Dear Friends,
My mother, Barbara, died late last week. As those of you who have lost a loved one will understand, the days immediately following her death have been filled with details and decisions. My brain keeps bouncing from planning the funeral to managing the end-of-life checklist. “Who is going to be a pallbearer?” is quickly followed by “Did I discontinue her IndyStar subscription?” The need to manage the details can easily push aside grief until a more convenient time.
Which is ridiculous. Grief comes when it comes whether the time is convenient or not. Take for example, this past Tuesday when I read Brother, Give Us a Word, the daily meditation offered by the Society of St. John the Evangelist. The word for the day? Death. I was so tempted to read something else.
But the devotion invited me to stop managing the details and, for a few moments, to sit with my grief. In his sermon, Br. James mentioned that Psalm 130 is traditionally associated with remembering the dead. This was news to me, so I stopped reading the sermon and found the psalm in the Prayer Book.
1 Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice; *
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *
O LORD, who could stand?
3 For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.
4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *
in his word is my hope.
5 My soul waits for the LORD,
more than watchmen for the morning, *
more than watchmen for the morning.
6 O Israel, wait for the LORD, *
for with the LORD there is mercy;
7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
As I sat quietly with these words, I thought of my mother’s long wait through the isolation of the pandemic and the three years since my father’s death. I thought of the depths from which she called on God as her pain and confusion increased over the past year. I thought of my hours of waiting in the hospital as I watched her slip away. Through tears of grief, I found comfort in the reminder that in God there is plenteous redemption, that no matter how long the wait, God is always merciful.
My mother’s wait is over. She is at peace. Thanks be to God.
Rector
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UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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ALL-PARISH COFFEE HOUR
AND FALL FESTIVAL
Sunday, October 30, 10-11 a.m.
Join us for pumpkin activities, sweet treats and the chance to get to know someone new.
Feeling festive? Costumes are encouraged for all ages!
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CRAINE HOUSE BINGO EVENT POSTPONED
The BINGO fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, October 29 will be rescheduled for a future date (TBD).
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BSA TROOP #73/#173 WREATH SALE
Sunday, October 30, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Parish Center hallway
BSA troops will be taking orders for Christmas wreaths and sprays to be delivered to St. Paul’s on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Questions, contact Sandy Walters.
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REQUIEM by Maurice Duruflé
Sunday, November 6, 11:15 a.m. worship service, Sanctuary
St. Paul’s Choir joins organist, Dr. Jacob Taylor and chamber orchestra to present a service for the departed, using as its foundation the exquisite Requiem by Maurice Duruflé. During the liturgy we will remember the many victims of COVID-19 and those lost in the continuing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. 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 you would like us to mention during the service the name of a loved one who has died, please email the name to Meegan Kriner by Monday, October 31.
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HONORING OUR VETERANS
Submissions due Monday, November 7
In advance of Veterans Day on Friday, November 11, our veterans are encouraged to share information about their military service — title, location(s) and years served, etc. — as well as a photo. Please email your info to Meegan Kriner below. Submit your details last year? We'll highlight your info again unless you ask us not to do so.
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LUNCH & LEARN
Wednesday, November 9, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Parish Hall
Learn the benefits of regular movement and mindfulness in this chair yoga flow intro with parishioner, Carrie Bernhardt. Lunch is $5. Please RSVP to Tana below or call 317.253.1277 by Friday, November 4. Questions, contact the Rev. Barbara Kempf.
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A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN CLERGY
Saturday, November 12, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
All are invited to attend this event in honor of the 45th anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. Jackie Means and the beginning of the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Jennifer will preside, Bishop Cate Waynick will preach and a reception will follow. To attend in person, please RSVP below by Saturday, October 29.
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GIVING & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES |
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SCHOOL #43 SPIRIT WEAR BUZZ FUND
We have raised $3,345! Can you help achieve our goal by October 31, 2022?
School #43 supports spirit days, but not every child has spirit wear specific to the school. We need your help to change that. Our goal is to raise $5500 by October 31, ensuring that every child has a logo t-shirt and water bottle to support Spirit Days at the school this year. Please make your contributions below, by texting BUZZ43 to 97000 or by making a cash/check donation (memo: Buzz43). Questions, contact the Rev. Jeffrey Bower.
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VOLUNTEER AT DAYSPRING CENTER
Help prepare and serve lunch for residents of Dayspring. All will serve with a team of experienced volunteers and can work during the months that fit individual schedules. Teenagers are welcome! For more information, contact contact Judy Sutton by email or at 317.750.0185.
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HOSPITALITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to offer light refreshments following funerals at St. Paul’s.
Hospitality Coordinators and committee members are needed to help arrange for cookies or fruit (St. Paul’s provides beverages, dishes and napkins). If you have questions, or to sign up to participate as a coordinator or committee member, please click below to contact Tana Hunnicutt.
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