[Magdalen] Fwd: How does a building ask for help?

Sat Apr 16 20:40:00 UTC 2016

I can remember when I was barely as tall as a normal table, going to visit
my Aunt Kate (really my great aunt). She was a person who had been places
and seen things, and her house was filled with all sorts of wonderful
things. I guess she was the one who instilled in me my perennial sense of
wonder. Among the things strewn around were copies of "Cathedral Age," the
magazine put out by the National Cathedral. I was somehow aware that this
was a church in progress, and that it was nowhere near completion, and that
my Aunt Kate placed great importance in its welfare.  She always made
modest contributions, for which she received a card from someone on the
staff, giving a little tidbit of what was then happening.
Many years later, while in college, I went by bus to hear a performance of
Mahler's Symphony #8 ("symphony of a thousand") in the still far from
complete cathedral.
When I was in Washington, several years later, I was able to view the top
of the last tower which would be later put in place to celebrate the actual
completion of the Cathedral. (I was able to touch it.  I wasn't supposed
to, but I suspect they knew some of the tourists would reach past the
velvet ropes to touch history. I visited my Aunt Kate a short time later
and told her of my latest encounter at the Cathedral. I always made it a
point to tell her whenever I had a chance to visit it over the years, and
she was always fascinated. That day, however, was, I am sure, a very
special one, because she knew from an eye witness that her cathedral -- our
cathedral -- was finally completed.  It was only a few years later that an
attendant came into her room and found her with a "Discover" Magazine open
in her lap, having departed for yet one more incredible journey. Fair seas
and following winds, Aunt Kate!
I give to our cathedral when I can, and think of my aunt, my inspiration.

James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
*“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved,
except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy

On Sat, Apr 16, 2016 at 6:59 AM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Thanks, Jim. I had no idea repairs hadn't been completed. I love that
> place.
>
> > On Apr 16, 2016, at 2:32 AM, James Oppenheimer-Crawford <
> oppenheimerjw at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I thought this deserved a wider distribution. Our National Cathedral is
> > slow on making earthquake repairs due to lack of funds.
> > James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
> > *“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved,
> > except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy
> >
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > From: The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope <e-news at cathedral.org>
> > Date: Fri, Apr 15, 2016 at 9:25 PM
> > Subject: How does a building ask for help?
> > To: oppenheimerjw at gmail.com
> >
> >
> > James,
> >
> > Some months ago, part of a secondary pinnacle damaged by the 2011
> > earthquake finally gave way. A piece broke off and fell to the roof of
> the
> > slype, scattering fragments across a garden known as the garth.
> >
> > Thank God, no one was hurt. The area was closed off, and there was
> > protective scaffolding due to that very possibility. As head stone mason
> > Joe Alonso said, it was like the Cathedral building itself were asking us
> > for help.
> >
> > Many people don’t realize how little of the earthquake repair is actually
> > done.
> >
> > Last year we completed interior repairs and fixed some of the worst
> > exterior damage. However, that represented only about an eighth of the
> > exterior repairs. The rest has had to wait for funding. And until those
> > repairs are complete, many favorite areas of the Cathedral grounds—such
> as
> > the garth—have to remain off-limits to visitors.
> >
> > As a good friend of the Cathedral, you understand that the Cathedral’s
> > programs and the building work together to fulfill the mission of
> creating
> > a spiritual home for the nation.
> >
> > Now, a group of strong supporters of Washington National Cathedral has
> > offered to match every $1 given by friends like you to carry out the
> > Cathedral’s mission, with $1 forrestoration, up to a total of $75,000 in
> > urgently needed restoration funds.
> >
> > But the offer to match $75,000 to achieve an impact of $150,000 in
> > restoration and ministry stands only until May 16.
> >
> > That makes this an especially good time to renew your partnership with a
> > gift, because every dollar goes twice as far. Will you give today to help
> > vital restoration move forward?
> >
> > Blessings and in hope,
> >
> > The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope
> > Provost
> >
> > P.S. You can learn more about the next phases of earthquake repair here.
> > Every dollar you give now to support Cathedral ministry and programs will
> > unlock another dollar in restoration funds, so please let us hear from
> you
> > before May 16!
> >
> > GIVE NOW!:
> > www.give2wnc.org/april2016/
> > <
> http://links.nationalcathedral.mkt4852.com/ctt?kn=3&ms=MTQyNDQ3MjYS1&r=ODEwMzU5ODMzMDMS1&b=0&j=NzYxMTUyMjA5S0&mt=1&rt=0
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > This message was intended for: oppenheimerjw at gmail.com
> >
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> > Washington, DC 20016
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