CARNIVALE AT GRACE, HEARTS AT AT&T
Lest any cocktail party sociologists still reduce Episcopalians to a nest of WASPs — a reference to the buttoneddown, blue-blood cabal of Mayflower descendants — they should have been at Grace Cathedral Feb. 13 for its eighth Carnivale party in the pews.
Mother-daughter duo Jamie Bowles and Lily Leo created a swinging scene set to the theme All You Need Is Love. Some 400 black-tie guests delighted in pre-Lenten revels as magician Patrick Martin, musicians Matt Szemela and
Alex Kelly, and the RAWdance troupe entertained during cocktails amid Grace’s gloriously Gothic nave, side chapels and even a “tunnel of love” — transformed with heart illuminations by GotLight.
Folks were also inspired by auctioneer Liam Mayclem to raise $425K for Grace’s education, arts and social justice programs.
The pews were moved to make way for elegant tables upon which McCalls Catering set a three-course dinner crowned by a devilish chocolate-trio dessert. Songbird Paula West dazzled with her signature swoon-worthy tunes.
Heidi Ho hopped barefoot onstage and honored her late aunt with a moving hula dance accompanied on ukulele by her husband, the Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm
Clemens Young, who is dean of Grace Cathedral.
This year, Young announced, the cathedral explores a theme of truth through its prayers, preaching and featured Forum guests.
“In this era of ‘fake news’ we’re celebrating truth: The truth about ourselves, coming clean about our bad behavior or the truth about how we treat people of different races and culture,” Young said.
“We’ll also look about what it means to be part of a democracy. The truth about science and climate change,” he continued. “And what is the truth about God? He didn’t teach us to go around hating or excluding people.”
Grace Cathedral has long held open its bronze, Ghiberti-replica doors to worshipers of all stripes, from single, senior or same-sex couples to yoga devotees. It’s now added “politically active” to its profile.
This fall, Grace plans to set the stage for the Sept. 12 opening of the Global Climate Action Summit co-chaired by California Gov. Jerry Brown.
“We’re honored to host an interfaith service for this coalition of cities, states, businesses and faith bodies,” said the Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus. “In spite of what the federal government does, the #We’reStillIn movement pledges to keep America’s commitment to the Paris Agreement.”
As Episcopal bishop of California, Andrus also noted how our current political pot-boiler has affected parishioners’ spiritual needs. He sees homeless people or FiDi workers seeking solace in Grace, praying and lighting candles at the Spanish crucifix or the Martin Luther King Jr. icon every day.
“Having a personal spiritual practice, whatever that is, is necessary. My daughter, Chloe Bringmann, dances every morning before work to jumpstart her day,” shared Andrus. “Places like Grace are spiritual resources, beyond Sunday mornings. And we need spiritual containers that are safe and welcoming.”
Big-arted: Another sold-out crowd of politicos, first responders and poohbahs raised more than $1.85 million at the Heroes & Hearts Luncheon at AT&T Park benefiting the foundation in support of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. Founded by civic leaders Ellen Magnin Newman and Nancy Bechtle, this beloved event has been beating since 2004, when it debuted as Hearts in San Francisco. Created by 130 local artists, these colorful works grace places of pride around the city — and have raised more than $11 million for the ZSFG Foundation.
Among this year’s artists designing auction hearts: Jeremy Fish, Gina Teichert, Sirron Norris, Barbara Libby-Steinmann, Taiko Fujimura and Lillian Shanahan (a native San Franciscan who is this writer’s cousin).
The fete honored life-saving community work of Caroline Watson, social justice and communications coordinator of Hive, a reproductive and sexual health program at ZSFG for people with HIV. And Karen Aguilar is lead patient navigator of gender health at the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Acting Mayor Mark Farrell saluted the hospital as one of the nation’s premier level one trauma centers and a place of sanctuary — a place where people feel safe and cared for, regardless of their economic background.
“In a time when health care for our underserved communities is threatened by Washington, D.C., the General continues to remain a teaching ground for those that save lives and reduce disparity,” said Farrell. ZSFG Foundation chairwoman Judy Guggenhime also paid tribute to three “first responders” and longtime lunch heroes no longer with us: the late Mayor Ed Lee; the late Intel Chairman Paul Otellini and loyal heart supporter Patrick Smith, who died two days before the event.
“Like our founders, Ellen and Nancy, these heroes will never be forgotten,” she toasted. “But today is the day they should be remembered.”