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My son Huxley is autistic, so welcoming our family means celebrating neurodiversity by respecting and valuing all people and their neuro differences, including strengths, needs, abilities, and disabilities. No matter the brains we have, we all represent the wide breadth of ways humans learn, process, communicate, and connect —neurodiversity is a part of human diversity. Autism is a natural variation in human neurotype, and even among autistic people, a wide range of neurotypes are represented. No matter where autistic people are on the “spectrum,” they have unique abilities and perspectives that enrich and strengthen communities.
All of this yet, there is stigma and lack of understanding around neurodiversity, especially autism. Hence we arrived at St. Paul’s in a state of crisis fatigue, largely brought on by ongoing discrimination and exclusion and lack of compassion and support. St. Paul’s was a haven for our family. The many signs of St. Paul’s care —from Laurie Pierce’s constant expressions of love and reminders that the community was there to support us to the meals left on our doorstep during an acute period of struggle — pulled us up when our heads felt so close to going under water.
The new “cool down room” is another sign of St. Paul’s unwavering love and generosity. You will probably notice that Huxley sometimes struggles with emotional regulation, sensory processing, impulse control, and executive functioning. In environments that many of us find ordinary, Huxley has to work extra hard to stay regulated, communicate effectively, and meet his own emotional and sensory needs. When Huxley is struggling, you or your family members might see behaviors or hear words that can feel uncomfortable or inappropriate. This means that Huxley is overwhelmed, not misbehaving. He does not want this to happen. A designated room to cool down gives him the space he needs to recover. There, he can relax and regulate in an environment where everyone is safe and where he is free to unmask and meet his own needs. When overwhelmed, Huxley does the best he can, and you can help. Please ignore challenging behaviors, be patient, and provide space for Huxley to safely move to the cool down room.
Huxley has an extraordinary capacity for empathy, a remarkable imagination, strong ethical positions, and a profound commitment to justice. He seeks out opportunities for deep connection and conversation. His unique mind is in part because Huxley is autistic, and it is also what makes him a great fit for St. Paul’s!
Huxley is a beloved gift to the community. Those words — repeatedly spoken to our family at St. Paul’s — play on repeat in our minds when we feel fatigued, confronted with the stigma that haunts us. We arrived at St. Paul’s in need of healing, not from autism, but from the ableism and lack of understanding that on many occasions led to us to being cast out of community. The love, care, generosity — and now a cool down room! — at St. Paul’s have been a critical chapter in our story of belonging. Thank you for including us.
Andrea Jain, Parishioner
| | COOL DOWN ROOM AT ST. PAUL'S INDY | | |
Found on the first floor of the Parish Center building, around the corner from the Youth Lounge, St. Paul’s Indy provides "cool down" space during Sunday worship and events. This is designed to provide a peaceful and quiet environment for those who may need a moment to step away from a service/activity.
The Cool Down Room serves several important purposes:
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A Safe Haven: It offers a calm and comfortable space for individuals who might feel overwhelmed, anxious or need a break for any reason.
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Family-Friendly: It’s a perfect spot for parents with young children who might need a few moments of quiet time. Please note: this is not an active playroom; there are other spaces serving that purpose.
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Inclusive Environment: By providing this space, we aim to ensure that everyone feels welcome and supported, no matter what their needs may be.
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Rest and Reflection: Sometimes, we all need a moment to recharge. The Cool Down Room is an ideal place for personal reflection and quiet prayer.
| | FINAL FY2026 HONOR ROLL OF GIVING | | Thank you to the 227 donors who made estimates of giving for FY2026. We have met $745,835 of our $900,000 goal and your support is instrumental in helping us continue our mission and expand our programs. If you haven't yet had the chance to make your estimate of giving, there's still time to contribute. Every commitment, no matter the size, helps us move closer to our goal and ensures that we can provide vital services to our community. Please click below to make your estimate of giving now. Thank you, once again, for your unwavering support and dedication to St. Paul's Indy! | | |
"FACE TO THE RISING SUN" DISCUSSION
Sunday, July 13, 9-10 a.m., CRR (second floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.)
Join for the first of four book discussions on "Face to the Rising Sun" by the Rev. Dr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones (visiting St. Paul's Indy in August). This book is a journey through Spiritual songs that invites us to deepen our commitment to respect the dignity of every human being. Guided small group discussions will create a space to reflect, share and grow together. For the first small group reflection, please plan to read text through Day 16; discussion prompts will be provided on Sunday. Discussions will also occur on Sundays, July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 17. If you haven't already picked up a book, copies are available in Burrows Commons. Please click here to email Carrie Bernhardt with questions.
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REGISTER FOR BAPTISM BY JULY 17
Baptisms are offered next on Sunday, August 10 at 10 a.m. Baptism is the sacrament by which we are adopted as God’s children and made members of Christ’s body, the Church. Please click below to learn more or to request to be baptized. The deadline to register for August 10 baptism is Thursday, July 17.
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VISITING CHOIR ON JULY 20
During 10 a.m. worship on July 20, St. Paul's Indy welcomes singers from the Jacobs Academy Schola Cantorum from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. This select group of 25 singers come from all across the country to spend a week on the IU campus under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Smith and Dr. Dana Marsh, each day culminating in a choral service. Jeffrey is a familiar face to St. Paul’s, as he subbed for Brad Hughley during his spring 2023 sabbatical. On their final day in Indianapolis, The Schola Cantorum will start with a choral mass at St. Paul’s, followed by a 2 p.m. concert that day at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Click below to learn more:
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING COBURN PLACE!
Thank you to everyone at St. Paul's who bought a glass of lemonade on June 29 to quench their thirst and support Coburn Place. Your support makes a real difference. Due to your generosity, our Community Engagement team raised $140 and matched that amount, for a total donation of $280! A special shout-out to Sadie W., our number one lemonade salesperson!
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CONNECTIONS YOUNG ADULT GROUP
Friday, July 11, 6-8 p.m., Tinker Coffee
Connections is a group for childless folks in their 20s, 30s and 40s who are interested in finding community and exploring faith. Please join for the next meeting - newcomers are welcome! Click here to email Jacob Denning with questions.
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MESS FEST '25 YARD SIGNS ARE IN!
We're excited to announce our Sunday, August 17 Mess Fest and are asking for your help in welcoming the community. To extend our invite, please grab a Mess Fest yard sign/fliers from Burrows Commons and take one (or more) to display on your lawn/at your business or - with permission - in the community. This is a fantastic way to invite neighbors and friends to join us for a fun-filled afternoon of activities and fellowship. Please click below to consider other ways you can help; thank you for your support! Click here to learn more about Mess Fest and click here to email Laurie Pierce with questions.
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Please click on red links for available details
- Safety notice from Wardens and Interim Rector of St. Paul's Indy
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Ongoing, volunteer to provide MLK Center after-school snacks, email Susie Holtz
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Tuesdays, 6-6:45 p.m., Centering Prayer, RCR (second floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.)
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Tuesdays, 6 p.m., Slow Flow Yoga
- Wed., Aug. 6, St. Paul's Indy office closed for staff outing - NO WEDNESDAY WORSHIP
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Thur., Sept. 11, game time 6:35 p.m., All-Parish Indians Game at Victory Field
- Fri.-Sun., Sept. 19-21, Parish Retreat at Waycross
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SHARE NEWS/YOUR STORIES WITH ST. PAUL'S INDY!
Do you have a story to tell, milestone to celebrate, event to promote or new life to announce? We’d love to hear from you! Share your news for possible inclusion in eConnections, bulletin announcements, social media, website (stpaulsindy.org) or on the Burrows Commons digital display. Submissions are due by 4 p.m. on Mondays for that week’s publications — early submissions are always welcome! Space is limited, so content will be shared based on timing, relevance and audience. Announcements may be edited or featured in different formats to best serve our community, and selected items typically run for up to two weeks. Please click here to email Meegan Kriner with questions. Click below to share your news:
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