Grace Episcopal Cathedral Topeka, Kansas July 2016 Vol. 90, No. 7 Dear friends, At our recent retreat, the vestry set long and short term goals for the Cathedral and composed a new Mission Statement based on who we are, what we do, and who and what we strive to be and be about as a community of faith. It is as follows: The Mission of Grace Cathedral is to be a Christian community of faith committed to fulfilling the Baptismal Covenant through worship, education, fellowship, prayer, and service. We believe this captures, succinctly, how we go about accomplishing our work, ministry, and life together as Grace Cathedral and servants of God. Below are our long and short term goals as set forth by the vestry, and also what we believe to be the core values and core purpose of the parish. CORE VALUES Who we are / deeply held beliefs Belief in God and God’s grace and forgiveness Service to Christ by loving our neighbor as ourselves and respecting the dignity of every human being Liturgical proclamation / worship Living together as a community of faith and fellowship From the Dean. . . Continued on page 2 See inside for information on two very See inside for information on two very See inside for information on two very special Independence Day Celebrations special Independence Day Celebrations special Independence Day Celebrations at Grace Cathedral. at Grace Cathedral. at Grace Cathedral.
Transcript
Grace Episcopal Cathedral Topeka, Kansas
July 2016 Vol. 90, No. 7
Dear friends,
At our recent retreat,
the vestry set long
and short term goals
for the Cathedral
and composed a new
Mission Statement
based on who we
are, what we do, and who and what
we strive to be and be about as a
community of faith. It is as follows:
The Mission of Grace Cathedral is
to be a Christian community of faith
committed to fulfilling the Baptismal
Covenant through worship,
education, fellowship, prayer, and
service.
We believe this captures,
succinctly, how we go about
accomplishing our work, ministry,
and life together as Grace Cathedral
and servants of God.
Below are our long and short
term goals as set forth by the vestry,
and also what we believe to be the
core values and core purpose of the
parish.
CORE VALUES
Who we are / deeply held beliefs
Belief in God and God’s grace
and forgiveness
Service to Christ by loving our
neighbor as ourselves and
respecting the dignity of every
human being
Liturgical proclamation /
worship
Living together as a community
of faith and fellowship
From the Dean. . .
Continued on page 2
See inside for information on two very See inside for information on two very See inside for information on two very special Independence Day Celebrations special Independence Day Celebrations special Independence Day Celebrations
at Grace Cathedral.at Grace Cathedral.at Grace Cathedral.
Celebrate America’s IndependenceCelebrate America’s IndependenceCelebrate America’s Independence at Grace Cathedral!at Grace Cathedral!at Grace Cathedral! MONDAY, JULY 4—10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6—7:30 p.m.
Providing today for Grace
Cathedral’s future growth and
ministry
CORE PURPOSE
Why we exist/our reason for being
To provide the means for
Christian growth by sharing the
love of God in Christ through
worship, teaching, fellowship,
prayer and service.
GOALS
1 YEAR
An increase in the number of
annual pledges
New additional handicap
parking on Polk Street
Begin construction on parish
hall / groundbreaking ceremony
Implement plan to connect
young adults
1-3 YEARS
2017 Centennial celebration of
the completion of the Cathedral /
Grand opening of new Parish
Hall/ Complete building project
Curate plan in place
$30,000 in Dean’s search / hire
fund
Build additional parking
Exterior cleaning / resealing
3-5 YEARS
$1 million dollar operating
budget
2nd full-time priest
350 in attendance for Sunday
worship
Build playground
Stained glass evaluation and
maintenance
5-10 YEARS
$3 million endowment
New mission, west Topeka
ONGOING
Increase community awareness
of Grace Cathedral
Increase active participation in
worship and fellowship
Finding and training adult
education leaders
Organ restoration and
maintenance
100 percent pledge participation
We believe these goals currently
and accurately reflect who we are
and what we are to be about for the
coming year and the foreseeable
future. This will be the model and
map for our work, although we will
review all of this at our retreat next
year. If you have a differing opinion
about what is here or would like us
to consider additions to these lists,
contact any vestry member.
At a recent convocation meeting,
our delegates were asked to talk
about some things we’d like to see
our church doing in five years that it
isn’t doing now. What is something
new you’d like to see Grace
Cathedral actively involved in that
we aren’t doing now? How would
you support that? Let us know and
the vestry will consider it in our
short or long range planning.
In the meantime, you are invited
to join the vestry in our pledge to
memorize the Cathedral’s Mission
Statement and, by doing so, to
constantly recall it and let it guide us
in the work we do.
—I’ll see you in church,
Steve+
From the Dean
Join us (and bring a friend!) for 4 days of summer fun!
Music, games, crafts, field trips and more await our
Cathedral Campers ages 4 years-5th grade. Dinner is
provided each evening! Encourage your kids to bring
their friends! All kids are welcome at Camp Grace.
Volunteers needed! Youth 6th grade and older,
parents, grandparents and other congregation members
are encouraged to spend one or more evenings with our
fabulous Cathedral campers to decorate, prepare crafts,
teach classes or help in the kitchen.
Registration forms for both campers and volunteers
are available at the Cathedral or online at
www.GraceCathedralTopeka.org.
See you at Camp!
— Kathy
It's time for Camp Grace VBS!
Kids age 4 years - 5th grade
July 18 - 21
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Planning a summer trip? Take along a Scripture passage befitting your
vacation to use for devotions and prayer time:
In the mountains: “The mountains and hills before you will burst into song
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
At a lake, perhaps on a fishing trip: “They were casting a net into the lake,
for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send
you out to fish for people.’” (Matthew 4:18-19)
Near an ocean or river: “Let the sea resound … let the rivers clap their hands.” (Psalm 98:7-8)
In the desert: “They looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the
cloud.” (Exodus 16:10)
In the woods: “Blessed is the one … whose delight is in the law of the LORD …. That person is like a tree planted
by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
In the flatlands: “‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me …. I tell you, open your eyes and look
at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.’” (John 4:34-35)
On a “staycation” close to home: “Love the LORD your God …. These commandments that I give you today are to
be on your hearts. … Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road …. Write them on
the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
Destination devotions
Keep up with pledges this summer! Headed out on vacation this summer?
Unfortunately our expenses don’t take a
vacation, so don’t forget to pay your monthly
pledge before you leave. Also, if you visit other
churches during your travels, bring us a service
bulletin. We are always interested in what other Episcopal churches are
doing! Most importantly, have a safe trip!
New signs required Because of new legislation regarding the right to carry guns openly or
concealed in Kansas, churches, which were once restricted areas
(sanctuaries) where guns were not allowed, are now required to post signs at
each entrance prohibiting the presence of guns in our buildings. It’s a shame.
They are not attractive signs, but it is now the law of the land. So, if you
were thinking of asking why the new signs, that’s why.
All call for Grace Players! Once again this year the Grace Players will be presenting the entertainment
for the annual stewardship dinner on October 21. We are looking for talent.
We need actors, singers, musicians and dancers. If you would like to be a
part of this production please contact the church office before the end of
July.
Interested in bread baking group? Cathedral members Michael Deibler and Gweneth McClain would like to
organize a bread baking group to learn about the various techniques of
baking breads such as black bread, pumpernickel and Swedish Rye, to name
a few. Michael, an experienced home bread baker, says, “In this busy culture
of cell phones, Facebook and other busy activities, we are losing the art of
baking delicious and healthy homemade breads.” The group would meet in
the Parish Hall kitchen at an agreed-upon time. An informational meeting for
anyone interested in such a group—whether you want to learn more about
bread baking or would like to share your own expertise—will be held in the
Library on Sunday, July 10, following the 10:30 service. Or you can call
Gweneth at 506-6929.
Daughters of the King social gathering The Grace Chapter of the Daughters of the King will meet for a summer
luncheon on Saturday, July 2, at 11 a.m. at McFarlands Restaurant. It will be
a social time to catch up and share summer adventures. Please call or email
Suzanne DeWeese by noon on Thursday, June 30, to be included in the
