The Very Rev John Witcombe @GraceCathedralinSF

Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

All Christians are called to be Christ’s ambassadors in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5.18). That means following Christ into the fractures of the world around us - ready to heal the wounds of history, to learn to live with difference and celebrate diversity, and build a culture of justice and peace. For those being baptised on this All Saints Sunday it is their calling too, wherever life may take them - and to take encouragement from the story of Coventry where we learned that reconciliation is possible, even when things may seem at their worst.

The Very Rev. John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry Cathedral

$The Very Rev John Witcombe All Christians are called to be Christ’s ambassadors in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5.18). That means following Christ into the fractures of the world around us - ready to heal the wounds of history, to learn to live with difference and celebrate diversity, and build a culture of justice and peace. For those being baptised on this All Saints Sunday it is their calling too, wherever life may take them - and to take encouragement from the story of Coventry where we learned that reconciliation is possible, even when things may seem at their worst. The Very Rev. John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry Cathedral$

April 23, 2026 | Thursday 5:30 p.m. Choral Evensong

February 26, 2026 | Thursday 5:30 p.m. Choral Evensong

December 28, 2025 | Sunday 11 a.m. Choral Eucharist

March 26, 2026 | Thursday 5:30 p.m. Choral Evensong

Ana Raquel Minian Forum: In the Shadow of Liberty

Interfaith Service and Forum Remembering The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

$June 7, 2026 | Organ Recital: Eric Choate Organ Recital: Eric Choate Grace Cathedral, San Francisco Join us for a program by multi-talented Bay Area musician Eric Choate, of contemporary and original works for organ, entitled In Remembrance. Included in the concert will be eminent composer David Conte’s majestic Prelude and Fugue dedicated to his legendary teacher, Nadia Boulanger. Our organ recital series features some of the finest organists playing one of America’s great organs. Grace Cathedral’s 7,466-pipe Aeolian-Skinner instrument, the Charles B. Alexander Memorial Organ (1934), is one of the first and finest American classic-style organs and is among the largest church organs in the West. Experiencing music in our gothic cathedral with its unique acoustics, soaring nave, and jewel-like stained glass windows is a feast for the ears, eyes, and soul. Recorded on June 7, 2026. Program: Tribute & Remembrance Each work on this program is offered as a gesture of homage to another composer or style. The dedication is evident in both Ian Venables’ and David Conte’s pieces. Byron Adams’s Suite in Olden Style recalls the forms and gestures of the Baroque, refracted through a modern sensibility. My Fantasie was inspired by the splendid improvisations of Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin after having spent a summer studying with her. Procession & Chorale was written for my wedding to Ellen Leslie at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, its ceremonial spirit modelled after on William Walton’s noble Crown Imperial March. Fantasie Eric Choate (b. 1990) Rhapsody in memoriam Herbert Howells Ian Venables (b. 1955) Suite in Olden Style Byron Adams (b. 1955) Prelude and Fugue in memoriam Nadia Boulanger David Conte (b. 1955) Procession & Chorale Eric Choate About the Organist Eric Choate is in demand internationally as a conductor, composer, and organist. He is a professor of Choral and Organ music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and performs solo recitals across America and Europe. In the summer of 2023, he was awarded a grant to study improvisation in the French style with Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin in Paris. He holds the Fellowship Certificate (FAGO) from the American Guild of Organists and serves as Director of Music at The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin. Recent conducting engagements include the Marin Symphony Chorus, San Francisco Boys Chorus, Göteborgs Symfoniska Kör & Vokalensemble in Gothenburg, Sweden, Merced Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Festival Napa Valley, and Berkeley Symphony Chorus. He is the founding Artistic Director of Nebula Consort, an a cappella chorus for emerging artists. As a composer, Eric’s compositions have been lauded as being “rapturous,” and “quietly majestic” (Textura.org). His works have been performed by renowned artists including VOCES8, musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, American Bach Soloists, Las Cruces Symphony, Johann Vexo, and university choirs around the globe. His music is published by E.C. Schirmer and VOCES8 Publishing, and recordings of his work have been released on Arsis Audio and Ulysses Arts labels. Eric lives in San Francisco with his wife, soprano Ellen Leslie. Give to Grace Your gift helps Grace Cathedral realize its vision: a spiritually alive world. There are many ways to give: please visit gracecathedral.org/give to learn more. Experience the Exceptional GraceArts connects a wider community of people through art and cultural events held in our awe-inspiring space. If you have a passion for the arts, become a GraceArts member and enjoy discounts and benefits while supporting our cathedral. Sign up today to be part of GraceArts! Gracecathedral.org/join.$

Grace Cathedral San Francisco |

The Very Rev John Witcombe