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As many of you know, in August of 2023, David and I decided to sell our home in Indianapolis and move to our lake home. We had been occupying two households for over eight years, and frankly, it was becoming a lot to manage. Our whole goal was to simplify.
Moving to the lake required some careful thought and planning. We really hadn’t changed much at all from the past owners. It was time to commit to a number of restorations, including the entire exterior walk, stairs, retaining walls and the back deck. That was phase #1. Phase #2 was complete revision and renovation of our downstairs.
My plan: we would renovate the downstairs, make it fully functional as an oversized one-bedroom apartment, live down there, while the entire upstairs two floors were renovated. It was a brilliant plan, thank you very much, and it worked. We have been living in our lovely downstairs 900 sq. feet apartment since August of last year. Living with two sixty-pound pups, David, me and only a few of our things has been an adjustment. Simple? Maybe not so much.
Since early fall 2024, Phase #3 has been underway. The amount of dirt, dust and debris has been overwhelming. It required continuous cleaning, filtering, sealing off the lower level and doing everything possible to maintain a habitable environment downstairs. Some days have been better than others, but finally, on Monday of this week at 6 p.m., our contractors turned the house back over to us for priming and painting. They will return in a few weeks to complete the remaining plumbing and electrical work. I have never been so glad to be through the dust storms of the last six months. Nothing has been simple about this time, but let me assure you, it has all been worth our time and effort.
As I think of this season that we are now embarking upon, the season of Lent, it too is a time of renovation that we take on every year, one that is focused not on the practical spaces that we are afforded in our daily lives, but most importantly, the spaces of our spiritual lives, that ever so often need to be restored, renewed, renovated and refurbished. It’s lovely to enter the Ash Wednesday liturgy in communion with others who embark on this pilgrimage with us, but the responsibility remains with each of us to sift through the dust and ashes of our lives, “to remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return.” Formed of the earth we are holy vessels of God’s abiding presence and love. Drawn up in the spirit, we can shed the dust and cobwebs of our spiritual lives during this Holy Lent and prepare ourselves more faithfully to radiate God’s love and kindness to our broken world. There is nothing simple about it, but Christ Jesus our Lord assures us that it is worth it, both now and forever.
The Rev. Jeff Bower, Associate Rector
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SUNDAY, MARCH 9 AT ST. PAUL'S INDY | |
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SPRING FORWARD
Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 9 at 2 a.m.
If you don’t have a device that updates automatically, be sure to set your clocks forward one hour before bed on Saturday night. We look forward to seeing you bright and early on Sunday morning!
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ADULT FAITH FORUM
10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
For updates on the rector transition process, please join St. Paul’s wardens for an informational forum.
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SUNG MORNING PRAYER
11:15 a.m., Sanctuary
The morning companion to St. Paul's popular Choral Evensong is Sung Morning Prayer, offered on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. The service contains choral canticles, responses and psalms, and congregational hymns. Music is by Henry Purcell, Annabel Rooney and more.
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CHORAL EVENSONG
4 p.m., Sanctuary
Join us for a service of Evensong in honor of Women’s History Month. St. Paul’s Choir will feature female composers. Music by Annabel Rooney, Kerensa Briggs and Ana Hernandez.
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NEXT WEEK AT ST. PAUL'S INDY | |
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“DAZZLING DECADES” BINGO HAS BEEN CANCELLED
After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the March 15 Bingo fundraiser. While we were looking forward to this fun evening, we feel that we are unable to produce the event we originally envisioned, and we appreciate your understanding. Despite our best efforts and enthusiasm, ticket sales and volunteer engagement have not reached the level we had hoped. Refunds for purchased tickets will automatically be processed on Monday, March 10. Please click here to email Laurie Pierce with questions. Thank you for your support!
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LAST CHANCE TO JOIN TUESDAY EVENING LENTEN GATHERINGS
A few spots remain for an all-ages group of 10+ people meeting at St. Paul's for conversation, faith-related discussion and short prayers over snacks and supper. This group meets on Tuesdays, 3/11, 4/1 and 4/8 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and childcare for ages 3-10 will be provided. Click below to sign up online for this group hosted at St. Paul's by the Tharp family. A physical sign up is available on the Welcome Table in Burrows Commons. Please click here to email the Rev. Beth Scriven with questions.
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FIA GRANT DEADLINE IS MONDAY
Faith in Action (FIA) is accepting grant applications through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 10. FIA supports projects focused on racial justice, housing, education and anti-violence efforts in Indianapolis. Nonprofits and individuals in the greater Indianapolis area are invited to apply for funding for specific projects or programs aligning with both St. Paul’s mission and FIA’s mission. Click below for details and to apply. Click here to email the Rev. Beth Scriven or click here to email Wanda Riesz with questions.
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RSVP FOR SPRING BLING LUNCH BY TUESDAY, MARCH 11
Thursday, March 13, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Parish Hall
Lifelong Learners (formerly Lunch and Learn) invites you to a lunch just for fun! All are encouraged to bring a favorite item and share with the group why it’s meaningful — whether sentimental or just for laughs. The cost of lunch is $10; click here to prepay online (indicating “Lifelong Learners Lunch” in the reason for payment field). Please click here to RSVP to Tana Hunnicutt by March 11. Click here to email Ann Hinson with questions.
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WEAR YOUR NAMETAG – A SIMPLE ACT OF WELCOME
Please be especially mindful about wearing nametags on Sundays. Nametags are a small, but meaningful, way to foster connection and hospitality — not only for clergy and staff but also for newcomers and longtime members alike. Whether you’ve been here for years or are just getting to know St. Paul’s, wearing your nametag helps make our community more welcoming to all. If you need a new nametag, please either create a temporary nametag or drop your name into the box in Burrows Commons to request a reusable nametag — we’ll be happy to make one for you! Please click here to email Laurie Pierce with questions.
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WELCOME, AL-ILM WEEKEND SCHOOL STUDENTS AND STAFF
Please extend a warm welcome to Keaun and the 9th & 10th graders from Al-Ilm Weekend School, visiting us on Sunday, March 9. These Muslim students, who attend public school during the week, gather on Sundays to study Islam. They are joining us Sunday as guests of our Deep Dive students for a meaningful exchange about faith — observing our service and participating in Youth Group to share what it means to be Christian or Muslim. St. Paul's youth are grateful for this opportunity to learn from one another and build understanding. We wish our guests Ramadan Mubarak — may this holy month bring all peace, reflection and blessings!
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HOLY BAPTISM
Register for April 27 baptisms
Baptisms are offered next on Sunday, April 27 at 9 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 is Thursday, April 3.
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CONCERT :: JEAN-BAPTISTE ROBIN
Sunday, March 16, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
Join us for a free concert and reception, featuring French organist Jean-Baptiste Robin on the St. Paul’s Casavant Organ. Jean-Baptiste Robin is regarded as one of the most prominent French concert organists and composers of today. With his appointment in 2010 as Organist of the Royal Chapel at the Palace of Versailles, he was given a place in a long line of heralded French organists, such as Couperin, Marchand and Balbastre. He also serves as Professor of Organ and Composition at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional in Versailles. This event is co-sponsored by the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
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MULTIFAITH PASSOVER SEDER
Tuesday, March 25, 5:30-7 p.m.
Congregation Beth-El Zedick
The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council invites all to their second annual Interfaith Passover Seder for the community. This is a unique opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the vibrant traditions of the Passover Seder. Please click here for a flyer with more details and register below to attend.
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NOTEWORTHY DATES:
(Click on red links for available details)
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Tuesdays, 12-1:15 p.m., Tuesday Study Group at Broad Ripple Brewpub
- Sun., March 16, St. Paul's 101, 10:15-11 a.m., CRR
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Saturday, April 12, Puentes: Educate to Advocate, A Symposium on Immigration
- Palm Sun., April 13 - Easter Sun., April 20, Holy Week
- Sun., May 4, Celebrate St. Paul's: Picnic with a Purpose
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Sat., May 10, Habitat for Humanity Build, St. Paul's parking lot
- Fri.-Sun., Sept. 19-21, Parish Retreat at Waycross
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