“You, too, are my Beloved”

This Sunday, we will hear again the story of Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan. Luke tells us that a voice from the heavens thundered: “You are my Son, the Beloved. With you I am well pleased.”

I was baptized on Sept. 14, 1975, at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Maybe you are one of the lucky ones who were baptized here in the historic font at Christ Church Cathedral. Or, perhaps you got a good, old-fashioned dunking on a Sunday night at some small Baptist church in the countryside.

It doesn’t matter where you were baptized, or how you were baptized, or who baptized you…but it does matter that you are baptized. Because in baptism, God opens the heavens and says, about each one of us: “You, too, are my child, with whom I am well pleased. I love you and I am empowering you. I am giving you the power of the Holy Spirit to minister in my name.” In baptism, God tears open the heavens and pours forth the Holy Spirit upon us and calls us Beloved. In baptism, God gives you and me the power to change the world in the same way Jesus did.

Monument Circle Access This Weekend

THROUGH JAN. 12

The 2022 College Football National Championship is coming to Indianapolis! Monument Circle will be the venue for celebrations all weekend long and will be closed to vehicular traffic through Jan. 12. CCC’s Sunday services will be held as usual on Jan. 9. Members in need of mobility accommodations may be dropped off at the corner of N. Meridian and Ohio Streets. The Cathedral will be closed all day on Monday, Jan. 10. Join us for Morning and Evening Prayer online.

Pedestrians will be able to access Monument Circle throughout the closure, but beginning at 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, all pedestrians must enter through the checkpoint located at Washington and Meridian Streets and will be subject to inspection.

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Bring Your Faith Questions to Catechumenate

STARTING MONDAY, FEB. 7, AT 6PM

Do you have questions about God, faith, the church or spirituality? These questions are never in the way of our spiritual growth and life, even if they are critical—asking questions is how we grow. Catechumenate means teaching by questions. Your questions aren’t just welcome, they are the curriculum. You will be with others asking similar questions.

For some, Catechumenate leads to a new faith commitment, such as baptism or confirmation. Others use the opportunity to learn more about Christ Church Cathedral and become a member of our community. Regardless, we are not asking for a commitment—anyone can participate.

Join Dean Gray Lesesne Mondays at 6 p.m. to explore your faith in a friendly, supportive group.

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SAVE THE DATE | CCC Concerts: Walk In Light

SATURDAY, JAN. 15, AT 6:30PM

Indianapolis-based Baroque ensemble Echoing Air will present “Walk in Light,” a concert for the season of Epiphany showcasing music from the Baroque period for voices and instruments. Selections will include works by Telemann, Legrenzi, and Buxtehude. The ensemble features two countertenors, two recorders, Baroque flute, harpsichord/organ, and viola da gamba.

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Oneida Nation Hosts Winter Talk

JAN. 15-17

Winter Talk 2022, an annual conference that honors and highlights Indigenous and Native American traditions and contributions to the Episcopal church, will be livestreamed on the Episcopal Church Facebook page. Themed “A Chain Linking Two Traditions,” Winter Talk 2022 will include special greetings and speakers, a listening session and evening prayer with the presiding bishop, a “Doctrine of Discovery” video, a discussion of Indigenous theological education with the Rev. Mary Crist, “A Native Way of Giving” presentation by Forrest Cuch and the Rev. Michael Carney, and the creation of an altar containing items significant to Native cultures and ministries.

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Rest, Renewal, and Research

SUNDAY, JAN. 16, AT 11:30AM

During Adult Formation hour, The Rev. Canon Tom Kryder-Reid and his wife Liz will share an illustrated presentation of plans for their upcoming combined sabbatical in France. Liz, Chancellor’s Professor of Anthropology and Museum Studies at IUPUI, is using her sabbatical supported by a Fulbright fellowship to continue her investigations of toxic heritage: What does it mean to think about sites of environmental harm as having history? What does it mean to think about the environmental impacts of historic sites such as factories, mines, and battlefields? Tom, Canon Pastor at CCC, will join Liz for February and March to delight in French cuisine and music, explore places of architectural and historical significance, as well as indulge his fascination with Formula One racing from the ‘50s, ’60s, and ’70s, retracing (and where possible, driving) some of the great old racing venues. All, of course, COVID-willing.

Save The Date: CCC Annual Meeting

SUNDAY, JAN. 30, AT 11:30AM

All members are invited to attend the Annual Parish Meeting, where – among other items of business – we will elect new Vestry members and delegates to the Diocesan Convention that will take place in November 2022. We are particularly looking forward to this annual meeting because, after a year of listening and processing, our Discernment Team will present focus areas for our upcoming ministry as determined by all of the input they received from our members and our neighbors.

Candidates for Vestry: Liliana Guzman, Andrea Hunley, Conner McNeely, Perry Mihalakos, Steve Whaley

Candidates for Diocesan Convention: Jeffry Guerrero, Elaine Klemesrud, Ewan McDuffee, Brent Luebcke (alternate 1), Milicent Wright (alternate 2)

Stay tuned for more information, including candidate profiles, very soon!

Tours of St. Richard’s Episcopal School

SATURDAY, JAN. 22, 10AM-NOON

The Mission of St. Richard’s Episcopal School is to instill “knowledge and values for a lifetime” for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 8. The only Episcopal school in Indiana, St. Richard’s provides a timeless, challenging curriculum that embraces diversity while developing global citizens socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and intellectually.  Located near downtown Indianapolis, St. Richard’s takes advantage of many opportunities in the city, including exceptional museum and library partnerships.

Parents interested in exploring St. Richard’s for the 2022-23 academic year and beyond are invited to participate in personalized campus tours on Jan. 22, 2022, from 10 a.m. to noon. Led by the admissions team and parent ambassadors, tours will be tailored to your interests, with plenty of time to ask questions and explore opportunities.

To reserve your spot, please complete the campus tour form on the school’s website. Once the form is complete, you’ll receive an email from the admissions team to confirm. The St. Richard’s team is excited to hear from you and welcome you on Jan. 22!

New Shared Office Space in 2022

Bishop Jennifer and Dean Gray recently announced that The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis and Christ Church Cathedral have signed a five-year lease to share office space at 54 Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. While our pastoral care and congregational activities will continue to fill the Cathedral with warmth and community, our staff will also have dedicated space to support our collective work. We look forward to sharing this space with the Diocese soon!

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