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Below, Parishioner Andrew Gonzalez shares his experience with Sacred Ground and the Mens' Retreat at Waycross Camp and Conference Center.
How often do we squint to form a clearer picture of the world around us? In the years I spent searching for a new church home I think I squinted a lot. While narrowing the eyes helps to see better, squinting often conveys disgust at what you are scrutinizing – a person, an action, a situation. So many events of the past few years, and the collective reactions of people, kept me scrutinizing. If you squint enough your eyes will tire and emotional exhaustion sets in.
Once my partner and I joined an Ash Wednesday service at St. Paul’s, we knew we found our church home. Not long after, we explored opportunities to share Christ’s love. At two men’s retreats we exchanged stories, prayed, broke bread, deepened connections around a fire circle by the light of the moon, made music and explored nature together. It surprises me how many connections I made across the diocese, but especially with those from St. Paul’s. These men still shape and inform my sense of community, the responsibility we have to ourselves and to one another to grow.
A presentation about the indigenous peoples who settled Indiana challenged the version of history I learned in school. Our retreat’s theme explored walking in God’s creation and now here we were enjoying the very same space once inhabited by indigenous tribes, bonding and experiencing community in a way that those driven off the land could no longer do. My eyes widened as I took it in.
Several people talked about taking the Sacred Ground (SG) dialogue series on race grounded in faith and the effect it had on them. They suggested I should pursue it. The chance to study Indigenous, African-, Latino-, and Asian-/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories with other members of the congregation appealed to me greatly, especially as these histories have contributed to the challenges and divisions of the present. Grounding this study in a call to faith, hope and love is what made this pursuit remarkable.
SG proved to be the single, most transformative experience on my faith journey. Through study, listening, praying and reflection we have encountered painful truths, engaged differences, and examined our own histories. Through the stories from those who suffered, historians, theological scholars, philosophers, and Episcopal church leaders, I have a new set of lenses.
Now that Easter has come, I behold how differently I see the world and my participation in it and wonder what is God’s dream for us? I am humbled by the collective effort it takes to create a sacred space to walk this ground together. One group at a time we explore the past, we lament, and we struggle with the reckoning within that may result from this journey. I invite you to walk together with a cohort of congregants. You may discover a substantive process that brings healing to some, transformation in others, and demonstrates St. Paul’s commitment to engaging in the critical discourse that will propel us forward.
Andrew Gonzalez, St. Paul's Parishioner
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LECTOR, INTERCESSOR & ALTAR TEAM FORMATION
Saturday, April 20, 9-11:30 a.m.
Chapel of the Good Shepherd & Lilly Room
The Lectors, Intercessors & Altar Team ministries will meet for formation, beginning with Morning Prayer in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd followed by activities in the Lilly Room. Light refreshments, deep conversation, and good fun will abound. If you participate in these ministries or would like to join us, please drop in! Questions, please click here to email Shane Hatchett.
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ALL-PARISH COFFEE HOUR
Sunday, April 7, 10:15-11 a.m., Parish Hall
Join us in celebrating Earth Day/Mother Earth and the upcoming Eclipse. Enjoy earthy snacks, crafts for all ages and an opportunity to create community with other parishioners. We hope you can make it! Questions, click here to email Barb MacDougall. Please click here to see upcoming forum opportunities.
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NEWCOMER TOUR
Sunday, April 14, 10:15-11 a.m., meet in the Sanctuary after the 9 a.m. service
Please join the Rev. Jeff Bower for a guided tour of the places and spaces we call St. Paul's. Questions, click here to email the Rev. Jeff Bower. Please click here to see upcoming Newcomer opportunities on April 28 and May 12.
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INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONIC CHOIR CONCERT
Sunday, April 14, 3 p.m.
St. Paul's Sanctuary
The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir presents Duruflé, Requiem, Op. 9 for chorus and organ (Eric Stark, Artistic Director; David Duncan, Organ). Duruflé’s Requiem combines the mystical beauty of Gregorian chant and the delicate shades of 20th century musical impressionism. Tickets are $45/$15 students (student ID required). Click below for details and to purchase tickets now.
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EPISCOPAL WOMEN'S MINISTRIES (EWM) GATHERING
Saturday, April 20, 1 p.m., via Zoom
Register below to receive a zoom link to attend the EWM virtual spring gathering. The Honorable Andrea Hunley, Indiana State Legislator (District 46), will talk about her journey of faith and her work as a state legislator. There will be time for questions. Please click the link below to register.
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MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOP
Sunday, April 21, 10:15-11 a.m.
CRR (second floor, Parish Center building)
Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act—it affects how well we handle stress, relate to others, and make important decisions. Caring for our mental health, like our physical health, is important at every stage of life. Join the Wellness team for an interactive discussion on the topic. Clinical psychologist, Emily Williams, Psy.D., will answer questions, provide resources, and help navigate the difficult maze of accessing care. Please click here to RSVP to Carrie Bernhardt to help the team prepare. You don't have to do this alone – please join!
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DON'T MISS "CELEBRATE ST. PAUL'S"
Saturday, April 27, 6-9 p.m.
Parish Hall and St. Paul's buildings
Kick off St. Paul's Fiscal Year 2025 campaign (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025) with this festive fundraising occasion filled with delicious treats and plenty of entertainment for everyone. Please plan to join us for an unforgettable evening! Together, we can make a difference and create lasting impact for our community. Please RSVP below to indicate your availability and preferences:
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AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED
The auction committee for Celebrate St. Paul’s is asking for assistance in collecting gift cards to: restaurants, spa and salon services, flower arrangements, movie theaters, performance/sporting event tickets, family activities (bowling alley, art lessons, clothing stores). Gift cards will be packaged together as experiences for the auction - dinner and a movie and other groupings that work well together. All gift cards may be sent to Liz Hoffman in the St. Paul's office. Questions, please contact Debra Maley, 317.691.6841 or Ed Stewart, 317.698.6979.
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WAYCROSS RETREAT PLANNING
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Would you like to help curate programming for all ages and find comradery with others at St. Paul's? Join the All-Parish Retreat planning committee to get to know a small group of parishioners while working on a shared project. This is a great parent-child opportunity! Please plan to attend five planning meetings (April-September); attend the retreat at Waycross (September 20-22, 2024 - registration opens August 1!); provide ideas, invite program leaders, contribute according to your gifts/interests; and attend a celebratory debrief dinner afterwards. Interested, please click here to email Laurie (ages 12+ welcome).
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BSA TROOPS #73/#173 FUNDRAISER
St. Paul's serves as a BSA troop charter organization, partnering with BSA to offer the scouting program to youth in our community. During the month of April, Troops #73/#173 will receive 50% of all profits generated from Crew Car Wash purchases using the link below:
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MLK SPRING CLEANING DRIVE
Household cleaning supplies will be collected on Sundays, April 7, 14, 21 & 28
St Paul’s Lay Clergy Group, along with neighboring churches, will support the cleaning and hygiene needs of MLK families and children as they seek transitional housing and/or support. Please click the link below for a list of supplies requested. Donated items may be placed in the collection box in Burrows Commons. Questions, please click here to email Janie Frazier.
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FJA GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE
Faith, Justice & the Arts (FJA) is accepting Spring 2024 grant applications through April 15. Grant awards are considered for original artwork intersecting art and faith, created through music, dance, theater, literature, visual arts and/or other media. Click the button below to read all grant terms and guidelines and/or apply for the current grant. A grant of up to $25,000 will be awarded by June 1, 2024. Questions, please click here to email Kate Appel.
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OUTREACH INPUT MEETING
Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Parish Center building
St. Paul’s Outreach Oversight Committee has been discerning a new approach to how ministries are coordinated for serving the wider community and promoting justice and equity. The next step is to determine “missional priorities” that will give the work focus over the next year, and to build out the teams that will implement it. If you are interested in being part of this, please plan to join us - lunch and snacks to be provided. Please RSVP below for planning purposes. Questions, please click here to email Cathy Henney, or click here to email the Rev. Beth Scriven.
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ADULT LITERACY PROJECT
St. Paul's Mission in Mombasa team is sponsoring a literacy project to provide classes to parents of Dickson Comprehensive School students. Dickson School was built to serve an area of extreme poverty in Africa. If you have a passion for helping others to help themselves through literacy, please click the button below to contribute to teacher salary, materials and childcare during class time. Questions, click here to email Barb MacDougall. Thank you in advance for your support!
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