Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Today, we are with Mary and Joseph as they bring their infant son, Jesus, to the Jerusalem temple for the rite of purification. This ritual may seem antiquated or even strange to us, but for a faithful Hebrew, it was essential to one’s standing with God. Purification symbolically cleansed the mother from the impurity of childbirth (a topic rich with feminist Biblical commentary—worthy of an entirely separate sermon). The ritual also includes a sacrificial offering—typically turtle doves or pigeons—as a kind of prepayment to God for the sins the child would commit in their lifetime. In Jesus’ time, these rituals were must-dos for parents seeking to remain in right relationship with God. The irony here is striking. We believe Jesus was divinely conceived, and we believe Mary was a virgin—so why would she require purification? Likewise, if Jesus was sinless, why would a sacrifice be necessary on his behalf?

It would be easy to dismiss this purification as merely “going through the motions” or to assume that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus should get a pass since their circumstances were different. And in one sense, we’d be right—Jesus is unique, the divine one of God. But Luke is careful throughout his Gospel to show that while Jesus’ divinity is undeniable (revealed through angels appearing to shepherds, a star guiding the Magi, and more), his humanity is just as central to the story. He is a poor child, born in a barn because his parents were displaced by a government census. And now, his family participates in this temple ritual, just like everyone else. Luke makes it clear: Jesus does not get a pass from the human experience, even though he is the Son of God. And there’s a reason for that. God took the risk of becoming human because God cares about what it means to be human. God cares about our human experience.

Falling and Rising

As we gather today at Christ Church Cathedral for our 186th Annual Meeting, I find myself drawn to the words of the prophet Simeon in this morning’s Gospel. Pulling Mary aside at the temple, he tells her: “This child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Simeon sees what is to come: Jesus will disrupt the status quo. Those who seem high and mighty will fall because of him, while those who have been overlooked and forgotten will rise. Jesus’ ministry will lay bare our inner thoughts, drawing us into hard conversations and challenging circumstances. And Simeon also foresees that following Jesus will come at a cost—not just for Mary, but for all who walk this path.  The sword he speaks of is not just a sword of sorrow, but also of sacrifice. Simeon foresees that Jesus will call his followers to step forward when it would be easier for us to stay silent, to embrace discomfort when the world tells us to look for quick and easy solutions, and to care as fiercely for the welfare of humanity as God does when the world tells us it’s okay for us to divide and demonize and denigrate.

We come to this Annual Meeting in a time of upheaval—globally, nationally, and right here in our state and city. Around the world, democracies are unraveling under the weight of rising populism, nationalism, and authoritarianism. Here at home, the re-election of Donald Trump in November has sparked anxiety, uncertainty, and fear—especially among our immigrant communities, our federal workers, our advocates for justice and inclusion, and our LGBTQIA+ siblings. Many of us, myself included, are asking: Do I still have a place in this country? Do I belong here? Can I live as my full, authentic self here? At the state level, lawmakers are rolling back protections against discrimination while continuing to drain public schools of the resources they need to ensure every child receives a fair education. And in Indianapolis, skyrocketing housing prices—driven by out-of-state investors buying up properties—are making stable housing increasingly out of reach, while our city leadership lacks the vision or courage to solve a homelessness crisis that still is very solvable.

And here we are—the people of Christ Church Cathedral—right in the midst of it all. Literally, at the crossroads of America, at the heart of Indiana. God has placed us here and called us to this moment. And today, the words of Simeon remind us: We follow a Christ who brings about both the falling and the rising of many… who reveals the inner thoughts of many… whose call pierces our comfort and demands that we do more than simply observe—as his followers, we must act.

The state of our cathedral community is strong. We are a vibrant, healthy, and growing congregation. At a time when many Protestant churches are struggling, our average Sunday attendance continues to rise, our annual giving and stewardship have increased (thank you for your generosity!), and more people are engaging in our ministries than ever before. It feels good to gather for worship here on Sunday mornings, and I’m grateful that, for most of us, worship is not just a routine—but rather, our worship moves us into action as we live out our mission to Glorify God, Serve Our Neighbors, and Transform Our City.

As with any healthy organization, growth brings challenges, pinch points, and growing pains. Conflict—when addressed and managed well—is a normal part of a thriving church and an opportunity for us to deepen our understanding of who we are as followers of Jesus and how we are living out Christ’s call to love our neighbors as ourselves. Here are two areas where we are experiencing growing pains—and opportunities for us to become better disciples:

• Last fall, your Vestry and I made the difficult decision to pause our music discernment process and the search for a new Director of Music. As we engaged in the process, we uncovered significant feelings of disconnection between our English-speaking and Spanish-speaking members. Though these tensions surfaced within and about our music ministry, they run much deeper. One moment from our conversations last summer still weighs on me. Our consultant, sensing frustration in the room, asked members of our 1 p.m. congregation, “What kind of music activities would you like to do with the English-speaking members of the congregation?” One member responded: “None. Why would I want to do something together when they won’t even say hi to me as we pass between the church and the parking garage on a Sunday morning?” This response was heartbreaking—but honest. It is clear to me and to the Vestry that many of our Spanish-speaking members feel more like “renters” than “owners” of this congregation. And when we look beyond the surface, we see the real work ahead of us: addressing our own systemic racism (which exists in every organization), bridging our own cultural divides, and becoming a truly multicultural, multiracial community. This is hard work, but it is holy work. And if we do it well, I can see the promised land on the other side. Simeon’s words today remind us that Jesus is calling us to confront our inner thoughts, our biases, and our disconnections. And in a world right now that is running from diversity, equity, and inclusion conversations, our beloved community of God must stand out like a voice crying in the wilderness. We must model a different way: God’s way, where all belong, all are cherished, and all have a voice and are owners and not renters. We are a literal safe refuge and sanctuary for all people–and we must live into this commitment more fully.

So, this Lent, we will lean into a season of self-reflection and repentance—through our worship, formation, and social gatherings. Lent is the perfect time to step into discomfort, to disrupt old habits, and to create new patterns of connection. One example of what we are planning: we will reimagine our traditional celebration of Mothering Sunday on the Fourth Sunday of Lent—a gathering deeply rooted in our English heritage—and transform it into Rose Sunday, a more inclusive feast. Between our 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. services, we will come together for a shared meal featuring foods from our various cultures. We will ask everyone to sit with someone they don’t know from another worship service, and we will facilitate meaningful table conversations. Throughout Lent, our goal is to do the self-reflection and hard introspective work that lays then the groundwork for Easter—a season where we can engage in reflection on what it means to resurrect, repair and renew ourselves and our community. And then, on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, the Day of the Spirit, the day of many tongues and peoples coming together, we will gather for one joint worship service. At that time, your Vestry and I will take stock of where we are as a community before deciding how to proceed with our music search—because ultimately, this isn’t about our music. Our music ministry at Christ Church Cathedral, as wonderful as it is, reflects the state of our hearts as God’s people. So, I invite you to join me in doing the work this Lent and Easter. We step into the discomfort together, trusting that God is leading us toward something more beautiful and whole.

• A second growing pain for us is in the area of radical hospitality—how we welcome newcomers and guests. First, the good news: we are growing! Last year, more than 60 newcomers decided to become members. Welcome! We are so glad you are here. But many others visited and chose not to stay—for a variety of reasons. When we follow up with them, a consistent piece of feedback we hear is that it can be hard to break through the ice. We all know how intimidating it is to step into a new community. It takes courage. And so our Radical Hospitality team is asking all of us to rethink how we greet and receive our guests who have shown the courage to be with us. Here are three simple things we can all do:
  • Wear your nametag. It’s not for you—it’s for our guests. A visible name makes it easier for someone new to feel like they belong.
  • Say hello to someone you don’t know every Sunday morning. A simple greeting can make all the difference. And if you’re unsure whether they’re new, you can always say, “I’m having a senior moment… remind me of your name.” (Now that I’m 49, I’m giving myself permission to have as many senior moments as I need!)
  • Let our guests be our guests. Welcome them as Jesus would, with open arms and no judgment. If they bring a cup of coffee or a snack into the church, it’s okay. If they look lost in the bulletin, show them where we are in the service. If their kids make noise, consider them the newest members of the choir—and invite them to join our Choir School!

Throughout Scripture, God most often appears as a guest or a stranger. The way we welcome each other—and the way we make room for those who are new—is the way we welcome God.

Both of these growth opportunities—along with many others—are addressed in the two-year extension of our Strategic Plan, which our Vestry just approved and which takes effect today.

Strategic Plan Extension

For those who are new or newish to our community, we’ve spent the past three years working intentionally to grow in our mission: Glorifying God, Serving Our Neighbor, and Transforming Our City. The fruits of this work have been significant. However, your Vestry and I believe there is still more “juice to squeeze” from the plan, hence our renewal. You have the details in front of you with our Strategic Plan handout (English / Spanish). But, here are the key highlights of what we hope to accomplish in the next two years, organized by our core pillars—our key areas of focus. Learn more about the 2022-2025 strategic plan.

Pillar One: Being a Convener and Connector for Our City and Diocese: Christ Church Cathedral will play a vital role in fostering meaningful dialogue among downtown organizations, advocating for our unhoused neighbors, and serving as a moral conscience for the Monument Circle community. Over the next two years, we will:

• Expand our advocacy and support for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
• Deepen our partnership with St. Philip’s, especially as Purdue University brings 15,000 students downtown to their doorstep.
• Take the lead in re-establishing faith-based advocacy at the State House and City-County Council, stepping into the gap left by Faith in Indiana’s closure.

Our presence downtown is not just about location—it’s about purpose. And our purpose calls us to connect, convene, and advocate for justice.

Pillar Two: Radical Hospitality: Welcoming others is central to our mission. How we invite and receive newcomers—and how we open our sacred space to the wider community—directly impacts our credibility and our ability to live out the gospel. Over the next two years, we will:

• Strengthen our welcoming practices by fostering habits that help us recognize and connect with both newcomers and longtime members.
• Build deeper relationships across our different worship services, creating a more united and interconnected congregation.
• Improve bilingual hospitality, including clearer signage and a more seamless experience for both English- and Spanish-speaking members and guests.
• Offer more intentional hospitality to non-worshipping guests who enter our space, ensuring they feel welcomed and valued.

Radical hospitality is more than a warm greeting—it’s a commitment to seeing Christ in one another and making space for all who seek belonging.

Pillar Three: The Deep Beauty of God: This pillar is about how we encounter the Holy One through worship and music—experiencing God’s presence in ways that move, inspire, and transform us. Over the next two years, we will:

• Complete the music discernment process by December 31, 2026, ensuring that our music ministry reflects and supports our congregation’s evolving needs.
• Continue developing and evaluating our Choir School, including establishing a Corito for students in grades 3–8, creating more opportunities for young voices to grow in faith and musicianship.
• Curate more diverse art throughout the Cathedral, ensuring that the beauty surrounding us reflects the diversity of our congregation and embodies our mission and vision.

Worship, music, and art are not just expressions of our faith—they shape how we experience God together. As we move forward, we will continue to deepen this experience in ways that honor our past while embracing the future.

Pillar Four: Spirituality in Community: Our congregation is experiencing post-pandemic highs in adult and youth formation, thanks to strong leadership and a consistent ministry presence. Yet, there is still room for us to grow deeper in faith and connection. Over the next two years, we will:

• Continue examining and confronting our own institutional racism, deepening our commitment to becoming an anti-racist, multicultural congregation. At its core, this is spiritual work.
• Establish a young adult ministry, creating space for deeper faith formation and community among those in their 20s and 30s.
• Expand youth and children’s formation for our 1 p.m. congregation, ensuring that all of our families have access to meaningful spiritual growth opportunities.
• Offer additional adult formation opportunities, helping more members engage in learning, reflection, and discipleship.

Spirituality is not a solo journey—it is shaped and nurtured in community. By strengthening these areas, we will continue growing into the church God calls us to be.

Pillar Five: Faith in Action: As we serve our neighbors, we continue to transform our city. Over the next two years, our plan invites us to:

• Support our undocumented members and neighbors, ensuring they feel safe, seen, and valued within our community.
• Foster stronger connections between our Children/Youth Formation Ministry and Outreach, helping our younger members grow in compassion and service.
• Maintain and deepen relationships with three of our primary outreach partners: Dayspring Center, Exodus Refugee Immigration, and Voices, strengthening our shared efforts to bring healing and hope to those in need.

Faith in action is not just a call—it’s a commitment to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, transforming both our city and ourselves in the process.

Called Toward Justice

This morning, Mary and Joseph’s faithful actions with their Son Jesus at the temple remind us that God and humanity are forever intertwined. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the late South African cleric who was imprisoned for so many years during apartheid, had a lot of time to reflect on this idea while he sat in jail. He wrote: “The God we worship has taken our physical material selves seriously because God declared about everything that God had created — matter and spirit, everything, not just that it was good, God said it was ‘very good’. That is why we say in the Nicene Creed: ‘maker of all (things), visible and invisible’. …And so God could and did become a real human being, a real baby, belonging to a particular couple who have names, who lived in a real, a particular village, Nazareth, in an actual, real part of the world God created, belonging to an actual, real community with particular and specific laws, rules and customs. So this baby’s parents obeyed the law and brought the baby to be redeemed as the first-born male who belonged therefore to God. God took human history seriously and so fulfilled promises God had made earlier to a Simeon and to a faithful widow, Anna.”

Standing at the crossroads of Indianapolis, of Indiana, of these United States, today, we the people of Christ Church Cathedral make a choice. We stand with Mary and Joseph and with a God who forever insists that God’s work will not be separated from the realities of human life. We stand with Jesus, who chose to experience everything we experience—the joy, the suffering, the hope, and the pain. We stand with Simeon, who saw the child and knew that God’s presence would disrupt the world in order to make it whole. As we gather in this place today, we are reminded that we are called to be more than passive observers. We are called to act. We are called to love deeply, to serve boldly, and to advocate for justice wherever we see injustice. We are called to be a beacon of hope in a world that desperately needs it, and to embody the radical love of Christ in all we do.

May these next two years be a time when we, as the people of Christ Church Cathedral, step forward with courage. Let us take the discomforts of change and growth and transform them into new opportunities for connection, healing, and love. Together, let us live out the Gospel in ways that bring about the falling and the rising of many, always remembering that God is with us in every step we take.

It is my highest privilege and honor to serve as your Dean and Rector, and I recommit myself to you and to us as we go forth boldly into this work together.