Welcome to St. Paul's
The mission of St. Paul's Cathedral is to nurture, love, teach, and grow a loving community in Jesus Christ and to make Him known to others.
We invite you to join us in that community. The Very Reverend Robert A. Dedmon Dean and Rector Pentecost Moments and the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago
The Feast of Pentecost arrives on Sunday, May 19. This is the birthday of the Christian Church and the feast day of the Holy Spirit. It has sometimes been called Whitsunday because this was the day when white-robed converts to the Christian faith were baptized. Pentecost is the third of the three great Christian feast days, after Easter and Christmas.
Beginning on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and led them to evangelize the known world. Following the Roman roads and trade routes, they fanned out all around the Mediterranean. St. Thomas even ended up in India. Shortly afterwards, St. Paul began his mission to the Gentiles, and the Christian gospel became good news for all people. Since that time the church has organized itself in various ways in various times in order to pursue its mission. The organization is adaptable, but the mission is constant, and the mission is the "main thing." Looking back through the lens of Pentecost, we are reminded that the church is not only an organization but an organism which changes and adapts its structures and methods in the pursuit of its mission, to bring good news and reconciliation to this world. Soon we will experience a Pentecost moment in the life of the church in this part of Illinois. A Special Synod: June 8, 2013 Bishop John Buchanan has issued a call for a Special Synod which will convene at St. Paul's Cathedral, Peoria, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 8. Bishop Jeffrey Lee has also recalled the Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago for the same hour on the same day in Lombard, Illinois. These two conventions will consider only one item of business: the reunion of the two dioceses. Once approved this decision goes to the bishops with jurisdiction and the Standing Committees of the Episcopal Church for majority consent. Once consents have been given, the action will be certified by the Secretary of the House of Deputies of the General Convention. By the way, our Special Synod on June 8 will be followed by the Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral and a diocesan-wide picnic at St. Paul's. All are welcome and encouraged to attend both the Synod and the celebration which will follow. This is definitely a time for us to come together! Once the canonical process is completed this summer, the Diocese of Quincy will cease to exist after 136 years and return from whence we came. A new day will have arrived, and new resources and opportunities for ministry will open up to us. After all the challenges we have addressed in the last five years, we can rejoice in this Pentecost moment and in the bright future that lies before us. (RD) |
You Are InvitedCentering Prayer Group - A prayer group based upon silence and some of the techniques taught by Thomas Keating will meet each Monday at 11:00 A.M. in the Library. This form of prayer is very calming and deepens one's relationship with God. For more information call Nancy Wheeler at 258-2333.
Friday Morning Breakfast and Bible Study - The 6:30 a.m. Breakfast and Bible Study meets each Friday at 6:30 a.m. in the Hedberg Room. Everyone is welcome! Loaves and Fish - Volunteers are needed to serve during the Loaves and Fish outreach program on the last Saturday of each month. please sign-up on the sheet at the North end of the Cathedral. Food Pantry Sundays - The 3rd Sunday of each month is designated as Food Pantry Sunday. Bring non-perishable food to church. It will later be distributed to needy families. |
