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Dear Friends in Christ,
“Having a very extroverted ministry, how do you care for the introverted part of yourself?” a parishioner asked during this past Sunday’s Rector’s Forum. I thought it was such an interesting way to ask about self-care. Through 32 years of leading parishes, I have thrived in an extroverted ministry. I enjoy spending a lot of my time with people whether that be in meetings, worship, formation or fellowship. But I have an introvert within me that needs to be nurtured.
Wherever we fall on the extrovert/introvert spectrum, we all need to create balance to live a full life. The most extreme extroverts need time set apart for reflection. The most committed introverts need the energy and encouragement that emerges from relationships with others.
Considering my extroverted ministry, it’s important for me to take care of my introverted side. Here are four ways I do that.
- I take a nap every Sunday afternoon. I love the high energy of St. Paul’s on Sundays, but I need intentional rest to revive myself.
- I begin my day with quiet. I pray, meditate, read, take a walk, look at the paper and drink some coffee. This takes some time, so I get out of bed early to ensure I don’t need to rush.
- I commit to setting aside one day a week for sabbath rest (Friday). I limit myself only to necessary tasks and errands to allow plentiful time for rest, reading, walking and baking.
- I limit when I look at church email. Each evening, I turn off the notifications on my phone to avoid the temptation to read new emails. I generally don’t look at email again until I’ve finished my early morning routine. For my sabbath, I do not read emails from Thursday evening to Saturday morning. This ensures I rest my mind as well as my body.
I don’t do any of this perfectly, of course. And I recognize that I’m at a point in my life in which I have the space and time for these practices. The years our children grew up limited the time to focus on myself. Then, I felt fortunate to get the Sunday nap and a few minutes to pray in the morning.
How do you find balance in your life? If your life feels extroverted, how do you create time to rest and turn off the noise that infiltrates your life? Can you commit to a few minutes to pray? Can you give yourself permission to set aside the to-do list for a short nap or to read or take a walk? Can you put down the phone and social media for a few minutes to rejoice in the beauty of creation?
If your life feels introverted, how do you create time with others to nurture your need for community? Can you find a ministry at church or a volunteer opportunity in the community? Can you take a walk in your neighborhood and stop along the way for brief conversations with your neighbors? Can you pick up the phone to call a friend or family member who lives in another state?
We live in anxious times, especially as we move closer to the election in November. How we create balance opens us to the peace of Christ which equips us to live faithfully each day and strengthens us to be a blessing for the world around us.
Your Friend in Christ,
The Rev. John Denson, D.Min.
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CENTERING PRAYER
Thursdays, starting September 19, 6:30 p.m.
Rm. 207 (second floor, Parish Center bldg.)
Led by parishioner, Jan Johnson - “Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God, and a discipline to foster that relationship.” (Contemplative Outreach) Questions, click here to email Jan Johnson.
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NEWCOMER WELCOME TOUR
Sunday, September 22, 10:15-11 a.m., meet in the church
Join for a guided tour of St. Paul's, whether you are new or have been attending for years. If you are curious about the spaces and places that we call St. Paul's, join the Rev. Jeff Bower to explore our facilities and learn how we are using our spaces to be Church in this new day. To learn more about who St. Paul's is and its various relationships, plan to join on September 29 for St. Paul's 101.
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INTERGENERATIONAL GODLY PLAY
Sunday, September 22, 10:15-11 a.m.
Room 211 (second floor, Parish Center bldg.)
All ages are invited to wonder and explore together with Godly Play, a Montessori approach to faith formation. Through storytelling, wondering and creative response, this program does not provide answers but aids in creating meaning and connections within your community - adults and children together, learning from one other. Intergenerational Godly Play will regularly occur on the third Sunday of each month. Questions, click here to email Laurie Pierce.
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TGIF GATHERING
Friday, October 4, 6 p.m., Parish Hall
Adults (21+) are invited to a potluck dinner and special screening of the award-winning film Sister II, which was written, directed and produced by St. Paul's parishioner, Colin Denhart. Sister II is the sequel to the 2021 film Sister about nuns haunted by evil spirits and their search for light to overcome the darkness. Colin and some cast members will be present to share their experience of making the film, answer questions and provide a sneak peek at what is to come in Sister III. Please plan to bring your favorite potluck dish and beverage to share and click here to RSVP to Alan Davis by Thursday, October 3.
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PET BLESSING AT ST. PAUL'S
Sunday, October 6, 9 a.m. service
In the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, we invite you and your (well-behaved) pets to church for a shortened Holy Eucharist service - neighbors and family are welcome to bring their pets also. Afterwards, plan to stay for All-Parish Coffee Hour in the courtyard with treats provided by the Intergen Team and a special visit by IndyHumane. Click on the link below for all details.
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DEEP DIVE FAITH EXPLORATION FOR ADULTS & YOUTH
Starting Sunday, October 6, 6-8 p.m.
Lilly Room (first floor, church bldg.)
Do you want to explore your faith and spirituality with other inquiring minds? Are you curious about how the Episcopal Church does things? Are you considering confirmation, reception or baptism? Do you want to get to know other St. Paul’s folks better? Join for Deep Dive Faith Exploration this fall! Youth and adult participants will enjoy supper together on October 6 to start our journeys. Each group will then meet separately several times this fall, closing with another joint gathering in January. Click below to learn more about Adult and Youth Confirmation and to sign up for Deep Dive Faith Exploration:
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HOLY BAPTISM
Register for November 3 baptisms.
Baptisms are offered next on Sunday, November 3 at 9 a.m. Baptism is the sacrament by which we are adopted as God’s children and made members of Christ’s body, the Church. Please click below to learn more or to request to be baptized. The deadline to register is Thursday, October 10.
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RONEN CHAMBER ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Sunday, September 29, 4 p.m., Sanctuary
All are invited to the first concert of the season! The Ronen Chamber Ensemble will perform a tribute to Gabriel Fauré upon the 100th anniversary of his death. Music will include pieces by members of Fauré's musical circle and compositional descendants. Admission is free.
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SMALL SNACKS NEEDED
Everyone likes a small snack after the 9 a.m. service. Children usually cite "the snacks" as their favorite part of church; adults have been caught sneaking into Adult Formation with multiple cookies! The perfect time for a light snack is 10 a.m. Let's keep it going. Can you please pick ONE Sunday this year to bring the snacks? Sign up below and see suggestions for what and how much to bring. Questions, click here to email Laurie Pierce.
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FALL FORMATION :: ELECTION SERIES
Starting Sunday, September 29, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
How do we find our way and make loving choices as disciples of Christ, in the middle of a tense and uncertain election season? Join us on September 29 for the first of a four-part series exploring this question during Formation Hour. Please click below for all details. Questions, click here to email Brandon Lowe.
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SACRED GROUND
Registration is open!
Sacred Ground meets in a hybrid format from October through May 2025. Most sessions happen via Zoom, two Tuesdays a month from 7:10 – 8:40 p.m. There are also occasional in-person sessions to anchor our community. The first session on Sunday, October 13 (12:30-2 p.m.) is a pitch-in lunch in the Lilly Room.
Sacred Ground is an Episcopal dialogue series on race, grounded in faith and open to all. Together all will explore America’s history of race and racism, including the particular American histories of Black, Indigenous, Latino and Asian/Pacific American communities as they intersect with European American histories, our own family stories, economic class and political and regional identity.
Click below to see all details and register. Questions, click here to email the Rev. Beth Scriven.
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UPCOMING:
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Sunday, September 29, St. Paul's 101
- Saturday, November 2, Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe's Installation Service
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Monday, November 4, St. Paul's Day Camp
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Sunday, January 26, 2025, Confirmation will occur during the Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows visit to St. Paul's.
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