Welcome to the Cathedral of St. John blog. You can find updates on our services, upcoming events and happenings in the Diocese.
Please join us for our Sunday morning services at 8:30 am and at 10:30 am. To learn more about our events and services during the week, please call 401.331.4622.
Town Meeting held on Sunday, June 27
On June 27, 2010, a Town Meeting was held at The Cathedral of Saint John, after the 9:30 AM Holy Eucharist. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss with the wider parish the work that has been done by the Chapter on the Mission and Goal setting for the Cathedral parish for the next three years.
The Mission Statement, as set out on the draft brochure reads as follow:
The mission of The Cathedral Parish of Saint John is to live into our Baptismal covenant, to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ, and to embody the justice, reconciliation and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ in all that we do.
The Goals set out in the draft brochure are as follows:
Goal 1: Become more visible to our neighborhood.
Some examples listed of how we attempt to attain this goal included an Annual Service Blessing of Runners and Liturgy For Pets “Paws & Praise.”
Added to this list were the following:
Group Visitation
Strengthen what we have
Place copies of the Goals pamphlet throughout the neighborhood
Look at the demographics of the neighborhood
Organize activities to attract neighborhood residents
Place Episcopal advertisements in local hotels and Convention Center Visitor’s Kiosk
Develop closer relationship with Hallworth House. This will include a December 12th date for the choir and congregation to sing Christmas Carols for Hallworth House residents at noon
Display church events on outside of church, in conjunction with La Eglesia del Mesias
Special Summer Service
Banner with catchy slogan (i.e. “Better get there quick!”
Joint service with Spanish congregation on September 26
Goal 2: Increased participation of congregation in all areas of the cathedral. Some examples listed of how we attempt to attain this goal included making use of technology and the new website to outline cathedral activities and to approach members individually regarding participation in church activities.
Added to this list were the following:
Reach out to other members to participate in all areas of the Cathedral
Simple to more complex tasks
Pitch in even if you are not scheduled
Post yearly events in written form on the bulletin board and make sure parishioners have a copy through the newsletter and that copied are available in church for picking up
Perpetual calendar on line (is on the website presently)
Ushers can be more helpful in being sure fans, etc., are turned off after service
Expectation of tasks to be done at Cathedral by parishioners need to be printed out
Donation of service by members (Think about your talent, skills and what you can offer
PDF document on website of Events Calendar Booklet
After making a commitment, please make sure of your accountability
More activities to raise money for the church
Try to give as much as you can
Goal 3: Develop Youth Oriented Actives. Some examples listed of how we attempt to attain this goal included Dinner & Movie Night, Create a Youth Gospel Choir, Conduct Once a Month Activities Identify & Develop Youth Leaders and Provide Access to the cathedral Facility to colleges . This is perhaps where the most change occurred in the discussion.
Added to this list were the following:
Episcopal Camp- Have volunteers from the Cathedral go to speak at ECC about “their Cathedral.”
Be attentive in seeking out high school age youth for Sunday School
Explore mentorship potential with community colleges to attract more youth
Youth led service occasionally, potentially to attract other youth to church
Invite college students into the life of the Cathedral
Sports (YPF)
If we involve parents, youth will get involved
Meet with Santana and Sunday School parents
Invite children to take on responsibilities at the Cathedral
Start Youth Gospel Choir—Ask the children first!
Dinner and a Movie Night for younger children
Allow youth to choose hymns for worship occasionally, perhaps at Youth Sunday
Form a Dance Ministry
Provide a Monthly Birthday Cake for parishioners, to acknowledge everyone’s birthdays
Develop a page on website to allow parishioners to send us change of email or regular address
Add parish photos to mast head of website
Check out the Blog regularly to see pictures and stories of events
At this point in the discussion, it was mentioned that, like any good organization, we would be perhaps best served by assessing what our true strengths are and build upon them as we start out. Discussion about the fact that we have few teens in the church at present, might leave us frustrated in trying to develop youth or college age ministries. However, to look at some of our strengths (i.e. adults already a part of the parish, interested in developing ministries at the cathedral, concentrating on the youth population that we have at present [young children in the Church School] )and develop ministries around them, and perhaps most important of all, not to presume what people would like us to make happen for them, but to ask them what they might like to see develop here at the Cathedral, both for them and for outreach. An example of this: one parishioner pointed out that there have been several attempts to develop a Youth Gospel Choir unsuccessfully, and raised the question of whether the youth were actually asked if this is a ministry that they would like to participate in and develop.
Additional comments included the following:
We should add the Meal Site to the outreach ministries on the brochure which are made available at The Cathedral
We should develop a Coffee Hour Sign-up sheet
Ask Len and Sarah Walker (Chairs of Hospitality) to help coordinate a variety of International dinners, like the annual Liberian dinner, so that everyone can offer their own particular ethnic cuisine for an evening of fellowship in the parish
The Town Meeting was adjourned by Noon, and everyone seemed to feel that they had been listened to, and also offered their thanks to the Chapter for a job well done in developing this discussion. Finally, thanks was offered to all those who provided food for the event.
The Mission Statement, as set out on the draft brochure reads as follow:
The mission of The Cathedral Parish of Saint John is to live into our Baptismal covenant, to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ, and to embody the justice, reconciliation and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ in all that we do.
The Goals set out in the draft brochure are as follows:
Goal 1: Become more visible to our neighborhood.
Some examples listed of how we attempt to attain this goal included an Annual Service Blessing of Runners and Liturgy For Pets “Paws & Praise.”
Added to this list were the following:
Group Visitation
Strengthen what we have
Place copies of the Goals pamphlet throughout the neighborhood
Look at the demographics of the neighborhood
Organize activities to attract neighborhood residents
Place Episcopal advertisements in local hotels and Convention Center Visitor’s Kiosk
Develop closer relationship with Hallworth House. This will include a December 12th date for the choir and congregation to sing Christmas Carols for Hallworth House residents at noon
Display church events on outside of church, in conjunction with La Eglesia del Mesias
Special Summer Service
Banner with catchy slogan (i.e. “Better get there quick!”
Joint service with Spanish congregation on September 26
Goal 2: Increased participation of congregation in all areas of the cathedral. Some examples listed of how we attempt to attain this goal included making use of technology and the new website to outline cathedral activities and to approach members individually regarding participation in church activities.
Added to this list were the following:
Reach out to other members to participate in all areas of the Cathedral
Simple to more complex tasks
Pitch in even if you are not scheduled
Post yearly events in written form on the bulletin board and make sure parishioners have a copy through the newsletter and that copied are available in church for picking up
Perpetual calendar on line (is on the website presently)
Ushers can be more helpful in being sure fans, etc., are turned off after service
Expectation of tasks to be done at Cathedral by parishioners need to be printed out
Donation of service by members (Think about your talent, skills and what you can offer
PDF document on website of Events Calendar Booklet
After making a commitment, please make sure of your accountability
More activities to raise money for the church
Try to give as much as you can
Goal 3: Develop Youth Oriented Actives. Some examples listed of how we attempt to attain this goal included Dinner & Movie Night, Create a Youth Gospel Choir, Conduct Once a Month Activities Identify & Develop Youth Leaders and Provide Access to the cathedral Facility to colleges . This is perhaps where the most change occurred in the discussion.
Added to this list were the following:
Episcopal Camp- Have volunteers from the Cathedral go to speak at ECC about “their Cathedral.”
Be attentive in seeking out high school age youth for Sunday School
Explore mentorship potential with community colleges to attract more youth
Youth led service occasionally, potentially to attract other youth to church
Invite college students into the life of the Cathedral
Sports (YPF)
If we involve parents, youth will get involved
Meet with Santana and Sunday School parents
Invite children to take on responsibilities at the Cathedral
Start Youth Gospel Choir—Ask the children first!
Dinner and a Movie Night for younger children
Allow youth to choose hymns for worship occasionally, perhaps at Youth Sunday
Form a Dance Ministry
Provide a Monthly Birthday Cake for parishioners, to acknowledge everyone’s birthdays
Develop a page on website to allow parishioners to send us change of email or regular address
Add parish photos to mast head of website
Check out the Blog regularly to see pictures and stories of events
At this point in the discussion, it was mentioned that, like any good organization, we would be perhaps best served by assessing what our true strengths are and build upon them as we start out. Discussion about the fact that we have few teens in the church at present, might leave us frustrated in trying to develop youth or college age ministries. However, to look at some of our strengths (i.e. adults already a part of the parish, interested in developing ministries at the cathedral, concentrating on the youth population that we have at present [young children in the Church School] )and develop ministries around them, and perhaps most important of all, not to presume what people would like us to make happen for them, but to ask them what they might like to see develop here at the Cathedral, both for them and for outreach. An example of this: one parishioner pointed out that there have been several attempts to develop a Youth Gospel Choir unsuccessfully, and raised the question of whether the youth were actually asked if this is a ministry that they would like to participate in and develop.
Additional comments included the following:
We should add the Meal Site to the outreach ministries on the brochure which are made available at The Cathedral
We should develop a Coffee Hour Sign-up sheet
Ask Len and Sarah Walker (Chairs of Hospitality) to help coordinate a variety of International dinners, like the annual Liberian dinner, so that everyone can offer their own particular ethnic cuisine for an evening of fellowship in the parish
The Town Meeting was adjourned by Noon, and everyone seemed to feel that they had been listened to, and also offered their thanks to the Chapter for a job well done in developing this discussion. Finally, thanks was offered to all those who provided food for the event.
Cathedral of St John-- A Visitor's Perspective
If you click on the hyperlink below, you will find a wonderful blog entry made by I{heart} Rhode Island. It is a wonderful look at our Cathedral. Thanks to you both for stopping by and taking all the wonderful pictures!
Cathedral of Saint John
Cathedral of Saint John
The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island Blog: Update: Restoration of the Cathedral Close
Good morning to All!
As you know, the Cathedral Close Project is moving along, and we, at the Cathedral, are all incredibly excited about its future. The twice-monthly publication, eRISEN has done a short article about it, and the Diocesan blog has a rich and full account of where we are at this point in our development of the project. Please click on the link below to see the entire article.
The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island Blog: Update: Restoration of the Cathedral Close
As you know, the Cathedral Close Project is moving along, and we, at the Cathedral, are all incredibly excited about its future. The twice-monthly publication, eRISEN has done a short article about it, and the Diocesan blog has a rich and full account of where we are at this point in our development of the project. Please click on the link below to see the entire article.
The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island Blog: Update: Restoration of the Cathedral Close
Special Olympics has a Cathedral Moment
Our graduated seminarian, John Higginbotham and his wife, Linda Succi watched their daughter, Gabby medal twice at the Rhode Island Special Olympics on Saturday. Deacon Barbara Mays-Stock and her husband watched their neice Kathy medal twice as well.
The girls competed in Ball Toss, Wheelchair race and track running. Girls, you were great!
In this picture, Linda who is an accomplished Ballroom Dancer, is shown teaching some of the Olympians ballroom dancing technique.
It was a wonderful weekend!
A Word about the Season of Pentecost
Dear Cathedral Family,
This Sunday we begin the long Season after Pentecost. Our sisters and brothers in the Lutheran and Roman Catholic Churches call it Ordinary Time. But there’s nothing ordinary about it.
This season stretches all the way to November. Yet it is a season when we can look at the everyday challenges of being a Christian in an ever more difficult world.
This Sunday we will look at the remarkable story of Jesus bringing the widow of Nain’s son back to life. We’ll consider what Christ has to offer not only those who are dead, even though they might still be breathing, but also those who are marginalized and untrusting.
All of the usual Sunday activities continue. Please remember that Sunday School for the children will be held till Sunday, the 20th.
God bless you all,
Harry Krauss
This Sunday we begin the long Season after Pentecost. Our sisters and brothers in the Lutheran and Roman Catholic Churches call it Ordinary Time. But there’s nothing ordinary about it.
This season stretches all the way to November. Yet it is a season when we can look at the everyday challenges of being a Christian in an ever more difficult world.
This Sunday we will look at the remarkable story of Jesus bringing the widow of Nain’s son back to life. We’ll consider what Christ has to offer not only those who are dead, even though they might still be breathing, but also those who are marginalized and untrusting.
All of the usual Sunday activities continue. Please remember that Sunday School for the children will be held till Sunday, the 20th.
God bless you all,
Harry Krauss
AIDS Candlelight Memorial held at the Cathedral
On Sunday evening, May 16, 2010, Dean Krauss and Deacon Barbara, along with the members of the Cathedral parish, hosted the 26th Annual AIDS Candlelight Memorial. This year's theme was "Many Lights for Human Rights." Members of the Steering Committee of AIDS Quilt Rhode Island hung a beautiful array of quilts that had been previously dedicated.
Twelve new panels were dedicated, amidst sharing of stories and messages of advocacy for those whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS.
Above are some pictures of the event, graciously provided to us from Beth Milham of AIDS Quilt RI and taken by Cindy Notarianni.
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