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Opportunity for Transfiguration
One of the most familiar episodes of Jesus’ life is his transfiguration on the mountain top with his closest disciples. Every year we get two chances to think about it. August 6th is the Feast of the Transfiguration and, in our tradition, the last Sunday after the Epiphany always tells the Transfiguration story.
From the outset this story is about mystery. The words that are used are inadequate to describe the numinous quality of the experience. It seems quite normal to Jesus, but terrifying to Peter, James, and John. I bet it would have scared me to death, too!
I won’t reflect here on the mystery of Jesus’ transfiguration. However, in this experience is an opportunity for the disciples and, certainly, for us to be transformed. This is not some hidden wisdom or esoteric knowledge. It is very simple and it is from God: Listen to my beloved son. Listen to Jesus.
Most of us are not lacking in voices that clamor for our attention. Lots of people and causes want us to listen. I believe that what we listen to (or read or watch) changes us. There might be a whole conversation about the merits of listening to some of the more strident voices in our culture, but not here. We who claim to be Christian, to follow Jesus, might be expected to listen to Jesus.
We can hear Jesus when we listen or read the Gospels. We can hear Jesus when we pray, and especially when we listen to the prayers of others and embrace their concerns. We listen to Jesus when we listen to the sick, the poor, the immigrant, and the prisoner (see Matt 25:31-46).
The disciples witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus and did not understand. God interrupted Peter’s response with the command to listen. What if God was commanding us to listen to Jesus so that we might be transformed bit by bit into the hands and heart of Jesus?
Next Wednesday, Lent begins with Ashes. Whatever discipline or devotion that you undertake, I invite you to begin it, surround it, and live it out with a lot of listening to Jesus. God will transfigure you.
Join us this weekend as we listen to Jesus and are transformed.
Fr. Andrew
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Matthew 17:1-9
Six days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
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Lenten Book Study – Beginning March 10th
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This Lent, Fr. Andrew will be leading a new style of book study.
 We will read “The Great Emergence” by Phyllis Tickle – together! Ms. Tickle led our Diocesan Convention about 3 years ago. Her book is a description of the great changes that are taking place today in the currents of Christianity. You will hear about new trends and challenges, and how the Episcopal Church is poised to meet them.
Instead of each of us purchasing a book, reading it at home, and coming together for a study; we will take turns reading the book and discussing it as a group. The leader would start and read several pages and then another reader would continue. The reader or another participant can stop for questions or reflections.
There will be two opportunities for this study. Thursday at Noon or Thursday at 7 pm.
There will be sign-up sheets in the Parish Hall or you can call the Parish Office at 760-320-7488 x0.
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Parish Fundraiser seeks to “Close the Gap”
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The Vestry is asking each parishioner to help complete our operating budget by raising $40,000 in additional pledges and fundraising activities. We encourage everyone to offer a pledge to St. Paul’s and, for those who have already pledged, to consider an increase. Our pledges are our financial commitment to providing a place of worship, including the building and grounds, priests and staff, and maintenance and supplies.
 To culminate our efforts, we are hosting our 2nd Annual Stimulus Dinner on Saturday, April 2nd, where a variety of additional fundraising opportunities will be offered. Tickets for the dinner will be $20, wine will be available for purchase, a silent auction will be conducted and we will support our own fleet-footed Rex Comer in another cross-country outing. Please consider your financial support of the parish and mark your calendars for Saturday, April 2nd at 6:00 p.m.
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Maseno, North Kenya Missions
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Dr. Gerry Hardison and his wife Nancy, parishioners of All Souls’ Episcopal Church in Point Loma (the Diocese of San Diego) have been in Maseno, Kenya, since 2001, where Gerry is Medical Director of Maseno Mission Hospital and Nancy is Principal of St. Phillip’s Theological College.
Get a glimpse into the daily lives of these two dedicated missionaries and their work to combat a human crisis in Kenya, where HIV/AIDS is having a devastating impact: over 2 million people are living with the disease, which causes more than 100,000 deaths annually and has orphaned more than a million children.
Photos provided by Glen Noteboom are now displayed on the south wall bulletin board of the Parish Hall and wall display provided by Claire and Jerry McCleery.
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Please Welcome Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe
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 Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe joins the parish staff as the Parish Administrator/Ministry Coordinator. Jonathan should be familiar as one of the Parish Clergy (in fact he preached last Sunday).
Jonathan comes to the position with long experience as a Pastor in the Lutheran Church as an Administrator for a Lutheran Synod (like our Diocese) and as an Administrator for the Diocese of California.
He will have regular office hours.
His phone is:
760.320.7488 ext. 224.
His email is:
Jonathan.Abernethy-Deppe@stpaulsps.org.
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The ECW Annual Spaghetti Dinner has it all!
 There is a great meal to look forward to, the promise of fellowship for the entire parish family, a festive atmosphere, and of course, the traditional White Elephant event, and Bake Sale. And it’s all coming to St. Paul’s the evening of March 5th.
Dinner will be Served between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall, which will be decorated Italian bistro style, with red and white checkered cloths and candles. George Holliday and Rick Tinsley, who will be reprising their roles as chefs again this year, shared the evening’s menu: spaghetti, with choice of either vegetarian or meat based sauce, tossed garden salad and bread. A variety of beverages will be offered, and desserts will be available for a nominal cost.
 On a ‘Safari’ … for white elephants – A BIG part of the annual ECW Spaghetti Dinner evening’s festivities is the White Elephant Event. Electronics, books, linens, dishes, lamps, vintage toys, gently used stuffed animals, candles, and decorative pieces have been generously donated. All of them are waiting for your purchase.
 The Bake Sale always dazzles with its selection of cookies, cakes, pies, and breads. Contributions of bakery items (please, nothing that needs refrigeration), should be brought to the church between noon and 4 p.m. the day of the sale. There is also a need for non-sugar treats.
Tickets are on sale following all church services in February, with a cost of $8.00 for adults, $3.00 for children between 3 and 12 years of age. Children under three are free. This event is the ECW’s main fundraiser of the year with proceeds going to meet the special needs of the church and the community. In charge of this year’s dinner arrangements are co-chairmen Diane Stielstra and Mari Covell.
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Desert SOS Dessert Ministry
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 Six volunteers joined Ministry Team Leader Hap Blaisdell at Roy’s Desert Resource Center to serve dessert at each of three dinner seatings Monday night. The group included Elaine Clermont, Michael Howard, Fred Crawford, Gordon Etheridge, Chuck Marx and Ron Shepherd. According to Hap, the Center is now operating at full residential capacity due to the migration of clients from Martha’s Village to Roy’s. Because of the increase in the number of clients served at dinner, the team from St. Paul’s ran out of some dessert items. Anyone interested in donating desserts for this Ministry can leave them in the Parish Hall kitchen before 4:00 PM any Monday. Packages should be labeled “FOR S.O.S.”
Hap is always looking for new volunteers to serve and/or provide desserts for this Monday evening Ministry. Sign-up sheets are posted in the Parish Hall. Questions? You can reach Hap at 760.323.5726.
 Children Bake Desserts for Desert SOS Family’s are reminded that children are to bring desserts, as part of their service project, on the March 13th. The desserts need to be delivered to the parish office by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 14th or sooner to be frozen. SOS will take the desserts to Roy’s Resource Center. Cookies and cupcakes are really popular. This is a great family event to cook with your children.
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Camp Stevens, our diocesan camp and retreat center near Julian, provides a enriching summer camp program for children, teens, and a choir camp. At Camp Stevens, attendees are provided the experience to appreciate and care of one-another while deepening their love of God and God’s creation.
St. Paul in the Desert would like to enable a disadvantaged child the chance to experience the enrichment of Camp Stevens. We need to raise $500 to do this. Please place your donation in the green Camp Stevens box in the parish hall, or leave a check,in the box, or in the collection plate and mark it “Camp Stevens Child”.
Watch for updates, this spring, about interesting retreats and workshops that you can be part of in the beautiful natural world of Camp Stevens.
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Lent Is Coming
Ash Wednesday is March 9. There will be services at 12 noon and 6 pm for Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion.
 March 13 is the First Sunday in Lent and it is also when Daylight Savings Time begins. Set your clock ahead before you go to bed on Saturday the 12th.
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A Holy Communion Service will be held, Wednesday, March 9th at 10:00 a.m. at Windsor Court presided over by Fr. Fred Myers.
Fr. Fred always welcomes assistance at Communion.
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Bishop In Residence
Update
 Bishop Knudsen has been loving her time in the desert. She and Mike have visited the Tram and the Living Desert, and have been entertained by old friends and new friends.
Bp. Chilton led our Vestry Retreat to rave reviews.
Mike left yesterday to return to Maine to rehearse for a Musical Program. He is the Music Director and is a participant.
Next Tuesday Bp. Chilton will lead a Clergy Day in Oceanside.
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Family & Children’s Ministry
Reminder
 Save the morning of March 19th to go hiking on the Lykken Trail. Call Bonnie 760.324.7949 if you would like information on the Family and Children’s Ministry.
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Turn In Dried Palm Crosses
 If you received a Palm Cross last year on Palm Sunday, do you still have it?
The ashes that we use on Ash Wednesday (March 9) are made by burning the Palm Crosses from previous years.
There will be a basket in the lobby at church where you can leave your crosses.
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Bridal Shower for Sarah Green
 A Bridal Shower for Sarah Green will be given by the Altar Guild. It is scheduled for Saturday, March 12th at 3 p.m. This invitation is for all the ladies of the parish. Please RSVP to Kathy Kilmer at 760.325.0332 or email your reply to her at: kmkcc@aol.com.
Sarah and her fiance’, Shaun, are registered at Macy’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond & Target.
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 Coffee Hour
The host for the 8:00 a.m. Coffee Hour is Jack Moore. The hosts for the 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour are Jean McFadden, Cheryl and Ray Kelley.
The 2011 coffee hour sign-up sheets are posted on the north wall at Hogarth Hall. Find an empty slot and fill it with your name. For more information, call Ray Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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Altar and Narthex Flowers
The New 2011 Altar and Narthex Flower Sign-up Sheets NOW AVAILABLE
Thank you – to all our parishioners who have signed up to provide the gracious gift of flowers for the altar and narthex. Many have bestowed these arrangements of love in memoriam to beloved family member(s) or friend(s) or in thanksgiving for the gifts we have received. The floral arrangements are a endearing visible sign of your love to them and to your fellow parishioners. We need altar flowers for the weekend of February 27th to keep our altar blooming with the beauty that Woody Miller masterfully creates for us each week. There is still room available for flowers for the narthex for those dates also.
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The Childrens Choir
 All children age 4 and above are welcome to participate in this group, learning singing skills and providing special music for the 10:30 service several times during the school year. For more information or questions please contact Nathan at 760.320.7488, ext. 225.
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Earn Money While Dining Out
fo r The Church of St. Paul. Whenever any St. Paul’s parishioners have breakfast, lunch or dinner at “The Old Creek House” in Palm Springs the restaurant will donate 10% of the total to The Church of St. Paul in the Desert. Simply sign your name and write in the name, “The Church of St. Paul in the Desert”, on your receipt. A check for the amount will be sent to St. Paul’s. The 10% does not include promotions or other discounts.
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Newcomers
Are you sure we have your contact information? If you haven’t received any of the latest mailings then we probably don’t have your mailing address. In January we will sending invites for you to join us in a series of Newcomer events that we believe you will find to be informative and enjoyable. We may not have your current address. If you feel this is the case, then please fill out the form in the pew pocket and place it in the plate, give to an usher or you may send your contact information by email to vjwinters@dc.rr.com.
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Bullies Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we want to welcome all worshipers to a place that is free of violence and bullying.
Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable.
“It Gets Better” is a series of video messages to encourage Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender youth and let them know that they are loved as they are.
“A Blessing for Those Who Are Bullied” was written by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
It is not enough to say “NO” to bullies. It is important to stand up for people and to provide resources for those who have been the targets.
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