First Friday Concert - September 5, 2025

The fourth series of First Friday Concerts at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1000 Michigan Ave., La Porte, will begin Sept. 5 at 12:10 p.m.

The 2025-26 series will kick off with Lee Knitter, who has been a musician for 30 years. His focus is bringing the Gospel to the community through music, singing and playing acoustic guitar. He primarily sings gospel music at assisted living, nursing homes and rehab facilities. He also performs country and folk music.

He was on the worship team at La Porte Missionary Church for 16 years and is retired after spending 43 years at Burns Harbor steel mill.

St. Paul's is air-conditioned and there is a handicap-accessible entrance on Harrison Street. There is no charge for the performance, but there is a free-will offering box for donations to sustain the series. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring their lunch and enjoy the music.

FREE Community Dinner - May 20, 2025

Join us on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 6 p.m. for a delicious free meal, including sides and desserts. Doors open at 5:30 for drinks and popcorn and close at 7 p.m. We give thanks to The Terre Verde Garden Club for providing and serving this meal of Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, green beans, and dessert.

Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend. Share this post. Hope to see you there!

St. Paul’s is located at 1000 Michigan Avenue but please enter from Harrison Street doors.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church Awarded Clergy Renewal Grant

St. Paul's Episcopal Church in La Porte has received a grant of $60,000 to enable its priest in charge, the Rev. Canon Michelle Walker, to participate in the 2024 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program.

St. Paul's is one of 34 congregations in Indiana selected to participate in this competitive program, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Established by the Endowment in 1999, the program’s grants allow congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from their ministerial duties and responsibilities.

Ministers whose congregations are awarded the grants use their renewal experiences to engage in reflection and renewal. The approach respects the “Sabbath time” concept, offering ministers a carefully considered respite that may include travel, study, rest, prayer and immersive arts and cultural experiences.

Walker will spend time from May to early September traveling with he​r family to several national parks in the United States and to the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Her theme for the application for the grant was "When I Am Among the Trees" and focuses on contemplative prayer practices. Leave-taking will occur with a send-off coffee hour celebration April 27. Walker's return will be celebrated at Cummings Lodge Sept. 14, with a Eucharist among the trees, a catered meal, and joyous reunion.

During Walker's absence, the congregation will visit local parks and mirror the contemplative practices that Walker will be doing that same week. At each location, one of 15 contemplative exercises will be used. Each Sunday the current week’s park and practice will be shared during announcements. ​The community is invited to join us. ​Visit stpaulslaporte.org for details. Conversations about the previous week’s practice will occur during coffee hour. Coverage for Sunday services will be provided by supply clergy. At the return Eucharist, priest and congregation will reflect on their experiences and renewal.

Since the Endowment established the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations in 1999 and the National Clergy Renewal Program for congregations in the other 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico in 2000, more than 4,293 congregations have participated in the program, including the 34 Indiana congregations receiving grants in 2024.

Through the program, Indiana congregations may apply for grants of up to $60,000 to support renewal experiences for their pastors. Collaborative in nature and implementation, the program allows congregations to partner with their ministers in developing experiences that address their unique renewal needs and aspirations. Recognizing that ministers’ families are subject to the stress and demands placed on pastoral leaders, the program encourages pastors to involve their families in renewal activities. Congregational needs during the minister’s renewal experience also are considered.

First Friday Concert - 5/2/2025 12:10 p.m.

The last First Friday Concert of the 2024-25 season will be  at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1000 Michigan Ave., La Porte at 12:10 p.m. May 2. It will feature the Diedrich/Davis Duo on piano.

Donovan Diedrich is a LaPorte native who now lives in South Bend. He has been playing piano for 15 years at numerous sites, including college recitals, businesses, weddings and assisted living homes. His favorite music to play is ragtime/swing and Christmas music. 

Joan Davis started playing piano at age 8, taught by her grandmother. She graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor's degree in theater technology and a minor in music education with an emphasis on voice. She has taught piano and voice since 1993, played, sung and also directed choirs at several area churches since 1998. She has been employed at Roxy Music in La Porte since 2006.

The concert is open to the public and a free-will offering box will be available. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their lunch for the half-hour program. St. Paul's is handicap-accessible from the Harrison Street entrance.

The 2025-26 season will begin Friday, Sept. 5. If any performers wish to be part of it, please call the church office at 219-362-2784.

FREE Community Dinner - May 6, 2025

Join us on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 6 p.m. for a delicious free meal, including sides and desserts. Doors open at 5:30 for drinks and popcorn and close at 7 p.m. We give thanks to The La Porte Service League for providing and serving this meal of pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, mac & cheese, and dessert.

Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend. Share this post. Hope to see you there!

St. Paul’s is located at 1000 Michigan Avenue but please enter from Harrison Street doors.