A Final Day at National Cathedral

Yesterday was my last day at the College of Preachers – and I was one of the last people to be a guest there. The College was a victim of the bad economy and National Cathedral’s need to cut some 30 staff positions – nearly a third of the Cathedral staff. I attended Morning Prayer in the Bethlehem Chapel – one of the several chapels in the crypt of the cathedral. I then met with another friend, the Rev. Steve Huber, who is Vicar of the Cathedral. Steve and I were in Seminary together, and it was interesting to hear about the many facets of his job, which is basically to run the day to day operations of the Cathedral. After some conversation over coffee, we then met with the development officer of the brand new Bishop Walker School, which is a school for boys in one of Washington’s historically poorest neighborhoods. After that, I met with the Rev. Preston Hannibal, who is Canon for Education for the Diocese of Washington, who shared with me the story of how the Bishop Walker School came into existence and how the Diocese of Washington came to have a commitment to the improvement of the educational system available in Washington, D. C. It was inspirational to hear about what a diocese can achieve even in these difficult economic times.

As I conclude my time at Virginia Seminary and at the College of Preachers, it has been both less and more than I expected. I did not get as much reading done as I expected to – although I got further on my research on the theology of mission than I expected to, so I guess that was a draw. But this time has been valuable in other ways which I did not anticipate: witnessing and, in one case, helping to launch, a dynamic ministry; being reunited with old friends and reflecting on their place in my life; and simply having time to reflect on all of these things in the context of my life and ministry. A consistent theme has been the importance of relationships both for the health of the human soul and for the effective carrying out of ministry.

Today is a travel day. I am meeting the judge for whom I was a law clerk – the Hon. Joyce Hens Green – for lunch in Baltimore. When you are a clerk for a judge, you become a part of his or her family for life. Over the years, I have come to understand that aside from becoming a good friend, Joyce had a major influence on my work ethic and the development of a collegial approach to leadership. I always look forward to my visits with her.

Finally, did you get the answers to the question about the 5 freedoms in yesterday's blog? Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition the government -- all contained in the First Amendment to the Constitution. That's our history lesson for today. . .

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+