By Michael Corrigan

Director of Christian Formation

Growing in our faith includes developing regular practices, such as daily Scripture reading or designating a spot and a time of day for prayer. Deeper faith occurs when we join others on a faith journey. An intentional growing of our faith calls for a response from us to Jesus’ call to follow him. From the readings appointed for the Sixth Sunday following the Epiphany,

“I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.” Jeremiah 17:10 NRSV

God gives to us according to our doings. We will not grow our faith in isolation and inactivity, but in action. What might we intentionally do to help grow our faith?

To join others on the journey, spend time with others. Perhaps you have discovered a ministry at St. John’s that you regularly engage in, such as helping once a month with HabiJax for Humanity. Perhaps you are not yet sure how you might participate in ministry. You might connect with Laura Eldredge, who oversees several regularly scheduled ministries but is also building a list of parishioners who want to assist for special events that might occur only once or twice a year. In this way, you can meet fellow faith travelers and learn about a variety of service opportunities before committing to a particular one.

Spend time with others in classes. On a weekly basis, St. John’s has active artists and yogis. If you can keep a secret, I will let you in on some inside yoga info: you do not have to be an Olympic athlete to take part in yoga. You may flow from tree pose to triangle pose like a pro, but you also may practice chair yoga. This is a wonderful choice for people who are not on regular speaking terms with their knees! You may even choose to spend the time during yoga class sitting in the beautiful space of Cummings Chapel in quiet meditation, perhaps with peaceful music playing. Pre- and post-class conversation flows between class members.

Engage with fellow Christians beyond our parish. This Saturday, come to the celebration of the life and work of the first African American to be ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church of the United States. The Union of Black Episcopalians and St. John's Cathedral will remember The Rev. Absalom Jones in a special Holy Eucharist offered in the Cathedral on Saturday, February 12 at 11 a.m., followed by an outdoor reception. Come engage with others as we all journey to a deeper faith.

Bearing in mind that God will give to us according to our doings, decide to do something active with others in the congregation. Your own faith and that of the people you will engage with will grow and prosper.

Thanks to all who attended our Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 6. We heard from John Sefton, Sr. Warden, Lisa McKenna, Jr. Warden, Joel Embry, Finance Committee Chair and Debbie Johnson, Director of Operations, as well as Dean Moorehead. In short, it is because of you that St. John's Cathedral is thriving. For the year ending December 31, 2021, our revenues exceeded our expenses. We are extremely grateful for your financial support. Your giving is what keeps St. John's Cathedral running. At the most basic level, it covers everyday needs like clergy & staff salaries, phone and internet services, and heat and air conditioning. Nothing we do would be possible without the support of our annual pledgers.

Looking ahead to 2022, we anticipate that our revenues will be sufficient to cover all expenses. Even in these uncertain times, when there are fewer people actually in the church building on Sunday, you are engaging online and giving faithfully. We are grateful for your commitment to this Cathedral family and the many ways you share your gifts and God's love here. We thank you who pledged to the We Gather To Give campaign, this Booklet recognizes all gifts received as of Sunday, February 6. If you wish to make a pledge, you may still do so by contacting Pam Searcy Here.

Some meeting highlights:

Jay Wright received the Angel in Our Midst Award for his work in upgrading Taliaferro Hall and the Painting Room, and his leadership on the St. John's Cathedral Arts Council.

We celebrated the retirement of Marie Tarver and Judy Maurer.

Kate announced that The Rev. Mark Anderson will join us in April as the Sub-Dean. Read his letter to the congregation below.

Vestry Election Results:

Class of 2025

Chris Collinsworth, Paige Hakimian, Will Ketchum, Lloyd Lewis, and Meg Sacks.

Delegates for the 2023 Diocesan Convention:

Shane Williams and Tom Serwatka are alternates.

By Owene Courtney

On my first pass at Black and Episcopalian, I struggled to find any hopeful way to achieve what Gayle Fisher-Stewart so clearly and vehemently points out as the great void of inclusion and the inherent white supremacy that exists in the Episcopal church. Fisher-Stewart argues that whiteness is embedded in every aspect of religious life, from seminary to Christian education to last rites. And she poses the question “Is it possible to be Black and Episcopalian and not feel alien?”

This Sunday, at the Cathedral Bookstore, Eman Ziyadat will have several selections of Arabic foods she prepared available for purchase. Included in the fare will be: Stuffed grape leaves, shawarma, beef bread, spinach bread, baklava, and baba ganoush.

If members of the St. John's Cathedral community would like other specific Arabic cuisine on subsequent Sundays at the Bookstore, Eman says she's open to requests.

New Beginnings is designed especially to respond to the unique challenges and concerns of youth in grades 6-8. It was created by adults and young people to help participants grow in their love of themselves, others and our Lord Jesus Christ. During the weekend, participants meet peers from across the diocese, enjoy skits, listen to talks, and participate in small group activities and discussions. These activities focus on self, friends, parents, siblings, school, God's love, prayer and the church. Free time is built in for youth to have an opportunity to fellowship with their newfound friends. Participants of

New Beginnings may attend as many weekends as they choose throughout their middle school years.

Participants do not have to be Episcopalian, but must be a member or accompany a member of an Episcopal church. Participants do not need a sponsor for the weekend; there will be adults on team to help supervise the weekend. The registration fee for the weekend is $140. Contact Megan Cochran if you have any questions, to arrange transportation and so I know who is going. 632-9104 x 156 or (903) 233-9583

To register visit: Here

Mr. Pittman designed Cathedral Park at St. John's Cathedral, the Jacksonville National Cemetery, and many other residential, commercial, secular and sacred spaces. He currently has a commission to update the courtyard at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

Quiet Garden Morning takes place Saturday, February 19 from 9:30 a.m. until Noon at Cummings Chapel. The morning begins in Cummings Chapel and includes reflections and garden walks and concludes with a garden Eucharist, Rev. Dr. Linda Privitera, celebrant.

Bring a friend . . . explore.

A choral concert featuring the 56-voice touring choir from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, will take place Sunday, February 27 at St. John's Cathedral. The concert begins at 5 p.m. in the Nave.

Conducted by Dr. Timothy Peter, the repertoire will include beautiful sacred music from a variety of world domains and cultural backgrounds. All are welcome and admission is free.

St. John's Cathedral offers many ways to get involved. Take a class. Join a Bible study or book discussion. See the complete list of offerings here.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see content as we add it!

If able to volunteer on Saturday, February 19 please contact Laura Eldredge at laura@jaxcathedral.org

Volunteers are welcome to come pack backpacks on February 17 at 9:30 a.m. at St. John's Cathedral. Contact: Joan Burchell burchelli@aol.com