Important Cathedral News from the Dean and Wardens
A Word from Dean Harlan
Dear friends,
I write to announce that I have decided to retire from full-time ministry. My last Sunday at the Cathedral will be February 23rd, the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany.
While this news may be a surprise—and Eli and I had certainly envisioned being here longer—I have come to see that my particular gifts and skills do not align with the needs of the Cathedral at this time. I am confident that parting ways now is in the best interest of my family, myself, and the Cathedral community as a whole.
Despite careful and prayerful discernment processes, such as we shared together two years ago, pastoral relationships are not always the fit churches and clergy hope for and expect. This is not a failure in any way, but rather offers an opportunity for deeper reflection and learning, such as described below. And this, by God’s grace, will lead to transformation and abundant life for this wonderful congregation.
In consultation with our Bishop, our Senior Warden, and our Canon Missioner, I have initiated a proven process of Vestry exploration and reflection from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center in Lombard, Illinois. The Vestry, in the new year, will undertake this process that has helped congregations large and small begin to learn new, life-giving ways of interacting, decision-making, and living for mission rather than maintenance.
Eli and I are so grateful for our time here—for the radical welcome of all God’s children, for the rich worship and glorious music, for those working on Becoming Beloved Community and on feeding hungry bodies and souls. And we wish God’s every blessing upon the Cathedral community.
Peace,
James+
A Word from the Cathedral Wardens
Dear Cathedral Family,
For these past eighteen months, Dean Harlan has led us on the path of building beloved community through unconditional love of all God’s children. Together, we have been living into our call to foster inclusion for all who enter our Cathedral for worship, prayer, music, fellowship and nourishment, and for all who join us online from around the world.
It is with both sadness and joy that we receive the news of Dean Harlan’s retirement from full-time ministry. Sadness because we will miss his many gifts, and joy because we trust that for James and Eli, this marks an exciting and meaningful transition in their lives after thirty-eight years of faithful service to God’s church, including thirty years of priesthood. February 23rd will mark their last Sunday at the Cathedral, where we will celebrate their ministry at the 11:00 a.m. service, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.
In the coming days, we invite you to join us in expressing heartfelt gratitude to Dean Harlan for his dedication to authentic welcome, accessibility, pastoral care, outreach, lay-led prayer, fundraising, livestreaming, ecumenism, families, young adults, LGBTQIA+ affirmation, racial justice and reconciliation, as well as his fluent, ardent embrace of the French language in worship, and the personal connections and spiritual growth that have flourished during his tenure.
Over the next three months, Dean James will continue to preach, preside at worship, provide pastoral care, connect with the Friends, and be present to the Convocation. The Cathedral will also benefit from Bishop Edington’s assistance and guidance as we prepare for the Dean's departure and for the transition to follow. Included in that preparation will be our leadership’s engagement in a process of exploration with the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, which will lay the groundwork and provide the impetus to identify effective, sustainable ways to fully live into our mission as an Episcopal parish in Paris and Cathedral in Europe.
The Vestry are equally committed to searching for our next Canon Precentor, finalizing the budget that enables our clergy, staff and volunteers to achieve their ministry goals, and learning more about our shared vision from the many people who are so dedicated to this place.
Times of transition, by their very nature, give rise to uncertainty and a range of emotions and questions. We will provide you with regular updates and Vestry will be available to answer your questions and hear your concerns. Together, let us pray for one another - parishioners, staff, clergy, Vestry, ministry leaders and volunteers, and for all who enter this beautiful spiritual home for all people - that we may feel the breadth and impact of God’s love for each and every one of us, full stop.
Peace, blessings, and gratitude,
Kim Powell, Senior Warden
Angelina Stelmach Blundell, Junior Warden