eConnections - January 5, 2025

The Weekend of the Second Sunday after Christmas Day
January 5, 2025
 

The Dean's List
 

Happy New Year!
Somehow it's 2025. Seems like just yesterday we were all breathing a sigh of relief that Y2K amounted to nothing thanks to the unheralded labors of software engineers over the previous decade. The first day of every new year is the Feast of the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ - or just Holy Name for short - marking the eighth day of Jesus' young life when he received his name and through the rite of circumcision was marked with the outward sign of God's enduring covenant with Abraham. It was - and still is in Jewish tradition - a joyful day of celebration. That the Feast of the Holy Name falls on the first day of the new year is not accidental. It's spiritual meaning is pretty obvious: On the first day we honor the name of Jesus and remember the new Covenant God has made with us with, in, and through Christ. It is a day for us to claim our faith and the hope that it gives as we step into an unknown (and often uncertain) future. Whatever comes next, God is with us and, in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, we are with God. As my friend Fran McKendree wrote, "I'll take my chances with the one who brings to me the rising sun; who stirs the wind and shakes the trees and shouts the Truth in times like these. It brings me to my knees..."

Adult Forum:
Reflection on Reunification.

Tomorrow morning (January 5) Canon Clay Berkley and Fr. Mark Hummell will lead an Adult Forum using the guide for Reflection on Reunification published by the Diocese of Northern Indiana and the Diocese of Indianapolis. Click here to visit the reunification website where you may preview the materials. The reunification conversation, which has been ongoing for over two years, seeks to discern the missional, pastoral, and practical wisdom, feasibility, and impact of returning to a single diocese in the State of Indiana (as we were until 1899); continuing as two separate dioceses; or exploring mutually beneficial cooperative ministry partnerships. The current task is to bring this conversation "to the pews," as it were, to hear the hopes, concerns, and ideas of the full Hoosier Body of Christ in our tradition.

All adults and teenagers are encouraged to attend. 9:15 am in the Conference Room. 

Floor Pour.
Concrete floors were poured at each level of our new addition this past Thursday. A large propane heater is pumping warm air into the space to facilitate drying and curing over the weekend. Workers will next enclose the entire exterior in a heated visqueen tent so that brick layers can complete their work. 


Pastoral Notes.

  • Donnie Zigler is now living large at Trailpoint Village on South Ironwood Drive.

  • Elaine Mick will soon come home following a rehabilitation stint at Hubbard Hill in Elkhart.

  • A family in the parish is in need of child care and transport for the next month or so. If you are able to help, please text, email, or have a conversation with me.

  • Steven Wietstock is on the mend and is planning to be back on the organ bench this coming Sunday.

Thank you.
A word of wonder, praise, and gratitude to:

  • The Cathedral Choir for stepping in and stepping up last Sunday;

  • to Steven Mast for his impromptu performance on piano at Lessons & Carols;

  • to Julie Martindale for recognizing a need and shining a light in the darkness that enveloped Steven's sheet music when a lamp ceased to function;

  • and to the Cathedral congregation for good cheer, adaptability, and Christmas spirit. 

Blessings,
Brian


Sportsball Contest
Thursday, January 9
(Go Lions!)

Sunday, January 5
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
on the Twelfth Day of Christmas

8:00 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am  Christian Formation
 - Growing in Our Worship
 - Story Makers
 - Adult Forum
10:30 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am  Hospitality
4:00 pm  Twelfth Night Open House
  Grantz Residence, through 6:30 pm

Monday, January 6
The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Cathedral Office: Closed
6:00 pm  Epiphany Eucharist
  St. Michael & All Angels Church
6:30 pm  Education for Minsitry

Tuesday, January 7
Cathedral Office: 9 am - 1:30 pm
7:00 pm  Gather & Grow Committee & Sub-Committees
  Zoom Meeting

Wednesday, January 8
Cathedral Office: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
11:00 am  Kitchen & Cathedral Hall Committee

Thursday, January 9
Cathedral Office: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
7:30 pm  Big Sportsball Contest on ESPN
  The Dean will be unavailable, probably moping

Friday, January 10
Cathedral Office: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm  Holy Eucharist
1:00 pm  Community Lunch at Grill 362

Saturday, January 11
No Events Scheduled

Sunday, January 12
The First Sunday after the Epiphany:
The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ
and
The Bishop's Visitation
8:00 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite One
with Renewal of Baptismal Vows
9:15 am  Christian Formation
 - Growing in Our Worship
 - Story Makers
 - Adult Forum
10:30 am  Holy Baptism & Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
Finnegan Patty Hillak
11:45 am  Hospitality

Looking Ahead

The Bishop's Visitation
Sunday, January 12, 2025
8:00 am   Holy Eucharist with Renewal of Baptismal Vows
9:15 am   Adult Forum with Bishop Sparks
10:30 am   Holy Baptism, Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and Holy Eucharist

Ordination
The Rev. Dr. Thomas Gresik to the Sacred Order of Priests
Saturday, January 18 at 10:00 am; Reception Following

Annual Parish Meeting
Sunday, January 19, 2025
12:00 pm   Luncheon followed by Business Meeting & Presentations from the Gather & Grow subcommittees on considering Worship Space, Cathedral Hall, and Landscaping.

Dining Out Group
Thursday, January 23, 2025
6:00 pm  Cosimo & Susie's

The First Annual Quiz Bowl Challenge*
Saturday, February 8, 2025
*We're still working on this. Details coming soon.

Collect for the Second Sunday after Christmas Day
(January 5)

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
(January 6)
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer in Times of Violence
adapted from the United Church of Canada

Creator God, be with us in these times of trouble:

  • We are surrounded by images of violence from New Orleans, Las Vegas, Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, Venezuela, and so many other places near and far;

  • we are called to wrestle with how to respond to the death, devastation, fear, and hatred around us with compassionate and prophetic love;

  • we grieve for a cycle of violence that seems never-ending, and for a world that values some lives more than others;

  • we grieve for the dead and accompany in prayer and love all those who mourn the loss of life and security;

  • we confess that we who profess to follow Jesus have failed to break down systems that oppress and marginalize others;

  • we lift up the voices of all who experience oppression, discrimination, and hatred.

  • we listen carefully to hear the changes we need to make in our own lives and institutions;

  • we give thanks for and offer support to the peacemakers and bridge-builders and those who fight hatred and fear with love and understanding;

  • we give thanks for those faithful witnesses who speak truth to power and call for conversion to Jesus’ way of love;

  • and we heed our call to imagine continually what a world not filled with such violence and fear would look like and commit ourselves, in the Name of the Prince of Peace, to work for it.

Creator God, be with us in these times of trouble.

Cathedral Prayer List

  • For Greg, cousin of Alison Grantz, whose leukemia prognosis is now, sadly, terminal following two unsuccessful bone marrow transplants. Please pray for Alison's mother, Cheryl, and the Gotsch family.

  • For the repose of the soul of Steve Bowman; for his wife, Donna, and their family; and for his friends, Mike & Lisa.

  • For the repose of the soul of  Arianne Baker and for her family

  • For the repose of the soul of Beverly Janssen, aunt of Steven Mast, and for her family.

  • For the repose of the soul of Gregory Marcks and for Michael Marcks and his entire family.

  • For Kate and her family.

  • For the Liberatore family.

  • Josh Young, Kerrin Young, and Violet Young

  • For Elaine Mick

  • For Janet Subbert, Aunt of Nan Noecker

  • For the Proffitt Family and for the Hillman Family

  • Ann and Bill Young

  • Shavonya Wade

  • Corey Davis and Kenya Pearson

  • Steven Mast

  • Mary Brooks

  • For Steve Wietstock

  • Jamie, Mimi, Joely, Mia, and the entire Jeter Family

  • Bill Jones and his family

  • For Mary Beth Wright

  • Randy Coleman

  • Sharon Toth, and for the entire extended Sobecki Family

  • Kathleen Murphy, mother of Jen Mosley; and for Richard Murphy Jr., Richard Murphy III, and for Jill Bird

  • For Tim Lane (son-in-law of Karen Slack) who is recovering from surgery

  • Mary M. Burman

  • Carolynn Raney

  • For Carl and Melinda Stopczynski; and for Alison Abbot -- cousins/extended family of Mike & Lisa Jaworski

  • For Betty Walker, Mike Mosely’s Aunt

  • For Joan Machatton

  • Jennifer & Mike Mosley

  • Jim Arns

  • For Cindy Ahlgrim

  • For Joni Carlson, who continues treatment of an ongoing issue

  • For Mike Jaworski and for Lisa.

  • For Michael, son of Diane Hoist, and his family.

  • For Joseph Hilliard

  • For Tim Haywood, and Janice

  • Fred & Kate Mast

  • Wade & Sue Sheets

  • Paula Fowler

  • Canon Tina Velthuizen's grand-nephew, Jordan, who is struggling

  • Connor Gibbons

  • Olivia, who has leukemia, and her family

  • Sheila & family

  • Tammy, daughter of Tony Molnar

  • Alan Thompson

  • Peju, Bunmi, and the Okanlami family

  • Tony Molnar

  • Dan & Gail Mandell

  • Ron Gunn

  • Alissa Broussara

  • Cherryl Andries

  • Becky Ballentine

  • Marge Johnson

  • Jo Dorsch

  • Sharron McGowan

  • Joyce Marchant

  • Fr. Paul Tracy

  • Richard Bitner

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

  • For those preparing for Holy Baptism: Finnegan Patty Hillak (Jan 12, 2025)

  • For those preparing for Holy Orders: Nan Noecker, diaconate


How may we pray for you? To add (or remove) a petition from the Cathedral Prayer List, please send an email to Deacon Clay Berkley. If you are requesting prayer for someone else, please make sure you have their permission to  add their name and any details to the prayer list.

Sunday Ministries
January 5, 2024

8:00 am 
Lector  Kate Leer

Eucharistic Minister  Nan Noecker

10:30 am
Lectors  Sherry Berkley & Norris Whitfield
Acolytes  Scottie Peters, Zeke Kallenberg, Freddy Kallenberg
Eucharistic Ministers  Ed Randles & Helene Dauerty Randles
Ushers  Keith LaPierre & Erica Vitale
Hospitality Host  Rhonda Culbertson

January 7
Counters  Rick Hilliard & Nan Noecker

January 10
Folder  Shela Raman-McCabe

Copyright © 2025 The Cathedral of Saint James, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:

The Cathedral of Saint James

117 N Lafayette Blvd

South Bend, IN 46601-1507


Add us to your address book



Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Joe Anand-Obleton