The Abundant Lite – March 31, 2011 – Newsletter Archives

The Abundant Lite

March 31, 2011 For Sunday, April 3rd

From The Rector

Where is Jesus?

The Gospel selection for this week is one of the longest we will read at 41 verses. (The beginning is printed below with a link to the rest.) Jesus is only present, speaking or acting for 13 verses! There are times when Jesus is telling a long story, like the Prodigal Son, but I am not aware of any other part of the Gospel where the message is developed so strongly by others.

Jesus has just healed an unsuspecting blind man. Then, without any tutoring or support the formerly blind man must respond to the religious leaders, who, ignoring the fact of his new sight, question the circumstances. In other Gospel accounts, the disciples are sent out to prepare the local villages for Jesus work, but only after extensive training and time with Jesus. This newly healed man is inventing the message as he goes, in response to increasingly hostile questioning.

This man knows nothing of Jesus when he is healed. What he knows is that he was blind, but is then able to see. As he is assailed to deny the healing and/or the healer, he begins to be more resolute, even bold. “He is a prophet.” Although Jesus is out of the picture for several verses, the man’s experience with him keeps Jesus in the center.

In the church, we are focused on the message that we intend to send. We develop it and invite response. We may even be prepared to defend it. However, as we become more focused on “our” message, we may become blind to what other things God is doing in the world. We may become blind to Jesus as the center of what we are about.

Join us this weekend at worship as we wonder: What is Jesus doing in our lives and in the lives of those around us? Pray that we may see.

Fr. Andrew

I just read this help post about the Discipline of Fasting on Jim Wallace’s blog. You may find it helpful as you continue your Lenten Journey.

Featured Scripture

John 9:1-41

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, `Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

Adult Spiritual Formation

Adult Spiritual Formation is a response to our baptismal commitment to grow in spiritual understanding and in the day to day practice of our faith. Our Spiritual Growth Team is committed to providing on-going adult spiritual faith formation through lectures, classes, discussion and faith sharing groups. David Abernethy-Deppe, Victoria Hatch and Jerry Di Noto comprise the committee that oversees and directs this vital aspect of parish life.

A survey was distributed via the bulletin and the website in order to solicit needs, topics, time availabilities and potential instructors and facilitators. The large response indicated a need for programs in the major areas of Scripture, Church Tradition, Spirituality, Living our Faith and Comparative Religions. The large response as to convenient times: Sunday mornings at 9:15, Thursday evenings at 7 and an afternoon session at 1.

Our team will offer lively, interesting and useful opportunities for Faith Building. Our first offerings will begin in May for Sunday mornings and Thursday nights.

Our Spring ‘11 offerings:

I Peter Sundays- May 1st, 8th, 15th and June 5th – 9:15 – 10:15AM (Instructor: David Abernethy-Deppe)
Paul, The Man and His Mission Thursdays- May 12th, 19t h, 26th and June 2nd – 7:00- 8:30PM (Facilitator: Jerry Di Noto)
Anglican/Episcopal Tradition Sundays- May 22nd, 29th and June 5th (Instructor Victoria Hatch with David Abernethy-Deppe assisting if needed)
Characters in the Bible Series: Thomas and Mary Magdalene Sundays- June 19th and 26th -9:15-10:15AM (Instructors David Abernethy-Deppe and Victoria Hatch)
The Heartbeat of God- Finding the Sacred in the Middle of Everything Thursdays- June 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd 7:00-8:30PM (Instructor Victoria Hatch)

Holy Week, April 19th & 20th, 7:00 p.m.

The Rev. Dr. Hugh Tudor-Foley

God and You – Prayer as a Personal Relationship

Different people approach the business of praying in different ways. For some it is, frankly, an obligation, like paying taxes. For other people prayer is a means – or at least a hope – of controlling events, and for those concerned with human fulfillment prayer is a way of delving into themselves, achieving self-knowledge and/or a deeper relationship with God.

The approach for this Holy Week teaching will be based on the belief that prayer is first and foremost a personal relationship with God and that prayer can and will build upon this relationship with a loving God and enhance that relationship.

We will look briefly at various methods of prayer suggesting that we will deepen and strengthen our relationship with Him.

The teaching will use William A Barry’s little book “God and You”, easily readable in a sitting or two and well worth rereading and pondering over several reads.

_____________________________________________________

The Rev’d Dr. Hugh Tudor-Foley has spent more than a decade in interim/transition ministry after serving on large staff parishes including St. Bartholomew’s New York City and Christ Church Greenwich.

He attended the Episcopal seminary, Berkely at Yale Divinity School and holds advanced degrees in communications and a focus on institutional change in religious organizations.

Fr. Hugh is also an experienced chaplain to families and individuals dealing with chemical dependency and is an advocate of the role spirituality must play in recovery.

He and his wife Rebecca, who heads up an independent film company, are currently living in the hills of Los Angeles with their golden retriever Wyatt and an inherited cat, fondly named “Furball.”

He is an experienced offshore sailor, a creaky skier and an amateur but energetic drummer.

Sunday Faith Building

Beginning May 1st, a Faith Building Class will be held every Sunday in the Library at 9:15am. Bring a friend, a cup of coffee, and join us in conversation/discussion on subjects you have asked for. We will begin with a three-week series on First Peter, the Epistle readings for the Easter Season this year (Series A):

5/1 1st Peter: Persecution of the Early Christians

5/8 Overview: 1st Peter Easter Readings

5/15 What does 1st Peter say to us today?

This series led by the Rev. Dr. David Abernethy-Deppe.

THIS SATURDAY – SPACE IS LIMITED!

2nd Annual Stimulus Dinner and Silent Auction

Saturday, April 2nd at 6:00 p.m. The Vestry of St. Paul’s invites you to a an evening of fun and fellowship to help us close our budget gap. The $20 tickets are available after our worship services and at the Parish Office.

The Silent Auction will feature the services of Contour Dermatology, a week’s stay in New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2012, 2 tickets to Dinner in the Canyons on October 8, 2011, featuring Buffy St. Marie, and many more amazing items. PLUS live entertainment with a surprise appearance of a special guest artist.

We will also support this year’s Rex Run by Rex Comer. You may sponsor Rex as he runs in support of St. Paul. Rex will be at the dinner with a shirt for all the supporters to sign. Rex leaves the church at 6 a.m. on Saturday with the estimated time of return of 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Come see Rex cross the finish line.

Mothering Sunday – Fourth Sunday In Lent

Long ago, Mothering Sunday was a welcome break in the long Lenten fast and abstinence in England. Coming on the fourth Sunday in Lent, the traditional Prayer Book Epistle for the day refers to “the Jerusalem which is above – our Spiritual Mother.” This was the time when daughters in service elsewhere could return for a visit with Mater. Or it was a time when all the daughter parishes would return to the Mother Church (the Cathedral) for a grand service or both.

At any rate, memory of it lingered on long enough to have clients for it in our own time. A few parishes found that the Mothering Sunday emphasis helped to pep up a ho-hum Lent. Before the plethora of “coffee hours” appeared, this was one such once-a-year event of that kind. The principal dish was something called Simnel Cake. It is a fine flour fruit cake, sometimes with pink icing. For some obscure reason, the Simnel Cake was a kind of badge that you were doing right by Mothering Sunday.

United Thank Offering

Spring In-Gathering Begins Sunday

This year we are focused on Grace, Gratitude, Generosity, which is: Love for what we have, and Love for what we have been given, and Love for the God that gives it. United Thank Offering, often referred to as UTO, is a ministry of the Episcopal Church that provides a way for men, women, and children of the Episcopal Church to give daily thanks to God. Anglican and Episcopalian dioceses received over $2 million in grants in 2010 to distribute to almost 70 individual projects or churches. During our Fall In-Gathering the Church of St. Paul collected $2,312. Last year, the Los Angeles Diocese received a $10,000 grant to build a storage facility for non-perishable food and household items for Interfaith Refugee and Immigration services.

The women who had a dream so long ago and started this outreach gave us a challenge… and one that we must answer every day. What are you thankful for?

Father Andrew To Speak At ECW Lunch

A springtime luncheon is in the offing for the Episcopal Church Women on Wednesday, April 6, and the Rev. Andrew Green headlines this month’s program with a talk that will focus on the Lenten season.

The Wednesday event begins at 11:30 a.m. with the regular business meeting. The salad luncheon follows at noon.

All women of the church are invited, and newcomers to the parish will be especially welcome. Those attending are asked to bring a favorite salad, rolls, or dessert to serve four; beverages will be provided. For additional information, please contact Bette Knutson, 760.416.5739.

Lenten Book Study

Every Thursday during Lent, Fr. Andrew will be leading a new style of book study. There are two opportunities to participate each Thursday, at either noon or at 7:00 p.m. Please bring a sack lunch to the noon study.

The participants will read The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle…together! Ms. Tickle led the 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. Participants will read about new trends and challenges, and how the Episcopal Church is poised to meet them.

Instead of each of the participants purchasing a copy of the book, reading it at home, and coming together for a study; we will take turns reading the book and discussing it as a group. Each participant will read several pages and pass the book to the next participant, and so on. The reader or any other participant can stop the process for questions or reflections.

There are sign-up sheets in the Parish Hall or you can call the parish office at 760.320.7488 ext. 0.

You may also RSVP to andrew@stpaulsps.org.

2011 Pledges Are Still Needed

The primary means of financially supporting God’s mission and ministry at St. Paul’s is the personal pledge. It helps the parish leadership anticipate giving so that we can plan staffing and programs.

Many parishioners have not turned in a pledge card for 2011 and are still sending in the pledge amount they sent in during 2010. If you have NOT filled in a pledge card, then we do not have you listed in our numbers as a pledge giver. Contact Valerie, Pledge Secretary, with any changes or questions you may have at valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org.

Pledge forms are available in church, at the Parish office, and on-line. You are invited to make a pledge and let our leadership know that you will be a partner in our ministries this year. Pledges can change if your circumstances change. In fact, we have invited those who have already pledged to raise theirs by $150 annually to fully fund our work this year.

Desert SOS Dessert Ministry

With the snowbirds leaving, the Desert SOS Dessert Ministry is in need of more parishioners to bring in desserts for this worthy cause. With the Center operating at FULL residential capacity we are serving more dessert items.

Anyone interested in donating desserts for this Ministry can leave them in the Parish Hall kitchen before 4:00 p.m. any Monday. Packages should be labeled For S.O.S. Dessert suggestions include cake, cupcakes, ice cream bars, fruit, cheese.

Camp Stevens Scholarship

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.

Holy Week Schedule

April 19th & 20th

7:00 p.m.

The Rev. Hugh Tudor-Foley

God and You:

Prayer as a Personal Relationship

– – – –

April 21st — Maundy Thursday

7:00 p.m.

Foot Washing,

Holy Communion,

Stripping of the Altar

8:30 p.m. – 12:00 Noon

Watch Through the Night

with Jesus

– – – –

April 22nd — Good Friday

12:00 Noon

Liturgy for Good Friday

Passion According to John

Communion from the

Reserved Sacrament

7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross

Follow the Way of the Cross

with Jesus

– – – –

April 23rd — The Easter Vigil

8:00 p.m.

Vigil Lessons

Baptism of Adults

First Communion of Easter

– – – –

April 24th — Easter Day

7, 9, and 11

Festive Worship

Holy Communnion

10:15

Easter Egg Hunt

Aid for Japan

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is already on the ground ministering to the people of Japan in the wake of the disasters which have hit. You may make a donation to that ministry of the Episcopal Church by writing a check to St. Paul’s with Japan in the memo or by going to the ERD website at www.er-d.org to make an on-line donation.

The Bishop’s Appeal

The Bishop’s Appeal supports the mission of the diocese through gifts that are used for support of our ongoing programs and ministries: congregational support and development, leadership development, pastoral care, ministry development, and Christian formation. 100% of your gift goes to supporting our ministries. To make a gift, to the secure website at http://www.edsd.org or mail to: Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.

End-of-the-Quarter statements

– were mailed this week to the parishioners who have pledged. Please look over these statements carefully and if you have any questions, please contact Valerie, Pledge Secty., of any changes or questions you may have at valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org.

2011 Pledges are still needed – The primary means of financially supporting God’s mission and ministry at St. Paul’s is the personal pledge. It helps the parish leadership anticipate giving so that we can plan staffing and programs.

Many parishioners have not turned in a pledge card for 2011 and are still sending in the pledge amount they sent in during 2010. If you have NOT filled in a pledge card, then we do not have you listed in our numbers as a pledge, and you did not receive an end-of-the-quarter statement.

Family and Children’s Ministry

will meet Sunday, April 2nd after the 10:30 service. The meeting will take place in the Godly Play room. The agenda is to make plans for the Easter Egg Hunt and additional activities. Contact Bonnie Stroock for more information, 760.324.7949

Coffee Hour

The Altar Guild will be hosting the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hours and will be honoring Mothering Sunday. Read the article below for the definition. Be sure to come experience these special Coffee Hours and treats.

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.

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.

Earn Money While Dining Out

for 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.

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.

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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