Cathedral Family,

This has been both a trying time and a gratifying time for us as a Cathedral family. Even though it has been “a time to refrain from embracing,” you all have looked out for one another and for your neighbors. And in the midst of the lockdown, you enthusiastically embraced worship in our new online format. With lockdown restrictions eased, in July our Cathedral was able to resume live worship on Sundays at our three regular worship times (8:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and 6:00 p.m.) while following the guidance of health officials. In addition, online worship which began during lockdown will continue for the foreseeable future. God has been faithful through all of this—and so have you! 

It seemed like it might be timely to update you on three things: the status of our operating budget, the progress of our Cathedral Musician search, and our headway in Light Legacy Love projects.  

First, you may be wondering how our operating budget has been affected by the coronavirus disruptions. I’m happy to tell you that thanks largely to the generosity of our parishioners, we are doing okay! We are exceedingly grateful that as of June 30, unpledged giving has exceeded expectations by 10%, while pledged giving has lagged by a modest 2.5% (though it’d be great to see that gap disappear). Back in April, the Cathedral obtained a PPP loan which helped us maintain payroll at normal levels through June. One of the most significant negative impacts, however, has been the substantial loss in the amount of income generated from our Washington Street parking lot lease—down from $21K per month to only $6K per month. Overall, as you can see from the chart below, we are “behind” by a small amount through June 2020. Please be mindful of the fact that we are heading into the slower midsummer to early fall giving season, so we will likely soon begin to feel the true impact of the coronavirus on our own corner of the economy. 

Here are the numbers:

Second, I want to update you concerning the search for our next Cathedral Musician. Since March, a committee representing a wide spectrum of the Cathedral’s membership has been meeting weekly (by Zoom) in anticipation of making a recommendation to me. In May we surveyed the congregation, developed a job description, and created an announcement for the position. The job opening has been posted with the Association of Anglican Musicians and the American Guild of Organists, as well as circulated in more informal circles. We are accepting applications through the end of August. Thus far, we have received over 40 applications, many quite impressive. We plan to conduct interviews with promising candidates this fall. We also encouraged Michael Petrosh, our Acting Cathedral Musician, to apply as well.

I am mindful that Ben Lane didn’t “replace” Murray Somerville, Ben’s predecessor. At the time the “up-and-comer,” newly-hired Ben forged a new place for himself and a new musical identity for the Cathedral. I recognize that no one will “replace” Ben either, even as he or she succeeds him. I am looking, therefore, for a highly qualified candidate whose first love is Jesus, whose second love is music ministry, and whose gifts seem ideally suited to serve our Cathedral. The Lord has blessed us with a rich heritage of music, and our desire is to follow His lead for our future.

Finally, regarding the Light Legacy Love Capital Campaign, here are the projects that have been completed to date:

• All stained glass window coverings have been replaced, and windows repaired

• Cathedral roof repairs have been made and broken tiles replaced

• Cathedral and Chapter House have been painted

• HVAC engineering, consulting, and scope & design work have been completed

• Design work has been completed for restrooms, kitchen, and education building renovation, and a new handicap ramp into the Great Hall

• Contract has been signed for kneeler cushion replacement; work to begin within 2 months

Just as the shutdown began, we received 3 construction bids for the restroom, kitchen, education building, and ramp renovations. While it would be timely to have this work done during the current slow-down that prevents gatherings on campus, we are grateful for this time to evaluate the bids in hand and hopefully negotiate more favorable prices.

Status of other projects:

• Pew and kneeler hardware repair will be done by a parishioner as an Eagle Scout project within 2-3 months

• Cathedral floor tile repair is being evaluated for options

• Organ maintenance and trumpet pipe installation is pending further funding and design work

• HVAC replacement is being evaluated

As trying as this time has been, it has been gratifying to see how members of the Cathedral have cared for one another and for our community. I am deeply appreciative of the faithfulness in financial support so many of you have exercised in these stressful and uncertain days. As a congregation, you have adapted to our mixed platform of worship—partially in-person, and partially online. A number of you have carved out new niches of service in helping to make our adjustments—from serving on the tech team to helping with clean up. Your staff—clergy and lay alike—have made me so very grateful to be a part of a team of servant-leaders. Your Chapter has provided wise, discerning, and faithful behind-the-scene guidance throughout. 

With all the sickness—both physical and social—all around us, it is gratifying to see the Lord grant such health and life to our Cathedral family. Thank you for your part. 

If you have any questions, or if there are any ways that we can be of support to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. 

Blessings, in Christ, 

Reggie Kidd, Dean