Dear Friends in Christ,

You may be surprised to read that my work at church and my family life do not directly intersect very often. As a generalization that statement isn’t totally accurate. Stephanie knew about my call to ordination before we started dating and, except for the first 11 months of Taylor’s life, I’ve been a parish priest for the kids’ entire lives.

But as Taylor and Eli grew up, Stephanie and I wanted church to be something more than the place I worked. We kept church at the center of our lives because we believed that’s what Christian families do. We wanted Taylor and Eli (and Stephanie) to find their own place at church, not only to be known as the Rector’s family.

To do that, we created what we hoped were healthy boundaries. I rarely worked from home while the kids were growing up. I didn’t (and still don’t) share any sensitive pastoral information at home. I don’t practice my sermons or share the challenges that come up in parish life. At home, I’ve tried to be a husband and father, not a priest.

But every once in a while, my identities as priest and dad intersect directly. I baptized Eli when they were two months old. I buried my grandmother, an aunt and uncle, and my parents. My mother-in-law has asked me to do the same for her (though she’s still very much alive and kicking!).

And this Saturday, September 30, I will officiate Taylor’s wedding, pronouncing that my son and his beloved, Nicole, are husband and wife. Eli is sure I’m going to cry, which is entirely possible because even while I’m being a priest, I will also be a very happy dad.

In the Episcopal Church we believe a wedding is a sacramental rite, a “means of God’s grace” to quote the Catechism in the Prayer Book. The central core of the wedding rite is not the moment when a couple is pronounced to be married, but the moment when the priest pronounces God’s blessing.

I’m using the intersection of father and priest as an excuse to be creative with the blessing for Taylor and Nicole. I’m combining words from the Book of Common Prayer, Enriching Our Worship, 1 Corinthians 13, and my own wishes for them into a blessing I hope will be as meaningful for them as it will be for me.

Most gracious God, we thank you for the great joy and comfort bestowed upon us in the gift of human love. We give you thanks for Taylor and Nicole and the covenant of faithfulness they have made. Pour out the abundance of your Holy Spirit upon them. Keep them in your steadfast love. When life is hard and the way ahead is unclear, fill them with wisdom and peace. When life is good and the way seems easy, fill them with gratitude and humility. Give them strength to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things. May their love never end.

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you. God mercifully grant you rich and boundless grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting. Amen. 

Your Friend in Christ,

The Rev. John. Denson, D.Min., Rector

REIMAGINING PROCESS LISTENING SESSIONS

As with many institutions, St. Paul’s has experienced a lot of transition during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Since July, the Reimagining Team has been meeting to discern who we are as God’s people and who God is calling us to be in the future. To share an update on the process and to hear your thoughts and ideas, the Reimagining Team will be holding the following listening sessions. Please consider participating in one:

Sundays (in-person sessions, no reservation required, CRR (second floor, Parish Center Building)

• October 15, 29; November 5 (10:15-11:15 a.m.)
• October 22; November 5 (11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.)
• October 29; November 5 (12:15-1:15 p.m.)

Mondays (via Zoom; reservation required - RSVP below to receive a Zoom link)

• October 16, 30 (7-8 p.m.)

Wednesdays (via Zoom; reservations required - RSVP below to receive a Zoom link)

• October 11, 18, 25; November 1 (7-8 p.m.)

SACRED GROUND STARTS SOON!

Sacred Ground is an Episcopal dialogue series on race, grounded in faith and open to all. Together we will explore America’s history of race and racism, including the particular American histories of Black, Indigenous, Latino and Asian/Pacific American communities as they intersect with European American histories, our own family stories, economic class and political and regional identity. This year’s Sacred Ground circle will again meet in a hybrid format: most sessions will take place on Zoom, with occasional in-person sessions to anchor our community. Watch for more information and registration details very soon. Questions, email the Rev. Beth Scriven.

ALL PARISH COFFEE HOUR

Sunday, October 1, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall

Join us for coffee, yogurt bowls and toppings, table games and a time to refresh and connect with fellow parishioners. 

SCOUTING OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, October 1, 1-3 p.m., St. Paul's Parking Lot

Troops #73 and #173 invite all youth ages 11+ to a special open house event. Learn more about leadership, service and adventure with Scouts. Enjoy a special event at 1:30 p.m. Questions, email Sonja Houle.

CIVICS, CIVILITY AND CONSENSUS SESSIONS

Saturdays, October 7 and November 4, 9-11 a.m., Roberts Library

Please email Tana Hunnicutt to register by Sunday, October 1! These sessions use a curriculum developed by Women4Change and are funded by St. Paul's Outreach Oversight Committee. The curriculum has been disseminated to individuals and organizations in Indianapolis and facilitators Katherine Tyler Scott and Kate Appel are making it available to St. Paul's congregants, especially encouraging those with leadership responsibilities to participate. Being equipped with skills of managing differences in a respectful and constructive manner strengthens our capacity to live up to our Baptismal Covenant to respect the dignity and worth of every human being. Attendance at both sessions is necessary; a small fee to cover materials and refreshments will be assessed. Questions, email Katherine Tyler Scott or Kate Appel.

ALL SAINTS' HOLY BAPTISM

Register now for All Saints' baptisms.

Baptisms are offered next on Sunday, November 5 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, October 12.

SCHOOL #43 UPDATE

School #43 is in session with attendance gradually increasing! There are lots of upcoming events planned for School #43 students and all are invited to attend and/or volunteer.

• Tuesday, October 3 & Wednesday, October 4, Volunteer training meetings, 12-1:30 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m., School #43 - see details in volunteer section below.
• Friday, October 6, 4-6 p.m., MLK Fall Festival with food, games and book giveaways. Help is needed - see details in volunteer section below. (MLK Center serves School #43 students.)
• Monday, October 9-Friday, October 13, MLK Fall Break Camp, St. Paul's is hosting a pizza-making day - see details in volunteer section below.
• Wednesday, November 1, 2-8 p.m., School #43 Open House will feature the plan for the 2024-25 school year. Next year, School #43 will be a school for the arts. The open house will showcase the changes planned. Click here for a detailed flyer.

Questions, email Janie Frazier.

HELP ADDRESS THE HOUSING PROBLEM IN INDIANAPOLIS

Affordable housing is an Indianapolis problem! The MLK Center Lay Clergy Team, of which

St Paul’s is a member, is beginning work to address the housing problem in our area. Affordable housing is really the root of another problem - homelessness. Join a symposium of interested parishioners from local churches to determine the next steps in addressing this troubling concern. If you are a realtor, landlord or property owner who would be interested in beginning a discussion to formulate a plan, please email Janie Frazier.

CHORAL MATTINS

Sunday, October 8, 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary

Join us for the morning version of Choral Evensong. St. Paul’s Choir sings responses, canticles, the psalm and anthem. Featuring music by Richard Shephard, H. Walford Davies, Herbert Sumsion, George Dyson and Elizabeth Coxhead. Communion from the reserved sacrament will be available.

CHORAL EVENSONG

Sunday, October 8, 4 p.m., Sanctuary

Join us for a service of Evensong. Featuring music by Craig Phillips, John Joubert, Richard Shephard, Ronald Arnatt and Edward W. Naylor and stay for a post-Evensong recital by organist, Matt Luca at 5 p.m. This service represents one day out of the week of Choral Evensongs that St Paul’s Choir will sing at Ely Cathedral, July 15-21, 2024. Your gracious presence is part of theSt. Paul's Choir pilgrimage.

ST. PAUL'S CHOIR TRIVIA NIGHT

Friday, October 27, 7 p.m., Parish Hall

St. Paul's Choir will be singing in residence at Ely Cathedral in England next summer and is holding a trivia night to raise funds for this pilgrimage. All are invited to come build spirit and enjoy the fun! Tickets are $30/each or $225 for a team of eight. The price includes a freshly cooked dinner and local beer and wine will be available for purchase. Tickets may be purchased from choir members or at the door that evening. Get yours before they sell out and vie for the championship trophy! Questions, email Bill Cummings.

The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis is committed to welcoming and protecting all people who participate in activities in its parishes and at events sponsored by the diocese. Download the Diocesan Safe Church policy here.

CONVENTION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

St. Paul’s is proud to be hosting the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis Convention, Friday, November 10-Saturday, November 11. We are looking for proud, enthusiastic volunteers to help us greet people and direct visitors on Friday from 11:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. Volunteers are not required to work a full shift, even a few hours of your time would be much appreciated. If you would like to help, please email Dan Thompson.

SCHOOL #43 VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Tuesday, October 3 & Wednesday, October 4, 12-1:30 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m., School #43

Are you interested in making a difference in the life of an IPS School #43 child? The opportunity is here, School #43 is ready for volunteers! ALL volunteers need to attend an initial training meeting that describes what and how instruction should look during the core parts of the school day. Volunteers will have the opportunity to choose to work in a small group setting, supporting reading or math instruction (times TBD), or during success time from 3-3:30 p.m. Background check requirements will be provided at the meeting. To RSVP for a meeting time, or for more information, email Janie Frazier.

MLK CENTER COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

October 6, 3:30-6:30 p.m., Fall Festival, MLK Center

October 12, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Make pizza with kids, St. Paul's

October 18, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Join for a tour of MLK Center

Meal help is needed. Ages 12+ are encouraged to sign up here to serve meals to the summer camp/afterschool program any weekday.



The partnership between MLK Center and St. Paul's is starting to take off — we need YOU in order to make this relationship sustainable! The MLK Center needs to know as many St. Paul's parishioners as possible and you need to know them. We are beloved community together. Sign up to volunteer at the Fall Festival! If volunteer spots fill, show up anyway and help where needed. We always have room for people ready to make new friends in the community. Click below to get involved. Questions, email Laurie Pierce.