eConnections - February 24, 2023
eConnections
Notes & News from the Cathedral of Saint James
February 24, 2023
The Dean's List
Intentionality.
What to give up for Lent was quite the annual conversation in my household when I was a kid. In fact, any notion that it was a real conversation is a bit misleading. I grew up before hostile takeovers were a thing everyone knew about, otherwise that's how I would have described Lent: a church-sponsored corporate raid on my life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Our parish priest, Fr. Lou Gubrious, who had never, himself, been a child, or fun, preached on the spiritual necessity of discipline and self-denial on the old gesima Sundays (Septuagesima, Sexagesima, Quinquagesima) leading up to Lent. He used a lot of words, as I recall, that all came down to "no chocolate for you for forty days, buck-o." Or at least that's how my parents, Lou Gubrious groupies that they were, interpreted his teaching. I must say, though, that giving up chocolate never seemed like a big deal to my parents; not in a personal sense, anyway. They weren't really chocolate people, which I assumed was a consequence of puberty, whatever that was. Or maybe college. In retrospect, if second grade had taught me anything useful - like, say, negotiating skills - I might have held chocolate back until my parents gave up some equally attractive grown-up vice, like coffee, or broccoli, or spanking cheeky children, as a show of good faith.
Now that I am an adult more often than not, I get what the church (which includes my parents, as it turns out) was going for. As a kid, giving up something you will long for is actually a good spiritual object lesson reminding us of our longing for God, for life, and for love. Or at least it will remind us of those things someday once our concrete little brains begin to grasp abstract concepts. What we sometimes miss post-childhood, though, is that self-denial of that which we long for a) is only one tool in the Lenten box; and b) can become, if we're not careful, a prideful act of personal achievement rather than a humble act of devotion. At this stage in my life, a more apt object lesson for Lent might be decluttering a room or clearing off my desk; anything, really, that brings order out of chaos, simplifies the spaces in which I dwell, and designates that which is no longer useful to me for reassignment, often in a dumpster.
Truth be told, when we publish our list of Lenten opportunities every year, I want to add a disclaimer that if this just adds to life's clutter, then don't do it. Or more to the point: don't do it without giving up something else to make space for it. The purpose of Lent, after all, is to do what needs to be done in our lives to draw God into clearer focus, to sit at the feet of Jesus, to pray, and to bear witness to the love of God as the Way of Life. A Holy Lent is one in which we make an honest assessment (self-examination) of that which draws us away from God (sin) and turn from it (repent) in order to live - as Jesus promised - abundantly. Lent is not really supposed to be lugubrious at all, just intentional about our walk with Christ.
So we begin.
Discretionary Tales
It's been a busy week at the Cathedral, with a few particularly heart-rending cases occupying a fair bit of office time on Thursday. By your gifts to the discretionary fund, you helped one man, who had been arrested and held in a case of mistaken identity, causing him to lose his job and apartment, off the streets this weekend. As he sat in our office he began singing a wonderful old spiritual that may have caused one or two people in the office to tear up. He said he wants to sing it for us in Church this Sunday. Hopefully that will happen.
Blessings,
Brian
Faith Formation
Sunday Faith Formation
February 26, 2023
9:15 am Children's and Adult Faith Formation
Classrooms Located in Cathedral House
Growing in our Worship (age 3 - grade 2)
Storymakers (grades 3 - 6)
Adult Forum: New Series on Benedictine Spirituality
12:00 - 1:00 pm Youth Group
Youth Group Room
Children's Formation this Sunday | 9:15 - 10:15 am
Growing in our Worship (age 3 - grade 2)
Children ages 3 - grade 2 are invited to the GIOW classroom this Sunday for a lesson on 'The Prodigal Son.'
Storymakers (grades 3 - 6)
'Storymakers NYC' is a rich, imaginative curriculum that equips families and children to share in God’s story through zines, storytelling, and art. Join us this Sunday, February 26, when we will talk about the Season of Lent and continue the story of the Exodus.
Youth Group | Sunday from 12 - 1:00 pm
This Sunday, February 26, youth (grades 7 - 12) are invited to join us in the Youth Group room to learn about (and practice!) a form of prayer called an 'examen.' Questions? Context Tamisyn Grantz or Steven Slaubaugh.
Adult Forum | This Sunday at 9:15 am
Meets in the Conference Room
Lent 2023 Series: "Benedictine Spirituality: A Lenten Journey of Reflection and Renewal"
You are invited to participate in a five week Lenten series (February 26 - April 2, 2023) that will introduce you to the expansive tools and practice of Benedictine Spirituality. We will be reading the Rule of Saint Benedict together (we have a copy for each of you who attend!), which is a guide for monastic life and serves as a source of inspiration and wisdom for individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs. Whether you are seeking balance in your life, looking to deepen your spiritual journey, or simply seeking a greater understanding of this rich tradition, this program is designed to meet you wherever you're at. We hope you will join us.
Miss an Adult Forum? Listen to past discussions here.
Meet the 2023 Lent Madness Saints!
Last Sunday, we painted the Saints in this year's Lent Madness bracket. See them in action here (4.2k views and counting!)
LENT 2023
40 Days through Philippians & Matthew
Feb 27 Matthew 1
Feb 28 Matthew 2
Mar 1 Matthew 3
Mar 2 Matthew 4
Mar 3 Matthew 5:1-26
Mar 4 Matthew 5:27-48
Change the World
A sanctuary lamp is an eight-day candle that is placed on the tabernacle in the sanctuary. The lamp is lit any time consecrated bread and/or wine is in the tabernacle to signify the presence of Christ. Since we reserve Sacrament pretty much all the time, we have MANY glass containers from spent sanctuary lamps. So... let's repurpose them. Please take one or more to decorate however you wish (or not) with paint, markers, paper, or whatever else comes to mind. Then throughout Lent place coins in the jar as an offering of prayer, whether in thanksgiving for God's blessings, in lament for the sorrows of this world, in hope of new possibilities for yourself and others, in contemplation of the love of God, etc. We'll gather these offerings at Easter and send them to Episcopal Relief & Development in support their work around the world.
PS> I had occasion to speak directly with Bishop Mark Edington of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe this morning, quite coincidentally on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The war has swelled the refugee population in Europe by more than 10 million people in the past year, mostly women and children, who are fleeing from violence to seek shelter among their neighbors. This population, sadly, is quite vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking. Bishop Edington noted that Episcopal Relief and Development has been generous and flexible in their support of this humanitarian crisis, allowing for local congregations to respond and adapt to the immediate needs in their community. Our gifts really can help change the world.
Join us for a joint Lenten Book study with St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mishawaka on Silence by Shusaku Endo. Here is a preview of the book:
'Seventeenth-century Japan: Two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to a country hostile to their religion, where feudal lords force the faithful to publicly renounce their beliefs. Eventually captured and forced to watch their Japanese Christian brothers lay down their lives for their faith, the priests bear witness to unimaginable cruelties that test their own beliefs. Shusaku Endo is one of the most celebrated and well-known Japanese fiction writers of the twentieth century, and Silence is widely considered to be his great masterpiece.'
Two Meetings:
March 8, 2023 from 7 - 8:30 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mishawaka (Discussing First Half of Book)
March 29, 2023 from 7 - 8:30 pm at Cathedral of Saint James (Discussing Second Half of Book)
Want to join? Email Steven Slaubaugh: formation@stjamessouthbend.org
A morning of meditations and reflections on The Way of Love as the basis for a rule of life. A sign up sheet is located in the back of the Church, or send an email to our Parish Administrator, Joe Anand-Obleton, here.
Service Opportunities
Faith in Indiana: Action Request
Andre Stoner of Faith in Indiana sent out the following request earlier today. As one who deals regularly with those most impacted by these decisions, I urge your consideration.
Funding for a Safe and Caring County
Faith in Indiana is inviting you to join many people of faith and goodwill at a press conference Tuesday, Feb 28, 5 pm at the County-City building and then attend the County Council committee meeting together at 5:30 pm. We will urge the County to fund crisis response and Motels4Now, It appears likely that the County Council will only be making a very small contribution to the crisis response center and is eliminating funding for Motels4Now. They are reneging on past promises and abandoning the most vulnerable among us. The public can not speak at the Council meeting, but our presence will be seen. Please wear green, the color for mental health awareness.
Cathedral Calendar
This Week at CSJ
Saturday, February 25
No Events Scheduled
Sunday, February 26
The First Sunday in Lent
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am Sunday Formation Groups
- Nursery Open
- Growing in Our Worship
- Storymakers
- Adult Forum
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
In-person & online at YouTube & Facebook
11:45 am Hospitality
12:00 pm Youth Group
Monday, February 27
Administrative Offices Closed
6:30 pm Education for Ministry
Tuesday, February 28
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
5:30 pm Five-Year Plan Group Meeting
Wednesday, March 1
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
8:30 am Staff Meeting
9:30 am Raising Cane Bible Study
Call (425) 436-6335; Access Code 782266
7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm Church Buildings for
Collaborative Partnerships Webinar
Thursday, March 2
6:30 pm Confirm, not Conform (Adults)
Friday, March 3
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm Holy Eucharist
Saturday, March 4
No Events Scheduled
Sunday, March 5
The Second Sunday in Lent
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am Sunday Formation Groups
- 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
12:30 pm Ecumenical Bible Study
Looking Ahead
Wednesday, March 8
Lent Book Study
Saturday, March 11
God Outside Hike
Saturday, March 18
Lenten Quiet Day
Serving Our Parish
Sunday, February 26
8:00 am Lector: Kate Lee
8:00 am Server: Nan Noecker
9:15 am Growing in Our Worship: Kim Gray & Samantha Slaubaugh
9:15 am Storymakers: Brian Grantz & Jodi Kallenberg
10:30 am Lectors: Steven Mast & Julie Martindale
10:30 am Server: Tim Gray
10:30 am Lay Ministers: Stephen Drendall & Steven Slaubaugh
10:30 am Ushers: Nicole Pinter & Volunteer Needed
10:30 am Hospitality: Daughters of the King
Counters (Mar 1): Rick Hilliard & Nan Noecker
Volunteers Needed
March 5: 8:00 am Lector
March 12: 8:00 am Lay Minister
For Your Prayers
A Collect for Black History Month
from Common Worship
Compassionate God, who sent Jesus Christ to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities, create in us new hearts and enlarged visions, to see the image of God in every person irrespective of background, race and ethnicity. May we be generous in our love of others as we work towards ending misunderstanding, racism and injustice; creating communities of human flourishing, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Alan Thompson.
For the repose of the soul of The Rev. Roger Butler, who baptized Fr. Brian Grantz in September 1964 and was a fixture of my life through my childhood and adolescence. Fr. Butler died on Ash Wednesday at his home in North Carolina.
From Faith in Indiana: Pray for the softening of hearts of County Commissioners and new County Council members, that they prioritize funding for a crisis response center and Motels4Now, so that we can live in a safe and caring county.
For Siberina Taylor, mother of Joe Anand-Obleton, who suffered a brain aneurysm earlier this week.
For the repose of the soul of Rob Dorsch.
For Jo Dorsch and the Dorsch family.
For the repose of the soul of Barbara Szweda.
For the Szweda family.
For Julie Guiler, daughter of Joe Guth.
For Donna Woods, and for Dave.
For Peju, Bunmi, and the Okanlami family.
For Gina Dudeck & Dale Brucki
For the Raman family.
For the Henderson family.
For the Gurbick family.
For Milo & Gussie Wietstock, parents of Steve Wietstock.
Mike Jaworski, and Lisa.
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
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; Ginger & Richard.
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.