May 3, 2023
The Feast of Elisabeth Cruciger
My dear Cathedral Community,
This day marks the thirteenth anniversary of my election as the fourth Dean of the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral. My tenure has been a long one and I cherish the years that we have shared. We have been blessed in so many ways by the deepening of our ministries and by loving relationships with God and neighbor. We have travelled far from where we began, trusting in God’s call to us, as we have stepped forward in faith. Serving with you and among you on this journey has been the greatest privilege and joy of my life in ordained ministry.
As we know so well, there are seasons of life and an inevitability to change. As I begin my fourteenth year, I have prayerfully discerned that the time has come for me to begin a new season. I am grateful to Bishop Gutiérrez for his support in this discernment, and with his agreement, I have informed the Cathedral Chapter of my desire to retire from my duties as Dean. Our last Sunday together will be October 29th. The intervening six months will provide spacious time for us to take leave of one another in caring, supportive ways and for the Bishop and Chapter to plan for the Cathedral’s future clerical leadership.
We will be talking more about this together in the months ahead, but I want you to know today that my heart is full of gratitude for all of you. Your faithfulness, courage, and loving kindness have been an inspiration and constant encouragement. Cathedral congregation members, generations of Chapter members and wardens, Cathedral Development Task Force members, and past and present Cathedral staff, you are beloved. My hope and my prayers will always be with you. I trust that, with God’s help, all of you will continue to love and to risk for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that our Cathedral will continue to flourish.
I am available to respond to any questions or concerns that you may have. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Yours, always, and in the love of God,
The Very Reverend Judith A. Sullivan, Dean