eConnections - January 18, 2026
Click here to read the complete January 18, 2026, edition of eConnections with graphics.
eConnections
The Weekend of the Second Sunday after the Epiphany
(Year A, Epiphany 2)
January 18, 2026
The Dean's List
Annual Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place this Sunday, January 18, beginning at Noon. Join us in Cathedral Hall for a pot-luck lunch (please bring a side, salad, or dessert if you can) followed by our business meeting. This year we elect a Senior Warden, four Chapter members, and two Delegates and one Alternate Delegate to Diocesan Convention.
Note: The two bottom shelves in the Cathedral Kitchen refrigerator are empty and available for food storage prior to the Annual Meeting.
Here’s the line up:
Senior Warden
Hal Culbertson completes an unexpired term (Liz Burman).
Rick Hilliard is the nominee for Senior Warden (vote for one).
Junior Warden
Eric McManus continues his first term.
Chapter
Betsy VanderBurg completes her second term; Chris Gibson completes an unexpired term (Hal Culbertson); Matthew Diehl and Al Whitfield complete their first terms.
Patty Hans continues her second term, Andy Helfrich, Cindy Laney, and Erica Vitale continue their first terms.
Nominated in advance for two-year Chapter terms are: Catherine Craker, Daniel Davis, Chris Gibson, Jane Hunter, Jodi Kallenberg, and Al Whitfield (vote for four).
Delegates to Diocesan Convention
Tamisyn Grantz, Jane Hunter, Betsy VanderBurg, and Steven Wietstock complete terms. (Steven Wietstock was the elected alternate, but served in place of Jane Hunter.)
Nominated in advance for one-year terms are: Tamisyn Grantz, Christopher Hillak, and Steven Wietstock (vote for two; the third delegate is elected by Chapter from its membership).
Treasurer
Peg Swadener is stepping down as Cathedral Treasurer at the end of the current Chapter term on February 28. Christopher HIllak has agreed to serve as the new Cathedral Treasurer.
A Not-So-Easy Spiritual Exercise
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is bookended by the feasts of the Confession of St. Peter (January 18) and the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25), both of which are pushed back one day this year due to their occurrence on Sunday. Peter and Paul have come down to us through history as something of a matched set, not only commemorated each January for these major faith moments, but also sharing a feast day on June 29. Their pairing is important. Peter and Paul not only represent archetypal conversion experiences - gradual and tentative for Peter; sudden and dramatic for Paul - both are foundational figures in Christianity and both were instrumental in the Gentile mission that extended the faith to all people everywhere who were moved to embrace it. It is hard for us to imagine the enormity of that change; Gentiles were believed to be beyond God's scope of interest, let alone saving grace. Recognizing the movement of the Holy Spirit rather than one's pedigree as the basis for faith and belonging was a mind-bending innovation. Further, it is also true that, prior to his conversion, Paul had both the authority and inclination to persecute Christians for their perceived apostasy and likely would have had Peter put to death if he'd had the chance.
The week of Prayer for Christian Unity arises from this entire context. One-time mortal enemies became co-laborers for Christ. Those once thought to be without hope were brought into the fold of God. The Holy Spirit was (and is!) at work in the world in a powerful way, drawing the most unlikely people together in faith. I was reminded again today in our recitation of Psalm 23 at the Noon Eucharist that the line "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" is not about feasting while one's foes are lurking all around, but rather about God finding a way to draw everyone to the table. It is a vision of a peaceable kingdom, one that likely feels unattainable to us. And yet, by the grace of God, we are given from the outset a most unlikely dynamic duo in Peter and Paul.
So the spiritual exercise in this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is this: who in your life today could you not even remotely imagine sitting down with at table? Try to think of someone different each day from now through next Sunday. Then pray for that person. Your prayer may not be pretty or polite or even possible to put into words. Don't worry about that. God knows your heart, anyway, so an honest prayer is absolutely fine no matter how it takes shape in your head. And you don't have to pray for an answer or a miracle or any resolution at all, really. Just pray, placing whoever it may be before God - placing yourself before God - and acknowledging the brokenness we seem to be swimming in of late. Then - and this is particularly important - pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you, guard you, and guide you.
Special prayers of intention will be added to the Prayers of the People on January 25 and I, along with a DoK intercessory prayer team, will be available after both services to pray with anyone who so desires it.
Discretionary Tales
The Cathedral of Saint James provided over $33,000 in direct assistance to more than 300 individuals in 2025. Thanks to a $4,500 grant from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, we were able to double the number of people we assist from 30 to 60 in November, December, and January, also increasing the amount from $50 to $75 per person in December. Through the extraordinary efforts of Al & Norris Whitfield and the Fellowship of St. John, we began offering 50 boxed breakfasts per month to those waiting in line. And at the initiative of Joe Anand-Obleton, we now offer to pray with all who come to us, with most people taking us up on it.
Thank you to everyone who supports this important ministry.
Blessings all,
Brian
Worship
re:Connections
Formation & Spirituality
Outreach & Evangelism
Cathedral Calendar
Saturday, January 17 Antony of Egypt
No Events Scheduled
Sunday, January 18
Year A: The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am
Through the Years Intergenerational Event
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
12:00
Annual Parish Meeting
Monday, January 19
Cathedral Office: Closed
6:30 pm
Education for Ministry
7:30 pm
Indiana (Huzzah!) vs. Miami (Fie!)
Tuesday, January 20 Fabian
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
No Events Scheduled
Wednesday, January 21 Agnes & Cecilia
Cathedral Office: 9 am - 1:30 pm
5:30 pm
Daughters of the King
7:00 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Lay Input Session on Indiana Reunification Process
Thursday, January 22 Vincent
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
No Events Scheduled
RSVP Deadline for 1/29 Dining Out Group
Friday, January 23 Phillips Brooks
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm
Holy Eucharist
1:00 pm
Community Lunch at Grill 362
Saturday, January 24 Florence Li Tim-Oi
10:00 am
Lay Input Session on Indiana Reunification Process
Sunday, January 25
Year A: The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:00 am
Intercessory Prayer
9:15 am
Adult Forum
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45
Intercessory Prayer
Hospitality
Youth Group
12:30 pm
The Fellowship of Saint John
Cathedral Prayer List
Collect for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Anniversaries & Birthdays
01/19 Pete Buttigieg
01/21 Bill Young
01/22 Abby Gray
01/22 Al Whitfield
01/23 Tamisyn Grantz
01/23 Mike Jaworski
01/24 Cynthia Katsarelis & Rebecca Maloy
For Your Prayers
☩ For the Repose of the Soul
For those who have departed this life, and for their families mourning their loss:
Nancy Colburn (cousin on Randy Colburn)
Cecilia Mary Beattie Hassert (goddaughter of Liz & Tom Burman)
The Rev. Paul John Tracy
Jim Arns (Friend of Sherry Berkley)
☩ For Those in Need of Healing & Recovery
For those facing illness, surgery, or physical distress:
Mary Beth Wright (recovering after a fall)
Tim Lane, (son-in-law of Karen Slack, recovering from shoulder surgery)
Joe Anand-Obelton (recovering from surgery)
Joni Carlson (continuing treatment)
David (thyroid cancer)
James Ellar (high school classmate of Mike Jaworski, cancer recurrence)
Gideon and his family (healing)
Olivia (leukemia) and for her family
Robin & Laurie (healing from health issues)
☩ For Strength, Guidance, & Comfort
For those seeking spiritual support and peace:
Cynthia Katsarelis & Rebecca Maloy (peace and strength)
Derek (guidance)
Billy Hans (comfort in grief)
Joseph Hilliard (strength & guidance)
Joyce (strength & guidance)
Marshall Moore (strength & guidance)
☩ General Intercessions
For friends, family, and members of the community:
Cherryl Andries
The Ashby Family: Shaun, Shirley, and Roland
Richard Bitner
Mary Brooks
Alissa Broussara
Mary M. Burman
Al Caparell; Tony Lemna; Mike; Denise & Demetrius
Joni Carlson's brother
Cobie (Tina Velthuizen’s sister)
The Demler and Martindale families
Jo Dorsch
Anne Ford
Paula Fowler
Connor Gibbons
Julie Guiler (DeDe’s Stepdaughter)
Ron Gunn
Tim Haywood and Janice
Joshua Henderson (brother of Chris Henderson)
Rick Hillard
Mike Jaworski and Lisa
The Jeter Family: Jamie, Mimi, Joely, Mia, and the entire family
Bill Jones and his family
Charles Kegg
Joan Machatton
Dan & Gail Mandell
Joyce Marchant
Fred & Kate Mast
Sharron McGowan
Megan (Dr. Steve Wietstock's niece)
Michael (son of Diane Hoist) and his family
Elaine Mick
Tony Molnar
Richard Murphy Jr. and Jill Bird
Daniel & Amy Petry (parents of Amanda Helfrich)
The Proffitt and Hillman families
Carolynn Raney
Sheila & family
Karen Slack
Kevin Smith
Alan Thompson
Mthr. Tina Velthuizen
Deb Walter (friend of Sherry Berkley)
Kitty Ward
Willow Grace Wilson
Bill Young (Catherine Craker’s Father)
Donnie Zigler
☩ 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.
Ministry Schedule
Sunday, January 18
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am
Reader Jane Hunter
Server Daniel Armounfelder
10:30 am
Readers Celeste Hilliard & Mary Beth Wright
Eucharistic Ministers Rick Hilliard, Bunmi Banjo
Ushers Keith LaPierre, Erica Vitale
Acolytes Cynthia Katsarelis, Jack Laney, Ainsley Gray
Hospitality Canon Tina Velthuizen
Linens Celeste Hilliard
Sacristan Betsy VanderBurg
Tuesday, January 20
Counters Mary Lehman & Peg Swadener
Friday, January 23
Folder Norris Whitfield