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The Humble Mind Set
As the Passion Gospel is so long, I have chosen to invite reflection on the Letter to the Philippians for this weekend.
Paul invites us to have the “same mind” as Jesus. That is a tall order. In fact, if we see ourselves as agents of Jesus or disciples, it should be the beginning of any significant decision we make or important action we take. We might well reflect on Jesus first, and then bring the options and choices before us to mind.
If I am honest with myself, the process usually has me leaning towards a choice that appears obvious or at least is very attractive. Only then, and not always even then, do I reflect on what I know of Jesus. At that point the question is not “What would Jesus Do,” but “Do I Think Jesus Will Mind.” I’m working on it.
In this week’s reading, Paul says that Jesus humbled himself. He did not claim his right. He did not seek the perks. He did not whine.
Jesus emptied himself. His time as a human, from birth to death, was spent in humble service and vulnerability. Our salvation is the result of his vulnerability. This was his mind set.
Our invitation is to learn this mind set as well. It is not natural. What is natural can be viewed in the extreme by looking at leaders and dictators clinging desperately to every thread of power.
Humility and vulnerability did not make Jesus a dishrag, but required courage. He responded to every evil, with care and compassion. He responded to every seeker with encouragement and compassion.
How different would our choices be if we put our reflection of Jesus first?
Join us this week as we practice walking with Jesus and reflecting on his humility and vulnerability.
Fr. Andrew
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Philippians 2:5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death–
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
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Holy Week, April 19th & 20th, 7:00 p.m.
The Rev. Dr. Hugh Tudor-Foley
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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.
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ECW Schedules May Luncheon
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The May luncheon of the Episcopal Church Women will take place on Wednesday, May 4th. The business meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by a salad luncheon 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.
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Adult Spiritual Formation
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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 Taith Building. Our first offerings will begin in May for Sunday mornings nad Thursday nights.
Our Spring ‘11 offerings:
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I Peter Sundays- May 1st, 8th, 15th and June 5th – 9:15 – 10:15AM (Instructor: David Abernethy-Deppe)
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Paul, The Man and His Mission Thursdays- May 12th, 19t h, 26th and June 2nd – 7:00- 8:30PM (Facilitator: Jerry Di Noto)
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Anglican/Episcopal Tradition Sundays- May 22nd, 29th and June 5th (Instructor Victoria Hatch with David Abernethy-Deppe assisting if needed)
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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)
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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)
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Beginning Sunday, May 1st, we will host a three week Faith Building class in the Library on Peter. The classes begin at 9:15 am each Sunday. Bring a friend, a cup of coffee, and join us in conversation and/or discussion on subjects you have asked for. We will begin with the three-week series on First Peter, the Epistle readings for the Easter Season this year (Series A):
May 1 1st Peter: Persecution of the Early Christians
May 8 Overview: 1st Peter Easter Readings
May 15 What does 1st Peter say to us today?
This series led by the Rev. Dr. David Abernethy-Deppe.
– – –
Beginning Thursday, May 12th at 7:00 pm, we will host a 4-week adult spiritual formation class on Paul, The Man and His Mission. The evening will begin with a video presentation by Prof. Bart D. Ehrman, Chair of Religious Studies Dept, University of North Carolina. Participants will view half hour lecture segments followed by a guided discussion:
May 12 The Acts of the Apostles
May 19 Paul, the Man, the Mission and Way of Operating
May 26 Paul and the Crises of His Churches
June 2 Pauline Ethics.
This series will be facilitated by Jerry DiNoto.
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Camp Stevens
Programs for Families and Adults
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Whether on-site in Julian, or on an adventure in the High Sierras, Camp Stevens invites you to join a friendly all-ages community for fellowship during holiday weekends, backpacking excursions or a family vacation.
They are offering: Women’s Eastern Sierra Basecamp Backpacking; Sequoia Family Camping; High Sierra Basecamp Backpacking for Families & Adults; Memorial Day Family Camp; Young Adventurers Family Weekend; Thanksgiving Family Camp and more. Explore the natural environment with a new sense of adventure and self-confidence. Contact www.campstevens.org.
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United Thank Offering – Spring In-Gathering
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This year’s UTO Spring In-Gathering is continuing. This year we St. Paul’s is focused on Grace, Gratitude, Generosity: Love for what we have, and Love for what we have been given, and Love for the God that gives it. During our Fall In-Gathering we collected $2,312 for UTO. We have collected a little over $1,200 at this date for the spring campaign. Please remember the dream of the women, who had a dream, so long ago, and started this outreach ministry and gave us ALL a challenge… and one that we must answer every day. What are you thankful for?
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2011 Pledges Are Still Needed
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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.
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Desert SOS Dessert Ministry
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 We had yet another successful Monday Dessert Ministry evening this week. Ten volunteers: John Granet & Lena McCracken (who brought a ton of her delicious, home-made baked desserts); Tom Baxley & partner; Fred & Eileen; Ron Shepherd, Michael Howard, Orin Ellingson and I – teamed-up to provide desserts and hugs for 80 of our friends at SOS. We also delivered $352 worth of socks and undergarments, all purchased with funds from our SOS Fund. For those who can’t participate in the Monday evening events, either by providing desserts or serving them, donating to the SOS Fund is an alternative – yet truly meaningful – way to help our homeless friends. If interested in donating desserts for this Ministry, you may leave them in the Parish Hall kitchen before 4:00 p.m. any Monday. Packages should be labeled “SOS Dessert.” Cheers, Hap
We need servers/providers to sign up in advance to help us to know what to buy or if we need to call in additional volunteers to help. Sign up sheets are posted in the Parish Hall. Questions? 760.323.5726.
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Holy Week Schedule
April 19th & 20th, 7:00 p.m.
The Rev. Hugh Tudor-Foley
God and You:
Prayer as a Personal Relationship
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April 21st — Maundy Thursday
12:00 Noon
Holy Communion
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
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Celebrate the Easter Vigil
Saturday April 23 at 8 pm the Easter Vigil will be celebrated.
This service begins with the lighting of the Easter Fire.
Four lessons from the salvation history of the Hebrew Scriptures are read, baptism and renewal of vows follow, the service culminates in the first Holy Communion of Easter.
Please come and bring 2 things. Bring about 4 oz of water to assist in filling the baptismal font. Bring a bell to ring during the Gloria in Excelsis.
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Easter Flowers
 If you plan to donate Easter flowers “in memory of” or “in thanksgiving of” someone special, this is the last weekend to be included in the Easter bulletin. Please utilize the Flower Offering envelope in the pew pocket or the white giving envelope. Indicate the name of the person(s) you want remembered. Please don’t forget to include your name on the envelope. Place the envelope in the collection plate. You may email your information instead of filling out an envelope to valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org no later than Monday April 18th, noon.
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Palm Sunday Crosses
 Volunteers are needed to help make Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday. We will meet in the hall on Saturday, April 16th, at 9:00 a.m. Roseanna Langley instructs us on how to make them, and it is really quite easy once you see it done. If possible, please bring a pair of utility type scissors for cutting the palm fronds. If you have any questions, please call Kathy Kilmer, 760.325.0332.
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Daughters of the King
A Stations of the Cross service will be held on Good Friday at 9:00 a.m. on the patio at St. Margaret’s led by DOK.
Our monthly meeting is scheduled April 26th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Margaret’s in the conference room. We will continue our discussion on Lenten prayer. Call Bonnie Stroock for information 760.324.7949.
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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.
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 Coffee Hour
The host for the 8:00 a.m. Coffee Hour is Eileen Upton. There will be a cake in celebration of Harriet Yost’s 90th birthday at the 10:30 a.m Coffee Hour. Come and join in the festivities. Happy 90th Birthday Harriet!
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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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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.
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Report Sexual Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please be reminded that our diocese values the tenet of our baptismal covenant to “respect the dignity of every human being.” Part of the way we live into that is to train people in the prevention of sexual misconduct. Another part that goes hand-in-hand with training is reporting incidences of sexual misconduct. Our bishop, the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, takes reports seriously and investigates them thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact Bishop Mathes immediately: bishopmathes@edsd.org, 619-481-5450.
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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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