When one thinks of a church making radical changes in the role it plays in people’s lives, it’s pretty rare that it has the name “cathedral” attached to their name. Normally for a denomination, or even laypeople, the name “cathedral” is associated with the institutional core of those faiths; a venue where the most sacred services are held and, more often than not, where the administrative offices are for those dioceses.
So when the Spy was tipped off the other day that Trinity Cathedral Easton, the home of the Disease of Easton, was in the process of rewriting the rules of worship and fellowship at one of Mid-Shore’s most historic churches, we reached out to The Very Rev. Gregory Powell, to understand more about his congregation’s plans to comprehensively change its concept of what a Sunday service looks like and more importantly, feels that experience.
A native of the deep South, Rev. Powell would not have been considered a “game-changer” when he came out of divinity school nor in his first decade of church leadership. In fact, after moving to Pocomoke City to serve as St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, he would be the first to call his ministry in those days evangelical.
But as Greg became more exposed to some of the more progressive leaders of the Episcopal Church, including the work of Bishop John Shelby Spong, his own spiritual journey, and his ideas on what a church needs to be in the 21st Century, started to take a new direction. And that included speaking out against racism and other serious social issues facing his community.
In his interview with the Spy, Rev. Powell talks about this transition and how he envisions Trinity in the next few years as he and his church become a safe and accessible place of worship for all.
This video is approximately nine minutes in length. For more information about Trinity Cathedral Easton please go here.
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Anne Stalfort says
For a lifelong Episcopalian, this was thought-provoking. I often thought sitting in a pew on Sundays, that at least part of our time in church, should be a community call to action. Not just words but this problem in our communty needs our help. Me and you – here’s the address, let’s go and listen then figure out what we can do to make a difference. But there is part of me that is still drawn to the ritual of a service that has been part of me as long as I can remember.
Rev. Nancy Sajda, Interfaith Minister says
Congratulations to Greg Powell for his courage to speak out about his own spiritual journey and his commitment to helping Trinity to evolve into “a safe and accessible place of worship for all.”
Barbara Denton says
The only time I was in the cathedral was for a funeral a few years ago. I would suggest that since the supposed Very Rev. Powell called Donald Trump evil from the pulpit during the 2016 election, it is not a place I would ever go again. I hate to tell him but he does not get the luxury of interpreting the Bible, morals, ethics and the Church Canon to suit him. I would suggest he find some other place to spout his progressive babel and let the rest of us get on with our worship of God and our hope of eternal salvation. If you want a safe, welcoming and spiritual home to worship in I would suggest you come to Christ Church on the corner of Harrison and South St.
Robert Hall says
“The Very Rev. Gregory Powell, to understand more about his congregation’s plans to comprehensively change its concept of what a Sunday service looks like and more importantly, feels that experience”
Reminds me of –Pope Gregory the Great’s commentary:
“Christians build, and love, and spend care on churches—yet they should need none. “The real altar of God,” …“is the mind and the heart of the just.”
Rev Julie Hart says
Excellent!
The old is passing away. The Lord God said in Isaiah, “See! I am doing a new thing.” God is always doing a new thing. Letting die so that Resurrection and new life can take place.
When the Pandemic hit, life changed for all of us. God did NOT bring the Pamdemic. However. After a month, I said, “What if God is working through this horror to bring something new?” God works through people, circumstances and history to bring about God’s will. I have had the feeling for a few decades that “as church” we have missed the mark of what Jesus intended. We too quickly became bricks and mortar hiding behind our closed doors. Jesus and his followers were OUT and about with people; all kinds of people, but especially the undesirable, the disenfranchised, the sick, and lonely… bringing within themselves God’s good news to them… That they are loved by God. However, it is much safer behind our closed doors, within our mighty fortress.
So much more to say. So much more to preach. Because like Rev Powell I too was called to serve within Christ’s Church because I love it. But I love The Lord more. They are not necessarily synonymous I’m retired now from serving the Lutheran Church, ELCA. In “retirement” I served Grace Lutheran, Easton, as Intentional Interim for 2 years. My husband and I attend Christ Church St Michaels. Fr. Greg, your words resonate within me.
I love Bach and the organ and choir… the stainglass windows, the people within the brick and mortar. Sometimes we need that sheltering wing of God’s under which to hide. For awhile. But then Jesus and his message calls us out from safety to risk sharing his message….to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the broken and broken hearted, to help, to feed, to clothe, and to heal. And by that process we too are healed.
Thank you for sharing Rev Powell. I’d love to have conversation!
Christ is risen!
The Rev Julie Hart