 From the Dean
Dear friends,
The second and last high-school graduation in our house occurs on Sunday with our daughter. Feelings are voluminous and complicated.
In our living room there's a display board with photos of our soon-to-be grad. To the grad, it is simply her, showing stages and phases of life to present. To me, it's a celebration of the promise of a whole person blooming toward fulness. Yet it's also a reminder that for most of us, life's changes can be hard to navigate, as it begs me to remember (with some resistance on my part) that it's time to let go of her just a little more.
"New beginnings are accessible to everyone, and everyone has trouble with them," William Bridges writes in his important book Transitions. "Much as we may wish to make a new beginning, some part of us resists doing so as though we were making the first step toward disaster."
Somewhere along the way, I decided that all of life – even the long, boring stretches – is a form of transition from one state of being to another, or at the very least a time of preparing for change. Transitions may bring uncomfortable new developments, but after we've ridden them out we can look behind and see what they were all about, and actually be grateful for them. In a weird way, this fortifies us for whatever change next awaits us.
Amidst all this turbulence of our lives, some things remain. The writer of the eighteenth Psalm presses the truth of this into our hands: "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Though many things should change, cling to what matters most and hold onto the promises. Christ is ever faithful and stills the storms when we turn to him.
Dean Torey+ | | Congratulations to these graduates who we will honor this Sunday, May 18 | |  | | Congratulations to Annie Lightcap, who will graduate from Washburn Rural High School on May, 18! Annie plans to attend Kansas State University, where she will major in secondary theater education—combining her creativity and love for learning. We are so proud of all she has accomplished and can't wait to see how she continues to shine. May God guide and bless her as she takes this next step forward! | |  | | Congratulations to Jeremiah Shipman, who is graduating with his MD from the University of Kansas School of Medicine! Jeremiah has been an active member of the Grace community—serving with acolytes, choristers, Gentlemen's Choir, the youth program, diocesan youth commission, diocesan peer ministry, and the transition committee for Bishop Bascom. He will begin a Family Medicine residency at St. Mary's Family Medicine Residency in Grand Junction, Colorado this summer. We give thanks for Jeremiah, and pray for God's guidance as he begins this next chapter. | |  | | Congratulations to Max Cassidy, who graduated from the Indiana School of Law on May 10! Max grew up at Grace Cathedral, where he was active in Sunday School and served faithfully as an acolyte. After years of study at University of Iowa for his bachelors degree, and more recently at Indiana School of Law, he's now heading to Chicago to begin his legal career at McDermott Will & Emery. We are proud of all he has accomplished and send him with our prayers and blessings. | | Adult Forum Topic: May 11 - 25 | | Adult Forum, Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in All Saints Hall: Steve Roth will lead part two of a three-part series on "Heaven: A Guided Tour."
Applications for Search and Transition Committees: The Diocese of Kansas, in calling it Tenth Bishop, now seeks people to serve the Search and Transition committees. Please click this link for more information. Applications are due by May 30.
Sunday, June 1: Bishop Bascom will be joining us for the 10:30 service for confirmations. Several parishoners have been active in the membership classes and will be celebrated on June 1 with reception, confirmation, and reaffirmation. Some will be baptized and confirmed. We thank them for this step in their faith journey, and for choosing Grace Cathedral as their church home.
Sharing Table Donations: Current needs include: can openers, pain reliever, feminine hygiene products, large size toothpaste, brushes, combs, chapstick, sunscreen, and body wash. No clothing donations, please. Thank you for your continued support that is making a positive difference in the lives of our neighbors! | | Saturday, May 17
8:30 a.m., Saturday Sandwich Ministry (ASH kitchen)
Sunday, May 18
8:30 a.m., Spoken Service of Holy Communion, Rite I (Cathedral)
9:30 a.m., Adult Forum (ASH)
10:30 a.m., Holy Communion, Rite II, with choir and organ (Cathedral)
12:00 p.m., Membership Confirmation Class (Robyn Room)
Monday, May 19
7:00 p.m., Readers Theater (Bubb Room)
Tuesday, May 20
9:00 a.m., Morning Prayer (St. Mary's Chapel)
3:30 p.m., Staff Meeting (Bubb Room)
5:30 p.m., Vestry Meeting (Robyn Room)
Wednesday, May 21
10:00 a.m., Centering Prayer (Robyn Room)
Thursday, May 22
7:30 a.m., Men's Study Group (Bubb Room)
9:00 a.m., Morning Prayer (St. Mary's Chapel)
5:30 p.m., Handbell Rehearsal (Room 211)
7:00 p.m., Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)
Saturday, May 23
8:30 a.m., Saturday Sandwich Ministry (ASH kitchen)
| | Invitation to EfM 50th Celebration:
Celebrating Five Decades of Education for Ministry | | Dear EfM Participants and Alumnae,
We are delighted to invite you to the diocesan celebration of the 50th anniversary of Education for Ministry (EfM). This momentous occasion will be held at St. David's, located at 3916 SW 17th, Topeka. It will be a wonderful opportunity to reunite, reflect, and rejuvenate our commitment to ministry.
Event Date: June 7, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: St. David's Church, 3916 SW 17th, Topeka
Highlights of the Celebration - Learn about the new curriculum in the digital age
- Reconnect with fellow EfM participants and alumnae
- Reflect on the journey and achievements of EfM over the past fifty years
- Engage in enriching discussions and activities
This event promises to be both informative and inspiring, celebrating the legacy and future of EfM. We look forward to your presence as we honor the past and embrace the innovations of the digital age in our educational endeavors.
Please RSVP by May 31, 2025, to ensure we can accommodate all guests. Dinner provided.
Warm regards,
Lynda Crowl
EfM Kansas Diocesan Coordinator
Phone: 1-785-969-6680
Email: lcrowl7325@gmail.com | | Worship opportunities with Grace Cathedral | | | In-person Services - We offer two Sunday services of Holy Communion: 8:30 (spoken only) and 10:30 (with music). Nursery care is available for the 10:30 service.
- A Morning Prayer Circle is held each Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m., in St. Mary's Chapel.
Live-streaming online service Our 10:30 Sunday service will be livestreamed on our website, Facebook page and YouTube channel: Compline Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 p.m., on the Cathedral's Facebook page: | | Find it on the website Here are some links to make things a bit easier to find on the Cathedral website: | | | | |
