Dear Friends,
How was your Christmas? I’ve been describing the Denson family Christmas as “memorable.” This is definitely the Christmas we will not forget. If you participated in Christmas worship at St. Paul’s, either in person or via the livestream, you likely heard that our holiday was significantly impacted by COVID. Yes, almost three years since the pandemic began, COVID continues to be very present and real.
Our challenge was not feeling sick. Only one of us experienced significant symptoms, and those felt like a nasty cold. The challenge was isolation. At certain points, the four of us in the house stayed in separate rooms. Because we didn’t know COVID was in the house before Eli’s flight left New York, they spent three days alone in a hotel before flying back on Christmas Day. Our dear friend, Chip, who spends every Christmas with us, stayed in San Francisco. We awakened the morning of December 22 anticipating our first full family Christmas since 2019. A few hours later, that hope had evaporated.
Other highlights of our Christmas? We lost water for a few hours (a water main break in our neighborhood), lost power twice, missed in-person Christmas worship at St. Paul’s and dealt with the meltdown of Southwest Airlines when Taylor and his fiancée, Nicole, got stuck in Indy for three extra days.
None of this comes close to describing how truly difficult Christmas was for us. Details about the family drama that arose during our COVID isolation can stay in the family.
Yet, in so many ways the light of Christ continued to shine. The 12 days of Christmas have not been all darkness and isolation. We gathered via Zoom as a family the evening of Christmas Day. Though not in person we were face-to-face and enjoyed our annual game of Christmas trivia. The Southwest flight cancellation gave us a few more days with Taylor and Nicole. We enjoyed many of our favorite Christmas foods. We were fortified by the prayers and support of so many people from St. Paul’s.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it,” John writes in the prologue of his gospel (John 1:5). As many times as I’ve read or heard these words, I don’t know that I’ve ever experienced them more profoundly than I have this Christmas season.
As we enter 2023, I am in the 61st year of my life and the 31st year of my ordained ministry. Even after all of this time, I still have so much to learn. Christmas comes even when what we expect and plan for is stripped away. Christmas comes whenever light glimmers in the darkness, joy breaks forth in the midst of struggle and love endures after the family drama.
As filmmaker Kirsten Johnson said in her documentary, Dick Johnson is Dead, “It would be so easy if loving only gave us the beautiful, but what loving demands is that we face the fear of losing each other. That when it gets messy, we hold each other close. And that when we can, we defiantly celebrate our brief moments of joy.” (As quoted in Anderson Cooper’s podcast, All There Is).
All we really know when we enter a new year is that it won’t all be good or all bad, all happiness or all sorrow. Whatever happens, I hope you will continue to experience the wonder of Christmas. May your year will be filled with moments of joy, glimmers of light and love that endures.
Your Friend in Christ,
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UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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SIGN UP FOR LUNCH & LEARN
Wednesday, January 11, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Parish Hall
Please RSVP to Tana Hunnicutt by Friday, January 6 to join Parishioner Sally Flint for an intro to Native American flute. Sally has been enchanted by the Native American flute's peaceful and soulful sound since childhood when she attended powwows in Wisconsin each summer. Spending time at the Milwaukee County Museum, she was further intrigued by splendid examples of old Native flutes. Sally will share the story she learned about the creation of the first flute and how — through dreams and prayers during a dark time of her life — the flute became part of her ministry and spiritual path. Some examples of different Native American flutes will be shared with a chance to hear them. Sally aims to teach that the Native flute's simplicity, modesty and power truly make it an instrument accessible to anyone for prayer, healing and meditation. The cost of lunch is $5.
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WILDERNESS WORSHIP WINTER OUTDOOR GATHERING
Saturday, January 7, 10 a.m.
All are welcome to attend this worship offering at St. Matthew’s, including a prayer service with Eucharist, warm fire, hot cocoa and fellowship. Questions, email the Rev. Patrick Burke.
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RECTOR'S FORUM
Sunday, January 8, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
Join the Rev. John Denson, D.Min. as he looks backward to 2021 and forward to 2023. John will share data on membership and attendance in the Episcopal Church, looking at trends over the past few years. He will also look ahead to what you can expect at St. Paul’s in the new year.
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CHORAL MATTINS
Sunday, January 8, 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary
Join for the morning version of Choral Evensong as St. Paul's Choir sings the music of Richard Webster, Charles V. Stanford, William Walton and H.C. Stewart.
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EPIPHANY LESSONS & CAROLS
Sunday, January 8, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
St. Paul's Choir sings a reflective service of scripture and song. Featuring music by Dieterich Buxtehude, Bruce Neswick, Mack Wilberg, Kenneth Leighton and Gustav Holst.
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JANUARY OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEWCOMERS
Sundays, January 8 & 15, 10:20 a.m.
January 8
Are you new to St. Paul’s, perhaps feeling a bit overwhelmed, not knowing where things are? Maybe you are not new but have no idea of all the places and spaces that we call St. Paul’s. Whatever is your experience, you are invited to join the Rev. Jeffrey Bower for a guided tour. All will meet in the nave/sanctuary after the 9 a.m. service.
January 15
The Rev. Jeffrey Bower will provide an instructed eucharist for those who are new to the Episcopal Church or to St. Paul’s, and would like to know why the eucharist (Holy Communion) is central to our sacramental faith and our tradition. We'll walk through our weekly liturgy together. All will meet in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, to the left of the nave/sanctuary as you face the altar.
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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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SEEKING HELP FOR THE ST. PAUL'S HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
At St. Paul’s, we offer simple receptions with light refreshments following funerals held at the church. The receptions are offered at the request of the family of the deceased and last 60-90 minutes. To offer this ministry of hospitality, we need parishioners to provide the refreshments (cookies, baked goods, nuts, dried fruit or fresh fruit) and to be present to help serve. For further details and to sign up, please email Tana Hunnicutt.
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NEED TO RENT A SPACE?
You’re in luck, we have it! St. Paul’s has available, rentable space for one-time events, conference rooms and longer-term rentals. Know an organization looking for space, please point them our way. We would love to talk to them about opportunities to collaborate. This just in — St. Paul’s Parish Center Kitchen is now a certified Shared Kitchen! We continue to look for ways to partner with our community and utilize our space. Rooms and rates are available to view below. Questions, email Dan Thompson.
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ST. PAUL'S APPAREL
Order now and pick up on Sundays or during Church Office hours
T-shirts and 1/4 zip pullovers with our St. Paul's logo are available in several color/size options; items may be picked up at St. Paul's. Visit here to see apparel and order online now, or fill out an order form at St. Paul's on Sunday.
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Sunday, January 15, 3-5 p.m., Location TBD
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LGBTQ FAITH MEETING
Thursday, January 19, 6:30-8 p.m., Youth Lounge (first floor, Parish Center)
DEI. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be the topic for our time together. What is this work about? How does our faith guide us, inform us, transform us in this work? All will participate in an exercise together and talk about individual stories as well as think theologically about why this work is so very important. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Feel free to bring an appetizer or snack food to share. Please email your attendance to the Rev. Jeff Bower by January 17.
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ADULT GODLY PLAY SESSION
Saturday, January 21, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Room 211 (second floor, Parish Center)
Are you curious as to what Godly Play is all about? This is the Montessori-based curriculum St. Paul’s uses for Sunday School (ages 3-11). Did you know that some churches use this curriculum for ages 3-100!? Enjoy a Godly Play session for adults only. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to join, no strings attached! However, if you are considering becoming a volunteer or storyteller next program year, please join us. RSVP below. Questions, email Laurie Pierce.
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REQUIEM FOR THE ADRIFT AND SHATTERED PREMIERE
Sunday, January 29, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
This is 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 below:
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