Do Not Be Afraid

This Sunday, Jesus will remind us and his disciples in the Gospel of Luke: “Do not be afraid, little flock.”

This is the song that God has been singing to humankind since the beginning of time. In Moses’ interaction with the burning bush? God says: “Do not be afraid.” As the angel visits the young girl Mary to tell her she’s going to bear a Son who will be the Messiah? The angel says: “Greetings favored one! Do not be afraid.” As the angels approached the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night to tell them of the Messiah’s birth? They say: “Do not be afraid.” As Jesus greets Mary Magdalene at the tomb on Easter morning? He says: “Do not be afraid!” This mantra, this refrain that God has been repeating over and over to us since the beginning of time never gets old, and yet, hardly ever gets believed.

The primary posture of humankind toward God and toward each other, Jesus teaches, should not be that of fear. And yet it is fear that is the currency in which we trade, day in, day out. Fear that there won’t be enough. Fear that someone else will take what we have. Fear of outsiders and strangers coming in and taking over. Fear of having to interact with people who look, worship, think, vote, or live differently from us. Fear of change. Fear of death. Fear once served our ancestors well when we lived in the wild and were being chased by tigers; unfortunately, it is now hard-wired into our brains and it is not helpful. “Do not be afraid, little flock” Jesus says to his disciples, and to us. Override what your reptilian brain, your temperament and the cable news channel of your choice are telling you and instead live in a place of trust, hope, abundance, and peace rather than in a place of scarcity, danger, suspicion, or paranoia that either God or somebody else is out to get you.

Do we have enough faith to heed Christ’s invitation to finally listen to and believe what God has been telling us all along?

– The Very Rev. Gray Lesesne, D.Min.
Dean and Rector

Baptisms This Sunday

This Sunday at 10 a.m., we will welcome two new members into our church family through the rite of Holy Baptism: Sunday Gwen Hughes and Wesley Keegan Fox. We ask your prayers for them and their families as we all renew our own baptismal vows.

TONIGHT! Benefit Concert: Send Alejandro Reyna to Aspen Music Festival

FRIDAY, AUG. 5, AT 7PM

Alejandro Reyna, a member of the Cathedral’s Coro Latinoamericano, has been accepted into Seraphic Fire’s Professional Choral Institute at the Aspen Music Festival. This benefit concert will help raise funds to cover tuition, housing, and travel expenses.

LEARN MORE

THIS SUNDAY: Backpack Blessing

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, AT 10AM & 1PM

We wish all of our students a happy and healthy start to the school year and will offer a backpack blessing during our 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. services. Students of all ages are welcome to participate so that we may joyfully send you off into the new school year!

THIS SUNDAY: Children’s Formation Discussion
SUNDAY, AUG. 7, AT 11:15AM and 2:15PM

After two years of pandemic adjustments, we’re excited to push the reset button on Children’s Formation programming. Bring your prayers, hopes and ideas. Our children need support in scripture lessons, service projects, parish traditions, worship time activities and pageants. If you could offer a one-time program or a more regular commitment, our children need you!

THIS SUNDAY: Fiesta!
SUNDAY, AUG. 7, AT 2:15PM

The first Sunday of each month, after our 1 p.m. service offered in Spanish, we gather together for fellowship and delicious food. Be with us and experience the warm generosity of our community, and if you are able, bring a dish to share!

Book Study: “The Church Cracked Open”
SUNDAYS IN SEPTEMBER

This September, our Sunday Forum at 11:30 a.m. will focus on the book “The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community” by the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers. In this book Mother Stephanie, who serves on the staff of the Presiding Bishop, examines how events of the last few years have spurred Christians to wrestle with difficult questions around systemic racism, establishment, and privilege.

Complimentary paperback copies of the book will be available at the church starting this Sunday. We invite you to take one per household.

Sacred Ground: Exploring Race and Racism in America
THURSDAYS, SEPT. 8 THRU NOV. 17

Join us on Thursday evenings this Fall for Sacred Ground, an 11-part film-and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. Through an immersive online curriculum, we will explore documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.

Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. This series is open to all, and especially designed to help white people talk with other white people about these most important issues. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.

REGISTER NOW

Updates to Our Security Policy

Christ Church Cathedral is a spiritual hub of transformation for our city and diocese. Our unique location in the center of our city gives us the opportunity to be a space of deep peace in a troubled world, and we strive to be a safe place for all. You may have noticed over the last year, we have had the support of an outside security firm during our Sunday worship. We are grateful to them and how they have become beloved members of our CCC community.

In the wake of continued violence across the nation, CCC Vestry and staff have updated our security policy to include the following changes:

Beginning August 14, the St. Francis Door will be locked during services.
Accommodations will be made to ensure those who need to access the Cathedral from the wheelchair ramp will be able to do so.
CCC hired security guards, in uniform and who have received specialized training, may be armed while in the Cathedral.

If you have questions about our new policy, please know that our Wardens and staff welcome your feedback.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p.814)