Dear Friends in Christ,
My memories of the September 11 terrorist attacks are a blur. Mostly, I remember scrambling to plan an evening prayer service at Christ Church in Exeter, New Hampshire. For me, as with most others, the attacks were not personal. I didn’t lose anyone in the way one of my parishioners at the time did. She was a flight attendant for American Airlines who was not flying that day but knew most of the crew members on the American flights involved in the attacks.
For most of us, September 11 was a societal experience, not a personal one. With each passing year, the impact of that day recedes a bit more. The further we get from 9/11, the more the date compares to other dates on which we experienced national and societal trauma. April 15, 1865 (the assassination of Abraham Lincoln). October 28, 1929 (the beginning of the Great Depression). December 7, 1941 (the attack on Pearl Harbor). April 4, 1968 (the assassination of Martin Luther King).
These are all dates which “will live in infamy,” to use Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s phrase, because each unleashed a shared experience of vulnerability and anxiety that shaped us as a society. As Christians, how are we to live through these traumas? The anxiety unleashed by each experience lingers far longer than the memories. It becomes embedded in us. I don’t think it is much of a stretch to claim that another infamous date, January 6, 2021, is directly connected to September 11, 2001.
These are not the only traumatic dates in our lives. We all can name personal days of infamy. The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the day we heard the diagnosis that changed the course of our life. The moment we realize we can no longer protect our children or discover our loved one with dementia no longer recognizes us.
How do we live faithfully in the face of such anxiety? First, we look backwards at our lives. Doing so, we see other moments in which we experienced deep loss. With hindsight, we see beyond the grief that paralyzed us to the resilience that lifted us. We see how we persevered and how a community supported us in unexpected ways.
Second, we take the memory of our past resilience and use it in the present to fuel the hope we need to move forward faithfully into an unknown and uncertain future. We trust that no matter how dark it may be, light will shine again. We trust that no matter how alone we may feel, someone will show up. We trust that God is with us even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Recently I received a prayer that I find very helpful, not only for days of infamy but any other day.
O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Your Friend in Christ,
Rector
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Beginning Sunday, September 11, worship at 7:45, 9 and 11:15 a.m.
On Sunday, we will return to having three in-person Sunday worship services, forums will occur weekly on the first, second and third Sundays of each month and a parish-wide Fellowship Coffee Hour will occur (weather-permitting) outside on the fourth Sunday of each month. See Sunday School and Children's Chapel details here.
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RECTOR'S FORUM
Sunday, September 11, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
General Convention. The Lambeth Conference. It was a full summer for The Episcopal Church. But how does any of this impact St. Paul’s? During the Rector’s Forum, John will provide a summary of those denominational gatherings while also looking ahead to what will be happening at St. Paul’s as we start a new year of ministry.
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DRAWING THE CIRCLE WIDER - WORSHIP MUSIC THIS FALL
"St. Paul’s Choir has a unique heritage of celebrating American composers writing for the Episcopal Church, yet most of the entries in our choral library are, not surprisingly, written by white male composers," says Director of Music, Brad Hughley. "We aim to broaden the scope going forward, not forsaking any of the beloved gems of the Anglican tradition we earnestly love to offer, but including new and previously overlooked composers that more fully reflect the image of God." Click here to read details about exciting additions to this fall's repertoire. View all upcoming music events below:
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TUESDAY STUDY GROUP
The group just began studying the book, This Band of Sisterhood, by Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows (and others). With the #metoo movement, Black Lives Matter and the increased feelings of division in our country, Black clergy women in the Episcopal Church have voiced a need to come together to share their experiences and concerns. The five Black women bishops featured in this book can provide a compass for how to journey along these new paths. All are invited to join the conversation, regardless of reading the book. Questions, contact Larry Johnson. Purchase the book below:
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CHOIR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, September 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Choir Room (2nd floor, Church bldg.)
Get a glimpse of what it's like to be involved with St. Paul's Choir School and learn more about Choral Scholarships. Youth and teens are invited to join the choristers for dinner, a favorite part of the week. Details can be found here. RSVP below to Dr. Jacob Taylor.
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FAMILY MINISTRY WAYCROSS RETREAT
Friday, September 30 at 5 p.m. - Sunday, October 2 at noon
Join families and friends from St. Paul's for a weekend away at Waycross CCC. The retreat, sponsored by Family Ministry, includes fellowship, worship and a variety of indoor/outdoor activities. Programming will be designed for families with children in the household but all who wish to come are welcome! Cost is $100-$250 and is all-inclusive (hotel-type lodging, meals and snacks, programming, crafts, nursery care and more). Scholarships to offset the fees are also available. Questions, email Laurie Pierce or call 463.800.3073. Register below by Thursday, September 15:
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SACRED GROUND DIALOGUE SERIES
St. Paul’s will host this film and reading-based program, part of “Becoming Beloved Community,” The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation and justice in our personal lives, ministries and society. Sacred Ground is open to all, and is a great opportunity to learn about the history of race and racism in America, but also about ourselves, our stories and our local context. The series begins Oct 3 with a potluck dinner at St. Paul’s. The group then meets from 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom on Oct 10, 24; Nov 7; Dec 5 & (in person) Dec 12. Questions, contact Laurie Pierce or the Rev. Patrick Burke. Learn more and register below:
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SUNDAY MORNING SMALL SNACKS
Help us provide snacks between the 9 a.m. service and Sunday School/Adult Formation
Adults have been spotted strolling into Adult Ed with multiple cookies and kids cite “the snacks” as their favorite part of church. Let’s keep it going! Please see details and sign up below to provide small snacks for ONE Sunday, starting Sunday, September 11. Store-bought is encouraged; homemade is always loved, your choice.
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THANK YOU TO SUNDAY SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS!
Thank you to all 50 people who stepped up to volunteer with Family Ministry for this program year. Eleven of these volunteers do not currently have children in the home and 30 are new volunteers! "Family Ministry is incomplete without you, just as our church is incomplete without our children. Thank you for stepping up," says Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministry, Laurie Pierce. "I stand in awe and in gratitude. It’s going to be a great year!"
View Family Ministry fall 2022 events and programs below:
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COBURN PLACE HELP
Volunteers (age 16+) are needed to help set up an apartment at Coburn Place. This is a fun and meaningful activity open to people of all physical abilities. The work includes selecting household items, moving furniture, hanging decor, etc. Moving carts are provided and the apartment has elevator access. All volunteers must bring a driver's license to scan at the visitor kiosk. Questions, contact Cathy Henney. Click the link below to sign up:
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2022 CIVIC EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Women 4 Change Indiana equips citizens with the information needed to care for their communities in constructive ways that will enhance the state. Civic Education: The DNA of Democracy features workshops that offer in-depth learning about civic and democratic engagement. Keynote speakers are Dr. Cynthia Cherrey, President of the International Leadership Association; Rajiv Vinnakota, President of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars at Princeton University; and Sarah Evans Barker, Judge of the United States District Court. Register by September 15 for $40/early bird and $25/student tickets. Lunch is provided. This event is sponsored in part by an outreach grant from St. Paul's. Click below for details and to register. Questions, contact Katherine Tyler Scott.
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