the Musikgarten curriculum for faith-based use, she began classes for infants to 18 months, and for toddlers 18 months to three years, as well as summer classes for children from age three up to second grade. Parents of the 73 children who participated over the course of the year already sense the value of the curriculum, and these children are growing up with a love and knowledge of music that is already feeding the Cathedral Chorister program in ways that indicate a renewed, exciting future for children’s choirs at the Cathedral. This fall “Miss Brenda” has also taken on responsibility for re-implementing and coordinating the Royal School of Church Music’s training scheme for the Cathedral Choristers, which is also bound to bear good fruit.

Friends of Cathedral Music through its remarkable Board and the generous gifts of many donors, has also breathed exciting life into the musical outreach of St. Philip’s. Chandler Rudd assumed the mantle of president from Chuck Beaudrot midyear, and the season has been filled with remarkable events. Building on the experience of hosting the acclaimed French chamber choir, Les Èlèments from Toulouse, in December 2010, Friends of Cathedral Music and the Moore-Wilkerson Fund presented The Choir of Men & Boys from St. John’s College, Cambridge, England, which sang a fabulous concert to an audience of more than 900 in April 2011. In October we were honored to co-present the State Symphony Capella of Russia, from Moscow, whose performance of Russian sacred and secular music was simply breathtaking. Both events featured truly magnificent patron receptions, and significantly broadened the Cathedral’s audience base for sacred concerts. The Emile T. Fisher Concert in April provided a wonderful opportunity for the Cathedral Choirs and a fine chamber orchestra to present significant works by two living American composers, Roland Martin (who attended) and Morten Lauridsen. All who came were deeply moved by the fresh approaches to ancient Christian texts that these two American

composers have created. Through all of these events, new and deepened relationships were established with numerous arts and cultural organizations in Atlanta, not least being the British and French consulates.

The task of offering our best to God is a constantly moving target, and I look forward to continuing to partner with the many volunteers and singers whose devotion to music ministry here is so evident.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dale Adelmann, Ph.D.Canon for Music

Friends of Cathedral Music and the Moore-Wilkerson Fund presented a concert by The Choir of Men & Boys from St. John’s College, Cambridge, England in April 2011. Photo: Kimberly Link


B eing Christian is a way of life. Christianity is not a set of rules or principles. It

depends on the character of our lives. By gathering regularly in a particular community we learn to live by its stories and to engage in its practices, and thereby take on the character of the members of that community.

Education is one such practice. It involves learning to think theologically, and to articulate why we believe something to be true and how that belief relates to our faith. It involves learning how to talk to others who believe differently without losing ourselves in the conversation.

We engage in the practice of education for the primary purpose of developing the skill of learning how to learn. In time, of course, this habit of learning has shaped who we are. We are a learning community. This year we continued to use this understanding of education to structure our educational offerings. We focused on stories, practices, and community. We integrated our approaches to different age groups.

You will read more about the outcomes of these efforts in the following reports on Adult Education, Youth Ministries, and Children’s Ministries. Teachers, volunteers, and advisors have been eager and enthusiastic. We have found ourselves saying “thank you” more times than we possibly could have imagined.

All of this is not a surprise, though. The Cathedral really is a learning community.

Adult EducAtion

Adult EducAtion

I n the past year, we offered a variety of classes on Sunday morning:

thE dEAn’s ForumDean Sam Candler addressed a number of issues related to faith and life, ranging from “Ricky Bobby and the Name of Jesus” to “Micah: What Does the Lord Require of You” to “The State of the Church Since 9/11.” The Dean also hosted several visiting speakers, including the Reverend Titus Presler, the Reverend Sam Portaro and the Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold.

old FAshionEd sundAy schoolCanons George Maxwell and Beth Knowlton explored “The Life of the Baptized” and what sustains and nurtures our ongoing Christian life. Using the promises made at baptism, they looked at the history, theology, practices, and habits that help us to live a life that embodies an “inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and love God, and receive the gift of joy and wonder in all God’s works.”

Adult inquirErs’ clAssThe Reverend Buddy Crawford, Canon Beth Knowlton, Reverend Todd Smelser, and Canon Carolynne Williams taught a class for adults seeking to be baptized, confirmed, or received into the Episcopal Church.

lukE/Acts biblE studyGordon Mathis and Jim Bingham continued their series of Bible studies in the study of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles as a whole. Looking at the two books as the drama of salvation, the focus was on several themes that run through both books: prayer, salvation history, table fellowship, wealth and poverty, women, and discipleship.

bEginning And AdvAncEd biblicAl grEEkThe Rev. Thee Smith and Rick Tyler taught classes to read and translate the New Testament from Greek to English.

EldEr ministryCanon Carolynne Williams and Ann Burns offered a class for the elder members of the church discussing issues related to spirituality, life transitions and stages of faith. In addition, Rev. Charles M. Roper led a class on his memoir “The World, the Flesh and God.” Susan Troutman and Triff Cook led “The Best Kept Secrets to a Long and Happy Life.”

Christian Education


Vicar

On August 28 Randy Rizor, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves Medical Corps, led an Old Fashioned Sunday School c lass from Iraq by webcam. Photo: Ann Fowler


J. Philip Newell spoke on “A New Harmony: The Spirit, The Earth, and the Human Soul,” at the Spirituality Conference in October. Photo: Ann Fowler

youth ministriEs

T he Youth Program has experienced some important changes this fall. The

Cathedral welcomed a new Director of Youth Ministries in August and adopted a new Sunday morning curriculum.

youth Advisory tEAmSeven dedicated volunteers make up the 2011-12 Youth Advisory team. Sherri Musgrove, Kate Sharp, Mary Gilbreath, Will Tyler, Bruce Crabtree, and Doug Hall are committed to teaching Upper School and Middle School Sunday School, leading youth Bible studies on Wednesday nights at Fellini’s, and accompanying youth to various events and outings throughout the year.

building communityIn keeping with the 2010-11 structure an age-appropriate curriculum is used for students in Middle School, Confirmation, and Upper School each Sunday morning. The program offers students an opportunity to strengthen their relationships with their own age division as well as connecting with the youth group at large. Students from grades 6 through 12 break bread together on Wednesday nights at Fellini’s and participate in a group Bible Study. The entire youth went on retreat together in October to Demorest, GA.

sundAy morningStudents begin each Sunday morning by gathering in the downstairs Conversation Pit for fellowship either in the form of music or doughnuts. Music is led by youth advisor Will Tyler, who is passionate about getting youth involved in worship through music. Students then split up by grade designation to follow our new and engaging Sunday School curriculum that challenges youth to identify and explore the theological themes present in pop culture and the world around them.

middlE schoolStudents in 6th – 8th grade gather together to make up our Middle School Sunday School class. Our new curriculum, God Talks! is a multi-media, topical Bible Study for youth. This year’s topics progress from inward to outward, focusing on “me” issues first, then progressing to “God” issues, and then examining “community and the world” issues. Special studies will be a part of the Advent, Epiphany, and Lent seasons.

uppEr school Upper School students in 10th-12th grade gather together for Upper School Sunday School. Our new curriculum Making it Real and Relevant (MRR) is a multi-media lectionary-based Bible study for youth. Through this varied style of presentation, youth can explore God, Jesus, the Bible, their faith, and values

god And mE Cathedral members Jennifer Rosenblath, Mike Siegel, William Rothschild, Ed Feinour, and Todd Stuart led a class for Cub Scouts that addressed topics related to religion and faith.

EssEntiAl biblE storiEs summEr sEriEsCanons Maxwell, Knowlton, and Williams; the Reverend Bill Harkins; the Executive Director of the Georgia Justice Project, Doug Ammar; and Cathedral members Gordon Mathis, Joe Iarocci, Mary Hunter Strange, Ray Hill, Kimberly McOmber, and Randy Rizor each taught a class based on a Bible story that they deemed essential to life in the world today.

Several classes were offered on Wednesday evenings:

WEdnEsdAy night in thE book storEThe Cathedral Book Store hosted a class on “Enneagrams” led by Canon Beth Knowlton, a presentation on “The Spirituality of J. Philip Newell” led by Canon Beth Knowlton and a series on personal expressions of faith led by the Reverend Bill Harkins and the Reverend Martha Sterne.

FinAnciAl pEAcE univErsityChris Kirkland presented a program from Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University teaching financial skills.

During the week a variety of Bible studies were led by Dean Candler, Canon Knowlton, and Canon Maxwell. Many parishioners have joined the intensive study of the Education for Ministry (EfM) program.

The Rev. George M. Maxwell, Jr.Vicar

Rebecca StoraceDirector of Youth

Ministries


in ways that show them how real and relevant these topics are in their lives.

conFirmAtionStudents in 9th grade gather each Sunday morning as candidates for confirmation. The Youth confirmation class is based on Episcopal history and tradition; candidates study the importance of worship, scripture,

sacraments, and spirituality. The class will put their faith into practice by participating in a self-led community service project of their choosing. Thestudy is supplemented by Jenifer Gamber’s “My Faith, My Life: A Teen’s Guide to the Episcopal Church.” Students will be confirmed on April 29, 2012.

Cathedral members Rob Adams, Jay Perkins, Jennifer Priestley, and Rick Sager have dedicated their Sunday mornings to teaching the Youth Confirmation class. Any unconfirmed 10th–12th grade student is welcome to join the class.

Rebecca StoraceDirector of Youth Ministries

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

T he Children’s Ministries program is designed to create a safe and available

community where children and their families may practice following Christ by providing a vocabulary of words, concepts and stories to enable them to fully participate in the larger community of Christ’s followers. Children’s Ministries’ programs center on Christian fellowship and experiential learning.

The Nurturing Center continues to be the firm foundation upon which the Children’s Ministries programming is built. Open for our youngest members, the Nurturing Center provides a loving environment for infants and toddlers while their parents attend services or classes. Sunday School classes for three- and four-year-olds are also in the Nurturing Center wing, enabling teachers to have the assistance of trained caregivers for those ages as well. In addition to the Sunday

morning Nurturing Center, we also offer a new Mothers’ Morning Out program for children three months through four years during the week. Gretchen Ellis and Liz Aull manage 13 caregivers on Sunday mornings while Dorsey DeLong and Anna Henry direct the weekday program.

On Sundays during the program year three children’s chapel services offer age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word for children who may then join their parents for the Liturgy of the Table, Holy Communion. Chapel for two-year-olds includes singing and a basic Bible story each week. Three-year-olds through kindergarteners sing and hear the Gospel for the day as well as recite a shortened creed, confession, and prayers of the people. Preschool children practice the Lord’s Prayer each week, and kindergarteners serve as acolytes and ushers during their services. Primary Chapel includes praise and worship music that closely follows the Prayer Book Liturgy of the Word. Children in sixth grade and older are invited to attend the full Eucharistic service with their parents.

Sunday school classes for threes through fifth graders continue with the Godly Play curriculum this year. Third and fourth grade classes are divided by gender rather than strictly by age group. The Godly Play method of religious education introduces children to the stories, practices, and language of our

Youth of all ages participated in the fall retreat in Demorest, GA.

Mary Hunter StrangeDirector of Children’s

Ministries


T he vision of the Cathedral Mission and Outreach ministry is to bring people

into the transforming presence of Jesus Christ through the awakening that comes from serving and being served. To that end we have described our mission as “to give and receive the love of Christ with the poor and the marginalized.”

Our Mission and Outreach activities remained robust this year. Special thanks to Emily Bazzel. Program Coordinator for Christian Formation, who provided vital program support for all of the Mission and Outreach activities.

We distributed $1,003,656 in support of Mission and Outreach activities “off the hill” during 2010. Although we don’t have final figures for this year, we estimate the amount to be approximately $800,000.

outrEAch grAntsThe Outreach Grants Committee is charged with the following mission: “to alleviate poverty created by conditions including but not exclusively limited to racism, disease, mental illness, incarceration, substance abuse, aging, lack of housing, children at risk and/or suffering physical abuse.”

Members of the committee are Henry Benson, Carter Hoyt, Jason Hultgren, Kathryn Richard, Kyle Rogers, and Brian Williams (chair). Canon George Maxwell serves in an ex-officio capacity.

The Committee recommended and the Chapter approved grants totaling $150,000 to the following agencies.

• Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency (formerly Samaritan House of Atlanta)

• Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children• Buckhead Christian Ministries• City of Refuge• Community Advanced Practice Nurses• Crossroads Community Ministries• Emmaus House• Genesis Shelter• Georgia Justice Project• Habitat for Humanity• Holy Comforter Church• Jerusalem House• Living Room• Nicholas House• The Open Door Community

Christian community. It is an approach to children’s formation that creates space for and welcomes encounters with God. Each class follows the Eucharistic structure that is at the heart of our common worship.

In Godly Play we prepare a special environment for children to work with adult guides. The classroom is a sacred space where God’s stories are displayed in three dimensional form to give the children sensory access to the Christian language system. Godly Play is a spiral curriculum. The youngest children focus all of their time on core stories of the Old and New Testaments and primary liturgical actions including Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist. Older children return to the core stories each year but are also introduced to enrichment lessons that delve into the lives of individual Biblical figures and saints. In their final years of Godly Play, we present children with “side by side” stories, inviting them to weave together the stories they have come to know and love through their years in Sunday School. Response materials also vary by age, allowing the older children to remain interested and engaged as they mature.

Godly Play assumes that children have some experience of the mystery of the presence of God in their lives, but that they lack the language, the permission, and the understanding to express and enjoy that spiritual experience in our secular culture. In Godly Play we study parables, sacred stories, silence and liturgy in order to discover God, ourselves, one another and the world around us.

Wednesday nights are a time for fellowship and a shared meal. Children are welcomed into Child Hall with a few games and toys but tend to make their own fun after finishing their supper. Special Wednesday Night events include a Book Bag Blessing at the beginning of the school year, the Halloween costume blessing and Christmas caroling at Cathedral Towers. Other special events such as St. Francis Day and Shrove Tuesday continue to be family favorites as do our children’s liturgies for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.

Finally, Week of Wonder, our vacation Bible school, continues to be an integral part of the program. For many new families with young children, Week of Wonder serves as the entry point into the Children’s Ministries community. This year the theme of the program was “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” We looked back to a simpler time and focused our energy on a few key Bible stories and plenty of play time (plus popsicles every day!) Getting back to basics meant volunteers spent more time with the children, forming relationships that are key to a successful community.

Mary Hunter StrangeDirector of Children’s Ministries

Mission and Outreach


Vicar


• Refugee Family Services• Refugee Resettlement & Immigrations Services of

Atlanta• Rem-Net Ministries

hiv/Aids ministryThe Ricks-Wheeler Fund provides grants to assist those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Members of the committee are Kyle Rogers (chair), Michael Carrin, James Deadwyler, Thornton Kennedy, Amy Mininberg, Melody Palmore, Fred Scott, and Canon George Maxwell.

The committee recommended and the Endowment Committee and the Chapter approved grants totaling $33,380 (the amount available for disbursement). These grants were made to the following agencies:

• AID Atlanta• Care and Counseling Center of Georgia• Jerusalem House• Living Room• Open Hand• Positive Impact

A group with the committee assembles Easter baskets every year for delivery to those with HIV/AIDS. We thank Stephen Douglas for coordination of this ministry.

pArochiAl EntitiEsOur parochial entities, notably the Cathedral Antiques Show and the Thrift House, provide significant mission resources to the wider community. Other Cathedral groups including

Episcopal Church Women (ECW) guilds, children and youth programs, individual parishioners, and discretionary resources contribute to our outreach funds. While financial expenditures are an important component of our ministry, they do not begin to capture the many hours of volunteer time and in-kind contributions received throughout the year. For example, the $16,000 dollars raised in the Buckhead Christian Ministry food and toy drives does not capture the in-kind contributions made by parishioners. Many parishioners also donate food items that go to the annual Habitat House Christmas Baskets. Toy donations for Emmaus House at Christmas are another important in-kind donation.

globAl mission ExpAnsionIn partnership with the Diocese of Central Tanganyika and the Carpenter’s Kids Program, we continue to support 200 children in four different villages. Through parishioners’ annual sponsorship, uniforms, food, and medical costs for fifty HIV/AIDS orphans are provided so that they are able to attend school for a year.

ongoing mission And outrEAch ActivitiEsThere are many faithful members of the parish who regularly participate in our ongoing mission and outreach. Beneficiaries include:

buckhead christian ministries (bcm): With the help of the St. Anne’s Guild we collect food twice a year to fill the BCM pantry. ECW has generously supported the Christmas Joyous Toys drive every year since its inception. In addition we have one Cathedral member who sits on the board of BCM and many members who regularly volunteer at this referral site for our walk-in guests seeking financial assistance and support.

habitat for humanity build: This year we again joined with Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church and Big Bethel AME Church. This was the twenty-third house built by the Cathedral of St. Philip and was made possible by the good organization of John Champion, his committee, and an enthusiastic group of volunteers.

homeless ministry: The Cathedral continues to support a strong ministry for the homeless. Activities include:

• peachtree-pine meals: Preparation of a monthly meal for 450 men, women, and children at the Peachtree-Pine Shelter. We thank Keith Franklin, Henry Benson, and Sarah DuBignon for their support of this ministry.

• homeless requiem: In November the twenty-third annual Homeless Requiem was held. Dinner was served to more than 300 homeless guests. The dinner and service was arranged through the efforts of Henry Benson, Sarah DuBignon, Kimberly

Approximately 350 guests were served at the 2011 Homeless Dinner and Requiem on November 1 and were joined by members of the Cathedral and their families. Photo: Jo Reeves


T here are many opportunities at the Cathedral to enrich one’s spiritual journey. It is

our hope that our contemplative offerings can support and enrich our strong worship and education programs. Highlights from 2011 include:

AnnuAl spirituAlity conFErEncE — dr. John philip nEWEllWe were thrilled to host our annual Fall Spirituality Conference in October. Noted speaker and author John Philip Newell spoke on “A New Harmony: The Spirit, The Earth, and The Human Soul.” The event was attended by more than 200 people from the metro Atlanta area and beyond. Once again we had a very successful partnership with the Cathedral Book Store. Special thanks to the Spiritual Formation and Nurture Committee including Dick Miller, Margaret Bosbyshell, Ann Hickman, Sue Tierney, Penny Barnett, Sandra Carey, Jackie Stewart, Imani Dhakiya, Len Wagner, and Jeannie Mahood for all of their efforts. We look forward to hosting noted Catholic author Joyce Rupp in 2012.

cEntEring prAyErA group of parishioners gathers for weekly centering prayer on Thursday evenings at 6:15 p.m. in the Lanier House Chapel. Thirty minutes of quiet reflection allows us to open ourselves deeply to the mystery of God’s presence within us. Both veterans and newcomers join us; courses and seminars on the practice of centering prayer are also regularly offered.

quiEt dAys This year the Cathedral offered Quiet Days during Advent and Lent, providing an in-depth experience of quiet and reflection in a group setting. The 2010 Advent retreat included a focus on the writings of Evelyn Underhill led by Canon Beth Knowlton. Our Lenten retreat, focusing on the baptismal liturgy, was led

by the Reverend Buddy Crawford in the Lanier House. Our annual Women’s Lenten Retreat was held at Camp Mikell.

tAizéA monthly Taizé service is held on the third Monday of each month in Mikell Chapel at 8 p.m. This service provides an opportunity for chanted prayers, silence, and prayers for peace. Special thanks to Ann Hickman for her dedication and support of this service as well as to our musicians who so generously offer their time and talents. We were pleased to welcome Sandra Carey, Betsy Elliot, and Barbara Bazzel, members of the St. Anne’s guild, who have taken responsibility for the Taizé service in 2012.

group spirituAl dirEction Spiritual Direction groups meet monthly in the Lanier House to support women on their journey. These groups encourage common reflection and experiences in an intimate setting.

lAbyrinthThe indoor canvas labyrinth is available for prayer and meditation on a regular basis, typically on Fridays from 3 to 8 p.m. We lend the labyrinth to other churches in the Diocese for their use as requested. The labyrinth is available the hour before the monthly Taizé service. We also offered special labyrinth walks during Advent, on Fridays in Lent, and on Tuesday of Holy Week. Special thanks to Margaret Bosbyshell for her coordination of these special walks. Congratulations to Margaret who has become a certified labyrinth facilitator from Veriditas.

spirituAl nurturE And FormAtion groupA group of people committed to fostering spiritual formation at the Cathedral meets monthly and provides important direction and support for these activities. It is a pleasure to work with all of those involved in our spirituality offerings at the Cathedral and see the tremendous commitment given to these activities.

The Rev. Elizabeth C. KnowltonCanon for Liturgy and Prayer

McOmber, and Laura Nettles and more than 100 volunteers.

• genesis shelter: The St. Clare’s Guild has now adopted the Genesis Shelter and provides ongoing support during the year.

diocEsAn mission supportIn addition to Cathedral financial grant support, volunteers from the parish regularly participate in activities with two Diocesan missions: Emmaus House and the Church of the

Holy Comforter. Margaret Jackson and the St. Monica’s Guild have led Cathedral participation at Emmaus House. For several years the Cathedral has contributed goods to the annual Emmaus House Christmas ministry through the St. Monica’s Guild. Cathedral parishioners regularly take a meal to support the ministry of Holy Comforter. We thank Zack and Carrie Sexton who have coordinated the meals at Holy Comforter this past year.

The Rev. George M. Maxwell, Jr.Vicar

Spiritual Formation


Canon for Liturgyand Prayer


2 011 has been a rewarding year for the Stewardship Office at the Cathedral of St.

Philip. After two years of decline, the annual fund of the Cathedral has begun to rebound. Our pledges year-to-date, both in number of households and amount, are improved over 2010. This provides for the brightest year-end outlook since 2007. Parishioners continue to pay on capital campaign pledges, and the Cathedral Endowment has maintained its value in a very volatile year. At the same time, changing demographics and perspectives on supporting the church will likely exert financial pressure on the Cathedral: the budget is 8 percent smaller than the peak amount in 2008 and will likely have limited growth in the near future. The parish will need to address these challenges in order to continue to serve Atlanta and the world in the same way.

AnnuAl FundThe 2011 stewardship theme was “The Sure Foundation.” Taken from the words of an ancient hymn, the campaign acknowledged the structural component that is the foundation of our faith: Christ. The campaign sought to ground parishioners in the enduring nature of our faith. As written in the 2011 Stewardship Campaign materials, “‘Christ is made the sure foundation’ testifies to a foundation that has stood strong when the world around it seemed to weaken. It testifies to a foundation that has proven stable when the world around it seemed uncertain.” The parish more than claimed this foundation through the positive results in the 2011 Stewardship Campaign.

Aimee and Tom Chubb and Amy and Eric Mininberg ably chaired our 2011 Stewardship Campaign. 52 parishioners helped by writing thank you notes, making phone calls, sending emails, and meeting with small groups to encourage support of the Cathedral. At the end of October 2011, 1,150 households had pledged $3,368,741 compared with 1,082 households that pledged $3,277,343 as of October 2010. The number of households and pledges will continue to increase through year’s end.

Here are some of the numerical highlights of the year (last year’s comparable numbers in parentheses):

Of the 1,150 (1,082) pledges:• 172 (157) households pledged who had not pledged the

previous year.• 428 (431) households increased their pledge.• 447 (368) households pledged the same amount.• 103 (126) households decreased their pledge.

EndoWmEnt FundThe Endowment Fund serves a crucial purpose at the Cathedral of St. Philip by providing for the care and repair of large capital systems that are vital to the operation of the Cathedral. In addition to supporting capital expenditures like waterproofing the Lanier House, the Cathedral Endowment Fund supports the music program, covers the cost of maintaining the stained glass windows and provides substantial financial support to numerous Atlanta social service organizations focused on HIV/AIDS.

The Fund has a market value of $9,735,000 as of October 31, 2011 compared to $9,204,572 as of October 31, 2010. As of October, $198,704 has been received from estate bequests and donations from parishioners in 2011.

Funds available for distribution are based on a percentage of the value of the Fund over the previous 12 quarters. As of the end of October, $245,384 has been distributed to the Cathedral for projects outlined below. In 2011, the Endowment Fund assisted with the repair and waterproofing of the Lanier House, purchased music for the Cathedral choirs, purchased computers, and distributed grants to HIV/AIDS related ministries. The largest allocation this year is for the renovation of the nave electrical system. It is estimated that by the time all the work has been completed the cost will be approximately $220,000.

The Trustees of the Endowment Fund have made a concerted effort to add members to the Cathedral Arbor Society—the group of parishioners who have indicated that the Cathedral is included in their estate. 11 people joined the Arbor Society in the past year, bringing the total number of known members of the Arbor Society to 102. The Emeritus members of the Board met with current members in early November to discuss the state of the endowment.

The Chairman of the Endowment Board of Trustees is Ray Hill. Laura Iarocci, John Rogers, Ann Burns and Alan McClure serve as trustees. The Dean, Senior Warden Ward

Annual Stewardship

David RocchioDirector of

Stewardship and Gift Planning


Bondurant, and Junior Warden Kimberly McOmber serve as trustees by virtue of their office. The Board nominated Ray Hill for a second three-year term beginning in 2011.

cApitAl cAmpAign And giFtsWe are almost there! Having eliminated the external debt on the Let Your Light Shine Capital Campaign in 2010, the Cathedral parish has reduced the remaining debt to the operating fund to $180,525 as of October 31, 2011. The outstanding debt is expected to be completely paid off by outstanding pledge receivables from parishioners and the Diocese of Atlanta.

Thanks to the generous support of the Cathedral Thrift House, a new organ console was installed the week of July 18 in the Cathedral nave. The console was designed and built by Schoenstein & Co. to replace the original Aeolian-Skinner

console that was installed in 1962. Its purchase and installation at a cost of $360,000 represents a substantial investment in the music ministry of the church. The console was formally dedicated and blessed in August. God bless the Cathedral Thrift House volunteers, donors, and shoppers!

in grAtitudEI hope that everything we do to be good stewards of this parish is grounded in gratitude. I am very grateful for the service of Dan Murphy as the Program Coordinator for Membership and Stewardship. We have a greater understanding of our parish community and its stewardship of this sacred place because of his initiative and hard work.

It is not an accident that the Cathedral is financially stronger than it was a year ago at this time. People have made it happen: parishioners pledged, volunteers called and emailed friends and strangers, and staff served with excellence and hospitality. Thank you all!

David RocchioDirector of Stewardship and Gift Planning

C athedral membership grew nearly 1% in the twelve months ended November

2, 2011. In the course of updating our parish records, although some formerly active members have become inactive, the number of new and reactivated members was 40 percent more in 2011 (339) than in 2010 (242). On average six new members join the Cathedral in each week.

A member is someone who is baptized and has formalized membership at the Cathedral. An associate is someone who has not formalized membership but is involved in the life of the Cathedral parish. The following chart reflects changes in the number of members and associates of the Cathedral during the twelve months ended November 2, 2011.

Dan MurphyProgram Coordinator for Membership and Stewardship

mEmbErs AssociAtEs totAls

incr

ease

s New membersReactivated members

306 33+339

New associates 145

+145 +484

dec

reas

es Deceased membersMembers made inactiveMembers transferred out

40128

114-282

Deceased associatesAssociates made inactive

961

-70 -352

net +57 +75 +132

total active members 6,083 total active associates 1,142 7,225

total active members and associates: 7,225

Membership

Dan MurphyProgram Coordinator for Membership and

Stewardship


Consolidated Statement of Activities Actual Actual budget 12 months Ended 12 months Ended 12 months Ended december 31, 2009 december 31, 2010 december 31, 2011opErAting Fund support and revenue: Contributions and pledges $4,005,749 $3,860,365 $3,735,300 Facilities usage and other 307,764 272,722 296,139 total support and revenue 4,313,513 4,133,087 4,031,439 Expenditures and costs: Diocesan support 404,124 421,680 419,136 Mission and outreach grants 268,500 258,500 88,500 Pastoral care 148,430 179,275 187,238 Christian formation 391,667 329,455 324,889 Liturgy and music 496,685 531,403 521,694 Leadership 840,733 894,818 896,254 Facilities, food and printing services 1,030,353 898,539 948,275 Finance and administration 670,728 629,720 645,453 Interest on construction loan 58,643 28,899 - Expense reimbursed from Endowment Fund (29,322) __(14,449) - total expenditures and costs 4,280,541 4,157,840 4,031,439 Excess/(deficit) of revenues over expenditures $32,972 $(24,753) $- EndoWmEnt, boArd oF trustEEs, spEciAl & building Funds

support and revenue: Endowment fund bequests and contributions $324,338 $765,985 Capital campaign pledges and contributions 94,357 357,933 Net operating pledges, restricted for future years (949,775) 260,702 Other contributions and revenue 708,634 676,630 total support and revenue 177,554 2,061,250 Expenditures and costs 2,368,370 2,345,552 net Earnings/(losses) on Endowment Fund investments 1,728,725 1,013,006

Excess/(deficit) of revenues over expenditures (462,091) 728,704

2011 parish r - the cathedral of st. philip | atlanta, georgia · doreen cummings, housekeeping...

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