Grace Episcopal Cathedral Topeka, Kansas

July 2019 Vol. 93, No. 7

“From the Bishop’s Side of the Cathedral Close” by Bishop Cathleen Bascom

Dear Members of Grace Cathedral,

First and

foremost, thank

you for the warm

welcome

extended to me in

these first months

of my

Episcopacy. The

“firsts” shared

with you -- first

Eucharist, first Easter, first

Ordinations – have proven again and

again that Cathedral leaders and

members alike truly manifest the

name “Grace.”

As we head into Pentecost

season, I am moved to realize that our

God seems to be a God who values…

even delights in… process. During

my four years of teaching Genesis to

undergraduates at Waldorf College,

this truth was borne out. The first two

chapters of the Bible contain two

distinct and mutually illuminating

creation accounts. Although the

means are distinct, both narratives

portray a God who engages in

process.

Liturgically, these days we

become aware of how the events of

Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and

Pentecost unleash a process for the

transformation of humanity and of

our world into the likeness of Jesus

Christ. It is fitting that the early

Church’s first name was: The Way.

Process. Continued on page 2

From the Bishop

I am aware that the time

between priests in any congregation

can be both rich and tumultuous. It is

a time of change, a time of

becoming, a process toward a new

community incarnation. The shifts

can throw us off balance and even

seem interminable. Just as in the

biblical accounts, clergy transition in

congregations has all the messy stuff

that accompanies human nature.

I was made aware about a month

ago that the staff and vestry were in

conversation about some unmet

leadership expectations. After long

and deliberate discussion at a vestry

meeting, the vestry members

Celebrate America’s IndependenceCelebrate America’s IndependenceCelebrate America’s Independence at Grace Cathedral!at Grace Cathedral!at Grace Cathedral!

THURSDAY, JULY 4—10 a.m.

determined that the arrangement with

the interim dean was not a good fit

for current needs nor in the best

interest of the Cathedral’s resources.

The vestry has decided to work

through the remainder of the

transition period relying on the

bishop, supply priests, members of

the Cathedral and diocesan staff, and

the new curate.

The decision to go in a new

direction was unanimous. Soon after

that meeting both the senior and

junior warden came to see me. After

listening to them and reviewing the

minutes of the vestry meeting, I

supported the vestry decision. The

senior warden and I then met with

the interim dean.

In retrospect, the process was

far from perfect. However, everyone

from the interim dean, to the senior

and junior wardens, to the search

and profile chairs, to the staff have

continued to model Grace. By

definition, Grace is the

acknowledgement that God is in our

midst and trying to guide us

forward, sometimes in spite of

ourselves. I pray daily that you will

experience the Risen One with you,

and when your next dean is called

the Cathedral community will even

more fully reflect Jesus Christ. One

mark of this will be your love and

forgiveness of one another. Another

will be respect for your leaders, who

have enough hutzpah to accept a

position during a clergy transition!

I look forward to spending more

time with you on Sundays in July

and August and will attend and lead

staff meetings whenever my

schedule allows. In those meetings,

and in conversation with Cathedral

deacons, providing for pastoral care

will be addressed.

In prayer for you and grateful

for your abundant grace,

+Cathleen

...the time between priests in any congregation can be both rich and tumultuous… After long and deliberate discussion at a vestry meeting, the vestry members determined that the arrangement with the interim dean was not a good fit for current needs nor in the best interest of the Cathedral’s resources.

Come join the fun with our Cathedral kids!

Camp Grace includes Cathedral history

and “field trips,” lessons specific to the

Episcopal Church, as well as super cool art,

fun games and much more! All kids are

welcome at Camp Grace.

Volunteers needed! Middle school, high

school and adult volunteers are

needed. Participant and Volunteer

Registration forms are available on the

Sunday School Bulletin Board, in the

office, and on the Cathedral’s website:

www.GraceCathedralTopeka.org. Questions? Contact Kathy at 785-4308427

or knsmith@gracecathedraltopeka.org.

See you at Camp!

— Kathy

It's time for Camp Grace VBS!

Kids age 4 years - 6th grade

July 29 - August 1

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The Cathedral’s Profile Team is

wrapping up their part of the search for the

new dean and the Search Team is now

getting ready to take over. The Profile Team

has been meeting weekly for some time

along with conducting a survey and numerous interviews with groups and

individuals in the parish. The result is an extensive profile describing the

parish as well as the key talents which members of the parish have described

as needed in candidates for the position. The two teams have kept in close

touch throughout this phase of the process and plan to meet jointly with the

search consultant on June 29 to facilitate the move from profile to search.

After that meeting, the 40+ page parish profile will be posted on our

website along with the official Office for Transition Ministry form and job

listing on the national church website. The OTM form is used by any parish in

the country looking for a dean or rector. The lengthier parish profile is

designed as a marketing piece to help explain who we are and encourage

qualified clergy to apply.

The two teams also are planning a joint presentation to the parish after

both of the services on July 7 to review the findings of the Profile Team, show

off some of the parish profile, and answer questions about the search

phase. Everybody in the parish is invited and encouraged to attend one of the

two presentations. It is an exciting time when the position gets posted and we

begin to accept applications.

Dean search moves into next

phase

The vestry is pleased to

announce that a new Letter of

Agreement has been reached with

Pastor George Pejakovich which will

extend his time on the Grace

Cathedral staff until 30 days after the

new dean arrives.

As part of this agreement, Pastor

George will not only be helping out

with Sundays and other special

services, but will also assist with

pastoral care to those in the hospital,

retirement facilities or any

parishioner in need of a priest’s care,

and will coordinate adult education

classes.

News about Pastor George DEANDEAN

SEARCHSEARCH

Dean Emeritus Steve Lipscomb and

Christine Fuller were married during

the 10:30 service on Sunday, June

23. The couple will be moving to

Leavenworth. Dean Lipscomb will

serve as the new priest-in-charge at

St. Paul’s where he has worked for

the past year as interim.

Congratulations Steve and Christine!

photo by Harrington Photography

Daughters of the King July meeting

Grace Chapter of Daughters of the King will

meet at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July, 6. Officers

for the coming year will be installed. Daughters

will also have a study of Anglican beads and

their place in prayer. A potluck luncheon will be shared after the meeting

for all Daughters. Please contact Suzanne DeWeese for more information

(christysuz@gmail.com).

GREAT SPACES concert, July 12 The Kansas State Choral Director’s Association will hold their annual

convention concert at Grace Cathedral at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 12. The

concert will feature the Women’s and Men’s All-State High School Choirs.

Admission is free and the public is invited. Women’s Study Group to begin new series

The Women’s Study Group at the Cathedral will begin a 13-week series,

“Beginnings: A Study of the Call of God in Genesis,” Thursday, July 18,

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. This study is based on the commentary on Genesis written

by Professor Walter Bruegamann, a well-known contemporary Old

Testament Professor and Theologian. The Participant's Book can be

ordered from Amazon. If you are interested, call Karel Ramsey (232-1452)

about joining this group of energetic and curious women.

Headed out on vacation this summer? First of all, have a safe and enjoyable trip! Secondly, don’t forget to pay

your pledge before you leave so we can keep the Cathedral’s bills paid.

Also, keep in mind that the Cathedral’s sermons are on our website so

there’s no reason to miss the great preaching we have while you’re gone!

People respond in

different ways to

major events in

their lives.

Whether

experiencing

loss, illness,

struggles with relationships, or other

significant events, we experience a

range of emotions. Some of us

respond by feeling anxious, confused,

distracted, grief, and even anger.

At the Cathedral, a group of dedicated

and trained people are ready to offer

encouragement and support. They are

our Stephen Ministers, men and

women who have accepted a call to

serve their brothers and sisters. If

you, or someone you know, would

like to request a Stephen Minister,

please call Gwen McClain (506-

6929) or Karel Ramsey (232-1452).

Pentecost baptism June 9, 2019

Blake Madeline Balestrieri with parents Brooke and Joe Balestrieri

by Karel Ramsey

Recently, Grace Cathedral’s Outreach Committee

received a presentation from Julie Phillips, Site

Coordinator for Communities in Schools at

Topeka High School. She was invited because the

Committee wanted to learn about the needs of

students at the school and ways the Cathedral

might help. According to Ms. Phillips, 70-75% of

students qualify for free or reduced lunch

programs and the needs are many. She offers

students personal hygiene items, school supplies

and clothing in addition to some special

needs. Support groups and one-to-one

encouragement are other offerings.

There are many ways the Cathedral can help

— donations of supplies or funds (for purchasing

book bags), volunteering for school events, or becoming part of support

groups. We are excited to form this new partnership with our neighbor and

look forward to giving Cathedral members opportunities to become involved.

New Outreach efforts to benefit Topeka High students

About the window…

Moses is portrayed in the stained glass window featured on the cover of this month’s Chimes. Moses, the revered deliverer of the Israelites, is shown with the tablets of the Ten Commandments given to him by God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16). This window is on the South Wall of the West Transept, one of six Transept windows that feature Old Testament Patriarchs.

We apologize if we have missed

your birthday or have incorrect

information. Please call the office

at 235-3457 with any corrections.

July

3 Judy Stone

4 Torey Lightcap

Bill Zemp

5 Angie Denton

7 Kelly Wingerson

8 Will Cassidy

Brenda J. Escalante

10 Tighe La Rue

11 Jenelle Carkhuff

12 Ron DeWeese

13 Jim Hood

Barbara Nuss

14 Dick Edington

19 Sam Carkhuff

Darlene Elwood

20 Jonathan Fernkopf

21 Jan Slagle

24 Sara Fletchall

25 Reeta Akins

Jason Gallaway

Scott Shipman

26 Antonio Fernkopf

John Hamilton

Steve Page

28 Wyatt Hedtke

29 Sarah Shipman

30 Daniel Omenokpe

Lance Royer

31 Annie Lightcap

July Flower Memorials

1 David Emory Palmer

4 Ronald J. Snyder

5 Virginia Dodge Johnson

James Graves Stewart, MD

6 Mary D. Hambleton

10 James Philip deBevers Kaye

Channing John Brown

12 Paul N. Bell

Ernest Dibble

14 Henry G. Goss

Rose Hite Pierce

16 Eleanor Wheeler Meyer

John Arlin Shahan

18 John and Ruth Price

19 Mary Dillon Holliday

20 Nellie Millspaugh Copeland

Rollin Wheeler Meyer

21 Oscar Bentley DeVaul, Jr.

22 Harry Kirk Coe

William Clyde Glenn

Barbara O. Lane

25 Cynthia Hill Gentry

26 Jean Nicol Bolmar

Robert Crarey

Sarah Crarey

Dana W. Killinger, Sr.

28 Mary Meade Ewart

31 Samuel Wheadon Crow

Frank Scott Davis

MAY ATTENDANCE

2019 2018 2017

1st Sunday .... 195 ........230........ 262

2nd Sunday ... 269 ........317........ 289

3rd Sunday .... 214 ........330** .... 237

4th Sunday .... 194 ........188........ 256

Total 872 1,065 1,044

**Pentecost

Treasurer’s Report

May 31, 2019

Operating income for the month

of May was $40,062.78 and operating

expense was $71,032.98, resulting in

a negative balance of $30,970.20.

Operating income for the year to

date was $360,299.65, and operating

expense for the year to date was

$350,696.21, resulting in a positive

balance of $9,603.44.

Cash in the bank checking account,

per books, on May 31, 2019, was

$34,314.15.

— Lance Royer, Treasurer

Bring non-

perishable food

items to fill the

grocery cart in

the Cathedral.

The food is distributed to Let’s Help

and Doorstep.

FOOD

SUNDAY

July 7

Weekly Schedule Sunday

8:30 a.m.—Holy Communion, Rite I

9:30 a.m.—Sunday School (Sept.-May)

10:30 a.m.—Children’s Chapel

10:30 a.m.—Holy Communion, Rite II

The Mission of Grace Cathedral is to live as a community which proclaims by word and example the good news of God in Christ.

GRACE CATHEDRAL CLERGY

The Right Reverend Dr. Cathleen Chittenden Bascom, Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas

The Reverend George Pejakovich, Pastoral/Liturgical Assistant

The Reverend Ashley Mather, Curate

Deacon Donald Chubb

Deacon Anne Flynn

The Very Reverend Steve Lipscomb, Dean Emeritus

CATHEDRAL STAFF

Kent Wingerson, Cathedral Verger/Finance & Facilities Manager

Connie Vosburgh, Office Administrator

Steve Burk, Organist/Choirmaster

Sylvia Hamilton, Assistant Organist

Tim Smale, Zachary Cope, Music Assistants

Kathy Smith, Director of Children’s Ministries

Michael Godfrey, Sexton

John Barber, Security

VESTRY OF GRACE CATHEDRAL

Keith McKibben (Sr. Warden), Tammy King (Jr. Warden), Phil Dittmer,

Sharon Highberger, Jackie Sommers, Gwen McClain,

Steve Roth, Ron Langston and Chris Shermoen; Lance Royer, Treasurer;

Phil Elwood, Chancellor; Cynthia Sheppeard Langston, Vice-Chancellor

701 SW Eighth Avenue

Topeka, Kansas 66603-3219

(785) 235-3457 • Fax (785) 235-1863

E-mail: info@GraceCathedralTopeka.org

Website: www.GraceCathedralTopeka.org

2019