Dear Friends in Christ,

On January 7, 1999, when I called my mother to wish her a happy birthday, I immediately knew something was wrong. When I asked what had happened, she told me that her beloved brother, Gene, had died from a heart attack earlier in the day. I was devastated. Gene was the person in my extended family with whom I experienced the deepest connection. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, he gave me his theological library when I went to seminary. We both followed the same path from the Southern Baptist Convention to the Episcopal Church. He was my first model for how to live an open-minded, intellectually curious and faithful Christian life.

Twenty-five years later, I still miss him. How I wish he could experience St. Paul’s! I know he would love the choir, the beauty of our church and the vitality of our community. He would be grateful for our full acceptance of the LGBTQ community, knowing he and his partner would be embraced and loved here.

I’m struck this year that I’ve now outlived him. He was 60 years old when he died; I’m 61. As I get older, the combined anniversary of my late mother’s birthday and my uncle’s death reminds me that life is short and unpredictable. Noting this doesn’t fill me with existential dread. Quite the opposite. It reminds me that life is precious, a gift from God to be embraced and to offer.

On my uncle’s grave marker is a quote. I don’t know where it comes from, though the evidence suggests he may have written it as a part of a Christmas letter in 1989. “Life’s mysteries and miracles are ours to seize and share, beginning this year and never ending.”

Perhaps this particular anniversary is why I find myself resisting my long to-do list populated by the items I put off until after the first of the year. I’m not yet ready to let go of the Christmas season. I want to linger a bit longer in front of the Christmas tree, listen one more time to my favorite holiday music, soak in the wonder of God’s love given to us in the birth of Jesus. I want a little more time to ponder the mysteries and miracles of the Incarnation, the reality of God with us.

On a narrow wall that connects our dining room with our living room we have a small print with a quote from an unknown author. It’s a good reminder that it is acceptable to set aside our to-do lists, to make time to sit, to watch, to be grateful and then to share with others all that God gives us.

If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things…

If we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action,

when will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi?

Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds?

Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary?

For each of us, there is a desert to travel. A star to discover.

And a being within ourselves to bring to life.

Your Friend in Christ,

The Rev. John Denson, D.Min., Rector

HAPPENING SUNDAY

ALL-PARISH COFFEE HOUR/EPIPHANY TEA

10:15-11 a.m.

Lilly Room (first floor, Church building)

Join us after the 9 a.m. service for an old-fashioned Epiphany tea! The Intergenerational Team will host this themed coffee hour. All are invited to enjoy refreshments, including Epiphany Cake. Mix and mingle and learn more about this Epiphany tradition. Questions, click here to email Laurie Pierce.

GREEN TEAM MEETING

12:30-2 p.m.

Roberts Library (first floor, Church building)

The Green Team meets on the first Sunday of each month. All are invited to assist in the planning of environmental projects benefiting St. Paul’s, its parish family and the community. Questions, click here to email Mark Carpenter.

EPIPHANY LESSONS & CAROLS & BSA TROOP RECEPTION

4 p.m.

Sanctuary

St. Paul’s Choir sings a reflective candlelit service of scripture and song, reaching beyond the Nativity story to the Flight into Egypt, the appearance of the Magi, and Jesus being presented in the Temple. Epiphany celebrates the appearance of God’s glory in the world through the birth of Jesus, our Emmanuel (“God with us”), and the revelation of the incarnation. The Greek word epiphany means literally “sudden appearance” and refers above all to the manifestation of God. Featuring music by Stanford Scriven, Kerensa Briggs, James Whitbourn, Philip Stopford, Wayne Marshall and more.

All are invited to a fireside hot chocolate reception, outside following the service. BSA Scout troops #73 & #173 will host this fundraiser to support their programming. They will be providing to-go dinner options for purchase ($15/ea for chili - meat and vegan, chicken pot pie or beef stroganoff over rice or noodles). Baked goods and handmade items will also be for sale. If you don’t wish to purchase to-go dinner that evening, please do stop by for free hot chocolate and to meet the scouts. Questions, click here to email Hilary Vargo.

LAST CHANCE FOR SPANISH CLASS

Wednesdays, January 10-February 28, 6-7:15 p.m. or

Thursdays, January 11-February 29, 2024, 6-7:15 p.m.

CRR (second floor, Parish Center Building)

There are 12 spots remaining for Spanish classes and the registration deadline has been extended to Sunday, January 7. Register below to save a seat and embark on a cultural and linguistic journey! Designed for all levels, teacher Cindy Seley will lead eight weeks of Wednesday or Thursday classes for just $40. Questions, click here to email the Rev. Jeff Bower.

POETIC ASPIRATIONS WORKSHOP

Saturday, January 13, 9-11 a.m.

CRR (second floor, Parish Center Building)

In collaboration with Faith, Justice & The Arts (FJA), Susanne Bowen presents a worskshop identifying and expressing what we aspire to accomplish in the coming year. As a lifelong student, teacher and champion of the written word, Susanne will lead the group in understanding the basics of writing free verse poetry - drawing upon one’s own ideas, emotions, ideas and sensory language. Combining these elements with line breaks, rhyme, rhythm and pacing provides the tools for poetic self-expression. Designed for those who enjoy poetry, and are curious as to how it comes together, participants will discover that writing poetry is simply an exercise in slowing down, listening within and observing throughout. Some participants may leave with a poem in hand. Others will have the building blocks of something they can continue to refine in the coming days. All will be pleased they set aside the time to consider what they aspire to accomplish in 2024. Freewill offerings to benefit FJA will be gratefully accepted. Please RSVP to Tana Hunnicutt below by January 10:

TGIF EVENT :: TALK WITH DEATH DOULA, TYNE PARLETT

Friday, January 19, 6 p.m.

Parish Hall

Adults 21+ are invited to gather for a potluck dinner and conversation with Tyne Parlett, a certified death doula, interning at St Paul's for their Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) degrees. They will be sparking a discussion about death, including how and when to talk about it. Tyne will also have a few pointers and recommended books for all to peruse. Please plan to bring a dish to share and beverage of your choice. Click below to RSVP to Alan Davis no later than Wednesday, January 17.

NEWCOMER LUNCHEON

Sunday, January 21, 12:30-2 p.m.

Lilly Room (first floor, Church building)

If you are new to St. Paul's, or have been attending for a while, you are invited to join staff and clergy for an informal time of gathering and to share a lite meal. Children and teens are encouraged to attend with parents; materials will be provided to engage them throughout the lunch. Nursery care is also available if requested. Please RSVP below or call the church office at 317.253.1277.

NEW YORK POLYPHONY CONCERT NEXT MONTH

Saturday, February 17, 7 p.m.

Sanctuary

Treat yourself to New York Polyphony in concert and support the St. Paul's Choir 2024 tour fund! This male classical vocal quartet, based in New York City, is one of the foremost vocal chamber ensembles active today and has two GRAMMY-nominated albums. Many of their releases have topped the “best of” lists of The New Yorker, Gramophone, and The New York Times. Click here to learn more about New York Polyphony. Tickets are $25/each (cash/check) or $25.75 (credit card). Proceeds from this concert will fund the St. Paul's Choir 2024 pilgrimage to Ely Cathedral. Click below to purchase tickets now:

DIOCESE OF INDIANAPOLIS EVENTS

RACIAL JUSTICE SERIES AT ST. TIMOTHY'S AND VIA ZOOM

Wednesdays, January 17-March 6, 7-8:30 p.m.

St. Timothy's

The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis' Racial Justice and Education Team, in cooperation with St. Timothy's, is sponsoring a seven-week (no meeting on Ash Wednesday) "Slavery in the Bible" study. Dr. Sandie Gravett will present cultural background on select scripture readings with facilitated discussion and St. Timothy's Bible Study leader, Tim Kramer, will facilitate weekly discussions. Attend in-person or online via zoom. There is no fee to participate. Click here to email Tim Kramer to register by January 17 or ask questions.

ST. RICHARD'S PADDINGTON PAR-TEA

Saturday, January 27, 9:30-11 a.m.

St. Richard's

Families and their best bears are invited to St. Richard's Episcopal School for a memorable morning. Enjoy crafts, "vet" visits, pictures with Paddington, a par-tea and more while discovering what St. Richard's has to offer young children. Activities are designed for children ages 2 1/2 to 6 years old. Click here to RSVP.

Click here to read other Diocese of Indianapolis news.

GET INVOLVED, STAY INVOLVED

The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis is committed to welcoming and protecting all people who participate in activities in its parishes and at events sponsored by the diocese. Download the Diocesan Safe Church policy here.

SUPPORT SCHOOL #43

Click here to read a recent letter of gratitude from School #43 staff. St. Paul's Outreach team continues to provide support to School #43 in different ways. Volunteers assist students with math and reading, provide support to new teachers and provide supplies to classrooms in need. Staff, students and families are so appreciative of our help. If you are interested in volunteering or providing support to School #43, please click here to email Janie Frazier.

MEAL TRAIN

"Meal Train" allows volunteers to support others by bringing food. The Meal Train Ministry would love to have you on the team. Email notifications arrive when there is a new meal train, and you may view details and decide if the dates listed will work for you to deliver a homemade or store-bought hot meal. Email Laurie Pierce if you would like to be added to the team. Please let Clergy or Laurie know if there is someone in our church community that could benefit from a Meal Train. 

MLK CENTER

Help to nurture the relationship between MLK Center and St. Paul's. If you would like to help deliver food from the MLK Center to School #43 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m., or have general questions, click here to email Laurie.