Dear Cathedral Family,
In this Sunday’s gospel reading, Jesus responds from a distance to “that fox” Herod by describing his own work as being like “a hen (who) gathers her brood under her wings.” Speaking to Jerusalem, Jesus expresses his desire “to gather your children together.” His lament is that Jerusalem is not willing.
Jesus is, of course, being prophetic. But he is also voicing God’s constant desire to gather His children together, to love and care for them as a family. When we allow ourselves to be gathered, we naturally feel more connected to the One who strengthens us and helps us grow. And we feel more connected and stronger in our being together.
For the Cathedral Family, Lent offers special opportunities for us to gather, not only for worship together, but in small groups that help us to connect and to grow. On Sundays following worship, I am meeting in my office with adults who want to learn more about the Episcopal Church, and in the afternoons our youth confirmands gather at the home of Carolyn Jeffers to prepare together to confirm their baptismal promises. Later in the day, I will be gathering with our older youth at the home of Kate Watkins for their Affirm class, where we will be talking about our Lenten disciplines and journeys. On Wednesdays at noon, I will continue to gather with a small group to study Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, both in person in the chapel and via Zoom. Later that evening, following communion, Father Thomas Heard is gathering with a group of adults to explore more deeply the practices we follow during Holy Week and Easter.
This Sunday we will say good-bye and thank you to Elizabeth Bemis Gatter on her final day on the bench at Christ Church Cathedral. We will give thanks for the three-plus years we have shared with her, as we offer prayers for her flourishing in her new position as Music Director at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Augusta, Georgia.
In all these things, we seek to follow the One who loves us and leads us into life.
Faithfully,
Beverly+
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