|
Dear Friends in Christ,
For me, this week’s late summer blast of heat is not a cause for celebration. While some lament the end of summer — technically still three weeks away — by late August I’m ready for the cool, crisp air of fall. When it’s hot, I don’t feel particularly motivated to praise God. Instead, I pray for relief. But the text of Canticle 12, A Song of Creation, from Morning Prayer in The Book of Common Prayer (p. 88) reminds me that all creation is praising God, including the heat.
Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, *
all winds and fire and heat.
Winter and Summer, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Complaining about the heat is a sign of my privilege. I live and work in climate-controlled environments. A heat wave is inconvenient but not a threat. But for countless others — human beings, animals, insects, plants, and all living things — extreme heat can be dangerous. According to the National Weather Service, “Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year.” And because of climate change, heat waves are more frequent, more intense and last longer.
So, if I don’t feel like lifting my voice in praise during a heat wave, what might I pray? Each year from September 1-October 4, Christians throughout the world focus on our relationship with and stewardship of creation. According to the Season of Creation website, this season “is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our [siblings] in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.”
Along with many other denominations, the Episcopal Church has a whole host of resources and prayers to use during the Season of Creation. We’ll use a few of these prayers at St. Paul’s starting in mid-September, but they can also be prayed at home. Here’s one example from “Honoring God in Creation,” presented by the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music to the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2015.
The justice of God and the dignity of all creatures
Holy God, your mercy is over all your works, and in the web of life each creature has its role and place. We praise you for ocelot and owl, cactus and kelp, lichen and whale; we honor you for whirlwind and lava, tide and topsoil, cliff and marsh. Give us hearts and minds eager to care for your planet, humility to recognize all creatures as your beloved ones, justice to share the resources of the earth with all its inhabitants, and love not limited by our ignorance. This we pray in the name of Jesus, who unifies what is far off and what is near, and in whom, by grace and the working of your Holy Spirit, all things hold together. Amen.
Your Friend in Christ,
The Rev. John Denson, D.Min.
| |
|
HELP US SHINE AT THE INDIANA LATINO EXPO BOOTH
Saturday, September 7, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Former Lafayette Square Mall (4051 N Lafayette Rd)
The Puentes Ministry (formerly the Latino Ministry) will be partnering with Christ Church Cathedral (CCC) to host a booth at the Indiana Latino Expo. A few adult volunteers are needed to interact with the community. The Puentes Youth Leadership program and CCC Indy Spanish services will be promoted and blessings will be offered. The Expo is a great opportunity to learn how to better serve the Latino community. Click here to email Shane Hatchett with your availability or questions.
| |
|
EXPLORE & CONNECT AT THE MINISTRY FAIR
Sunday, September 8, 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
St. Paul’s Courtyard/Parish Hall
Learn more about the various ministries and teams that are active at St. Paul's! Enjoy light refreshments while browsing displays, discovering what fellow parishioners love about participating in different programs and committees, and having the opportunity to ask volunteer and staff leaders the questions you always wondered about ministries big and small. There will be over 40 ministries featured, highlighting community service, justice efforts, worship roles, formation for all ages and fellowship in groups of all sizes.
| |
|
EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION
KIDS & YOUTH WORSHIP ROLE TRAINING
Sunday, September 8, 11:15 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Lilly Rm. (first floor, church bldg.) and courtyard
Kids and youth (ages 7+) are invited to explore different worship roles. All will start with lunch together, rotate into groups (ushering, Children’s Chapel assisting, choir, managing worship tools, acolyting, reading and livestreaming), then enjoy ice cream together in the courtyard. Ages six and under may play with nursery staff on the playground, in the nursery or in the Youth Lounge. Adults are invited to participate in the Ministry Fair happening at the same time. Click here to email Laurie Pierce with questions.
| |
|
CHOIR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, September 12, 5:30 p.m.
Choir Room (second floor, church bldg.)
Anyone interested in St. Paul's Choir School or ABC Choir is invited to attend the Choir School Open House. Ages 7-18 may participate in choir rehearsal and ages 4-7 are welcome to participate in ABC Choir; they are also invited to enjoy a free dinner with the choristers afterwards. Brad Hughley will provide an overview of the choir program and answer questions. Family and friends are welcome! To help with planning, please click here to RSVP to Brad Hughley.
| |
|
ABC CHOIR
Thursdays, September 12 - December 19, 5:15-6 p.m. (rehearsal); 6-6:30 p.m. (dinner)
Children ages 4-7 are invited to join for fun-filled evenings of singing, musical activities and free dinner - no commitment necessary! Rehearsal occurs in the music room (second floor, church bldg.) and afterwards, ABC Choir kids join the St. Paul’s Choir kids for dinner in the Lilly Room. If you are interested or have questions, please click here to email ABC Choir Director, Emma Page.
| |
|
INTERGEN TEAM LOOKING FOR MEMBERS
Next meeting Sunday, September 15, 11:15 a.m.
Rector's Conference Rm. (second floor, Parish Center bldg.)
Do you ever wonder the names of our young people, or the friendly couple you see each week but have not yet met? The Intergen (Intergeneration) Team may be for you! The team is dedicated to planning and hosting activities that encourage all parishioners to simply get to know one another, most often during the monthly all-parish coffee hours. New members are welcome, especially those who will bring new ideas and energy. Stop by the Intergen table at the Ministry Fair, and please join for the next meeting! Click here to email Barb MacDougall with questions.
| |
|
ST. PAUL'S DAY CAMP - SEPT. 3
Various dates, September 3, 2024 - May 30, 2025
8 a.m. - 5 p.m., St. Paul’s campus
St. Paul’s invites you to enroll your Pre-K 4 to sixth-grade child(ren) in one or all of our Day Camp sessions! With flexible dates and diverse programming (to include Godly Play, sports, arts and crafts, cooking, team building, games and more), there’s something for every child to enjoy. Camp programming is planned from 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., with drop-off starting at 8 a.m. and pick-up by 5 p.m. Snacks and lunch are provided. Cost is $25/child per day with financial aid and multi-camper discounts available. Space is limited to 30/students per day. Click below to see more details and to register. If you have questions, please click here to email Laurie Pierce.
| |
|
TGIF GATHERING
Friday, September 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Blind Owl Brewery
Adults (21+) are invited to join for dinner and fellowship at the first TGIF event of the season. All are welcome to share stories of their summer travels and other activities. Please click here to email Alan Davis with your RSVP by Thursday, September 5.
| |
|
RSVP FOR NEWCOMERS LUNCHEON
Sunday, September 8, 12:30-2 p.m.
Lilly Rm. (first floor, Church bldg.)
If you are new to St. Paul's, we welcome you to join clergy and staff immediately following the Ministry Fair for an informal luncheon. Please click here to email Tana Hunnicutt, call the St. Paul's office (317.253.1277) or sign up in Burrows Commons with your RSVP by September 3.
| |
|
SPANISH CLASSES
Wednesdays, September 18 - November 6
6-7 p.m. (beginning); 7-8 p.m. (intermediate)
Community Resource Room
(second floor, Parish Center bldg.)
St. Paul’s will offer Spanish classes (both beginning and intermediate) with resident member, Profesora Cindy Seley. All are welcome - those new to the Spanish language or seasoned speakers. The cost for this eight-week course is $65 and class size is limited. All fees are due prior to/on the first day of class. Pay by check, cash or electronically. Please use the link below to register and pay. Click here to email the Rev. Jeff Bower with questions.
| |
RECONNECT/RECHARGE AT WAYCROSS
Friday, September 20 - Sunday, September 22
Waycross Camp & Conference Center
Join us for a rejuvenating All-Parish Retreat at Waycross, a year-round retreat center nestled in the scenic beauty of Brown County. This retreat is for YOU! With programming designed for every age and interest, there's something for everyone, and all activities are participation optional.
Whether you're looking to engage in enriching experiences or simply unwind in nature, this retreat offers a variety of opportunities like a conference. See details and register by Monday, September 9 to secure your spot:
| |
|
GET OUT THE VOTE :: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Tuesday, September 10, 1-4 p.m., Parish Hall
Have you wondered what YOU can do to impact civic engagement and encourage citizens to participate in our democracy? Here is the opportunity for you! Volunteers are needed to write postcards to be sent to registered voters encouraging them to vote in the coming election (no political messaging). This event is co-sponsored by Women4ChangeIN, who will provide the postcards and mailing lists. All are invited and encouraged to bring postcard stamps or make a donation to defray that expense, but that is not required. Please click here to email Barb MacDougall if you plan to attend. This is not a binding commitment, it is purely to assist in providing adequate space, materials and refreshments.
| |
UPCOMING:
- Thursday, September 5, 10-11:30 a.m., Weekly Women's Bible Study resumes
- Sunday, October 6, Pet Blessing
-
Sunday, October 6, Deep Dive Faith Exploration meetings kick off for those interested in Confirmation at St. Paul's. Others are welcome to attend! Confirmation will occur during the Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows visit on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
- Saturday, November 2, Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe's Installation Service
| | | | |
