Dear Friends in Christ,
My sister-in-law, Suzanne, visited this past weekend and attended worship with Stephanie on Sunday. Suzanne is not religious in the formal sense, but she is a deeply spiritual person. I admire her openness to the myriad ways the spirit moves through the world and her fellow humans.
She also brings the curiosity of one unaccustomed to church traditions and rituals which are routine for many of us. As we chatted during dinner on Sunday evening, she remarked on how much she enjoyed being at St. Paul’s and then wondered about our use of the word “catholic” in the Nicene Creed. “You’re Episcopalians,” she said, “so why do you say you believe in the catholic church?”
As many of you know, the Nicene Creed contains three sections focused on each person of the Trinity: God the Creator, God the Redeemer, God the Holy Spirit. The final section contains the sentence about which Suzanne was asking: “We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.” It’s logical to assume, as many do, that this refers to the Roman Catholic Church. However, catholic in this context means “universal.” In the Creed we’re saying we believe all Christians, whatever their particular denomination, participate equally in one universal church. We are all members of the Body of Christ.
On Wednesday this week I presided at our weekday Eucharist in the chapel. In light of my conversation with Suzanne, I found it somewhat ironic that we commemorated the lives of three Roman Catholic martyrs: Margaret Ward, Margaret Clitherow and Anne Line. They were executed during the reign of Elizabeth I for protecting and hiding Catholic priests. Celebrating the Catholic Mass was illegal in 16th century England, so protecting a Catholic priest was punishable by death.
How is it possible that people who regularly recited that they believed in “one holy catholic and apostolic church” could put to death three women (and so many others) because they were adherents of another branch of Christianity? The answer is complicated, wrapped up in concerns for dynastic survival, extreme religious conflict during the Reformation, control of church finances and more issues than I have space for today. For now, let’s name this as a tragic example of the destructive intolerance that has been prevalent throughout human history and continues to be widespread in our own time.
In a column published in The New York Times in late July, David French wrote, “The measure of a community isn’t how it treats insiders, but rather how it treats outsiders.” Though writing specifically about small towns, his point applies to any community; perhaps especially religious communities with well-defined standards of belief and behavior that almost inevitably divide insiders from outsiders.
As French writes, polarization continues whenever a community “withholds its sense of community and acceptance. … It’s easy to recognize that insular reality in communities far away. … What’s important is to recognize that reality in our own communities as well.”
Many people describe St. Paul’s as inclusive and accepting, and this is clearly true. Yet, even in the most inclusive churches there are people who feel forgotten, unseen, or that they don’t fit in with the majority perspective. In a polarized age in which our society suffers from an epidemic of loneliness, it is all the more important that we commit ourselves to being as “catholic” as possible. An open spirit, even within the context of our formalized faith, will make us a more loving and accepting church.
Your Friend in Christ,
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FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Beginning Sunday, September 10, worship at 7:45, 9 and 11:15 a.m.
We will continue to offer our Wednesday Holy Eucharist at 11 a.m. but will return to having three in-person Sunday worship services after Labor Day. The 9 and 11:15 a.m. services will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Offerings for every age will resume from 10:15-11:15 a.m. and will occur most Sundays each month (including Sunday School, Rector’s Forum, Adult Forum and Parent’s Lounge). Please plan to join us for the first Rector's Forum on September 10, where John will give an update on what’s been happening at St. Paul’s over the summer, including staff transitions, and look ahead to what you can expect in the coming months.
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TUESDAY STUDY GROUP
Beginning September 5, the group will be studying the book Braving the Thin Spaces – Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace. A “thin place” is where God’s grace is waiting to happen. Your thin place might be an important threshold, a soul friendship, a fresh chapter in your own life story, a painful secret or fear or a time of hardship. Whatever the circumstance, a thin place is where God and humanity meet in a mysterious way. All are invited, regardless of reading the book. Questions, email Larry Johnson.
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SLOW FLOW YOGA WITH CARRIE :: FALL SEASON
Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m.; Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
All classes in Room 213 (second floor, Parish Center Building) starting 9/5
Slow Flow is appropriate for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Classes are taught by registered yoga instructor (and St. Paul’s parishioner) Carrie Bernhardt. Slow Flow Yoga is an easy to follow, slower-pace 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. Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. Classes are offered as a $50/5 class package or individually at $12/per class. Yoga invites us to notice the pause - breathing mindful awareness into the present moment. Click here for details. Questions, email Carrie Bernhardt.
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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY - ALL AGES
Thursdays, 10-11 a.m., Rector's Conference Room (2nd floor, Parish Center building)
Need a spiritual uplift or relief from "worldly" pressures? The Women's Bible Study provides a midweek spiritual boost through the reading of God's word and learning how to apply it to daily living. Each lesson is basically self-contained, requiring no homework. No previous Bible knowledge is necessary to attend, and all are welcome to simply show up. Questions, email Alice Roettger or call 317.253.8840.
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JOIN THE HANDBELL CHANGE RINGERS
Dates and times TBD
The change ringers of St. Paul's will ring again this year and would love to have you join. This is the centuries-old English tradition of ringing in ever changing order, pealing out at church services, weddings and royal coronations. All is driven by a beautiful set of mathematical rules; if you like math, you'll love this. Beginners are very welcome. Please email Bill Cummings to find out more and to become part of this merry band.
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RENTABLE SPACES AT ST. PAUL’S
Do you know of someone needing a space, small or large, that may be interested in St. Paul’s? BU Wellness will utilize the Parish Hall for an upcoming Family Dinner Series and Indianapolis Men’s Chorus rents the Parish Hall as a rehearsal space. Yoga with Carrie offers classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Indianapolis Christian Tabernacle holds worship at St. Paul's on Sunday afternoons. If you know of businesses that could use our space when it would not otherwise be occupied, inquiries can be submitted using the form below:
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TGIF GATHERING
Friday, September 8, 6 p.m., Parish Hall
Adults 21+ are invited to bring a potluck dish to share and a beverage of choice to watch a movie made by St. Paul's parishioner Colin Denhart. His debut feature-length film "Sister" has recently been featured in several film festivals around the world and has won awards for both best picture and best actress (Vasudha Krishnamoorthy) at many, including the Paris Film Awards. The film tells the fictional horror story of a young nun who is haunted by evil spirits and must find the light within her to overcome the darkness while incorporating elements of some real-life haunted history. Please click below to RSVP to Alan Davis no later than Wednesday, September 6.
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FAITH, JUSTICE & THE ARTS (FJA) GRANTEE CONCERT
Sunday, September 10, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
Join us for the concert, "Out of Darkness, Into Light." Former St. Paul's Staff Singer and FJA grant recipient, Joseph Ittoop will partner with ATLYS, a professional all-women string quartet, to present original compositions honoring the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, TX 2022. All works are composed by Mr. Ittoop and feature multiple instrumental ensembles. The centerpiece of the concert will focus on text from Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman and her reflections on hope and finding light through darkness. Admission is free.
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CHOIR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, September 14, 5:30 p.m., second floor, Church Building
Come to the Choir Room in the Church building to see what St. Paul's Choir School is about. Observe our talented choristers (ages 7+) and learn about our ABC Choir (ages 4-6). Free dinner is provided for all kids. If you are curious about getting your kids involved in choir or if you would just like to meet us, please stop by. This is open to the public — family/friends are welcome! Get paid to sing in choir: Choral Scholar students receive reimbursement (up to $2,000 per child/per year) for private instrumental music lessons. Learn more at the open house. Click here for details. Please email your RSVP to Brad Hughley for planning purposes.
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NEWCOMER EVENT :: TOUR AND LUNCHEON
Sunday, September 17, 10:20-11 a.m. (tour); 12:30-1:30 (luncheon)
If you are new to St. Paul's, or have been attending for a while, join us for a tour. Learn more about how the spaces and places we call St. Paul's are utilized. Please join the Rev. Jeff Bower for a guided tour. Plan to meet in the nave (back of sanctuary) immediately following the 9 a.m. service.
Following the 11:15 a.m. service, Newcomers are encouraged and welcome to join staff and clergy for an informal time of gathering and to share a lite meal from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Please make reservations by emailing Tana Hunnicutt, or call the church office at 317.253.1277.
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ALL PARISH RETREAT
Friday, September 29 - Sunday, October 1
This retreat is for YOU! The purpose of this weekend is to bring the entire parish together. The theme is “Refresh and Reimagine Community.” There are a variety of experiences to choose from; programming is designed with every age in mind. Located in scenic Brown County, Waycross Episcopal Camp is a year-round retreat center. Most of the lodging is full at this point. You can still choose from the following options:
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Saturday-only registration (9a-7p, $50 per person, includes lunch, dinner and programming). You may also choose to be added to a waitlist in case lodging becomes available.
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One cabin for your family (10 bunk beds, not sharing cabin with another family, shared bathrooms, bring all linens, take $35 off registration price)
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Youth Lodge (must register with another family that also wants to stay there, minimum 4 people)
Click link below for details and registration:
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HABITAT :: INTERFAITH PANEL BUILD
Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
More than 20 local faith communities will come together at Second Presbyterian Church to make an impact on the lives of Habitat for Humanity homebuyers and their families. Habitat provides the opportunity for people, who otherwise couldn't, to become homeowners. Volunteers ages 16+ are invited to help with this "panel build," where the walls of houses are assembled prior to delivery to the home site. No prior experience is necessary. If you are willing to lend a hand to future homeowners who will appreciate it so much, please click below to register. Questions, email Bill Cummings.
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SMALL SNACK VOLUNTEERS
Everyone likes a small snack after the 9 a.m. service. Children usually cite "the snacks" as their favorite part of church; adults have been caught sneaking into Adult formation with multiple cookies! The perfect time for a light snack is 10 a.m. Let's keep it going. Can you please pick ONE Sunday this year to bring the snacks — sign up below with a partner or by yourself. See suggestions there for what and how much to bring. Questions, email Laurie Pierce.
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Ages 12+ are welcome to sign up below to serve meals to the summer camp/afterschool program any weekday. This is a very easy volunteer role providing an opportunity for St. Paul's people to show up and continue to build relationships with kids and staff at the MLK Center. Interested in volunteering in other ways at MLK, like picking up food from around town or reading with kids, email Leintz Belony. Questions, email Laurie Pierce.
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