eConnections - December 15, 2023
eConnections
Notes & News from the Cathedral of Saint James
December 15, 2023
The Dean's List
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...
1) Christmas, Part One. Wreaths and garlands were delivered yesterday to their holding place in the vesting sacristy. We will put them up in the church following the 10:30 am service this coming Sunday. We will need help taking down the Stations of the Cross and figuring out how to wire the garlands in place, so please don't be shy about lending a hand. Let's all go a-caroling afterwards, too!
2) Christmas, Part Two. Poinsettias will be delivered this coming week. They will move into the church - along with the creche - following Fourth Sunday of Advent services on Sunday, December 24. We'll need help moving poinsettias and retrieving the creche from storage.
3) Easter, more than Christmas, truth be told. I know winter will find us eventually, but in the meantime its fickle, gray, 'tweener weather through the whole extended forecast. Remember last year when our Midnight Christmas Eve Service was snowed out? There doesn't seem to be any danger of that whatsoever this year.
Requiescat in Pace: Ginger Bitner
Ginger Bitner, who was a regular at our 8 am service along with her husband, Rich, until both a progressive illness and the pandemic interrupted her attendance, died this past Sunday while in hospice care. May her soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon her. A committal service will be held at an undetermined date. Please keep Rich and the rest of the Bitner family in your prayers.
Read her obituary here.
Northern Indiana & Indianapolis Discernment
You may (or may not) be aware that the two Episcopal dioceses in Indiana are currently engaged in a discernment process to explore possibilities of collaborative ministry or reunification (there was only one diocese in Indiana until 1899). This process is being facilitated by the Reunification Discernment Committee, which is comprised of lay and clergy representatives from each diocese. The Reunification Discernment Team is hard at work and has several resources available and events coming up!
Visit the Episcopal Indiana Reunification Discernment website to stay up to date on the work of the committee and to view related documents including the committee's report to Diocesan Convention.
As part of their ongoing deliberations, the Reunification Discernment Committee invites you to register for an upcoming listening session in which you will have an opportunity to share potential benefits you see, concerns you have, and dreams you hold for the Episcopal Church in Indiana. These meetings will be held via Zoom. All times listed are in the Eastern time zone.
Listening Session 1 - January 10, 7-8 p.m.
Listening Session 2 - January 16, 7-8 p.m.
Listening Session 3 - January 22, 7-8 p.m.
Listening Session 4 - January 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Listening Session 5 - February 1, 7-8 p.m.
Listening Session 6 (clergy only) - February 7, 2-3 p.m.
Let Us Pray
At the Friday Noon Eucharist on December 1, we observed the feast of Nicholas Ferrar, a 17th century businessman, politician, and - ultimately - deacon and person of deep prayer. You can read more about Nicholas here. In a nutshell, after failed investments in the Virginia Company and a brief, disillusioning stint in Parliament, Ferrar and his family, largely relieved of the family's fortune, retreated to an abandoned chapel at Little Gidding, where they began to pattern lives of prayer in accordance with the rhythms of the Book of Common Prayer. It was striking to me that the family committed to having someone at prayer in the chapel at all times - every hour of every day and every night. In time, Little Gidding, though never an official monastic community, developed a reputation for being a refuge where nobles and commoners alike could seek prayer and guidance.
So I began to wonder.
This coming Lent, could the Cathedral community, with a nod to Little Gidding, commit ourselves to even two hours of prayer in the Cathedral every day from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday? Yes, we can extend this to participation from home for those who cannot be present physically, but there is something vitally important about places that are immersed in prayer, so I am hoping that there will actually be one of more people praying at the Cathedral. How will this work? I don't know that yet. But in a year with so many major events in the church and the world, this feels like a holy nudge to prioritize prayer and prayerful space.
If you have any ideas, please let me know. If you'd like to hear more, please let me know. And if you'd like to sign on, please let me know.
2024 Annual Meeting
We have a date in mind but have not yet confirmed it with our keynote speaker, so please stay tuned. In the meantime, though, we are looking for one more person to serve a two-year term on the Cathedral Chapter. Please speak with Liz Burman or me for more information or nomination. To serve on the Chapter, you must be Confirmed, at least 16 years old, and a contributor of record of time, talent, and/or treasure.
2024 Chili Contest
Saturday, January 27 from 5 pm - 7 pm in Cathedral Hall
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 14
which is also Valentine's Day. The jokes just write themselves.
And Finally
There is a possibility that we will be able to hire a priest on a quarter-time basis to take the reins as Assistant to the Dean for Christian Formation. This person would not be able to start until next summer but, if it works out, it would be an answer not only to our post-Steven Slaubaugh prayers, but also - potentially - as an answer to prayers for continuous coverage during my sabbatical leave.
I bring this up not only because I'm excited by the prospect, but also to highlight that strong support of the 2024 budget makes it possible for us to even have this conversation. Every pledge counts, and knowing we have financial backing for our ministry priorities allows us to move forward with confidence and faith not only to sustain, but to grow. Thank you.
Blessings,
Brian
Support Cathedral Ministry: Pledge Online
SMH December Outreach
Upcoming Events
Last Opportunity
Givelify
Support Cathedral Ministry
Sponsor Altar Flowers or
Christmas Poinsettias & Greens
Give to Care & Share
or the Clergy Discretionary Fund
Check out the Gather & Grow project Facebook page.
Cathedral Calendar
This Week at CSJ
Sunday, December 17
The Third Sunday of Advent
Year B, Advent 3
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 One
11:45 am Hospitality Hour
12:00 pm Youth Group
12:00 pm The Greening of the Church
1:00 pm Cookies & Carols
Monday, December 18
Administrative Offices Closed
7:00 pm Education for Ministry
Tuesday, December 19
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
No Events Scheduled
Wednesday, December 20
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
9:30 am Raising Cane Bible Study
Call (425) 426-6335; Access Code 782266
7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, December 21
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
8:30 am Staff Meeting
Friday, December 22
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm Holy Eucharist
Saturday, December 23
No Events Scheduled
Sunday, December 24
The Fourth Sunday of Advent (AM)
Christmas Eve (PM)
Year B, Advent 4
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
11:45 am Hospitality Hour & Adorning of the Church
5:00 pm Family Christmas Celebration
11:00 pm Contemplative Candlelight Christmas
Looking Ahead
Sunday, December 24
Advent IV Services
Adorning of the Church
- Poinsettias & Creche
Family Christmas Celebration
Contemplative Candlelight Service
Monday, December 25
Christmas Day Eucharist
Making Sunday Worship Happen
Sunday, December 17
The Third Sunday of Advent
8:00 am Lector Jane Hunter
8:00 am Eucharistic Minister Nan Noecker
10:30 am Lectors Celeste Hilliard & Tamisyn Grantz
10:30 am Server Volunteer Needed
10:30 am Eucharistic Ministers Bunmi Okanlami & Stephen Drendall
10:30 am Ushers Keith LaPierre & Volunteer Needed
10:30 am Hospitality Mtr. Tina Velthuizen
Counters: Tuesday, December 19: Mary Lehman & Peg Swadener
Folder: Friday, December 22: DeDe Guth
Volunteers Needed
Sunday, December 24
10:30 am Acolyte
10:30 am Usher
Sunday,. December 31
8:00 am Lay Minister
For Your Prayers
For those in this Christmas season who experience loneliness, depression, anxiety, fear, and sadness; and for those for whom the abundance of Christmas for others is a reminder of their own poverty.
For those who are traveling.
For Dan Demler, Sr.
For Tim Haywood, who is currently receiving treatment for bladder cancer; and for Janice Haywood.
For the repose of the soul of Ginger Bitner. Please pray for Rich Bitner and their family, as well.
For the repose of the soul of Gloria Henry.
For Davion, who is paralyzed.
For Allison & Shane, who are expecting a child in a higher-risk pregnancy.
For Suzanne, who has pneumonia.
For Jo Dorsch.
For continued healing for Jim Mostrom, (twin) brother of Deacon Anne Wietstock.
For Grace Yakes, niece of Mtr. Tina Velthuizen, who is suffering from an abdominal ailment.
For Tamisyn Grantz.
For Connor Gibbons
For Olivia, who has leukemia, and her family.
For Sheila & family.
For Vince.
For Amber.
For Sandy.
For John G.
For Dede.
For John Monroe, brother of Sue Fain.
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.
Gussie Wietstock, mother of Steve Wietstock.
Mike Jaworski, and Lisa.
Marilyn Klopfenstein.
Tony Molnar.
Dan & Gail Mandell.
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; Richard Bitner.
Al Caparell; Tony Lemna; Mike; Denise & Demetrius.
For those awaiting the birth or adoption of a child: Christopher & Andrew Hillak.