Dear Friends in Christ,
Silence can be a great gift. The silence of my porch on a summer evening. The silence of my morning prayer time. The silence of the church early on Sunday morning before the first service begins. In a world that is often too noisy, I yearn for these times of silence in which God feels very present.
But silence can also be oppressive and empty. Cataclysmic events such as the wildfires that destroyed Lahaina in Hawaii, the September 11 terrorist attacks, or the riots at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, can leave us in stunned silence, desperate for words to make sense of the incomprehensible.
Even more powerful are the personal losses that shake us to the depths of our souls. The spouse who dies suddenly; the terminal diagnosis; the oppressive experience of injustice; the child trapped by a vortex of addiction or mental illness. Any of these experiences and so many others can leave us silenced by forces that seem arbitrary and capricious. Our lives are turned upside down without notice, often isolating us in a silence that seems impenetrable.
Psalm 62 gives us words for this experience. Whatever has happened to the psalmist — personal loss, illness, persecution, an act of injustice — the attack comes from a force beyond his or her control.
How long will you assail me to crush me, all of you together,*
as if you were a leaning fence, a toppling wall?
They seek only to bring me down from my place of honor;*
lies are their chief delight.
They bless with their lips,*
but in their hearts they curse. (Ps 62:3-5)
Then comes the silence. “For God alone my soul in silence waits,” writes the psalmist in v. 6. The waiting may have felt oppressive or even empty, but it did not feel hopeless. The psalmist continues, “For God alone my soul in silence waits; truly, my hope is in [God].”
Even in the most oppressive of silences, God remains present. Not necessarily to fix us or to right a wrong as we might desire. Instead, God waits with us in the silence. To fill us with peace. To remind us we are not alone. To surround us with love, grace and mercy.
As Brother Curtis Almquist of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, reflecting on Psalm 62, said last year, “When we find ourselves silenced, when we have lost our voice or our ability to hear, when any movement we might take in life is being held captive, at those times we cling to hope. When we are in an intractable, unavoidable, unchosen state of silence and stillness, to cling to the hope that we are in a state well known to God. This is familiar territory to God, where our emptiness is actually openness to God, especially when we have no other choice. This is when we are in a place of hearing and knowing God.”
Your Friend in Christ,
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Welcome Staff this week: |
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Tyne Parlett, Seminary Intern
Tyne (they/them) is a second year CTS MDIV, LMHC student whose studies have included antiracism, non-violence, abolition, harm reduction, death positivity and queer inclusion. In their work with St. Paul’s, Tyne hopes to use their lived experience as queer, trans, disabled, a violence survivor and a theologian to strengthen and empower the community in the work of justice, hope and repair. Tyne is a parent, consultant and a death doula. Tyne’s internship at St. Paul’s will last one year. Their first day will be Sunday, August 27.
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Liz Hoffman, Database Manager
Liz (she/her) has worked in database management for 20 years, most recently at Bishop Chatard High School, and enjoys keeping data organized. She is married to her husband, Steve, and has three young children, Van, Charlie and Frankie. In her spare time Liz loves to read, cook and be active with her family. Liz’s first day at St. Paul’s will be Tuesday, August 29.
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Thank you to the Rev. Patrick Burke |
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The Rev. Patrick Burke's last Sunday at St. Paul's will be August 27. Patrick has accepted a call to serve as Rector at The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew in Wilmington, Delaware. We are grateful for Patrick's time at St. Paul's.
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ALL PARISH RETREAT
Friday, September 29 - Sunday, October 1
This retreat is for YOU! The purpose of this weekend is to bring all people together. Enjoy a variety of experiences, similar to a conference. Programming is designed with every age in mind, and everything is participation optional. Located in scenic Brown County, Waycross Episcopal Camp is a year-round retreat center. NEW this year, lodging is self-selected and first come, first serve. You will receive a link to choose your room accommodations after submitting your registration and payment. Click below for details & registration:
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HOPE FOR THE WORKING HUNGRY :: WHAT'S NEXT
The short film The Working Hungry has been very well received at 55+ showings around Indiana and garnered a regional Emmy award nomination! Now it’s time to talk about the next steps to address hunger in Indiana. Bread for the World and Gleaners invite all to this one-hour event. Click below for details and registration.
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TGIF GATHERING
Friday, September 8, 6 p.m., Parish Hall
Adults 21+ are invited to bring a potluck dish to share and a beverage of choice to watch a movie made by St. Paul's parishioner Colin Denhart. His debut feature-length film "Sister" has recently been featured in several film festivals around the world and has won awards for both best picture and best actress (Vasudha Krishnamoorthy) at many, including the Paris Film Awards. The film tells the fictional horror story of a young nun who is haunted by evil spirits and must find the light within her to overcome the darkness while incorporating elements of some real-life haunted history. Please RSVP to Alan Davis below, no later than Wednesday, September 6.
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FAITH, JUSTICE & THE ARTS (FJA) GRANTEE CONCERT
Sunday, September 10, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
Join us for the concert, "Out of Darkness, Into Light." Former St. Paul's Staff Singer and FJA grant recipient, Joseph Ittoop will partner with ATLYS, a professional all-women string quartet, to present original compositions honoring the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, TX 2022. All works are composed by Mr. Ittoop and feature multiple instrumental ensembles. The centerpiece of the concert will focus on text from Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman and her reflections on hope and finding light through darkness. Admission is free.
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CHOIR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, September 14, 5:30 p.m., second floor, Church Building
Come to the Choir Room in the Church building for an overview of the St. Paul's Choir School program. Ages 7+ may participate in rehearsal and younger children are welcome to observe. Youth (ages 4+) may enjoy free dinner with the choristers afterwards. This is open to the public — family/friends are welcome! Please RSVP to Brad Hughley so that we can plan accordingly.
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NEWCOMER EVENT :: TOUR AND LUNCHEON
Sunday, September 17, 10:20-11 a.m. (tour); 12:30-1:30 (luncheon)
If you are new to St. Paul's, or have been attending for a while, join us for a tour. Learn more about how the spaces and places we call St. Paul's are utilized. Please join the Rev. Jeff Bower for a guided tour. Plan to meet in the nave (back of sanctuary) immediately following the 9 a.m. service.
Following the 11:15 a.m. service, Newcomers are encouraged and welcome to join staff and clergy for an informal time of gathering and to share a lite meal from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Please make reservations by emailing Tana Hunnicutt, or call the church office at 317.253.1277.
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WOMEN'S SELF-CARE WEEKEND AT EWM 2023 FALL RETREAT
Be with Episcopal Women's Ministries (EWM) and enjoy a weekend of self-care this fall! Attendees will relax at Waycross while participating in various activities such as hiking, sharing new books, learning and sharing a craft or just taking time to rest and disconnect. Email Lisa Matucheski to learn more.
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2023 DIOCESAN CONVENTION
November 10-11, 2023, at St. Paul's Indianapolis
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JOIN THE GREEN TEAM!
The Green Team has delivered over 50 pounds of produce to Boulevard Place Food Pantry. Green Team volunteers are responsible for the amazing garden on the west lawn of our campus - corn is almost ready! Meetings are typically held on the first Sunday of the month. Please consider joining - all are invited!
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Ages 12+ are welcome to sign up below to serve meals to the summer camp/afterschool program any weekday. This is a very easy volunteer role providing an opportunity for St. Paul's people to show up and continue to build relationships with kids and staff at the MLK Center. Interested in volunteering in other ways at MLK, like picking up food from around town or reading with kids, email Leintz Belony. Questions, email Laurie Pierce.
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SERVE ON A PARISH TEAM!
Laurie Pierce is seeking volunteers to work on shared projects with others. Males, introverts, those without children in the home, and those not sure what they believe in/think they have nothing to offer, are encouraged to serve on teams. If you love this community, kids, events, bringing people together, our worship, or mentoring, please click below to learn more about the teams being formed:
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