REFLECTION :: THE REV. DEVON ANDERSON | | |
“What can please God more than if we leave all created things many times during the day to withdraw and respect Love present within?”
So wrote Joseph of Beaufort, attempting to summarize the deceptively simple writing of his friend Brother Lawrence. Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection was a Carmelite friar in 17th century Paris. After his death, his friend Joseph gathered his letters, conversations, and stories and published them into a slim — yet epic — volume entitled, "The Practice of the Presence of God." It is a collection of spiritual insights into the heart of God, each section revealing the inner secrets of Brother Lawrence’s heart; a heart that had learned the most essential ingredient of the Christian life: how to remain in the presence of God daily. For 300 years, these modest writings have shaped and guided the spiritual lives of contemplatives, mystics, and people like you and me — Christians just trying to live and serve with grace and compassion in a troubled world.
I am leading a book group this Lent (actually we’ll take a “running start” to Lent and begin the group this Sunday, February 8, from 10:15-11 a.m. in the CRR - second floor, Parish Ctr. Bldg.) that will spend some time with each of the sections in "The Practice of the Presence of God." The conversations will occur on Sundays, February 8, 15, and 22; and March 1. I will have books available for purchase this Sunday ($10/each). However, the book text can be easily found online for free. Each session will be designed as a stand-alone, so parishioners can participate in some, one, or all. For parishioners who have standing responsibilities on Sunday during faith formation hour but want to participate, I will post reading questions each week for you to ponder, and would love to meet with you to discuss your thoughts at a convenient time for you. Please click here to email me, or talk to me in person on Sunday.
Carmen Acevedo Butcher is a spiritual teacher of mine, and a faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque. A few years ago, she published a new translation of Brother Lawrence’s book. She invites us all to engage: “What is this book,” she writes, “this practice of the presence? Brother Lawrence just calls it the presence. It is a form of micro-prayer done on the fly. A mini-conversation with God. A brief ‘lifting up of the heart.’ Done anywhere, anytime, the practice is perfect for anyone. We can’t fail at it. It’s shorter than a tweet. It takes less time then sending a text. It’s easy, Brother Lawrence says, ‘In the middle of your tasks you can comfort yourself with Love as often as you can.’ The presence is for all people everywhere: ‘Everyone is capable of these familiar conversations with God…Love knows what we can do.’” Let us begin.
| | The Rev. Devon Anderson, Interim Rector | | |
NEW ADULT FAITH FORUM SERIES
Week One: Into the Wilderness
Sunday, February 8, 10:15 a.m. - 11 a.m., Lilly Room
Please join for the first forum in a series of Lenten Adult Faith Forums. Journey through Lent by digging deeper into the five Gospel stories appointed for the season. Though we are still in Epiphanytide, John Thorpe will speak Sunday about Matthew 4:1–11. He will reflect on this Gospel and share personal testimony of encountering this story in his own life. All are welcome to come, to listen, and to grow together in faith.
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CHORAL EVENSONG CANCELED
After morning worship this Sunday, St. Paul's Indy's organ will be undergoing a major electronic overhaul and will be unusable for several weeks. Choral Evensong on February 8 has been canceled due to this. The post-Evensong recital scheduled for that day has been postponed to March 8.
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS
This Lent, St. Paul’s Intergenerational Team invites individuals, groups, and families to participate in a unique "Way of the Cross" project by creating one of the 14 Stations of the Cross on a 16"x20" canvas. Sign-ups to host and artistically interpret a station will be available in Burrows Commons from February 8–15, with blank canvases ready for pick-up on Shrove Tuesday, February 17. Completed artwork is due by Palm Sunday, March 29, leading up to an inclusive, all-ages Stations of the Cross service on Tuesday, March 31, where all will gather to pray and walk the stations together. Click below to learn more:
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SIGN UP FOR LENTEN GATHERINGS
Want to get to know fellow St. Paul’s friends, maybe with some snacks or supper? Join a group of ~6-12 people meeting three times during Lent (mid-February to late March) for conversation, faith-related discussion, and short prayers, all exploring how our past, present, and future can help us to go deeper in community and in faith. Each group is hosted by a different St. Paul’s household at a different time/place. See details and sign up below or on Sunday in Burrows Commons. Please click here to email Stacy Hennessy with questions.
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BRAVO, BRAD & ST. PAUL'S CHOIR!
Congratulations to St. Paul's Indy's Organist & Director of Music Brad Hughley, and St. Paul's Choir, on a wonderful review following Sunday’s Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra & St. Paul's Choir concert, "Incomprehensible Light!" The performance — featuring Bach cantatas and presented at St. Paul’s — was praised for its expressive depth, musical clarity, and “fine and well-integrated” direction under Brad’s leadership. We give thanks for Brad’s artistry and dedication, the voices of St. Paul's Choir, and the beautiful music that continues to inspire our parish and the wider community. Click below to read the review:
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ALL-PARISH OUTING
About 20 parishioners of all ages gathered last Tuesday for a joyful evening on the ice at Holliday Park Ice Rink. Laughter and encouragement filled the rink as St. Paul's friends (old and new) shared time together. The evening was full of fun, connection, and community spirit. Enjoy a few highlights from this all-parish outing in the photos below!
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NEW OPPORTUNITY
Mental Health Initiative Survey - Deadline February 15
St. Paul’s is participating in the Mental Health Initiative through the Center for Congregations, a program that helps parishes thoughtfully engage the intersection of mental health and spiritual wellness. A core team — Mary Ann Drake, Barb Pierce, George Slenski, and Jeff Bower — will work together over the next nine months to discern and develop a plan shaped by the unique needs of our parish. Please click below to take a few minutes to complete the anonymous survey by February 15. Your voice is an essential part of this process and results will help guide the programs and resources we create for our community. Please click here to email Jeff Bower, or speak with him in person.
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RSVPS FOR LUNCH DUE TOMORROW
Indiana Ave. Jazz
Thursday, February 12, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Parish Hall
Join Lifelong Learners for an engaging midday gathering featuring author and presenter Aleta Hodge who will share stories about Indiana Avenue Jazz. Enjoy lunch, fellowship, and a lively presentation with vintage photos and music clips — finger snapping and toe tapping encouraged! Two of Aleta’s books, "Indiana Avenue – Life & Musical Journey from 1915 to 2015" and "The Robust Life & Music of Noble Sissle, Sr.," will be available for purchase, with a book signing following the presentation. Lunch is $10; click here to pay online (indicate “Lifelong Learners”). Please click here to RSVP to Tana Hunnicutt by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 6. Click here to email Ann Hinson with questions.
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TUESDAY STUDY GROUP
Tuesdays, 12-1:15 p.m., Broad Ripple Brewpub
Starting February 10, Tuesday Study Group will study the book "The Prophetic Imagination." Join as all explore author Walter Brueggemann's theological and ethical reading of the Hebrew Bible. He finds a vision for the community of God whose words and practices of lament, protest, and complain give rise to an alternative social order. All are invited to come, regardless of reading the book. Click here to email Larry Johnson with questions.
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PANCAKE SUPPER HELP NEEDED
Tuesday, February 17, 5:30-7 p.m., Parish Hall
Flapjack flippin’ (and a pancake race) returns on Shrove Tuesday! Our pancake supper will be combined with the February all-parish dinner — with accompaniments by Chef Jeff, sponsored by dinner patron Judy Sutton. No pancake tastes as good as the one you helped cook! All are encouraged to come together to host a warm, enjoyable dinner. Please click below to find a way that you can help. Please click here to email Bill Cummings with questions.
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FREE MOZART REQUIEM CONCERT
ST. PAUL'S CHOIR & ORCHESTRA
Sunday, March 1, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
One of the most treasured masterpieces of Classical Music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem has a legendary story and lore behind its genesis. It remains one of the most significant settings for choir, soloists, and orchestra. It is set to the Latin Mass for the Dead, left unfinished by the composer in his final days, and completed by Mozart’s student, Franz Xavier Süssmayr. St. Paul’s Choir offers this concert, including an all-professional local orchestra, free of charge to the community.
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KNITTER(S) NEEDED!
'Looking for a knitter (or two) with the time to knit two hats! Lovely, wool yarn and a pattern have already been purchased, and will be provided. Please click here to email Devon if you can help.
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Please click on red links for available details
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Ongoing, Community Engagement Volunteer Opportunities
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Sunday Small Snacks after 9 a.m. worship (scroll to bottom for recent dates)
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Mondays, 6-7 p.m., Fencing Classes, Yoga Rm. (second floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.)
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Tuesdays, 6 p.m., Slow Flow Yoga, Yoga Rm. (second floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.)
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Tuesdays, 6-6:45 p.m., Centering Prayer, Roberts Library (first floor, Church bldg.)
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Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Chair Yoga, Yoga Rm. (second floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.)
- Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Grandmothers, Rm. 207 (second floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.)
- Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m., Women's Bible Study, Rm. 207 (second floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.)
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Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., Slow Flow Yoga, Yoga Rm. (second floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.)
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Thur., Feb. 5, 7-8:30, Mosaic Book Club, Youth Lounge (first floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.)
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Fri., Feb. 13, 6-9 p.m., TGIF Gathering, Parish Hall
- Tues., Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Shrove Tuesday service following dinner, Sanctuary
- Wed., Feb. 18, 12* & 7 p.m., Ash Wednesday Imposition of Ashes services, *livestreamed
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Fri. - Sun., March 13-15, Diocesan Youth Confirmation Retreat
- Sat., March 21, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Swarens Memorial-Higher Ground Singing, Parish Hall
- Sun., April 26, 2 p.m., Paul Guyer Piano Recital, Sanctuary
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Sun., July 5 - Fri., July 10, Diocesan Youth Mission Trip to Detroit, MI
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SHARE YOUR STORY AND SPECIAL ST. PAUL'S MOMENTS!
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, promoting an event, or sharing good news, we’d love to help spread the word. Submissions may appear in eConnections, Sunday bulletins, social media, our website, or the Burrows Commons digital display. Please send items by 4 p.m. on Mondays for inclusion that week (earlier is always appreciated). Space is limited, and content may be edited for clarity and fit. Click here to email Meegan Kriner with questions. Ready to share? Click below to submit your news!
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SHARE YOUR SNAPSHOTS!
If you’re at St. Paul’s Indy during worship, special events, or offsite at St. Paul’s–sponsored community gatherings, please use this folder to share your photos. We can’t be everywhere at once, and your images help us capture a fuller, more beautiful picture of all that’s happening across our community.
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CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY (CYF) NEWSLETTER
To stay current on Children, Youth & Family Ministry news and offerings, including Confirmation, youth mission trips, and more, please click here to view the most recent monthly newsletter, or click below to sign up to receive future Children, Youth & Family monthly newsletters:
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