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When asked if I would like to write a reflection on what Advent means to me, my first thought was “they’ve certainly asked the wrong person.” That prompt was clearly for people who have their spiritual life (and life in general) more in order than me.
As I pondered what Advent meant to me, it took me back to my first Advent. I was a 21-year-old college student, non-baptized and “unchurched” who had been coming to RCIA at a Roman Catholic Church. A recent experience with gun violence along with other kinds of violence in my apartment complexes had put me on a journey. A journey to find meaning in this world beyond what was in front of me. A journey to find a place where I felt safe and at home. I looked upon the holy family with the idealism of a 21 year old. I was sure I’d be able to build a beautiful idealistic Catholic family in the future.
Fast forward 20 years to today, things are incredibly different and much more complex in my life. I have a family, it is no longer welcome in the Catholic Church, and it shares almost nothing with my idealistic vision of 20 years ago. Perhaps that makes a lot of sense because barely anything that goes on in the gospels, outside of the actions of Jesus, are ideal. In fact it’s usually quite messy.
The holy family were pulled by the demands of the world, the census started their journey. The only place that would give a woman in labor and her newborn shelter was a manager. The government targets their child by murdering an entire set of children. They’re on yet another difficult journey with no real plan or idea what’s going to happen. They have no electronic communications, no way to call and make reservations, they can’t call the police or an ambulance. They push forward and try to make the best choices they can with the little information they have. They do so to protect their child, who happens to be the Messiah, but for now is a dependent vulnerable newborn. They have no way of knowing how His life is going to play out or where they will fit in it.
The idea that we need to “have our lives in order” just doesn’t check out with the Gospels. The story of a perfect family where everything goes right and happiness overflows is nowhere to be found. If our lives are messy, our best laid plans destroyed by the world, that’s nothing new to Jesus, the holy family, or the apostles for that matter. Advent this year for me means recalibrating my perspectives and releasing anxieties about not having my life “in order.” Faith is a much better companion through the chaos of the world than anxiety. Jesus never tells us we need to have everything in order. He does repetitively remind us not to worry.
Mariah Leszczewski, Parishioner
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ADVENT OFFERINGS
Advent prayer booklets are available in Burrows Commons; click here for a digital copy. Click here to view a list of St. Paul's Advent & Christmas offerings.
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“PHISHING” EMAIL REMINDER
Please be cautious about emails from St. Paul’s staff requesting personal information or favors. If in doubt, call the office at 317.253.1277. St. Paul's has been contacted in the past week regarding an increasing number of phishing emails claiming to be from St. Paul’s staff. Staff and clergy will only contact you using official stpaulsindy.org email accounts and will never ask anyone to purchase gift cards, or anything else, on our behalf. Advanced scammers use “spoofed” email addresses that superficially mimic genuine emails addresses (i.e., therevjohn@gmail.com, stpaulsindy@gmail.com). Victims of spoofed email addresses have no idea this has happened and no control over stopping it. Please double-check before clicking links or downloading anything.
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'TIS THE SEASON TO GIVE
The seasons of Advent and Christmastide are traditionally times of thanksgiving and remembrance, and we give gifts to celebrate our lives in relationship with others. It is also a perfect time to reflect on the importance of St. Paul’s in our lives and support the mission and ministries that continue to make Christ known in our world, not just on Christmas Day, but throughout the year. There are only a few weeks left in the calendar year, but your gifts today provide for our ministry tomorrow and beyond. Won’t you please consider making a special gift this season to ensure our ability to live more fully into our call to be a church transforming the world around us? The following are ways to give:
• Text MYGIFT to 97000
• Give checks/cash to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 6050 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46208
• Make gifts online, stpaulsindy.org/give
• Automatic Debit
• Online Banking
• Stocks
• Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA: click here to learn more
Charitable gifts are tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations: click here to learn more
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TUESDAY STUDY GROUP
Tuesdays, 12-1:15 p.m., Broad Ripple Brewpub
The group is now studyingk A Master Class on Being Human. Authors Braxton and Pinn, two eminent Black thinkers, ponder broader philosophical and theological questions that inform our politics and sense of what it means to be human: the meaning of religion, the stubborn dilemma of moral evil and the power and problems of hope. All are invited to join for conversation, regardless of reading the book. Questions, click here to email Larry Johnson.
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HARD SEASONS :: GRIEF & THE HOLIDAYS
Monday, December 11, 5-6:30 p.m., Online
The holiday seasons are tough for all, especially those experiencing grief. Grief complicates the way that we show up to ourselves, our holidays and to others. Take some time with Seminary Intern, Tyne Parlett and others who have experienced loss and grief. Process and plan the holiday season and all that it can hold for you. Click here to email Tyne Parlett for a link to participate.
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GREENING OF THE CHURCH
Sunday, December 17, 10:15 a.m.
All are welcome to stay after the 9 a.m. worship service and help to decorate St. Paul's for Christmas! Light refreshments will be provided. Please note: due to the Greening, there is no 11:15 a.m. service that day.
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LGBTQ+ FAITH HOLIDAY GATHERING
Thursday, December 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Youth Lounge (first floor, Parish Center Building)
Adults (18+) in the LGBTQ community are invited to join for a holiday meeting. Please bring a favorite dish to share. Questions, click here to email Mark Carpenter.
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CHRISTMAS PAGEANT ROLES
Sunday, December 24, 3p, Sanctuary
Ages 0-18 are invited to participate in a short, interactive children and family-focused service with communion and Christmas carols. Children dress in costume and act out the story of Christmas. Click below to sign up in advance and select roles. A rehearsal will be held on Saturday, December 23 at 10 a.m. Visiting friends and grandchildren are welcome to be a part of the pageant - walk-on roles will also be available. Questions, click here to email Laurie Pierce.
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LEARN SPANISH IN 2024!
Wednesdays, January 10-February 28, 6-7:15 p.m. or
Thursdays, January 11-February 29, 2024, 6-7:15 p.m.
CRR (Second floor, Parish Center Building)
St. Paul's is excited to announce a special opportunity for the community to come together and embark on a cultural and linguistic journey! In collaboration with parishioner and Cathedral High School Spanish teacher Cindy Seley, we are offering eight weeks of Spanish classes. Whether you're a beginner or brushing up on your Spanish skills, this class is designed for all levels. Learning a new language opens doors to communication and fosters understanding and connection within our community. Class sizes are limited - please click below to register by Sunday, December 31. Choose from eight weeks of Wednesday or Thursday classes for the low cost of $40. Questions, click here to email the Rev. Jeff Bower.
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SLOW FLOW YOGA WITH CARRIE
Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m.; Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Room 213 (second floor, Parish Center Building)
Step into the new year with intention and wellness. Slow Flow Yoga is appropriate for beginners and experienced practitioners and is taught by registered instructor and parishioner, Carrie Bernhardt. Slow Flow is an easy to follow, slower-paced practice that coordinates fluid movement with breath, allowing the mind and body to reconnect. Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. Classes are offered as a $50/5 class package or individually at $12/per class. See details here. Questions, email Carrie Bernhardt.
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ADULT FAITH FORUM
10:15-11a, Parish Hall
Mary: A Girl from Nazareth, A Woman for the World
Join the Rev. Beth Scriven and fellow parishioners for an exploration of Mary’s life and legacy! We’ll walk through key moments of her life in Scripture; consider her place in Christian history, art, culture and prayers; and contemplate how we can connect with and learn from Mary’s witness in our own time and lives.
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ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: ORGANIZING FOR JUSTICE
10:15-11 a.m., Room 207 (second floor, Parish Center Building)
Anyone who has been yearning to take an active role in changing our world for the better, your insights and opinions are needed! Andrew Stacy invites fellow members of St. Paul’s for a bi-monthly series of lay-led dialogues concerning social justice in action. Questions, email Andrew Stacy.
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CHORAL MATTINS
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 Sarah MacDonald, Henry Purcell, Jakob Handl and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Communion from the reserved sacrament will be available.
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CHORAL EVENSONG
4 p.m., Sanctuary
Join us for a service of Evensong. Featuring music by Sarah MacDonald, Gary Davison, Wayne Marshall and Michael McGlynn. 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 the St. Paul's Choir pilgrimage.
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OUTREACH OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE PROJECTS
Christmas Families:
Before and after the 9 & 11:15 a.m. services, Burrows Commons
Outreach is sponsoring kindergarten students from School #43, and their siblings, this Christmas. Parents of 60+ children will be provided with a $100 gift card to help with Christmas needs. Please help to reach this goal. Click below to make online donations, text SCHOOL43 to 97000 or donate in person to Outreach committee members in Burrows Commons. Any amount is much appreciated!
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Alternative Gift Market:
Outreach is collecting donations for six organizations this year: The Julian Center, Dayspring Center, Mission in Mombasa, Habitat for Humanity, Indiana Youth Group and The Damien Center. Purchase a card for $5 and up. These cards are a great way to show someone you care this holiday season! Click below to make online donations, text MARKET to 97000 or donate in person to Outreach committee members in Burrows Commons.
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MEAL TRAIN
"Meal Train" allows volunteers to sign up to bring food to someone needing support. The Meal Train Ministry would love to have you on the team. Email notifications arrive when there is a new meal train, and you may view details and decide if the dates listed will work for you to deliver a homemade or store-bought hot meal. Email Laurie Pierce if you would like to be added to the team. Please let Clergy or Laurie know if there is someone in our church community that could benefit from a Meal Train.
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MLK CENTER
The partnership between MLK Center and St. Paul's is starting to take off — we need YOU to make this relationship sustainable! Sign up below to help with a Holiday Celebration on December 15 from 4-5 p.m. If you would like to help deliver food from the MLK Center to School #43 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m., or have general questions, click here to email Laurie.
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