eConnections - May 5, 2023

eConnections
Notes & News from the Cathedral of Saint James
May 5, 2023

Life Update from the Slaubaugh Family: A Note from Steven Slaubaugh

Six years ago, Samantha and I moved to South Bend when she was offered an opportunity to pursue her Doctorate in the Theology Program at the University of Notre Dame. Six years later, with a doctorate, two kids, and two cats, we are heading back to the East Coast. Samantha has accepted a two-year fellowship at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, where she will teach and work on getting her dissertation published. The position starts on July 1, 2023, which means our family will be relocating at that point. Our last Sunday at the Cathedral will be June 25.

During our time in South Bend, we have been attending the Cathedral of Saint James, and I have had the pleasure of being on staff for the past three years. The only word that comes to mind when I think of this place is ‘family.’ Although I grew up in an evangelical tradition, I was confirmed as an Episcopalian at the Cathedral when we arrived in South Bend. Being a part of this community for the past six years has been one of the most formative and rewarding experiences of my life. Words cannot express how much each of you has meant to me and my family during this wonderful period in South Bend. We will miss you all, and if you happen to be in Connecticut over the next few years, please come visit.

In the next two months, we hope to get a chance to say goodbye and spend time together. 

Slaubaugh Farewell Fund

I will say more about the import and impact of Steven Slaubaugh's ministry at the Cathedral in the coming weeks, not to mention the joy and blessing of having Samantha, Eliza, and Rey in the Cathedral community. Please join Tamisyn and me in sharing and outward and visible sign of our love and appreciation by making a gift to the Slaubaugh Farewell Fund, which we will be presented to Steven on Sunday, June 25. You may give by cash or check on Sundays between now and then, or through Givelify. Thank you so much!

Fr. Brian

Slaubaugh Farewell Fund

The Dean's Mini-Sabbatical
May 8 - June 1, 2023
 

One of the great privileges of serving as Dean of the Cathedral of Saint James has been a sabbatical program that allows me to take shorter periods of time off more frequently, which absolutely suits my spirituality and interest. The way this has played out over the fifteen years (as of May 1) that I have been here has been to take two-week hiking adventures with my children as each of them graduated from high school: Nathan in Ireland in 2010; Jesse in Spain in 2013; Thaddeus in Italy in 2015; and Rose in Greece in 2019. I also took two weeks of sabbatical time in 2021 but ended up with COVID, so did a redo with extended time last summer. The question for many in the Cathedral community throughout this time has been, "When will it be Tamisyn's turn?" The answer is: now.* 

Tamisyn and I depart this week for a 99-mile walk on the Camino Portuguese, traveling north along the Atlantic coast from the Spanish city of A Guarda to Santiago de Compostela. We are flying into and out of Porto, Portugal (via Amsterdam), where we will spend an extra day on either end of our pilgrimage walk. Porto - as the name suggests - is the home of Port wine, and we intend to bring some back for our celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Sunday, June 4. As an added bonus, we are taking advantage of an open Sunday on Memorial Day weekend to attend the Indy 500. I will be back in the office on Thursday, June 1. 

In my absence, Canon Tina Velthuizen will be preaching and presiding at our Friday noon Eucharists and on Sunday, May 14 and Sunday, May 21. Bishop Frank Gray will preach and preside at our Pentecost celebration on Sunday, May 28. Deacon Anne Wietstock will be available for pastoral emergencies. She can be reached on her mobile phone at (574) 286-4215.

Tamisyn and I will both post updates on Facebook, so follow along with us!

* for purposes of financial transparency, as in times past, the Dean's Sabbatical Fund covers my expenses and we (the Grantz family) cover the costs for whoever is accompanying me. 

Imagining Our Future

Several teams formed by the Cathedral Chapter have been at work for awhile now considering our mission, ministry, physical plant, values, and short- and long-term plans. Here’s what coming up as we continue these exciting conversations: 

Sunday, May 7
Results of Parish feedback will be presented in poster form during today’s hospitality hour. Join Senior Warden Liz Burman at the back of church.

Sunday, June 4
The congregation is invited to tour the entire Cathedral physical plant to see and respond to all of our spaces and help imagine their potential. Walk-throughs at 9:15 am and 11:45 am.

Tuesday, June 20
Reports to Chapter from Gather & Grow, Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships, and Five-Year Plan teams at 5:30 pm.

Sign-Up for Episcopalian Day at Four Winds

Pay for Tickets for Episcopalian Day

To pay online for tickets using the Givelify website, click on the button above.
Click "Other" for the amount.
Enter the amount ($13.40 x the number of tickets), then click "Okay."
Select "Episcopalian Day at Four Winds Field."
Click "Add Message" to let us know your name, then "Done."
Click "Give Now," then follow instructions for payment.

Payment can also be made by check to The Cathedral of Saint James.

Faith Formation

Sunday Faith Formation 
May 7, 2023

9:15 am Faith Formation
Classrooms Located in Cathedral House

  • Growing in our Worship (age 3 - grade 2)

  • Storymakers (grades 3 - 6)

  • Adult Forum: 'Emerging Technologies and the Future of the Church'

12:00 pm Youth Group

Children's Formation this Sunday | 9:15 - 10:15 am

All Children Together!

Over the past few months, the Storymakers classroom has been going through a series on 'The Exodus' story. This week, we will be combining children's classrooms for a lesson on God making a way for Moses and the Israelites. All children (age 3 - grade 6) are invited to the children's classroom this Sunday at 9:15 am.

Last Youth Group of Spring 2023 | This Sunday at Noon!

Youth are invited to join us for our our last Youth Group session of Spring 2023! This Spring, we had a series about the multitude of different prayer practices and spiritual practices that draw us closer to God and one another. Join us this Sunday for a relaxed and fun time to celebrate the year.

And, a word of thanks - Tamisyn Grantz has been a committed leader for the Youth Group for many, many years at the Cathedral. Our Youth Group offering would not be possible without all of the time, energy, and many gifts she brings to this group. Please join me in thanking Tamisyn, and all of those who have volunteered at YG over the past year (Nan, Steven S., Shela, Father Brian, etc.), for another amazing year.

Adult Forum
This Sunday, May 7 at 9:15 am

Please join us this Sunday for a conversation on 'Worship in the Digital Age: Exploring the Role of Technology in the Liturgy,' led by two members of our live-streaming team: Dan Kallenberg and Tim Gray. We'll ask them how livestreaming began at Saint James, how it's changed over the years, and what they think the future of technology in the liturgy might look like.' Adult Forum takes place in the Conference Room at 9:15 am.

Miss last week's Adult Forum? You can find that conversation on YouTube and Apple Podcasts:

Link to Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/.../what-will.../id1564082249...
Link to YouTube Page:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe0pmp2rLrM&t=5s

Click Here for Series Schedule and More Details


Service Opportunities


Cathedral Calendar

This Week at CSJ

Saturday, May 6
9:00 am CST  God Outside Hike
  Indiana Dunes State Park
1:00 pm  Funeral Service for Harold Yager
  Father of one-time Cathedral member Janet Pleasant

Sunday, May 7
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
8:00 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am  Sunday Morning Classes
 - Nursery Open
 - Growing in Our Worship
 - Story Makers
 - Adult Forum
10:30 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am  Hospitality
12:00 pm  Youth Group
12:30 pm  Ecumenical Bible Study

Monday, May 8
Administrative Offices Closed
Fr. Brian on Mini-Sabbatical

6:30 pm  Education for Ministry

Tuesday, May 9
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
Fr. Brian on Mini-Sabbatical
5:30 pm  Finance Committee

Wednesday, May 10
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
Fr. Brian on Mini-Sabbatical
7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, May 11
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
Fr. Brian & Tamisyn in Porto, Portugal
No Events Scheduled

Friday, May 12
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
Fr. Brian & Tamisyn in A Guarda, Spain

12:05 pm  Holy Eucharist

Saturday, May 13
Fr. Brian & Tamisyn walk to Oia, Spain
No Events Scheduled

Sunday, May 14
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Canon Tina Velthuizen, presiding & preaching
8:00 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am  Sunday Morning Classes
 - Nursery Open
 - Growing in Our Worship
 - Story Makers
 - Adult Forum
10:30 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am  Hospitality
12:00 pm  Youth Group
12:30 pm  Ecumenical Bible Study

Fr. Brian & Tamisyn walk to Baiona, Spain

Looking Ahead

May 8 - 31
The Dean's Mini-Sabbatical:
The Camino Portuguese

May 18
Ascension Day

May 28
Pentecost

Thursday, June 8
Shortcakes on the Blacktop

Sunday, June 25
10:30 am Honoring & Remembering Norm Dales
12:00 pm Bring Your Own Picnic in the Butterfly Garden
2:05 pm Episcopalian Day at Four Winds Field


Making Sunday Worship Happen

Sunday, May 7
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
8:00 am  Lector  
Gregg Richardson
8:00 am  Lay Minister  Steven Slaubaugh

9:15 am  Growing in Our Worship  Christopher Hillak & Samantha Slaubaugh
9:15 am Storymakers  Shela Raman-McCabe & Aubree Schenkel

10:30 am Acolyte  Aley Vitale-Richards
10:30 am Lectors  Tamisyn Grantz & Steven Mast
10:30 am Eucharistic Ministers  Kirk Philippsen & Stephen Drendall
10:30 am  Ushers  Nicole Pinter & Erica Vitale
10:30 am Hospitality  Liz & Tom Burman

Counters: Wednesday, May 10: Sue Lowe & Betsy VanderBurg

Volunteers Needed
Please consider serving Christ and the Church in any of the above roles as we gather for Sunday worship.


For Your Prayers

  • Patrice Jones, sister of Mike McCrea.

  • A particular family in continued need of prayer.

  • Christopher. 

  • Gene & Janet Grantz.

  • Rhonda.

  • Tammy, daughter of Tony Molnar.

  • Alan Thompson.

  • Jo Dorsch and the Dorsch family.

  • Continued healing for Donna Woods, and for Dave.

  • Peju, Bunmi, and the Okanlami family.

  • Gina Dudeck & Dale Brucki.

  • The Raman family.

  • Milo & Gussie Wietstock, parents of Steve Wietstock.

  • Mike Jaworski, and Lisa.

  • Marilyn Klopfenstein.

  • Tony Molnar.

  • Dan & Gail Mandell.

  • Russell Cartwright.

  • Ron Gunn.

  • Cobie.

  • Alissa Broussara.

  • Nan Noecker as she continues her diaconal formation.

  • Mary Beth Wright; Becky Ballentine; Jo Dorsch; Sharron McGowan; Joyce Marchant; Dave & Alice Miller; Fr. Paul Tracy; Bill Brennen; Ginger & Richard Bitner.

  • 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