eConnections - November 8, 2024
The Season of Pentecost
November 8th, 2024
Notes & News from the Cathedral of Saint James, South Bend
Father Mark's Musings
The Elephant in the Room
(pun intended)...
What a week this has been!
The 2024 U.S. Election is over, and Donald Trump was elected as the 47th President of the United States. Kamala Harris conceded, and the current administration has vowed a commitment to a peaceful transition of power. Some in our nation are happy about the results, and some are anxious.
Some expressed happiness because the stock market made record profits the day after the election. During the campaign, promises were made to usher in an era of more secure borders, tax cuts, and a focus on shifting some rights currently exercised from the federal to the state level of government.
Others are anxious about the results because questions have arisen about the rhetoric used before the election and what that may do to our country. For example, 54% of Americans now back the mass deportation of immigrants link, over 30% of Americans believe that immigrants are poisoning our blood link, and the current Transportation Secretary and former South Bend Mayor and Cathedral of Saint James parishioner Pete Buttigieg said in response to questions about shifting reproductive rights and marriage equality from the federal to the state level, to a Michigan voter, "I live in Michigan, right? But if I take my kids with my husband to their first-ever Notre Dame game, and I cross the state line ... I don't want my marriage to evaporate the moment I cross the Michigan-Indiana state line." link
I am writing this brief letter to you as a pastor, not a politician. In my few months at the Cathedral, I have spoken with parishioners on both sides of the political divide. Although my insights about us have shown differing views on some of the day's hot-button issues, for the most part, we are united. And what unites us is our faith.
I witnessed this last Sunday, during our All Saint’s Sunday service, when we renewed our baptismal covenant. In particular, when I asked you, “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?” you replied, “I will, with God’s help.” Also, “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being?” And your response was, “I will, with God’s help.” (BCP, pg. 305).
And, whatever your political affiliation may be, that faith can move mountains. Our new Presiding Bishop, Sean Rowe, wrote a pastoral letter the morning the election results were released. In it, he said that the Church was committed to “working with the new administration to advance policies that follow the teachings of Jesus by supporting the most vulnerable among us.”
He referred to Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), which has resettled more than 100,000 refugees since 1988 and reaffirmed the Episcopal Church’s support for the “dignity, safety, and equality of women and LGBTQ+ people.”
“I pray that President Trump and his administration will do the same,” he wrote. He called on Episcopalians to be “agents of peace and reconciliation in our communities, both in person and online. As people of faith, we can work and pray for peace and unity among God’s people whether we are joyful, hurting, or afraid.” (link to the Presiding Bishop’s Pastoral Letter)
Above, you can see the contractors cutting into the side of the basement (look at the size of that saw!), and as Kirk Philippsen demonstrates, look at how thick the wall that they had to cut through was.
Keep up with the latest progress from our new addition at this link
You do not need to be a Facebook user to access the pictures.
Update on Dr. Wietstock:
A number of you have been asking, and good news, Dr. Wietstock's surgery was a success! He was discharged home on Tuesday, and is recuperating well.
Are you feeling called?...
The Diocese of Indianapolis' Commission on Ministry and Bishop Jennifer are facilitating a retreat called "Discerning God’s Call" at Church of the Nativity, Indianapolis, on November 16th from 10-4:30 ET (9-3:30 CT). They are graciously inviting folks from our diocese who might be exploring their vocations, and Canon Terri Bays will be attending as our diocesan representative.
This event is designed for all believers - those who are exploring a call to ordained ministry as well as those who seek to go deeper in their lay ministry.
Information will be shared on the discernment process for ordained ministry in each diocese as well as opportunities for additional lay formation.
Registration is open until November 11th. The cost is $15 to cover the cost of lunch. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Cannon Terri Bays at this link, or register at this link.
RSVP to Steven Mast at this link
All Saints' Sunday
This Week at the Cathedral
Sunday, November 10th
The Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Year B, Proper 27, Track 2
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am Adult Forum/Sunday School
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am Hospitality
12:30 pm Ecumenical Bible Study
Monday, November 11th
Cathedral Offices: Closed
6:30 pm Education for Ministry (EfM)
Tuesday, November 12th
Cathedral Offices: 9:oo am - 1:30 pm
No Events Scheduled
Wednesday, November 13th
Cathedral Offices: 9:00 am - 12 pm
7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, November 14th
Cathedral Offices Closed
No events scheduled
Friday, November 15th
Cathedral Offices Closed
12:05 pm Holy Eucharist
12:45 pm Community Lunch
Saturday, November 16th
Cathedral Office Closed
10:00 am Commission on Ministry Meeting
Sunday, November 17th
The Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Year B, Proper 28, Track 2
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am Adult Formation
9:15 am Growing In Our Worship
9:15 am Storymakers
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am Hospitality Time
12:00 pm Youth Group
Sunday Ministries
November 10th, 2024
8:00 am
Lector Michael Pippenger
Eucharistic Minister Nan Noecker
9:15 am
GIOW Kim Gray
Story Makers Rhonda Culbertson
Adult Forum Tell us about your saint/loved one
10:30 am
Lectors Bunmi Okanlami & Tom Burman
Acolyte Freddy Kallenberg
Eucharistic Ministers Stephen Drendall & Cherry Radin
Ushers Keith LaPierre & Erica Vitale
Hospitality Host Liz Burman
12:30 pm
Ecumenical Bible Study Hal & Rhonda Culbertson
November 13th
Counters Sue Lowe & Betsy VanderBurg
November 19th
Folder Shela Raman-McCabe
Cathedral Community Prayer List
For the repose of the soul of Richard Gotfried, father of Katie Gotfried.
For the repose of the soul of Donna Malone and for Rob, her husband; Cory and Robin Earley (son and daughter-in-law); and for grandsons Aiden and Landon.
For the repose of the soul of Debbie Baylok and for her mother, Dottie Baylok
For the repose of the soul of Chuck Rubow, father of Rhonda Culbertson and for his entire family.
For Dr. Steven Wietstock
Jamie, Mimi, Joely, Mia, and the entire Jeter Family
Bill Jones and his family
For Michael Anand-Obleton
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 Bob Kenney
For Joni Carlson, who continues treatment of an ongoing issue
For Mike Jaworski and for Lisa.
For Don Zigler.
For Michael, son of Diane Hoist, and his family.
For Joseph Hilliard
For Mary Beth Wright
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
John Monroe, brother of Sue Fain
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 awaiting the birth or adoption of a child: Megan & Philip Drendall.
For those preparing for Holy Baptism: Finnegan Patty Hillak (Jan 12, 2025)
For those preparing for Holy Orders: Nan Noecker, diaconate
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