From the Dean

Christmas is coming … Only five more days until Christmas, which really means, only four more shopping days until Christmas. We know Advent is a time of preparation, but it never seems long enough to me! Ready or not, Christmas still comes. I know we’ll be ready in the Cathedral come Christmas Eve. Our decorations have grown over the course of this Advent and will almost be complete this Sunday but won’t fully be complete until Christmas. I hope you will join us for one, or more, of our Christmas services this year. Tuesday, Christmas Eve, we have two services:…

This Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, is also known as Gaudete Sunday, a name dating back to the Roman Catholic calendar of the church year. The name, which means “rejoice,” comes from the first words of the Latin introit antiphon “Rejoice in the Lord always.” We will hear that word a lot this Sunday as the Old Testament reading from Zephaniah uses it many times and Paul’s epistle to the Philippians is the text of the old Latin introit antiphon. Originally, this day was meant to be a lighter day of joy in the midst of a penitent season….

Happy St. Nicholas Day! Today marks the Feast of Nicholas of Myra (present-day Demre in southwest Turkey), a fourth-century bishop. It is believed he was one of the bishops attending the Council of Nicaea in 325. He is known as the patron saint of seafarers, sailors, and children. Tradition holds that Nicholas had a habit of secret gift-giving to those in need. The Nativity Puppets return to the Cathedral tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday for their 25th year. Tickets are available HERE. On Monday at 11:30 a.m. the choir of William Jewell College presents City Come Again at the Cathedral. Next…

I hope everyone had a joyous Thanksgiving celebration. Now we set our sights on Advent and the many activities we have coming up at the Cathedral as we prepare, once again, to welcome the Christ Child this Christmas. First up is our Advent Decorating day tomorrow, Saturday, at 10 a.m. Next is the Nativity Puppets in the Nave December 6 at 7 p.m., December 7 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., and December 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available HERE. Come see the story of the Nativity brought to life in this long-standing tradition at the Cathedral with puppets…

Thanksgiving is upon us, but there are a few things coming up before we can focus on the one day a year specifically set aside for giving thanks as a nation. This Sunday is our Pledge Ingathering where we will bless all the pledges for next year that have come in so far. Our 2025 Stewardship theme is “Bless Our Family, Formed in Faith,” and celebrates that we are a parish family at the Cathedral. In our Stewardship prayer, we ask God to strengthen us and move us to “give as we have received—abundantly, generously, and joyfully,” always bearing witness…

What a wonderful Diocesan Convention it was this past weekend. Friday saw the business of the Diocese conducted as we elected new members of the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council, passed the 2025 budget as well as other resolutions, and had a reception to end the evening. On Saturday, following the Eucharist, we elected the IXth Bishop of the Diocese of West Missouri. Elected on the first ballot was the Very Rev. Amy Dafler Meaux, Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Little Rock, AR, and now our bishop-elect! Many thanks to the Cathedral staff and Diocesan staff for their work in…

It’s time for another election! Our nation voted on Tuesday and now our Diocese will vote tomorrow as we elect a new Bishop. The 135th Convention of the Diocese of West Missouri begins today with our business session and a reception. Tomorrow we will have a Eucharist at 9 a.m., followed by the election. The clergy and lay delegates will elect one of the following: The Rev. Jimmy Abbott, The Very Rev. Amy Dafler Meaux, The Rev. Dr. Bradley Pace, or The Rev. Molly Payne-Hardin. An election happens when one of the candidates receives a majority of votes in both…

November 6, 2024 Dear Cathedral Family, I feel like we could all use a little reassurance today, so I want to reassure you that the love of Christ is with you today, just as it has been with you every day. I am with you as well, ready to love you and support you always. On Sunday, I asked you to be kind to everyone while going out to vote in yesterday’s election. Politics shouldn’t change how we treat one another. Today, I ask you to do the same—be kind to everyone. Whether you are pleased with the outcome of…

Today is All Saints’ Day. One of the seven principal feasts of the church year, it commemorates all saints, known and unknown. It is believed this commemoration began in Ireland, moved to England, and then spread to the European continent eventually reaching Rome where it was added to the church calendar. In addition to celebrating the feast on its day, it can also be observed on the Sunday following, which we will do this Sunday. In preparation for our All Saints’ celebration and other upcoming celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas, the Altar Guild will be holding a workday…

As I drive around the city, or travel anywhere at this time of year, it is clear by the decorations that fall is in full swing. And, yes, there are plenty of Halloween specific decorations, but more than that I see emblems and colors representing harvest time. Harvest is all about gathering in something, whether that’s the fruits of the field, family coming home for the holidays, or our giving back to God from the fruits of our labors in stewardship. It is a time for giving thanks and for appreciating all the blessings of our lives. We will gather…