In January, we said farewell to our Canon and Director of Music. We are currently meeting with potential candidates to serve as an Interim Director of Music from July 2024-May 2025 and will begin our search for our next leader(s) of our music ministry in October 2024, with the intention of calling our new leader(s) to begin June 2025. The Vestry has appointed a congregational Music Discernment Team and charged them with:
Engaging our congregation in a season of reflection and discernment about how our Cathedral’s music ministry can:
Connect us more deeply with God, with each other, and with our mission statement and strategic pillars.
Empower our music ministry to reflect more fully the diversity of the people of our city and Diocese in our leadership, repertoire, and partnerships.
Serve as a better partner and leader in the music of our city, Diocese, and the larger Episcopal Church, especially in advancing and innovating the beloved musical traditions we cherish.
Continue to grow a new generation of musical leaders by continuing to develop our Choir School, especially with options in Spanish.
Create a mutually shared path forward for our music programs in English and Spanish OR establish equitable independence that allow both programs to flourish.
Interview a diverse pool of key community arts leaders and partners for external input and idea sharing.
Summarizing their findings and returning to the Vestry by September 30, 2024 with 5-6 recommended music objectives for us to accomplish under the Deep Beauty of God strategic pillar by December 31, 2026, along with profile (job description) of the staffing needed to accomplish these goals.
Recommending a framework for a continuing group to interview candidate(s) for the recommended positions.
The members of this team include: Mario Avila, Blake Beckemeyer, Hanna Benn, Chevo Chavez, Maya Chavez, Tim Culbertson, Shannon Joyce, Dean Gray Lesesne, Sean Manterfield, Christine Smalley, Matthew Stevenson, Luna Waters, and Kate Westhoven,
As we discern the impact and outlook of our Music ministry, we want your input and feedback. Please review the dates below and mark your calendar to provide feedback and insight into the work next chapter of making music together.
Sunday, June 23: Music and our Spiritual Journeys
Sunday, July 7: Music and our Cathedral’s Mission and Strategic Pillars
Sunday, August 4: Music and our Leadership in the City, Diocese, and Championing Diversity and Inclusion
STRATEGIC PLAN
We’ve been collectively living into our mission to “Glorify God, serve our neighbors, and transform our city” and connected Strategic Plan for nearly three years! Our Vestry recently decided to fine-tune our strategic plan and extend it for next two years. The Vestry has appointed a Strategic Plan Update team and charged them with:
Reviewing each of the pillar areas with the responsible staff members to identify the overall “successes” and “challenges” of the strategic plan to date.
Conducting listening sessions in English and Spanish with the congregation in summer 2024.
Based on the listening sessions and staff feedback, reviewing unaccomplished objectives, prioritize based on Vestry feedback at our retreat, and propose up to 5 recommended extension objectives in each area for the Cathedral to accomplish by December 2026.
Returning to the Vestry with their work by the December 17, 2024 meeting so we can present the revised plan at our 2025 Annual Meeting in February.
The members of this team include: Gabi Antunez, Tammy Bailey, Dave DeSutter, Dean Gray Lesesne, Jude Magers, Matthew Stevenson Steve Whaley, and Dave DeSutter.
As we discern the extension of our plan, we want your input and feedback. Join us for more conversation on Sundays this summer after each of our worship services:
June 9: Pillar 1: Convener & Connector for our City and Diocese
June 30: Pillar 2—Radical Hospitality
July 21: Pillar 3—Deep Beauty of God
July 28: Pillar 4 – Spirituality in Community
August 11: Pillar 5 – Faith in Action
VESTRY CHECK IN
As part of our Vestry’s ongoing commitment to transparency and collaboration, we invite you to join us for our quarterly Vestry Check-In on Sunday, July 14 after our 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 1 p.m. liturgies. Representatives from the Vestry will share highlights of our work together over the past three months and make plenty of time for your questions, comments, and feedback.
