C HRIST C HURCH C ATHEDRAL M OBILE , A LABAMA May 2014 Volume 13, Number 4 THE MESSENGER May will be a month of saying “thank you,” “we love you,” and “farewell” as well as a time of looking forward with excitement and hope to new ventures and opportunities ahead. On the first Sunday of the month, May 4, we will say a prayer of thanksgiving for our graduating high school seniors. We will pray for their safety and well being as they begin new adventures in life, and we will give each a Bible as a token of our love and prayers. Then we will celebrate with them at a hot dog and ice cream luncheon following our worship. On that same day, we will also express our appreciation for the many people who work with our young people in Christian Education. Their influence is incalculable, and we are thankful for their self-giving in this vital ministry. Sunday, May 11 will be our Cathedral Celebration for the year. It will mark the ninth anniversary of our naming as the Cathedral Church of this diocese on April 23, 2005, moved later this year due to the lateness of Easter. Bishop Duncan will be with us that day to celebrate and preach and to baptize, confirm, and receive new members into the household of God in this place. It will be an important day in our life together as the Cathedral family, and we will mark it with a special luncheon honoring our newly baptized and confirmed. Finally, on Sunday, May 18, we will give thanks for the many years of service given to Christ Church by our Organist/Choirmaster, Peggy Lyden. We will lift up the musical programs she has built here, which are at the heart of how we worship and who we are together. And we will say prayers of thanksgiving and Godspeed as she begins a new chapter in her ministry at St. Paul’s in Springhill. In all these things, we remember God’s goodness to us, the many gifts we enjoy in this place, His continued provision for all our needs and blessings on our endeavors. I pray that you all will join together with me in looking forward with joyful anticipation to the days that lie ahead. Dear Cathedral Family, 9 TH A NNUAL C ATHEDRAL C ELEBRATION CONFIRMATION, BAPTISM, AND PAROCHIAL VISIT Sunday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. Luncheon in the Chapter House to follow. The Right Reverend Philip M. Duncan, II will be at Christ Cathedral for the Cathedral Celebration on Sunday, May 11. Photo by Blue Room Photography (Cindy McCrory) Faithfully, The Very Reverend Beverly F. Gibson, Ph.D., Dean
THE MESSENGER is the monthly newsletter of Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile, Alabama, the cathedral for the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
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C H R I S T C H U R C H C A T H E D R A L M O B I L E , A L A B A M A
May 2014
Volume 13, Number 4 THE MESSENGER
May will be a month of saying
“thank you,” “we love you,” and
“farewell” as well as a time of looking
forward with excitement and hope to
new ventures and opportunities ahead.
On the first Sunday of the month,
May 4, we will say a prayer of
thanksgiving for our graduating high
school seniors. We will pray for their
safety and well being as they begin new
adventures in life, and we will give each
a Bible as a token of our love and
prayers. Then we will celebrate with
them at a hot dog and ice cream
luncheon following our worship.
On that same day, we will also
express our appreciation for the many
people who work with our young people
in Christian Education. Their influence
is incalculable, and we are thankful for
their self-giving in this vital ministry.
Sunday, May 11 will be our
Cathedral Celebration for the year. It
will mark the ninth anniversary of our
naming as the Cathedral Church of this
diocese on April 23, 2005, moved later
this year due to the lateness of Easter.
Bishop Duncan will be with us that day
to celebrate and preach and to baptize,
confirm, and receive new members into
the household of God in this place. It
will be an important day in our life
together as the Cathedral family, and we
will mark it with a special luncheon
honoring our newly baptized and
confirmed.
Finally, on Sunday, May 18, we will
give thanks for the many years of
service given to Christ Church by our
Organist/Choirmaster, Peggy Lyden.
We will lift up the musical programs she
has built here, which are at the heart of
how we worship and who we are
together. And we will say prayers of
thanksgiving and Godspeed as she
begins a new chapter in her ministry at
St. Paul’s in Springhill.
In all these things, we remember
God’s goodness to us, the many gifts we
enjoy in this place, His continued
provision for all our needs and blessings
on our endeavors. I pray that you all will
join together with me in looking forward
with joyful anticipation to the days that
lie ahead.
Dear Cathed ral Family,
9TH ANNUAL CATHEDRAL CELEBRATION CONFIRMATION, BAPTISM, AND PAROCHIAL VISIT
Sunday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. Luncheon in the Chapter House to follow.
The Right Reverend Philip M. Duncan, II will be at Christ Cathedral for the Cathedral Celebration on Sunday, May 11.
Photo
by
Blu
e R
oom
Ph
oto
gra
ph
y (C
ind
y M
cCro
ry)
Faithfully,
The Very Reverend
Beverly F. Gibson, Ph.D., Dean
Page 2
Tr ibute to Peggy Lyd en
Peggy Lyden has been the Organist/Choirmaster at Christ Church
since April 2001. She was hired by The Reverend W. Ellis Wilkins who
was serving as interim Rector for the then exiled congregation
worshipping at St. John’s, Mobile. Peggy left the Spanish Fort United
Methodist Church to join the small group. She and her husband Jack and
their daughters Emi and Susie jumped into the life of the congregation.
Jack became an usher, and once he was received, a lay reader. Emi and
Susie were acolytes and sang in the children’s choir. The Lydens even
brought Peggy’s mother, Carolyn Levensailor, who volunteers as our
Archivist.
Ellis said of Peggy, “I had worked with her previously at St. John’s, and I
knew that she understood how I liked the service. Peggy has great talent, she is
quite the musician.” He continued, “She came onboard at a time when we all
worked for expenses. She, like many, was the right person in the right place.”
Peggy graduated with distinction in performance from Converse College
with a Bachelor’s degree in Music in Organ Performance and holds a Master's
degree from the University of South Alabama in Education with a concentration
in music. Her musical career began at an early age with piano lessons from
Thelma Perkins. Carolyn Levensailor said that she started Peggy with lessons
because her father was an accomplished pianist. Peggy began playing the organ
under the tutelage of Jack Noble White when he was the Organist/Choirmaster at
St. Paul’s. From middle school Peggy would walk from the school to the church
to take organ lessons. She spent several summers at a music camp in California with White. When a committee was
sent to select a new organ for the church, Peggy went with them. Her professional career began as one of the
organists at St. Paul’s.
When asked for comments, long-term choir member Skip Archer noted
that Peggy has a real love of music. She has a way of fitting the music to the
season and going even further to match the music to the readings. Skip said,
“Peggy has a knack for dealing with a whole spectrum of voices, from the
least experienced to those who are proficient.” Her work is consistent. She
challenges choir members with difficult pieces. She challenges them to
move beyond their comfort zone and discover what they are capable of
doing. Skip continued, “Peggy is extremely committed to the choir
members, and she is always looking for new talent.” He finished by saying,
“Peggy is always teaching.” She teaches the choir pieces and brings them
back time and again so that they can gain proficiency. She also challenges
the congregation with not so well known music from the hymnal. And he
said, “she teaches up to the very last minute!’
Peggy’s last Sunday on the bench will be May 25. We will have a
reception in her honor on Sunday, May 18 following the service. Beginning
June 1, Peggy will take on the role of Organist/Choirmaster at St. Paul’s,
Mobile. Peggy will also retire from teaching music at the Lower School at St.
Paul's Episcopal School. She is a member of the American Guild of Organists
and the Association of Anglican Musicians.
She will always have a home within the Christ Church Cathedral family.
We will miss her.
Peggy Merris, Peggy Lyden, Alison Mitchell, Dean Gibson
The Rev. Ellis Wilkins with Peggy Lyden
Brenda Stanton and Peggy Lyden
Jack and Peggy Lyden
Page 3
Music Minis tr y
We look forward to having the young people sing for
the Cathedral Celebration, Sunday, May 11. They will
have their last rehearsal of the season on May 7.
Handbells will play on Sunday, May 11. The Handbell
Choir will conclude their rehearsals for the year on
Wednesday, May 7. The Adult Choir will have their
last rehearsal on Wednesday, May 21.
Choir Appreciation will be Sunday, May 18.
Thank yo u
Dear Ms. Jeffers,
On behalf of the University of South Alabama, thank
you for your gift of $500 to the USA Trumpet Ensemble.
You will be recognized in the University’s Honor Roll of
Donors.
Thank you for your interest in and support of the
University of South Alabama and particularly the
students we serve.
Sincerely,
Joshua E. Cogswell
Director
University Development
It has been a very busy year. We began with
the Celebration of the New Ministry and
Installation of the Second Dean in October with
trumpeter Peter Wood, violinist Enen Yu,
timpanist Luis Rivera and vocalists Gary Kohler
and Teri Williams. This was followed by Advent
Lessons and Carols with Jenny Covington on
oboe, Danielle Darrington on flute and Kim
Harden on violin. Advent Music programs
included Roman Street with Tom Morley as guest
violinist; and The University of Mobile String
Orchestra. Andra Bohnet on the Celtic harp and
flute and Tom Morley on violin were part of our
Christmas Eve Celebration.
The University of South Alabama Trumpet
Ensemble joined us in February. We continued the
Lenten Music series with The Archduke Trio: Bob
Holm, pianist; Guoshen Huang, cellist; and Enen
Yu, violinist; The Atkinson Duo: Mathew
Atkinson, violinist and Rebecca Atkinson, harpist
with guest violinist, Gosia Leska, and Peggy
Lyden, organist; Bella Voce of Mobile, Mobile’s
Premier Women’s Chorus; Myles Garver, vocalist
and Tjaden Cox, vocalist and Peggy Lyden,
pianist; and St. Paul’s Episcopal School Strings
under the direction of Holly Compton for the final
concert. The Wood Brass Quartet with timpani
joined us for Easter. The season will conclude with
the Cathedral Celebration in May with Enen Yu
joining us on violin.
We are extremely grateful to the many
contributors to the Music Ministry through
financial contributions as well as the many
talented artists and volunteers who give tirelessly
of their talents to make the music at the Cathedral
so special. Week in and week out the adult choir
remains the backbone of the musical offerings we
all enjoy.
This has been a wonderful year of making
music to the glory of the Lord. We give thanks for
all that has been and look forward to what lies
ahead!
Page 4
We will honor our graduating high school seniors on Sunday, May 4 during the service. The seniors and
their parents will be asked to come forward for a blessing. Following the service, we will celebrate our high
school seniors graduation with hot dogs and ice cream sandwiches during the Hospitality hour.
We would like to recognize college graduates in the June issue of The Messenger;
if you have a college graduate, please notify the Cathedral Office.
GRADUATION 2014
OUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
David Albert Carwie, Jr.
Christopher Harris Clinton
Donald Franklin Garner III
Eleanor Grace Hanceri
Robert Joseph Koss III
Chr ist ian Ed ucat io n Reco gnit io n—Sund ay, May 4
Our dedicated Christian Education teachers have done a wonderful job this year with our Cathedral family
children. Sunday School may be over, but Children’s Chapel will continue throughout the summer. Vacation
Bible School will be held June 10 through June 12. Special thanks to Alison Mitchell for her leadership and
planning.
Now is not too soon to decide to help with Christian Education, which will begin again in the fall on Rally Day,
Sunday, September 7. If you are interested in helping, please contact Alison Mitchell at [email protected]
or 689-7874 or call the Cathedral Office.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Grammar School
Valerie Hines
Mary Carol Ladd
Alison Mitchell
Kristyn Seawell
Barry Weeks
Middle School
Carolyn Jeffers
Confirmation
Ellen Douglas Alves
Lucy Moore
High School
Thad Hendrix
Chris Kelly
CHILDREN’S CHAPEL
Skip Archer
Ginny Behlen
Chambliss Brister
Harwell Coale
Josh Hopper
Robbie Lynn Irvine
Kathy Heath
Barbara Mitchell
Bill Skinner
Teri Williams
Youth Assistants
Janie Chow
Rose Elliott
Annabel McKay
FUN CLUB
Mary Esther Elliott
Mary Carol Ladd
Alison Mitchell
M. J. Ramo
MUSIC
Peggy Lyden
Teri Williams
Lauren Isabel Leatherbury
Graham Mallory Reeves
Catherine Legare Sanders
Page 5
C4 CHOIR CALENDAR
Rehearsal Schedule Wednesdays
4:30-5:15 p.m.
May 7—Final Rehearsal
Church Singing Dates Sundays during
10:00 a.m. service
May 11—
Cathedral Celebration
MORNING CIRCLE
10:30 a.m. Monday, May 12
At the home of Martha Middleton 3901 Saint Andrews
Drive, East
Call Carolyn Stephenson at 342-5637 for information
on Morning Circle.
Co nfir mat ion/Sund ay Scho ol ERD P ro ject
Our confirmation curriculum
challenges our students to seek and
serve Christ in others. Their fifth
class asks them the question from
the Baptismal covenant, “Will you
seek and serve Christ in all persons,
loving your neighbor as yourself?”
Their response, “I will with God’s
Help.”
As a way to serve Christ they
embarked on an ambitious goal to
raise $2500 to be given to Episcopal
Relief and Development to fund two
water treatment facilities. The class
members: Savannah Burgin, Tucker
Burgin, Jordan Chow, Lilly Hooker,
and Janaé Wilson asked the students
in the middle school class and in the
fun club to join their project. They
decided to make the project last
over the entire season of Lent.
Donations would be gathered in on
Easter Sunday.
They made a schedule which
began with an address by Jordan
Chow to the congregation during
church. While Jordan spoke, the
other students distributed ERD
boxes and envelopes. They helped
plan articles in both the Messenger
and the weekly notes. They even
made a video and posted it on
YouTube! The result… $1286.49 in
contributions—enough to build a
water filtration system!
The class was drawn to the
Clean Water project because they
have never had to consider whether
the water they drank was safe. In
many third world countries, people
cannot afford to filter their water.
Water that is not clean can contain
parasites and other things that can
hurt the human body. When people
consume the water, they will
become sick. Some of the diseases
can even cause death. You heard
Jordan when she said, “There are
many ways the donations can help
with this cause, but they all help
these people do the more important
things: drink, wash, cook, and live.”
When Eugene Johnston,
Diocesan ERD Chair was contacted
about the project he said, “How neat
that the students at Christ Church
Cathedral could learn about other
cultures, while gaining an
understanding that many things we
take for granted are not readily
available in many countries. They
are also able to take a leadership
role in their parish and learn how to
live into their Baptismal Covenant.”
He continued, “I hope future classes
will remember how easy it is to take
an ERD project and make it your
own.”
ERD Project: DRINK, WASH, COOK, LIVE
A Huge Success!
Page 6
Palm Sund ay Annual Par ish P hoto and Easter Sund ay P ho tos—2014 Photos courtesy of Blue Room Photography/Cindy McCrory, Carl Cunningham, Elizabeth Harrison, Banks Ladd and Robby McClure.
Our annual parish photo taken in the garden on Palm Sunday, April 20.
Our Easter Altar
Flowers on the silver cross Flowers on the hanging
cross from members of our
congregation
Page 7
It was a perfect day for an Easter Egg Hunt!
Bishop Duncan
Dean Gibson with Sophia and Liz Ferguson
Dean Gibson
Anna Price Mitchell
Ready . . . Set . . . Go!
Ushers: Sonny Irvine, Chuck McKay, Banks Ladd Acolytes: Charlie Weeks, Anna Francis Weeks, John Owen McElhaney
Bob Israel with his grandson, Jackson
Page 8
Lenten Music Ser ies Luncheon
Many thanks. . .
to the 50 plus volunteers who shopped, chopped,
scooped, and ladled up delicious fare for more than 350
guests over the five-week Lenten luncheon series.
Special appreciation goes to the following for their
contributions:
Our Luncheon Teams:
March 12—Morning Circle: Marolyn Kruse, Elizabeth
Harrison, Lynn Yankie, Joy Dean, Debbie Broome,
Betty Reniewicz, Carolyn Stephenson, Harriet Jean
Boughton, Martha Middleton, Peggy McClelland
March 19—Lucy Brady, Sage Bolt, Carolyn Eichold,
Shannon Reeves, Barbara Mitchell
March 26—Lynne Davis, Leslie Ladd, Bill Christian,
Norman Pharr, Missy Patrick, Ann Gaillard, Carolyn
Those Serving in the Military: Darrien Gibson, Kelley Hood, Evan
Sizemore, Robert McNeil, The Rev.
Bowen Woodruff, Daniel White-
Spunner Reed, Jonathan Duralde, Ron
Lansong, Sam Garcia, Chris Marslender,
Jerry Olin, Abby Hutchins, Tyler
Gamble, Todd Mouthaan, Jean-Michael
Lemieux, Albert Robinson IV, Michael
Nassar, Josh Power, Ryan Anthony
Thomas, Randy Johnson, Susan
Reniewicz, Brian Caselton, Brian
Hudson, Keith Moss, Ryan Walker,
Tyler Oubre, Brian Pennell, John
Snyder, Louis Coggin, Jason Norris
Births: Louise Carlile Hoitink, daughter of Julia
and Chris Hoitink, granddaughter of
Julie and John McClelland, great-
granddaughter of Peggy and Ponnie
McClelland
Souls Departed: Jean Halbrooks, wife of Tom Halbrooks
and mother of John Halbrooks
Please contact the Cathedral Office to let us know if you would like to keep the names of
Friends and Family you have submitted on the prayer list. We will keep everyone who has
been submitted within the last month and all others from whom we hear.
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WEDNESDAY NOON HOLY EUCHARIST Wednesdays through May 21
Noon Eucharist will resume the Wednesday following Labor Day, September 3.
Page 11
THE CATHEDRAL
CHAPTER
John Stephenson McClelland Senior Warden
Robert Willis Israel
Charles Stephen McKay Junior Wardens
William Kennon Drew Treasurer
Harwell Ellis Coale, Jr. Chancellor
Ronald A. Snider Clerk
Class of 2014
Robert D. Forster
Tray W. Hamil
Ann H. Luce
John S. McClelland, Jr.
Elissa E. Watkins
Wythe L. Whiting
Class of 2015
John D. Davidson
Mary Esther T. Elliott
Banks C. Ladd
Alison S. Mitchell
Lucy F. Moore
Henry R. Seawell IV
Class of 2016
Sage M. Bolt
Lewis H. Golden
George B. Inge
Robert W. Israel
Charles S. McKay
Hetty C. Newell
Chapter Members
Mendy Henderson, 2016 St. Agatha’s, deFuniak Springs
Gary Moore, 2017 St. Paul’s, Daphne
The Rev. Aaron Smith, 2018 St. Paul’s, Magnolia Springs
SOUND ENHANCEMENT RECEIVERS
FOR THE
HEARING IMPAIRED
We have seven new receivers for those who have trouble hearing. The receivers
are available to be checked out during any service. They are located on the
credenza in the Chapter House vestibule and in the back north vestibule. For
more information, please see an usher.
You may purchase your own receiver for $135. To do so, make a note on the
sign-out sheet beside the receivers.
Many thanks to Chuck McKay, Junior Warden, for chairing this project, and
thank you to the anonymous donor who funded it.
Dio cesan News
✠ MURRAY HOUSE SEEKS
VOLUNTEER RECEPTIONISTS
Murray House, the diocesan
retirement home in Mobile, is
seeking volunteer receptionists.
Volunteers serve from 10:00 a.m.
until 2:00 p.m., sitting at the front
desk, answering the telephone, and
greeting visitors. They are given
lunch.
The residents at Murray House are
friendly and eager for your love and
attention in their retirement years.
Mary Hunter Slaton of All Saints,
Mobile, is Murray House's volunteer
coordinator. Please call Mary for
more information at 432-2272.
✠ BECKWITH SEEKS
FACILITATORS TO GUIDE
GROUPS
ON CHALLENGE COURSE
Beckwith Camp and Retreat Center is
looking for facilitators for their
Challenge Course. A facilitator for team
building guides a group of people
through a course of activities to help
them become a better team. The job is
demanding and requires work outside in
the elements. Training will be provided
to prepare facilitators to work with and
guide groups of people through the
course. The job is part time. Facilitators
will usually be notified two weeks out
when a group will need to be guided
through the course. For inquiries and an
application, call Anna Bryant,
Beckwith's Challenge Course Director,
at 251-295-8489
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 43RD ANNUAL CONVENTION
OF THE DIOCESE OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST can now be found on the diocesan website at