It’s hard to believe is been four years since I came to St. James’. Time certainly has passed quickly. While it is hard to say “goodbye” it is even harder to pass up an opportunity to work on the staff of our diocese’s cathedral church, Grace Cathedral, in a city I absolutely love, San Francisco.
As many of you know, I started volunteering at the cathedral in June 2016, serving as a cathedral chaplain and as deacon at the 12:10 Eucharist once or twice a week. At the same time, I was asked by some diocesan staff to undertake projects on behalf of the bishop and the community of deacons in the diocese. The diocesan offices being co-located with the cathedral made it easy to spend an entire day on Nob Hill “doing” church work. When my longtime friend and cathedral deacon, Nina Pickerrell, learned I was working on some diocesan projects on the days I was at the cathedral, she asked me if I would undertake some additional projects for the cathedral community. I found I couldn’t say no to Nina’s request. As time passed, I became more and more involved with cathedral projects to the point the dean and Nina made me an offer I could not refuse, an opportunity to be assigned full-time to Grace Cathedral.
Many of you have asked what I will be doing at the cathedral. My duties are very diverse but within the scope of what deacons are called to do. I am involved in various liturgical services, performing roles and tasks consistent with the diaconate like proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, praying the Prayers of the People, baptizing, setting and clearing the altar, and dismissing the congregation. I perform pastoral duties, visiting members of the cathedral community who are shut-ins or are being treated in a medical facility. Each day as part of my daily prayers I pray for the ministries of my colleagues here at the cathedral and especially pray by name for the members of the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys. I am assigned a place on the cathedral’s pastoral emergency rota and take my turn carrying the cathedral’s pastoral emergency cell phone. An important activity of the cathedral is outreach and I serve as part of the cathedral’s outreach team. Bayview Mission, one of the special missions of the diocese, is always in need of assistance so at times I find myself rolling up my sleeves and engaging in various activities at the mission. I work with the Cathedral School for Boy’s outreach coordinator, developing and implementing service learning activities for the boys. I assist the cathedral’s director of children, youth and family ministries when needed. I help with the cathedral’s seniors program. Coordinating with other cathedral chaplains, I assist in setting up the service rota and supervise the activities of the cathedral chaplains. I assist my cathedral colleagues with their duties, especially proofreading service bulletins and other publications. Using my three decades of law enforcement experience I assist with security around the cathedral property. In the near future I will be working on an outreach project designed to link the cathedral community closer to the surrounding neighborhoods. I undertake my share of the numerous administrative tasks that need to be completed at the cathedral. I review and implement the emergency procedures for the cathedral and the school. And lastly, as they say, I perform other duties as required.
In this, my last article to you in “The Window” as your parish deacon, I want to say thank you for being a warm, welcoming community during my time here. Leaving I take with me a part of each of you that dwells in my heart. I will always have a special connection to this community and will be sure to include you in my daily prayers. If you happen to be in San Francisco near the cathedral, take some time to stop by and say “hi.”
For me it is especially hard to leave a wonderfully gifted and talented colleague like Lori. I have enjoyed working with her and sharing my thoughts and insights on some of the challenges we have had to confront together for the furtherance of God’s kingdom in this place called St. James’. Take good care of your rector and cherish her ministry among you. I’ve been at this ministry “stuff” for a while and I can tell you with certainty, priests like her are hard to find.
So, I will leave you with a few words that should be familiar to you coming from me, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!”
~The Rev. Deacon Ken Parris
Deacon Ken’s last Sunday with us will be February 26.