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Breathe Reconciliation
Some of the recent research about young people and religion should be distressing to Episcopalians. I listened to a lecture last month by Tom Ehrich and his summary of our perception by non believers is that we are “self-absorbed” and we “are always fighting.” There is much to think about in Ehrich’s lecture, but these two points are important in relation to our Gospel reading for this weekend. We may be self absorbed and prone to fighting, but it was not what Jesus intended.
In the short passage we read from John, the message of Jesus could not be clearer or more different. We are people who are sent out. We are called to focus outward. And we are called to be agents of reconciliation. Jesus chose an intimate symbol of his relationship with the disciples. He breathed on them. He touched them with his breath or spirit and commissioned them to let that spirit lead them out of the room where they had hidden themselves.
The self absorption and the fighting are really all about the same thing. It is nothing as cool or edgy as the movie “Fight Club.” Our fighting starts with establishing our particular way of being Christians and insisting that all should do it our way. Historically, we have fought almost anyone who did not do it our way. Even within the denomination, there is fighting.
I think that there is room for a variety of ways to be Christian, if we cover the basics. According to Jesus, we are people who are sent out as he was sent out by God, and we are people who are called to forgive. I don’t think this means that we are to run about saying “I ‘m sorry.” I think it means that we are to look outside ourselves and our church walls to see where there is brokenness, and work to reconcile it.
This is not just God’s intention for newly inspired Christians, but it is God’s desire for the whole world. As Christians who have received that breath of Christ, we can lead the way. Our worship, our service to those in need, and our engagement with the world around us is how we practice.
Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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John 20:19-23
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
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Adult and Children’s Choir
Season Ends June 12th
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Under the tutelage of Nathan Ensign, Director of Music, the Adult Choir and the Children’s Choir bring diverse music styles to the parishioners of St. Paul’s. With Sunday, June 12th being the end of the season, we would like to thank the following choir members for their weekly demonstration of their delightful voices to our church.
 Adult choir – Bruce Blauvelt, Jenifer Carson, Gayle Conley, Linda Curea, Connie Dean, Stan Deller, Orin Ellingson, Will Grant, Susan Green, Jim Herrold, Marlene Kuehl, Chuck Marx, John Matz, Patti Minton-Sivcovich, Glen Noteboom, Beryl Parsons, Mel Parsons, George Smith, Sharon Strong, Roberto Thais.
 Children’s choir – Ryann Alexander, Taylor Alexander, Brittany Cariou, Morgan Cariou, Simone Clermont, Abby Ellenich, Jessica Holland, Beckham Pougnet-Green, Julia Pougnet-Green.
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PLEASE NOTE!!!
No “Sunday’s at 9:15” class on June 12th!
Instead we’ll join the Church’s Pentecost Birthday Party!
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Adult Faith Building – “Sundays at 9:15”
 On June 19th, we’ll explore “The Story of St. Thomas.” Class begins with a DVD presentation led by Professor Amy-Jill Levine, of Vanderbilt University Divinity School. She points out that the “doubting Thomas” label is an unfortunate misnomer. She will also explore with us three ancient texts attributed to St. Thomas which are receiving lots of attention today. Following the DVD, the Rev. Dr. David E. Abernethy-Deppe will lead us in discussion.
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Adult Faith Building – “Sundays at 9:15”
On June 26th, the Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch will help us explore “The Story of Mary Magdalene.” Again, we begin with a DVD presentation by Professor Amy-Jill Levine, of Vanderbilt University Divinity School. There are many myths and legends about this interesting woman, including that she may have been Jesus’ lover or wife. We will also want to explore her extended conversation with the resurrected Jesus in which, according to the Gospel of John, she is commissioned to be the “apostle to the apostles.” Come and see!
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Adult Faith Building – “Thursdays at 7”
June 9-30, we will discuss the new book written by our Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Katherine Jefferts Schori, “The Heartbeat of God: Finding the Sacred in the Middle of Everything.” In this book, she explores the intersections of faith with the major issues of our day—poverty, climate change, the economy, health care. How does faith speak to those issues, and what is the faith response? This series will be facilitated by the Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch. You can get the book from Amazon, both in hard copy and as a downloadable to your Kindle or Nook. Join us for this interesting series.
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PLEASE NOTE!!!
No “Sundays at 9:15” class on July 3rd.
It’s the 4th of July Week-end!! Enjoy the Fireworks!
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Adult Faith Building – “Sundays at 9:15”
Beginning July 10th, The Rev. Rick Tinsley will lead a 4-week study of The Liturgy: Practicing the Presence of God.” We’ll discuss the details of The Liturgy: Where does it come from? Why do we do it that way? What does it mean? By better understanding the history, structure and meaning of Liturgy, we can enhance our worship experience. As we practice God’s presence using the Liturgy, we will become more aware of God’s presence as we go about our lives, sharing the Abundant Life, and serving Christ in others. Mark your calendars now!
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PLEASE NOTE!!!
“Thursdays at 7: will not be held during July and August.
“Thursdays at 7” will begin again in September, after Labor Day.
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Episcopal Relief and Development
Responds to Severe Storms and Tornadoes
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The severe storms and tornadoes that overwhelmed over seven mid-western states from Canada to Texas this week continue to disrupt the lives of all in the region. The death toll from the April torandoes reached over 300 across seven states, including 236 in Tuscalosa,Alabama alone. The Joplin tornado has brought the toll up to an additional 132 lives lost, 156 unaccounted for, with thousands that have been injured and most of the population now is homeless.
Episcopal Relief and Development has appealed for our support of the growing number of dioceses responding to those in distress. Help storm victims by donating to St. Paul’s indicating “storm relief” in the comments space.
Pray for those who are at risk or who have suffered losses, for the families of those who have died, and for the rescue and relief teams who are working to save lives and address immediate needs.
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Desert SOS Dessert Ministry
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St. Paul’s SOS Dessert Ministry
 We encourage our parishioners to get in the habit of buying an extra box of cookies, doughnuts, fruit, cheese or any other special treat when they do their weekly grocery shopping-and then donating it to Roy’s through our Dessert Ministry. This would assist us in providing dessert for the 90+ clients, many of them children, of Roy’s Desert Resource Center, every Monday evening. Parishioners can bring items to church on the weekend or deliver desserts before 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Place the perishable desserts in the Parish Hall refrigerator (labeled clearly “SOS”). Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.5726.
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Well In The Desert
Now Serves Lunch at St. Paul’s on Wednesdays
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The Well in the Desert has moved its meal service at St. Paul’s from Fridays to Wednesdays. In order to support the retail businesses in our neighborhood, we requested a change in the day of our meal service. Now a hot meal is served at St. Paul’s from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Wednesday.
The Well needs volunteers to carry out their services and they need financial support to provide them. You can call (760) 327-8577 to volunteer. If you want to contribute to the Well, just write “Well” in the memo portion of your check.
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The population of men, women and children being cared for at Roy’s Resource Center has increased 30% this year. These clients are in need of the basic necessities of life. The SOS Fund needs YOUR support to continue to help our homeless friends who are trying to break the cycle of homelessness. Each month $300.00 comes from the fund to provide undergarments, socks and other necessities. If you are interested in supporting this outreach ministry, drop a check in the collection plate. Make the check payable to: St. Paul’s, and in the memo area, write: SOS Fund.
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Notice – The Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Holy Communion service, held in the Library, has been closed for the summer.
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Special Pentecost
Coffee Hours
Sunday, June 12th
The Adult Faith Formation Committee will celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the church, by providing cake after both services.
Family and Children’s Ministry will honor the children after the 10:30 service. Come enjoy a piece of cake and view the children’s art creations.
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Coffee Hour
 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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Recognition Sunday,
June 12th
All children of St. Paul in the Desert are invited to attend the 10:30 service to be recognized and honored.
Following the service, the children will display their own art creations about what they enjoy most at our church.
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Ride Needed
We have had a request from one of our most long-term members at the Church of St Paul in Desert for a ride to the 10:30 am service on Sundays. She lives just northeast of the intersection of Indian Canyon and Racquet Club. If this is a ministry you feel called to, please contact Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe, Parish Administrator, at 760.320.7488 ext 224.
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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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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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NEWCOMERS
Are you receiving the latest mailings and the Abundant Lite weekly newsletter? If not, then we probably don’t have your correct mailing and/or email addresses. We want to make sure that you receive the invites to join us in a series of Newcomer events that we believe you will find to be informative and enjoyable. Please fill out the form in the pew pocket and place it in the plate, give it to an usher, or send your contact information by email to: valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org
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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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