Dean's Message for May 1, 2025

Author:
April 29, 2025

Have you ever sat in the chapel or cathedral before a service and listened to the sounds of preparation? My favorite is the swish of the chapel kneelers as parishioners pray before a service, but I also love that moment in the narthex as the prelude ends and you can hear the chiming of the clock in that silent interlude before the opening hymn begins.

The times before and after worship are as important as the period of worship itself, as we steady our souls and bodies to hear and reflect upon the word of God expressed through scripture, liturgy and music. During this season of our church year, we hear of the teachings of Jesus, and the acts of the apostles, after the resurrection and prior to the ascension, which are some of the most profound passages in the entire Bible.

I hope you will take a moment before and after our services, whether in person or online, to read, learn, mark and inwardly digest these words, as well as the sermons, music and liturgy that accompany them. "Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever" (Collect of the Day for the Third Sunday of Easter).

The Very Reverend Katie Churchwell, 15th Dean, St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral

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