The Latest Cathedral News Author: The Very Rev. Dominic Barrington

Just a few minutes ago, the Reverend Canon Paula Clark was elected as the XIII bishop of our diocese, to succeed Bishop Lee who retires at the end of this month.

Paula will be coming to us from the Diocese of Washington (D.C.), in which she has exercised all her priestly ministry thus far.  It became clear in walk about conversations that our bishop-elect is a proven and creative leader, and person of prayer rooted in a powerful sense of God's presence at work among us in and through the church.  She has served in parishes, and currently holds a senior position on the bishop’s staff as Canon to the Ordinary and Chief of Staff. Even these very few facts should serve to demonstrate how ideally placed she is to assume the leadership of this diocese, and you can learn much more about her here. 

Personally, I am delighted by the result of this election, and feel very excited for all that lies ahead for the diocese in the coming months and years. With her years of ministry in the Diocese of Washington, Bishop-elect Clark is no stranger to the National Cathedral, and it will be a joy and privilege to welcome her to what will now be her own cathedral church of St James. 

 

We do not yet know when our bishop-elect will arrive in Chicago to begin her ministry, but her ordination as a bishop is scheduled for April 24, 2021. For now, please join me in holding Paula in your prayers as she prepares for this major transition.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 

In response to the “Protect Chicago” strategy announced by the Mayor last week, Bishop Lee has suspended in-person worship until December 16. While there is no evidence to suggest that live worship undertaken with appropriate protocols has contributed to the spread of COVID-19, and some churches of other denominations are currently still holding services, there is no doubt that, as the mayor has said, this is a ‘critical point’ in the pandemic, both within the city and the country as a whole.

 

At St. James Cathedral we will continue to live-stream a celebration of the Eucharist at 11am on Sunday mornings, but only those with an active role in the liturgy will be able to be present. The celebrations on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime will be suspended until further notice.

 

While this is a difficult and painful time, made worse by its proximity to major public holidays, we also see light in the darkness with the announcements concerning the development of vaccines which appear to be highly effective. I know you will join me in praying for as swift an end to this terrible time as possible.

 

Your priest and friend,

The Very Rev. Dominic Barrington

Members of the Cathedral Chapter met recently with members of Bishop & Trustees. The trustees spoke of their responsibility to build an endowment of sufficient size to enhance funds available for vitality grants and other forms of support for congregations across the diocese, and that this was the principal motivation in their decision to place 65 East Huron on the market in the early part of 2021.

 

As part of this conversation, Chapter members were pleased to be told that the mission of the cathedral was an important consideration for the trustees. The trustees offered an assurance that there would be proper accommodation of the building and financial needs of the cathedral from the proceeds of such a sale, and agreed to hold further discussions with Chapter to ensure these needs are appropriately identified.