Grace Episcopal Cathedral Topeka, Kansas

February 2018 Vol. 93, No. 2

It’s all about you!

How often do we

hear, “It’s not

about you?” “It’s

not about you” has

become one of

those questions we

use for multiple purposes.

But forgiveness? It’s all about

you! Yes, it’s not about the other

person or persons, despite what we

may think. Forgiveness is about you,

and of course it’s about me too.

Often our inability to forgive is

based in the past. We wish something

different had happened. No matter

how hard we try though, at least until

someone invents time travel, we can’t

go back and change the past.

Resentment can form and we repeat

the events or words, reviving and

reinvigorating our anger and

resentment.

How do I know this? Good

heavens, because I’ve done it myself!

My desire to have a different

outcome is usually based in words

such as, “If only s/he had said or

done that!”

Forgiveness is not an act of will,

though. It is an act of love. It’s an act

of love for ourselves so we do not

remain in a state of anger and

resentment. Forgiveness releases us

to love.

Does forgiveness mean

forgetting? No! If we forget, we run

the risk of being wounded again by

finding ourselves in the same

continued on page 2

From Mother Nic

“And now these “And now these

three remain:three remain:

FAITH, HOPE,FAITH, HOPE,

and LOVE.and LOVE.

But the greatestBut the greatest

of these isof these is

LOVE.”LOVE.”

1 Corinthians 13:13

situation. We want to forgive and

then to remember in a way that it not

hurtful and does not create more

anger.

There is a lightness of being that

comes with forgiveness. Forgiving

others and forgiving ourselves leaves

space for God to enter.

The New Revised Standard

Version (NRSV) of the Bible

translates the Gospel of John 20:23

this way, “If you forgive the sins of

any, they are forgiven them; if you

retain the sins of any, they are

retained.” In Eugene Peterson’s The

Message (The Bible in

Contemporary Language), Peterson

translated it this way, “If you forgive

someone’s sins, they’re gone for

good. If you don’t forgive sins, what

are you going to do with them?” The

writer Madeleine L’Engle once

asked Peterson why he translated it

that way. He answered, “In the

Greek it could go either way. I chose

that way.”

I leave you to ponder what we

would do with unforgiven sins, either

our own or the sins of others or both.

There will be more to ponder in

March as we enter Lent.

Blessings

Nic+

From Mother Nic Adult Forum in February, 9:30-10:15 a.m. EPISCOPAL BASICS class continues

Are you new to the Episcopal Church? Thinking

about becoming a member? Wish you’d paid

more attention during Confirmation classes?

Episcopal Basics (EB) is for you! For new people, or for anyone who wants

a refresher course, this class is a combination of faith sharing, question

asking, and basics about Christianity and the “Episcopal Branch of the Jesus

Movement.” Come bring your questions. You’ll be in good company!

Daughters of the King February meeting The Grace Chapter of the DOK will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, February

2, in the Bubb Room. We will share our meeting with Mother Nic and

welcome all women of the church to join us to learn about our Order. Please

contact Suzanne DeWeese (christysuz@gmail.com) for more information.

Senior Saints luncheon The Senior Saints of Grace will meet for a special Valentine covered dish

luncheon on Wednesday, February 13, 11:30 a.m. in All Saints Hall. Red

will be the color of the day. Senior Saints are encouraged to bring another

Saint to enjoy a time of fun and fellowship. Angie Anderson, owner-

operator of Cashmere Gourmet Popcorn, Topeka, will be the guest speaker

(and may bring samples!). For additional information call Norm Nellis at

217-4321.

Transportation Ministry forming There is a need to help some parishioners who don’t have transportation get

to worship services. Phil Dittmer is heading up a ministry that will identify

those who have a need for this assistance as well as find volunteers to

provide transportation. It is our desire to be sure that our parish family is

fully able to participate and be active in our parish life. If you have a need or

would like to help, please contact Phil Dittmer at philditmer@gmail.com or

contact the church office. Your help and participation would be appreciated.

Stephen Ministers receive

intensive training for their work

providing Christian care to those in

need of encouragement and

support. We are pleased to

announce the next training session

will be Mondays, Feb. 4 - April 22

at Lowman United Methodist

Church. Please keep class members

in your prayers as they prepare

themselves intellectually and

spiritually for this calling.

If you, or someone you know,

would like the support of a Stephen

Minister, or if you would like

information on the training

sessions, please contact Gwen

McClain (506-6929) or Karel

Ramsey (232-1452).

Before Christmas the

Cathedral youth worked with

our bread-making ministry to

deliver holiday loaves to some

of our home-bound members.

They made 11 deliveries in

Topeka, from private homes to

nursing homes. It was great

watching them interact and

minister to these members who

don’t always get a chance to see

their Cathedral family.

In the photo, Margaret

McGillivary is holding her gift

of holiday bread with Kelli

Benson, Lily Escalante and

Emma Benson. The bread was

baked at the Cathedral by Mike

Diebler, Roy and Arceile

Ridgeway, Anne Flynn and

Patrick Yancey.

Youth serve as “Santa’s Helpers”

Help Wanted! If you are interested in being a substitue for the nursery, Sunday School or

Children’s Chapel, please let me know. It’s good to have some folks

available for back up!

Vacation Bible School It is time to start thinking about VBS, currently planned for July 29- August

1 (evenings). We will need leaders for the following activities: dinner prep/

serving, storytelling, art, science, games, and music as well as youth to serve

as age group leaders. Planning will begin soon, so take a look at your

calendar and let me know!

Parent’s Night Out - the Extended Harry Potter version!

Friday, February 1, 6-10 p.m. That’s right, we are ramping PNO up a notch

and doing a theme night! We will have a scavenger hunt, play quidditch,

make cool stuff and eat fun food! Kids do NOT need to have any prior Harry

Potter knowledge! PNO is for kids of any age — encourage them to bring

friends as well! We’ll also be serving dinner for the kids and have nursery

care for infants and toddlers. RSVP to the Cathedral office, 235-3457, by

January 29.

from Kathy Smith,

Director of Children’s Ministries

SHOWING IN FEBRUARY:

ARTWORK BY OBLATES Art by Grace Cathedral’s

Benedictine Oblate group is

currently on display in the Cloister

Gallery. Works by members

showcase a variety of art forms

including photography, fabric art,

icons, mandalas, and small stand

alone pieces.

The oblate group was started

several years ago by Bishop and

Carol Smalley in connection with the

Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica of

Atchison, Kansas. Oblates are an

ecumenical group who commit to

living and studying the Rule of St.

Benedict. Art is one of the ways they

express their spirituality. The Cloister Gallery is open 8:30

a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, and

8 a.m.-noon on Sunday.

The Cloister Gallery

JANUARY 2—Art Camp

Cathedral Happenings in January

Kathy Smith, Director of Children’s Education, hosted a one day “Art Camp” over winter break.

JANUARY 6—Epiphany Procession

JANUARY 9—Senior Saints lunch

JANUARY 5—Youth Activity Day

JANUARY 13—Baptism of Jordynn Nichols

Bishop-elect Cathleen Bascom preaches her first sermon at Grace Cathedral on January 13.

Cathedral member Tom Leucht presents a program to the Senior Saints about his years in professional baseball. The Senior Saints of Grace meet for a covered dish lunch the second Wednesday of each month in All Saints Hall. All are welcome.

Cathedral Youth took over All Saints Hall for a day of fellowship, art, food and games. One of the highlights of the event was a game called “toilet paper dodgeball.” They also enjoyed playing ping-pong and basketball, ate tacos, pizza and all kinds of junk food, and had a chance to relax and be kids at their church. Pictured are Emma Benson and Kiera Kebert doing their best to stay alive during toilet paper dodgeball.

GREAT SPACES Music & Arts

Series

Sometimes when it rains, it really rains! In this case, we have three wonderful concerts in one month — definitely

more than usual! When we were contacted by these fine groups it was just impossible to say no. Each concert is

quite different, so we hope you will perhaps choose one or two (or all three!) events to attend in February.

Baroque by CandlelightBaroque by CandlelightBaroque by Candlelight with a Chocolate & Champagne Reception

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 3 P.M.

Yes, we’ll actually have all of the candles out. Zsolt Eder and Friends will

perform Baroque Chamber Music from across Europe. But if the music

wasn’t great enough, the Chocolate & Champagne Reception will be a real

treat for you and your Valentine!

Freewill offering.

The Augustana CollegeThe Augustana CollegeThe Augustana College with the Topeka High School Robed Choir

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 7 P.M.

Augustana College Choir returns to the Cathedral to perform

during their Central States Winter Tour. A fine choir in the

Lutheran college heritage, director Jon Hurty has also invited

the Robed Choir from Topeka High School to offer a few

selections.

Freewill offering.

The Spire EnsembleThe Spire EnsembleThe Spire Ensemble

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 4 P.M.

This professional choir based in Kansas City but with

singers from across the continent sings Johannes Brahms’

monumental “German Requiem.” The singers will present

Brahms’ version with piano, four-hand accompaniment

utilizing the Cathedral’s Steinway Concert Grand piano. A

event not to be missed!

Tickets: $10 adults | $5 students

For more information, go to www.GreatSpaces.org.

We apologize if we have missed

your birthday or have incorrect

information. Please call the office

at 235-3457 with any corrections.

DECEMBER ATTENDANCE

2018 2017 2016

1st Sunday .....363* ...... 343* ...... 256

2nd Sunday ...284........ 263 ........ 395*

3rd Sunday ....257........ 268 ........ 157**

4th Sunday ....247........ 182 ........ .....

Xmas Eve ......773........ 732 ........ 767

Xmas Day ..... 47........ 52 ........ 84***

5th Sunday ....210........ 192

Total 2,181 2,032 1,659

*includes Evensong

**ice/snow

***also 4th Sunday

February Flower Memorials

2 Walter T. Coolidge

Margaret Lodge

4 Darlene W. Ross

6 F. Warren Hawks

8 Loren N. Maffet

14 Ruth M. Mohler

Martha Harrison Moser

Thelma Jeane Grimes

15 Nelle H. Carkhuff

19 Charles C. Harrison

20 Adelaide Hollis White

22 Saraleen Curtis

24 Judith Lynn Waugh

26 Nelle Clough

Annette T. Goodson Reed

27 Willard A. Monahan

29 Alice Lakin Curtis

1 Steve Lipscomb

4 Max Cassidy

5 Jeanette Collier

6 Steve Burk

7 Jim Bertram

Ruthellen Saiya

8 Amanda Weikel

9 Phil Dittmer

12 Dale Gallaway

Barbara Salyer

13 Susie Dederick

15 Marianna Nothern

17 Dennis Nelson

Nancy Perry

18 Larry Brock

Jennifer Pacioianu

Ruth Martin

19 Larry Kampschroeder

Stan Wilch

21 Elaine Bowen

David Starr

Sam Todwong

22 Iona Morgan

23 Carol Bertram

Lynne Dillon

Marilyn Trubey

24 Kent Dederick

Kathy Slawson

25 Frank Smith

26 Kathy Hood

Parker Lesser

27 Helena Howell

Michael Wilson

Bring non-

perishable food

items to fill the

grocery cart in the

Cathedral. The

food is distributed

to Let’s Help and

Doorstep.

FOOD SUNDAY

February 3

Treasurer’s Report

December 31, 2018

For the month of December,

operating income was $90,396.89

and operating expense was

$68,530.40, resulting in a positive

balance of $21,866.49.

Operating income for the year to

date was $811,096.24 and operating

expense was $807,808.93, resulting

in a positive balance of 3,287.31.

Cash in the bank checking

account on December 31, 2018 was

$34,018.09.

Thank you Cathedral members —

99% of your 2018 pledges were

collected!

— Lance Royer, Treasurer

About the window… Each month, we feature a small portion of a Cathedral stained glass window on the front cover of The Chimes. In this window, on the west aisle of the Nave, Jesus calls his first Disciples to leave their nets and follow him to become fishers of men. (Luke 5:4-11)

Weekly Schedule Sunday

8:30 a.m.—Holy Communion, Rite I

9:30 a.m.—Sunday School (Sept.-May)

10:30 a.m.—Children’s Chapel

10:30 a.m.—Holy Communion, Rite II

Grace Cathedral, Topeka, Kansas — A House of Prayer for all People and a National Jubilee Ministry Center of the Episcopal Church

GRACE CATHEDRAL CLERGY

The Reverend Dr. Cathleen Chittenden Bascom, Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Kansas

The Very Reverend Nicolette Papanek, Interim Dean

The Reverend George Pejakovich, Assistant to the Dean

Deacon Donald Chubb

Deacon Anne Flynn

The Very Reverend Steve Lipscomb, Dean Emeritus

CATHEDRAL STAFF

Kent Wingerson, Cathedral Verger/Finance & Facilities Manager

Connie Vosburgh, Office Administrator

Steve Burk, Organist/Choirmaster

Sylvia Hamilton, Assistant Organist

Tim Smale, Zachary Cope, Music Assistants

Kathy Smith, Director of Children’s Ministries

Chris Escalante, Youth Minister

Michael Godfrey, Sexton

John Barber, Security

VESTRY OF GRACE CATHEDRAL

Keith McKibben (Sr. Warden), Norman Nellis (Jr. Warden), Nicole Nielsen

Phil Dittmer, Sharon Highberger, Jackie Sommers

Tammy King, Gwen McClain, Steve Roth

Lance Royer, Treasurer; Phil Elwood, Chancellor

701 SW Eighth Avenue

Topeka, Kansas 66603-3219

(785) 235-3457 • Fax (785) 235-1863

E-mail: info@GraceCathedralTopeka.org

Website: www.GraceCathedralTopeka.org