Grace Episcopal Cathedral Topeka, Kansas

January 2015 Vol. 89, No. 1

The cover art for our January Chimes usually features the Epiphany event (the coming of the Magi to worship Jesus). This year, though, we have chosen the Baptism of

Jesus as our theme. Interestingly, in the Eastern Church, it is the baptism of Jesus (more properly known as the Baptism of our Lord) that is recognized as the Epiphany event, when Jesus is made known as the Savior of the world by God’s words, “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” In the Western Church, the visitation of the Magi (Gentile visitors) marks this manifestation of Christ to the world.

While the West and East may differ on a date and the event we call Epiphany, both events—the baptism of Jesus and the visitation of the Magi—are significant occasions in the life of the church. Today, in the West, we hold the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord in high regard and its annual celebration on the Sunday after the Epiphany. The feast day is one of four occasions the church sets aside as especially appropriate for baptism. The Epiphany and the Baptism of our Lord are both great days to celebrate our life together—as a community of faith, as members of the larger church, and as brothers and sisters in Christ.

May the love of God be made

manifest in our hearts, so that we may

be faithful witnesses of his Son, Jesus

Christ our Lord, to all the world.

—I’ll see you in church,

Steve+

From the Dean. . . January 11

The Baptism of Our LordThe Baptism of Our LordThe Baptism of Our Lord

Epiphany Celebration Sunday, January 4

Sunday School children will take part in a

special Epiphany Procession on Sunday, January 4,

at the 10:30 a.m. service. (A rehearsal will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, in the Cathedral)

Join us after the service in the parish hall for a

parish-wide lunch featuring pulled pork sandwiches.

We ask that you provide a side dish or dessert to share.

Adult Forum in January & February The Art and Power of the Story—The Bible's Earliest Stories and Their Gifts

to Us Today

Cathedral member Steve Roth will lead this class exploring the Bible’s first great

stories through the lens and power of storytelling as we re-discover our own cultural

and spiritual legacy. All ancient cultures used epic tales and stories to teach and

preserve their values. Among the stories to be explored are the Creation, the fall

from Eden, Cain and Able and Noah and the Flood. Join us Sundays, 9:30-10:15 a.m., in the parish hall.

Thanks for your generosity

A BIG “thank you” to everyone who donated socks or gloves to “Let’s Help.” The delivery of 365 pairs of socks and

49 pairs of gloves was very appreciated by the staff. Thank you for your generosity. —Daughters of the King

Daughters of the King to offer new member class

Any women in the church who are interested in becoming members of The Order of the Daughters of the King are

welcome to join a “new member class” this spring. This six-week class will be held at 6-7:15 p.m. on Thursdays,

March 5 - April 16, 2015. (No class will be held on Maundy Thursday, April 2). Classes will cover all aspects of

becoming a Daughter and how we may serve our church in prayer, service and evangelism. The Order of the

Daughters of the King observe A Rule of Life which is a considered pattern of activities designed to embody and focus

our relationship with God. For more information, please call Nancy Nellis, 273-9514, or Arciele Ridgeway, 230-4272.

MIQRA, January 17-19 MIQRA will once again take place Jan. 17-19 at Grace Cathedral and St. David’s in Topeka for youth in grades 6-12.

MIQRA is a weekend retreat that focuses on the Bible and allows teens to discover what's in it, why we should care,

and how to read it. Registration forms are available on the Diocesan website: www.episcopal-ks.org/youth/miqra.

Analysts predict a continuing Bull Market Because of gains during 2014 in the stock market, parishioners who pay their pledges through gifts of stock may wish

to increase their giving. By donating stock to the church, they can offset some market gains with a tax credit based on

the appreciated value. And don’t forget the capital campaign gifts as well. Taking advantage of rapid appreciation not

only helps the donor offset capital gains, it decreases the need for bridge loans to finance building and renovation

projects during the pledge collection phase.

Sympathies Sympathies of the parish go to the family of James McKinney, who died on December 9; and to Carolyn Jones on the

death of her husband, Ted Jurasik. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.

Meet your vestry nominees

Plan to take part in the parish’s Annual Meeting, Sunday, Jan. 25, 9:20 a.m. in the Great Hall. Dean Lipscomb will give his Annual Report; Cathedral Chancellor and Finance Chair, Phil Elwood, will present the 2015 budget; new Vestry members (meet the nominees below), Convention delegates and Endowment trustees will be elected. The Fellowship Committee will provide a continental breakfast. There will be childcare and Children’s Sunday School will take place during the meeting.

Sunday, January 25, 2015, 9:20-10:15 a.m.

Ed has been a Cathedral member nearly all his life. His parents (Ray and Louise) moved

to Topeka when he was a few months old and joined Grace Cathedral shortly thereafter

(1950). He has been attending the early service since the mid-70s. He coached the

Cathedral softball team for a few years in the 70s. He has ushered at the early service for

the last 15 years, and has taken over coordinating the ushering schedule for that service

during the last year. He is also transcribing hand-written Vestry and Parish Meeting

minutes from 1888-1914 into electronic format. Ed is also a lifelong Jayhawk. He

received undergraduate and graduate degrees from KU and is currently a research

scientist in the Environmental Science and Engineering Program at KU.

Ed Carter

Dominique Shannon Dominique was born in Derby Kansas. She moved to Topeka in 2004 and started

attending Grace Cathedral in 2005. She was then received into the church in 2006. She

has participated in a Women’s Bible study, the Fellowship Committee, Handbells, the

Cathedral softball team, is co-leader of the Friends and Family Group, and is a greeter for

the 10:30 service. She will also coach youth t-ball for Rage Sports Organization.

Dominique has one daughter, Judea Shannon, in first grade. Dominique has worked at the

Kansas Department Of Transportation since 2004 as a bridge engineer.

Marilyn Trubey Marilyn has been a member of Grace Cathedral for two years. She previously was a

member of the Rossville Christian Church, where she served on the board, including

a term as president. She has been a part of the sandwich ministry at Grace since its

inception. Marilyn has also been a Stephen Minister for five years. In addition, she

serves as an usher, and participates in EfM and the Women’s Bible study. Marilyn is

retired after 25 years as a Federal Public Defender.

Sharon Durrell

Bob Durst

Jill Dykes

Dick and Judy Edington

Jim and Kristen Edmonston

Darlene and Phil Elwood

Bob and Brenda Escalante

Brenda and Chris Escalante

Denise Eulert

Andrea Evans

Phyllis Evans

Beth and Terrilyn Fairbank

Kitty and Ross Fapp

Larry Figgins

Sara Fletchall

Dale and Linda Gallaway

Ingrid and Kyle Garrison

Terry Gast

Marci Genevieve

Clem Gibbs

Carolyn Glassman

Lee Glaze and David Porterfield

Mike Godfrey

Carol Green

Diane and John Green

Edna Greene

Julianne Greene

Russell Greene

Don Grimes

Shantini and Wim Gunasegaram

Jim and Sylvia Hamilton

Lorene Hamilton

Bill and Mary Hamm

Sharon Harmon

Diane and Tom Harrington

Dorothy Harrison

Debi Hedtke

Kay Hemmingway

Sally Henson

Judd and Kelly Herbster

Vanessa Hill

Bob and Mary Hoard

Jim and Kathy Hood

Adrian and Lynn Horne

Bob and Nancy Horton

Mary and Michael Howell

Garth Hulse

Jan Jaquith and Tom Leucht

Allen and Neta Jeffus

Alan and Kelly Johnson

Beverly Johnston

Bob Jones

Carolyn Jones

Thank you for your 2015 pledge to Grace Cathedral. Connie Adams

Ed and Rochelle Adams

David and Helen Adams

Keith and Reeta Akins

Ken and Pam Alexander

John and Marilyn Atchley

Jeanne and Steve Atha

Rhonda Babb

John and Nona Bally

John Barber

Deborah Barnes

Jerry and Mary Becker

Phil and Sonja Becker

Al and Debbie Benson

Carol and Jim Bertram

Dorothy Bodenhausen

Nancy Bond

Elaine Bowen

Joe and Karen Bramlage

Barry and Judy Bray

Jim and Marty Brewer

Larry Brock

Iris and Larry Bruce

Sally and Steve Burk

Marie Burrell

Bud and Charlotte Burris

Bob and Julie Camien

Margaret and Tim Carkhuff

Jenelle and Sam Carkhuff

Pennie Carter

Ed Carter

Patricia Casey

Kevin and Marcy Cassidy

John and Sandy Castello

Don and Janet Chubb

Hurst Coffman

Frank and Mary Cohoon

Doyle and Maureen Comfort

Collette and Phil Coolidge

Curtis Cowell

Elizabeth and Dave Blakely

Ginger Davis

Donna and Norman Dederick

Kent and Susan Dederick

Karla Denton

Anne and Bob Derstein

Ron and Suzanne DeWeese

Jack Dicus

Megan DiGiovanni

Lynne Dillon

Linda Ditch

Phil and Julie Dittmer

Colleen Dougan

Larry Kampschroeder

Clyde and Joanne Kensinger

Marilyn Kidd

Mark and Sheryl Kingman

Margaret and Tighe La Rue

Cyndi and Ron Langston

Ed and Mary Larson

Charles and Mary Lear

Elsie Lesser

Barbara Lewerenz

Briana and Ian Lipscomb

Robyn and Steve Lipscomb

Darrell and Karen Madison

Nancy Manning

Bessie Mannoni

John and Sherry Martin

Elizabeth Massey

Michael Massey

Claire McCurdy

Kevin McGillivary

Margaret McGillivary

Keith and Julie McKibbon

Eugene and Leone McKinney

James McKinney

Linda McWilliams

Virginia Meeker

Burney and Elborn Mendenhall

Bev and Roy Menninger

Jane Metzger

Brad and Cathy Miller

Mike and Patty Miller

Carol Mongold

Joyce Morales

Iona and Jeff Morgan

Gary Mortenson

Don and Shirley Moses

Bruce and Jane Myers

Ben and Penny Neill

Bill and Nancy Neiswanger

Nancy and Norman Nellis

Dennis and Janet Nelson

Amelia and Jeff Newman

Nicole Nielsen

Jean North

Austin and Marianna Nothern

Barbara and Lawton Nuss

Bill and Janet Ohlemeier

Kristie and Mark Ohlemeier

Doreen and Lynne Overman

Jennifer and Marius Pacioianu

Gwen and Steve Page

Peggy Palmer

Ken and Linda Park

George and Joyce Pejakovich

Ken and Nancy Perry

George Phelps

Chris Phillippy

Dee and Tad Pritchett

Susan Raby

Karel Ramsey

Dennis and Jan Richter

Arceile Ridgeway

Roy Ridgeway

Dick and Ellen Roach

Steve Roth

Frank and Ruthellen Saiya

Alicia and John Salisbury

Barbara and Harry Salyer

Andrew and Margaret Scharf

Melinda Schneider

Dominique Shannon

Doug Sheafor

Chris and Hallie Shermoen

Ethel Shipers

Sarah and Scott Shipman

Jan Slagle

Amy and Jim Smith

Kathy and Randy Smith

Frank and Tami Smith

Martha and Paul Smith

Jim Snyder

Bob and Jackie Sommers

Craig Srna

David and Marilyn Starr

Jim and Rita Starr

Robert Steinmeyer

Bill Stelzner

Wanda Stephens

David and Erin Stiers

John and Judy Stone

Becky and Marvin Stottlemire

Mark and Sue Synovec

Don Taylor

Ann Tenpenny

Ruth Tessendorf

Bev and Dick Tilly

Marilyn Trubey

Jeanne Tucker

Jim and Susan Turner

One of our newest worshippers is Sharon Highberger, a Certified Chaplain, Grief

Counselor and Spiritual Director, and the author of Dancing with Depression: A Spiritual

Pathway for Recovery from Darkness to Light.

For the past year and a half, Sharon has led an Emotions Anonymous group at Grace

Cathedral. This is an ongoing group that meets on Tuesday over the noon hour. EA is an

international twelve-step program supporting people with a range of issues from

depression and anxiety to anger and low self esteem.

Sharon received her Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola Institute of

Ministry. She has also earned certification in a variety of specialties including

bereavement, death and dying, chaplaincy, grief counseling and spiritual direction. She has

used these skills in a variety of settings including Topeka State Hospital, St. Francis

Medical Center, Stormont Vail Hospice, and Catholic Community Hospice. She also

conducts retreats and workshops.

Sharon’s dedication to helping others stems from her own experience with depression.

Her book Dancing with Depression chronicles a struggle that began in childhood and

followed her most of her life. In it, she shares her journey through growing up, marriage

and motherhood, divorce and remarriage, all the while “slogging her way through

depression.” Professional treatment helped her to cope, but she shares how it was her growing spiritual awareness that

led her along a path to healing and finding true joy within.

Sharon said that she feels at home at Grace Cathedral and is studying to learn more about the church. We are

happy to welcome her to our community. Anyone who is interested in attending her EA group or obtaining a copy of

her book may contact her at sharonhighb2@icloud.com.

SHARON HIGHBERGER

Justin Vawter

Karen and Roger Viola

Amanda and Matt Vogelsberg

Connie and Mason Vosburgh

Chris Waugh

Dix and Mary Jo Waugh

Mark and Susan Weber

Dennis and Melissa Weikel

Katy Weir

Megan and TJay Wiechman

Stan and Sue Wilch

Gregg Wilcox

Mishelle and Roger Wilcox

Lisa and Tim Wilk

David and Suzie Williams

Rosemary Williamson

Kelly and Kent Wingerson

Melodie and Neil Woerman

Dean and Ellen Wolfe

Sharon Wright

New member spotlight

At our November vestry meeting, we discussed the recent court rulings on same-gender marriage and how the

Cathedral would respond to requests for these unions at our church. There is still some question as to the legal status

(or, at least, the access) to marriage licenses for gays and lesbians in Kansas, but the most likely result is that same-

gender marriages will be legally recognized. For some, this is a troubling thing, and a turnabout from what they

were taught to believe by society and the church. For others, it is a great day for civil rights among our citizens and

another long-awaited victory for the equality of all people. In any case, we are most respectful of your feelings, and

we felt it important to release a statement to the parish concerning our decision in this matter. In the vestry’s discussion, we talked about a time, not so long ago, when remarriage after divorce was not accepted

in the Episcopal Church and when women were not allowed to pursue ordination or other leadership positions in the

church. As we come to understand more and more God’s love, forgiveness and grace for us all, we have evolved

more and more into a loving, forgiving and grace-full people. We discussed Jesus’ gospel edict and example of

acceptance and inclusion for all, and our baptismal promises of seeking and serving Christ in all people and

respecting the dignity of every human being. At the Cathedral, we have many church members who are gay or lesbian and some who are already married or in a

long-term, faithful, monogamous relationship with a partner. We accept these persons with love and want to support

them as our brothers and sisters in Christ and in community. We, therefore, want to support them in their

relationships as fully as any other church couple and family. In the past, it has been the prerogative and decision of the dean not to do same-gender (or for that matter, opposite-

gender) services of union and blessing. The choice not to do this was not one of judgment against these kinds of

unions, but because such unions are not state-sanctioned and, therefore, do not require any kind of commitment or

responsibility for the partners if the relationship dissolved. That is, a person can decide to walk away from a partner

or family with no legal requirement to provide any means of support or care for the other. Also, in the case of same-

gender unions, we seemed to be saying to people, “We won’t perform a marriage for you, but will do something that

kind of looks like a marriage to placate you and get us off the hook.” Now that we can offer all couples the same service and sacrament of Holy Matrimony, and know that the same legal

requirements for care are in place, these differences and objections have been removed. At Grace Cathedral, we will

still not offer union blessings outside of marriage to any, but we will offer the sacrament of marriage to all, equally.

In other words, the vestry and dean concluded from our discussions that if we are going to offer marriage at the

Cathedral, it would be offered equally to all, regardless of sexual orientation, and we unanimously affirm that Grace

Cathedral is a house of prayer and a welcoming community of faith for all people. Therefore, we do hereby resolve that Grace Cathedral is an open, affirming community of faith, welcoming all who

seek a relationship with God into the worship, fellowship and membership of the church, and providing to its

members all the sacraments and privileges of the church. In return, each church member is expected to fulfill his or

her obligations and responsibilities as a Christian, through love and service to God and to our neighbors. In all of this, marriage certificates will be required for all weddings that occur at Grace Cathedral. Any member of

the clergy may decline to solemnize any marriage according to his or her discretion. Every member of the clergy

shall conform to the laws of the State governing the creation of the civil status of marriage, and also to the laws of

the Episcopal Church governing the solemnization of Holy Matrimony. In Christ,

Steve Lipscomb+ Cyndi Sheppeard, Warden Allen Jeffus

George Pejakovich+ Kevin Cassidy, Warden Sarah Shipman

Don Chubb+ Phil Elwood, Chancellor Ed Adams

Julie Dittmer Deborah Barnes

Barbara Nuss Alan Johnson

An important announcement to the people of Grace Cathedral from the Vestry and Clergy

Treasurer’s Report

November 30, 2014

Operating income November was

$79,490 and operating expense was

$69,192, which exceeded expense by

$10,298.

Operating income for the year to

date was $746,344, and operating

expense was $767,017, which

exceeded income by $20,673.

Cash in the bank checking

account on November 30, 2014 was

$32,316.

— Paul Smith, Treasurer

NOVEMBER ATTENDANCE

2014 2013 2012

1st Sunday .... 326* ...... 430*...... 326*

2nd Sunday ... 300 ........ 311 ....... 348

3rd Sunday .... 285 ........ 292 ....... 265

4th Sunday .... 276 ........ 276 ....... 282

247

Total 1,434 1,309 1,221

* includes Choral Evensong

January January Flower Memorials

3 Harold Harrington

6 James D. Waugh

Freda E. Shahan

9 Alice K. McFarland

Emily Jane Meade

12 Frances Gladden Irwin

14 Robert V. Wilcox

16 Margery Ridgeway

17 John Mills Neiswanger

Karen P. Welch

18 Robert Harold Callahan, Jr.

Jacob C. Mohler

19 George Thomas McDermott

Elizabeth Priest Stauffer

20 Margaret G. Patton

Mary Thomas

23 Lisa Ridgeway Vanatta

26 Augusta Wood Lescher

Taylor W. Hunter

27 Lizzie Brouard Crow

28 Belle Hatch Glenn

Hulda Christine Bell

30 Arline N. Baer

31 Jennie Lescher Ferry

Alyce I. Wilcox

1 David Porterfield

3 Kristen Edmonston

4 Tessa Howell

5 Steve Roth

7 Jim Bertram

8 Ron Cooke

9 Neta Jeffus

Roger Viola

11 Rochelle Adams

Marilyn Atchley

John Bally

13 Beth Fairbank

14 Mary Becker

Burney Mendenhall

15 Karen Bramlage

Jeanne Tucker

16 Dominique Shannon

21 Jocelyn Escalante

Nancy Nellis

22 Joyce Morales

23 Nancy Manning

Claire McCurdy

Mandi Walter

24 Joseph Bramlage

26 Sam Langston

28 Randy Smith

30 Kevin McGillivary

About the window… The stained glass window on this month’s cover shows the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. (Matthew 3:13-17) This is the center of three large windows on the west side of the nave.

2015 offering envelopes 2015 envelope sets are available on the west side of the Cathedral. We save over $2.00 in postage for each set picked up. Using the assigned numbers helps the counters in both accuracy and convenience.

A couple of years ago, over 100 members of

Grace Cathedral participated in the Bible

Challenge, a program and pilgrimage through

the entire Bible in one year. If you missed that

challenge or want to do it again, the Bible

Challenge is being offered online through

Trinity Church, Wall Street. You will receive weekly reading reminders and

instructions, daily reflections, an online support community and even quarterly

in-person meet ups, if you desire. Your level of participation is up to you. You

can also choose the full Bible challenge; the Old Testament Challenge; or the

New Testament (plus Psalms) Challenge. The challenge is facilitated by the

Rev. Daniel Simons.

To participate, register online at www.trinitywalllstreet.org and then purchase

a book, The Bible Challenge: Read the Bible in a Year, edited by the Rev.

Marek Zabriskie, available at Amazon.com. If the book is not in your budget,

contact Father Simons for a free copy at dsimons@trinitywallstreet.org. Call

347-601-9612 for more information.

Bible Challenge

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

Wednesday

12:10 p.m.—Holy Communion

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 Very Reverend Steve Lipscomb, Dean

The Reverend George Pejakovich, Assistant to the Dean

Deacon Donald Chubb

CATHEDRAL STAFF

Kent Wingerson, Cathedral Verger/Finance Manager

Connie Vosburgh, Office Administrator

Steve Burk, Organist/Choirmaster

Sylvia Hamilton, Assistant Organist

Michael Massey, Ministry Coordinator

Kathy Smith, Director of Children’s Ministries

Lisa Wilk, Youth Director

Michael Godfrey, Sexton

John Barber, Security

VESTRY OF GRACE CATHEDRAL

Cynthia Sheppeard Langston, Senior Warden; Kevin Cassidy, Junior Warden

Paul Smith, Treasurer; Phil Elwood, Chancellor

Julie Dittmer, Barbara Nuss, Allen Jeffus, Sarah Shipman,

Ed Adams, Deborah Barnes, Alan Johnson

2015

701 SW Eighth Avenue

Topeka, Kansas 66603-3219

(785) 235-3457 • Fax (785) 235-1863

E-mail: info@GraceCathedralTopeka.org

Website: www.GraceCathedralTopeka.org