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Dear Friends in Christ,
Early in Marilynne Robinson’s book, Reading Genesis, she reflects on the differences between the story of creation in Genesis 1 with two ancient Babylonian narratives of creation, the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish. While biblical scholars tend to compare these stories to see what the Genesis story may have borrowed from the more ancient Babylonian myths, Robinson, a novelist, reads them to see what the stories tell us about God and ourselves.
In Babylonian mythology, the gods are fickle, Robinson writes, “indifferent and hostile to humankind.” Human beings have no real power. They are subject to the capricious desires of the gods. “The Babylonian epic [Enuma Elish] describes wars between rival armies of gods. For them ‘good’ seems to be the order that comes with the triumph of Marduk.”
The first chapter of Genesis paints an entirely different picture of the relationship of God with creation. Over and over God looks at what has been created and proclaims that it is good. “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
“To say that God is the good creator of a good creation is not a trivial statement,” Robinson writes. “The insistence of Genesis on this point, even the mention of goodness as an attribute of Creation, is unique to Genesis.”
In no way does this insistence on goodness deny the reality of evil. From Genesis 2:4 to 11:32 we read of the fall of Adam and Eve and their exile from the Garden of Eden; the murder of Abel by his brother, Cain; the flood God initiates to destroy “the wickedness of humankind” (Genesis 6:5), saving only Noah and his family; and the building of tower of Babel and the scattering of the people.
Yet, Robinson writes, “in Genesis, from the first, good is intrinsic to the whole Creation.” Throughout scripture, God continually brings good out of the worst and most tragic of situations. But God rarely does this alone. While Babylonian mythology suggests humans exist only to appease the gods, the “God of Genesis is unique in His having not a use but a mysterious, benign intention for [humanity].”
Having been created in the image of God and invited to partner with God in the work of stewarding God’s creation, we become the revealers and bearers of God’s goodness in the world. In the face of the evil we see and the injustice we witness too often in our world, we must continue to insist on the intrinsic divine goodness in creation and work for the common good of all.
We are not powerless. We are not subject to the capricious whims of gods or anyone else. We are created with the divine spark of goodness, a spark which fills us with the power of a loving and gracious God. This same God equips us and calls us to share God’s goodness with our neighbors and all of creation.
Your Friend in Christ,
The Rev. John Denson, D.Min.
Rector
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KPOP INDIANA BAZAAR
Saturday, November 16, 1-5 p.m.
Parish Hall
Kpop Indiana invites all to its first holiday bazaar. Enjoy a day of unique shopping, featuring Kpop music and merchandise. Available items include handcrafted and home baked goods featuring KPop groups and Korean culture. Click here to email Jo Taylor with questions.
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HOLIDAY DECORATION COLLECTION FOR COBURN PLACE
Sundays, November 17 & 24, 7 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Burrows Commons
St. Paul’s Community Engagement Team is helping Coburn Place make the holidays brighter for their families! Gently used Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah decorations are being collected and delivered to Coburn so families there may choose no-cost decor to create joyful, festive spaces. Please consider donating tree skirts, stockings, holiday linens, figurines, ornaments and other holiday decor. Let's spread some holiday cheer!
Starting on December 1, the Community Engagement Team will be in Burrows Commons accepting donations for Christmas Families for School #43 and Alternative Gift Market options - please watch for details. Please click here to email Janie Frazier or click here to email Bronwen Ferguson with questions.
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ADULT FAITH FORUM
Conversation Across Difference
Sunday, November 17, 10:15-11 a.m.
Parish Hall
How did Jesus talk with those who disagreed with, or even, hated him? How does God call us to do the same now, and what might that look like? Join for the last of this four-part Election Series. Click here to email the Rev. Beth Scriven with questions.
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PRACTICES OF PRAYER
Ignatian Prayer
Sunday, November 17, 10:15-11 a.m.
CRR (second floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.)
Join the Rev. Jeff Bower in this informative session considering the Ignatian Way of praying. We'll use our imagination and our senses as we pray the scriptures — a twist on the lectio divina. We'll also learn about the Examen, a daily practice of prayer that is rooted in thanksgiving. Please click here to email the Rev. Jeff Bower with questions.
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INTERGENERATIONAL GODLY PLAY
Sunday, November 17, 10:15-11 a.m.
Room 211 (second floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.)
All ages are invited to wonder and explore together with Godly Play, a Montessori approach to faith formation. Through storytelling, wondering and creative response, this program does not provide answers but aids in creating meaning and connections within your community - adults and children together, learning from one other. Intergenerational Godly Play occurs on the third Sunday of each month. Questions, click here to email Laurie Pierce.
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A BACH HARVEST
Cantatas & Courtly Dances
Sunday, November 17, 4-6 p.m.
Sanctuary
Led by the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra’s (IBO) world class concertmaster, Adriane Post and St. Paul's Director of Music, Brad Hughley, there is much to savor - sample a plentiful harvest of Bach’s glorious music! General admission tickets are $30/each (senior and student rates available). All tickets are sold by IBO; a 20% discount will be offered to St. Paul's parishioners using the code STPAUL at checkout. Click the button below to purchase tickets now:
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HELP SHAPE OUR FUTURE
Nominate Vestry Members
We're still seeking nominations for the St. Paul’s Vestry Class of 2028! This is a meaningful opportunity to support St. Paul’s mission through strategic oversight and dedicated leadership. Vestry members serve a three-year term, meeting on the third Tuesday of most months to help guide our community’s vision and goals. If you know someone who would be a valuable addition to this role, please consider nominating them by Friday, November 29. Click below to learn more about Vestry responsibilities and submit a nomination.
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NEED A HAND WITH FALL CHORES?
Please let us help!
Sunday, November 24
12-1 p.m., Parish Hall (potluck lunch for volunteers)
1-3 p.m. (service in the community)
Do you need help with yardwork or household tasks? If so, we have small groups of volunteers — adults, teens and kids — who would love to help on November 24 from 1-3 p.m. Please click here to email Tana Hunnicutt if you'd like to request a team to assist! All volunteers will join together for a potluck lunch at noon, after which small groups will be formed to head out and serve our community. This all-parish event welcomes all ages! Please RSVP below and include your potluck dish. We’ll send a reminder closer to the date. Please click here to email Laurie Pierce with questions.
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MULTIFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE
Tuesday, November 26, 7 p.m.
St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Midtown
All are invited to gather in unity for a multifaith thanksgiving service, sharing common gratitude and generosity. Various faith traditions will be represented in worship together and Gleaners Food Bank will be supported through a collective offering. Click here to email Mindie Moore with questions. Click below for details.
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CHRISTMAS MUSIC &
FLOWER MEMORIALS
Memorials due by Friday, December 6
Honor or remember loved ones by sponsoring Christmas music or flowers. Names will be printed in the Christmas bulletins. A donation of $40 for music or $50 for flowers is appreciated. To contribute, please indicate names to be honored and send to Liz Hoffman by Friday, December 6 in one of the following ways:
- Send a check to St. Paul's, noting "Christmas Music" or "Christmas Flowers" in the memo line.
- Place your check and list of names in the offering plate on Sundays.
- Submit payment online by clicking below or texting SPONSOR to 97000.
Thank you for helping to make our Christmas celebration beautiful! Click here to email Liz Hoffman with questions.
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MOSAIC BOOK CLUB
December Book Announcement
Thursday, December 5, 6:30-8 p.m.
Fire by the Monon
The Mosaic Book Club will read The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. The book is "a groundbreaking book on race, religion and history." Mosaic is a flexible group allowing readers to come when they are able. Join the group for community, food and good conversation around books. All are welcome to join the conversation whether the book has been read or not. Please click here to email Susie Holtz, or text her at 317.370.4262.
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FRIENDSGIVING
Connections Young Adult Gathering
Friday, November 22, 6-8 p.m.
Youth Lounge (first floor, Parish Ctr. bldg)
Connections (a group for adults under 45, with no children) invites young adults to celebrate Friendsgiving together. Table service and meat dishes will be provided; those attending are asked to bring a favorite Thanksgiving dish to share. There will be a time for informal conversation and sharing memories of family traditions, all while indulging in wonderful food. Please click here to RSVP to Jacob Denning.
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UPCOMING EVENTS, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES & MORE:
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Ongoing, provide small snacks to be eaten after the 9 a.m. service, click here to sign up
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Weds., Nov. 20, 27 & Dec. 4 & 11, Chair Yoga, click here for details
- Thur., Nov. 28, St. Paul's office closed for Thanksgiving holiday
- office to reopen Tues., Dec. 3.
- Sun., Dec. 1, Advent Lessons & Carols
- Sat., Dec. 14, 2-5 p.m., Cookies & Caroling
- Tues., Dec. 24, 3 p.m., Christmas Eve Family Service & Christmas Pageant
- Tues., Dec. 24, 5 p.m., Festival of Lessons & Carols
- Tues., Dec. 24, 11 p.m., Festival Holy Eucharist
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Sun., Jan. 26, 2025, Confirmation will occur during the Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows visit to St. Paul's
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Sun., Feb. 16, The Gesualdo Six Concert, click here for details and tickets
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