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Dear Friends in Christ,
We pray the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples — what we call the Lord’s Prayer — so often I suspect we rarely think about the words we’re praying. Almost certainly, we don’t think about the importance of Jesus’ use of the first person plural instead of the first person singular. As Brother Curtis Almquist, SSJE pointed out in a sermon last year, it matters that we pray “Our Father” instead of “My Father,” that we ask God to “give us this day our daily bread” not “give me this day my daily bread.”
The Lord’s Prayer is a corporate prayer, not an individual prayer. This does not mean we shouldn’t pray it as a part of our personal devotion. But when we do, it’s helpful to remember that we’re praying the prayer of and for the whole community. The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. It reminds us that we live in a web of relationships, not only those that enrich our lives but also those that challenge us.
“Jesus’ point,” Brother Curtis said, “is that we pray for ourselves in the same way that we pray for others. And the ‘others’ are everyone. We pray for people whom we love. We counter-balance our lovely prayer list with our nasty prayer list: to pray for those whom we do not love. We pray for those whom we tenderly carry in our hearts; we pray for those for whom our hearts are hardened; those with whom we most disagree and want to forget, or condemn, or punish; those whom we regard with disdain. We pray for them like we pray for ourselves.”
This is easier said than done, don’t you think? We live in a time in which it has become acceptable to divide people between “us” and “them.” Most, if not all, of us have a “lovely prayer list” and a “nasty prayer list.” If we’re being honest, we probably aren’t praying for the people on the nasty list unless we’re asking God to stop them or smite them.
One of St. Paul’s core values is “compassionate justice” which we define as “forming relationships with our neighbors, partnering with others to create equity and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being.” In other words, we strive for justice but do so with open and welcoming hearts. As the prophet Micah reminds us, kindness and humility are necessarily linked to the work of justice. “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
Prayer rarely seems the most effective way to strive for justice. But perhaps it’s the best place to start. When we pray for those for whom our hearts are hardened, we open ourselves to transformation. Prayer softens our hard hearts and invites God’s Spirit to work in and through us.
Your Friend in Christ,
The Rev. John Denson, D.Min., Rector
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BEWARE OF EMAIL SPOOFING SCAMS
We want to remind everyone to stay vigilant against email spoofing scams. If you receive an email that appears to be from St. Paul's staff, vestry, or affiliates, asking for personal or St. Paul’s directory information, do not respond or share any details. St. Paul's directories are only accessible to parishioners in-person or through secure Realm accounts. If you have any concerns about a suspicious email, please contact the church office directly to verify its authenticity. Stay cautious and protect your information!
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On Sunday, January 26, services will only occur at 7:45 a.m. and 10 a.m.; there will be no 9 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. services that day. | |
Please click images below for January 26 worship and faith forum details: | |
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ONE WEEK UNTIL VESTRY VOTING OPENS
St. Paul's Vestry is excited to present this year's slate of candidates: Jacob Denning, Shane Hatchett, Ann Hinson and Drew Tharp. Click below to learn more about each nominee. Voting for Vestry, Diocesan Delegates, and approval of the 2024 Annual Meeting minutes begins Thursday, January 30.
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LETTER TO THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
As we continue to live into our Baptismal Covenant to "strive for justice and peace among all people," we invite you to explore resources provided by Episcopal Church leaders, empowering us to respond faithfully to the challenges posed by immigration policies and executive orders. Find ways to contact policymakers, information about immigration and asylum, action guides for organizing in your community, and prayer and worship tools to ground your advocacy in faith. Click below to read the letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and President of the House of Deputies, Julia Ayala Harris.
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CONGRATS TO BRAD HUGHLEY!
On October 19, 2024, the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) bestowed on Brad Hughley the honorary Associate award. Brad is one of two Americans this year to receive the distinction, and one of five worldwide. The certificate is an award for achievements in church music and/or liturgy of nationally recognized significance, or for important musical and/or liturgical work within the RSCM which has had an impact regionally. (From Church Music Quarterly): "Brad Hughley is a well-respected choir trainer and organist in the USA. His chorister program is one of the largest in the country and consistently provides high quality musical training to people of all ages, including dozens of children per year. Brad has given invaluable service to RSCM America by serving on the volunteer board and specifically as Secretary to the board during the pandemic and immediately after, when so many of our churches and institutions were struggling to rebuild. His most valuable service to RSCM, though, is by living and working daily with the mission of RSCM informing every action. His program at St. Paul’s, Indianapolis is a model of what can happen when the RSCM ideals are consistently applied, and it is an inspiration for many others."
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DR. JACOB TAYLOR PROMOTION
On Sunday, January 19, Dr. Jacob Taylor was promoted to Associate Director of Music at St. Paul’s. Since joining St. Paul’s in 2018 as Assistant Organist and Choir Director, Dr. Taylor has been integral to developing and sustaining the music program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he implemented audio and video editing skills to create virtual anthems, ensuring the choir's presence during online worship. He has elevated the musicianship of both children and adult choirs and established a private lesson studio. Additionally, he serves as Dean of the Indianapolis chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Dr. Taylor’s gifts of music, kindness and faithfulness, coupled with his ability to see the larger picture and implement tasks effectively, have made him a beloved member of the staff. This title change reflects St. Paul’s gratitude for his service and confidence in his continued leadership in worship and music ministry.
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"WOMEN IN THE BIBLE" SERIES
Wednesday, January 29 - March 26, 7-8:30 p.m.
In-person at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church or via zoom
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church invites all to an eight-week Wednesday evening series (sans Ash Wednesday), facilitated by Bible study leader, Tim Kramer. The series will explore stories of - and texts about - women in the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Apocrypha and larger tradition of Jewish and Christian writings. Thinking through cultural assumptions regarding women's bodies and roles and pointing out ways women defied and impacted norms, this study will raise contemporary questions about gender and sexuality. Background and insights will be presented by Professor Sandie Gravett. Participants may attend this no cost series in-person or via zoom. Please click here to email Tim Kramer to ask questions or to register (noting "Women in the Bible Series" in the subject line). Click here to view more details on St. Timothy's website.
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NOTEWORTHY DATES:
(Click on red links for available details)
- Tuesdays, 6-6:45 p.m., RCR (second floor, Parish Ctr. bldg.), Centering Prayer
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Sun., Feb. 9, 10:15 a.m. - 12 p.m., Parish Hall, St. Paul's Annual Meeting
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Sun., Feb. 9, 4 p.m., Sanctuary, Choral Evensong & Post-Evensong Recital
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Sun., Feb. 16, 4 p.m., Sanctuary, The Gesualdo Six Concert
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Sun., Feb. 23, 4 p.m., Three Choirs Festival at Christ Church Cathedral
- Sat., March 1, 3-6 p.m., The Rev. John Denson's "Good Goodbye" Open House
- Tues., March 4, Pancake Supper
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Mon., March 10, 11:59 p.m., FIA Grant Application Deadline
- Sat., March 15, Bingo
- Sun., May 4, Celebrate St. Paul's: Picnic with a Purpose
- Fri.-Sun., Sept. 19-21, Parish Retreat at Waycross
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