CATHEDR AL AGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL | SUMMER 2013 standing for equality • standing through time STRONG

Stone Cathedrals are more than great works of art and architecture. They are of the earth masterpieces of human achievement, testaments to the power of the human spirit that seem to rise above time. Yet every stone that soars has hundreds made foundationsmore that support it. To last for centuries, a Cathedral needs strong of its own foundations. weight Washington National Cathedral can reach high thanks to generations of light. donors who recognized a common vision and made a shared burden light. —wendell berry Today it relies on you to help ensure that this national treasure can remain a place of inspiration in its city, the nation, and the world. No contribution is too small for a place where no dream is too big. Give today at www.nationalcathedral.org/support

above building the massive piers in st. joseph’s chapel in 1926. now complete, these piers carry the weight of the central tower. photo washington photo service, taken from for thy great glory CATHEDR AL AGE SUMMER 2013 l. harrison l. Contents 2 Comment 12 Faith in America 24 Focus Two Steps Forward, One Step Back interviews with News from the Cathedral the very rev. gary hall Avice Meehan & Barbara Roberts marriage equality, staff updates, and Joe Luebke & Tom Wright Wales pilgrimage, and restoration news 4 On-the-job Training richard m. weinberg Five Lessons from a Dean's 28 From the Pulpit reflections on faith in America from different On Vulnerability Tour of English Cathedrals religious backgrounds or perspectives the very rev. gary hall nora gallagher 18 Unexpected Intimacies The Path to Justice 8 Re-Entry The Photographs of Colin the very rev. gary hall As Prisoners Return to Society, Winterbottom the Church Returns to Prisons robert sokol 32 Passages m. leigh harrison "Wren’s Cathedral” 22 Sustaining Support a look at the history and wisdom Heart, Mind, and Strength in the Cathedral Age archives Drs. Charlie and Lee Tidball reflect on their more-than-monetary gifts

on the cover the sun rises over the apse and the city below photo c. winterbottom commentTwocomment Steps Forward, One Step Back

his June, by striking down the Defense of Mar- This issue of Cathedral Age profiles two same- riage Act (doma) and eΩectively legalizing sex couples modeling God’s love in lifelong Tsame-sex marriage again in my home state of relationships. Tom Wright and Joe Luebke, California, the Supreme Court of the United States long-time Cathedral staΩ members married in a significantly advanced the cause of marriage equality private ceremony three years ago by former Bishop for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. In of Washington John Bryson Chane, hold the celebration of the two distinction of being the first marriage rulings, and as gay couple (and only, as of a sign of unity with the the time of this publication) lgbt community, the to have been married at Washington Ringing the Cathedral before I Society rang a quarter announced a more formal peal of the Cathedral’s marriage-equality policy bells in the Gloria in Excel- this past January. Cathedral sis central tower at noon Congregation members Avice on June 26, the day of Meehan and Barbara Roberts the court’s decisions. A are the first same-sex couple service for lgbt fami- to have applied for a wedding lies and friends was held at the Cathedral since the later that evening at the new policy was adopted. Cathedral. Our prayers for continued As I noted when the happiness go with Tom and Supreme Court’s mar- Joe, Avice and Barbara—and riage equality decisions all same-sex couples who were handed down, the will be joined in matrimony rulings pertaining to in the future, whether civil marriage should at Washington National serve as a call for peo- Cathedral or elsewhere. ple of faith to embrace But even as the Supreme the idea of sacramen- Court gives, it takes away. tal same-sex marriage Only one day before its as well. After all, the marriage equality rulings, Church has only been the Court took a surprising in the marrying busi- step backward by disabling ness for about a thousand the preclearance requirement years. We people of faith in Section Five of the federal have been on a long trajectory in our understand- Voting Rights Act of 1965, a signature achievement ing of marriage—from polygamy at the outset, to an of the civil rights movement that helped bring unequal relationship between a man and a woman, to a me into the life of the Church. As Justice Ruth more mutual and equal pairing of persons of opposite Bader Ginsburg noted in her dissent, “the vra is sex. We are now at a place where we are beginning to no ordinary legislation. It is extraordinary, because see, together, that the sacrament of marriage is Congress embarked on a mission long delayed and a divine gift on oΩer to everybody, regardless of sexual of extraordinary importance: to realize the purpose orientation. and promise of the Fifteenth Amendment.” Now,

2 cathedral age CATHEDR AL AGE

Cathedral Age is the official quarterly publication of unfortunately, “The Court appears to believe that Washington National Cathedral.

the vra’s success in eliminating the specific devices the very rev. gary hall dean extant in 1965 means that preclearance is no Cathedral Age is produced by the Communications and longer needed. With that belief, and the argument Marketing Department of Washington National Cathedral.

derived from it, history repeats itself.” richard m. weinberg director of communications craig w. stapert associate director for online strategies In some ways, in fact, history has continued: the mimi m. mcnamara senior graphic designer United States has the world’s highest incarceration m. leigh harrison communications manager

rate, and the vast majority of persons imprisoned cathedral chapter David J. Kautter, chair; Alexander H. here are minorities. Our prisons are remote and Platt, vice-chair; C. Raymond Marvin, secretary; Thomas W. Anderson; Maxmillian Angerholzer iii; Boyce L. Ansley; John overcrowded; returning citizens cannot find jobs D. Barker; Richard F. Bland; Dr. Ann Carol Brown; The Rt. or places to live. Another article within these Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of Washington; Timothy C. Coughlin; Robert B. Coutts; The Hon. John H. Dalton; Cynthia pages reports on a recent Cathedral-sponsored Fowler; The Hon. C. Boyden Gray; The Very Rev. Gary Hall, conference that explored the need for the Church dean; The Rev. Martha Horne; Craig M. McKee; Dr. Eric D. K. Melby; Dr. Eric L. Motley; The Hon. Thomas R. Pickering; to answer Christ’s call in Matthew 25:31–46 Geoffrey S. Stewart; The Rev. Dr. James P. Wind; Dorothy to visit the imprisoned—a call issued without Woodcock disclaimers. = In a sermon I preached about the vra decision on Sunday, June 30 (p. 30), I observed that to To Subscribe to Cathedral Age Cathedral Age is a benefit of nca membership. follow Jesus requires that we care about the plight For information on membership, email [email protected]. of those we don’t know as well as the wellbeing Postmaster of those we do. The way to show that we care Send subscription orders, change of address, and other circulation correspondence to Cathedral Age c/0 Records is by establishing justice, which for far too long Department, Washington National Cathedral, 3101 has been denied to racial minorities and other Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016-5098. Copyright ©2013 Protestant Episcopal Cathedral marginalized groups in our society—perhaps Foundation issn 0008-7874. Cathedral Age is published because establishing justice asks that we identify quarterly by the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, 3101 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016-5098. with “the other.” Those of us who enjoy the full Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC. Editorial comments should be addressed to The Editor, Cathedral Age, expanse of freedom oΩered by our country may Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016-5098. Telephone (202) 537-6200. not understand what it means to lack the robust Cathedral Age is a member of the Associated Church Press protection of the law. But we can understand what and Episcopal Communicators. the Gospel makes very clear: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (FSC mark placed the very rev. gary hall by Linemark) cathedral dean @garyhall49

Washington National Cathedral is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. It receives no direct funding from the government or any national church for operations. left the 2010 marriage of tom wright and joe luebke by bishop john b. chane photo d. marks above the supreme court, detail, from the “reformation and growth of the hebrew nation” window, one of three cathedral nave clerestory windows dedicated to the summer 2013 branches of u.s. government photo k.cobb On-the-job Training Five Lessons from a Dean’s Tour of by Gary Hall English Cathedrals

ver the course of Washington as dean and president of an Episcopal chose St. Paul’s in London because ONational Cathedral’s history, seminary; and in Los Angeles had even it is both a major tourist attraction several deans have gone to England to worked on the staΩs of two bishops—but and a diocesan cathedral. Salisbury visit cathedrals. Some made those trips I had never actually worked in or for a and Canterbury are similarly to forge companion relations with such cathedral. All of the experience I had iconic in English (and worldwide great churches; others did so to cement prior to coming to Washington had Anglican) religious life. Southwark bonds of friendship and common equipped me for leading a large and and Manchester, perhaps the two mission. Every dean who made one complex institution like ours, but despite least likely, are doing important and of these journeys spoke highly of the such preparation I still felt that a sense transformative urban ministry. We depth and importance of the experience of how an Anglican cathedral under- certainly missed some tourist gems, for his own ministry at home. stands its mission and ministry was lack- but the six cathedrals we visited all Thanks to a generous gift that made ing. The solution? I needed to see some embodied a part of what Washington our trip possible, Kathy and I spent English cathedrals in their context. National Cathedral seeks to do. the first two weeks of May in England There are 43 Anglican cathedrals in Following are the five lessons that visiting six cathedrals: Westminster the United Kingdom, and Kathy and were most important for me, both Abbey, St. Paul’s, and Southwark in I knew that it would be impossible to personally and professionally. London; and outside the metropolis the visit every single one, but it was di≈cult cathedrals of Salisbury, Canterbury, to narrow the list down to only six. 1 habits before policies and Manchester. The purpose of my Because our Cathedral was founded, Washington National Cathedral is a journey was not so lofty as those of my in part, to be the “Westminster Abbey complex institution: we have multiple predecessors: it’s fair to say that I went for America,” a visit to Westminster programs and departments, hundreds to improve how I understand my job. seemed obvious. But what about the of volunteers, and around 100 full-time I began my current work as dean on others: Ely, Winchester, Gloucester, employees. A large part of our work October 1, 2012. By October 3 or 4, it Norwich, and Durham? With my then- involves coordinating and prioritizing had become clear to me that I didn’t assistant Sheri Jackson’s expert help, work between and among competing know as much as I would need to about Kathy and I ultimately chose to claims for time, space, resources, and the culture and mission of cathedrals. narrow our list to places that shared energy. Those considerations were in I had been on the staΩ, of or rector of, some core aspect of Washington mind when the staΩ asked that I come some very large parishes; had served National Cathedral’s mission. We back with written policy statements

4 cathedral age from our English counterparts 2 relationships before designing programs. We Brits start regarding how they choose between 1 programs with developing relationships.” competing priorities. Closing the As Washington National Cathedral Other than the lived reality of the Cathedral for a funeral or a wedding seeks to refocus its missional life prayer life that so deeply impressed me involves canceling tours and turning around both “Faith and Public Life” in England, I would say that the second away visitors, after all, and both and “Interfaith Collaboration,” our aspect of U.K. cathedral life that most worship and visitor services are part natural tendency has been to ask engaged me was this propensity toward of our mission. How do English what specific programs we developing relationships—with other cathedrals decide? should develop. Indeed, faith communities, with civic and When I posed these questions to my the Chapter’s Program business leaders, with governmental English dean friends, they all looked Committee is even agencies and non-profits. The at me as if I were speaking Esperanto. now hard at work programs put on by cathedrals in the One simply said to me: “We have no developing a U.K. all arise out of what we might policies. I just decide.” Now before you call a deep relational conversation, assume that the dean was being merely one that both grounds them and gives authoritarian, it helps to know that the them a network of connections that Church of England requires its clergy will enable their programs to bear to gather for both Morning Prayer and fruit. In the U.S., we tend to be better Evening Prayer daily. At Westminster at the “one-oΩ” kind of symposium Abbey they’ve been praying together than the long-haul, transformational as clergy and lay staΩ colleagues for engagement I saw in England. In this around 1,000 years. At Canterbury respect we have some work to do, I Cathedral they have been taking atten- believe, to catch up with what our dance at the Daily O≈ces since the English colleagues are doing. Reformation. They can tell you, with absolute accuracy, who was present for 3 safe is not neutral Evensong on a particular day in 1669. The Chapter asked me to do several The Anglican emphasis on daily corpo- things when I came to Washington rate prayer arises from the Benedictine National Cathedral, two of which spirituality of the Reformers. might at first sound contradictory. Because these cathedral They asked me to use the Cathedral communities are primarily as a “convening space” where people praying communities, of diverse religious, political, and programmatic agenda they have evolved ideological commitments could come that will enable us to live into an Benedictine habits together and find common ground. ambitious vision of what we can oΩer of discernment, value, They also asked me to use the pulpit the nation and our local community and mission. Rather than policies, they to address important issues of the day to have transformative impact on have developed habits. They have inter- as those concern Christian faith and our world. nalized the Benedictine values of hos- practice. The two are both obviously pitality and balance so thoroughly that At one of the cathedrals we visited, priorities, yet they seem to go in they are able to arrive at an operational I asked a senior canon about their opposite directions. How do we both consensus almost without thinking. programmatic life. He handed me a convene and advocate at the same time? One dean said to me that the Bene- compelling set of brochures organized The tension between convening and dictine ethos—a unity of body, mind, around important issues of faith and advocacy has always been central to and spirit lived out in hospitality and policy that have intriguingly been our Cathedral’s life. Our deans have community—was central to everything targeted to particular constituencies in spoken out on public issues (civil rights they did. They are able to do what they the metropolitan area. After describing in Dean Sayre’s day being the most do where they do because of their long- these to me in detail, he then said, prominent), and they have also used time habits of prayer and reflection. “You Americans are very keen on the Cathedral as a forum for airing opposite dean gary and kathy hall at st. paul’s cathedral above clockwise from top: manchester cathedral; westminster abbey, southwark cathedral, and st. paul’s cathedral in london; canterbury cathedral; and salisbury cathedral (wikimedia commons) summer 2013 diΩerent perspectives. But in fact every on to observe that cathedrals, as public oΩer those experiences at a very English cathedral I visited shared centers for their communities, bring high quality. Although this may some form of Washington National many diverse groups and experiences sound elitist, cathedrals can present Cathedral’s dilemma—sometimes together. They host liturgies, concerts, worship, educational, cultural, and dramatically, as English deans well art installations, public forums, and programmatic oΩerings characterized known to speak prophetically knew community fairs. As a consequence, by an excellence that smaller that their cathedrals had to represent people can enter the life of a cathedral institutions cannot provide. We should the country’s “Established Church”at from multiple points and participate in seize on the opportunity that our the same time. ways tailored to their interests. Parish resources oΩer and use it as a way to I discussed this tension with a senior churches tend to expect (or demand) build relationships with congregations staΩ member at one cathedral, and I total participation in all aspects of their and dioceses around the country. ministry. One can attend all or part of found it helpful when he reminded me 5 the heart of its city that “to be a safe space is not necessarily a cathedral’s oΩering to be considered to be a neutral space.” He went on to incorporated in its life. Of all the visits Kathy and I made elaborate: “When you are hosting a Because of their size, cathedrals to English cathedrals, our last stop discussion—either in your home or a can also oΩer more than a simple in Manchester was perhaps the most public forum—you owe it to your guests range of experiences: they can transformative. Manchester Cathedral to let them know where you stand.” is located at the center of the city’s Because of its location, his cathedral downtown, and Dean Rogers Govendor hosts numerous forums on public (along with Development Director policy. But it does not do so out of a Anthony O’Connor) have used its presumed “neutral” position: it begins location and resources to fashion a from the assumption that Christian network of relationships with the ethical and social values arise out of government, business, and non-profit solidarity with, and concern for, the sectors that is truly astounding. In our poor and most vulnerable in society. two days in Manchester, Kathy and I The implications for Washington saw the cathedral in action throughout National Cathedral’s stance on public all parts of its city: a job training policy matters (gun violence, marriage center and a community organizing equality, early childhood education, group in the Mossside (south side) veterans’ issues) are clear. We can stand neighborhood; a round-table gathering for and with those whom the Gospel of business leaders in the city’s financial demands we embrace, and we can also district; a meeting of elected o≈cials convene conversations encompassing (including the Lord Mayor) at the multiple points of view. As it turns out, city hall; an art installation featuring “convening versus advocacy” is in some images of the cathedral in the arrivals ways a false choice. hall at Manchester International Airport. In all of these venues, the 4 a place of engagement dean and the development director A number of recent studies have shown were intimately involved in the city’s that English cathedrals are growing in life. Manchester Cathedral is a model attendance, membership, and giving of a house of prayer that lives out its even as parish churches continue to ministry through collaboration with decline. There are several possible the institutions and constituencies explanations for this trend, but the of the community’s life. You cannot most compelling to me comes from a experience Manchester without top the very rev. robert willis, dean of realizing that its cathedral is the very dean who noted that “a cathedral is a canterbury, with his cat heart of the city. place of engagement.” This dean went bottom the very rev. dr. john hall, dean of westminster, with dean gary hall

6 cathedral age Whether in this way or in others, each cathedral we visited embodies some aspect of Washington National Cathedral’s ministry. Westminster Abbey is the spiritual home of the British nation. St. Paul’s, Salisbury, and Canterbury are diocesan cathedrals serving as both cultural/ tourist attractions and missional life. Southwark and Manchester are urban cathedrals serving the full range of the diverse populations of their communities. For Kathy and me, the opportunity to visit six English cathedrals was a unique and irreplaceable gift. The only way to serve as dean of the Cathedral we know and love is, in Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s words, to “embrace it in all its complexity.” Cathedrals are one part church, one part university, one part social service agency, one part arts organization. At the same time they enact a bishop’s apostolic ministry, the church’s liturgical and musical ministry, a central role in the life of their city, and programmatic and ministerial outreach to the world. I embrace Washington National Cathedral as all of these and more, and I am deeply grateful for the hospitality and generosity that allowed me to gain a new perspective on our national and local calling. CA

left spiral staircase, st. paul’s cathedral top center dean hall with the very rev. june osborne, dean of salisbury center left porphyry pavement, canterbury cathedral bottom center dean hall with the very rev. dr. david ison, dean of st. paul’s top right westminster abbey top center right dean hall at southwark cathedral bottom center right dean gary hall; councillor naeem ul hassan, lord mayor of manchester; and the very rev. rogers govender, dean of manchester; at manchester airport bottom right dean hall observing work at manchester cathedral photos k. hall

summer 2013 Re-entry As Prisoners Return to Society, the Church Returns to Prisons by M. Leigh Harrison

Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. matthew 25:34–36

cathedral age 8 photo isoga via shutterstock hen it comes to the Church and the achievement Howard and Drew, I’m also a graduate of George W. of full equality, the parable of sheep and goats Hill Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania.” The Rev. Dr. Win Matthew tends to stand out. But when it Harold Dean Trulear, who gave his keynote address on comes to Matthew 25:36, as the Very Rev. Gary Hall, dean April 19 in measured tones and with flashes of perfectly of Washington National Cathedral, notes, “Preachers have timed wit, would not surprise anyone by revealing that selective memories. We tend to stop quoting before we’ve he is a professor at Howard University Divinity School finished with the entire list.” (a co-sponsor of the “Re-Entry” conference). Learning The Rt. Rev. James B. Magness, sixth bishop suΩragan about his time in prison comes as a surprise, he knows, for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries of the Epis- which he seizes on to help make his larger point. copal Church, understands why. He, too, is familiar with “When I go to churches to talk about our work with Christianity’s call to advocacy for social justice. He has people who are coming home,” he says, “I always ask the also seen how easily faith groups can lack the courage of church, ‘Do you know what a returning citizen looks their convictions. “One of the things that I have learned like?’—and they have a certain image. Then I say, ‘Well about people in the Church, particularly those of us who you have one preaching this morning.’ And we have are part of the progressive denominations, is that we are a little fun with that in terms of breaking stigma and able to do a lot of talking,” he says. “We talk well. We dealing with stereotypes because, as you know, one of talk about things that ought to happen! We talk about the most di≈cult things for the faith community to do ‘those poor people in prison.’ We do handwringing.” in dealing with incarceration is the issue of stigma.” Such fretting isn’t mentioned in Matthew 25:36. For Trulear, such stigma coming from a religion whose Both Dean Hall and Bishop Magness, who is charged Scripture repeatedly makes heroes out of prisoners is with recruiting Episcopal chaplains for U.S. prisons, intolerable. “One of my students at Howard said to me, spoke early on the morning of Friday, April 19, for ‘I just can’t deal with inmates,’ ” he says. “And I said, “Re-entry: Beyond the Bars and Barriers,” an intensive ‘Oh, well, can I borrow your Bible for a second? We’ve got to change it.’ ” Trulear quickly makes the case for two-day conference at the historic Mount Vernon umc campus of Wesley Theological Seminary in downtown removing most of the Old and New Testaments, where Washington, D.C., on the needs of prisoners and figures from Joseph to St. Peter spend time in jail. “returning citizens”: individuals who face huge challenges As for the violent oΩenders and other wrongdoers in coming back to society after their time behind bars has mentioned in the Bible, Trulear observes, “God worked been completed. with all of those folks. So if the inmate is stigmatized, The conference at which Hall and Magness oΩered we’ve got to take out half the Bible.” Ultimately, he says, their insights was intended to serve as the first part of the Church is called “not just to go into the prison for a longer, sustained response by people of faith to the the prisoners we don’t know, but to reach back through increasingly grave plight of America’s prison population. our families to claim our own sons and grandsons who Its organizers conceived it as “a conference with work to are incarcerated—to be about the business of family do,” seeking to inspire informed action from a diverse reconciliation and keeping families together, providing and often overlapping group of returning citizens as well lines for families so that they can give the support they as participating faith and nonprofit leaders active both need and desire.” It’s a process that begins with what he locally and throughout the country. It was also a confer- refers to as normalization, “lifting the stigma and the ence keenly aware of the deep roots of prison ministry in shame so that those who suΩer in silence in the pews the Christian tradition—a legacy of determined advocacy can have their problem named and addressed.” that the Church has not always been eager to claim. repairing the system understanding the problem For despite Christians’ uneasiness about the duty “If you want to learn more about me you can always placed on them to visit prisoners, the plight that all read my bio, but one thing that’s not in the bio before faith communities are crucial to join in addressing has you today is 10002648, which is my inmate number. only increased. This holds true especially in America, So in addition of being a graduate of Morehouse and which can boast the highest rate of incarceration in the

summer 2013 world—and some of the largest prisons, placed far away mentioned in Matthew 25. “You don’t have a ‘sick min- from urban centers. The largest concentration of District istry’ at your church,” he notes pointedly. “So why does of Columbia residents behind bars, for example, has in a church need a ‘prison ministry’? We need to mobilize recent decades been at Rivers Correctional Institute in congregations to reach into prisons the same way they Winton, N.C., more than 200 miles away. reach into the hospital by following bloodlines, family Gone are the days when prisons were true “reformato- lines, friendship lines, and relationship lines. There may ries” and “penitentiaries,” the conference revealed. Facili- be need for specialized ministries—we need chaplains, ties are made worse through dangerous overcrowding in people to go in and volunteer—but this is the ministry of service to what Dean Hall has called “one of the scandals a whole congregation. And when one in three African- of our country”: a powerful “prison-industrial complex” American males between the ages of 20 and 34 is either made more powerful thanks to decades of the so-called in prison, jail, probation, or parole, this is everybody’s “War on Drugs,” which has jailed large proportions of ministry.” some low-income urban silver linings communities for even Dr. Trulear helps bring low-impact narcotics- the message of prisoners’ related crimes. real spiritual needs to The eΩects of this cycle congregations near and over time have been dev- far, in part through the astating—especially for work of his organization African Americans, who Healing Communities. account for 85 percent of But long-term problems the incarcerated in the in the criminal justice United States. Prison- system, generated in ers’ lives are profoundly part by cultural biases changed and challenged now baked into law, are by their experience of no match for any one incarceration, often for individual or group. the worse, with violence Nor are policymakers, and verbal or emotional abuse as well as sexual exploita- whose assessments and priorities often ignore prisoners’ tion not unknown to occur. Worse still, two-thirds of the perspectives, the silver-bullet solution either. An children of prisoners will spend time behind bars one day axiomatic principle taken from the civil rights era, themselves. Employment is also a challenge; although it’s “Don’t talk about us without us,” remains vital, as does been said that “nothing stops a bullet like a job,” noth- collaboration to make marginalized voices heard. ing stops would-be employers like a prison record. Going The saving grace of the Re-Entry conference concept— back to prison after an unsuccessful re-entry to society what gives hope for continued dialogue and effective remains a significant risk for the District’s more than results—is that its participants come from a wide range 8,000 returning citizens each year. of faith communities, advocacy groups, and institutions It follows that attention to these issues “is not just good already at work within the penal system. Their presence Bible. It’s good sociology,” as Trulear notes, citing indica- together at the conference is a testament to the tions that recidivism is sharply reduced after visits with connections of Ford Rowan, a Cathedral Congregation clergy—with the catch being that chaplaincy positions member with more than three decades of experience have been slow to fill and fast to disappear in an age of in crisis management and conflict resolution. He has increasing budget cuts. Visits from family members are devoted himself for several years to tackling some of the also eΩective in reducing the recidivism rate. “The Book most insidious (and, for all that, often most overlooked) of Acts says ‘there will be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judaea, challenges facing society—with uncommon force and Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth,’” Trulear charisma. Patricia Johnson, who from the Cathedral’s observes, “and for most of the Church the prison is the office of canon missioner spearheads a broad array of uttermost parts of the earth—but if that’s your grandson social justice ministries, makes that much clear: “This who’s locked up, it’s Jerusalem.” conference could never have happened without Ford’s In Trulear’s view, Christians should treat prisoners no dedication and the strong relationships he’s built over the diΩerently from any other group of “the least of these” years,” she says.

10 cathedral age above north transept overcroft photo c. winterbottom Part of the gathering’s ongoing and future work, as Rowan decrease hiring discrimination. One of the largest tasks conceives it, will be to reimagine the system of old-school facing Ford Rowan and the other Re-Entry organizers, “retributive justice” that has trapped so many Ameri- in fact, is an “asset map” of ministries currently being cans and has paralyzed so many communities, replacing provided across the greater Washington metropolitan it wherever possible with an ideal of what is known as area. The ultimate goal would be for conference restorative justice. For participant David Deal, who spoke co-sponsors, including the Cathedral, to serve as in the conference’s first panel, “Restorative justice gives clearing-houses for individuals attempting to learn more a diΩerent angle of attack on a very knotty problem. The and to help out with prisoners. “ ‘The harvest is plentiful focus is not on what happened,” he says, “but on who but the laborers are few,’ we like to say,” DuTeil notes, was aΩected—not ‘how do we punish’ but ‘how we might quoting the Gospel of Luke. “There’s really something repair the harm.’ ” It has an even larger impact on com- for everyone to do who wants to get involved.” munities when put in practice systematically, through Bishop Magness would concur. the work of regional centers for restorative justice that, as he notes, now comprise “a huge number of “I learn by doing,” Magness said, “and I resources that are just a phone call away.” can tell you that the faith community has a pretty important role to play in the life of a plentiful harvest prison residents, whether inside or outside. As many conference participants have found, an I have discovered from my visits to prisons especially powerful tool in faith-based outreach that residents there have both inner lives and to prisoners—and one that provides a critical real spiritual needs. In fact the depth of the lifeline to returning citizens—operates on the spirituality that I saw inside actually shook assumption that prisoners need an example of me, because I’m not seeing that in our parishes consoling and centering faith more than didac- and churches.” tics of dogma and doctrine; more than this, it Despite the impression that the spiritual lives acknowledges prisoners’ need to minister and and needs of prisoners had made on him, bear witness to the spiritual growth of one Magness went years before identifying himself another—a perfect example of the “not about us as an advocate. “I remember visiting prisons without us” principle at work. in the past and thinking ‘somebody ought to This form of ministry is Kairos, which started in 1976 do something about that; somebody ought to take care under the leadership of Tom Johnson, an attorney who of that’ when I first encountered the pastoral needs of wanted to bring the tradition of a three-day spiritual prisoners,” he admitted. retreat (known as Cursillo) to prisons. Before his death on A turning point in the bishop’s life took place in 2011, June 10 this year, Kairos had expanded to 400 insti- when a returning citizen he had met at a correctional tutions and 55 ministries in 32 states and 9 countries facility in Alderson, W.V., called his o≈ce. The throughout the world. Nancy Stockbridge, a long-term woman calling had no one waiting for her outside Kairos organizer for the Cathedral, and Cathedral Head the prison yard. She did remember, however, that Verger Claude “Duke” DuTeil, have over the years been when Magness administered the sacrament of two of nearly 40,000 Kairos volunteers. DuTeil, a volun- confirmation to her he had pledged “to do all in [his] teer since 1998, bears enthusiastic witness to the impacts power to support her in her life in Christ.” he has seen. “It’s a four-day retreat held twice a year with At that moment, he noted, the solution to all of weekly accountability meetings afterwards,” he says, “and the problems he had long identified came to him. it focuses on four areas of forgiveness: self, others, God, “ ‘Someone should,’ ” he said, “changed into ‘I ought.’ and society. The goal is really ecumenical—we’re just The question ‘Who can?’ turned into ‘Here I am, trying to plant a seed—so we stick to the areas of overlap send me’ (1 samuel 3:4).” between denominations and faiths.” As a result of Kairos, CA recidivism declines from 65 percent to 15 percent and vio- lence dramatically decreases. “It’s amazing to watch what happens,” he says. more online Kairos becomes even more eΩective when joined by other Additional resources related to the Re-Entry forms of ministry and advocacy, from buying stamps conference at www.nationalcathedral.org/ (which can be exorbitant for prisoners paid less than 25¢ summer2013age an hour) and paying for clothes to changing legislation to above ruth window (detail) photo k. cobb summer 2013 “There’s something about the sacredness of a service that in the end is what it’s about for us.”

This past January, Washington National Cathedral announced a new policy that allows for same-sex couples to be married at the Cathedral, sending a symbolic message to the nation that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should have the right to marry the person they FAITH love. On the day of that news, Cathedral congregation members Avice Meehan and Barbara Roberts, sent an email to the Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope, Cathedral vicar, to inquire about being married at the Cathedral. They were the first same-sex couple to apply and to be found eligible in since the new policy was adopted. Another couple—two long-time staff members of the Cathedral, head horticul- turist Joe Luebke and it professional Tom Wright—celebrated the news in January while recalling the history they made nearly three years prior when former AMERICA Bishop of Washington John Bryson Chane, bestowed upon them the privilege of being the first gay couple to be married at the Cathedral—in a private service before an Interviews with couples Avice Meehan & official policy had been adopted. This issue of Cathedral Age features Barbara Roberts and Joe Luebke & Tom Wright interviews with both couples about issues of sexuality and the church, marriage, by Richard M. Weinberg and faith.

12 cathedral age avice And in fact we met because of that family. barbara That’s true. avice Our relationship was not ever something that was on our life plan or radar screen. I went to college with a wonderful woman, a poet named Linda Corrente, who has since died. She was married to one of Baba’s cousins, and I rented a little house in Connecticut— now I guess it’ll be 16 years ago—from them. That was how I met Baba. this was the first same-sex CrelationshipA for both of you. what kind of impact did it have for you with your family and your faith Avice & Barbara barbara I was born and brought up in community? the west of England, in the Church of avice I’d say that, for me, when Baba England, in a little village, confirmed at and I decided that this was a really Gloucester Cathedral, and church was please tell me about yourselves: important relationship for us and that CA just part of what we did growing up and where you’re each from, how and we wanted to be together, there were has always been an important part of when you met, and how long you’ve a lot of concerns about how I was what makes Sunday a Sunday. been together? going to tell my family and some of my avice I was raised a Roman Catholic I worked all my life in conservation of friends. But one of the biggest worries in the small town of Goshen, N.Y., the works of art, and have worked on a lot for me actually was St. James’ Church oldest of five children. Growing up, our of religious artifacts over the years for (Madison Avenue)—where we both town was very small, and we all went many different denominations. One is wound up going in New York. It was to each other’s churches. One of my engaged in many different faiths in that a very important part of my life, and best friends was the daughter of the respect: learning about them, learning I didn’t know how the information Methodist minister in town. Two other how to respect them and their history, about our relationship was going to be good friends were the daughters of the and the way that so much is communi- received. I really was very conflicted, Episcopal priest. Certainly the Episcopal cated through artifacts, or structures, because if it wasn’t well received, I Church was something I had long been or edifices, or objects, or books. The didn’t know how I would deal with that. familiar with, and I started going to a arts seem to come together in great I was very close to an associate rector, church in West Hartford, Conn., when churches and great cathedrals, and Susanna Smith, so she was one of the I worked for Lowell Weicker who was that was one of the reasons why it was first people that I told at St. James’. I governor of Connecticut. He’s quite always fun initially to come up to the was really concerned—and that concern a vivid political figure, but he’s also National Cathedral—both for the music could not have been more misplaced. someone for whom I think faith is pretty and for the quality of the preaching. One of the things that was wonderful for important. He was one of the people I have American family as well. One of both Baba and myself was how we were who influenced me at the time, and I my grandmothers was American, and made welcome—not only by Susanna was formally received into the Episcopal the relationship between the American but also by other members of the clergy, Church in 1994. family and the English family has been in particular Brenda Husson, who was very close. then and still is the rector. above avice meehan and barbara roberts with their dog, bobbin photo w. woods opposite tom wright and joe luebke before their wedding photo d. marks summer 2013 barbara It was not necessarily I think the ability of the Cathedral to barbara I think for me the sheer something I was expecting. It was just encourage truthfulness was and is very simplicity of an open mind and being sort of all a delightful surprise, really. strong. Truth in what you are, who you able to listen and being able to hear, It was an unfolding, if you will, and are, why you are, where you want to which is I think a great deal of what faith one that I think both of us were lucky be, what your faith might be, how you is all about, is to me imperative. When enough to be able to embrace. can work with others. And so in some Avice and I figured out we had a place We very quickly established a legal ways affirming this union under both the together, she was able to join me in that partnership agreement because that law and within the Cathedral space is a place . . . and still does. That to me is was all that was available to us. But it joining of many threads. extraordinary and magnificent, and as felt as though it needed to be something wonderful as a great piece of music in a that was a serious, lifelong deal, and great struc- marriage was not available. But I think ture. I think what is very important is the fact that it is just one is in some way able to express part of who commitment. And that’s what we did. one is, and I think that avice And I have to say we’ve now the faith lived in a number of jurisdictions where side of it is civil union is possible, and we probably that little could have done it at any time. There’s nugget in something about the sacredness of a the middle service that in the end is what it’s about that is for us. very solid. so after a committed All sorts CpartnershipA for many years, of other why get married? i’m hearing that things part of it may have something to do could hap- with the cathedral itself and what what role does your faith play pen around that, but it is pretty stable that would mean to you . . . Cin Ayour personal lives and in your right there in the middle. And that’s a good feeling. avice I think that’s a big part of it, relationship as a couple? because the Cathedral is a place, a what would you say to those avice I think what’s always been CA community, and a spiritual home, that interesting to me is that I’ve spent the who are against same-sex marriage, has meant a great deal in our lives. last 20 years among physicians and especially those based on their Theoretically, we could probably do it scientists in either a healthcare or religious tradition? in New York, but the place that we feel scientific environment. Often I have avice For me, I may have profound really connected to is the Cathedral. found myself among people who are disagreements with people, but I barbara I would agree. The building of actively hostile to faith. It’s viewed as respect their right to hold those views that community within the Cathedral, something irrational. For me at any rate, when they come from what I would say which I think is very open to people of it has been in those situations in which I is deep faith. Living in New York, every all faiths and all thoughts, and different have been called upon to define myself, day I see and am surrounded by people perspectives, was important to us, too. that the role of faith has been most who come from different traditions. One wasn’t being put in a cubbyhole clear—to find some coherence in the Some traditions may not be how I would in any way. One was asked to open up, world and some moral or ethical center choose to live, but I’m not prepared to and so one did. And then, my goodness, just beyond what I think is good or right. condemn people who make different suddenly we’re sharing things that we That sense of a higher power in God, decisions than I do. So I would ask for hadn’t thought that we would be able to that’s what helps give form and shape to that same level of understanding and share with others. everyday life. respect in return. In the end, people are

14 cathedral age “I’m not prepared to condemn people who make different decisions than I do. So I would ask for that same level of understanding and respect in return.”

trying to lead a dignified life, and we get Joe & Tom child and was not baptized. In fact, the to that dignified life through many paths. area where I grew up was very heavily And so I ask of someone else that they Roman Catholic and Old Order Amish respect our path just as they have a right first, tell me about yourselves: and Mennonite. I knew nothing about CA to ask that I respect theirs. where are you each from; how and the Episcopal Church or other mainline when you met; and how long you’ve barbara My sense is that people Protestant denominations when I was been together? will think what they think. And I think growing up. time will change that. I think marriage joe I grew up in Montgomery, Ind., As our relationship continued to grow, is a civil contract that is made within and came to the Cathedral in 1987 as a Tom was adamant that I be baptized in a community for many purposes, for horticulture intern. In 1990 I was hired the Episcopal Church, and I was baptized many reasons, and it was mostly a legal as the bishop’s gardener. Tom and I met at All Souls Memorial Church during an document. It was about who owns what. in the early 1990s when a group of folks Easter vigil service. from the Cathedral socialized outside of People can get very upset, but I think When we were growing up I suppose work. We were friends for a few years slowly things will change. we lived by the golden rule. My father— before we realized that each of us began We’re not trying to upset or change although not religious or one to wear his to look at each other as possibly more anything or anybody else’s mind. All spirituality on his sleeve—was known as than “just friends.” we are saying is this is the decision I a kind, generous, and caring man. I like am able to take, and I wish to take it. tom I am from Annapolis, Md. As to think that I have tried to follow in his The Cathedral has taken a huge step, Joe said, we met at the Cathedral; I footsteps. started working here in 1991. We will be and I admire them standing up. It’s I was raised in a conservative area of celebrating 20 years of togetherness— a brave step, and we’ll see what the southern Indiana. I like to say that we not to mention three years married— consequences are. But I think it’s one had a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in this summer. that gives me joy, and I hope it will bring our family. I didn’t discuss my sexuality joy to many other people. what kind of upbringing did with my siblings until much later, after I CA you each have in terms of a faith had moved from Indiana. I didn’t tell my tradition; and how has your mother until Tom and I decided to get sexuality intersected your own married. This was after living together faith journeys? for 17 years. It was certainly known but joe I was not raised in a religious not discussed. left barbara roberts and avice meehan household. I didn’t attend church as a photo p. philbin right joe luebke and tom wright

summer 2013 “As a child and teenager I didn’t think that you could be a Christian and gay. The two were just not compatible.”

As a child and teenager I didn’t think tom When D.C. began to issue same- said, “Absolutely. Come to my office on that you could be a Christian and gay. sex marriage licenses in 2010, it was a Monday so we can talk about it.” The two were just not compatible. It great joy—but there was an immediate Bishop Chane said, “I really only marry wasn’t until I started working at the concern that that whole process clergy, but I’m making an exception Cathedral that it all started to crystallize was going to be subject to a public on your part. I would love to marry the for me: Yes, these two pieces of me referendum. If that was the case, then two of you.” So we started looking at can actually reside together. I’ve always the law could be overturned and they’d his calendar and picked the date of July found a welcome home here at the stop issuing licenses. So we had a really 17, 2010—our anniversary. It just so Cathedral. I believe that being here at small window of opportunity to do happened that he didn’t have anything the Cathedral has allowed me to grow as something if we were going to do it, that weekend. a Christian and as an openly gay man. and frankly, if Joe and I had ever been allowed to be married before then, we joe Bishop Chane’s policy in the diocese tom I was brought up in the Methodist was that if a church wanted to perform tradition. I never gave much thought would have been years earlier. The laws had just never allowed that. same-gender weddings that they could. to how religion and sexuality intersect, It would be voted on by their vestry. If but I do admit that I was subject to the We were having dinner in Baltimore they did not want to perform same- general rejection of the gay population one evening, and I just said, “So Joe, gender weddings, they didn’t have to. by organized religion. Of course that is you think you wanna get married?” And So we asked for permission from the changing these days, at least in some he said, “Sure.” So we just went about Cathedral to marry here, and there was faith traditions. I can’t pinpoint the having the rest of our dinner, and then lots of discussion on what the policy was moment when I actually was at peace later Joe looked up and said, “Well, going to be. It was moving slowly, and with my sexual identity and the Church, where would you wanna do it?” And so at that point Bishop Chane said, “It’s but I do recall one day when I was in I said, “Well, I guess the Cathedral— my cathedral as well. I’m going to do this conversation with an Episcopal priest because we work there, it’s our spiritual regardless of what the current policy is.” about this subject and he reassured me home, we’ve grown together there.” And that’s how it happened. It was really that all humans are made in the image And we thought, would we be able to Bishop Chane who stood up for us and of God. do that? We’re really close with Bishop was willing to take the heat and do what you were the first gay couple to Chane so we should ask him. We he thought was the right thing. CbeA married at the cathedral—before thought, oh, he won’t do it. And Joe said, “I’ll send him an email.” Within an hour tom At the time we were not aware this year’s official policy change. that the Cathedral did not yet have a how did that come about? of that email the bishop responded and

16 cathedral age photo d. marks policy. We had assumed that given the of us realized. Everyone was falling over when they’re subject to church policies open history of the Cathedral, this would themselves to help us. What a gift. that reject the gay community. “God is be a non-issue. If not for the courage tom A gift beyond measure. The supposed to be part of the Church. The of Bishop Chane to act on our behalf ceremony was full of love, and the Holy Church is rejecting me, therefore God and declare that he would officiate this Spirit was with all of us on that holy and is rejecting me.” It’s hard not to think ceremony, then this would have never love-filled day. that way. When you’re in a church or a taken place. congregation where the gay community what does the cathedral’s new is accepted, then you rejoin the fact that did you have a feeling that the CmarriageA policy, which treats all CserviceA was historic? now God also accepts you. It’s just a couples—gay or straight—equally natural connection. tom We realized we were about to mean to you? So when I’m at the Cathedral—a become the first same-sex couple to tom We’re ecstatic that the Cathedral be married at the National Cathedral. place where we are welcome and feel now has an official policy. Having gone validated and equal with everyone else, That’s something, and that’s a wonderful through that experience makes us want accolade to have. But the truth of the then that tells me God looks at me the to be able to know that other people can same way. God doesn’t look at us in the matter was we weren’t really also have that same after that. eyes of a congregation that has hatred “I think back to joyous experience for our community. I don’t think God We certainly acknowl- in a majestic place joe ‘God is love.’ It’s works that way. God’s our judge, not the edge that we made history, like this. Church. That helps to increase my faith. and [former Cathedral vicar] a very simple joe Oftentimes, joe I’m quiet when it comes to talking Steve Huber spoke about that in I think about growing his homily. But for me, and I’m thing. And if God about faith. For me, the world is really up in Indiana in the gray—it’s not black and white. I think sure for Tom, what was more is love, how can seventies and eighties important was standing at the back to “God is love.” It’s a very simple thinking, “Am I thing. And if God is love, how can high altar exchanging vows in churches say ever going to find a front of our family. That far out- churches say that we’re an abomination? that we’re an boyfriend—let alone To be at a place that accepts you for weighs, for me, the history that a husband?” Then we made that day. I understand abomination?” every fiber of who you are is a very coming here and powerful thing. the history part of it, but being starting to find my able to say: yes, we love each other; feet and who I am as a person, and then tom I would certainly hope that those yes, we’ve made a commitment to each really being validated in who you are— who are in the gay community that still other—that was more important. that was a huge thing. And I’m thrilled fight with their own faith and disbelief what was your service like? we now have an official policy that all in God could find a home here at the CA Cathedral—because the Cathedral says tom We had very little to do with the couples are equal. As Steve Huber said, this moment will define the rest of your it doesn’t have to be that way. You can actual ceremony. When we announced have faith and be gay at the same time, to our colleagues that we were lives. What a gift for other couples to be able to realize those words. That, to me, and worship God and have God as the getting married, people came from center of your life. everywhere—everyone wanted to be is a validation of who we are and how involved and do something to be part of we’ve moved forward in society. joe And be welcome at the table. this moment—not only in our lives, but I what role does your faith play think in the life of this Cathedral as well. Cin Ayour personal lives and in your more online relationship as a couple? joe I think, really, the historic nature View the June 26 “Service of of it was more important to our co- tom It’s easy to understand how people Thanksgiving to Celebrate an workers and the people here than either feel like God has abandoned them Increase in Compassion and Equality” on www.nationalcathedral.org/ summer2013age

summer 2013 18 cathedral age unexpected intimacies the photographs of colin winterbottom

For more than a year, photographer Colin Winterbottom has been collaborating with Washington National Cathedral to create breathtaking images of the Cathedral building’s interior and exterior from truly unusual perspectives. With rare access to the Cathedral’s heights and crypt areas, Winterbottom has been building a portfolio of extraordinary work. He catches the rhythm of light across the Cathedral’s exterior, bathed in light or shrouded in mist; its interior, through netting and stained glass; and its grounds, at all hours of the day. In the process, he has captured areas damaged by the 2011 earthquake as well as spaces whose beauty remains unshaken. Winterbottom’s work was featured from January to February at Long View Gallery in downtown Washington, D.C. The title of the exhibit was “Gothic Resilience.” This body of work subsequently moved to the Cathedral, where it remains on display in the seventh-floor Pilgrim Observation Gallery between the Cathedral’s west towers.

photos two views of the nave vaulting photo of colin winterbottom by m. girard, all others c. winterbottom summer 2013 top a view of the ceiling vaulting of the great crossing as seen looking over the rood beam into the great choir center right an angel overlooks a snowy cathedral close from its position on the central tower center left the face of a prophet on the south transept catches the sun bottom the lines of the lead apse roof draw the eye up to the cross mounted there

20 cathedral age The results of this collaboration are inspiring and informational, providing viewers with rare glimpses of the Cathedral’s richly ornamented surfaces of wood, glass, and stone as well as its soaring spaces. Employing perspectives seldom available from publicly accessible areas, Winterbottom’s photographs introduce even those most familiar with the building to surprising details—from ghost cathedrals in the sky to lacy patterns in stonework and unsettling geometry. Winterbottom has built his career largely on studies of Washington’s urban landscape, embracing the grand and gritty with equal enthusiasm. His photos seek to express not just what a place looks like but how it feels to be there, combining heightened sensitivity to place with compelling compositions and unique perspectives to infuse the urban landscape with drama and mood. Scaffolding being installed for earthquake repairs will provide Winterbottom with access to even more vantage points. He will continue to photograph at the Cathedral in the course of restoration work.

—robert sokol

more online

To view the online exhibit, or to view photos available for purchase, visit nationalcathedral.org/summer2013age. All photos that are for sale can be purchased at various sizes, framed or unframed. Options are listed online.

top the moon rising over the north side of the apse is reflected in the roof; the line of pinnacles is interrupted by one missing due to earthquake damage bottom grotesque pinnacle carving, north transept

summer 2013 a community of cathedral friends sustaining support

Heart, Mind Strength& drs. charlie and lee tidball reflect on their more-than-monetary gifts

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 corinthians 9:7

Whether they consult its architecture or its archives, time professionals such as we were,” Lee observes. “The future historians will have no trouble recognizing the Cathedral was different. I remember attending when influence at Washington National Cathedral of Drs. M. Bishop William Creighton celebrated the Eucharist at Elizabeth (Lee) and Charles (Charlie) Tidball: an inventive Children’s Chapel and then we just knew we’d found and spirited couple who found in their Cathedral the the right place. We never turned back.” Charlie would perfect recipient and platform for their every ounce of serve as a lay reader from thence forward, and Lee too creativity, intelligence, and faith. found herself also getting more and more involved in The records already span well over half a century, begin- the Cathedral’s life (notably as a core volunteer of the ning in when the two George Washington University Cathedral’s worship department). Decades on, a couple medical school professors, now married 60 years, were that has been volunteering continuously for more than newlyweds seeking a spiritual home. Charlie and Lee— 52 years can be proud of significant accomplishments in radiant at being able to return to such a central pillar of almost every aspect of goings-on at their “beloved WNC.” their lives after several weeks of health-related absence— Within just a short time of their initial acquaintance recently stopped by Sayre House to reminisce and reflect with the Cathedral, the Tidballs had become pillars on those many decades of faithful support. of the regular worshiping community. The faith and “When we arrived in Washington, local parish churches broad-minded outlook of the two young medical school just were not geared to the spiritual needs of two full- professors resonated with Dean Francis B. Sayre, Jr., as

above lee and charlie tidball, photographed for the summer 1995 cathedral age photo m. bruce right american rattlesnake gargoyle, north side, given by the tidballs 22 cathedral age photo r. llewellyn did their sense of sheer delight in all the opportunities of Charlie Tidball in creating and maintaining a still- afforded by a still-unfinished Gothic masterpiece. With expanding internal database of Cathedral artwork and the agreement of Clerk of the Works Richard Feller, iconography. Another gift from the Tidballs, the great Sayre extended this “enchanting young couple” (as he organ’s ten-rank “Terzzymbel” stop, reflects the couple’s called them) the rare honor of not merely donating but abiding musical interest—initially nourished and given also designing a gargoyle for the Cathedral. The result, voice in Washington by the Cathedral Choral Society, a rattlesnake coiled around a tree-branch to evoke the in which both sang for many years. The T4 stop, as Lee famous Gadsden “Don’t Tread on Me” flag, is at once jokingly calls it, is more than distinctive. “Charlie and I whimsical and patriotic: even as it fulfills its time-honored wanted to be able to hear it whenever it was played. That gargoyle’s role of defending its building, it evokes the was our one request,” she says. “Even now, whenever National Cathedral’s defense of the country’s spiritual we’re at the Cathedral for a service and it’s used, we kind roots. Given the many different valences of meaning of tilt our heads up and say, ‘Ah yes! That’s the part of the offered by this thoughtful early gift, it is no surprise to organ that we gave!’ ” learn that Lee would go on to receive graduate training It’s clear from the twinkle in Lee’s eye as she speaks that in theology and that Charlie would write books on religion giving has been a source of real joy in the couple’s life, and as well. she quickly agrees. “It definitely has!” she says. “We’ve The complex iconography and design of the Tidballs’ always had fun with philanthropy, but it’s been especially gargoyle (it has two rattles for instance, so that it can great to give to this place because it’s given so much to be viewed from both sides) will be no mystery to future us.” The Tidballs count the Cathedral’s mission as among historians in large part thanks to the enormous labor its greatest assets. “The Cathedral was founded to be a great ‘church for national purposes,’ ” Lee says, adding that such an identity contains far more than hosting major commemorative services. “It also has a powerful educational role to play, different in kind and greater in scope than any other church could offer. We have done all we could to support this and other aspects of the Cathedral because, without a doubt, it is just a deep, deep part of our souls. It has fed our lives.” More than 51 years on, the gratitude is definitely mutual. The Tidballs’ organ stop is rarely (if ever) used on its own, Lee goes on to observe. It serves instead “to magnify whatever is behind it” in a singular way. Nothing could better represent how the Tidballs themselves have supported the Cathedral with unfailing high spirits and A Culminating Experience vast reserves of inner strength. The historian who visits Join the Tidballs today by making a planned the Cathedral a century or two from now and finds it gift to honor your own Cathedral legacy. a living, thriving place will have good reason to credit Whether you choose a bequest, living trust, the Tidballs’ strong love for the Cathedral building and or estate plan, your gift can help ensure the community: a love reflecting their own devotion for each long-term preservation and care of this national other and strengthened by their unfailing sense of living treasure as well as the continued excellence of lives that have been abundantly blessed. the Cathedral’s worship, music, and mission. —m. leigh harrison To discuss your intentions or to learn more, email Marilyn Kochan in the Cathedral’s planned-giving office (mkochan@cathedral. org) or call (202) 537-5747. summer 2013 focus New Leadership Ruth Frey joined Christian formation ministries as the Cathedral well as strengthening the Cathedral’s staff in July to relationships with its three affiliated oversee public schools: National Cathedral School, education St. Albans School, and Beauvoir. initiatives as Baker previously served as chaplain director of at Washington Episcopal School and programs. She has also led congregations in diverse is not new to communities. She has particular the Cathedral, expertise with historically African having served as American and bilingual, English–Spanish a program intern and, later, program congregations, and has experience in director for the College of Preachers. expanding youth programs as well as Prior to her appointment, Frey was assisting in adult education forums. director of continuing education at Baker chairs the standing committee of Seabury Western Theological Seminary the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, in Chicago. She has also served as a a position she held during the election leader for the Chicago Consultation, of the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde in a group Episcopalians and Anglicans 2010. She holds a bachelor’s from the who support full inclusion of lesbian, University of Michigan, a J.D. from Case gay, bisexual, and transgender (lgbt) Western Reserve, and her M.Div. from Christians in the Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the worldwide Anglican Communion. the Southwest. She remains a faculty member for credo, an Episcopal wellness program, Marriage Equality and serves on the Episcopal Church Washington National Cathedral pealed congregations, and our communities. Standing Commission for Lifelong its bells in thanksgiving for major If we use this historic moment to see Christian Formation and Education. advances in equality for lgbt Americans more clearly how their faithfulness She holds a bachelor’s degree from this June, shortly after the Supreme contributes to the common good, we Hobart and William Smith Colleges Court announced decisions against the will better be able to walk with our lgbt in Geneva, N.Y., and an M.Div. degree federal Defense of Marriage Act and sisters and brothers as an act of faith.” from Wesley Theological Seminary in California’s Proposition 8. Later that evening, Hall officiated at Washington, D.C. During a press conference with a special “Service of Thanksgiving The Rev. Kim interfaith leaders strongly supportive of Celebrating an Increase in Compassion Turner Baker the marriage-equality decisions, Dean and Equality” in the Cathedral’s nave joined the Hall reflected on the significance of the for the lgbt community and its allies Cathedral as day’s events. “Today’s rulings advance and offered further thoughts about canon pastor on civil marriage equality, but they should what he said (to laughter) had been July 1. Working also serve as a call for Christians to a “great day.” with Dean embrace religious marriage equality,” he “I am grateful to God and to Kathy Gary Hall, her noted. “Countless faithful people have Hall (probably not in that order) for duties include lived out their lives in committed same- the blessing of 35 years of Christian the Cathedral’s sex relationships, and we have seen the marriage. I am grateful to God and outreach and fruits of their fidelity in our families, our the Supreme Court (definitely in that

top left ruth frey photo r. spahr bottom left kim baker photo c. stapert june 26 service celebrating the supreme court decisions on prop 8 and doma 24 cathedral age right photo m. mcnamara news from the cathedral

lgbt community when Dean Hall led the first formal contingent in the Capital Pride Parade on June 8. Around 40 members of the Cathedral’s lgbt ministry group and supporters, as well as other lgbt members of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, marched behind a large purple banner in the parade spanning from Dupont Circle to the 14th Street corridor. Considered an historic first, the Cathe- dral’s participation was met with appre- ciation and admiration by the local lgbt community, and was also noted in news coverage of the festivities. “If my being seen in the parade is a visible sign that God loves and accepts people across the full spectrum of human sexuality, it will have achieved its purpose,” Dean Hall told the Washington Post. order) for the breakthrough of today’s divine love that will not let us go.” decisions,” Hall said. “When everything Music for the service, directed by Canon Crypt Renovations is finally said and done—when God’s Michael McCarthy, featured African The Chapel of St. Joseph of Arimathea purposes have been fulfilled, when drums. A litany of prayers chosen by the has been closed for the summer for our human spouses have been parted Rev. Gina Campbell, director of worship, renovations to the columbaria and other by death—we will all, I believe, stand were taken from such diverse figures maintenance in the chapel. One of together with God in a moment of as Archbishop of Canterbury William three lower-level chapels depicting key wonder, love, and praise at the divine Temple (1881–1944) and the Book moments in the life of Jesus Christ, St. blessing that has been working itself of Common Prayer, drawing on the Joseph’s Chapel holds the distinction of out in the universe since the beginning. breadth of the Anglican tradition. being the base for the building’s Today’s decisions will shine as one of 300' Gloria in Excelsis central tower. many moments when faithful men and Earlier in June, the Cathedral Huge columns at the four corners of women have seen the possibilities of a continued its outreach to the local top left dean hall speaking before the june 26 service photo m. mcnamara top right the cathedral contingent in the capital pride parade photo l. harrison bottom chapel of st. joseph of arimathea photo r. lautman summer 2013 focus the impressively vaulted space $100,000. It was a great event for support the great piers in the the Cathedral and for preservation crossing of the nave. awareness. St. Joseph of Arimathea was the A Closer Look wealthy man who donated his own grave to the disciples, following the In early August, scaffolding Crucifixion, for use as Jesus’ tomb. installation began as the first The scene is movingly depicted by a step toward a much-anticipated bold mural behind the chapel’s main removal of black debris netting on altar, painted in 1939. the Cathedral’s main level. Once it is put in place, the Cathedral’s The chapel’s west gate leads to the earthquake-repair engineering Cathedral columbaria areas set aside team will be able to gain close for the burial of ashes, and spaces for access to portions of the vaulted full-body interments. The renovation nave ceiling, more than 100 work in these areas includes expanded feet above the floor, which had columbaria capacity and better lighting. not been accessible during a A gallery of images from key moments previous earthquake assessment. in the chapel’s history is viewable online The team’s investigation of at www.nationalcathedral.org. three representative areas will translate to repair drawings and Partners in Preservation specifications that contractors The black debris netting that obscures may use to prepare bids for repairs the full brightness of stained glass to the entire ceiling. windows and the details of stone It will take approximately two weeks for for potential restoration contractors. carvings in the nave as a result of the SafWay Services llc to erect scaffolding The selected contractors should start August 2011 earthquake, stretching one from the west balcony and north the repair work by mid-January, with the tenth mile approximately 70 feet above transept balcony to the clerestory level netting coming down in phases as the the ground, will be taken down thanks in (approximately 61 feet in height from the work is completed. large part to the Cathedral’s first-place nave floor). This conventional steel pipe In the nave and west balcony, where finish during Partners in Preservation, scaffolding will be topped by a “dance an online contest sponsored by the the ceiling was last accessed for floor” or decking of rated plank-layered conservation in 1995, anticipated areas National Trust for Historic Preservation plywood, a safe platform from which to and the American Express Foundation. of repair include open mortar joints, install rolling towers that ultimately will joints with failing sealant, masonry The two-week competition pitted 24 provide access to various heights of the staining, and cracked stone. The north historic sites in the greater Washington ribbed masonry ceiling. Scaffolding will transept ceiling presents the added metropolitan area against each other also be installed in the first two bays of complication of vaulting finished for $1 million in preservation funds, the nave via a slightly different approach with Akoustilith tile, a cast stone tile awarding points to each site based on so as not to interrupt worship and other patented in 1916 by the Guastavino daily online voting and social media Cathedral activities in the nave. Wiss family whose firm was responsible for activity. After receiving nearly 1.4 million Janney Elstner Associates, Inc., known many of the nation’s most historically points from supporters seeking to as wje, will conduct the inspection significant timbrel vaulted tile ceilings “Vote the Netting Away,” the Cathedral and expects to have completed and interiors. The tile had significant was declared the grand-prize winner investigations, reporting, bid drawings, absorptive qualities that improved May 13—and received its full request of and specifications by mid-November

26 cathedral age news from the cathedral

the ability for readers and preachers earthquake damage, upgrade critical Celtic community shaped by inspiring to be heard in worship spaces. Today, infrastructure systems, and preserve the landscapes, ancient legends, and when the spoken word is augmented Cathedral. dedicated people of faith. This past by electronic audio equipment, most Shepherd has 20 years’ experience April, a group of 26 pilgrims from facilities that had employed this directing preservation projects of across the United States set out from tile are exploring coatings that will national significance through work for Washington National Cathedral to improve acoustics for music. The the National Park Service, the State explore it. Arriving in northern Wales, Akoustilith at Washington National Department, the Smithsonian, and the participants walked enduring pilgrimage Cathedral will be inspected by Building Architect of the Capitol. He has paths, prayed in ancient churches and Conservation Associates, Inc., to see also contributed to the restoration cathedrals, wandered abbey ruins what damage might have occurred of Grand Central Terminal and Ellis left empty after Henry viii’s infamous to it over time. Recommendations for Island. The Historic D.C. Courthouse dissolution of the monasteries, and repairs and treatments to this tile will and Sacramento’s Cathedral of the worshiped by holy lakes and on rocky be coordinated with an acoustician and Blessed Sacrament, where he served grey beaches. submitted at the same time as those as project manager, have received To learn more about this journey and for the work on the masonry vaulting 19 preservation awards. similar opportunities sponsored by elsewhere in the nave. Shepherd currently serves on the the Cathedral Center for Prayer and Restoration Leadership board of Association for Preservation Pilgrimage, or to support the Center’s Technology International and is a past work, visit www.nationalcathedral.org. James W. president of its D.C. chapter. He is a Shepherd, aia, graduate of Vanderbilt University opposite page nave netting leed ap, joined (B.A.) and the University of Texas photo c. stapert the Cathedral (M.Arch. with a certificate of specialty this page staff on April wales pilgrimage in progress in Historic Preservation). left right pilgrims gather “for quiet 23 as director contemplation and to nourish our own of preservation Lives, Legends, and creative spirits” at valle crucis abbey and facilities. His right vera connolly (blue jacket) Landscapes looking at the other pilgrims on the work focuses on beach: yns llanddweyn (st. dwenwen’s leading efforts The roots of the Church in Wales island) photos t. montovan to repair all were planted in the sacred soil of a bottom james shepherd

summer 2013 from the

excerpts of sermons from washington national cathedral pulpit ON VULNERABILITY When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” luke 7:13

At the end of 2009, I noticed didn’t know how to pray. I hadn’t paid a whole lot a blur at the edge of my right of attention to prayer. And that night, I had in my eye, as if I had caught a ghost toolbox the 911 prayer: “Help me.” walking out the room. I put oΩ going to the doctor for two One morning, I had a bronchoscopy at the weeks. When I did, he told Mayo Clinic (they were zeroing in on the me my right optic nerve was cause). Afterward, the nurse told me I had to inflamed—cause unknown— sit in a wheelchair for the return to our hotel. but, if left untreated, it would My husband wheeled me out of the pulmonary cause me to lose my sight. In section, into an elevator, and out onto the main that moment, I dropped out floor. I saw a little girl ahead of us, in a wheelchair, of the world I lived in, where I pulling herself expertly along. For most of my life thought I knew about disease I had not known what to say or do around people and vulnerability, and entered in wheelchairs; I nodded or said hello and looked another country. It was not like away. They lived in another country—a place I’d another place; it was another never be. But this time, as we pulled alongside her, country. I called it Oz. I looked over and said, “Hi.” And she looked at me with a full open smile and said, “Hi,” and there we I walked from my ophthalmologist’s o≈ce to were, momentary companions, on this particular the emergency room doctor to have intravenous road, in our own country. No wall. Our mutual steroids pushed into my vein. On the street were vulnerability was the cord between us. doctors in white coats walking briskly, a woman eating a sandwich, two kids on skateboards. Very Then I understood the most important aspect suddenly I felt a glass wall separating us, as if it of Oz. I had thought that first day that the wall had fallen from the sky. There they were, going that fell between me and the people on the street about their lives, seemingly oblivious to how close was of my own making; that is, I was sick with illness is and the health of their own bodies. And something greater than flu and that had thrust me there I was, no longer oblivious. out of the land of the well. This is true. But there is a further, harder truth: I had thought the wall Illness has a scalding power; it sweeps aside the was my own work, but now I understood—it was life that was and what coping mechanisms have also theirs. worked before. That first night, I discovered I

28 cathedral age The resurrection when looked at this way is not a magic act but is, instead, a revelation of what stays alive and what does not. Love and its close cousin vulnerability stay alive.

In Tolstoy’s Death of Ivan Illyich, one of Ilyich’s When I looked over at the girl in the wheelchair at friends comes to view his body. The friend looks at the Mayo Clinic, and she looked at me, I had the his watch, anxious to get to a card game, and says sense that there was a third person there. He was to himself: he must have done something terribly there because she was there. And I was there. A wrong to have died. Susan Sontag remembers very fragile line connected the three of us. Whoever people who thought she had a “cancer personality.” this man was who lived and died and lived again We are human; we want cause and eΩect. He must was there, not literal, not visible but not absent, not have done something terribly wrong; she has a without influence, not dead. The resurrection when cancer personality; it must be because I wasn’t looked at this way is not a magic act but is, instead, thinking positively. We are afraid, deep in our a revelation of what stays alive and what does not. hearts, that disaster is contagious. Love and its close cousin vulnerability stay alive.

In the Gospel account in Luke 7:11–17, I can This God understands that it’s the nature of things imagine people crossing the street to avoid the to be vulnerable; the disorder is imagining that we woman from Nain and her dead son, keeping are not. well away from their disaster: it must have been because she did. Or maybe because he . . . . Amen. —nora gallagher, june 9, 2013 Here Jesus enters the story (“In his compassion,” the Gospel says). Rather than distance himself from the situation, rather than give her advice, rather than stand far away on the other side of the wall from this weeping woman and her dead son . . . or the man who just lost his job, or the woman with cancer . . . Jesus was overwhelmed by compassion. He enters into the suΩering. And the God I prayed to or with, was a God who did not make it all go away but who was there, inside the suΩering, unafraid of the suΩering. A God who did not so much lead me as accompany me.

summer 2013 from the pulpit THE PATH TO JUSTICE When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. luke 9:51

Today’s Gospel recounts a But if Wednesday was a day of triumph, Tuesday turning point in the life and was a day of tragedy when the same court that ministry of Jesus. Up to this would extend marriage equality eΩectively gutted moment, he has lived and the central provision of the Voting Rights Act of worked in Galilee, far from 1965, a landmark of the civil rights movement. I the center of things, and he remember what that movement achieved and what has been known primarily as a that achievement cost. I remember its adversaries healer and a teacher. But now, and its martyrs, too. The civil rights movement is as Luke tells us, “he set his face precious to me because my youthful participation to go to Jerusalem.” Jesus will in it brought me into contact with Christians, and leave his native area and go into those relationships drew me into the Church. the center of religious and civic As I struggled to make sense of the news from life. Jesus sets his face to go to Tuesday, I remembered a passage from the Jerusalem both literally and nineteenth-century American writer Ralph Waldo figuratively. He’s going to the Emerson’s journals of 1851 regarding the Fugitive capital city, and he’s taking his Slave Act, which made it a crime to give shelter to critique to the heart of Roman a runaway slave—even in Emerson’s “free” home and Jewish life. state of Massachusetts. As you can imagine, those In our own capital city, this past week has been a opposed to slavery were outraged. “This is not time of triumph and of tragedy. On Wednesday meddling with other people’s aΩairs,” Emerson night hundreds of people gathered here in the wrote. “This is other people meddling with us.” Cathedral’s nave to celebrate the two Supreme The Fugitive Slave Act thwarted citizens engaged Court decisions overturning the Defense of in “defending a human being who has taken the Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8. risks of being shot or burned alive, or cast into the It was a joyful night, full of laughter and tears, sea, or starved to death or suΩocated in a wooden as those who had suΩered so much discrimination box [to] recover the rights of man.” Worse still, as savored a cultural and legal turning point in our he observed, “this filthy enactment was made in shared march toward justice. the nineteenth century, by people who could read and write. I will not obey it, by God.”

Christianity has never been only about our own personal, private, piety. We go with Jesus to Jerusalem because we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves.

30 cathedral age What would Emerson say about a similar decision, and friends. The way you care for people you don’t made in the twenty-first century, by people who know is by establishing justice—and public churches can read and write, too? In the words of the great like this Cathedral cannot be neutral where issues John Lewis, who was twice beaten almost to death of justice are at stake. during the civil rights struggle, “The Supreme In following the One who set his face to go to Court has stuck a dagger into the heart of the Jerusalem, let us—as a community that embodies Voting Rights Act.” So along with Emerson, his love and purpose—set our faces to go there, too. I have no choice but to call Tuesday’s decision Let us, with Jesus, stand with and for those who rolling back the heart of the Voting Rights Act “a are up against it. Let us, with Jesus, hold ourselves filthy enactment.” That it was made in the twenty- to account as we seek to live out God’s values in a first century, “by people who could read and write” broken world. and who know better, makes it not only filthy but shameful. We must together call on Congress to Amen. restore what the Court has taken away. We must —the very rev. gary hall, june 30, 2013 defend and rebuild the Voting Rights Act. Now before you begin to think that this is another instance of the dean going all political on you, think what it means for us to be followers of Jesus. After all, Jesus does not go to Jerusalem alone. He calls us to go with him. Christianity has never been only about our own personal, private piety. We go with Jesus to Jerusalem because we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we are really following Jesus, we try to care as much about the suΩerings of people we don’t know as we do about our own children and parents and spouses

Explore more spiritual insights in our online archive, featuring on-demand sermons from Cathedral clergy and guest preachers as well as full-length video of services at www.nationalcathedral.org.

summer 2013 turning the pages of cathedral age

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“Wren’s Cathedral” St. Paul’s Cathedral, its stately dome rising above the City of London as a constant symbol of British history, turned 250 years old in 1960 and was honored for its role as the “Parish Church of the British Commonwealth.” Probably the most significant ceremony that year was held June 7, when English royalty and officialdom gathered for a Service of Thanksgiving at this scene of many great occasions of state. Particular honors during the ceremony were bestowed posthumously on Sir Christopher Wren (1632–1723), the architect who planned and built St. Paul’s. Cathedral Age documented the anniversary for its Autumn 1960 issue.

The sense of history that is so much And it is these men, and the events that a part of St. Paul’s is interwoven are their part of history that are honored above and left june 7, 1960, service with the history and romance of in this anniversary of St. Paul’s. It was of thanksgiving England. For thirteen hundred for them and for St. Paul’s Cathedral for the 250th anniversary of st. years, St. Paul’s on Ludgate Hill that the bells rang out in celebration on paul’s cathedral, has been an ecclesiastical center of Whit Tuesday, June 7, and on many other london, as depicted great events and worship, in times days through this year. On that Tuesday, in cathedral age, autumn 1960, of national rejoicing, mourning preceding the Thanksgiving Service in pages 8 and 9 or thanksgiving. In the Cathedral the cathedral, the peal of bells in the crypt lie the men who made, or northwest tower was rung by members of took part in the great events— the Ancient Society of College Youths, John Donne, Nelson, Wellington, the ringing organization chartered in Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir Arthur Sullivan, and 1637, which rings the bells of the famous British Christopher Wren himself. cathedrals on historic occasions. That day, they rang the bells for Wren’s Cathedral.

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