Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, 
 
  In less than six months time, the renovation of the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, will be complete. The doors will swing open to reveal the great expanse we have been missing in the last few years--nave, crossing and chancel reconnected. This huge space will have been defined anew by luminous stained glass windows and elegant carvings, resplendent stone walls, mighty pillars and gleaming floors, by shining marble and soaring arches. Thousands of organ pipes from the smallest to the largest--some not having spoken their distinct voice for decades--will have been returned to their proper place, this time cleaned, repaired, and revoiced. A new console will allow our organist to switch quickly from one pool of sound to another, surprising us with dazzling colors and gifted artistry. The choirs will be rehearsed and readied with robes washed and ironed. The altar guild will have blessed the Advent vestments and altar hangings with their gentle care and attention. Ushers will be greeting new friends and old. Vergers and acolytes will make sense of the procession with guests from far and near, clergy and lay, lined up, prayed over and overwhelmed by this most amazing moment--this new day in the rich history of this amazing holy place. 
 
  I have been your Vicar for a little more than nine months. I imagine, from what I have heard and felt, these have been unusually trying times. Everyone whose intense opinion I have heard expressed has also expressed a profound love and gratitude for this place. Some carry views and visions from past memories here, others bring images and insight from other places and experiences. Our ideas of how this renovation in body, soul and spirit should be accomplished have clashed, but our love of what this Cathedral means has been a constant thread. 
 
  I pray you don’t leave now. Our work is just beginning. This year has been a difficult prelude to a new day of ministry, worship and outreach. We are being tested and tried. The Great Deceiver has been clever with each of us. I don’t think anyone has been left unscathed. Things have changed and we don’t like it. And so we choose to fix our blame on someone else rather than trusting that the Holy Spirit has been at work here, creating a mighty mess in order to lead us someplace new. 
 
  Now is when we most need your faith and your prayers. We need to be praying for each other and for this place. We need to be praying for what God would have us do here, and how to prepare. We need to pray for those with whom we agree and those with whom we don’t. We need to pray for our friends and for those we have branded our enemies, and we need to pray for ourselves that we may be open to Christ’s radical love in this place. 
 
  We need everyone. We need you, dear volunteers and employees, administration and staff, clergy and security guards. We need your energy and passion, your hope and your dreams, your faith and your courage. 
 
  I don’t think anyone can quite imagine the magnitude of what is about to happen here. So rather than worry and fuss, let us put on the armor of Christ, stand tall in his love and open our arms to the world. 
 
  We need you. 
 
  Faithfully, 
  Vicki+