Grace Cathedral
The Fall 2017 issue of Grace Notes, our seasonal publication that lets you know about all the exciting events going on at the cathedral, is now available! Read the new edition online.
Governor Jerry Brown has pledged to hold an international climate summit in San Francisco in September 2018. The Rev. Sally G. Bingham, Canon for the Environment in the Diocese of California, gave Grace Cathedral a special mention on the subject in a recent interview for The Economist.
“…Ms. Bingham says the churches have been in close tandem with, and often ahead of, secular authorities in asserting that curbing carbon can and must go ahead regardless. She expects Grace Cathedral, the stronghold of the Episcopal Church in San Francisco, to be an important venue for next year’s summit.”
We are proud of our cathedral community. From hosting DioCal’s EcoJustice Conference to participating in the March for Science, we take action to care for God’s creation — no matter what the temperature is in D.C.
Read more of The Economist article.
Learn about Grace for All.
Learn about Sky Steps.
The Community Preschool at Grace Cathedral is seeking a Preschool Teacher.
To apply, submit cover letter & resume to Brooke Giesen.
In this “Year of the Gift” at the cathedral, June and July’s gift themes are Identity and Democracy. We celebrate these values by gathering together as individuals with a common faith and purpose. As we wrap up Pride month, we are grateful for all of our differences here at Grace and in the wider community.
Each Sunday in July, we’ll be featuring a different Episcopal church from the Diocese of California on the cover of our Sunday bulletin. These images come from Bill Van Loo’s photographical project, “Looking Forward/Looking Back: Thirty Churches of the Episcopal Diocese of California.” Bill, who is a beloved congregant here at the cathedral, has generously allowed us to share his photos.
Looking at Bill’s photos, you can tell these churches are different in size and appearance, but there’s more: from St. John the Evangelist and its mission to serve fresh fruits and veggies to those living in the Mission district, to Church of Our Savior ministering to the community in Oakland’s Chinatown, to our very own cathedral on the hill with our labyrinths and yoga class — we bear differences that make us stronger forces for love and justice in this world.
In his introduction to the book, Bill writes, “At first glance, ‘Looking Forward/Looking Back’ documents an institution seemingly at odds with the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley: churches. But in many ways, these churches epitomize that spirit: all were constructed on faith, built for an unforeseeable future.”
We agree.
Tomorrow’s Pride Evensong was featured on SFist’s To-Do List this week.
“Following the music, stick around for a panel about the early struggles for LGBTQ equality and dignity in the Diocese of California, the response to the AIDS epidemic and how to keep equality and pride alive in the current Bay Area culture.”
See all we have planned for Pride this year.
Today the Rev. Canon Nina Pickerrell and Outreach Administrator Tracee Zyla were recognized for Grace Cathedral’s leadership in the Winter Shelter Program at the San Francisco Interfaith Council’s monthly breakfast.
The San Francisco Interfaith Council makes initiatives including the Winter Interfaith Shelter possible, and for that we are so grateful. The Interfaith Shelter provides dinner, breakfast and a dry place to sleep for homeless men during the coldest and wettest time of the year. This year, Grace Cathedral cooked and served a total of 420 meals to homeless men. Grace Cathedral cooperates with many other congregations in San Francisco in this important endeavor.
Congratulations to Nina and her team for their dedication to our communities in need. Outreach Ministries would also like to thank their many generous volunteers, Stitching Ministry for their handmade hats and blankets and the Cathedral School for Boys for preparing many of the meals and packing lunches for the following day.
The Winter Interfaith Shelter starts back up in November. In the meantime, there are many ways to volunteer at Grace. We are preparing for our second Stop Hunger Now event in July, and would love to have you join us.
San Francisco Interfaith Council
A nine-story electronic sculpture by our 2016 Artist in Residence, Jim Campbell, will top the new Salesforce Tower and become the tallest public art installation in the US. We are proud of Campbell and also enjoying a smile, because this incredible work of public art is already on display in our cathedral.
Get a taste of Campbell’s work here at Grace before it debuts on the Salesforce Tower in July with “Jacob’s Dream: A Luminous Path,” Campbell’s light art installation done with fellow Artist in Residence Benjamin Bergery, that currently hangs 55 feet tall in the cathedral. Visit today to get a unique, up-close look at this dazzling work of art.
Free and open to all.
SF Chronicle article
Learn more about our Artist in Residence program
Scaffolding and plastic sheeting, usually considered eyesores, cover the north transept window in the cathedral while its magnificent stained glass is being repaired and cleaned.
But the Rev. Canon Mark Stanger finds beauty in their humble presence: “Even the ordinary white plastic sheeting that covers the scaffolding as we renew our transept window finds a way to join in the cathedral’s ever-changing chorus of color and light.”
This year’s theme, “The Gift,” invites us to look for gifts in unexpected places.
All are welcome to experience the joy of Easter with us. Our special events this week include:
The Office of Tenebrae: Candles are extinguished one at a time during this solemn choral service, until the church is shrouded in darkness.
Good Friday: Walk the labyrinth lit with flickering luminaries while immersing your spirit in a unique soundscape woven by Destiny Muhammad and Joan Tarika Lewis.
Great Vigil: The service begins entirely in darkness, illumined by the kindling of new fire as we await the resurrection of Jesus.
Sky Steps: Walk on clouds as you climb the Great Steps for our Easter services. Sky Steps is an installation by artist Sukey Bryan and is supported by Ghiberti Center for Culture.
Easter Day: Hymns and chants accompanied by the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys alongside brass and timpani. A fun and festive Easter egg hunt and photo booth will follow.
We look forward to seeing you soon!