A Quest for “Thin Places”

As if to echo Barry’s verse, Celtic tradition speaks of thin places—where earth and heaven, time and eternity, brush so closely as nearly to merge.

Picture an old monk at Lindesfarne absorbed in his morning devotions, an abbess at Whitby breathing a grateful sigh after resolving a dispute among her charges, a young hand at Iona catching a waft of sea breeze while strolling the island banks at dusk…

Envision Barry, the Kentucky farmer, surveying rolling hills or starlit skies… Or yourself, mesmerized by a sculpture or painting, symphony or song, novel or poem.

Yes, the arts too—visual, musical, literary—can lead us to thin places. This quest has been the itinerary of a three-part mini-course I’ve delighted in leading, “Easter Joy: Sweet Samples from the Arts.” The final session, featuring literary works, convenes this Wednesday. See below and join us.

A thin place may be waiting for you along the way.

                                                — The Rev. Canon Tom Kryder-Reid

Come Worship With Us!

We were thrilled to welcome worshipers back to our church building last week, and we look forward to seeing more familiar (and new) faces this Sunday at 8 am, 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm (on the lawn)! For anyone who has not reserved their tickets, we will continue streaming the 10 am and 1 pm services at www.cccindy.org/live. To attend next Sunday, May 16, be sure to reserve your tickets by Wednesday, May 12.

Pre-registration and COVID-19 precautions are required for all attendees. Pre-registration allows us to communicate directly and efficiently with attendees in case plans change due to weather or rising cases of COVID-19.

We look forward to seeing you!

Celebrate Pentecost in the Park

SUNDAY, MAY 23 AT 11AM

On Pentecost Sunday, we will celebrate with one live, bilingual service at 11 am in lieu of 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm services. This service will be held outside at Military Park, rain or shine. Attendees must pre-register and bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Services will not be streamed online at 10 am and 1 pm.

In addition to baptizing several new members into the church on Pentecost, we will honor all new graduates during the service. If you know someone graduating from high school, college or other program, email Executive Coordinator Lauren Good at LaurenG@cccindy.org.

Easter Joy: Sweet Samples from the Arts

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 AT 7PM

Join the Rev. Canon Tom Kryder-Reid as he wraps up this three-part series discussing how the good news of Easter and God’s great and abiding love for us is portrayed in the arts by painters and sculptors, composers and virtuosi, poets and storytellers. This week’s discussion focuses on prose and poetry. All are welcome, whether or not you were able to attend the first two sessions. Let Easter joy find you from the arts!

Image credit: Potluck Mural, detail (1994), David Fichter. Graffiti Alley, Cambridge, MA.

Holy Hike at White River State Park

THURSDAY, MAY 13 AT 7PM

Christ Church Cathedral will sponsor a Holy Hike this Thursday. We will gather outside the Visitor Center at White River State Park at 801 W. Washington St. (across from the JW Marriott) in Indianapolis. Paid parking is available at the Visitor Center. Holy Hikes is a national network of ministries, including the Diocese of Indianapolis, that helps people renew their relationship with the earth, the church, their neighbors, and their Creator. Participants are asked to wear masks and maintain social distance while walking. This hike will be wheelchair accessible.

CCC Kids: Meet Us at St. Alban’s Peace Garden

SATURDAY, MAY 29 FROM 10AM TO 12PM

Families of all ages are invited to join us as we learn how life triumphs over death in the Peace Garden! The Peace Garden at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church benefits the Community Cupboard of Lawrence, a food pantry on the northeast side of Indy. On May 29 we’ll be planting 300 tomato plants, so bring your garden gloves and trowels if you have them! Parents should plan to supervise their children while at St. Alban’s. Masks and social distancing are required.

Strawberry Festival

Christ Church Cathedral and the Cathedral Women hope to offer our Annual Strawberry Festival on Monument Circle sometime in 2021. We are unable to host the festival in June owing to the current COVID-19 regathering restrictions that prevent many of the volunteers’ preparations — like making almost 20,000 biscuits from scratch! Stay tuned to the Good Word, Facebook, and Indystrawberryfestival.org for the latest details.

A Survey Coming Your Way

In this season of resurrection and new life, Christ Church Cathedral is experiencing rebirth in several ways. As we slowly re-open our doors to worship, we are considering how to strengthen ministries and explore new ones. We want to hear from our members at this important time. “What do you value about the Cathedral? What do you look forward to? How will your participation change?”

To help us gather input, please participate in an upcoming survey. Watch your inbox for a message from FeasibilityStudyCoordinator@gmail.com with the subject line Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis.

This email will include a unique link to a Survey Monkey questionnaire tied to your email address. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete, but it will provide valuable information particularly for the Vestry and our stewardship ministry. Thank you in advance for your participation.

Prayer in Practice

Centering Prayer Group

MONDAYS AT 5:30PM

Join us on Zoom for a time of Centering Prayer. We have a time of checking in, a spiritual reading, followed by 20 minutes of Centering Prayer, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer. Centering Prayer is an opportunity to stop and listen, being still and resting in God’s ever-loving presence. Guidance is given for those new to Centering Prayer. All are welcome.

Intercessory Prayer: Who We Are, What We Do

FRIDAYS AT 5PM

Christ Church Cathedral’s Intercessory Ministry consists of lay leaders who are committed to praying for the needs of others and their life situations. Prayer is our bridge, and we call on the presence of God to work through us as we respond to the needs of our community members. Since April of 2020, we have welcomed the opportunity to walk with others in their times of need, concerns, and celebrations. If you feel called, we invite you to join this ministry or send us your concerns and thanksgivings.

Send your prayer requests by email to Rev. Fatima, all information is held confidentially.

Sacred Space Yoga: Online and on the Lawn

MONDAYS AT 5:30PM, WEDNESDAYS AT NOON

The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and we’re happy to invite you to in-person, all-levels yoga classes.

In-person classes will be held (weather permitting) each Wednesday at noon on the church lawn. No experience is needed, just wear comfortable clothing that allows for movement. As we are observing social distancing measures, attendees should bring their own yoga mats.

Live, online classes (via Zoom) are also still available Monday evenings at 5:30 pm.

GOOD WORD SUBMISSION FORM

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