SABBATICAL ANNOUNCEMENT :: BRAD HUGHLEY |
Dear Friends,
By the time you read this I calculate that I’ve played or directed music for roughly 850 liturgies since coming to St. Paul’s in August 2013. Now in my tenth year here, first as Associate Organist, and now as Organist and Director of Music, I am fortunate to have sabbatical leave to renew and refresh and gain new perspectives on my work here. My three-month sabbatical is February 22 - May 24: Ash Wednesday through the end of the choir term.
I believe the parish is also fortunate in this opportunity with the music left in the capable and competent hands of Dr. Jacob Taylor, our wonderful Assistant Organist. In addition to the excellent musical leadership he shows each Sunday, Jacob will be in charge of the daily running of the music department. I hope you’ll offer special thanks to Jacob as he takes on the yoke of additional work while I am away. I am especially grateful to him as a colleague and friend.
During the fourteen weeks I am gone, Jacob will be joined by Dr. Jeffrey Smith, professor of organ and sacred music at Indiana University, who will lead the choir in Wednesday and Thursday rehearsals and on Sunday mornings. Dr. Taylor’s good work is familiar to you all each week; Dr. Smith brings expertise in choir training for children and adults, as well as his renowned skills as an improviser and service player at the organ. Dr. Smith brings extensive experience in the Episcopal Church, as Organist and Choirmaster of several distinguished music programs in our denomination — most notably at St. Paul’s Parish, K Street (Washington, D.C.) and Grace Cathedral (San Francisco), and as interim director at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis. He joined the faculty at Indiana University in the fall of 2022 (read more here) and was the guest director of our Three Choirs Festival at Trinity Episcopal Church in February 2020. Please welcome Jeffrey to St. Paul’s next month!
So, what will I be doing with this time away, you may ask. The centerpiece of the sabbatical is realizing my longtime dream of exploring the Orkney Islands off the northern mainland of Scotland. It is a mystical place with lots of natural beauty and ancient settlements dating from the time before the Egyptian pyramids. This is a time for me to be still, listen, walk, meditate and read. My family will join me afterwards for a week in Edinburgh, where we will take in the history of the city. We will experience part of Holy Week together and worship at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral (and sit in on rehearsals with their intergenerational mixed choir that serves as a model for our own St. Paul’s Choir) and attend Evensong at Durham Cathedral together. The rest of the sabbatical is open to visiting family in Atlanta, attending the national convention for the American Choral Directors Association in Cincinnati, and various trips to Chicago and Lake Michigan. I am grateful to St. Paul’s and Father Denson for this enormous gift of rest and renewal, and at the same time grateful to all the singers in St. Paul’s Choir, Jacob Taylor and Jeffrey Smith for keeping the home fires burning and gaining different perspectives on singing together. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you all when I’m back this summer.
Gratefully,
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UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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VOTE FOR VESTRY AND MORE
Voting is now open to approve the 2026 Vestry slate, our Diocesan Convention delegates and minutes from last year's Annual Meeting. Your vote is needed! All members, 16 years of age and older, who have made a contribution to St. Paul's are eligible. Votes must be submitted no later than Thursday, February 2 at 5 p.m.
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RECTOR'S FORUM
Sunday, January 29, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
In anticipation of the St. Paul's Annual Meeting, join the Rev. John Denson, D.Min. for a conversation with time for questions and fellowship.
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REQUIEM FOR THE ADRIFT AND SHATTERED PREMIERE
Sunday, January 29, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
Join us for the world premiere of pianist Clare Longendyke’s new multimedia work featuring pieces for solo piano by Rex Isenberg, Emily Koh, Reinaldo Moya and Nkeiru Okoye alongside a new film by Deonna Weatherly and Weatherhouse Company. Admission is free. The program was made possible in part by a grant from St. Paul’s Faith, Justice & the Arts initiative. Learn more here.
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FOURTH ANNUAL LGBTQ STATEHOUSE DAY
Join the Rev. Patrick Burke, and other religious and secular neighbors, for LGBTQ Statehouse Day. Come to meet LGBTQ service organizations and hear messages of support from leaders and lawmakers.
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ST. PAUL'S ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, February 5, 10:15-11:45 a.m., Parish Hall
All adults and youth are encouraged to attend the St. Paul's Annual Meeting after the 9 a.m. service and participate in conversation with our Rector, leadership and fellow parishioners. Youth (6-12th grade) are invited to join us during the meeting (Youth Lounge will be closed). Childcare and snacks will be available for ages infant-5 (in the nursery) and ages kindergarten-5th grade (in the Lilly Room). There will be no 11:15 a.m. service offered that day.
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LUNCH & LEARN
Wednesday, February 8, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Parish Hall
Have you ever been to a natural history museum and seen dinosaur bones? Have you ever wondered where they were collected, or who they rightfully belong to? Please RSVP to Tana Hunnicutt no later than Friday, February 3 to attend and have these questions answered. Hannah Hensel will share her research in geoscience policy, exploring the federal policies that inform fossil collection on Native American lands. See her recent article on the topic here. The cost of lunch is $5.
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THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL
Christ Church Cathedral & St. Paul's
Sunday, February 12, 10 a.m.
Sunday, February 12, 4 p.m.
Choral Evensong with all singers from the three choirs, St. Paul's
Richard Webster (Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston) will lead singers from three Episcopal churches in the Diocese of Indianapolis: St. Paul’s, Trinity and Christ Church Cathedral. This weekend-long festival of music making culminates with Choral Evensong at St. Paul’s, featuring over 100 singers.
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Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows confirmed two adults and 10 youth and reaffirmed baptismal vows for one adult. Congratulations to David Anderson, Thomas Hillenbrand, Claire VanWassenhove, Arthur B, Colleen C., William H., Katharine H., Eleanor I., Henry I., Atticus R., Sinead S., Hannah W. and Rowan Z.
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YOGA WITH CARRIE
Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m., Parish Hall
Thursdays, 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 and to see the full schedule. Questions, contact Carrie Bernhardt.
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CRAINE HOUSE BINGO
Saturday, February 25, 5-9 p.m.
Have fun while raising money for Craine House. Tickets are $50/each and include dinner, two drink tickets and BINGO. A silent auction and 50/50 raffle will be available (License # 013753). Questions, email Scott Redmon or call 203.482.6491. Purchase tickets below:
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