Dear Friends,
“War broke out in heaven.” So begins verse seven of the 12th chapter of the Revelation to John. I’m not generally a fan of the final book of the New Testament. The passage appointed for today, the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, reminds me why. War, dragons, the devil, wrath. It sounds more like The Lord of the Rings than the heavenly host.
This week as I prepared for the Wednesday celebration of the Holy Eucharist, I was inclined to skip reading this passage (12:7-12). But then guardian angels came to mind. Michael, as you likely know, is an archangel not a guardian angel. Though I suppose since he leads a war in heaven to protect us from the “great dragon” one could consider him a guardian angel, albeit one on steroids.
Angels are a part of most religious traditions. They show up often in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. The angel of the LORD appearing to Hagar (Genesis 16). Jacob asleep in the desert dreaming of a ladder with angels ascending and descending (Genesis 28). The angel of the Lord who appears to Elijah in the wilderness to feed and strengthen him (1 Kings 19). Gabriel appearing to Mary to tell her she will give birth to the Savior (Luke 2). And so many more.
I don’t know that you can strictly call these guardian angels (Gabriel, like Michael, is an archangel). In scripture, angels generally appear not to guard but to deliver a message. The message is almost always some version of “Don’t be afraid. You are not alone. God is with you. Keep going.” While these angelic visits do not guard those who are visited, they do gird them by providing power and strength for the journey.
Whatever one may think of angels, perhaps we can agree that much of the time our guardian angels are not heavenly beings but human beings. I suspect we’ve all had the experience of someone — friend, family, or stranger — showing up unexpectedly to do just what we need at the very moment we need it. I remember an experience several years ago before Stephanie and I moved to Indianapolis. We were in the midst of a family crisis which required an enormous amount of emotional, mental and spiritual energy. Just when we needed to know we were not alone, our guardian angels showed up in the form of a small group of friends we’d trusted with information about the crisis. One Sunday they took us into the small chapel adjacent to the church, sat us in chairs, surrounded us, and then prayed for our family. Though nothing had changed, we realized we were not alone. Which is just what we needed.
I’ve never looked for guardian angels. If one showed up with wings, I might run the other way. But we don’t need to look for them. We simply need to trust they will show up when we need them. They won’t solve all of our problems or fix what is broken. But they will remind us we are not alone, and that God is always with us.
Your Friend in Christ,
Rector
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RECTOR'S FORUM
Sunday, October 2, 10:15-11 a.m.
During this month’s forum, John will discuss Anglican identity, the theology of mission and building utilization. Join us to see how it all fits together and for a chance to connect with other parishioners.
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TUESDAY STUDY GROUP - NEW BOOK
The group is now studying Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul. Author John Philip Newell shares the tradition of Celtic Christianity, explaining how this earth-based spirituality can help us rediscover the natural rhythms of life and deepen our spiritual connection with God, each other and the earth. All are invited to join the conversation, regardless of reading the book. Questions, contact Larry Johnson. Click below to purchase the book.
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FATHER MICHAEL LAPSLEY NEXT DOOR
Wednesday, October 5, afternoon & evening sessions
An afternoon session (2-4 p.m.) in Room 356 at Second Pres involves a more interactive discussion; limited spots are available, and registration is required. An evening public session (6:30 p.m.) in the Sanctuary at Second Pres is free and open to all; that event will be livestreamed here. Details, registration and more information about Father Michael Lapsley can be found below. Questions, contact Dr. John Franke.
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YOGA WITH CARRIE - THURSDAY ADDITION
Thursdays, October 6 - November 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Parish Center Room 213
Slow Flow Yoga is an easy to follow, slower-paced practice that coordinates fluid movement with breath, allowing the mind and body to reconnect. Poses are held longer to build strength while improving flexibility and balance. Classes are $12/ea or $50/package of five. Click below for more information. Questions, contact Carrie Bernhardt.
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ADULT FAITH FORUM
Sunday, October 9, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
Reckoning with our Toxic Heritage
Liz Kryder-Reid will share her research on toxic heritage. What does it mean to think about places of environmental harm as heritage and to consider the environmental harm of heritage sites? Using examples from the post-industrial sites in the UK, WWI battlefields in France and dry cleaning and sewage contamination in Indianapolis, she will explore how heritage might play a part in creating a more sustainable and equitable future.
Liz Kryder-Reid is a St. Paul's parishioner and Chancellor's Professor of Anthropology and Museums Studies at the IU School of Liberal Arts, IUPUI and Director of the Cultural Heritage Research Center.
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CHORAL MATTINS
Sunday, October 9, 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary
Enjoy the morning version of Choral Evensong. St. Paul's Choir will sing the music of John Ireland, Herbert Sumsion, Craig Phillips, Jester Hairston and Margaret Burk. Choral Mattins is a bi-monthly offering at the 11:15 a.m. worship service, occurring on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.
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CHORAL EVENSONG
& Post-Evensong Recital
Sunday, October 9, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
St. Paul's Choir sings a service of Evensong featuring music by Kenneth Leighton, Margaret Burk, John Sheppard and Healey Willan. Stay for a post-Evensong recital given by organist Matthew Wachtman, a student from IU Jacobs School of Music.
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LGBTQ FAITH: NEW SCHEDULE
Thursday, October 20, 6:30-8 p.m., Youth Room (first floor, Parish Center)
All LGBTQ persons (ages 18 +) are invited to join us on the third Thursday of every month. We will enjoy a time of food, fellowship and reflection, sharing stories of our own faith lives, learning from one another what life in faith looks like and discovering new ways of living our faith in the places where we journey. For further information about LGBTQ Faith, please contact The Rev. Jeff Bower.
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ADULT CONFIRMATION CLASS
Baptized adults interested in confirmation are invited to sign up below.
Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows is planning to offer the sacrament of confirmation during her visit to St. Paul's on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Persons interested in confirmation are required to complete a series of classes (Sundays, October 23, November 6 & 20, December 4 and January 15, occurring after the 11:15 a.m. worship service and lasting approximately 75 minutes). Questions, please contact The Rev. Barbara Kempf. Any youth interested in confirmation, please contact Laurie Pierce.
Learn more about the sacrament of confirmation in the Episcopal Church here.
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CHORAL "SPOOKENSONG"
Thursday, October 27, 6 p.m., Sanctuary
St. Paul's treble and teen singers combine with the choir of Christ Church Cathedral in a mid-week service of Choral Evensong in Halloween costumes, including music that is — in turns — dark and stormy, and lighthearted. Featuring music of Peter Nardone, Herbert Howells, Charles Stanford and Maurice Duruflé.
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TGIF EVENT: CRAINE HOUSE BINGO
Support Craine House by playing BINGO at this fundraising event. The cost is $50/person and includes a taco buffet dinner, two drinks and six rounds of BINGO, Contact Barb MacDougall below for tickets.
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REQUIEM by Maurice Duruflé
Sunday, November 6, 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary
At the 11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, St. Paul’s Choir joins organist Jacob Taylor and chamber orchestra to present a service for the departed, using as its foundation the exquisite Requiem by Maurice Duruflé. We will also remember the many victims of COVID-19 and those lost in the continuing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
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