Inclusive Marriage Policy Conversations

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On Tuesday 4/20 and 4/27 we are delighted to host Bishop Doug Sparks, who graciously offered to facilitate a conversation about developing an inclusive marriage policy. He has facilitated these conversations in the majority of the Episcopal churches in our diocese and we are happy to participate at this time.

As I explained in our February 26th News from the Red Doors, having a written and agreed-upon marriage policy is important for both the congregation and the priest. With the help of Bishop Doug, we will explore the Resolutions approved by our governing entity, the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. We will spend time prayerfully in study of both the Bible and other resources generated within our faith tradition. And we will respectfully learn together, grow together, and establish a policy that reflects who we are as St. Paul's.

Prior to Tuesday night, Bishop Doug has asked each attendee to review the following materials:

  1. Same Gender Marriage General Convention Resolutions (8 pages, focus on the highlighted areas)

  2. A History of Marriage from DEARLY BELOVED (16 pages, please read the entire document).
    Note: DEARLY BELOVED: A Tool-Kit for the Study of Marriage was generated by the Task Force on the Study of Marriage for presentation to General Convention 2015. We will study other portions of it in the second session. The entire document is available here if you are interested in reviewing it earlier

Here are some other things you might like to know:

  • The sessions will be conducted in the church nave/sanctuary in order to accommodate the most people, socially-distanced. We will be seated according to our Sunday morning seating chart and will remain masked the entire time.

  • Bishop Doug will have a microphone for himself. Mother Michelle will have the mobile handheld microphone in order to circulate among people wishing to speak.

  • The sessions will also be available via our standard Zoom link, but will NOT be on Facebook Live.

  • If you'd like to call in to listen/participate BY PHONE, you may do so.

  • Handouts of the materials will be available for pick-up on Sunday 4/18 and for the meeting itself on Tuesday 4/20.

  • The meeting is scheduled for 1.5 hours, from 6-7:30 pm.

This is an important conversation for us. I hope and pray you will all make it a priority to participate. It is best to attend BOTH sessions as they do build upon each other. Any questions, concerns, or suggestions can be directed to myself, either of your wardens, or anyone on vestry.

Until Tuesday,
- Mother Michelle

Holy Week Notes and Registrations

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Holy Week Notes and Registrations

Dear St. Paul's Family,

As we traverse the commemoration of Jesus' last days of earthly life, may we be grounded and certain in the knowledge of his mission to offer himself for our salvation.  May we walk this week more intently.  May our prayers take us deeper.

And on this Tuesday of Holy Week, in addition to sending the sign-up links for our upcoming services, please consider the following:

  • Maundy Thursday - Our Maundy Thursday remembrance of the institution of the Eucharist, of Jesus' teaching us to be servants to each other by the washing of feet, and of his instruction of the greatest commandment (to love one another as Jesus has loved us) will happen as in the past with one exception.

    The Altar of Repose, where the Blessed Sacrament will be available for viewing and prayer, will be placed at the space between the altar rails at the front of the church. This will allow each person to view the altar while offering prayers in their own seats. Everyone is welcome to stay after service as long as they would like, until 10pm. Upon leaving the worship space, please feel free to walk past the altar and reverence the sacrament with a bow. We will NOT offer a place to kneel there for private prayer this year due to pandemic guidelines. Once everyone has left, the church will be locked for the night.

  • Good Friday - This service is a powerful and somber remembrance of Jesus' death on the cross and our complicity (via our sinful human nature) in his need to be there. Spiritually, this service brings me to my knees, and leaves me there until the resurrection can be celebrated. This year there will be two differences in our traditional observation.

    Instead of coming forward to venerate a cross one by one, we will each receive a small olive wood cross that fits neatly in the palm of our hand. This cross will be our tactile remembrance and veneration during this pandemic season. It will also travel with us from that service until the resurrection. Keep it in your pocket as a reminder of the solemnity of the hours Jesus remained in death on our behalf.

    Secondly, when Holy Communion is offered on this day it is from the sacrament that is reserved from our Maundy Thursday Eucharistic celebration. Consecration of the elements is not permitted on the day Jesus offers himself on the cross. Holy Communion is an optional element of this specific service. In consultation with the Worship Committee, and at my request, we will NOT offer communion during this service. If this is new to you, notice how it feels to be bereft of the sacrament during this service. Observe how the lack of that spiritual nourishment affects you on this day, and in the hours until resurrection. Sit with that lacking, that discomfort until Easter morning. And then rejoice all the more when you receive the precious body of Jesus on resurrection morning.

We are privileged to be able to meet in person, to worship our Lord, to SING, and to be in community in the midst of the long haul of the pandemic.   St. Paul's is far ahead of the curve in terms of worshiping in-person and singing.  And we are doing this safely.  I share this not only to brag on us a bit, but also as a reminder there are many people in our lives missing church.  We have two Easter services and a maximum capacity of 110 people over those two services, not to mention our live stream offering.  Make it a priority to find someone to invite to our Easter celebration.  It's going to be lovely and wouldn't it be nice to have the church filled (according to our pandemic guidelines)?

Lastly, stay safe my friends.  While the initial waves and absolute terror of the pandemic are behind us, the reality of a "return to normal" at an exact moment in time is unlikely.  Continue to observe the guidelines that keep us most safe by wearing your mask in public, practicing social distancing, and taking care of yourself.  While many, if not most of us, have been vaccinated at this point, we don't know for certain that our immunized status can't still spread the virus and we don't know who among us might not be vaccinated.  As we worship together, we will observe all of the currently required precautions.  As you gather with friends and family personally over this time, please also remember to be safe WHILE you celebrate the miraculous resurrection.

Be well and pray well my friends.  

Wishing you a blessed Holy Week, 
Mother Michelle
priest@stpaulslaporte.org | 219-575-0226 (c)