Dear Cathedral,

This Sunday I want you to try something new . . . wearing a name tag. I know! But, many new people are coming on Sundays, and we don’t know one another. So please humor me and take the risk of putting your name on a sticky name tag this Sunday and trying it out. There are many incredible people in this congregation, and I can't wait for you to get to know one another.

In-person community is a powerful thing. Reach out and introduce yourself to someone that you don’t know. St. Benedict taught us many centuries ago that when we meet a stranger, that person might be Christ himself. Don’t you want to get to know that person? We have been isolated for so long. Let’s begin to reach out to one another once more.

May Christ’s love be amongst us now and always,

Kate+

Several weeks ago in the Eagle, I introduced a little-known saint, Phocas the Gardner, and mentioned I learned about him through Lent Madness. Many of you have asked me, “What is Lent Madness, and how can I play?” Well, good news! It is time for the 2022 Lent Madness season kickoff.

In 2010, Lent Madness was envisioned by the Rev. Tim Schenck. He was searching for a fun way for people to get to know the men and women who are in the Church’s Calendar of Saints. From that vision, the idea of a Lenten devotion was birthed. Rev. Tim combined his love of sports with his enthusiasm for the saints. Lent Madness was created on his blog. Then in 2012, a partnership with Forward Movement and Executive Director Scott Gunn resulted in the creation of the Lent Madness website. And the rest is history.

The format of the contest is modeled after the NCAA basketball tournament popularly known as March Madness. Saints, instead of teams, compete for the coveted Golden Halo trophy. The single-elimination tournament begins with 32 saints. “Games,” pairing of the saints, take place during the week – weekends except for one Saturday are free. Basic biographical information is presented for each contestant. After learning about the saints of the day, the people vote for their favorite. There is tight security around the voting…you may only vote once. Winners advance to the Saintly Sixteen, then the Elate Eight, and the Faithful Four, from which two survive to the championship contest. The winner is crowned with the Golden Halo. By the way, the 2021 winner was Absalom Jones. Others receiving the halo over the years include Mary Magdalene, Charles Wesley, Francis of Assisi, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Florence Nightingale, Martha of Bethany, and Harriet Tubman.

Play begins March 3 with the matchup between Stephen and Wenceslaus. Here is the link with more information and how to sign up to vote: Lent Madness. If you have any difficulty signing up, please contact me Here. What a fun way to practice a Lenten Devotion.

Let the games begin!

Deacon Saundra Kidd

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.

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.

Cummings Chapel

The morning begins in Cummings Chapel and concludes with a Green Eucharist that reflects on the grandeur and goodness of God’s creation, and its fragility.

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.

Throughout the 40 days of Lent, you are invited to practice something new, to give up something old. Use these days to strengthen and refresh your faith, dig deeper, reach higher. Click here to see our menu of offerings and find a way to engage and renew.

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.

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