Dean’s Letter: Candlemas

Hello St. Paul’s, Next Monday, February 2,  the church celebrates the commemoration of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple. This is an ancient feast, also known as the Purification of the Virgin Mary, or Candlemas. It’s a favorite of mine, because I was ordained priest on February 2, 1998. St. Luke tells the … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Annual Meeting 2026

Hello St. Paul’s, This weekend we will hold our annual parish meeting, after a festive lunch on Sunday. This is an important moment in our life every year, but especially this year, as we will be electing new Chapter members who will be participating in the transition between deans. This Chapter class will likely see … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: 2026 Budget

Hello St. Paul’s, On Sunday our Financial Controller, Erin Sacco Pineda, will present the 2026 Cathedral Operating Budget, as passed last week by Chapter. Unlike many denominations, in the Episcopal Church the budget is not determined by the congregation as a whole; authority is delegated to the elected leadership of the parish, in this case … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Music Search Update

Hello St. Paul’s, Since November 16, when Martin Green announced his upcoming departure, I have been focusing on identifying interim music staff to take us through a six month search for the next Canon for Music, starting in January. I am very happy to announce that our organ scholar, Seonjeong Park, will step up as … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Thanksgiving Reflection

Hello St. Paul’s, Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving Day is recognized in the Book of Common Prayer as a major holy day, along with July 4. It offers us an opportunity to be focused in our gratitude to God for all the blessings we enjoy, and so this morning we celebrated the Eucharist, a liturgy whose purpose … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Music Updates

Hello St. Paul’s, The news about Martin Green’s departure came as a surprise to most of the congregation on Sunday. Martin has been a part of the fabric of the cathedral for so long, it has been easy to imagine that he would be here for ever. However, nothing except God is eternal, and while … READ MORE…

A Letter from Dean Penny: Advent is Here!

Hello St. Paul’s, As you know, Advent, the opening season of the church year, has traditionally been observed in the Episcopal Church for the four Sundays before Christmas. However, there is a longstanding and widespread alternative tradition of observing Advent for a period more equivalent to the 40 days of Lent; and for us, Advent … READ MORE…

A Letter from Penny: Christian Formation

Hello St. Paul’s, One of the primary responsibilities of a rector or dean is to ensure that parishioners are engaging in Christian formation, to enable all of us “grow into the full stature of Christ”, as we repeatedly promise in the baptismal liturgy. For many years St. Paul’s has offered a weekly forum on Sunday … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Homecoming 2025

Hello St. Paul’s, Welcome Home! The children are back at school, the calendar is flying headlong towards Christmas, and even for those of us who left academic calendars behind long ago, September brings a sense of new beginnings. This weekend we will celebrate Homecoming at St. Paul’s, with a special procession and commissioning of lay … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Saint Mary the Virgin

The Collect for the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who  lives and reigns … READ MORE…