Each year there is a program relevant to the host city.  This year's program will include presentations on Religion in the Public Square and Religion in the Media.  We will hear from and interact with politicians, analysts, theologians and have a final plenary session with Judy Woodruff, Senior Correspondent of the PBS News Hour.

In addition there is much time to interact with Deans and spouses both for fellowship and for conversations about ministry in each others contexts.  These conversations are as fruitful as the formal presentations.

What I have particularly appreciated about these gatherings is the lack of 'pecking order'; there is no more deference paid to the Dean of St. John the Divine than there is the Dean of Omaha.  Collegiality is strong, rich and energizing.

I also find this to be a group hopeful about the church.  It would be easy in the current economic and church climate to experience anxious attitudes.  Instead I find these persons energized by the challenge of our times and energized by what Cathedrals can be in this time and place.

While in Washington we will also see Ginny Wilder our seminarian at Virginia Theological Seminary.  Reports from Ginny and her professors tell me she is having a time rich in both substance and challenge. It will be good to see her.

Keep the Deans and all Cathedrals in your prayers.  We are in a unique position as a place of feeding, proclamation and hopefulness for our communities.  As we have often said, in a world seeking substance amid vast social change, our tradition, a tradition whose history embodies substance with adaptabilty, conviction amid mystery, is truly a tradition for all ages.

Blessed Easter Season,

Todd Donatelli