News from the Red Doors - May 21, 2021

This Week at St. Paul's
Mother Michelle Walker

Dear St. Paul's Family,

What joy I have in sharing with you this morning that my Wabash Pastoral Leadership Cohort was able to meet in-person this week from Monday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon. I have been learning alongside these 13 other pastors from around the state since November of 2020 and it was wonderful to be in person with them for these two short days.

Our session topic was "Demography and Race in Indiana". It was an inspiring topic that yielded probing questions and conversations. We were shown maps of our community, with the church at the epicenter, and encouraged to really take a look at what is around us. We were introduced to a demographic tool (thearda.com) that provides information regarding age, education, family status, income, religion, etc. We were challenged to look at the maps of our cohort and offer things we noticed in their contexts. Guess what everyone noticed on OUR map? LOTS of churches and LOTS of lakes. I'm still waiting for divine inspiration in how to use those assets more fully in our ministries! (I'm open for suggestions ... ).

On the topic of racism, we had deep conversations about our responsibility as spiritual leaders in both addressing the topic in our congregations and meeting the congregation where they are to open up the topic more fully. We discussed that most of our congregants would likely not consider themselves racist and because of that might be less likely to desire engaging in the conversation. I, too, used to feel that way about myself - until I started learning more.

Almost a year ago I listened to an interview with Ibram X. Kendi, author of "How to be an AntiRacist". I am currently listening, to his book. Mr. Kendi suggests that a person is EITHER racist or antiracist NOT as a permanent label of who they are, but as a temporary label that is reflective of a current action. Our words and actions in any given moment, whether we are aware of them or not, are either racist or antiracist. There is no neutral. Now I've sat with this thought for some time and I can find it to be true, although I'm definitely not always thinking about whether I'm acting in a racist or antiracist way. My awareness has increased, however. And with awareness comes the opportunity to make better decisions.

I stop here to offer a short teaching moment that was enlightening to me. Being racist doesn't only mean that a person is actively discriminating against people of color. Racism happens in the following categories:

  • Interpersonal - Bigotry and biases shown between individuals through word and action

  • Systemic/Structural - Ongoing racial inequalities maintained by society

  • Institutional - Discriminatory polices and practices within organizations and institutions

  • Internalized - Race-based beliefs and feelings within individuals.

A few weeks ago the police pulled me over as I pulled into Phyllis Nichols' driveway. (I sure created some excitement for her that day.) I was getting out of the car BEFORE I noticed the undercover vehicle directly behind me with its lights on. I then realized that I had taken off my seatbelt and had the door open before they could even approach me. I was terrified for an instant, especially since I had NO idea why I was being pulled over.

In THAT exact moment I had this thought "Why am I afraid? I'm a white woman driving a decent vehicle and wearing a clerical collar. I don't need to fear for my life." The very next thought was this "My white privilege increases my safety. The ingrained systems of institutional and systemic racism makes this same situation far more dangerous for a person of color." A year ago I wouldn't have thought about this at all. Awareness is a powerful tool.

As a short aside, I did not receive a ticket (for apparently not coming to a full stop at a nearby stop sign!). On a far more important aside, this example in no way reflects my opinion of our police, who work hard to keep our communities safe. It is simply a moment when my white privilege was evident to me because of increasing my awareness and ability to recognize it. And that is what I pray for each of us to discover in our own respective journeys.

There is much for us to learn, both as individuals and as a congregation. Please know the manner in which I raise this topic for conversation is both intentional and an invitation. There are many ways we can be the hands and feet of Christ in this world. It is our responsibility to encourage each other in our varying ways of doing so.

Enjoy this beautiful day and don't forget to wear red on Sunday!

Blessings,
Mother Michelle
priest@stpaulslaporte.org | 219-575-0226 (c)

Join us for Chair and Church with St. Paul's, a simple gathering of St. Paul's parishioners for city events throughout the summer. This is an opportunity to spend time with the people we love, in places we love around the city. LaPorte has a variety of events to offer this summer. And the only requirement is that you bring a chair and a fun loving attitude. (Rides are available for those that prefer not to drive at that time of day.)

The first event is Cruise Night on Saturday 6/5. Bring your chair, and your St. Paul's tee shirt if you have one, and join us in front of the PNC bank at the corner of Michigan and Lincolnway. Beginning June 9th, we will gather at the Fox Park pavilion on Wednesdays to enjoy city band concerts via Arts in the Park. More details are available at our Facebook events. All are welcome ... even those who do not yet call St. Paul's their home!

News from the Red Doors - May 14, 2021

This Week at St. Paul's
Mother Michelle Walker

Somewhere along the way in my faith journey I was introduced to a thought process, perhaps even a belief, that when things appear to be moving in a Spiritual direction drawing us closer to God and stronger as a community - Satan notices. And when he notices, he enjoys creating chaos to distract a person or a faith community from their focus on the Holy.

To be clear, I am NOT presenting this as a doctrine of the Church or a fundamental element of being an Episcopalian. I do, however, stop in those moments when our senior warden has open heart surgery followed by a beloved parishioner taking a tumble on her way into church and a vestry member falling down the stairs and breaking her ankle in 3 places and I PRAY for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit.
Come Holy Spirit, fill us with your grace.
Come Holy Spirit, heal our infirmities - both visible and invisible.
Come Holy Spirit, protect and guard us from all ungodliness.
Come Holy Spirit, prepare us to spread the Gospel in the world in which we live.
Come Holy Spirit. Amen.


And so with those prayers of protection and direction I share with you a couple of exciting meetings. Two Thursdays ago I met with Maria Fruth, President and CEO of the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte. Thanks to an introduction by Jean Burns, I received a tour of their beautiful new facility (at the corner of McClung Road and East Shore Parkway). Maria was lovely and a wealth of information about LaPorte. We discussed possible ways in which members of St. Paul's are already, or might become more, involved in various ministries about the county.

Maria also directed my attention to their main initiative of Ten2030. This initiative strives to empower our residents to make LaPorte County one of the top 10 healthiest counties in Indiana by the year 2030. (Did you know that by some metrics, LaPorte is the UNhealthiest county in all of Indiana?!?) There are many components to this plan, and many places where we might fit in as supporters either personally or as a faith community. I encourage you to check out the website by clicking on the photo above or on this link: http://www.ten2030.org/.

This week I met with Maggi Spartz of the Unity Foundation of LaPorte. In a different sort of meeting we gathered at the Unity Park on Pine Lake (near T-Bones Restaurant) and walked Chessie trail from the park to near Clear Lake and back. We discussed trails and their funding; serving the community; and matching our initiatives with the experience, availability, and energy of our congregation.

Maggi shared with me their initiative of Vibrant Communities of LaPorte. This initiative is focused on strengthening LaPorte's communities based on the core beliefs of people (caring for all people as demonstrated by our investments in their welfare); prosperity (growing a strong and resilient economy for all); and place (celebrating our histories, protecting their character, and preserving the environment). There are also many components, action items, as part of this plan. Most of them are bigger than we could take on as a parish, but all of them offer opportunities for us to contribute in various ways (time, talent, or treasure). Please wander through their website as well by clicking on the photo above or on this link: https://vibrantlpcounty.com/.

Both of these meetings are the fruits of my Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program, as a mechanism to better knowing the community in which we live and how we can serve that community as a pillar of spiritual health. Don't worry, I'm not committing us to anything at this point. I'm simply gathering information, plantings seeds, and listening for that soft voice of the Holy Spirit when she says "Now. Here. This is where St. Paul's can give back to the community more deeply and further the work of the Holy."

So I end this letter where I began, with a call to the Holy Spirit and a tangible excitement for what's in store for us in the coming weeks, months, and years.

Come Holy Spirit.
Come Holy Spirit, fill us with your grace.
Come Holy Spirit, heal our infirmities - both visible and invisible.
Come Holy Spirit, protect and guard us from all ungodliness.
Come Holy Spirit, prepare us to spread the Gospel in the world in which we live.
Come Holy Spirit. Amen.


Blessings,
Mother Michelle
priest@stpaulslaporte.org | 219-575-0226 (c)

Join us for Chair and Church with St. Paul's, a simple gathering of St. Paul's parishioners for city events throughout the summer. This is an opportunity to spend time with the people we love, in places we love around the city. LaPorte has a variety of events to offer this summer. And the only requirement is that you bring a chair and a fun loving attitude. (Rides are available for those that prefer not to drive at that time of day.)

The first event is Cruise Night on Saturday 6/5. Bring your chair, and your St. Paul's tee shirt if you have one, and join us in front of the PNC bank at the corner of Michigan and Lincolnway. Beginning June 9th, we will gather at the Fox Park pavilion on Wednesdays to enjoy city band concerts via Arts in the Park. More details are available at our Facebook events. All are welcome ... even those who do not yet call St. Paul's their home!

LIVE from St. Paul's - Renewal of Ministry and Installation (May 6, 2021)

Renewal of Ministry and Installation of Mother Michelle - May 6, 20201

Welcome to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church as we joyously welcome Mother Michelle Walker as our priest, officially, and renew ourselves for ministry.  We hope you enjoy the service. 

Worship guide:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/10fUL-wh9i0tbhCHisbnAMciuOW-ZAa5c/view?usp=sharing

Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-735470. All rights reserved.

News from the Red Doors - April 30, 2021

This Week at St. Paul's
Mother Michelle Walker

Dear St. Paul's Family,

I can't tell you how excited I am for our May 6th service of Renewal of Ministry and Installation. I am so honored to be your priest and to be serving in the faith community that first introduced me to The Episcopal Church. The Installation service is such a lovely liturgy, full of symbolism of a different kind that our typical Sunday morning. During the course of the service, several different members will either be presenting me to the Bishop for approval, or presenting symbolic items such as:

  • a Bible,

  • a Book of Common Prayer,

  • a Pyx (small carrying device for the Blessed Sacrament),

  • a vial of oil stock (for anointing of the sick), and

  • the bread and wine for communion.

All of these items are critical for my ministry as your priest and are offered with prayers full of hope and joy. We will celebrate the Eucharist together and even have Deacon Kathy Townley serving at the altar with us. It is going to be a lovely celebration that I hope each of you are able to attend.

In other news, I'm excited to share progress on my Wabash Pastoral Leadership initiative to spend time with community leaders. Thanks to an introduction by Jean Burns, I met with Maria Fruth of the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte. What an amazing asset that organization is to our community! She was delightful and shared some excellent ideas regarding how our congregation can give back to and more deeply integrate with the LaPorte Community. I can't wait to share some of the ideas with you, as well as some interesting information I learned about LaPorte overall.

I would be remiss to not express my appreciation at this point for the multitude of ways so many of you already volunteer within the community. Your love for LaPorte, and the wellbeing of those of us that live here, is second only to your love for the Lord. I hope we/I never lose sight of that!

Have a wonderful day and please, please, please do your best to attend the Installation service on Thursday 5/6 @ 6pm.

Blessings,
Mother Michelle
priest@stpaulslaporte.org | 219-575-0226 (c)

Our second and final educational session with Bishop Doug took place on Tuesday, April 27th. We all learned a lot. The vestry will continue conversations at future meetings. Please don't hesitate to reach out to either myself or any vestry member with your thoughts.

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