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Dear Friends in Christ,
“The beautiful and the terrible live side by side,” writes Kate Bowler in her Advent devotional, Bless the Advent We Actually Have. How true this is during the twelve days of Christmas. On the one hand, our worship is beautiful and inspiring. On the other hand, on December 28 we commemorate the Holy Innocents, the children two years of age and younger slaughtered in Bethlehem by King Herod as he attempted to kill the Christ child (see Matthew 2:13-18).
Can we remember the Holy Innocents of the past without lamenting the slaughter of innocents in Gaza today? According to Human Rights Watch, 85% of the population of Gaza — almost 1.9 million people — are displaced, most crammed together near the southern border. Innocent people, including too many children, have been forced from their homes and slaughtered by indiscriminate bombing. Those not killed barely survive due to a lack sufficient water, food and healthcare.
And Gaza is not the only place where innocent people suffer. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, 5.8 million people have been displaced. In an act of ethnic cleansing in Sudan, the Rapid Security Forces killed hundreds of Massalit civilians in November. In Ukraine, Russian missiles and drones have destroyed about 3,800 educational facilities, interrupting access to education for millions of children.
In the United States, hate crimes against Jews have quintupled since October 7, an escalation of a long brewing antisemitism. As Bret Stephens wrote in The New York Times this week, “Well before Oct. 7, Jews were tucking their Stars of David under their collars or hiding their kipas under baseball caps to avoid being shunned or harassed. Synagogues and Jewish community centers were under constant armed guard. The ultra-Orthodox — who, courageously, do not hide their identity from anyone — were routinely assaulted in their communities by bullies who think it’s fun to sucker-punch a Jew.”
We’re in the Christmas season, and you likely don’t want to think about this any more than I do. But Christmas does not shield us from human tragedy and suffering. Instead, the birth of Jesus reminds us that God is with us in the midst of the suffering. And by “us” I mean all of us, all of humanity. God is with the innocents, suffering with them and weeping for them.
In the midst of so much evil, God’s abiding presence can be a source of hope for us. It is the hope that strengthened Archbishop Desmond Tutu during decades of apartheid in South Africa; that sustained countless Black Americans during the civil rights movement; that upheld the women —known as the Philadelphia Eleven — who sought ordination in the male dominated Episcopal Church of the 1970s.
Hope, Kate Bowler writes, “is the function of struggle. It is the realization of our limitations or of our lack of agency or of the inability for us to save ourselves and the ones we love. This kind of hope is not a wishlist sent to Santa Claus. Advent hope is gritty. It shirks all false optimism. It is hope as protest. Hope in the face of impossibilities. As writer Barbara Brown Taylor said, ‘whether
it is a seed in the ground, a baby in the womb, or Jesus in the tomb, it starts in the dark.’”
This Christmas, dare to hope. It is one way we can shine the light of Christ in a dark world.
Your Friend in Christ,
The Rev. John Denson, D.Min., Rector
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THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
Sunday, December 31, 10 a.m., Sanctuary
Join us for a Holy Eucharist service to celebrate the First Sunday after Christmas. There are no 7:45, 9 or 11:15a services on December 31.
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CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS
The St. Paul's office will be closed through Monday, January 1. The office will reopen on Tuesday, January 2 at 9 a.m. If there is a pastoral need, you may call the office at 317.253.1277 and press "1" to reach clergy on-call.
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YEAR-END GIVING
Your gifts today provide for our ministry tomorrow and beyond. Please consider making a gift this season to ensure our ability to be a church transforming the world around us. The following are ways to give:
• Text MYGIFT to 97000
• Give checks/cash to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 6050 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46208
• Make gifts online, stpaulsindy.org/give
• Automatic Debit
• Online Banking
• Stocks
• Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA: click here to learn more
Charitable gifts are tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations: click here to learn more
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DECEMBER 31 SPANISH CLASS DEADLINE
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)
Register below (no later than December 31) for Spanish classes - there are limited spots remaining. Come together and embark on a cultural and linguistic journey! Parishioner and Cathedral High School Spanish teacher, Cindy Seley will lead eight weeks of Spanish lessons (designed for all levels). Choose from Wednesday or Thursday classes for the low cost of $40. Please click below to register by Sunday, December 31. Questions, click here to email the Rev. Jeff Bower.
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ALL-PARISH COFFEE HOUR/EPIPHANY TEA
Sunday, January 7, 10:15-11 a.m., Lilly Room
Join us after the 9 a.m. service for an old-fashioned Epiphany tea! The Intergenerational Team will host this All-Parish Coffee hour that will include special refreshments – even Epiphany Cake. Mix and mingle and learn more about this Epiphany tradition. Questions, click here to email Laurie Pierce.
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GREEN TEAM MEETING
Sunday, January 7, 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.
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EPIPHANY LESSONS & CAROLS & BSA TROOP RECEPTION
Sunday, January 7, 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.
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"POETIC ASPIRATIONS FOR 2024" 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 that which 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 that which they aspire to accomplish in 2024. Freewill offerings to benefit FJA will be gratefully accepted. Please RSVP to Tana Hunnicutt below by January 10
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NEWCOMER LUNCHEON
Sunday, January 21, 12:30-2 p.m., Lilly Room
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.
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FAMILY MINISTRY/YOUTH GROUP 2024 MAGNET
Households with young people/grades 6-12 are invited to pick up 2024 event magnets in Burrows Commons. Click here for a digital copy. Record and save the dates for Parents Group & Superhero Kids Party, Pancake Supper/Mardi Gras Celebration, Holy Week events, Stewardship Potluck and Project, Youth Ice Skating with MLK Center, Youth Cincinnati Trip, Moms/Dads nights out, BINGO and more. If you wish to receive Family Ministry and/or Youth Group monthly newsletters, please click here to email Laurie.
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ABC CHOIR
Children (ages 4–7) are invited to join for fun-filled evenings of singing, musical activities and free dinner. No commitment is necessary! Starting January 18, ABC Choir will meet weekly on Thursdays from 5:15–6 p.m. in the music room. From Burrows Commons, take the stairs or elevator up to the music offices to find the group. After rehearsal, from 6-6:30 p.m., ABC choir kids join the St. Paul’s choir kids for dinner in the Lilly Room. Questions, please click here to email ABC Choir Director Emma Page.
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NEW YORK POLYPHONY CONCERT TICKETS
Saturday, February 17, 7 p.m., Sanctuary
Don’t miss the opportunity to see New York Polyphony in concert! This male classical vocal quartet, based in New York City, is one of the foremost vocal chamber ensembles active today. Founded in 2006, the quartet’s growing discography includes two GRAMMY-nominated albums, and 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). Click below to purchase tickets now:
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SUPPORT SCHOOL #43
St. Paul's Outreach team continues to provide math and reading support to students in different grades at School #43. Additionally, support is offered to new teachers at the school and supplies and materials are provided to classrooms in need. Staff, students and families are so appreciative of our the help. If you are interested in volunteering or providing support to School #43, please click here to email Janie Frazier.
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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.
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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.
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