Dear Friends in Christ,
Although each Sunday at St. Paul’s is marked by palpable joy and energy, this week was extra special. During worship, the children and youth of the parish gathered at the altar with their backpacks for a blessing. After worship we went outside to enjoy a lovely summer day with food, games, bounce houses and other activities. Our primary purpose was simply to be together. We didn’t change the world or transform lives. No one was converted or baptized (though a lot of children and three priests did get very wet!). We simply delighted in the blessing of community.
This brings to mind Mary Oliver’s poem, Mindful, which begins:
Every day
I see or I hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
Reveling in that which delights us can seem shallow in a world so filled with struggle. How do we justify making time for pleasure and play when the world is full of inequality and injustice, intractable problems, scandals and divisions? If we believe what Jesus says — that the first shall be last and the last shall be first (Matthew 20:1) — we need to pay attention to those who are too often last. Not so we can save them but so we can walk with them as we work together to make society more equitable for all God’s people.
But we must leave room in our lives for delight. Joy is not only good for our well-being, but it is also at the heart of Jesus’ life and ministry. I came into the world, Jesus told his disciples, “so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) And let’s not forget Jesus’ first miracle in John’s gospel, changing water into wine at the wedding in Cana (see John 2). While there are plenty of biblical scholars who suggest a variety of serious interpretations of this miracle, I wonder if there is a simpler explanation. Jesus was having a good time and wanted the party to keep going.
Delight isn’t relegated only to special moments. We don’t need bounce houses and water slides to experience delight (though they do help!). As Mary Oliver reminds us, delight is found not only in “the exceptional, the fearful, the dreadful, the very extravagant,” but also in “the ordinary, the common, the very drab, the daily presentations.”
Has something delighted you this week? Give thanks to God for that moment of joy, and then share your delight with someone else.
Your Friend in Christ,
Rector
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SEXUAL MISCONDUCT PREVENTION
Sunday, August 28, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Parish Hall
Attend an in-person “SafeGuarding God’s Children” training led by Diocesan Transition Minister Jennifer Phelps. Help to protect our children. Lunch and childcare will be provided. Please RSVP below and direct questions to Laurie Pierce.
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Beginning Sunday, September 11, worship at 7:45, 9 and 11:15 a.m.
We will continue to offer our Wednesday Holy Eucharist at 11 a.m. and will return to having three in-person Sunday worship services beginning the Sunday after Labor Day. The Rev. John Denson will host a Rector’s Forum on Sunday, September 11 from 10:15-11 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Forums will occur weekly on the first, second and third Sundays of each month and a parish-wide Fellowship Coffee Hour will occur (weather-permitting) outside on the fourth Sunday of each month. Watch for details!
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SUNDAY MORNING SMALL SNACKS NEEDED
We all enjoy a little snack between the 9 a.m. service and Sunday School, Adult Formation, etc.!
Adults enjoy grabbing cookies and kids cite “the snacks” as their favorite part of church. Let’s keep it going! Please see details and sign up below to provide small snacks for ONE Sunday, starting Sunday, September 11. Store-bought is encouraged; homemade is always loved, your choice.
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CHOIR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, September 15, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Choir Room (2nd floor, Church bldg.)
All are welcome and invited to learn more about St. Paul's Choir School, without any commitment. Get a glimpse of what it's like to be involved with choir and learn more about Choral Scholarships. Youth and teens are invited to join the choristers for dinner, a favorite part of the week. Details can be found here. RSVP below to Dr. Jacob Taylor.
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CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT ::
ABEL FAMILY QUARTET AND FRIENDS
Sunday, September 18, 4-5 p.m., Sanctuary
Alfred, Benjamin, and Colette Abel join with cellist Marty Meyer and pianist Yuantong Bai, featuring music of Sergei Prokofiev, Franz Schubert and Maurice Ravel for strings and piano. The Abel family are longtime friends of St. Paul’s and well-known to the Indianapolis community. All four family members are professional musicians from Indianapolis and also based in cities from Cincinnati to New York.
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FAMILY MINISTRY WAYCROSS RETREAT
Friday, September 30 at 5 p.m. - Sunday, October 2 at noon, Waycross CCC
Join families and friends from St. Paul's for a weekend away in Brown County with fellowship, worship and a variety of indoor/outdoor activities. The retreat is sponsored by Family Ministry; programming will be designed for families with children in the household but all who wish to come are welcome! Cost is $100-$250 for the entire weekend and is all-inclusive (hotel-type lodging, meals and snacks, programming, crafts, nursery care and more). Scholarships to offset the fees are also available. Questions, email Laurie Pierce or call 463.800.3073. Register below now:
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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY - ALL AGES
Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m. (starting 9/8), Rector's Conference Room (2nd floor, Parish Center building)
The women of Thursday Morning Bible Study invite you to join the group as they begin their 43rd year! All lessons are self-contained, members may come and go and there is no homework. Studies are based on a practical concept: "what does the Bible say, what does it mean and how can I apply it to my daily living"? All generations of women are encouraged to learn, support and grow together. Questions, email Alice Roettger below or call 317.253.8840.
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TGIF DINNER
Join the TGIF Group for dinner and fellowship. The garden area will be open, the historic barns on the property may be viewed and The Farm Store will be open until 9 p.m. so there is time to explore all before or after dinner. RSVP below to Alan Davis no later than 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7. There are a total of 13 spots available for the group reservation.
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COBURN PLACE HELP NEEDED
Volunteers (age 16+) are needed to help set up an apartment at Coburn Place. This is a fun and meaningful activity open to people of all physical abilities. The work includes selecting household items, moving furniture, hanging decor, etc. Moving carts are provided and the apartment has elevator access. All volunteers must bring a driver's license to scan at the visitor kiosk. Questions, contact Cathy Henney. Click the link below to sign up:
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HABITAT HELPERS NEEDED
Thursday, September 15 & Friday, September 23, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
St. Paul's supports Habitat for Humanity by lending a hand to first time homeowners to help them realize their dream. Habitat homeowners pay for their own homes and work many hours to build them but cannot complete all of the construction alone. Our assistance is needed! If you could share your time, you'll spend a memorable day fulfilling hopes and prayers. You may even pick up a skill or idea that can be used in your own home. This project is located in the Riverside neighborhood, on the near west side of Indianapolis (exact address will be provided after sign-up). Many employers provide time off to assist community efforts such as this. Questions, please contact Bill Cummings. Sign up below to volunteer.
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