Dear Friends in Christ,
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” So begins the third chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible. I could describe this season of our life at St. Paul’s in many ways. This month, it seems most appropriate to say we are in a season of transition.
Transition happens on many levels, all of which can feel unsettling. On a global scale, we are experiencing the ongoing transition into a still undefined post-pandemic age while also feeling the impact of a decades-long shift in religious practice in the United States.
On a very local scale, we are experiencing this transition with our church staff. As you know, we said farewell to the Rev. Barbara Kempf last month and will say good-bye to the Rev. Patrick Burke at the end of this month. As we move more deeply into August, the season of transition continues.
Below you will read about the departures and arrivals we anticipate with the church staff. While the arrival of new staff members is always a time to celebrate, this joy is tinged with grief for the loss of those who leave for new opportunities.
In particular I will note the departure of Barbara Bates who has worked as our Director of Communications for 18 years. None of us who are currently on the staff know what St. Paul’s is like without her. Barbara has adapted in ways she could not have imagined when she started in 2005. Who would have thought livestreaming worship would have been a regular thing?! We have not only benefitted from her creativity and ingenuity, but we have also been blessed by her supportive, kind and calm presence. Many parishioners, but especially those of us who work with her every day in the office, will miss her even as we celebrate her new opportunity.
As you read below about the new staff members we welcome this month, I’ll also note that there may be other new arrivals in the near future, including a priest. I’ll have more to say about these transitions during my Rector’s Forum on Sunday, September 10.
Your Friend in Christ,
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Message from Departing Staff:
There is no way to quantify what the staff and people of St. Paul’s, past and present, have meant to me. I am proud of the vast array that has been accomplished these past 18 years; I have been and continue to be inspired by the institutional progress and continual growth for good that this community is committed to as children of God. It was a privilege to have worked here and alongside you. I will always appreciate St. Paul’s and this community’s role in my family’s life.
With love,
Barbara joined St. Paul’s in January 2005 as the Associate for Communications. Her last day on staff is Thursday, August 17.
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Liz Hoffman, Database Manager |
Liz (she/her) has worked in database management for 20 years, most recently at Bishop Chatard High School, and enjoys keeping data organized. She is married to her husband, Steve, and has three young children, Van, Charlie and Frankie. In her spare time Liz loves to read, cook and be active with her family.
Liz’s first day at St. Paul’s will be Tuesday, August 29.
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As a youth, Josh (he/him) sang in St. Paul’s Choir and spent time here with his family as a parishioner. He is part-time, mostly in the evenings, helping with event setup/teardown and other facility duties. In his free time, Josh sings with the Circle City Sound Barbershop Chorus, plays disc golf and enjoys making great memories with friends and family.
Josh began work helping with sexton duties in June 2023.
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Tyne Parlett, Seminary Intern |
Tyne (they/them) is a second year CTS MDIV, LMHC student whose studies have included antiracism, non-violence, abolition, harm reduction, death positivity and queer inclusion. In their work with St. Paul’s, Tyne hopes to use their lived experience as queer, trans, disabled, a violence survivor and a theologian to strengthen and empower the community in the work of justice, hope and repair. Tyne is a parent, consultant and a death doula.
Tyne’s internship at St. Paul’s will last one year. Their first day will be Sunday, August 27.
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Audra Thomas, Facilities Manager |
Audra (she/her) graduated from IUPUI with a B.A. in International Studies. She has since worked for IPS and Bishop Chatard High School in facility and business administration. Audra lives in the Broad Ripple area and is mom to three kids and two dogs. She enjoys gardening, travel and spending time with family.
Audra began working part-time as a Sexton at St. Paul’s in March 2023; she is excited to now have joined the staff full time.
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INDIANS TICKET RESERVATION DEADLINE TODAY
Gates open 6 p.m., game starts at 7:05 p.m.
Join us for a fun-filled evening at Victory Field on Friday, August 25. Invite family/friends/neighbors and cheer on the Indians with other St. Paul's friends. We are offering group rate lawn tickets for just $9/each - cash/check, or $9.75/each - credit card payments. Buy tickets online or deliver cash/check (payable to St. Paul's) to Meegan Kriner during office hours, Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Click below to reserve tickets:
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NEWCOMER EVENT :: ST. PAUL'S / EPISCOPAL CHURCH 101
Sunday, August 13, 11:15 a.m., CRR (Parish Center, second floor)
Newcomers are encouraged (all are welcome) to join the Rev. John Denson and the Rev. Jeff Bower in exploring a brief history of St. Paul's, our life in the Diocese of Indianapolis and our relationship with the Episcopal Church.
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ALL PARISH RETREAT
This retreat is for YOU; the purpose of this weekend is to bring all people together. Enjoy a variety of experiences, similar to a conference. Programming is designed with every age in mind, and everything is participation optional. Located in scenic Brown County, Waycross Episcopal Camp is a year-round retreat center. NEW this year, lodging is self-selected and first come, first serve. You will receive a link to choose your room accommodations after submitting your registration and payment. Click link below for details and registration:
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SCHOOL #43 UPDATE :: NEW LEADERSHIP
Welcome Crishell Sam, new principal of School #43. There are lots of exciting changes coming to School #43 and we'd love to have you be part of it! School #43 students were welcomed back to school with an ice cream social in July, joined by parents, staff and community partners. Eight local clergy, including the Rev. Jeff Bower, visited the following week to bless classrooms. Students began their first day of the 2023-24 school year on Monday, July 31. Principal Sam will be collecting student data over the next few weeks so that volunteers will be able to provide data-driven, focused intervention. A meeting will be held in August so that volunteer coordinators can plan for the year and, in September, volunteers will be invited to attend an organization meeting hosted by administration. The goal is to have volunteers in classrooms by October. Please email Janie Frazier for details or to get involved.
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RENTABLE SPACES AT ST. PAUL’S
Do you know of someone needing a space, small or large, that may be interested in St. Paul’s? Indianapolis Men’s Chorus rents the Parish Hall as a rehearsal space, Yoga with Carrie offers classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Indianapolis Christian Tabernacle holds worship at St. Paul's on Sunday afternoons. The Parish Hall kitchen is regularly utilized by Three Brothers Cheesecakes, Damien Center and MLK Center youth – also enjoying the Youth Lounge and playground. If you know of businesses that could use our space when it would not otherwise be occupied, inquiries can be submitted using the form below:
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WOMEN'S SELF-CARE WEEKEND AT EWM 2023 FALL RETREAT
Be with Episcopal Women's Ministries (EWM) and enjoy a weekend of self-care this fall! Attendees will relax at Waycross while participating in various activities such as hiking, sharing new books, learning and sharing a craft or just taking time to rest and disconnect. Email Lisa Matucheski to learn more.
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JOIN THE GREEN TEAM!
The Green Team works to “encourage the protection and nurturing of the earth and all its living beings through relationships and activities that promote creation care.” Its volunteers are responsible for the amazing garden on the west lawn of our campus. Meetings are typically held on the first Sunday of the month. All are invited to join!
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Ages 12+ are welcome to sign up below to serve meals to the summer camp/afterschool program any weekday. This is a very easy volunteer role providing an opportunity for St. Paul's people to show up and continue to build relationships with kids and staff at the MLK Center. Interested in volunteering in other ways at MLK, like picking up food from around town or reading with kids, email Leintz Belony. Questions, email Laurie Pierce.
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SERVE ON A PARISH TEAM!
Laurie Pierce is seeking volunteers to work on shared projects with others. Males, introverts, those without children in the home, and those not sure what they believe in/think they have nothing to offer, are encouraged to serve on teams. If you love this community, kids, events, bringing people together, our worship, or mentoring, please click below to learn more about the teams being formed:
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