Dear Friends in Christ,

When we think about saints, most of us naturally recall people whose lives were extraordinary in some way. In the church: St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Mary Magdalene. In society: Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu. In our families and communities: grandparents, neighbors, fellow parishioners.

Human beings like to categorize people. One person is a saint while another is a sinner. We separate people by their achievements, education, economic status, fame, skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, political party, the neighborhood in which they live, etc., etc.

The paired feasts of All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2) invite us to set aside these arbitrary divisions to see our common humanity. As we celebrate our link to the communion of saints, these feast days connect us to “the great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” who stand together before God in heaven (Revelation 7:9).

But even these inclusive feasts find a way to separate and categorize. As the Rev. Sam Portaro points out in his book, Brightest and Best, the collect (opening prayer) for All Souls’ Day is “tragically flawed.” 

“We maintain in our creed that God has made everything that is, seen and unseen. But [in the collect] we pray to a God who is ‘the Maker and Redeemer of all believers.’ What happened to everyone else? … Now we pray only for the faithful departed; everyone else be damned — literally. We then ask that God ‘grant to the faithful departed the unsearchable benefits of the passion’ of Jesus. Only to the faithful departed? What happened to our confidence that at least one of the ‘unsearchable benefits of the passion’ is that the passion of Jesus is ‘the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world’ (1 John 2:2)?”

How many times have I prayed this collect and not recognized the impact of the words I’ve said? Words which judge and divide, which separate the sheep from the goats, which do what God has not empowered us to do. We don’t get to decide who is righteous and who is not. We are called to break down barriers, to love our neighbor as ourselves, to form beloved community and to invite all people to experience the grace and mercy of God.

“The point which scripture seems consistently to make,” Portaro continues, “is that everything, and everyone, belongs to God always. Let our prayers this day be … for all souls, for all belong to God always. Neither prenatal circumstance nor posthumous judgment shall ever shake that faith. And thus believing, we may see the world and each other anew.”

Your Friend in Christ,

The Rev. John. Denson, D.Min., Rector

HAPPENING SUNDAY

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, November 5 at 2 a.m.

Set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night (and gain one extra hour of sleep).

OUTREACH THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE FOR MLK CENTER FAMILIES

Sundays, November 5 & 12, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Burrows Commons

In the spirit of thanksgiving and ongoing relationship with the MLK Center, the Outreach Oversight Committee is launching a Thanksgiving initiative to support 80 families at the MLK Center. Outreach will provide turkeys for each family; help is needed to provide all other items. Families may drop off food items in Burrows Commons or make monetary donations by texting TDAY to 97000 or making a donation here. Questions, email the Rev. Beth Scriven. Click below for a list of needed items:

ALL SAINTS' PARADE

9 a.m. service, Sanctuary

Ages 2-10 are welcome to meet in the Youth Lounge (first floor, Parish Center Building) at 8:30 a.m. to enjoy a McDonald's breakfast sandwich, grab a saint costume and process with us into the 9 a.m. service. Questions, email Laurie Pierce.

All-PARISH COFFEE HOUR

10:15-11 a.m., Lilly Room (first floor, Church building)

Join us for coffee, angel food cake and a time to refresh and connect with fellow parishioners. Learn about saints and enjoy crafting together (make a saint peg doll). The St. Paul's Intergenerational Team will be leading tours of the Columbarium while honoring those interred at St. Paul's and made known to us.

REIMAGINING PROCESS LISTENING SESSIONS

Sunday, November 5, 10:15-11:15 a.m.; 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; 12:15-1:15 p.m.

CRR (second floor, Parish Center Building)

To share an update on the process, and to hear your thoughts and ideas, the Reimagining Team is holding listening sessions. Please consider participating in one.

ALL SOULS' WORSHIP :: REQUIEM

Sunday, November 5, 11:15, Sanctuary

Join us for St. Paul's commemoration of All Faithful Departed featuring St Paul’s Choir section leaders and teens. Enjoy the hauntingly beautiful Requiem by Spanish Renaissance composer Cristóbal de Morales. During the liturgy we will remember those made known to us who have died. We will also pray for those killed, wounded, searching for loved ones, and struggling with grief and fear due to conflicts around the world.

NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR THE VESTRY

The Vestry is tasked with strategic oversight and communication toward objectives and goals in support of St. Paul’s mission. Members meet for several hours on the third Tuesday of most months and serve a three-year term. Click below to read more about the functions of our Vestry and to nominate someone you think would be an asset in this important role. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, December 1.

NEW LOOK FOR ONLINE GIVING

St. Paul’s is pleased to announce new and improved online giving pages! Vanco, our eGiving provider, has updated their online giving platform to make it easier than ever to make one-time gifts or to set up recurring donations to St. Paul's. New pages are now live under the "give" tab on stpaulsindy.org. Nothing about our online giving has changed except the look of the pages. Questions, email Dan Thompson.

HONORING OUR VETERANS

Submissions due Monday, November 6

In advance of Veterans Day on Saturday, November 11, our veterans are encouraged to share information about their military service. Please email your name, title, location(s)/ years served and a photo of yourself to Meegan Kriner. Submit your details last year? We'll highlight your information again unless you ask us not to do so.

A WALK HOME

HOW TO ACCOMPANY THE DYING

Wednesday, November 8, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Abbie Hunt Bryce Home

Attend a training hosted by Morning Light in partnership with St Paul's Supervised Ministry intern, Tyne Parlett (who is a certified death doula). Training will provide lay people with the skills to sit beside those who are actively dying. Participate in this informative and trauma-informed event that is sure to provide confidence and skills to all who hope to serve others at the end of life. Click here to register. Questions, email Tyne Parlett.

PHOTO DIRECTORY PICTURES

Sundays, November 12 & 19, 10:15-11:15 a.m., Burrows Commons

Does your parish directory photo no longer look like you? Are you represented by a block letter instead of a photo? Have you been meaning to send in a photo but keep forgetting? Parishioner and professional photographer, Ed Stewart will be available over the next few Sundays to take your photo (family or individual) and we’ll get them uploaded to the directory for you. If you are interested, please reserve a five-minute time slot below for the Sunday of your choice (November 12 or 19)! Space-allowing, walk-ins will be welcome. If you already have a photo you would like to use for the St. Paul’s directory, please email your desired photo to Tana Hunnicutt, or log into your Realm account and upload it there. Questions, email the Rev. Beth Scriven.

CIVIC EDUCATION VIRTUAL COLLABORATORY

Thursday, December 7, 2-4 p.m., via Zoom

Join for the two-hour Collaboratory, Reimaging Leadership: 7 Practices That Lead to Breakout Change, hosted by The International Leadership Association and Women4Change. Keynote speakers and co-authors of Beloved Economies: Transforming How We Work, Jess Rimington and Joanna Cea, will present seven key practices that cultivate civic participation and responsible leadership that strengthens organizations and communities. The cost is $50 (partial scholarships are available). Click below to register and learn more here. Questions, email Katherine Tyler Scott.

ISRAEL SOLOMON ART OPENING

Friday, November 3, 2023, 6-9 p.m., The Harrison Center

Faith, Justice & The Arts (FJA) grant winner, Israel Solomon's body of work, "Christ Like" will be featured during First Friday in the Speck Gallery at The Harrison Center. His grant allowed him to create this body of work telling the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how the story coincides with past and modern martyrdom of Black people in American Society. Enjoy an evening out while supporting local arts.

THE PHILADELPHIA ELEVEN MOVIE

Friday, November 3, doors open at 6 p.m.; film starts at 6:45 p.m.

The Toby at Newfields

As part of Spirit & Place Festival, all are invited to a free film screening sponsored by Trinity, St. Paul's Richmond, Christ Church Cathedral and the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. Watch The Philadelphia Eleven, a compelling new documentary film about the first women to become Episcopal priests. Join a panel discussion with the filmmaker, two of the Eleven, and some of Indy’s trailblazing female religious leaders, including Bishop Jennifer Baskerville Burrows. Secure tickets below to this free event:

NEW YORK POLYPHONY CONCERT

Saturday, February 17, 7 p.m., Sanctuary

St. Paul's Music proudly presents New York Polyphony in concert. Praised for a “rich, natural sound that’s larger and more complex than the sum of its parts,” New York Polyphony is one of the foremost vocal chamber ensembles active today. The four men, “singers of superb musicianship and vocal allure,” (The New Yorker) give vibrant, modern voice to repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant to cutting-edge compositions. Their dedication to innovative programming, as well as a focus on rare and rediscovered Renaissance and medieval works, has not only earned New York Polyphony two GRAMMY nominations and wide acclaim, but also helped to move early music into the classical mainstream. Tickets are $25/each (cash/check) or $25.75 (credit card). Click below to purchase now.

GET INVOLVED, STAY INVOLVED

The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis is committed to welcoming and protecting all people who participate in activities in its parishes and at events sponsored by the diocese. Download the Diocesan Safe Church policy here.

USHER PLANNING MEETING

Sunday, November 19, 10:15 a.m., CRR (second floor, Parish Center Building)

All current ushers, and anyone interested in becoming an usher, are invited to attend a planning meeting to discuss the opportunities to serve during Advent and in 2024. Questions, please email Jeff Kelsey.

MEAL TRAIN MINISTRY TEAM

"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. 

MLK CENTER COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

The partnership between MLK Center and St. Paul's is starting to take off — we need YOU to make this relationship sustainable! The MLK Center needs to know as many St. Paul's parishioners as possible and you need to know them. We are a beloved community together. Email Laurie to be included in the list of parishioners invited to the next partnership event.