Dear Friends,
For many years, Adolfo Kaminsky forged documents allowing people to assume a false identity. This would hardly seem to be a noble profession, except that he did so in the cause of saving people from certain deportation and death at the hands of the Nazis. According to Joseph Berger’s fascinating obituary in The New York Times, “Mr. Kaminsky estimated that the underground network he was part of helped save 10,000 people, most of them children.”
Kaminsky began his work with the French resistance following his mother’s death while she was on a train returning from Paris. At first, he chose acts of sabotage but soon started using his skills to forge documents. As the Nazis dehumanized others in order to exterminate them, he humanized others in order to save them.
Why did he risk his life to save others? In a column in the Times in 2016, Kaminsky said, “I saved lives because I can’t deal with unnecessary deaths — I just can’t. All humans are equal, whatever their origins, their beliefs, their skin color. There are no superiors, no inferiors. This is not acceptable to me.”
These words resonate with me as we anticipate Martin Luther King Day this coming Monday. They speak to the heart of what the Civil Rights Movement was about, the idea that each of us is fundamentally equal because of our shared humanity. This seems so simple. And yet, as we all know, we live in a nation and a world which is structured to make some superior and others inferior because of race, ethnicity, religion, economic status, gender, sexual orientation, or whatever other categories are used to separate us. Progress has certainly been made, but we still remain a long way from Martin Luther King’s dream.
This past Sunday during the rite of Holy Baptism, we renewed our baptismal promises, including restating our commitment to “strive for justice and peace among all peoples, and respect the dignity of every human being.” We live into this promise by first renouncing the social constructs that separate us so that we can affirm that each and every person is created as a child of God to be accepted, loved, and uplifted.
Our inability — and too often unwillingness — as individuals and communities to achieve true equity and equality can become so discouraging, we want to give up the work. At times such as this, we can find hope in spirit and sacrifice of those who have come before us: Adolfo Kaminsky, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez, and countless others. How might we follow their example?
In an interview several years ago with Margaret Renkl, the late and great Civil Rights leader John Lewis said, “In these days that seems so dark, I think the spirit of history is still leading us and guiding us — I believe in that. Call it what you may, but I believe that somehow, in some way, good is going to prevail. And out of some of the darkest hours, there will be daybreak. There will be light. And we will get there. You have to believe it. You have to believe in your guts that it’s going to be OK.”
Your Friend in Christ,
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UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Sunday, January 22, 7:45 & 10 a.m. services*
Bishop Jennifer will visit St. Paul’s next Sunday, preaching at 7:45 & 10 a.m. services and confirming St. Paul's confirmands at the 10 a.m. service. Please plan to stay after the 10 a.m. service to join us in the Parish Hall for an all-parish reception. *Please note, there will be services at 7:45 and 10 a.m. only; there will be no 9 or 11:15 a.m. services that day.
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"DEEP DIVE" STUDENTS TO BE COMMISSIONED
Sunday, January 15, 9 a.m. service
Deep Dive was a six-part course that 12 St. Paul’s students participated in, led by the Rev. Barb Kempf and Laurie Pierce. While this course completed requirements for confirmation, it was intended for anyone who wanted to dive deeper into their faith. The group visited the Emmett Till exhibit at The Children’s Museum, walked a labyrinth at Trinity Episcopal Church, took part in an instructed Eucharist, shared a piece of their story through art, baked communion bread and wrote the Prayers of the People for Sunday’s services. Thank you to mentors, Laura and Bill Cummings and Susie and Pete Holtz. The students were committed to the entirety of this course and fully participated in silly games one moment and deep theological reflection in the next. We continue to pray for the following students and their faith journey: Amelia R., Arthur B., Atticus R., Callie C., Ellie I., Hannah W., Henry I., Katharine H., Kevin S., Rowan Z., Sinead S. and Will H.
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ADULT FAITH FORUM
Sunday, January 15, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
Join Dan Hoffman for an overview of spiritual direction. For more than a decade, Dan has offered in-person and virtual spiritual direction to individuals and groups of different faiths, locally and nationally. He is an active member of Spiritual Directors International and understands spiritual direction as "a conversation aimed at taking the next step toward wholeness in Christ for the sake of the world."
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NEWCOMER OPPORTUNITY
Sunday, January 15, 10:20 a.m.
The Rev. Jeffrey Bower will provide an instructed eucharist for those who are new to the Episcopal Church or to St. Paul’s, and would like to know why the eucharist (Holy Communion) is central to our sacramental faith and our tradition. We'll walk through our weekly liturgy together. All will meet in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, to the left of the nave/sanctuary as you face the altar. Questions, contact the Rev. Jeffrey Bower.
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Kids (0-18+) and parents, grandparents and mentors are invited to join for bowling and a great chance to get to know other families! Two separate lanes for the youth group and six lanes for families have been reserved. Please RSVP to Laurie Pierce so that all can plan to be together. Bowling and shoes are free; please plan to bring money for snacks, drinks and/or arcade games. Subscribe here for future Family Ministry newsletters to learn about upcoming events.
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MEN'S TUESDAY STUDY GROUP - NEW BOOK
Starting on January 17, the group will begin studying the book Learning to Walk in the Dark. Author Barbara Brown Taylor hopes to provide a way to find spirituality in those times when we don’t have all the answers. Taylor asks us to put aside our fears and anxieties and to explore all that God has to teach us “in the dark.” All are invited to join the conversation, regardless of reading the book. Questions, email Larry Johnson.
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LGBTQ FAITH MEETING
Thursday, January 19, 6:30-8 p.m., Youth Lounge (first floor, Parish Center)
DEI. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be the topic for our time together. What is this work about? How does our faith guide us, inform us, transform us in this work? All will participate in an exercise together and talk about individual stories as well as think theologically about why this work is so very important. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Feel free to bring an appetizer or snack food to share. Please email your attendance to the Rev. Jeff Bower by January 17.
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ST. RICHARD'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL "PAR-TEA"
Paddington "Par-Tea"
Saturday, January 21, 9:30-11 a.m.,
St. Richard's School is now enrolling for the 2023-24 school year. Families are invited to a "Par-Tea" to enjoy some great fun while getting to know the St. Richard's community. Children ages 2 1/2-6 are welcome to bring their "best bear" and to enjoy a memorable morning including crafts, a trip to the "vet," pictures at the "Paddington Station," a "Par-Tea" and more activities planned for this age group. Click here to learn more about this event and RSVP below:
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ADULT GODLY PLAY SESSION
Saturday, January 21, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Room 211 (second floor, Parish Center)
Are you curious as to what Godly Play is all about? This is the Montessori-based curriculum St. Paul’s uses for Sunday School (ages 3-11). Did you know that some churches use this curriculum for ages 3-100!? Enjoy a Godly Play session for adults only. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to join, no strings attached! However, if you are considering becoming a volunteer or storyteller next program year, please join us. RSVP below. Questions, email Laurie Pierce.
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MEN'S CIRCLE COUNCIL AND FELLOWSHIP MEETING
Thursday, January 26, 7-8:15 p.m., Youth Lounge (first floor, Parish Center)
Join with men transforming men through Christian spirituality, based on contemplative practices as taught by Fr. Richard Rohr. Plan to meet on the fourth Thursday of each month to focus on the wisdom traditions of forgiveness and radical inclusivity. Email George Slenski (or tel. 937.241.5556) with interest or questions.
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REQUIEM FOR THE ADRIFT AND SHATTERED PREMIERE
Sunday, January 29, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
This is the world premiere of pianist Clare Longendyke’s new multimedia work featuring pieces for solo piano by Rex Isenberg, Emily Koh, Reinaldo Moya and Nkeiru Okoye alongside a new film by Deonna Weatherly and Weatherhouse Company. Admission is free. The program was made possible in part by a grant from St. Paul’s Faith, Justice & the Arts initiative. Learn more below:
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ANNUAL MEETING - SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, February 5, 10:15-11:45 a.m., Parish Hall
All adults and youth are encouraged to attend the St. Paul's Annual Meeting after the 9 a.m. service and participate in conversation with our Rector, leadership and fellow parishioners. Youth (6-12th grade) are invited to join us during the meeting (Youth Lounge will be closed). Childcare will be available for ages infant-5 (in the nursery) and ages kindergarten-5th grade in the Lilly Room. There will be no 11:15 a.m. service offered that day.
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MEN'S KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY
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