CATHEDRAL CONGREGATIONAL SELF STUDY & PROFILE
“And to the angel of the Church at Philadelphia write: behold I set before you an open door.” REV. 3:8
“The image offered in the Book of Revelation of the open door which no one can shut inspires the institutional and congregational life at the Philadelphia Cathedral.
As a Faith community serving the needs of a worshiping congregation, the surrounding University neighborhood and as the mother church of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Cathedral includes and embraces all who approach the open door.”
So begins the preface of the Cathedral Congregation Self Study and Profile. This important document is a necessary tool in the Cathedral Chapter’s search process for calling a new Dean. This work began with the Cathedral Chapter / Congregation Retreat held in May 2009. From that activity, a Self Study Committee of congregation members was formed to produce a first draft which was presented to the Cathedral Chapter at its November meeting.
A final draft of the Self Study and Profile will be reviewed by Chapter on December 21, 2009 and then “published” on the Cathedral web site.
The contents of the Self Study and Profile are: Preface, Greetings from Bishop Michel, Mission Statement, Dean’s 2009 Annual Report to Diocesan Convention, Descriptive Information: Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, History of the Cathedral, Descriptive Information: The Philadelphia Cathedral (Governance and Facilities), Cathedral Congregation Membership Profile, Worship at the Philadelphia Cathedral, Music and the Arts, Ministries and Outreach, Financial Profile, Challenges and Vision for the Future and What we seek in a New Dean.
The primary purpose of this document is to present to prospective candidates and interested others a picture of the Cathedral that is true and good. And in the words of Bishop Michel’s greeting, “I hope that in studying this profile you (as a prospective candidate) will prayerfully consider whether the Holy Spirit is leading you to join with us in spreading the Good News of God’s love throughout this City of Brotherly Love and beyond”.
Submitted by The Very Rev. Stephen W. Price, Cathedral Chapter Member
9 Dec, 2009 — Daniel Tomko
