“Grace and Peace to you and welcome to the Cathedral.”  This is the heartfelt salutation that the Very Reverend Samuel Candler, Dean, and his wife Boog have faithfully delivered over their twenty-two years at St. Philip’s.  Their greeting is translated through lives of service, endowed and sustained by grace and hospitality. Their dedication, leadership and generosity have been a blessing to the Antiques Show and its beneficiaries over these many years.  Boog has even been deep in the trenches, most notably as our Show Co-Chair in 2012.  What a joy it is to honor Sam and Boog for their abundant support on this, our milestone 50th Anniversary.

 

The Candlers are to the Cathedral and the Atlanta community a powerhouse of talent and energy.  They share a love for music, education and nature that finds expression in many ways.  On the musical score, Sam is a talented pianist who prior to his priestly calling intended to become a jazz musician.  He brings a lively dimension to parish fundraisers or social events when asked to “tickle the ivories” and sing.  Boog’s musical gifts are with the flute and dulcimer, having played with groups in each of their three Southeastern parish church homes.  She especially enjoys connecting with our Cathedral youngsters through her music.

 

In their missions relative to education and service, Sam and Boog have achieved impressive levels of skill and scholarship.  Sam’s passion for preaching and teaching has been shared with five Episcopal parishes prior to coming to the Cathedral in 1998.  He has taught Anglican theology at Emory University, has been trustee for several schools including the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, and has lectured and preached in England, Costa Rica, Canada and throughout the United States.  He has been a deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church for nine terms, serving especially on the Liturgy and Music Committees.  Boog’s career foundation is a B.A. in Secondary Education and Certification for Interpreting for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired.  She has worked with the deaf and hearing impaired in Connecticut and South Carolina and taught preschool (often including music instruction) at Woodward North, Brennan Elementary, and the Cathedral Preschool.  She has served the Cathedral in Holy Eucharist Instruction and as a Board member of several organizations including the Cathedral Bookstore, the Atlanta Opera, Open Hand Atlanta, and the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta Commission on Ministry.

 

Concerning their mutual love of nature, Sam and Boog share the experience of being raised on their respective family farms, his in Georgia and hers in Maryland.  Sam currently serves on the Board of the Cumberland Island Conservancy and Boog on the Board of the Jekyll Island Foundation.  Creative reverence for both the environment and the “beauty of the past” once led Boog to form a business of making and selling women’s and children’s clothing by up-cycling vintage fabrics.  Currently, she is active in the Habersham Garden Club and has served as its president for two years.  She enjoys participating in local flower shows, including the Cathedral Flower Festival.  As for Sam, many a sermon will expound on the joy and wonder of our earthly, as well as spiritual, surroundings.

 

The Candlers are blessed with three adult children, their spouses, and six wonderful grandchildren.  It might be said that their “parenting” of the Cathedral family completes their circle.  The Episcopal Church Women and the many Cathedral staff members and clergy who benefit from their guidance, especially in the realm of this annual event, salute them with greatest appreciation.  Together, we join Sam and Boog in welcoming you!