eConnections - January 6, 2023

eConnections
Notes & News from the Cathedral of Saint James
January 6, 2023

The Dean's List

Happy Epiphany! January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as "the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles." An epiphany is, of course, a moment of recognition or understanding; that moment when something dawns on you, as it were. The Gospel reading appointed for this day is the account of the travelers from the east who follow a star to Jesus' home in Matthew 2:1-12. (Interesting trivia: Matthew does not tell us how many travelers there are or what their names are. Later tradition say there were three, whose names are Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. While we're at it, they're not kings, but magi - often translated wise men - who were Gentile priests.) The recognition of Jesus messiah-ship by these Gentile seekers is significant both as a manifestation of the divine presence to outsiders AND as a challenge to the power structures in Jerusalem at that time; they came to worship - in other words submit to and present valuable gifts to - Jesus, not Herod, which caused quite a stir. So from the outset, Matthew shows us that whatever God is up to in Jesus will transcend both tribe and regime. The love of God revealed in Christ Jesus will not be limited, diminished, or co-opted. 

This is good news. It is good news because God is pulling humanity inexorably beyond our propensity for smallness. And it is good news because we, along with all who were once thought of as outsiders, have been gathered up in the redeeming work of God. 

Requiescat in Pace: Martha Raman. Shela Raman McCabe’s mother, Martha Raman, died peacefully on Wednesday evening with her family at her side. May Martha’s soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God Rest In Peace, and may light perpetual shine upon her. Funeral arrangements are pending. The family will be traveling back from Florida to their home in Delaware before continuing on to Long Island where Mrs. Raman where services and burial will take place. Please keep Shela and Pat in your prayers, as well as Shela's father, Kalyan, and her brother, Fr. Neil Raman, and the rest of the Raman family.

Raising Cane WILL meet on Tuesday, January 10 at 9:30 am. Raising Cane is a phone-in Bible study that anyone is welcome to attend. Call 1 (425) 436-4335, then enter access code 782266 when prompted. 

All of that said, I will be asking the group this week about the possibility of moving Raising Cane to Wednesday mornings. Stay tuned :)

Bishop Curry. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be preaching at a prayer service at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame on Sunday, January 22. This ecumenical gathering during the annual week of Prayer for Christian Unity is part of Notre Dame’s “Walk the Walk” series this year. The service begins at 6:30 pm. All are welcome! And, in fact, all are encouraged!

Annual Meeting. This year we are - more or less - splitting our annual parish meeting into two parts: parish life, and essential business. A presentation on parish life under the theme “renewal” will take place this Sunday, January 8, during both the 8 am and 10:15 am services. The essential business part will take place between services on Sunday, January 22, at which time we will present the 2023 budget and elect a Junior Warden, Chapter members, and representatives to Diocesan Convention. 

If you are interested in serving a two-year term on the Cathedral Chapter or a one-year term as a representative to Diocesan Convention, please speak with Fr. Brian or Senior Warden Liz Burman this Sunday. 

Requiem Eucharist for Tom Gurbick. We will honor Tom Gurbick and commend him into the arms of Jesus this coming Saturday, January 14. Per his request, there will be no visitation prior. The service will begin at 3 pm. A reception will follow. All are welcome.

Blessings, all.
Brian




Requiem Eucharist for

Tom Gurbick


Saturday, January 14
beginning at 3 pm

The Cathedral of Saint James
Reception following


Faith Formation

Happy New Year!

As we embark on a new year, many of us make resolutions. For Christians, this is an opportunity to grow in faith, both individually and as a community. As you discern your own goals for 2023, we invite you to join us for opportunities to deepen your faith at the Cathedral. We have a variety of offerings designed to be engaging and thought-provoking, and we hope you'll make the commitment to join us and grow with us in the new year.

Sunday Faith Formation
January 8, 2023

9:15 AM  Children's Formation: Spring 2023 Planning Meeting 
12:00 PM Youth Group

*Sunday faith formation offerings for children and adult resume next Sunday, January 15.


Volunteers, Unite! This Sunday, January 8 at 9:15 AM

Volunteers for our children's formation classrooms (Growing in our Worship or Storymakers) are meeting this Sunday, January 8 at 9:15 am in the Conference Room for a planning meeting. We will review our ministry offerings from 2022, look forward to the new year, and breakout into classrooms for planning and organizing. 

Interested in volunteering in one of our children's classrooms? Join us this Sunday, or send Steven Slaubaugh an email. 

Youth Group | Sunday from 12 - 1 PM

Youth Group Resumes this Sunday, January 8! Join Nan Noecker and Steven Slaubaugh in the Youth Group Room for fellowship and games as we kick off the New Year together.

What's Next in Faith Formation
A Snapshot of Spring 2023

All Sunday Faith Formation Classes Resume | January 15, 2023
Check out the Cathedral's offerings:

Growing in our Worship (Age 3 - Grade 2) 
Meets on the Main Floor of The Cathedral House from 9:15 - 10:15 am on Sundays
Storymakers (Grades 3 - 6)
Meets on the Main Floor of The Cathedral House from 9:15 - 10:15 am on Sundays
Youth Group (Grades 7 - 12)  
Meets in the Youth Group Room from 12 - 1 pm on Sundays
Adult Forum 
Meets in the Conference Room from 9:15 - 10:15 am on Sundays


For more details, visit stjamessouthbend.org and click on the 'Learn' tab.

Confirm, Not Confirm | January - May 2023

Both the Youth and Adult Confirmation courses will run throughout the Spring. There is a banquet being planned for both groups at the end of April, and a Spring Pilgrimage for Youth in March or April.

Diocesan Jr/Sr. High Winter Youth Retreat | January 13 - 15, 2023
Youth are invited to the Annual Diocesan Jr. & Sr. High Youth Winter Retreat January 13-15 at the Wawasee Episcopal Center. To reserve your space, register by January 9. After January 9, it is first come, first serve. Youth grades 6th -12th are invited to attend a retreat focused on faith, fellowship, friendship, and fun.

Celebrating the Feast of Absalom Jones | February 12, 2023
All kids (ages 3 - grade 6) are invited to join together for the chance to learn about the life and example of Absalom Jones. We will meet in the children's classrooms in Cathedral Hall.

Paint the Lent Madness Saints | February 19, 2023
In a Lenten tradition unlike any other, we will be painting the Lent Madness Saints for a third consecutive year. Check out this year's bracket at lentmadness.org

Lenten Book Study | March 8 and 29, 2023
This Lent, the Cathedral of Saint James and St. Paul's Episcopal Church are joining together for a book study on Silence by Shusaku Endo. Join us in exploring themes of faith, doubt, suffering, and the presence of God. The group will meet twice during Lent. Interested? Contact Steven Slaubaugh.

Adult Forum Series | January - May, 2023
Join us in the Conference Room each Sunday for robust conversations on faith, practice, and the Christian life. We're wrapping up our series on Wealth, Poverty, and the Christian life on February 12. During the Season of Lent (February 26.- April 2), the forum will take a more practical and devotional tone as we seek to find balance, simplicity, and renewal during a series on Benedictine Spirituality. That will be followed by a more contemporary educational series looking at emerging technologies (from new Artificial Intelligence systems like ChatGPT and DALL-E to the use of social media in the church) and what they mean on both a theological and practical level for the church.

And so much more...
Stay updated on opportunities for individual and communal growth through our weekly eConnections, website, and regular church announcements. 


Service Opportunities


Cathedral Calendar

This Week at CSJ

Saturday, January 7
No Events Scheduled

Sunday, January 8
The First Sunday after the Epiphany:
The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ
8:00 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am  Christian Formation Meeting

  • Nursery Open

10:30 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am   Hospitality
12:30 pm  Ecumenical Bible Study

Monday, January 9
Administrative Offices Closed
6:30 pm  Education for Ministry

Tuesday, January 10
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
9:30 am  Raising Cane Bible Study
  Call (425) 436-6335; Access Code 782266

Wednesday, January 11
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
7:00 pm  Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, January 12
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
6:30 pm  Confirm, not Conform (Adults)

Friday, January 13
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm  Holy Eucharist

Saturday, January 14
10:00 am  God Outside Hike
  Boot Lake Nature Preserve, Elkhart
3:00 pm  Requiem Eucharist for Tom Gurbick

Sunday, January 15
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am  Christian Formation

  • Nursery Open

  • Growing in Our Worship

  • Storymakers

  • Adult Forum

10:30 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am  Hospitality
12:00 pm  Youth Group

 

Looking Ahead

Sunday, January 8
The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Saturday, January 14
God Outside Hike at 10 am
Requiem Eucharist of Tom Gurbick at 3 pm

Sunday, January 22
Annual Parish Meeting at 9:15 am
Walk the Walk Ecumenical Prayer Service at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame at 6:30 pm

Saturday, February 11
Chili Contest at 5 pm


Serving Our Parish

Sunday, January 8
8:00 am Lector: Patty Hans
8:00 am Server: Volunteer Needed
10:30 am Lectors: Liz Burman & Nan Noecker
10:30 am Server: Tim Gray
10:30 am Lay Ministers: Steven Slaubaugh & Stephen Drendall
10:30 am Ushers: Laura Worns & Volunteer Needed
10:30 am Hospitality: Rhonda Culbertson
Counters (January 11): Sue Lowe & Betsy VanderBurg

Volunteers Needed
January 15: 10:30 am Usher


For Your Prayers

  • For Peju, Bunmi, and the Okanlami family.

  • For Gina Dudeck & Dale Brucki

  • For the repose of the soul of Martha Raman.

  • For the Raman family.

  • For the Henderson family.

  • For the repose of the soul of Tom Gurbick.

  • For the Gurbick family.

  • For Milo & Gussie Wietstock, parents of Steve Wietstock.

  • Mike Jaworski.

  • John Tyler.

  • Marilyn Klopfenstein

  • Gloria Henry, sister of Tony Molnar

  • Tony Molnar

  • Greg Gotsch

  • Dan & Gail Mandell

  • Russell Cartwright

  • Ron Gunn

  • Mother Tina Velthuizen

  • Cobie

  • Alissa Broussara

  • Doug Martindale

  • Dave and Alice Miller

  • Norris Whitfield

  • Mary Beth Wright

  • Nan Noecker as she continues her diaconal formation

  • Becky Ballentine; Rob & Jo Dorsch; Sharron McGowan; Joyce Marchant; Dave & Alice Miller; Fr. Paul Tracy; Bill Brennen.

  • Al Caparell; Tony Lemna; Mike; Denise & Demetrius

  • For those preparing for marriage: Matthew Diehl & Chau-ly Phan (September 30). 

  • For those awaiting the birth or adoption of a child: Christopher & Andrew Hillak.


Social Media

Cathedral of Saint James Podcast

Our adult forum conversation with Dr. Samantha Slaubaugh on 'Wealth, Poverty, and the Patristic Period' is now available on Apple Podcasts:

Cathedral of Saint James Livestream

We livestream each 10:30 AM Sunday service on YouTube and Facebook

Joe Anand-Obleton