The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler
Denomination: The Episcopal Church (TEC)
Organization: The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, GA
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler is Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, GA.
Samuel Glenn Candler has been Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, since October of 1998. He was raised on a farm in Coweta County, Georgia, and he received his B.A. degree, cum laude, from Occidental College, in Los Angeles, California. In 1982, he graduated magna cum laude from Yale University Divinity School (and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, its Episcopal component). Ordained deacon in 1982, and priest in 1983, Dean Candler has served churches in Marietta and Cumming, Georgia; and in Summerville, South Carolina. Immediately before he was called to St. Philip's, he was Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, South Carolina, from 1993-1998.
Sam Candler loves the community and diversity of parish life. An amateur pianist, he had intended to become a jazz musician before he was called into the priesthood. Thus, he values the role of music in prayer, and he has served on Liturgy and Music Committees in several dioceses. He also loves the outdoors, where he also finds community and diversity. Having grown up in rural areas, he continues to fish, hunt, hike, and observe the stars as much as possible. In South Carolina, he was a member of the Governor's Commission on Race Relations; and he believes that the Church must continue its social and civic call to justice for all. His vision for St. Philip's Cathedral is that it continues to grow as a passionate and vibrant community of Christian faith, serving the city and diocese of Atlanta.
Dean Candler has lectured and preached in England, Costa Rica, and Canada, besides many places in the United States. He is known for his optimistic and progressive vision of traditional Christian church life (and life in the Episcopal Church). He is also committed to interfaith relationships of good faith. He is a member of The Faith Alliance (the interfaith network in the city of Atlanta) and World Pilgrims (a group committed to taking Jews, Christians, and Muslims on interfaith pilgrimages together). Finally, Dean Candler presents lectures on religion and science, and on environmental sustainability and earth stewardship. Besides his sermons and articles, Sam Candler writes a commentary called "Good Faith and the Common Good," (www.goodfaithandthecommongood.org); and he is a writer for Episcopal Cafe (www.episcopalcafe.com).
Sam Candler serves on a variety of boards and organizations. He is on the board of trustees of The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University in New Haven, and the George West Mental Health Foundation Atlanta. He also serves on the boards of the Compass Rose Society of the Anglican Communion and the Cumberland Island Preservation Society. He is a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club.
Dean Candler is joined in his life and ministry with Boog, his wife, who is a preschool teacher and an interpreter for the deaf. She, too, grew up on a farm, in Maryland. They have three grown children.
Day1 Weekly Programs by The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler
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The Very Rev. Samuel Candler: God Is Not Fair!
Tuesday September 19, 2023
"God does not promise that all will be fair, according to whatever structure of fairness that we have in mind." —The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler
Sam Candler: The Tomb Is a Tunnel
Tuesday April 11, 2017
In his sermon for Easter Day, Dean Sam Candler says Easter is a day to remember an amazing thing about Jesus’ tomb: It’s not the end of the path, not the end of freedom, not the end of light-- it’s a tunnel.
Sam Candler: A Chasing After Wind
Tuesday July 26, 2016
Life is a chasing after the wind, Qoheleth tells us, and yet Dean Sam Candler reminds us that the word for wind in the Bible is the same word as spirit. If we chase after this wind, it's really a search for the Spirit, who can enliven and invigorate us with passion.
The Super Bowl, Groundhog Day, and the Light of the World
Tuesday January 28, 2014
This Sunday is the Super Bowl, Groundhog Day, and the Presentation of the Lord, celebrating the coming of the Light of Christ into the world. The Very Rev. Sam Candler explains how we can shine his light as his followers today.
Is Christ Divided?
Tuesday January 21, 2014
Religious division is as old as the early church, as seen in Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 1:10-18. The Very Rev. Sam Candler examines why this continues to be a problem, and how we might work to create unity in the body of Christ.
All Will Be Thrown Down
Tuesday November 09, 2010
What did Jesus mean when he said not one stone of the temple will be left upon another--all will be thrown down? Dean Sam Candler offers some challenging conclusions.
Saint Carlton Is Lowest
Tuesday November 02, 2010
What is a saint? The Very Rev. Sam Candler probes Jesus' teaching in Luke 6 to discover the radical -- and surprising -- kind of life God's people are called to live in this world.
Unbind Him and Let Him Go!
Sunday March 09, 2008
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler extols the call to let go of the past, let go of sin and let go of death by faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
There Was a Man Born Blind
Sunday March 02, 2008
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler preaches about Jesus healing the blind man and calls call us to see this story afresh through the loving eyes of faith.
Honey, You Better Believe He Is the Messiah!
Sunday February 24, 2008
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler shares God’s gift of life through the invitation to the living water of faith in Jesus that cuts across racial and cultural prejudice.
Where Were You Born?
Sunday February 17, 2008
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler invites us to look beyond our earthly bonds of geography and geneology to be born anew in the Spirit of faith and truth.
A Friend of the Devil
Sunday February 10, 2008
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler invites us to become familiar with our own weakness, vulnerability and temptations and encourages us to invite Jesus to help us overcome our inner dark side.
The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us, Full of Grace and Truth
Sunday December 30, 2007
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler reminds us that not through the Law, but through Jesus Christ comes the grace and truth of God's love.
Believe in the Dreams of the Person You Love
Sunday December 23, 2007
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler calls us to believe in the dreams of those we love just as Joseph believed in Mary.
Are You the One Who Is to Come?
Sunday December 16, 2007
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler calls us to open our eyes to the signs that Jesus has come and recognize the gift of love and peace in the changes of people all around us.
The Crazies
Sunday January 29, 2006
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler is Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, GA. His fascinating sermon, based on Mark 1:23-24, is entitled "The Crazies."
Give Me a Drink
Sunday February 27, 2005
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler is Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, GA.
Follow Me, and I Will Make You Go Fishing
Sunday January 23, 2005
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler is Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, GA.
Special Program: Out of the Ashes...Hope
Tuesday September 11, 2001
Why Don't You Wash Your Hands?
Sunday September 03, 2000
The Power of Presence
Sunday August 06, 2000
Independence Day
Sunday July 09, 2000
The Fire of Jesus
Sunday August 16, 1998
Holy Laughter
Sunday July 19, 1998
What Is Discipline?
Sunday June 21, 1998
Lizards and Alligators--The Old and the New
Sunday May 17, 1998
Radio by The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler
Day 1 Podcast Extra -Candler
Wednesday February 27, 2008
In this Day 1 Podcast Extra, The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, GA, shares his personal insights and experiences.