The new year brings with it new resolve, but so often that resolve fades before the first week is ended. The apostle Paul advised the Corinthians, "Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means" (2 Corinthians 8:10-11) By ourselves, we grow tired or get bored or just plain lazy. Let us ask the Lord to give us the desire to give generously, to serve joyfully, and to expend our time eagerly in response to what desire to give generously, to serve joyfully, and to expend our time eagerly in response to what God has given to us and done for us.

We are still in the budgeting process for 2019.  Please, if you haven't turned in a pledge card yet; take a moment to complete and put it in the offering plate, or return it to the office.  

On Saturday, January 19th it will be our turn to serve at the Community Table. Help is needed any time between 9:00am and 1:30pm, come whenever you can and stay for as long as you are able. This is a fun ministry as we cook together and meet people from around the community!  The Community Table is located at 320 Putnam St #2, Eau Claire.  Questions can be directed to Russ Tate or the Cathedral office.

Holy Words: Building Our Sacred Vocabulary

Join us in January as Lutheran Pastor and Seminary Professor, Don Wisener, takes us on an exploration of some of the key words Christians use to talk about our faith.

Blessing of Prayer Shawls will be done today. Members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry's love and prayers are woven into each shawl as they are created. We give our shawls as a gift of love and concern for those who need solace as well as a blessing for times of celebration. You are invited to take a shawl today after the service if you know of someone in need of comfort and strength, or celebrating a special occasion. Please write the recipient's name, the name of the city they live, and today's date in our journal, on the piano. If you are attending the 5:00 p.m. service on Saturday or the 8:00 a.m. service today, please contact Becky Van Es (bvanesmk@aol.com or 715-579-0895) and arrangements can be made for you to receive a Prayer Shawl. Please consider attending our next Prayer Shawl Ministry monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 19th at 6:00 p.m., in the Memorial Lounge. 

As you know, the Vestry and Finance Committee have been working diligently to complete the pledge drive for 2019 and formulate a budget for the coming year. Unfortunately, although overall giving has increased in 2017 & 2018 with our capital campaign, with most of this year's pledges having been received; we find that the amount of income pledged will not cover the operating expenses for the year. In all honesty, this is not a new problem. It is one that that Cathedral has faced for many years, but we are now at a crossroads having to decide on how to proceed to find the most viable way to continue ministry at the Cathedral. There are options to be considered and, to that end, we are postponing the Annual Meeting by 2 weeks in order to hold two meetings for you to come and meet with the Vestry to discuss the future of Christ Church Cathedral. The first meeting with the Vestry will be held this Sunday, January 20, 2019 and Sunday February 3, 2019 following the 10:00 service. The Annual Meeting will now be held on Sunday, February 10, 2019 after the 10:00 service. Your input and ideas are essential as to how we move forward. This is a solvable problem, but one that we need to work on together. The Vestry cannot, nor should we, make these decisions without your help. Please make every effort to attend one or both of the upcoming meetings and to attend the Annual Meeting. Come with questions, ideas, an open mind and an open heart so that we may truly listen to each other and the Spirit as we seek His guidance and direction.

The ECW will host its next business meeting on Wednesday, January 23rd at 6:30 pm in The Great Hall. 

The agenda includes:

1. Disbursement of 2018 Cookie Walk proceeds
2. The role or function & responsibility of the ECW (please email your ideas on the role of the ECW to jackie@suiteschedular.com as she has agreed to receive and compile them)
3. Election of Officers (The two offices open are President and Secretary.  Please give prayerful consideration to stepping into one of these positions.)

Jesus met many people while sharing a meal around the table; it's a place where people from all walks of faith and backgrounds can gather together.  Please join us for dinner and stay for a discussion on Wednesday, January 23rd at 6:00 p.m. in the Memorial Lounge. This is an informal, layperson-led, opportunity to connect (we're learning as we go).  The goal is to enhance our lives and the lives of others through our involvement with our church family.  Last meeting Jany Chumas led a brief and meaningful dialogue on "spirituality".  There will be future openings for anyone to bring food and/or lead a discussion if they want.  No pressure, no expectations, no RSVP required, bring friends - everyone is welcome.  "Come and see" - it's that easy.

The next NFP date is Saturday, January 26th from 3-6 p.m. Toilet paper is the most asked for item and diapers are the most expensive item. Please help us by bringing donations of toilet paper &/or diapers or financial donations to be used to purchase needed pantry items. There will be a community wide diaper drive, so watch for details. If you want more information about the pantry, or have questions, or if you have an idea for a place to put up flyers or a diaper donation box, please contact Barbara Manzo 715.271.8902, barbmanzo2@gmail.com.

The Annual General Meeting of the Corporation of Christ Church Cathedral will take place immediately following the 10:00 a.m. Eucharist on Sunday, February 10, 2019. At this meeting we will elect vestry members, appoint delegates and alternates for the Diocesan Convention, approve the budget for 2019, and hear from the wide variety of ministries from within our cathedral. If you have led, chaired, or directed any group or individual ministry on behalf of the cathedral in 2018 you are requested to submit a report of that ministry’s activity in 2018 to the cathedral office NO LATER THAN Tuesday, January 29th, so that we can include it in the report packet for the meeting. Please bring a salad, side dish or dessert to pass, the Cathedral will provide the meat.

The cathedral will be hosting a diocesan anti-racism training event from 10:00am-2:00pm on Saturday, February 16 in the Memorial Lounge.

Come join in the fun with this festive Mardi Gras Celebration! Enjoy New Orleans inspired dinner and music, and an amazing Mardi Gras atmosphere. Dinner includes a choice of 2 entrees, salad, bread, dessert, and beverage. Additional beverages available for purchase-cash only bar. Price of tickets is adults: $20, children ages 11-18: $15, children 10 and under: $10. Contact a church member , or the church office to purchase tickets: 715-835-3734 or ccceauclaire@gmail.com. Please join us in The Great Hall at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, March 2, from 5:00-8:00pm. We’re located at 510 South Farwell Street, Eau Claire, WI. Get your tickets now! Bring a Friend!

Ministers Schedule

Sunday, January 20th / The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Crucifer: J. Ellenson
Torch Bearer I: M. Gumulauskas
Torch Bearer II: M. Greene
Lector I: D. Faulkner
Lector II:  E. Usher
Deacons: Rev. Lorenze, Rev. Gumulauskas
Greeters: G. Hjelm, J. Chumas
Altar Guild: P. Gray, C. Schaaf
Counters: Hauert, Bundy 2d

Sunday, January 27th / The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Crucifer: E. McManus
Torch Bearer I: B. Borgwardt
Torch Bearer II: C. Borgwardt
Lector I: M. Gadwill
Lector II:  R. Hall
Deacons: Rev. Gumulauskas, Rev. Van Es
Greeters: The Borgwardts
Altar Guild: E. Ellenson, D. Lorenze
Counters: Bundy 2d, Ellenson