Many of you may know about my bereavement work with parents as a chaplain at Baptist Hospital. What you may not know is that I earned a master’s in early childhood education and worked in the public school system for 11 years as a kindergarten teacher. Teaching little ones is still something very dear to me.

In January, I began to have a chapel service with 3- and 4-year-olds at The Cathedral School. It is a joy to make Bible stories and Scripture come alive for them. When Father Mark arrived at St. John’s Cathedral in April, he joined me. He was amazed that his son Philip was the only child at the school whose family attended SJC worship services.

Later in June, Mark and I invited the children to come to the Cathedral for this chapel service. You should see their faces light up when they enter the Nave! We’ve had fun looking for figures in the stained-glass windows and discovering the carvings (called “whimsies”) on the altar rail. One morning, Tim Tuller, Canon for Music, was practicing and gave us an impromptu demonstration at the organ. Amazing!

In August, we will begin having a weekly chapel in the Cathedral for the PreK 4's. We will go to the school for the 3-year-olds every Thursday until they are ready to come to the Cathedral - it's a big step for these little ones to travel across the street! Also in August, the school staff will meet at the Cathedral to plan for the new school year. We will host a worship service followed by a luncheon on one of those days.

Parents are always invited to attend the weekly chapel services. On Sunday, October 16, will be The Cathedral School Sunday. All school children and their families will be invited to the 10 a.m. service and the little ones will sing. Father Mark and I are committed to building relationships with parents at the school. I will invite moms to join a brand new First Sunday Moms group that will meet at the Cathedral Bookstore on Sunday evenings. Father Mark and I will also be involved in the parent orientation this fall.

Please watch the video above to see what we are preparing for Rally Day 2022, Sunday, August 28. Next Sunday, July 31, we will begin to explore this theme more deeply when we kick off a 5-week sermon series: Vital Signs of Faith. We look forward to having you join us each week as we prepare to create our own rule of life on Rally Day.

We are trying something new, something cool for all ages to enjoy -- Friday Night at the movies here in Taliaferro Hall. Bring the family, grandkids, neighbors and friends. Spread out a blanket or take a seat at a table and enjoy pizza and a movie. We'll be showing Disney's Encanto! The event is free, but we ask you to RSVP so that we can order enough pizza for all! Please RSVP here today!

Family Promise Week: July 24-31, 2022: Volunteers needed to buy groceries, prepare meals, or just spend time with the family (host a board game night or bring a movie to watch). Find out more here.

The One Blood Big Red Bus will be on Market Street from 8 a.m. to Noon this Sunday, July 24 If you haven't already, please Sign up to be a blood donor: there's a hero in you in 2022! All donors will receive a $20 eGift card and a OneBlood towel! Plus, a wellness checkup including, blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening!

Parents or guardians with rising 6-12th graders can contact Megan Cochran to register for Youth Group, which resumes in September, and to get on the Youth Group email list.

Where: The Edge Rock Gym, 3563 Phillips Hwy 32207

Check out their website (linked above) to learn more about their indoor climbing gym. For more information contact Megan Cochran.

We will be holding baptisms on Sunday, August 14th at the 10 a.m. service. If you or someone you know is interested in baptism, contact Linda Rosengren.

Head to the Cathedral Bookstore for 50% off Christmas merchandise through the month of July.

Eman is selling new food items- hummus fatteh & Ozy grate- and new sweets- maamoul with dates & walnuts- in the Cathedral Bookstore after the 8 and 10 a.m. services.

Upon completing this course, you will be eligible for confirmation on Sunday, September 25. All are welcome to learn more about their faith, whether or not you intend to be confirmed. If you have completed a confirmation class and would like to be confirmed, or would like to enroll in a confirmation class; please contact Megan Cochran in the office of Dean Kate Moorehead.

Click here to register or find registration on the diocesan website under Cursillo ministry Scholarship funds are available; contact Guy Bond.

The volunteer will spend about 30 minutes in preparation and one hour a week with a group of 6-8 members who are good readers but need help getting to the next level. Training and guidance reading materials will be provided. The group meets in the middle of the day in a safe and secure location.

Please call the Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida at 904-238-9000 or contact Ken Horton at 904-608-8917 to discuss details.

The Color of Law exhibition that highlights the impact of redlining in communities of color in Jacksonville will be on display throughout the summer.

All pieces in the exhibition are for sale. Proceeds will go to the artist and the Cathedral Bookstore and Art Guild. The small wooden houses are each priced at $150/each and proceeds purchase a class for a first-time home buyer through Historic Eastside CDC.

See the art and prices here. Contact Kathryn Bissette for more information.