Teacher and Educator Appreciation Sunday
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.~James 3. 1

Besides my mother, Mrs. Helgerson was my favorite teacher because she taught me how to read. I remember clearly when a world full of shapes became a world of words, and everywhere I looked it said something! Where would I be without Mrs. Helgerson?


As we honor teachers this Sunday, think about all that your favorite teacher taught you! And then give thanks for all those who teach today, particularly at this time of year as the school season wanes and weary teachers hang on for the last little bit to send their students out into the world for the summer with as many skills as possible. 


As a teacher myself, I know the great burden of accountability that goes along with teaching. As parents, we are encouraged not to hold ourselves responsible for our children’s wrongdoings or pride ourselves on their accomplishments. But teachers are directly responsible for students’ learning, and there is a great deal of pressure in that responsibility!


Here at St. John’s, we have a special group of teachers in our midst: those men and women who nurture and form our children and youth as well as those in adult formation ministry. From our nursery caregivers on up, we have a group of kind and gentle teachers forming Christians of all ages, and for them we give great thanks.


Please join me in thanking the teachers in your life, in your world, in your midst. Let them know how valuable they are to who we are as the people of God and as a nation. I wish I could reach out to Mrs. Helgerson; maybe you can reach out and say thank you to your favorite teacher! ~ Owene Courtney, director of formation and spirituality
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Fifth Sunday of Easter

8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral*
Preacher: The Reverend Mark S. Anderson

9 a.m. Conversations with Kate: About Creation
Ingram Lounge

9 a.m. Digital Disciples: Being With
Zoom only until May 21

10 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral*
Preacher: The Reverend Mark S. Anderson

*the service will be livestreamed

Offertory:  Christ the Lord is risen again
Arr. Eric H. Thiman
The St. John's Cathedral Choir


10 a.m. Formation for Children and Youth
Birth - 3 years, Hakimian Family Nursery
(Main Level-Cathedral House)

4 years - 2nd grade, Lower-level Classroom
(Downstairs-Cathedral House.)

3rd grade - 5th grade, Cummings Chapel
(Entrance to the Chapel-to the right of the pulpit.)

6th grade - High School, Undercroft Youth Room
(Entrance is to the left of the Lectern.)

All ages join the 10 a.m. service at the Peace.

11:30 a.m. Outreach Sunday Lunch & Learn
Guest speaker is Dean Porter from Hunger Fight
Ingram Lounge

1 p.m. Church Without Walls
Cummings Chapel

Hakimian Family Nursery Hours
8:45 to 11:10 a.m.

St. John's Cathedral Bookstore & Gift Shop
8:45 a.m. to noon
This Weekend
Confirmation Retreat with Dean Kate
Saturday, May 6 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cummings Chapel


Do you wonder why we light candles? Why the colors in worship change? Why we pour a little water into the cup of wine at the altar? Do you wonder how the Episcopal Church came to believe women could be priests? How we see disagreement as an opportunity to grow?

Join me for some time together on Saturday morning May 6. Let us learn together just who we are and why we do what we do. And if, after learning all this, you want the bishop to pray for you to reaffirm your commitment to Christ or confirm you as a member of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Jay Lambert will be with us on Pentecost Sunday, May 28 at the 10 a.m. service. You may be confirmed as a new Episcopalian! ~Kate+
This Sunday
May 7 is Outreach Sunday
Plan to join us after the 10 a.m. worship service for lunch in Ingram Lounge and to learn all about Hunger Fight! Dean Porter of Hunger Fight will be our guest speaker. He'll be talking about our upcoming packing event. Please join us to learn more.
Save the date: Hunger Fight packing event
Sunday, June 25 | 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Hunger Fight is coming to St. John's Cathedral. Help us make a difference for our neighbors with meals that keep them well-fed and books that keep them well-read! We will pack 10,000 meals and donate 400 books to children in the Jacksonville area. Sign up now, using the RSVP button below.
Next Sunday
Mother's Day Concert and Artist Reception
Join us for an evening full of beautiful music and visual art! Come hear the sounds of the First Coast Wind Symphony then head over to the beautiful artist reception in Taliaferro Hall and enjoy the wondrous photography of Laird. His exhibition Nature Transformed will be open through May 27. His work is framed and ready to hang. It is for sale through the St. John's Cathedral Bookstore & Gift Shop.

Sunday, May 14 | 5 p.m.
Cathedral Nave, Reception Following

Upcoming
Quiet Garden Morning: The Four Directions
Saturday, May 13
9 a.m. to Noon | Cummings Chapel

"I have come to think of the Cummings Chapel as Sacred Circle Space. Our focus will give us an opportunity to rest in Indigenous wisdom about the four elements in the Medicine Wheel—earth, wind, water, and fire. Our Eucharist will include the Prayers to the Four Directions. Creation spirituality honors the earth and opens us to its teachings. All are welcome." ~The Rev. Dr. Linda Privitera

The Quiet Garden Morning is free, but registration is requested.
Interfaith Community Awards & Dinner
Thursday, May 18
6:15 p.m.
UNF Herbert University Center

RSVP to be a part of the Interfaith Center of Northeast Florida's Annual Interfaith Community Awards and Dinner on May 18. By supporting the center's work you can help make Northeast Florida a beacon of interfaith cooperation. You can expect a fabulous three-course meal, an inspirational keynote speaker and engaging table conversations. For details on the speaker and awardees and to purchase tickets, please see the event on Eventbrite here.

Knocking on Heaven’s Door: Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Thoughts on the Afterlife: A Jewish-Muslim-Christian Dialogue
To listen to the panel conversation with Dr. Parvez Ahmed, Professor, Coggin College of Business, University of North Florida, Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner, Jack F. Shorstein Senior Rabbinic Chair, Jacksonville Jewish Center, and Dean Kate on Easter Monday, visit the Interfaith website. There are instructions to find the panel discussion in the video and also a link to an article in the Florida Times-Union by Mark Woods.
A Parishioner Exchange
Sunday, May 21 | 10 a.m.

Remember in High School we had exchange students? We want to try Exchange Parishioners on Sunday, May 21, with our neighbor St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. It would work like this: those interested in getting to know our neighbors would attend the 10 a.m. service at St. Philip’s, and those from St. Philip’s who would like to get to know us better would attend the 10 a.m. service here at St. John’s Cathedral, also on Sunday, May 21. Please reply to Barbara Fiser,  if you are interested.
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 
Vocal Recital
Rebecca Andrews and Jonathan Spencer
Sunday, May 21
5 p.m. |Taliaferro Hall

On Sunday, May 21 at 5 p.m., you are invited to a Vocal Recital at St. John’s Cathedral. Rebecca Andrews, soprano, and Jonathan Spencer, countertenor, have prepared an evening of song that is sure to entertain. Andrews and Spencer will be singing both Classical and Broadway solos and duets; some German, some not! There is something for everyone to enjoy!
Pentecost Sunday, May 28

On Pentecost Sunday, we commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the early followers of Jesus and the birthday of the Church. The Rt. Rev. Jay Lambert will join us to bless confirmation candidates. The coming of the Holy Spirit will be celebrated during the service with a fire-breather to represent the “tongues of fire.” There will be cupcakes, a birthday treat, for everyone thanks to the baking ministry. The clergy wear RED vestments to signify the work of the Spirit. You are welcome to wear RED too! It's a festive day. Please make plans to join us!
From the Episcopal Parish Network
Episcopal Parish Network is honored to share the third of five videos featuring the keynote conversations from the 2023 Annual Conference in Jacksonville. This video features the Rev. Sam Wells, vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Field, London, the Rev. Bowie Snodgrass, rector of Christ Church in Short Hills, New Jersy, and the Rev. Scott Gunn, executive director of Forward Movement. Their conversation explores the mystery of church and the future. Enjoy this conversation and share it with friends and family.
Love at the Core
We're so grateful for our Outreach Council and its many volunteers who feed and fill others. Thank you for showing us how to truly Love at the Core!

"We packed three weeks of weekend food for 115 children at West Riverside Elementary School. We are grateful for the extra applesauce and fruit cups donated by Cornerstone Classical Academy Charter School!" ~ Lynn Doiron, outreach council chair
The Cathedral Art Gallery is now a stop on Art Walk
In case you haven't heard, St. John's Cathedral participated in the First Wednesday Art Walk, May 3. Photographer LAIRD was in the house to greet visitors and talk about his art. We are thankful to Jay Wright and Patrick Kimball for being in the gallery all evening. Pam Searcy set up a delicious refreshment table, Nancy Purcell and Patricia Moore placed signage to guide people to our site and greeted guests in the gallery, Kathryn Bissette, Julie Oakley-Jagger, Judi Roscoe for welcoming folks to the bookstore, Lewis Hunt for playing guitar on the porch and keeping the atmosphere lively, Beline Bonaparte from Home Sweet Desserts who offered samples of her delicious cheesecake. Keep scrolling to see her Mother's Day special, sold in the bookstore. Place your order by May 12.
 Birthday Blessings
Sunday, May 7
Jay Henderlite, Marilyn Hyde

Monday, May 8
Jim Dyer, Gerry Kelley
Robyn Thompson, Marc Willis

Tuesday, May 9
Jim Cobb, Ric Terry

Wednesday, May 10
No Cathedral Birthdays
Thursday, May 11
Mazen Fadel, Jan Marino

Friday, May 12
Ella Rae Adloff, Hunter Long

Saturday, May 13
Martha Gerding, Colleen Haley
Sandra Kretzenbacher, Grace Whipple

Prayer Line Always Open
Please let us know what you need and how we can pray for you. Call the Church Office anytime (904) 356-5507 and ask for Pastoral Care. If you are calling after hours, just press 4, and your call will be routed to a member of the clergy.
Be Social with Us
Follow. Like. Share. Retweet. Repeat.