eConnections - March 29, 2026
Click here to view the complete March 29, 2026, edition of eConnections with graphics.
eConnections
The Weekend of the Sunday of the Passion
of Our Lord Jesus Christ:
Palm Sunday
(Year A, Palm Sunday)
March 29, 2026
The Dean's List
Holy Week
In Holy Week we walk with Jesus from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem through his final prayers and instructions to his disciples, his agonizing prayers in the garden at Gethsemane, his betrayal, arrest, trial, and torment, his brutal death on the cross, and his burial. While the Palm Sunday liturgy encompasses the whole drama, the services of Holy Week—particularly the Triduum, or sacred three days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday—slow down the story and invite our participation in very meaningful ways. I invite you to walk with Jesus through this Holy Week.
Holy Week & Easter Ministry Schedule
It is a bit of unfortunate timing that Holy Week & Easter fall in the first week of the second quarter of 2026, which means that the new ministry schedule has just been published. It is a bit more unfortunate that Holy Week & Easter fall during Spring Break for many local schools, which means lots of people are traveling. And it is most unfortunate that our software apparently did not work as expected to notify anyone of upcoming assignments on the schedule.
Please, please, please check the ministry schedule below to make sure you are available to any assigned ministries. And please, please, please volunteer to cover any substitute requests generated by Ministry Scheduler Pro for which you are available.
The Bishop's Visitation
Bishop Doug Sparks will make his official visitation to the Cathedral of Saint James on Sunday, April 12. The Bishop will preach and preside at both services - receiving Adam Bosler into the Episcopal fold at the 10:30 service - and he and I will lead the Adult Forum at 9:15 am to discuss transition in the Diocese of Northern Indiana (and whatever else is on your mind). Please join us for this celebration!
Steven Wietstock's 20th Anniversary
Steve Wietstock begin his ministry at the Cathedral of Saint James during Holy Week in 2006. We will celebrate two decades of Steve's life, love, and labors on behalf of the Cathedral community during the month of April. If you would like to contribute to a purse to help him celebrate the occasion, that would be wonderful! You can donate using the Givelify app or by sending a check to Steven Mast at the Cathedral.
Donate here.
Freddy & Bear
Team 586E Easy Breezy from Plymouth High School featuring Freddy Kallenberg and Team 587V Volcanoes from Lincoln Middle School featuring Bear Kallenberg recently earned spots in the VEX Robotics World Championship in St. Louis next month. Way to go, Kallenbergs! You can read more about it here.
Assistance Ministry
Last fall - you may recall - SNAP benefits were suspended, then reduced as the result of a federal budget impasse. In a truly generous response, the Diocese of Northern Indiana offered grants to congregations in our diocese to help alleviate the resulting financial distress among the poor. The Cathedral requested and received a grant for $4,500, thus allowing us to double our outreach through our monthly Assistance Ministry. In November we were able to give $50 to 60 people rather than our usual 30 people, and in December we increased the amount to $75 for 60 people to offer a little extra boost around the holidays. Through the generosity of the Cathedral congregation and some friends around our diocese who were led to support this ministry, we were able to continue giving $50 to 60 people in January and February before reducing that number to 50 people in March. In writing my grant report to the Diocese this past week, I added up our total distribution of direct assistance to the poor and homeless in our community since November 1, 2025: $16,950. That is an astounding number. Not included in that total is breakfast for 50 which we provide every month, also funded through the Discretionary Fund and orchestrated by the Fellowship of Saint John. And impossible to include in any number are the conversations and prayers we share with our guests.
I am also pleased to let you know that we are now partnering with LITE Recovery (Living in Transition Effectively) who join us onsite on Assistance Day to be available to anyone who wishes to learn about addition recovery resources for themselves or others.
Also, in that same period, we offered roughly $2,000 in discretionary assistance to members of the Cathedral congregation.
All of which is to say "Thank You." Your generosity is making an enormous impact.
Blessings,
Brian
Holy Week Worship
Ministry Schedule Holy Week & Easter Sunday
Sunday, March 29
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
8:00 am
Reader Kate Lee
Server Mary Young-Marcks
Passion Gospel Readers
Deacon Anne Narrator
Jared Fernley Jesus
Mary Young-Marcks Reader 1
Deacon Clay Reader 2
10:30 am
Readers Christopher HIllak & Kirk Philippsen
Passion Gospel Readers
Tamisyn Grantz Narrator
Amanda Helfrich Jesus
Andy Helfrich Reader 1
Sherry Berkley Reader 2
Eucharistic Ministers Bunmi Banjo, Cynthia Katsarelis
Ushers Matthew Worns, Michael Worns
Acolytes Ainsley Gray, Freddy Kallenberg, Zeke Kallenberg
Hospitality Lisa Philippsen
Linens Cindy Laney
Sacristan Cindy Foley
Tuesday, March 31
Counters DeDe Guth, Peg Swadener
Thursday, April 2: Maundy Thursday
7:00 pm
Readers Paul Hochstetler & Michael Marcks
Eucharistic Ministers Tim Gray, Rick Hilliard
Usher Mike McCrea
Acolytes Bear Kallenberg, Ainsley Gray, Tim Gray
Friday, April 3: Good Friday
Folder DeDe Guth
12:00 pm
Readers Volunteers Needed
Eucharistic Ministers Steven Mast, Betsy VanderBurg
Acolytes Zeke Kallenberg, Aley Vitale-Richards
Sunday, April 5: Easter Sunday
10:00 am
Readers Celeste Hilliard & Steven Mast
Eucharistic Ministers Bunmi Banjo, Cherry Radin
Ushers Mike McCrea, Erica Vitale
Acolytes Jack Laney, Kirk Philippsen, Cynthia Katsarelis
Hospitality Cindy Laney
Linens Deborah Drendall
Sacristan Volunteer Needed
Formation & Spirituality
Outreach & Evangelism
Lent
Cathedral Calendar
Saturday, March 28 James Solomon Russell
No Events Scheduled
(at the Cathedral; there's plenty going on around the Diocese)
Sunday, March 29
Year A: The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
8:00 am
The Liturgy of the Palms, The Passion Gospel,
& Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am
Through the Years: Palm Cross Making
10:30 am
The Liturgy of the Palms, The Passion Gospel,
& Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am
Hospitality
Youth Group
2:00 pm
Love Rules: Palm Sunday Action
beginning at Howard Park
Monday, March 30 Monday in Holy Week
Cathedral Office: Closed
6:00 pm
Never Read the Comments: A Service of Lamentation & Hope
in An Age of Animosity
6:00 pm
Education for Ministry
Tuesday, March 31 Tuesday in Holy Week
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
5:30 pm
Evening Prayer
Wednesday, April 1 Patricia Cakeus
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
8:30 am
Assistance Ministry
5:30 pm
Evening Prayer
7:00 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, March 26: Maundy Thursday
Cathedral Office Hours: by appointment
Joe Anand-Obleton out of the office
7:00 pm
Proper Liturgy for Maundy Thursday
Foot Washing, Holy Eucharist, Stripping of the Altar
Watch at the Altar of Repose
Friday, March 27: Good Friday
Cathedral Office Hours: by appointment
Joe Anand-Obleton out of the office
11:00 am
Watch at the Altar of Repose
12:00 pm
Proper Liturgy for Good Friday
Veneration of the Cross, Solemn Collects
Communion from Reserved Sacrament
3:00 pm
Stations of the Cross
Saturday, March 28: Holy Saturday
10:00 am
Altar Guild Preparations for Easter Sunday
Saturday, March 28: Easter Eve
8:30 pm
The Great Vigil of Easter
St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Doug Sparks, presiding
The Rev. Jen Fulton, preaching
Following the Vigil
The Easter Feast
Sunday, March 29: Easter Sunday
Year A: The Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Sunday
10:00 am
Festal Easter Eucharist
11:15 am
Hospitality
Cathedral Prayer List
Collect for Passion Sunday
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Anniversaries & Birthdays
03/30 Karen Gray
03/30 Chau-Ly Phan
04/01 Nancy Ross
04/01 Pat Simpkins (96)
04/04 Wendy Chapman
04/04 Geri Solbeck (102)
For Your Prayers
☩ In Thanksgiving...
For the birth on March 22 of Molly Worns, daughter of Hannah & Thomas Worns. Molly was born at 29 weeks due to medical concerns. She debuted at 2:22 pm weighing 2 lbs, 2 ozs. and stretching out to 12.6 inches tall. Thanks be to God! And welcome to the world, Molly!
On 25 March, the Most Reverend Sarah Mullally (“Sarah Cantuar”) was installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. We give thanks and ask God to support her ministry in a time that is challenging for both the Church and for the world. May God grant her the enduring grace, steady hand, and strong voice to lead the Anglican Communion in its mission.
For Bishop Doug Sparks, in gratitude for his years of leadership and heart for this Diocese; may his upcoming retirement be a season of rest and blessing. We also pray for the Diocese of Northern Indiana, that as we begin the transition to new leadership, we may follow where God’s Spirit leads.
As March is Women’s History Month, we give thanks for the vital role that women have had and continue to have in the life of the Church and in the world throughout history.
☩ Requiescat in Pace
For those who have departed this life, and for their families mourning their loss:
David Lee Collier
Nancy Roesing
☩ For Those Serving in the Armed Forces at Home and Abroad
Loren Bates (Tina Velthuizen’s great-nephew)
Colin Woodruf (Nan Noecker’s grandson)
Cade Dorsch (Jo Dorsch’s grandson)
Brittany San Felipe (Erica Vitale's stepdaughter and wife of Chezka San Felipe)
John Jarrett (Erica's Vitale’s stepson, and husband of Ines Dutra)
Kristoff Richards (Extended Family of Erica Vitale)
Nathan Whitfield (Al and Norris Whitfield's son)
Will Cook (Brian and Tamisyn's Godson)
Nick Reardon ("Nephew" of the Grantzes)
Graham Sparks (Bishop Doug and Dana Sparks’ Son)
Riley Suter (friend of Jesse Grantz)
☩ For Those in Need of Healing & Recovery
For those facing illness, surgery, or physical distress:
Scott Bianchini (husband of Canon Carol Bianchini)
Stephen Foley
Ed Carlson (for Gretchen, his wife; and for Joni Carlson)
Candy McCarthy (Joann Dorsch’s daughter)
Rita (Donna Olis’ sister)
Helene Dauerty
Willow Grace Wilson
Rebecca Maloy (recovering from surgery) and for Cynthia Katsarelis.
Mary Beth Wright (rehabbing after a fall)
Joshua Henderson (Chris Henderson’s brother)
Michael Anand-Obelton
Mary Brooks
Kevin Renfro (our guest trumpeter)
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:
Candy Kieta (former co-worker of Randy Colburn-Hochstetler)
Nadine Collier & the Collier Family
Bill Young (Catherine Craker’s Father) and for the entire Craker and Young families.
Marci Ullery (friend of Patty Hans)
Patty Hans
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:
The Anderson Family
Cherryl Andries
The Ashby Family: Shaun, Shirley, and Roland
Richard Bitner
Alissa Broussara
Mary M. Burman
Al Caparell; Tony Lemna; Mike; Denise & Demetrius
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
Joan Machatton
Dan & Gail Mandell
Joyce Marchant
Fred & Kate Mast
Sharron McGowan
Michael (Diane Hoist’s son) 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
Donnie Zigler
☩ For Those Preparing for Holy Orders
Nan Noecker (Diaconate)
☩ For Adam Bosler, who will be received into the Episcopal Church at the Bishop's visitation on Sunday, April 12.
☩ World, National, and Local Community Concerns
For the poor, the hungry, and the unemployed, that they may find willing helpers and gainful work to support themselves and their families.
For and end to racism in all its forms, that discrimination and violence may end. We pray especially for people of many faiths whose communities are often targeted in hateful attacks, and we pray that those with bigotry in their hearts may come to see, know, and respect the diginity of all human beings.
In our Nation, currently torn by fear, oppression, and strife, may Christ bring peace, healing, and unity. For peace and resolution of conflicts both at home and abroad.
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.
Cathedral Leadership
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