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Dear Friends in Christ,
In the fall of 2011, I was enjoying lunch with a parishioner when he said, “John, I know you know what we’re going to do. Why don’t you just tell us?” To which I responded, “I have no idea what we’re going to do.” When he gave me a confused look, I explained. “First, we’re going to discern who we are as God’s people and who we believe God is calling us to be. Then we’ll decide what we’re going to do.”
A few months later — following a process of discernment — the vestry adopted a mission and purpose statement that both defined who we were and who we hoped to be. It was grounded in reality while also being aspirational. Only then did we focus more intentionally on our ministries and programs. We wanted what we did in the name of Christ to reflect who we were as God’s people.
Much has changed at St. Paul’s over the past twelve years. Many of our active members have been a part of the parish for less than a decade. A growing proportion of parishioners come from different faith traditions. Parish leaders, still dominated by Boomers in 2011, are now increasingly Gen Xers and Millennials. The majority of the members of the clergy and staff have been here for less than three years.
Over the past decade we’ve become much more attuned to systemic injustice in Central Indiana which has inspired us to think differently about outreach and community engagement. We’ve marched in the Pride parade and stood with the LGBTQ community at the statehouse. We’ve proclaimed that Black lives matter and joined protests for racial justice and equity. We’ve developed and deepened relationships with a number of organizations such as School 43 and the MLK Center.
I could list more changes — I haven’t even mentioned the impact of the pandemic — but hopefully I’ve shared enough to make the point that the St. Paul’s of 2023 is not the St. Paul’s of 2011. Which is why parish leaders have engaged in a new period of reimagining. The questions are the same, but the context is new. Who are we as God’s people in 2023? Who do we believe God is calling us to be in the future?
In our tradition, we believe the Holy Spirit speaks not through one person or group but through the voices of the entire community. I invite and encourage you to participate in one of the reimagining process listening sessions (see the details in the announcements below). During these sessions you will have the opportunity to tell us what you value about St. Paul’s and also what is missing that you’d like to see offered or improved.
I’ll conclude today with a prayer by Thomas Merton which has always grounded me during times of discernment.
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.
Your Friend in Christ,
The Rev. John. Denson, D.Min., Rector
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ADULT FAITH FORUM
Sunday, October 15, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
The Episcopal Awakening Part II
All are encouraged to come for the second of a two-part forum. This week features a discussion of “The Episcopal Awakening.” This new historical documentary takes a deep, honest look at the history of racism in the Episcopal Church including the involvement of St. Paul’s Indy and the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. Click here to view the film and see the discussion questions here.
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REIMAGINING PROCESS LISTENING SESSION ON SUNDAY
Since July, the Reimagining Team has been meeting to discern who we are as God’s people and who God is calling us to be in the future. To share an update on the process and to hear your thoughts and ideas, the Reimagining Team will be holding the following listening sessions. Please consider participating in one:
Sundays (in-person sessions, no RSVP required, CRR (second floor, Parish Center Building)
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October 15, 29; November 5 (10:15-11:15 a.m.)
- October 22; November 5 (11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.)
- October 29; November 5 (12:15-1:15 p.m.)
Mondays (via Zoom; RSVP required - RSVP below to receive a Zoom link)
- October 16, 30 (7-8 p.m.)
Wednesdays (via Zoom; RSVP required - RSVP below to receive a Zoom link)
- October 18, 25; November 1 (7-8 p.m.)
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LGBTQ FAITH FALL GATHERING
Thursday, October 19, 6:30-8 p.m., Youth Lounge (first floor, Parish Center Building)
After breaking for summer, LGBTQ Faith will reconvene. Please join and bring a covered dish to share. After sharing a meal, all will talk about how often the group should meet, group leadership, program planning, outreach and ways to honor our LGBTQ allies. We'll end our evening with a service of compline.
LGBTQ Faith began meeting in the Summer of 2018, bringing together the LGBTQ community at St. Paul's and the community at-large. Our initial pillars were building relationships through sharing faith stories, formation, service and advocacy. Those pillars are still important as we consider sharing time in the days ahead. All persons identifying as LGBTQ+ (ages 18+) are welcome to participate in gatherings on the third Thursday of every month. Please join! Questions, email the Rev. Jeff Bower.
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FAITH, JUSTICE & THE ARTS GRANT WINNER, Israel Solomon
Starting on Friday, November 3, Christ Like by artist and 2022 Faith, Justice & The Arts (FJA) grant winner, Israel Solomon will be displayed at The Harrison Center. Solomon's FJA grant allowed him to create a body of work that he had envisioned for several years. His work involves 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. Solomon will be sharing more about this project with St. Paul’s parishioners during the Adult Faith Forum on Sunday, October 22 (10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall). Mark these dates on your calendar and look forward to some sneak peeks at the forum.
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ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: ORGANIZING FOR JUSTICE
Sunday, October 22, 10:15-11 a.m., Room 207 (second floor, Parish Center Building)
What does “the reign of God” look like? What is the “good news for the poor”? How can we build a community dedicated to uplifting the “least of these”? Parishioner and facilitator, Andrew Stacy, invites fellow members of St. Paul’s for the first in a bi-monthly series of lay-led dialogues concerning social justice in action. All will discuss systems of oppression and movements for liberation utilizing history, philosophy and theology. Anyone who has been yearning to take an active role in changing our world for the better, your insights and opinions are needed! Questions, email Andrew Stacy.
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SACRED GROUND
Sacred Ground will again meet in a hybrid format from October through May 2024, most sessions taking place via Zoom on alternating Mondays. There will be occasional in-person sessions to anchor our community. The first session on Sunday, October 22 (12:30-2 p.m.) is a pitch-in lunch in the Lilly Room with an optional documental viewing (2-3:30 p.m.) afterwards.
Sacred Ground is an Episcopal dialogue series on race, grounded in faith and open to all. Together all will explore America’s history of race and racism, including the particular American histories of Black, Indigenous, Latino and Asian/Pacific American communities as they intersect with European American histories, our own family stories, economic class and political and regional identity.
Click the link below to see all details and register. Questions, email the Rev. Beth Scriven.
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ALL SOULS' WORSHIP :: REQUIEM by Cristóbal de Morales
Sunday, November 5, 11:15, Sanctuary
St Paul’s Choir section leaders, with the teens of the choir, will provide music for the parish’s commemoration of All Faithful Departed, using as its basis the hauntingly beautiful Requiem by Spanish Renaissance composer Cristóbal de Morales. The quiet and soothing harmonies provide a prayerful meditation of all those whom we love but see no longer. During the liturgy we will remember those killed, wounded, searching for loved ones, and struggling with grief and fear due to conflicts around the world. We will also pray for those from St. Paul’s who have died during the past year and for loved ones you have lost, whether recently or in the past. If, during the service, you would like us to mention the name of a loved one who has died, please email the name to Meegan Kriner by Monday, October 30.
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INTERESTED IN LEARNING SPANISH?
After introducing the work of the Latino Ministry Taskforce, several people have expressed interest in learning to speak Spanish. Perhaps you have never thought about it or think you don't have the ability to learn another language but if you have the desire, you have the ability. Maybe you won't be fluent - a few words, sentences or expressions have the potential to open you to entirely new people, their culture and traditions. If learning Spanish is of interest you, please email the Rev. Jeff Bower or complete the sign-up sheet in Burrows Commons. After interest is gauged, times and dates will be determined. Muchas gracias!
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ST. PAUL'S WELLNESS TEAM
The St Paul’s Wellness Team would like your input.
Mental health and well-being greatly influence the quality of our everyday life. The newly formed Wellness Team is interested in discovering ways to best support the well-being of parishioners of all ages. Let us know which mental health and wellness topics are of interest to you. Click here to complete a brief survey. Email Carrie Bernhardt if you are interested in joining or have questions.
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PURCHASE TRIVIA NIGHT TICKETS!
Friday, October 27, 7 p.m., Parish Hall
St. Paul's Choir is hosting a trivia night to raise funds for their pilgrimage to England's Ely Cathedral next summer. Please come build spirit while enjoying some fun! Tickets are $30/each or $225 for a team of eight and include a freshly cooked dinner. Local beer and wine will be available for purchase; please bring cash for adult beverages and trivia mulligans. Purchase tickets online below, or in-person from choir members or at the door that evening. Questions, email Bill Cummings.
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CONVENTION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are looking for proud, enthusiastic convention volunteers to help us greet people and direct visitors on Friday, November 10-Saturday, November 11. On Friday, volunteers are needed from 11:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. Volunteers are not required to work a full shift, even a few hours would be much appreciated. If you would like to help, please email Dan Thompson.
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MEAL TRAIN MINISTRY TEAM
"Meal Train" is a site where volunteers sign up to bring food to someone in need of support. The Meal Train Ministry Team 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.
Delivering meals not only meets a physical need for someone within our church community, but it also provides emotional and mental support. Bill Johnston was a recipient of a meal train over the summer and said, “The meals have been super helpful, and I have appreciated each one of them. The kindness and care that they provide from each deliverer has been such a super emotional uplift. I’d say that those mental boosts are as important or more than the physical meals.”
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 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
October 18, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Join for a tour of MLK Center
Meal help is needed. Ages 12+ are encouraged to sign up here to serve meals to the afterschool program any weekday.
The partnership between MLK Center and St. Paul's is starting to take off — we need YOU in order 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. Click below to get involved. Questions, email Laurie Pierce.
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