Weekly News Update

Deans' Note | April 3, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ:

After two years of not meeting physically, we will finally be able to come together in person for Holy Week. Many of the liturgies and traditions that have been such an integral part of our life together in years past will return, especially the Great Three Days of our Lord’s passion, death, and glorious resurrection.

While we will continue to offer and expand St. John’s digital presence, an integral part of being a community is physical presence. We know that for some of you this still is not possible for a variety of reasons, and we honor that. Some of you provide a crucial ministry of welcome and hospitality for our online viewers, some of you are new to St. John’s. Yet there is no greater time of year to be part of the physical community, the body of Christ, than during these last days of Lent, Holy Week and Easter. We urge you to come home this year if you are able.

We believe these most holy days will not only be a source of faith and hope for those of us who have been part of St. John’s community, but will also provide an opportunity for people to discover St. John’s and will call them to a deeper life in Christ. We ask for your help in making all this possible. Financial gifts this year will aid our special efforts to decorate the Cathedral for Holy Week and Easter and support our extraordinary music.

As in years past, we will acknowledge the memory of those no longer with us, and honor those for whom we wish to give thanks. You may give online by visiting our website and clicking the ‘Donate’ button, and then select ‘Easter 2022.’ The names of all donors and dedications will be listed online and in the service leaflets Easter morning.

We thank you in advance for these gifts and for your ongoing generosity to our community this past year. May you have a blessed Holy Week and a joyful, hope filled Easter Season!

Upcoming Events

The Stations of the Cross

Friday, April 1 at 12:00 pm

The Stations of the Cross are a time-honored Lenten tradition especially on Fridays. This year we offer short meditations led by our clergy on one station each week followed by a time of brief intercessory prayer. You can access these meditations live at noon on Lenten Fridays our Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent

Sunday, April 3, 2022

Said Mass at 8:00 am | In-Person Only

Choral Mass at 10:00 am | In-Person & Online

Watch on Vanco Live

Watch on Facebook

Watch on YouTube

Why The Cross? |

"Different Answers from Diverse Contexts"

Mark Baker, Guest Presenter

Sunday, April 3, 2022 at 11:30 am

In-Person and Online

As we enter deeper into the Season of Lenten and our focus turns toward Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, to suffering, and death, the cross becomes a central focus of the church's liturgy. But why the cross?

Mark Baker is Professor of Mission and theology, J.B. Toews Chair, at Fresno Pacific University, and holds the Ph.D. from Duke University. He will explore images of the cross and atonement emerging from different cultural contexts. Much of his academic research has focused on the theology of the cross and atonement. He is co-author of Recovering the Scandal of the Cross: Atonement in New Testament & Contemporary Contexts, along with Joel Green, who presented during our class on Luke's Gospel. Among his other works are Proclaiming the Scandal of the Cross: Contemporary Images of Atonement, and Ministering in Honor-Shame Cultures: Biblical Foundations and Practical Essentials, co-author with Jayson Georges.

Compline at the Cathedral

Sunday, April 3, 2022 at 8:00 pm

Join us for our monthly service of candlelit Compline led by the choir under the direction of Dr. Christopher Gravis; food and fellowship will immediately follow service.

Lenten Book Study | Face To The Rising Sun

Day 29 : "O Bye and Bye, Bye and Bye"

Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 7:00 pm

Come join us at our Lenten Book Study on Zoom next Thursday evening following Evening Prayer.

Daily Meditations

Coordinating Scriptures

African American Spirituals

Discussion Questions

Fellowship

Vestry On-Call

Jenna Kyle

Vestry members are partners with clergy, encouraging the growth of community and the establishment of common ground in the spiritual life of the congregation. Parishioners are always welcome to speak with these individuals on Sunday morning; they assist in making sure our questions, comments, or concerns are heard.

Community

Kindred Spirits: One Animal Family, Part II

with author Anne Benvenuti

Saturday, April 2, 2022 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am

An in-person interview and book signing at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral. Event will also be livestreamed.

Join us for a face-to-face interview with Anne Benvenuti on her latest book, Kindred Spirits: One Animal Family. Following the program, Anne will sign book copies. If you attend the in-person event, you can reserve book copies on the registration form and pay at the event.

Screen Shot 2022-03-31 at 5.55.25 PM.png

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry calls for 100th anniversary Good Friday Offering - The Episcopal Church

Celebrating 100 years of Episcopal Church gifts to Jerusalem and the Middle East, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites bishops, congregations, and supporters to participate in the centenary Good Friday Offering.

Birdielee V. Bright Elementary x St. John's Cathedral

Dear St. John's,

We are excited to continue our developing relationship with our neighbor, Birdielee V. Bright Elementary School. The principal, Renee Smith, has shared some of the school's activities that we can support. The Kindergarten promotion planning has just begun. St. John's will provide the refreshments for the 70 students who are looking forward to being first graders. The 5th grade culmination planning is in progress. There are plans to purchase a 5th grade t-shirt to wear to the class picnic. St. John's will donate $500.00 to offset the cost to the parents (many of whom lost income during the pandemic.). Please be as generous as possible with your donation. You will find special envelopes on the Welcome Table for the T-Shirt Project. Thank you for supporting our children at Birdielee V. Bright Elementary.

Blessings,

Deacon Margaret

Make an online contribution!