Dear Friends in Christ,
One of the great joys of worship after Labor Day is the return of the choir. We’re blessed immeasurably at St. Paul’s with the quality of our choir and the leadership of Brad Hughley and Jacob Taylor. When I hear the choir sing, I think of Psalm 96:9, often recited as an opening sentence for Choral Mattins and Evensong: “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth tremble before God.”
Those of us who are not in the choir can easily misinterpret its role in worship. The choir is not performing for us, and we are not an audience passively listening. When the members of the choir sing an anthem or canticle, they invite us into a deeper awareness of God’s presence, something music can do in a way words alone cannot. When the choir sings, we worship with the choir in the same way we pray with the Celebrant even if the priest is the only one saying the words.
One principal purpose of the choir is to support the rest of us as we sing. Congregational singing —generally consisting of service music, such as the Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might”), and hymns — invites us to engage actively in the liturgy, reminding us that worship is not something others do for us but a community experience in which we participate.
Not everyone is a vocalist, of course, but everyone is invited to sing. Many years ago, before seminary, I participated in a retreat for young adults. One of them did not have the ability to match pitch, which is to say whatever note the rest of us sang, he sang something else. But instead of shrinking back during the hymns, he sang with great joy. While no one would have asked him to sing a solo, in the midst of the congregation he praised God with the rest of us.
Hymns invite us not only to sing but also to engage with their texts. Written as poetry, they express the Christian faith in ways sermons and biblical stories often do not. For example, this coming Sunday during the 9 a.m. service our second hymn is a poem written in 1977 by the Rev. Christopher Idle, a priest in the Church of England. Based on a prayer by Alcuin, a scholar and Abbot of Tours in the eighth century, the hymn invites us to focus on God’s presence within ourselves.
Eternal light, shine in my heart;
eternal hope, lift up my eyes;
eternal power, be my support;
eternal wisdom, make me wise. (Hymn 466, stanza 1)
Then at communion we will be invited to focus beyond ourselves to our ministry in the world. Inspired by Micah 6:8, the Rev. Albert Bayly’s hymn reminds us of our call to discipleship.
What does the Lord require for praise and offering?
What sacrifice desire, or tribute bid you bring?
Do justly; love mercy; walk humbly with your God. (Hymn 605, stanza 1)
I invite you to sing this Sunday, whatever your level of skill and confidence. The choir will support you. And if you don’t want to sing? That’s fine, of course. Our Episcopal hymnody is not always easy to sing. In that case, I invite you to open the hymnal and follow along. The text may invite your heart to sing even as you listen to the voices of others.
Your Friend in Christ,
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
On Sunday, September 10, worship at 7:45, 9 and 11:15 a.m.
We return to having three in-person worship services starting on Sunday. The 9 and 11:15 a.m. services will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Offerings for every age will resume from 10:15-11:15 a.m. and will occur on most Sundays (Adult Forums, Sunday School, Youth Group Classes and Parent’s Lounge).
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WELCOME NEW ASSOCIATE RECTOR, BETH SCRIVEN
The Rev. Beth Scriven's first Sunday at St. Paul's is September 10.
Please introduce yourself to Beth and make her feel welcome.
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RECTOR'S FORUM
Sunday, September 10, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
Please plan to join us for the first Rector's Forum of the fall. John will give an update on what has been happening at St. Paul’s over the summer, including staff transitions, and a look ahead to what you can expect in the coming months.
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TUESDAY STUDY GROUP
The group is now studying the book Braving the Thin Spaces – Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace. A “thin place” is where God’s grace is waiting to happen. Your thin place might be an important threshold, a soul friendship, a fresh chapter in your own life story, a painful secret or fear or a time of hardship. Whatever the circumstance, a thin place is where God and humanity meet in a mysterious way. All are invited, regardless of reading the book. Questions, email Larry Johnson.
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SLOW FLOW YOGA WITH CARRIE
Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m.; Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Rm 213 (second floor, Parish Center Building)
Slow Flow Yoga is appropriate for beginners and experienced practitioners and is taught by registered instructor, Carrie Bernhardt. Slow Flow is an easy to follow, slower-paced practice that coordinates fluid movement with breath, allowing the mind and body to reconnect. Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. Classes are offered as a $50/5 class package or individually at $12/per class. See details here. Questions, email Carrie Bernhardt.
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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY - ALL AGES
Thursdays, 10-11 a.m., Rector's Conference Room (second floor, Parish Center building)
Women's Bible Study provides a midweek spiritual boost through the reading of God's word and learning how to apply it to daily living. Each lesson is basically self-contained, requiring no homework. No previous Bible knowledge is necessary to attend, and all are welcome to simply show up. Questions, email Alice Roettger or call 317.253.8840.
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ABC CHOIR
Starting September 14, children ages 4-7 are invited to join us from 5:15–6 p.m. in the music room (second floor, Church Building) for ABC Choir. Learn more about new ABC Choir Director, Emma Page, here. Children will enjoy fun-filled evenings of singing, musical activities and free dinner. No commitment is necessary, children may join weekly in the music room. After rehearsal, ABC choir kids join the St. Paul’s choir kids for dinner from 6-6:30 p.m. in the Lilly Room. Questions, email Emma.
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JOIN THE HANDBELL CHANGE RINGERS
Dates and times TBD
The change ringers of St. Paul's would love to have you join them in ringing again this year. This is a centuries-old English tradition of ringing in ever changing order, pealing out at church services, weddings and royal coronations. All is driven by a beautiful set of mathematical rules; if you like math, you'll love this. Beginners are welcome. Please email Bill Cummings to learn more and to become part of this merry band.
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HOLY BAPTISM
Register for November 5 baptisms.
Baptisms are offered next on Sunday, November 5 at 9 a.m. Baptism is the sacrament by which we are adopted as God’s children and made members of Christ’s body, the Church. Please click below to learn more or to request to be baptized. The deadline to register is Thursday, October 12.
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RENTABLE SPACES AT ST. PAUL’S
Do you know of someone needing a space, small or large, that may be interested in St. Paul’s? BU Wellness will utilize the Parish Hall for an upcoming Family Dinner Series and Indianapolis Men’s Chorus rents the Parish Hall as a rehearsal space. Yoga with Carrie offers classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Indianapolis Christian Tabernacle holds worship at St. Paul's on Sunday afternoons. If you know of businesses that could use our space when it would not otherwise be occupied, inquiries can be submitted using the form below:
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PENROD ARTS FAIR
St. Paul's Choir School is displaying a booth in the Projects Blue area at Penrod to spread awareness about St. Paul's Music and the Choir School program. Stop by and visit while supporting this fun, annual event!
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DIOCESAN CONVENTION REGISTRATION OPEN
The 186th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis will be held November 10-11, 2023, at St. Paul's. Everyone in the diocese is invited to participate in convention. This year's theme will be Rest & Liberation and features keynote speaker Cole Arthur Riley. Workshop details are available here and will be part of the registration process. Register and see all details on the Diocesan Convention website below.
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FAITH, JUSTICE & THE ARTS (FJA) GRANTEE CONCERT
Sunday, September 10, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
Join us for "Out of Darkness, Into Light." Former St. Paul's Staff Singer and FJA grant recipient, Joseph Ittoop will partner with ATLYS, a professional all-women string quartet, to present original compositions honoring the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, TX 2022. All works are composed by Mr. Ittoop and feature multiple instrumental ensembles. The centerpiece of the concert will focus on text from Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman and her reflections on hope and finding light through darkness. Admission is free.
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CHOIR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, September 14, 5:30 p.m., second floor, Church Building
Come to the Choir Room to learn more about St. Paul's Choir School. Observe our talented choristers (ages 7+) and get information about our ABC Choir (ages 4-6). Free dinner is provided for all kids. If you are curious about getting your kids involved in choir or if you would just like to meet us, please stop by. This is open to the public — family/friends are welcome! Get paid to sing in choir: Choral Scholar students receive reimbursement (up to $2,000 per child/per year) for private instrumental music lessons. Learn more at the open house. Click here for details. Please email your RSVP to Brad Hughley for planning purposes.
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NEWCOMER EVENT :: TOUR AND LUNCHEON
Sunday, September 17, 10:20-11 a.m. (tour); 12:30-1:30 (luncheon)
If you are new to St. Paul's, or have been attending for a while, join us for a tour. Learn more about how the spaces and places we call St. Paul's are utilized. Please join the Rev. Jeff Bower for a guided tour. Plan to meet in the nave (back of sanctuary) immediately following the 9 a.m. service.
Following the 11:15 a.m. service, Newcomers are encouraged and welcome to join staff and clergy for an informal time of gathering and to share a lite meal from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Please make reservations by emailing Tana Hunnicutt, or call the church office at 317.253.1277.
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ALL PARISH RETREAT
Friday, September 29 - Sunday, October 1
This retreat is for YOU! The purpose of this weekend is to bring the entire parish together. The theme is “Refresh and Reimagine Community.” There are a variety of experiences to choose from; programming is designed with every age in mind. Located in scenic Brown County, Waycross Episcopal Camp is a year-round retreat center. Most of the lodging is full. You can still choose from the following options:
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Saturday-only registration (9a-7p, $50 per person, includes lunch, dinner and programming). You may also choose to be added to a waitlist in case lodging becomes available.
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One cabin for your family (10 bunk beds, not sharing cabin with another family, shared bathrooms, bring all linens, take $35 off registration price)
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Youth Lodge (must register with another family that also wants to stay there, minimum 4 people)
Click link below for details and registration:
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HABITAT :: INTERFAITH PANEL BUILD
Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
More than 20 local faith communities will come together at Second Presbyterian Church to make an impact on the lives of Habitat for Humanity homebuyers and their families. Habitat provides the opportunity for people, who otherwise couldn't, to become homeowners. Volunteers ages 16+ are invited to help with this "panel build," where the walls of houses are assembled prior to delivery to the home site. No prior experience is necessary. If you are willing to lend a hand to future homeowners who will appreciate it so much, please click below to register. Questions, email Bill Cummings.
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SMALL SNACK VOLUNTEERS
Everyone likes a small snack after the 9 a.m. service. Children usually cite "the snacks" as their favorite part of church; adults have been caught sneaking into Adult formation with multiple cookies! The perfect time for a light snack is 10 a.m. Let's keep it going. Can you please pick ONE Sunday this year to bring the snacks — sign up below with a partner or by yourself. See suggestions there for what and how much to bring. Questions, email Laurie Pierce.
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Ages 12+ are welcome to sign up below to serve meals to the summer camp/afterschool program any weekday. This is a very easy volunteer role providing an opportunity for St. Paul's people to show up and continue to build relationships with kids and staff at the MLK Center. Interested in volunteering in other ways at MLK, like picking up food from around town or reading with kids, email Leintz Belony. Questions, email Laurie Pierce.
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