Vicar’s letter
“God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.” Psalm 47:5
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
What a wondrous time of year this is. The trees are full of leaves once again, the azaleas and rhododendrons are blooming, and the breeze is finally gentle and warm. We celebrate the Ascension of our Lord into heaven this Thursday and then wait for the Holy Spirit to descend on us on Pentecost Sunday. The fifty days of Eastertide will soon be over.
Thank you for all you have done to make this season so glorious. I don’t think I will ever forget my first Holy Week and Easter using the full expanse of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine.
These are the things most vivid in my memory: keeping watch from Maundy Thursday to early Good Friday in the “Garden of Gethsemane” which Paul Rueckwald and our floral volunteers set up so beautifully in the Baptistery; the starkness of the Good Friday liturgy, the feel of carrying a wooden cross and the beauty of the a cappella singing; the surprise of using just the back of the Nave for the service of the Word (read so beautifully) at the Easter Vigil—how dark it was by candlelight but how bright the souls who were baptized, confirmed, received, and reconfirmed; how astonishing to hear Tim Brumfield let loose on the organ as the light returned and we all sang alleluia; how glorious it was to see the whole Cathedral filled on Easter Sunday morning with stunning flowers, magnificent music—including a new and wonderful Mass setting by Bruce Neswick and a musical offering by Judy Collins--and powerful preaching. I kept thinking of our Celebration of Rededication in November. Once more we became the City of God.
The week after Easter was more difficult. We who work on the Close had to bury one of our own. Kia Grant died quite unexpectedly on Wednesday of Holy Week. She was 30 years old and the wonderful and joyful assistant in the office of the Canon for Liturgy and the Arts Tom Miller. She was about to receive her Master’s degree. She helped with major events such as St. Francis Day and The Rededication. The funeral was held the Friday after Easter. Her family was as gracious and lovely as she was. Our own Laurel Massé sang an exquisite and heartfelt “His eye is on the sparrow” at the end of the service as we clergy stood around the casket before it was wheeled out. Despite our sorrow, Kia was embraced by resurrection joy.
Since then there have been many other services, including baptisms, funerals (the jazz at Freddie Hubbard’s memorial was awesome), our Earth Day Fair (which included recycling bicycles for the use of third world countries) and celebrating the ministries of Canon John Luce and Bishop Don Taylor. So many of you give so freely of yourselves—you have donated your time as ushers, acolytes, vergers, choir, altar guild, readers, vestry members, healing ministers and lay Eucharistic visitors as well as serving on our various and industrious committees (events, mission and outreach, congregation connections [the new name of the 20s-30s group!], education, communications, prayer tree, welcoming, crafts fair, etc.). You have taken up the hospitality that the building calls forth with joy, graciousness, kindness and love. You feed everyone who comes our way. Many newcomers to the services comment on how wonderful you are. Thank you for being part of the living body of Christ in this place.
And now we prepare for the winds of the Holy Spirit. Hold onto your hats!
Blessings and joy,
Vicki+
The Reverend Canon Victoria R. Sirota
Canon Pastor and Vicar
