Cathedral of St. John the Divine Summer 2013 : Page 2

the cathedral church of saint John the divine The Right Reverend Andrew M. L. Dietsche Bishop of New York The Very Reverend Dr. James A. Kowalski Dean of the Cathedral Pentagram Graphic Design Margaret Diehl Writer Isadora Wilkenfeld Editor Newsletter ©2013 by The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine A non-profit institution; contributions and gifts are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. schedule of daily Liturgical services sunday 8 am Morning Prayer & Holy Eucharist 9 am Holy Eucharist 11 am Choral Eucharist 4 pm Choral Evensong Monday through saturday 8 am Morning Prayer 8:30 am Holy Eucharist (Tuesday & Thursday) 12:15 pm Holy Eucharist 5 pm Evening Prayer cathedral Information The Cathedral is open daily from 7:30 am–6 pm For information: (212) 316-7540 stjohndivine.org reaching the cathedral The Cathedral is located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, at 112th Street. By Subway: #1 Train to 110th Street By Bus: #M4 to Amsterdam & 110th Street #M11 to Amsterdam & 112th Street #M104 to Broadway & 112th Street Spirit of Pride transgendered people and gay men, some forty years later, has led to changes in our society both large and small, in the personal and the political. The Spirit of Pride: Queer First, to be held on the evening of Saturday, June 1, will reignite the Cathedral’s commitment to diversity and social justice. Performers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Lavender Light Gospel Choir will be here, alongside downtown darling Justin Vivian Bond, all brought together by the Cathedral’s dedication to improving the lives of LGBTQIA youth. These initials—L for lesbian, G for gay, B for bisexual, T for transsexual/transgender, Q for queer/questioning, I for intersex, A for asexual and sometimes ally—are a signal of the pivotal importance of inclusion to those who have felt lesser to, or unwelcome in, the mainstream community; it’s also a reminder of how integral all members of this alphabetic community were in taking those first steps, in 1969, to stand up against the violence of oppression. The Cathedral has always stood at the intersection of diversity and social justice, from the construction of the Chapels of the Tongues a century ago to decades of interfaith services and dialogues to offering its convening power to Civil Rights and anti-apartheid leaders. Last year’s decision by the Episcopal Convention to approve an official liturgy blessing same-sex unions, and a non-discrimination policy welcoming transgendered people into all aspects of church life, was overwhelmingly supported by Cathedral staff, clergy and congregants. Although Cathedral policy was already inclusive and celebratory, this was a milestone evoking pride. But there is a lot of work yet to be done. Adolescents, who are vulnerable to shaming, bullying, ostracism, parental disapproval and sexual predators, are also at that point in life when sexuality and gender identity can start to feel particularly intense. James Lecesne, co-organizer of Queer First and a longtime advocate for LGBTQIA kids, has helped to sponsor programs and organizations that speak directly to young people and provide viable options when things look their bleakest. The Cathedral feels a special responsibility for educating the young and protecting the weak. That education goes both ways—the perspective of the young is the lifeblood of culture. Those who are most vulnerable often end up strongest. Please join us at this event, whatever your age or orientation, to celebrate the rising generation, and have a very good time. Photo by Isadora Wilkenfeld Gay Pride marches and events, held around the country in June, commemorate the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots that marked the beginning of the contemporary gay rights movement. The pioneering fury of those lesbians, drag queens, Looking Back sprIng FeVer Photo by Hal Weiner Photo by Helena Kubicka de Bragança The Cathedral hosted a plethora of exciting and educational events this spring. While it was still cold outside, the Cathedral marked Women’s History month with the tarantella dance and drumming Workshop, developed by internationally renowned singer, dancer, percussionist, and Artist in Residence alessandra Belloni . The Tarantella originated in Taranto, Italy, as fast-tempo music and dance said to cure the (mythically-fatal) bite of the tarantula. The movements of the dance are reputed to have originated in Dianic or Dionysian rites. The Holy Land program wrapped up with lectures by dr. hossein Kamaly , Messianism and Millenarianism in Islamic History ; dr. richard Bulliet, Saladin and the Holy Cities of Islam ; dr. Mahmoud el-gamal, Oil, Religion, and Political Economy in the Middle East ; and ambassador daniel c. Kurtzer, Is the Holy Land Negotiable? Prospects for Territorial Compromise and a Two-State Solution . Three films were shown: “Decoding the Past” (The History Channel), “Inside Mecca” (National Geographic), and “Jerusalem” (PBS). nightwatch had a full season of Knightwatch Medieval and nightwatch crossroads overnights. The reinvigorated programs have stimulated everyone’s creative juices, and are proving very popular. The experience of being in the Cathedral late at night is a gift to anyone with a sense of wonder— which pretty much includes every young person. On March 14, the Cathedral hosted the open center of new york: a Message from the angels. Lorna Byrne, the author of A Message of Hope from the Angels and other bestsellers, was joined by the reverend paul Brandeis raushenbush , Senior Religion Editor for the Huffington Post . Lorna, who has been visited by angels since before she could speak, told the rapt audience of over 600 people many stories about angels.She mentioned that she could see tall angels in red robes lining the sides of the Cathedral. Holy Week, beginning 10 days later, was more familiar territory. On Maundy thursday , the pageantry of Easter truly began, with a full house of worshippers. Later that evening, the annual reading from Dante’s Inferno —which kept hundreds in the Cathedral past midnight—was a reminder of what angels (and humans) can become if they don’t learn the lessons of love. On good Friday, stations of the cross and Laments for good Friday: choral Meditations were powerful services, full of that contradictory emotion—joyous sorrow—evoked by liturgy and art. On easter sunday, the Cathedral resounded with prayer and music, spring flowers adorning this great celebration of rebirth. On April 9, Cathedral Artist in Residence and high-wire artist extraordinaire philippe petit visited the Cathedral to celebrate his new book Why Knot? How to Tie More Than Sixty Ingenious, Useful, Beautiful, Lifesaving, and Secure Knots! April 16 saw the opening of La ruta, a play that follows the fates of several undocumented immigrants and their smugglers enroute from the Mexican border into the United States. The play, brought to the Cathedral by Cathedral partners Working theater and the Magnum Foundation , was performed in an actual 48-foot semi tractor trailer truck parked here, bringing the audience close in to the lives portrayed. The annual Blessing of the Bicycles , which took place on April 20, is a joyous Cathedral ritual. This spring event reminds us of many important things: the power and fragility of the human body; the relationship between physical activity and earth-friendly choices; and the penchant of the Cathedral to deploy liturgical responses in favor of the neighborly, the incongruous and the new. Bicyclists, scooter-and skateboard-riders wheeled into the Nave for a sprinkling of holy water and a blessing for safe traveling. Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope) —described in the Spring Newsletter—opened on April 18. South African artist Jane alexander’s sculptures came alive inside the Cathedral: a collection of presences both accusatory and eerie, like the haunting thread of music that in fairytales leads one away from the public square, and the territory of the human world. The show runs through the end of July. On May 11, the Cathedral hosted a memorial service for jazz great dave Brubeck, who died December 5, 2012. The legendary pianist and composer became famous in the 1950’s for his experiments with time signatures and polytonality (playing in more than one key at once). In 2007 he received a Living Legacy Jazz Award from the Kennedy Center. On May 23, Wenonah hauter , Executive Director of Cathedral partner Food and Water Watch and author of Foodopoly: The Battle Over the Future of Food and Farming in America (2012) joined Frederick Kaufman , journalist, professor, and author of Bet The Farm: How Food Stopped Being Food (2012) to discuss the state of the agricultural systems with a passionate audience. amy goodman moderated. MusIc This was an exceptional season for music at the Cathedral. great Music in a great space brought us four thrilling concerts. The Great Choir, a Choral Concert Series offered, on March 20, gabriel Faure’s “Requiem” and ralph Vaughan Williams ’ “Mass in G Minor,” with the Cathedral Choir and Orchestra; on April 12, gustav Mahler’s “Symphony no. 2,” with david Briggs on the organ, MsM symphonic chorus and soloists ; on May 1, “The Holy Land: Jerusalem,” Cathedral Choir with Rose of the Compass. On May 10, John Zorn performed on the Great Organ as part of the great organ: great artists series. Visiting orchestras and musicians were equally wonderful. On March 16, the Cathedral and alwan for the arts presented hamid al-saadi , one of Iraq’s foremost purveyors of the revered Iraqi maqam tradition, with his ensemble, al-chalghi al-Baghdadi. On April 5, The American Guild of Organists sponsored a recital and gala benefit reception honoring Marilyn Keiser . Dr. Keiser performed a solo recital featuring works by alec Wyton, herbert howells, Margaret sandresky, Josef rheinberger, and Louis Vierne. On April 27, the 22nd annual Interfaith concert of remembrance marked the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising in song and poetry, with the Brooklyn philharmonic orchestra. yaakov Bergman conducted, and Maurice edwards was Master of Ceremonies. On May 14 the Metropolitan opera Brass performed giovanni gabrieli’s “Sacrae Symphoniae,” striking antiphonal motets recently recorded at the Cathedral. The season ended, as always, with the Memorial day concert. the new york philharmonic orchestra filled the Cathedral and the Close with beautiful music, gathering tourists, regulars and neighborhood families into a celebration of those who have sacrificed in war, and those who live the ideals of peace and freedom.

Spirit Of Pride

Gay Pride marches and events, held around the country in June, commemorate the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots that marked the beginning of the contemporary gay rights movement. The pioneering fury of those lesbians, drag queens, transgendered people and gay men, some forty years later, has led to changes in our society both large and small, in the personal and the political. The Spirit of Pride: Queer First, to be held on the evening of Saturday, June 1, will reignite the Cathedral’s commitment to diversity and social justice. Performers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Lavender Light Gospel Choir will be here, alongside downtown darling Justin Vivian Bond, all brought together by the Cathedral’s dedication to improving the lives of LGBTQIA youth. These initials—L for lesbian, G for gay, B for bisexual, T for transsexual/transgender, Q for queer/questioning, I for intersex, A for asexual and sometimes ally—are a signal of the pivotal importance of inclusion to those who have felt lesser to, or unwelcome in, the mainstream community; it’s also a reminder of how integral all members of this alphabetic community were in taking those first steps, in 1969, to stand up against the violence of oppression. The Cathedral has always stood at the intersection of diversity and social justice, from the construction of the Chapels of the Tongues a century ago to decades of interfaith services and dialogues to offering its convening power to Civil Rights and anti-apartheid leaders. Last year’s decision by the Episcopal Convention to approve an official liturgy blessing same-sex unions, and a non-discrimination policy welcoming transgendered people into all aspects of church life, was overwhelmingly supported by Cathedral staff, clergy and congregants. Although Cathedral policy was already inclusive and celebratory, this was a milestone evoking pride. But there is a lot of work yet to be done. Adolescents, who are vulnerable to shaming, bullying, ostracism, parental disapproval and sexual predators, are also at that point in life when sexuality and gender identity can start to feel particularly intense. James Lecesne, co-organizer of Queer First and a longtime advocate for LGBTQIA kids, has helped to sponsor programs and organizations that speak directly to young people and provide viable options when things look their bleakest. The Cathedral feels a special responsibility for educating the young and protecting the weak. That education goes both ways—the perspective of the young is the lifeblood of culture. Those who are most vulnerable often end up strongest. Please join us at this event, whatever your age or orientation, to celebrate the rising generation, and have a very good time.

Looking Back

The Cathedral hosted a plethora of exciting and educational events this spring. While it was still cold outside, the Cathedral marked Women’s History month with the tarantella dance and drumming Workshop, developed by internationally renowned singer, dancer, percussionist, and Artist in Residence alessandra Belloni. The Tarantella originated in Taranto, Italy, as fast-tempo music and dance said to cure the (mythically-fatal) bite of the tarantula. The movements of the dance are reputed to have originated in Dianic or Dionysian rites. The Holy Land program wrapped up with lectures by dr. hossein Kamaly, Messianism and Millenarianism in Islamic History; dr. richard Bulliet, Saladin and the Holy Cities of Islam; dr. Mahmoud el-gamal, Oil, Religion, and Political Economy in the Middle East; and ambassador daniel c. Kurtzer, Is the Holy Land Negotiable? Prospects for Territorial Compromise and a Two-State Solution. Three films were shown: “Decoding the Past” (The History Channel), “Inside Mecca” (National Geographic), and “Jerusalem” (PBS). Nightwatch had a full season of Knightwatch Medieval and nightwatch crossroads overnights. The reinvigorated programs have stimulated everyone’s creative juices, and are proving very popular. The experience of being in the Cathedral late at night is a gift to anyone with a sense of wonder— which pretty much includes every young person. On March 14, the Cathedral hosted the open center of new york: a Message from the angels. Lorna Byrne, the author of A Message of Hope from the Angels and other bestsellers, was joined by the reverend paul Brandeis raushenbush, Senior Religion Editor for the Huffington Post. Lorna, who has been visited by angels since before she could speak, told the rapt audience of over 600 people many stories about angels.She mentioned that she could see tall angels in red robes lining the sides of the Cathedral. Holy Week, beginning 10 days later, was more familiar territory. On Maundy thursday, the pageantry of Easter truly began, with a full house of worshippers. Later that evening, the annual reading from Dante’s Inferno—which kept hundreds in the Cathedral past midnight—was a reminder of what angels (and humans) can become if they don’t learn the lessons of love. On good Friday, stations of the cross and Laments for good Friday: choral Meditations were powerful services, full of that contradictory emotion—joyous sorrow—evoked by liturgy and art. On easter sunday, the Cathedral resounded with prayer and music, spring flowers adorning this great celebration of rebirth. On April 9, Cathedral Artist in Residence and highwire artist extraordinaire philippe petit visited the Cathedral to celebrate his new book Why Knot? How to Tie More Than Sixty Ingenious, Useful, Beautiful, Lifesaving, and Secure Knots! April 16 saw the opening of La ruta, a play that follows the fates of several undocumented immigrants and their smugglers enroute from the Mexican border into the United States. The play, brought to the Cathedral by Cathedral partners Working theater and the Magnum Foundation, was performed in an actual 48-foot semi tractor trailer truck parked here, bringing the audience close in to the lives portrayed. The annual Blessing of the Bicycles, which took place on April 20, is a joyous Cathedral ritual. This spring event reminds us of many important things: the power and fragility of the human body; the relationship between physical activity and earth friendly choices; and the penchant of the Cathedral to deploy liturgical responses in favor of the neighborly, the incongruous and the new. Bicyclists, scooter- and skateboard-riders wheeled into the Nave for a sprinkling of holy water and a blessing for safe traveling. Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope)—described in the Spring Newsletter—opened on April 18. South African artist Jane alexander’s sculptures came alive inside the Cathedral: a collection of presences both accusatory and eerie, like the haunting thread of music that in fairytales leads one away from the public square, and the territory of the human world. The show runs through the end of July. On May 11, the Cathedral hosted a memorial service for jazz great dave Brubeck, who died December 5, 2012. The legendary pianist and composer became famous in the 1950’s for his experiments with time signatures and polytonality (playing in more than one key at once). In 2007 he received a Living Legacy Jazz Award from the Kennedy Center. On May 23, Wenonah hauter, Executive Director of Cathedral partner Food and Water Watch and author of Foodopoly: The Battle Over the Future of Food and Farming in America (2012) joined Frederick Kaufman, journalist, professor, and author of Bet The Farm: How Food Stopped Being Food (2012) to discuss the state of the agricultural systems with a passionate audience. Amy goodman moderated. MusIc This was an exceptional season for music at the Cathedral. Great Music in a great space brought us four thrilling concerts. The Great Choir, a Choral Concert Series offered, on March 20, gabriel Faure’s “Requiem” and ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Mass in G Minor,” with the Cathedral Choir and Orchestra; on April 12, gustav Mahler’s “Symphony no. 2,” with david Briggs on the organ, MsM symphonic chorus and soloists; on May 1, “The Holy Land: Jerusalem,” Cathedral Choir with Rose of the Compass. On May 10, John Zorn performed on the Great Organ as part of the great organ: great artists series. Visiting orchestras and musicians were equally wonderful. On March 16, the Cathedral and alwan for the arts presented hamid al-saadi, one of Iraq’s foremost purveyors of the revered Iraqi maqam tradition, with his ensemble, al-chalghi al-Baghdadi. On April 5, The American Guild of Organists sponsored a recital and gala benefit reception honoring Marilyn Keiser. Dr. Keiser performed a solo recital featuring works by alec Wyton, herbert howells, Margaret sandresky, Josef rheinberger, and Louis Vierne. On April 27, the 22nd annual Interfaith concert of remembrance marked the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising in song and poetry, with the Brooklyn philharmonic orchestra. Yaakov Bergman conducted, and Maurice edwards was Master of Ceremonies. On May 14 the Metropolitan opera Brass performed giovanni gabrieli’s “Sacrae Symphoniae,” striking antiphonal motets recently recorded at the Cathedral. The season ended, as always, with the Memorial day concert. The new york philharmonic orchestra filled the Cathedral and the Close with beautiful music, gathering tourists, regulars and neighborhood families into a celebration of those who have sacrificed in war, and those who live the ideals of peace and freedom.

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