eConnections - September 22, 2023

eConnections
Notes & News from the Cathedral of Saint James
September 22, 2023

In this Week's eConnections:

Watch for a special Dean's List edition of eConnections next week in which I will outline much of the work the Chapter has been doing over the summer. In the meantime, lots of programming is about to resume following our summer hiatus. See what's happening below!

  • The Dean's List

  • Garden Party (Work Day)

  • CROP Hunger Walk

  • Sunday Morning Formation

    • Growing in Our Worship

    • Story Makers

    • Adult Forum

  • Youth Group

  • Pizza Fellowship

  • St. Margaret's House September Project

  • Cathedral Calendar

  • Making Sunday Worship Happen: Volunteers for this Sunday

  • For Your Prayers


The Dean's List

Something to Consider
First off, this story ends well, so don't worry.

Without going into too much detail, I recently went to the home of a parishioner who lives by himself. I agreed several weeks before that to take transport him too and from a doctor's appointment. I tried to confirm the date and time with him the day before but got no answer and no response to a voicemail. I called back on the morning of the appointment but still, no answer and no response to voicemail. At the agreed upon pick-up time, I arrived at his house and knocked on the door. No answer, even though all evidence suggested he was in the house (I can't say how I knew, but I knew). I walked all around the house, pounding on doors, windows, and walls, calling his name. No answer. The commotion brought one of his neighbors out, who said he hadn't seen our friend for at least three days. After pounding and calling some more with still no response, I decided to call the police to see if they could do a wellness check. Long story short, the police could do nothing more than the neighbor and I had already done; without clear probably cause - such as seeing a body lying on the floor (which we couldn't),  law enforcement cannot break into a house. This makes sense, when you think about it clearly without an immediate concern that someone may be in distress or is possibly already sitting at the table at the heavenly feast. The only way we could get into the house is if someone had a key (nope) or if next of kin signed off in person on a forced entry (I wasn't aware of any next of kin) (at that point). So, what could we do? In a word, nothing. It was quite the helpless feeling.

Just so you know, there was no way I was going to leave without being certain about what was going on with the occupant so, once law enforcement had left the scene, the neighbor and I started working on the least destructive way we could think of to gain entry to the house. About that time, the occupant appeared at the front door. He'd fallen asleep in the basement and had been oblivious to the commotion until I popped a screen out of a window. 

Why am I telling you this story? Because I had NO IDEA how difficult it actually is to intervene when someone who lives alone is unresponsive while locked inside their home. This situation underscored the importance of sharing emergency contact information and perhaps even making arrangements for emergency access so that valuable time is not lost in a medical crisis situation. The Cathedral can easily keep such records on file in our database and/or in our member information files (which are physical records kept in a locked drawer and are thus not available online). If you would like an emergency contact form, please let Joe Anand-Obleton or I know. 

Grant Request
Through much of 2022, several members of the Cathedral community participated in a development project for all Episcopal congregations in Indiana called Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships (CBCP). Key aspects of this process involved reviewing and refining our mission, taking stock of our assets (both existing and potential), evaluating the needs of the community around us, and working towards collaborative partnerships. One of the bonuses for participating in this process is eligibility to apply for a grant of up to $10,000 to help kick-start a project. 

As part of our process, the Cathedral hosted a community round-table at which we invited several leaders from local government, business, service organizations, and the University of Notre Dame to tour our facilities and help us imagine how and with whom we might extend our ministry. One of the things we learned that day was that South Bend is one of the largest cities in our nation that does not have a test-kitchen where start-up bakeries, restaurants, caterers, etc., can develop recipes and menus while developing a business plan. This situation was highlighted yet again when it was reported over the summer that there were no local test-kitchens where would-be vendors at Fusion Fest could prepare samples for the festival organizers. Further, we have increasingly bumped into the limitations of our current kitchen as a place of hospitality for parish events, for expanded collaborative ministry with St. Margaret's House, and for Shortcakes on the Blacktop, which has seen production move almost entirely to First Presbyterian Church in the past few years. 

All of this got us thinking, "What if we use our grant request to propose re-equipping the Cathedral kitchen for all of these wonderful possibilities?" Which is precisely what we have done. In reality, $10,000 does not go very far in the commercial kitchen world, so even if we get the full amount - which is unlikely according to CBCP's general statements concerning grants - it will pay for a new convection oven and about half a six-burner range. We would also like a new dishwasher, and in order to pass a health inspection, we need to install a dedicated hand washing station somewhere in the kitchen.

But we're starting. Couple that with full-accessibility which is - hopefully - right around the proverbial corner, and a whole new world of ministry opportunities will open for the Cathedral. This is exciting.

Thank you so much to Kim Gray and Liz Burman, in particular, for their work on the grant proposal.

Also Coming Soon

  • New front doors (mid-October is the new revised estimate), new signs, and the removal of the old sign from the side of Cathedral House. Thank you Dave Woods for your persistence through these projects. By the way, if you haven't looked at the new doors at the side entrance of the church and the old chapel entrance, they're absolutely beautiful (and don't require an NFL linebacker to open and close). Thank you so much to Will Campbell for the finishing work on that project.

  • A totally refurbished working sacristy, complete with all new cabinetry, countertops, sinks, and a couple of coats of paint for the first time in 60 years, give or take 15. Thank you Mike McCrea, Rick Hilliard, Kirk Philippsen, Dave Woods, and Matthew Worns for your construction prowess and Gay McCrea for your designer's eye.

Cathedral Ministry Opportunities
Once more, for your review and consideration, here is a list of every ministry I can think of going on at the Cathedral. I would like to crowd source four things:

1) If there is an existing ministry that is not on this list, please let me know.
2) If there is a ministry that should exist but doesn't yet (like visitor follow-up or new member incorporation), please let me know.
3) If you are in charge of something on this list, could you please email me a one or two sentence description of that particular ministry along with who and how to contact someone for more information or to get involved, that would be exceptionally helpful.
4) If there is a ministry on this list that interests you, please let me know!

Sunday Worship
Acolytes (Servers)
Altar Guild (Sacristans)
Choir
Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic Visitors
Greeters
Hospitality Hosts
Readers (Lectors)
Ushers

Christian Formation
Adult Forum
Confirmation
Education for Ministry
Growing in Our Worship 
  - Participants  (Pre-K—2nd Grade)
  - Leaders
Julian of Norwich Reflection Group
Raising Cane Bible Study
Story Makers
  - Participants  (3rd Grade—6th Grade)
  - Leaders
Youth Group
  - Participants  (7th Grade—12th Grade)
  - Leaders

Prayer, Fellowship, and Service
Brotherhood of St. Andrew
Buildings & Grounds
Butterfly Garden
Counters
Daughters of the King
Dining-Out Group
Folders
God Outside
Pizza Fellowship
Receptions
Renovation Project Crew (Matthew & the Retirees)

Administration & Leadership
Cathedral Chapter
Chapter Ad Hoc Work Groups
  - Fiscal & Operational Health
  - Parish Well-Being & Spiritual Health
  - Community Partnerships & Outreach
  - Gather & Grow Capital Project
Finance Committee
Stewardship Team

Community Partnerships
South Bend Houses of Worship District Project
St. Margaret’s House
United Religious Community

Thank you!
Brian


Upcoming Events


Cathedral Calendar

This Week at CSJ

Sunday, September 24
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
  Year A, Proper 20, Track 2
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
12:00 pm  Youth Group
2:00 pm CROP Hunger Walk

Monday, September 25
Administrative Offices Closed
No Events Scheduled

Tuesday, September 26
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
5:30 pm Chapter Meeting

Wednesday, September 27
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
8:30 am  Cathedral Staff Meeting
9:30 am  Raising Cane Bible Study
  Call (425) 436-6335; Access Code 782266
2:00 pm  Mary Fran Brandenberger Retirement Open House
  St. Margaret's House, until 4 pm
7:00 pm  Cathedral Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, September 28
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
6:30 pm  Pizza Fellowship  Chivo's Pizza

Friday, September 29
Administrative Offices: Closed
12:05 pm  Holy Eucharist
6:00 pm  Chau-Ly Phan & Matthew Diehl
  Wedding Rehearsal

Saturday, September 30
3:00 pm  Chau-Ly Phan & Matthew Diehl Wedding

Sunday, October 1
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
  Year A, Proper 21, Track 2
8:00 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am Intergenerational Formation
10:30 am  Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am  Hospitality
12:00 pm  Youth Group

Looking Ahead

Sunday, October 8
Ecumenical Bible Study

Thursday, October 12
Julian Reflection Group

Thursday, October 26
Julian Reflection Group
Dining Out Group


Making Sunday Worship Happen

Sunday, September 24
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Year A, Proper 20 Track Two

8:00 am  Lector  Gregg Richardson
8:00 am  Eucharistic Minister  Nan Noecker

10:30 am Lectors  Dominic Vitale-Richards & Julie Martindale
10:30 am Server  Kirk Philippsen
10:30 am Eucharistic Ministers  Kirk Philippsen & Joe Ross
10:30 am Ushers  Nicole Pinter & Dave Woods
10:30 am Hospitality  Daughters of the King

Counters: Tuesday, September 26: Donna Woods & Liz Burman
Folder: Friday, September 29: Shela Raman McCabe

Flowers: The flowers adorning the altar this Sunday are given by David & Donna Woods in thanksgiving for their 49th wedding anniversary.
   
Volunteers Needed
Sunday, October 1
8:00 am Eucharistic Minister
10:30 am Acolyte

Sunday, October 8
8:00 am  Lay Minister
10:30 am Usher


For Your Prayers

  • For the repose of the soul of Milo Wietstock, father of Dr. Steven Wietstock, who died last Saturday at his residence in Bismarck, North Dakota. May his soul, and the souls of the all the departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon him. Please pray also for Steve, Deacon Anne, and the entire Wietstock family.

  • For the repose of the soul of Mary Evelyn Burman, sister of Tom Burman. Please pray for Tom and Liz, Tom's mother, the Burman family, and all who mourn.

  • For Connor Gibbons

  • For Olivia, who has leukemia, and her family.

  • For Sheila & family.

  • For Amber.

  • For the repose of the soul of Omotayo Olutoye, mother of Bunmi Okanlami. 

  • For Sandy.

  • For John G.

  • For Dede.

  • For John Monroe, brother of Sue Fain.

  • For Pat, who is working in California until November, and Shela.

  • Caitlin H.

  • Steve B.

  • Cherryl Andries.

  • The LaFiero family.

  • Sharron McGowan.

  • Kara.

  • Bernard.

  • Rhonda.

  • Tammy, daughter of Tony Molnar.

  • Alan Thompson.

  • Peju, Bunmi, and the Okanlami family.

  • Gina Dudeck & Dale Brucki.

  • Gussie Wietstock, mother 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.

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

Joe Anand-Obleton