Dear Friends in Christ,
Thanks to a gift from Brad Hughley, I’m reading Malcolm Guite’s devotional The Word in the Wilderness which offers a daily poem and commentary from Shrove Tuesday through Easter Day. For Monday in the first week of Lent I read “The Pilgrimage” by the 17th century priest and poet George Herbert. The poem does not sugarcoat the realities of the Christian life.
At length I got unto the gladsome hill,
Where lay my hope,
Where lay my heart; and climbing still,
When I had gain’d the brow and top,
A lake of brackish waters on the ground
Was all I found.
With that abash’d and struck with many a sting
Of swarming fears,
I fell, and cry’d, Alas my King!
Can both the way and end be tears?
This reminds me of an article in the January edition of The Christian Century, “Giving Disappointment its Due” by Jonathan Tran who teaches at Baylor. He writes that scripture “does not hold back on acknowledging disappointment. Adam and Eve’s catastrophic disappointment over the garden. Cain’s murderous disappointment when God rejects his offering. David’s disappointment when kingdom life turns out less than kingdom-like. Judas’s disappointment with Jesus. In each case, God turns out to be our greatest disappointment. Is it more heretical to say this or to deny it?”
Of course, it’s not necessarily God who disappoints us. Our disillusionment often arises from the unrealistic expectations we project onto God; the prayers that don’t appear to be heard or answered, the tragic events we wish God would prevent. In times of disappointment, we need eyes of faith to perceive God’s presence and promise. So, Herbert continues:
Yet taking heart I rose, and then perceiv’d
I was deceiv’d:
My hill was further: so I flung away,
Yet heard a crie
Just as I went, None goes that way
And lives: If that be all, said I,
After so foul a journey death is fair,
And but a chair.
Guite explains that in Herbert’s time “chair” could be understood as a litter or even a carriage. In other words, as a way of being carried. In death, then, we are carried to eternity, to the welcome end of our long pilgrimage. Which reminds us that Lent leads not only to Good Friday but also to Easter. When it comes to the promise of resurrection, God will not disappoint us.
Your Friend in Christ,
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UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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LUNCH & LEARN
Wednesday, March 8, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Parish Hall
Please RSVP to Tana Hunnicutt no later than Friday, March 3 to attend “Twenty thousand years of history at the corner of 56th and Keystone.” Parishioner Alice Roettger will explain the long, complicated story that led to the demise of an environmental treasure near 56th Street & Keystone and the pioneer who owned the land. Alice has been a parishioner at St. Paul’s for over 40 years. She is the author of Blessings on Old St. Paul’s and enjoys speaking on the history of the northside of Indianapolis. The cost of lunch is $5.
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ADULT FAITH FORUM
FJA Grant Recipient, Angela Brown
Sunday, March 5, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
Angela Brown, world-renowned soprano and Grammy Award winning artist, will present her vision for the upcoming interfaith prayer service, “A Plea for Healing.” This free community service is built around prayers offered by diverse faith, civic and arts leaders, and citizens of all ages, races, traditions and perspectives. Brown’s hope is that the gathering will transform beyond one prayer service to a rallying cry for cooperative, impactful action throughout Indianapolis. “A Plea for Healing” was funded by a $25K grant from St. Paul’s Faith, Justice & the Arts initiative in Fall 2021. All are encouraged to attend the service at St. Paul’s on Tuesday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. Click here for details.
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VISIT THE AVENUE COFFEEHOUSE AND CAFÉ
On Feb. 27, The Avenue Foundation (TAF) founder, Eric LeSure officially opened The Avenue Coffeehouse & Café at 6283 N College Ave in Broad Ripple. All proceeds support TAF, which seeks to build racial and economic equity, and empower the Black community in Central Indiana to create generational wealth. Learn more by visiting their pages on Facebook, Instagram or at theavenuecoffee.com.
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CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER CLASS
Sundays, March 5, 12, 19; April 16, 23; May 7, 14, 10:15-11 a.m.
Room 207 (2nd floor, Parish Center Building)
Parishioner Jeff Wise will lead classes on Contemplative Prayer this spring. Contemplative prayer has been described by Richard Rohr as “the way we work out the experiences which words elude, how we learn from them, and bravely allow ourselves to be transformed by them, even when our normal modes of thinking cannot make sense of them.” This is a practice of being present in the moment and allowing our mind, heart, soul and senses to be open and receptive to the moment just as it is. Questions, email Jeff Wise.
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GREEN TEAM MEETINGS
Sundays, March 5, April 2, May 7, October 1, November 5, December 3, 12:30 p.m., Roberts Library
Sundays, June 4, July 9, August 6, September 3, 11:30 a.m., Roberts Library
St. Paul's Green Team will meet on the first Sunday of each month after the later service (times above). The group is working on a number of projects, including transitioning St. Paul's away from single-use plastics, recycling, Creation Care activities, an expanded garden and an energy audit — just to name a few. If you have an interest in Creation Care, please join the team! Questions, email Mark Carpenter.
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SACRED HARP PASSIONTIDE SERVICE
Sunday, March 12, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
St. Paul’s Choir will sing original versions of tunes from Sacred Harp and other collections, as well as anthem arrangements by American composers. Started in New England singing schools as a way to teach music theory, shape-note singing eventually wove into the heart of Appalachia and Southern states where the tradition of singing "fa-so-la” melodies in three or four parts still endures. Sacred Harp is the name of the most popular publication in the shape-note style, and as the preface explains, King David may have played on the harp, but the instrument we were all given at birth – the human voice – is the sacred harp. Length: approx. 60 min.
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IPS #43 SNACK COLLECTION
Sundays, March 12, 19, 26 and April 2, Burrows Commons
School #43 will begin state testing soon and has asked us to provide students with snacks prior to and during the tests. There are about 200 students and all nutritional snacks and water are greatly appreciated! Please look for a drop off box in Burrows Commons. Snacks will be collected and delivered weekly, prior to their testing window. Thanks for all that you do to support the students at School #43! Questions, email Janie Frazier.
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WILDERNESS WORSHIP
Join the Rev. Patrick Burke for an outdoor prayer service with Eucharist including a warm fire, hot cocoa and fellowship. All are welcome! Questions, email the Rev. Patrick Burke.
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BINGO + TACOS
Saturday, March 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
All ages are invited to come for Bingo, prizes and an all-you-can-eat taco bar! This community event is hosted by St. Paul’s Youth Group, and will be emceed by parishioner Drew Tharp. Dinner, and optional childcare for ages six and younger, is included with your ticket. Small additional games will also be available; bring cash with you if you wish to play these. Cost is $10/admit one, $20/admit two or $25/admit family. All proceeds will go to the MLK Center. Purchase tickets below:
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NEWCOMER SCHEDULE :: EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Sundays, March 19 and April 2, 16 & 23
March 19 :: History of the Book of Common Prayer, 10:15-11 a.m.
Join us in the Parish Hall after the 9 a.m. service for this Adult Faith Forum.
March 19 :: Newcomers Luncheon, 12:30 p.m.
Please RSVP to join us in the Lilly Room for a luncheon following the 11:15 a.m. service. RSVP by emailing Tana Hunnicutt no later than March 16.
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SPECIAL MUSIC & FLOWERS FOR EASTER DAY
Sponsoring music or flowers for Easter Day is a great way to honor loved ones. Sign up online below, or contact (for music) Meegan Kriner or (for flowers) Tana Hunnicutt. Payments must be received by Monday, March 20 for names to appear in Easter Day service bulletins. Donations of $40/music and $50/flowers appreciated.
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DAYSPRING COLLECTION
Burrows Commons
Dayspring Center provides emergency shelter, clothing and three nourishing meals per day for homeless families with children in central Indiana. Non-perishable food items, household items and in-kind contributions (details here) are needed at all times. Questions, email Cathy Henney. See a specific list below of items that are needed now. Drop off on any Sunday and a volunteer from St. Paul's will deliver donations when the box is full.
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HOLY BAPTISM
Baptisms will next be administered on April 16 and May 28, 2023
The deadline to register for April 16 baptisms is Thursday, March 23. If you or your child are interested in baptism, please visit below for more info and to request to be baptized on either of these dates.
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EPISCOPAL WOMEN'S MINISTRY SPRING GATHERING
Saturday, April 15, 1-3 p.m. (EST), Online offering
Bishop Cate Waynick will speak at this offering, titled "Rest and Self-Care: God's Sabbath Gift to Us." The gathering will focus on sabbath living and prioritizing time for God, for rest and for self-care. Registrants will receive a preparation welcome packet with both serious and playful resources. All are welcome to participate and registration is free. See details and register below:
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MEN'S WEEKEND RETREAT AT WAYCROSS
The theme of this year's men’s retreat is "Growing our Relationship with God." All will focus on fellowship, sharing stories and learning new spiritual practices. Several sessions will be led by a retreat leader and Spiritual Director, Dan Hoffman. There will be time for hiking, reading, relaxation, conversation and reflection. Also enjoy opportunities for community prayer, music, spiritual reflection, labyrinth walking and a fire circle at night. Rates range from $170-$280 dependent upon accommodation preferences. Questions, email George Slenski. Learn more and register below:
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