From the Clergy
By The Very Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr., Dean & Rector

I recently told a story taken from Fr. John Powell’s book, “Through Seasons of the Heart”. Powell reflected, when in seminary, he went to the infirmary for treatment of a head cold. While there, he noticed a young seminarian working in the clinic. The seminarian was tucking two elderly, sick priests into bed. One priest snarled at the aid’s attempt to comfort him and suggested that the aid get out of his face. The other priest expressed gratefulness for the tender care he received and promised before the night was ended, he would say a special prayer for the aid. Powell surmised that at a young age, one must choose what kind of person he wants to be. We just don’t make that kind of decision when we are old. We have to practice.

Living in generosity and gratitude does indeed take practice. It is something we learn as we mature. In many instances the practice of generosity is a gift given to us by our parents and grandparents. We observe their actions, how they love and give love, how they speak of their neighbor, and the way they treat strangers. But true generosity comes from our experience of knowing the God who comes to us in the image of Jesus. The giving of God’s only child, that teaches us that we are loved and shows us a new way of living, is a gift that is almost too awesome to comprehend. To know this grace is to know peace and gratitude.

This teaching of Powell returned to me one morning when I read Psalm 116, verse 12. “What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” The overwhelming truth is God is so generous, generous beyond our wildest dreams. The unfortunate truth is we often fail to recognize God’s generosity. I would like to for us as a congregation to use Psalm 116, verse 12 as a reflection during the month of October. In your quiet time or even your family time, ask the question to yourself and to your family, what does this generosity mean to you. Reflect upon God’s goodness and bounty. For what are you most grateful? Every Sunday we say, “All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee.” What does this mean to you and how will you return to the Lord for all his bounty?

When we sit and think about it, God has been generous to us beyond our wildest dream. Which old person do you want to become, the generous and loving one who remembers his thankfulness in prayers, or the old cuss who wants the world to get out of his face? How will you return to the Lord for all his bounty?

Brave Journey † - Morris

Urban Adventure
By Darcy Cassidy

During the weekend of August 22-24, members of the Christ Church J2A group traveled to Chicago with St. Raphael’s for Urban Adventure. Urban Adventure builds adult confidence by having students master challenges in an urban setting. Students also learn about poverty and social issues in a context away from their home town. Darcy Cassidy, a member of the J2A group attended. This is her account of the trip.

A couple of weekends ago the J2A (journey to adulthood) group went on our Urban Adventure with Saint Rafael’s. Urban Adventure is a trip that is supposed to teach you about teamwork, cooperation, and independence. The idea is that we (the teens) are supposed to navigate

around the city by ourselves without adult help. The adults follow us around and make sure that we are safe, and that we stay together but other than that they are not supposed to tell us which way to go or what to do.

The first day was Friday and we drove most of the day. That night we were given $70 and we had to go to the grocery store and buy dinner for everyone. This was challenging because we had to choose something that everyone agreed on. The next day we split into groups to do our community service projects. One group played bingo with some folks at a nursing home. We could tell that they were so happy to see us and really enjoyed our visit. Another community service group went to a building that was damaged by floods and helped move furniture that was in storage. After community service we had lunch then got into four groups for a scavenger hunt. We were given several locations that we were supposed to visit and pick up a souvenir from, take a picture with, or buy an item from for proof that we went there. This was very challenging because the maps were sometimes hard to read and we had to walk along way. After that we got to relax with a movie. That night we all slept well because we were so tired. We left the next morning.

Although the building that we stayed in was very hot, there weren’t very many bathrooms, and sometimes we all got frustrated, it was a good experience because I learned a lot about map reading and getting around cities, and I had a good time!

Thanks
Dear Christ Church Cathedral Members,

Thank you so much for collecting the school supplies for us. We were able to give supplies to all of the students who came to Ready Fest and we have more left over for the teachers to use in the classroom! We appreciate your support so much!

Thanks again!
Laura
Laura Hill, MSW
Harrison Family Resource Center Coordinator
161 Bruce Street
Lexington, KY 40507
PHONE 859-381-3422
FAX 859-381-3286 EMAIL - laura.hill@fayette.kyschools.us

Annual Meeting & Voting
From the Christ Church Staff

Notice: Annual meeting is Sunday, November 23. Election of Vestry and Diocese of Lexington Convention Deputies is that morning until one hour past the end of the last morning service. The meeting will be following the 11:00am service.

A Call for Vestry Nominations.What the By-Laws state

Article IV Section 2. Additional Nominations. In addition to those candidates nominated by the nominating Committee, any Baptized member of the Parish who has remained in good standing for a period of no less than six months preceding the Annual Meeting, and who is sixteen (16) years of age or older may, at least two (2) weeks prior to the Annual Parish Meeting, nominate any eligible member of the Parish by obtaining ten (10) signatures of Baptized members in good standing in support of the nominee. All nominees must consent to their nomination.

Section 3. Procedures.

The Nominating Committee’s slate shall be made public to the Parish at least six (6) weeks prior to the Annual Parish Meeting, and nominees selected by Baptized members shall be made public to the Parish two weeks before the Annual Parish Meeting. Biographies of the nominees shall be published and distributed to the Parish two weeks before the Annual Meeting.

Article V Election of the Vestry and Filling of Vacancies

Section 1.

Number and Eligibility for Election. The Vestry shall consist of twelve (12) Communicants of the Parish Church. A Confirmed Communicant of the Parish, sixteen (16) years of age or older, who has had continuous canonical connection with the Church for no less than six (6) months before the election, or a Baptized member of the Parish sixteen (16) years of age or older who has been a member of the Parish for a period of no less than six (6) months before the Annual Meeting and who has been a regular contributor to the support of the Parish who is not in arrears of his or her pledge shall be eligible to be elected to the Vestry.

Section 7. Eligible Voters.

The following persons are eligible to vote at the Annual Parish Meeting:

a. Communicants in good standing sixteen (16) years of age or older, who have been registered on the Parish Roll for a period of six (6) months or more, preceding the Annual Parish Meeting. (A Communicant in “good standing” is a person who has been confirmed by a Bishop of a Church in communion with the Episcopal Church, or has been received by a Bishop of this Church into the communion of this Church, the person having been previously confirmed by a Bishop of a Church not in communion with this Church. Further, the person must have received the Holy Communion at least three (3) times in the preceding year.)

b. Also eligible to vote at the Annual Parish Meeting are the baptized persons, sixteen (16) years of age or older, who have been on the Parish Roll for at least six (6) months preceding the Annual Parish Meeting and who have been regular contributors to the support of the Parish, and who are not in arrears in their pledge.

Vestry Nominees: Chuck Baldecchi, Nancy Bogue, Jason Boling, Doug Geddes, Wanda Jaquith, Mimi Jones, Diane Milburn, Carolyn Ware and Jim Ware.

Convention Deputy Nominees: Bob Voll, Nancy McDuffie, Dale Chapman, Addison Hosea, Billy Van Pelt, Zak Cassidy, Carolyn Ware and Sherry Ferguson.

Parent to Parent
By Beth Howard

Parent to Parent--Best Practices for Worshiping in Communion (and NOT annoying the neighbors!)

Have you ever wondered if your “Mass Etiquette” was up to snuff? As the mother of three young daughters, I have often wondered that myself, and recently got a very handy tutorial that I’d like to take a minute to share!

“Retrieval from the Nursery”

For seven years now, Tim and I have been picking our girls up from the Nursery during the “Sanctus” portion of our church service. The flaw in this plan was revealed to us recently, when a parishioner noted this was a disturbance in the midst of a portion of the worship time designated as a time of prayer. The Dean was incredibly gracious while schooling me (he is a very gracious guy!), but I was mortified nonetheless that we had disturbed members of our Christ Church family. I sincerely apologize for that. The appropriate time to collect little ones receiving communion? The Dean suggests two most opportune moments--1) during the “Announcements,” or 2) just after the “Fraction Anthem.” Tim and I will be utilizing option #2, since our precious two-year-old angel is entirely too rambunctious to sit peaceably in the nave from the Announcements until the Dismissal!

“Coloring & Motion”

If possible, do attempt to obtain all the “coloring” items (aka “Rack Packs” to us old timers!) needed to entertain your tots prior to the beginning of the service. This will help to alleviate the need for children to get up numerous times during the service to go in search of the correct shade of violet pencil! As a general rule, moving during hymns is fine, but not during speaking moments.

I hope this information proves helpful. Remember that if you have any questions, just ask!

In Memoriam
Remembering the loved ones in our community that have passed on.

Anne Rebecca Anderson Ryan
RYAN Anne Rebecca Anderson, widow of James Joseph (J.J.) Ryan Jr. died Fri, Sept. 5, 2008 after a long illness. Mrs. Ryan was born on Aug 27, 1922 in Roswell, NM. She was the only daughter of Emmuel Albert Anderson and Ida White Anderson. She and her parents moved to Atlanta, GA where she graduated from high school and attended college. She met and married J.J. in Roswell in 1942. In 1947 they moved to Lexington and made it their permanent home. Mrs. Ryan was a member of Christ Church Cathedral and very active in the Altar Guild for many years. She was also an active member of the Lexington Woman’s Club for a long time. She always enjoyed cooking, entertaining and traveling. She is survived by her daughter, Anne Anderson (Andee) Ryan, her son-in-law Michael Edward Daughtry, both of Escazu, Costa Rica and her granddaughter, Lorenda Phillips (Lori) Shepard of Lexington. Donations may be sent to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington KY 40504.
Published in the Lexington Herald-Leader on 9/11/2008.

Art-at-the-Cathedral
By Jesse Mark, Co-Chair

Art at the Cathedral begins its fifth year with Lex-Art’s downtown Gallery Hop. The Cathedral opened its doors the third Friday of September for a reception for 500 gallery hoppers. Diana Searight, intern from EKU, managed the affair like a pro, while Jesse Mark joined the six other Donovan instructors as artists for the evening.

Diana Searight, Senior EKU business major and art history minor, has always been interested in art. She grew up around large cities like Boston and Pittsburgh where culture and art are very important. After a trip to London and Paris, Diana knew she wanted to work in the art field.

Currently, Diana is working on putting together an exhibition of her great uncle’s art work from the 1920s. She is hoping to have the exhibit together by the end of her senior year. During her four years of college Diana has been very active in her sorority, Delta Zeta. She has held many positions, including Vice President and head of the Judicial Committee. While planning for graduate school, Diana came in contact with Amanda Tudor who helped her reach Jesse Mark for an internship. After gradation, Diana plans to attend Graduate School for a Masters of Art Administration.

“I have really enjoyed working at the Art at the Cathedral. I have been learning so much from Jesse. The recent September gallery hop was so much fun and a very educational experience. It was great being able to work with all the volunteers and artists. I hope to continue to learn and grow from my experiences here with Art at the Cathedral.”

The current exhibit is made up of both the current and past instructors of what is now called Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Most of the work is for sale. Art at the Cathedral is supported in part from the purchases you make from the gallery. The proceeds go toward the purchase of permanent art for the cathedral.

Thanks to the volunteers who served as greeters, history docents and hosts for the reception which was sponsored by the artists and the Cathedral Art Committee.

Bishop’s Fund - Oct. 5th, UTO Fall InGathering - Nov. 2
From the ECW

The Episcopal Church Women of Christ Church Cathedral, will have special Bishops’ Funds envelopes in the back of the pews for your donations to the Bishops’ Fund of your choice, so please come prepared to support one or all of the ministries. Each past bishop left very different hopes for our diocese and the people whose lives they wished to influence long after they had left their position. The Episcopal Church Women have established this annual special offering on the first Sunday in October for ministries dedicated to each of these:

• Lewis William Burton Fund for Scholarships for assisting aspiring clergy in their training;

•Henry Pryor Alman Abbott Fund for Diocesan Missions for assist ing new and continuing missionary work in the diocese;

•William Robert Moody Fund for the Cathedral Domain to pro vide continuing support for the place which came to be known as its heart – the Cathedral Domain;

•Addison Hosea Fund for Continuing Education to support the continuing education of people in the diocese;

•Don Adger Wimberly Fund to support our Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Diocese.

The Episcopal Church Women of Christ Church Cathedral, will once again gather the offerings this fall for United Thank Offering. On Sunday, Nov. 2, please bring your blue boxes filled with change and also bring your financial gift as envelopes will be available.

Many projects in our Diocese have been funded by UTO grants. Last year our PPR program received a grant. Information about grants may be obtained from the Diocese.

Miroslav Volf Conference
“Miroslav Volf, one of the most celebrated theologians of our day, offers us a unique interweaving of intense reflection, vivid and painfully personal stories and sheer celebration of the giving of God...I cannot remember having read a better account of what it means to say that Jesus suffered for us in our place.” -Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

October 25th, 10:00am - 3:30pm

October 26th, preaching at both 8:30am & 11:00am

The cost of registration is $25.00 and includes lunch for Saturday. Please send your contact info including name, address, email, phone with a check payable to Christ Church Cathedral with “Volf” in the memo-line.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, October 22. Registration is permitable at the door and will not include lunch. You may also register online.

UN members hear call for MDG action
From the Episcopal News Service

Parts of New York City September 25 were more awash than usual with diplomats, business leaders, royalty, advocates young and old, Episcopalians and Anglicans as the United Nations convened a day-long “high-level event” aimed at gaining a recommitment from the world’s leaders to the Millennium Development Goals.

Meanwhile, in fulfillment of the recent Lambeth Conference’s call, the Episcopal Church designated September 25 as a day of prayer, fasting and witness.

Halfway between the birth of the MDGs in 2000 and their target for achievement in 2015, the General Assembly session, with its surrounding activities, was meant to “inject new energy into the global partnership for development,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of South Korea told the assembly. “We are the first generation to possess the resources, knowledge and skills to eliminate poverty. Experience shows that where there is strong political resolve, we see progress.”

Ban asked the assembly to agree to his proposal for what he called “a formal summit” in 2010 to take stock again of MDG achievements and announce a plan for the last five years before the target date.

Amidst a day filled with announcements of new commitments and re-commitments to the MDGs, rock star Bono, speaking at the UN during the launch of the Education of All initiative, made a unique commitment. Asked by fellow rocker Bob Geldof what he was going to pledge to do, Bono promised “to continue to be a pain in the arse to people who make commitments and do not keep them.”

The day began with nearly 90 minutes of speeches to the United Nations’ General Assembly from UN officials, five heads of state, the head of the European Commission, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Elaben Bhatt, founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association. The rest of the day included two series of roundtable discussions on the MDGs, interspersed with news conferences and other events.

Ban set the stage for the day when he said that while the world has “many successes on which to build” to achieve the MDGs by 2015, “we are not moving quickly enough.”

“The current financial crisis threatens the well-being of billions of people, none more so than the poorest of the poor. This only compounds the damage being caused by much higher prices for food and fuel,” Ban said in the first of many references during the day to current instability in financial markets. “We must rise to all of these challenges immediately. We must inject new energy into the global partnership for development.”

Ban told the delegates that “poor people around the world look to their governments and to the United Nations for help and solidarity.”

“We are accountable to them,” he said. “Here in this house, everyone counts. So let us live up to our responsibility. I ask you to be bold in your commitments. I ask you to be generous. Tell us what you will do, and how you will do it.”

Few member countries have lived up to the commitments that they made in 2002 to allocate 0.7 percent of their gross domestic product to development, said UN General Assembly President Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann.

“For every dollar that the developed countries spend on international assistance, they invest $10 in military budgets,” said d’Escoto, a Nicaraguan Maryknoll Missionary priest who is also senior advisor on foreign affairs to Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega.

D’Escoto said that the current credit crisis, which he suggested was caused “in large part by a preference for protectionist policies or special interests at the expense of the common good,” cannot be “used as a pretext for failing to honor the commitments undertaken” to achieve the MDGs.

Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, speaking at the Education for All launch later in the day, noted the planned $700 billion U.S. bailout plan for banks and financial institutions. “One of the ironies about the financial crisis is that it makes action on poverty look utterly achievable,” Sentamu said. “It would cost $5 billion to save six million children’s lives. World leaders could find 140 times that amount for the banking system in a week. How can they now tell us that action for the poorest on the planet is too expensive?”

Gates, the founder of Microsoft and now the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, told the General Assembly that the invitation to speak to the delegates was “a sign of partnership; the world understands that no sector acting alone can achieve the goals for humanity that are the mission of the United Nations.”

Reiterating the MDG-related success achieved thus far, Gates acknowledged what he called disappointing but not discouraging evidence that a world-wide commitment to the goals is not being honored. “This is the first time the whole world has ever made a focused effort to track its progress in improving the lives of the poorest people,” he said. Of course we’re not going to be perfect.”

Gates called for greater innovation in MDG work to compliment the attention he said the goals have garnered. “The Millennium Development Goals can guide the search for new discoveries by showing us where innovation can bring the biggest returns,” Gates said. “This is their genius, and I am really optimistic about what they can help us accomplish.”

In remarks that closed the morning’s session, Bhatt told the assembly that “the poor are not our priority,” saying that while the modern world is proud of its gleaming cities and high-tech achievements, “we are not ashamed of our dying villages.” As they re-commit to the MDGs, Bhatt said the nations of the world should partner with poor people and consider the plight of the working poor who can help develop the tools they need such as training and micro-lending.

“The poor are fully capable of evaluating the state of their poverty,” she said.

At midday September 25, about 35 members and friends of the Episcopal Church marched in a “walk of prayerful witness” to support the MDGs, from the church’s headquarters several blocks to the UN.

The group walked to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, in the shadow of the UN General Assembly building. Members of the group passed a talking-stick around and spoke of their commitment to the MDGs.

Bishop James Curry, bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Connecticut, said, “Jesus calls us into partnership and transformation. The Episcopal Church calls us to raise up the Millennium Development Goals as tools to end poverty. We have influence with our lawmakers if we choose to use it.”

“As citizens, and as children of God, we need to build a society where each individual can flourish and become the whole person they were created to be,” Sentamu said. “Education is part of that transformative process for us to become fully human … As Christians, as educators, as human beings, our calling is to help others to attain their full humanity -- not to beat them in the race but to share with them the prize.”

The day before the events at the UN, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams released a video message in which he backed calls for a renewal of the pledges made by the international community in 2000, and spoke of the need for the members of the Anglican Communion to work in harmony with governments and non-governmental organizations around the world in order to achieve the MDGs by 2015.

Later, there was a “rally” and “teach-in” on the steps of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, followed by a “Service of Recommitment and Witness of the Achievement of the MDGs.” Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori officiated and Sentamu preached.

The Christ Church Bulletin Board
Some of the many happenings at Christ Church

Annual Meeting of the Episcopal Church Women
Saturday, November 1st is the Annual Diocesan ECW meeting at Trinity Church, Covington, at 10:30am. We will begin with the Holy Eucharist at 10:30am, followed by lunch provided by the Women of Trinity. After lunch the Rev. Anisa Cottrell-Willis will present a program entitled “Women and the Millennium Development Goals.” The short business meeting will follow the presentation. Babysitting will be provided. All are Welcome. There is a sign up sheet at the Welcome Desk.

18 units of blood donated, lives saved
Thank you to everyone who donated blood for this year’s blood drive. We look forward to seeing you next year.

Cathedral Commodores, Oct. 3 , 7:00pm
Come to the Great Hall. Jim and Cindy Ware will tell about their recent trip to see Jordan and Petra. (Petra is listed as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”). Members and friends of the Cathedral are invited--especially newcomers. Bring a meat, vegetable, or salad dish. Dessert, bread, and beverage will be furnished.”

Holiday Bazaar, Dec. 7, 8am - 1:30pm
Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 7 for the 2008 Holiday Bazaar. The Bazaar will take place from 8:00am - 1:30pm and will benefit C.R.O.S.S. Ministries. Come out and get your Christmas shopping done at Christ Church. More information available in the next Prayer & Action.

Church Under the Bridge Oct. 12 - sign up to help
Everyone that participates always gets a blessing from this wonderful ministry! We need dozens of cupcakes that Sunday morning as well as volunteers to prepare food and serve the food.

All ladies are welcome to come to ECW Tuesday October 13, 11:00am
Kenton Ball and the team share their stories and adventures from the Katrina Relief Trip to Mississippi. Please call church at 254-4497 by Monday noon October 13 to make a reservation, or send a check to Joell Finney made payable to Christ Church Cathedral for $8.00 to cover lunch. Meeting starts at 11:00 in Great Hall and ends at 1:00. This allows those who work in the area to come, attend the lunch and hear the speaker and get back to work.

Mississippi Mission Trip - Nov. 2nd - 8th - You are invited to go - sign up now!
Sign up on the clipboard at the Welcome Center. A meeting to discuss the trip will be Sunday, October 5, 10:00am in the Dean’s Conf. Rm. Call the church office for a packet of information on hotel information, etc.

Books & Beliefs, Oct. 7, at 10:00am, Joan Lesueur presents book
Hosts Ann Demaree and Cindy Ware, located at 3709 Lake Valley Ct. (get directions from mapquest or at the Welcome Desk) Book: A Study of Appalachian Literature as reflected in the work of Harriett Arnow and Wilma Dykson.

October Birthdays
1 Jane Michler
2 Ken Tufts, Jr.
Morris Thompson, Jr.
Sarah Conrad Blanchett
3 Virginia Thompson
Langston Wilson
4 John Winn, Jr.
Katelyn Tipton
5 Lori Specht
Elizabeth Dorsett
Kenya Noon
6 Nell Vaughn
June Kinkead
Michael Moran
Darrell Dennis
Alex Ranft
Joshua Tudor
7 Bibie Cook
Jerod Hellmueller
8 Jane Binger
10 Mary Barry
Scott Cole
Robert Ferguson
11 Bianca Zaffarano
Tom Underwood, Jr.
Louise Lorton
12 Brandl Skirvin
Evan Albert
Darcy Cassidy
13 William Jacobs
Ein Thurman
14 Sallie Johnston
Jessie Ogden
Peggie Mahan
15 Ann Irwin
Douglas Romaine
16 Phillip Tibbs
Lisa Foreman
17 Allen Fitzpatrick
18 Elizabeth Abbott
Barbara Bohart
Patti Howard
Bella Baldecchi
19 Nancy Zachem
Frank White
Page Mendes
David Hawse
21 Martha Lyon
Max Hellmueller
22 Karen Kirby
Bill McDuffie
Cynthia Cole
Tom Yates
Elizabeth Gay
23 John Cole
Luanne Milward
Browning VanMeter
24 Schuyler Robinson
25 Sandra Kestner
26 Autumn Geddes
27 Kenton Ball
Audrey Miskelley
Julianna Gregory
Derrick Langfels
29 Kimberly Meier
Allen McDaniel
Caroline Bryant
30 Frances Barr
Hollie Skaggs
Andy Brice
Siobhan Mary O’Neill
31 Lu Crehore
Henry Garrett