A message from Bishop Marc
“Loving God, Source of all mercies and giver of all comfort: Deal graciously, we pray thee, with all those who mourn, that casting every care on you, they may know the consolation of your love.” -BCP page 489
The Very Reverend Alan Jones, PhD, Dean Emeritus of Grace Cathedral, died this past Sunday, peacefully and while watching the online webcast of the Sunday Eucharist at National Cathedral.
Alan was the dean of our cathedral for 24 years, and they were years of enormous creativity and of courage. Many examples come to mind of his transformative ministry, beginning with his fostering of the modern labyrinth movement at Grace by his support of the Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress. Alan welcomed Lauren’s innovation, which led to an indoor and outdoor labyrinth there and in time around the world. The outdoor labyrinth outside my office at Diocesan House is a space used by people from early morning into dusk—I see people each day walking, dancing, skipping, sometimes walking very slowly the sinuous, continuous path of the labyrinth. There are many thousands of labyrinths registered worldwide, and it was Alan’s welcome to Lauren’s initiative that launched this global spiritual movement!
And with respect to courage, former Vice Dean Fran Tornquist was a central religious leader in San Francisco in providing compassionate care for all during the AIDS pandemic, which devastated the city before spreading over the world. Alan provided the leadership that supported Fran’s ministry that was crucial for the city.
Of course, Alan not only made it possible for creative, compassionate people like Lauren and Fran to flourish in their ministries, he was generative intellectually and spiritually, too. Alan’s preaching was famous for its warmth, depth, and humor. Many, many people have told me over the years how Alan’s welcoming, intelligent spirit in preaching opened the door for a renewed relationship with Christianity.
Through his writing Alan reached an even larger congregation than through his preaching. Some of his books, for instance, translated into Portuguese, are cherished within the Episcopal Church in Brazil.
Alan and my predecessor, the Right Reverend Bill Swing, partnered together with generous lay leaders like Mrs. Alfred Wilsey to completely transform Grace Cathedral, raising the money to replace the old gravel parking lot with beautiful and functional spaces, including the Great Steps, the Chapter House, and the cathedral’s indoor parking garage.
It was my privilege to be the bishop of this diocese and of the cathedral for the last three years of Alan’s active ministry. Alan and his wife, Cricket, warmly welcomed us to the cathedral, and it was a particular joy that we have been neighbors over these last eighteen years, sharing meals and visits together.
At this time of loss and grief, Sheila and I ask you to join us in praying for Cricket and for Alan’s children and grandchildren. May God in time wipe every tear away and give the comfort of the Holy Spirit to those who mourn.
+Marc Andrus
Note: A service is being planned at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. We will share more information once we receive it.
More information available from Grace Cathedral.
