|
Dear Friends in Christ,
Near the end of the documentary God and Country, Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez, professor of history at Calvin College, says the following (which I am paraphrasing): It’s time for Christians to engage in careful reassessment, to go back to scripture, to see what God’s teaching really is, to look at the life of Christ, to look at what Jesus calls us to do and who Jesus calls us to be. And then take a look at our political views.
She says this in response to the threat of Christian Nationalism, which is a political movement not a religion. Though Christian Nationalism uses the Bible to defend its positions, it is not biblical. Though it seeks to impose a set of values, they are not the values of the Gospel of Jesus. Christian Nationalism desires power above all else.
At the heart of this political movement is the Seven Mountain Mandate. According to a recent column by New York Times columnist and evangelical Christian David French, this Mandate “states that Christians will be able to save the nation only if they or their allies gain control of each of the seven ‘mountains’ of cultural influence: the family, religion, education, the media, the arts, business and the government.”
In the gospels, Jesus shows us another way. When the devil took Jesus to a high mountain and offered him the power to rule the world, Jesus said no. (Matthew 4:8-10) When he was transfigured by God’s glory on the mountain, he chose to walk down the mountain to live and work with God’s people (Matthew 17:1-9). As French writes, “Jesus left the mountaintop and died on a cross. Believers in the Seven Mountain Mandate covet the mountaintop.”
One of the most visceral examples of the consequences of Christian Nationalism is the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Churches sent busloads of people to Washington that day. They carried the Christian flag and the cross as they attacked the most hallowed halls of our democracy. “The Christians who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 traumatized a nation,” French writes, “and when you understand the prophecies believed and the theology held by some of them, you understand exactly why it might happen again.”
A political movement is using our faith and our Savior for its own power. What can we do?
- Stay informed even if doing so makes you uncomfortable. Pay attention to what candidates for public office say and which groups endorse them. Watch the documentary God and Country to learn more about Christian Nationalism.
- Vote. As Episcopalians we vow to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” (Prayer Book, p. 305) This means we celebrate multiculturalism and a pluralistic society. Vote for candidates you believe are most likely to reflect this promise in their policies and their leadership.
- Bear witness to Christ in your life so others see a different way of being Christian. Follow St. Paul’s teaching to live by the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Your Friend in Christ,
The Rev. John Denson, D.Min.
Rector
| |
|
EARLY VOTING OPTIONS AND POLL WORKER OPPORTUNITIES
Early voting started on October 8, and November 5 poll workers are needed. To find early voting locations and details, and to learn more/apply to be a Marion County poll worker, please click here.
| |
|
FALL FORMATION ELECTION SERIES PART II
Sunday, October 20, 10:15-11 a.m., CRR (second floor, Parish Center bldg.) All are invited to the second of a four-part series exploring how we find our way and make loving choices as disciples of Christ, in the middle of a tense and uncertain election. Discernment & Decisions in Scripture will discuss how our Scriptural ancestors made decisions, what they learned and how it can help us do the same today. Click here to see upcoming events in the Election Series. Click here to email the Rev. Beth Scriven with questions.
| |
|
ADULT FAITH FORUM :: SAFE CHURCH AT ST. PAUL'S
Sunday, October 13, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
At baptism, we promise to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being. Join the Rev. Beth Scriven to explore some of the approaches we use to help make St. Paul’s a brave, inclusive and safe community for all our members, especially our children. We’ll see how our “Safe Church, Safe Communities” policies offer the basic scaffolding, and what else helps support this goal. Learn how every one of us has a share in this important ministry, and what you need to know as a congregation member to play your part. (This forum does not repeat or replace the Safe Church training modules required for certain volunteer/staff positions.) Click here for upcoming forum topics.
| |
|
PRACTICES OF PRAYER :: SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Sunday, October 13, 10:15-11 a.m., CRR (second floor, Parish Center Bldg.)
Our Christian faith isn’t meant to be undertaken alone. We travel this path with friends, our church community and many others – but sometimes, it also helps to have an experienced and trained companion along the way. Join parishioner Jeff Wise to learn more about what it’s like to have a spiritual director walk with you on your faith journey.
| |
|
SACRED GROUND STARTS SUNDAY!
Sunday, October 13, 12:30-2 p.m., Lilly Room
It’s not too late to join this year’s Sacred Ground cohort. Together we’ll walk through chapters of America's history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class and political and regional identity. The seven-month series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories. This year's Sacred Ground program kicks off on Sunday with a pitch-in lunch to get acquainted and get an overview of the course. The remainder of our sessions will be on roughly alternate Tuesday evenings from 7:10-8:40 p.m. via Zoom, with occasional in-person gatherings to anchor our community. Click below to see all details and register. Questions, click here to email the Rev. Beth Scriven.
| |
|
CHORAL EVENSONG AND POST-EVENSONG RECITAL
Sunday, October 13, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
Join us for Choral Evensong and enjoy the music of Stephen Paulus, Margaret Burk, Charles Wood, Herbert Murrill and Henry Balfour Gardiner. This service will also be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Please plan to stay for a post-Evensong recital by organist, Destin Wernicke immediately after the service.
| |
|
ALL SOULS' WORSHIP
Requiem by Gabriel Fauré
Sunday, November 3, 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary
St Paul’s Choir will provide music for the parish’s commemoration of All Faithful Departed, using as its basis the hauntingly beautiful Requiem by Gabriel Fauré. 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 click here to email the name to Kai Armstrong by Monday, October 28.
| |
|
LIFELONG LEARNERS
Thursday, October 17, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Parish Hall
Plans are underway to reboot the former “Lunch and Learn” group, aimed at - but not restricted to - St. Paul's more senior parishioners. Please join for an inaugural event and planning session to enjoy lunch together and share ideas on how this group would best function going forward. Please click here to RSVP and provide any dietary restrictions.
| |
|
SPOOKENSONG
Sunday, October 27, 4-5 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church
Join the costumed choristers of Trinity, St. Paul’s and Christ Church Cathedral, surrounded by glowing jack o’lanterns for Spookensong - the most spook-tacular evensong of the year! In anticipation of All Hallows Eve, gather for a service of ghoulish readings and howling music featuring the famous Toccata in D Minor by J.S. Bach. Put on your costume and grab your whole family for this hair-raising event. Do you know how hard it is to sing with plastic vampire teeth in your mouth? Come find out!
| |
|
NEED A HAND OR ABLE TO LEND ONE?
Sunday, November 24
12-1 p.m., Parish Hall (volunteer potluck lunch)
1-3 p.m. (help in community)
Do you NEED HELP with yard work, raking leaves or house work? You may request a small group of adults, teens and kids to come to your home on November 24 from 1-3 p.m. Please click here to email your RSVP to Tana Hunnicutt and request a group to help with what is needed.
Are you able to HELP WITH yard work, raking leaves or house work? Please save the date and plan to enjoy a potluck lunch together followed by splitting into small groups to help people in our community. This is an all-parish event. All ages are welcome. Please RSVP below and include your potluck category; a reminder will be sent a few days in advance.
| |
|
UPCOMING EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
-
Ongoing, Provide small snacks for after the 9 a.m. service, click here to sign up
-
Fri., Oct. 18, MLK Fall Festival, click here to email Janie Frazier re: volunteering
-
Fri., Oct. 25, Last day for Diocesan Convention registration
-
Fri., Nov. 1 - Sun., Nov. 10, Spirit & Place Fest. (schedules on Welcome Table)
-
Sat., Nov. 2, 11 a.m., Parish Hall, Investiture watch party
-
Sun., Jan. 26, 2025, Confirmation will occur during the Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows visit to St. Paul's
| | | | |
