eConnections - February 8, 2026
Click here to view the complete February 8, 2026, edition of eConnections with graphics.
eConnections
The Weekend of the Penultimate Sunday after the Epiphany
(Year A, Epiphany 5)
February 8, 2026
Worship
re:Connections
Formation & Spirituality
Missed the first session? No worries. The second session stands on its own. Join us this coming Thursday to learn about our the sacramental way in which Episcopalians engage not just worship, but the world. Also - an audio recording of the first session is available upon request. Just send an email to dean@stjamessouthbend.org.
Outreach & Evangelism
Advocacy for the Homeless
Cathedral member Eliana Armounfelder writes:
Much to my dismay, SB285 has passed the Indiana Senate into the House of Representatives. This bill would criminalize unsheltered homelessness. Here’s a link to the bill and here’s a link to find your legislator. The current action item is to call your state representative and tell them to vote no on SB 285. Please call (it’s generally taken more seriously than emails), please call multiple times, and please pass on this info to your networks. Arresting people for being homeless does not help people exit homelessness, especially when there are not enough shelter beds or affordable housing for everyone sleeping outside. And we Hoosiers care about our community members who are homeless! Similar policies were suggested multiple times last year and overwhelmingly rejected by our communities. Here are some ideas of things to say when calling:
This is the third year similar legislation has been put forward. It is linked to the Cierco Institute, a Texas-based lobby group connected to private prisons. Hoosiers do not want this and have made that clear repeatedly by overwhelming advocacy against it, yet our legislature keeps bringing it forward. It will benefit out-of-state private prison corporations, not Indiana.
This bill includes language which restricts municipalities from resisting enforcement of this law, another way that this is being pushed on Indiana communities who want to care for our community members in need rather than locking them up. In fact, it enables the State Attorney General to sue cities who they perceive to be insufficiently complying. Why are we pitting our state government against Indiana communities?
Conviction histories make it harder for people to end their experience of homelessness by making it harder for them to find a job or housing. Additionally, communities don’t have enough shelter beds and affordable housing to actually provide an alternative to sleeping outside. This bill will do nothing to decrease need for housing, it will just punish the people who have nowhere to go. Outreach workers in our communities talk regularly to people sleeping outside in sub-zero temperatures. Does our legislature think people would be in that situation if they had another option?
For bill details, click here.
To find your representative: click here.
Cathedral Calendar
Saturday, February 7
No Events Scheduled
Sunday, February 8
Year A: The Fifth 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
Newcomer Welcome Lunch & Information Session
Fellowship of Saint John
Monday, February 9
Cathedral Office: Closed
6:00 pm
Education for Ministry
Tuesday, February 10 Scholastica
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
5:30 pm
Finance Committee
Wednesday, February 11 The Consecration of Barbara Harris
Cathedral Office: 9 am - 1:30 pm
7:00 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, February 12 Theodora
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
6:00 pm
Prayer Book Spirituality Class
Friday, February 13 Absalom Jones
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm
Holy Eucharist
1:00 pm
Community Lunch at Grill 362
Saturday, February 14
10:00 am
God Outside Winter Hike
Potato Creek State Park
Sunday, February 15
Year A: The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am
Adult Forum
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45
Hospitality
Youth Group
1:00 pm
St. Margaret's House Winter Walk
Cathedral Prayer List
Collect for the Fifth Sunday
after the Epiphany
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Anniversaries & Birthdays
02/04 Andy Helfrich
02/13 Anne Montgomery
02/13 Dcn. Anne Wietstock
For Your Prayers
☩ In Thanksgiving...
for a good diagnosis and outcome for Robin Earley.
for the confirmation of Sarah Elisabeth Mullally as the 106th (and first female) Archbishop of Canterbury. May her ministry, with God’s help, heal our divisions and strengthen the mission of the Church.
During this Black History Month, we lift our hearts in joyful thanksgiving for the vibrant lives, courageous witness, and enduring soul of the Black community. We celebrate the resilient spirit that flourishes with grace and the communities that continue to lead with hope and strength.
☩ For the Repose of the Soul
For those who have departed this life, and for their families mourning their loss:
Nancy Colburn (cousin of Randy Colburn)
☩ For Those in Need of Healing & Recovery
For those facing illness, surgery, or physical distress:
Willow Grace Wilson
Joshua Henderson (brother of Chris Henderson)
Rebecca Maloy
Michael Anand-Obelton
Mary Brooks
Kevin Renfro (our guest trumpeter)
Steven Mast
Mary Beth Wright (recovering after a fall)
Tim Lane, (son-in-law of Karen Slack, recovering from shoulder surgery)
Joni Carlson (continuing treatment)
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:
Derek (guidance)
Billy Hans (health & guidance)
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
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
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
Bill Young (Catherine Craker’s Father)
Donnie Zigler
☩ For Those Preparing for Holy Orders
Nan Noecker (Diaconate)
☩ World, National, and Local Community Concerns
In our Nation, currently torn by fear, oppression, and strife, may Christ bring peace, healing, and unity.
For all travelers, especially those traveling in dangerous weather conditions. May they be protected from all danger and arrive safely at their destinations.
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, February 8
The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am
Reader Patty Hans
Server Mary Young-Marcks
10:30 am
Readers Steven Mast & Peg Swadener
Eucharistic Ministers Helene Dauerty, Ed Randles
Ushers Keith LaPierre, Michael Worns
Acolytes Cynthia Katsarelis, Kirk Philippsen, Matthew Worns
Hospitality Lisa Philippsen
Linens DeDe Guth
Sacristan Betsy VanderBurg
Wednesday, February 11
Counters Sue Lowe & Betsy VanderBurg
Friday, February 13
Folder DeDe Guth
Cathedral Leadership
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