Helping Hands
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Summer 2013 1047 Amsterdam Avenue Volume 13 Number 61 at 112th Street New York, NY 10025 (212) 316-7540 stjohndivine.org Summer2013 at the Cathedral Helping Hands ability. Those who speak other languages, have roots in diverse The Altar Guild cares for the liturgical objects, linens, vestments “It is one of the most beautiful communities, or have special connections to youth are always and altar hangings used in the Cathedral. They are responsible compensations of this life that needed. And if you think you have nothing in particular to offer, for cleaning, mending, polishing, and other necessary tasks. The the Cathedral would like the chance to prove you wrong. The Guild also may assist in decorating the Cathedral for feast days. no man can sincerely try to help most important qualifications are reliability and enthusiasm. Continued on back page another without helping himself.” Events at the Cathedral also inspire people to volunteer outside of the Cathedral: to work on interfaith efforts or against hunger, Ralph Waldo Emerson, inducted into The American Poets Corner in 1987 in the fight against fracking and other climate-dangerous activities, as advocates for food sustainability—to in any number he truth contained in Emerson’s words is at of ways spread the word, as a recent speaker put it, that “God the heart of all great projects in life from art to believes in love.” Anyone who walks out of the Cathedral with religion to government to family. We’re a social a greater commitment to service, even something as simple species, dependent on each other from womb as helping a neighbor carry her groceries, is in the curious to tomb, and while economic life requires that way that life links us and makes us responsible for each other, most of us, for most of our lives, be paid for a Cathedral volunteer. Tour contributions, the supply of volunteers at every level of society reminds us of the joy and meaning of work apart from In the past few years, this newsletter has spotlighted the work financial compensation. done by the Altar Guild, the Cathedral Gardens Conservancy, The Laymen’s Club and the Congregation of Saint Saviour; The Cathedral, like all sizable nonprofit (and many for-profit) as well as the Textile Conservation Lab, Public Education and institutions, would not be able to so richly fulfill its mission Visitor Services, Adults and Children in Trust and Cathedral without its skilled and compassionate volunteers. They fill the gap Community Cares, which depend on volunteers to function between the Cathedral’s aspirations and its financial constraints, as well as they do. The Cathedral also partners with volunteer contributing to the smooth functioning of all departments. organizations such as New York Cares to connect with Volunteers come from many walks of life and are all ages, from interested individuals and project leaders. the young person who carries the incense boat in Sunday services to retirees sharing a lifetime of experience and learning. Drawn to Below, the work of volunteers is described more fully, and in the Cathedral for the services, arts and musical events, history or this newsletter’s pages, you’ll find a list of names of volunteers, architecture, they are people with a strong sense of community. as well as their words and insights. If any of these names are of They are students, recent graduates, working adults, parents; people you know, please add your thanks for a job well done— Photo by Cathedral Archives historians, artists, teachers, tradesmen, doctors, bankers and and consider joining their ranks. And if you are aware of the businesswomen; the highly educated and the self-taught. name of any current volunteer that is NOT on this list, please WHAT’s InsIDE let us know! Volunteers feed the hungry, tend the gardens, lead specialist tours Helping Hands The Cathedral Invites for adults; act as acolytes, vergers, docents, lay readers and LITURGICAL VOLUNTEERS: ACOLYTES, VERGERS, USHERS, You to Take a Pause ushers; and provide leadership as trustees and members of LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS, AlTAR GUilD Spirit of Pride ad hoc committees. The mix of talents and personal qualities, Value of Food The Cathedral, as an Episcopal church, has a rich and complex Looking Back unusual knowledge and life experiences found in Cathedral liturgy. Sunday and Holiday services require a lot of preparation Welcome Shelley Grossberg volunteers would be impossible to assemble purposefully. The Looking Ahead and support. By doctrine, the laity is central to Episcopal choice they make, made over and over, to offer their precious Great Music in a Great Space leadership. As such, lay participation in and preparation for the Dean's Meditation time infuses everything that happens here with the spirit of giving. liturgy serves to invite more people into relationship with God In Memoriam Spotlight on Cathedral Arts Volunteers begin by discussing participation in interviews with and with the Cathedral. Keep in Touch staff. There is work available for all levels of skill and physical American Poets Corner The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine Spirit of Pride The Right Reverend Andrew M. L. Dietsche transgendered people and gay men, some forty anti-apartheid leaders. Last year’s decision by the Bishop of New York years later, has led to changes in our society both Episcopal Convention to approve an official liturgy The Very Reverend large and small, in the personal and the political. blessing same-sex unions, and a non-discrimination Dr. James A. Kowalski The Spirit of Pride: Queer First, to be held on the policy welcoming transgendered people into all Dean of the Cathedral evening of Saturday, June 1, will reignite the aspects of church life, was overwhelmingly supported Cathedral’s commitment to diversity and social by Cathedral staff, clergy and congregants. Although Pentagram justice. Performers from the Alvin Ailey American Cathedral policy was already inclusive and Graphic Design Dance Theater, the Lavender Light Gospel Choir will celebratory, this was a milestone evoking pride. Margaret Diehl be here, alongside downtown darling Justin Vivian But there is a lot of work yet to be done. Writer Bond, all brought together by the Cathedral’s Adolescents, who are vulnerable to shaming, dedication to improving the lives of LGBTQIA youth. Isadora Wilkenfeld bullying, ostracism, parental disapproval and sexual Editor These initials—L for lesbian, G for gay, B for bisexual, predators, are also at that point in life when sexuality T for transsexual/transgender, Q for queer/questioning, and gender identity can start to feel particularly Newsletter ©2013 I for intersex, A for asexual and sometimes ally—are intense. James Lecesne, co-organizer of Queer First by The Cathedral Church a signal of the pivotal importance of inclusion to those and a longtime advocate for LGBTQIA kids, has of Saint John the Divine who have felt lesser to, or unwelcome in, the helped to sponsor programs and organizations that A non-profit institution; Photo by Isadora Wilkenfeld mainstream community; it’s also a reminder of how speak directly to young people and provide viable contributions and gifts are integral all members of this alphabetic community options when things look their bleakest. The Gay Pride marches and events, held around the tax deductible to the extent were in taking those first steps, in 1969, to stand up Cathedral feels a special responsibility for educating country in June, commemorate the anniversary of permitted by law. against the violence of oppression. the young and protecting the weak. That education the 1969 Stonewall riots that marked the beginning goes both ways—the perspective of the young is the Schedule of Daily of the contemporary gay rights movement. The The Cathedral has always stood at the intersection lifeblood of culture. Those who are most vulnerable Liturgical Services pioneering fury of those lesbians, drag queens, of diversity and social justice, from the construction often end up strongest. Please join us at this event, of the Chapels of the Tongues a century ago to Sunday whatever your age or orientation, to celebrate the decades of interfaith services and dialogues to 8 am rising generation, and have a very good time. offering its convening power to Civil Rights and Morning Prayer & Holy Looking Back Eucharist 9 am SPRING FEVER Holy Eucharist 11 am Choral Eucharist 4 pm Choral Evensong Monday through Saturday 8 am Morning Prayer 8:30 am Holy Eucharist (Tuesday & Thursday) Photo by Hal Weiner Photo by Helena Kubicka de Bragança 12:15 pm Holy Eucharist The Cathedral hosted a plethora of exciting and contradictory emotion—joyous sorrow—evoked by Kaufman, journalist, professor, and author of Bet 5 pm educational events this spring. While it was still cold liturgy and art. On Easter Sunday, the Cathedral The Farm: How Food Stopped Being Food (2012) to Evening Prayer outside, the Cathedral marked Women’s History resounded with prayer and music, spring flowers discuss the state of the agricultural systems with a month with the Tarantella Dance and Drumming adorning this great celebration of rebirth. passionate audience. Amy Goodman moderated. Cathedral Information Workshop, developed by internationally renowned The Cathedral is open daily On April 9, Cathedral Artist in Residence and high- MUSIC singer, dancer, percussionist, and Artist in Residence from 7:30 am–6 pm wire artist extraordinaire Philippe Petit visited the Alessandra Belloni. The Tarantella originated in This was an exceptional season for music at the For information: Cathedral to celebrate his new book Why Knot? Taranto, Italy, as fast-tempo music and dance said to Cathedral. Great Music in a Great Space brought (212) 316-7540 How to Tie More Than Sixty Ingenious, Useful, cure the (mythically-fatal) bite of the tarantula.