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Endings, Beginnings, Thanksgiving
This week, my message is published early because of the holiday.
We have just celebrated the end of the Church Calendar for this year and on Sunday we begin the next. In the middle is Thanksgiving. I think it is always that way.
Thanksgiving is in the middle.
Last week, we heard that Paul did not cease to give thanks for the congregation in Ephesus. This week, he is always giving thanks for the folks in Corinth. Giving thanks was a big part of his ministry and the spirituality we might learn from him.
At the heart of it, giving thanks is applied prayer. Giving thanks for someone, for a situation, for a blessing, or for a problem is a way to remind ourselves where the center is. When we give thanks, we are proclaiming that our center is with God.
Sometimes we let the quality of our experiences determine how closely we feel connected to God. If things are going well, and we remember, it is easy to feel connected. If things are not going so well, our prayer often sounds like, “God, where are you?” I suggest that we get in the habit of offering thanks as a way of remembering that God is always near, by God’s very nature, whether we feel it or not. The discipline of giving thanks allows us to be real with our feelings, yet stay consciously in contact with our God.
Our parish has been assaulted several times in the past month by burglaries. Doors and windows have been damaged, yet very little has been taken. (I think that is because we are pretty lean in the things that are easily converted to cash.) We have taken steps to repair damage and to be better protected in the future. I don’t pretend to be thankful that we have been robbed. However, I find room for thanks.
We are a faith community and we can easily float above the real difficulties that our neighbors have. Since our break-ins, I have heard of others. I have become more aware of the real struggles our parish members and our fellow worshipers are having. I see the church becoming more a part of the struggles of the rest of our community.
I am thankful for that. I am thankful that we might have a closer identification with the vulnerable and the hurting in our town. This is important to me, because, Jesus constantly let his disciples know that the hurting and vulnerable were the community he was called to heal.
I mentioned that not much was stolen. Some of us had some sentimental items stolen. My sentimental item was a small crystal star I received as an award. I don’t think it will bring much. But, just as its loss has connected me a little more with the broken-ness of the world, I pray that its presence with the thief or someone else may connect them with the healing love of God.
For that I will give thanks.
Join us for thanksgiving practice this Thursday at 10:30 and this weekend at worship.
Fr. Andrew
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1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind– just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you– so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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The John Jacobsen funeral is Saturday, December 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul in the Desert. Reception immediately to follow in Hogarth Hall.
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Saturday, December 3rd, 7 am – 2 pm
United Methodist Church of Palm Springs
1555 E. Alejo Road
Palm Springs
 The Spirit of Christ MCC (Metropolitan Community Church) and the Unity Church in Joplin, MO, were devastated by this summer’s tornadoes. The two congregations share a building and a witness to full inclusion in Joplin.
Spirit of Christ Church thought they had insurance. The insurance company had the check in it’s possession but had not deposited it when the tornado struck. They returned the check and canceled the policy.
Many churches were destroyed or damaged in Joplin, but these two have smaller networks to assist them. Desert Oasis Chapel has organized a rummage sale to help these two congregations. St. Paul’s and three other congregations are offering support.
• Donations can be dropped of at the fellowship hall of the church between 12 noon and 6pm on Friday Dec. 2nd.
• Volunteers are needed to help with pricing and sorting on the 2nd. Anyone, for any amount of time, will be a help. Also needed are volunteers to help with the actual sale on Dec. 3rd. Organizers are asking volunteers to sign up for a two hour shift.
• Monetary contributions to the event are welcome. Go to desertoasischapel.com and click on “donations”; the Pay Pal screen will appear. Place Joplin in the section that says “purpose”. A tax receipt for the contribution will be mailed. Anyone making donations of sale items can also get a receipt for their tax records by asking for it when they drop the item off.
Please help four churches in Palm Springs help two churches in Joplin.
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The Daughters of the King invite all women parishioners to join in planning the Annual Winter Tea. The meeting will be held Tuesday, November 29th at 1:00 p.m. in the condo at St. Paul’s. Women who want to deepen their spiritual life, who want to dedicate to praying each day, and are able to meet once a month are invited.
Our Tea date is January 22nd, 2012. Watch for details. Have a blessed Advent. For additional information contact Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949.
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Christmas Flowers of Remembrance
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 Next weekend, December 3rd the annual Christmas Flower envelopes will be available in the pew pocket. Please make sure you note the name of remembrance and your name. To have your remembrance included in the Christmas bulletin, you will need to complete the envelope and return it by Sunday, December 18th. You may also place your remembrance on-line at:
valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org.
You may place your envelope/donation in the plate or mail it to the parish office.
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 The boxes of giving envelopes will be available in the narthex beginning next weekend, December 3rd. They will only be available in the narthex December 3rd and 10th weekends. After December 10th they will need to be picked up in the parish offices during the work week, Tuesday – Friday. If you do not need giving envelopes, and have some assigned, please place them in the side box that is marked, “giving envelopes not needed”. If you have any questions, contact Valerie at 760.320.7488 ext. 227 or valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org.
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Taize Style Service Comes to St. Paul’s
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Since Nathan’s visit to Taize, France during his sabbatical 4 years ago, and having used Taize chants in our Sunday worship, many have asked when a Taize style service would be held at St. Paul’s.
To go along with Jerry Lynch’s meditation classes on the Sundays in Advent, Nathan Ensign, Director of Music, will be offering a 30 minute Taize style service of songs, scripture and silence on Thursday nights (Dec. 1st, 8th, and 15th) in the Church at 7:00 p.m.
Participants will be sitting on the carpet, so please bring a small stool or a cushion to sit on (if needed) and wear comfortable clothes. If you have any questions, please contact Nathan through the church office at 760.320.7488 ext. 225. We hope that this opportunity will add a new dimension to your Advent preparations.
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United Thank Offering Sunday is December 4th
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The UTO is a ministry of The Episcopal Church that values thanksgiving, generosity, mission, and ministry. Since 1889, the UTO has helped alleviate human suffering by distributing money through grants. Last year the UTO received 120 grant applications from which 69 were chosen to receive grants of a total of $2 million to support projects locally and worldwide. Domestic needs received 43 grants, companion dioceses received 11, and international projects 15. In Phoenix, St. Jude’s Mission received $24,000 to buy a van to transport children from elementary to college age to church functions. In Los Angeles, $5,000 was awarded to a church to provide African immigrants with a storage unit for distributing goods. Please give generously to the UTO as you ponder all the things for which you can give thanks.
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ECW Welcomes the Holidays
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Getting an early start on the holiday season, The Episcopal Church Women will gather on December 1st for their Christmas luncheon. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with the business meeting.
A festive meal is planned for the occasion, and as is traditional, there will be caroling, featuring Jeannette Debonne playing the harp. Newcomers to the parish will be especially welcomed at this event.
The salad luncheon is at noon, and those attending are asked to bring a salad to serve six, rolls/bread, or a dessert. Beverages will be provided. For questions about the luncheon, please contact Bette Knutson, (760) 416-5739. Hostess for the luncheon is Kathy Briski.
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center & Desert SOS
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Please give to Christmas at Desert SOS – Yes, Christmas is less than a month away and it’ll be a “hard candy Christmas” for the 90 homeless men, women and children at Desert SOS. Even though St. Paul in the Desert will continue to provide and serve Monday desserts and the monthly supply of undergarments and socks to Roy’s Resource Center, Christmas can be a lonely time when you’re without a home and the ability to provide or receive gifts.
Our SOS team has again worked with Roy’s management to bring Yuletide cheer to the children and the neediest at Roy’s! We will purchase Walmart gift cards from our St. Paul’s SOS Fund. But, that money is very limited. We need HELP. The children and the neediest will be taken on shopping trips to Walmart for the perfect-fit in clothing, shoes, and if enough money is raised…a toy.
YOU can be a part of happiness to the homeless, by donating. Please mark your check with“SOS Xmas” on it and place in the plate. We will do the rest.
For more information about this program call Hap at 760.323.5726.
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 ONE Extra Item…Brings Smiles to the Homeless – Purchase one extra item during your weekly shopping to donate to the Desert SOS Dessert Ministry of St. Pauls. Dessert is provided every Monday evening. A box of cookies, doughnuts, fruit, cheese or other special treat would be so appreciated by people who ask for so little. Place the dessert in the Parish Hall refrigerator, (labeled clearly “SOS”), or bring it to the parish office (ring doorbell) before 4:00 p.m. Monday. Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.5726.
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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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The St. Paul Columbarium Niches are over 60% sold out. If you are interested in a specific niche, please do not wait to purchase it or reserve it. Deposits are required for all niche reservations. Please contact Jonathan Abernethy-Deppe, at 760.320.7488, ext. 224 for further information.
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Living Generously:
Click the plate to
make change!
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Deck The Halls
The Christmas Decoration Committee needs volunteers to decorate the Church inside and out. If you would like to serve on this committee, there is a sign-up sheet on the entry table in Hogarth Hall. If you have questions, contact Rosa Zingg at rozingg@yahoo.com
or 760.904.5080.
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Coffee Hour
 The 8:00 a.m. Coffe Hour hosts are Barry Hagenbuch and Roberts Woods.
To sign-up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder located on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have any questions, please contact, Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Nov. 27
No Class
Dec. 4, 11 & 18
Living the Hope of Advent
with Jerry Lynch
Jan. 1
No Class
Jan. 8, 15, 22, & 29
Enriching our Prayer Life
with John Harper
Feb. 5, 12 & 19
The Pastoral Epistles
with Jerry DiNoto
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“Thursdays At 7”
Nov. 24
No Class
Dec. 1, 8 & 15
Taize Service
with Nathan Ensign &
Victoria Hatch
In the Church
Jan. 5
No Class
Jan. 12
Nimble Believing,
with The Rev. Dr. Roger Ferlo,
Theologian in Residence
In the Church
Jan. 19 & 26
The Historical Jesus
with David Abernethy-Deppe
In the Parish Hall Parlor
Feb. 2, 9, 16 & 23
21st Century Christian Response to the World
with Craig Ewing
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The Children’s Choir
. . . continues on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. All children ages 4 and above are encouraged to participate in this dynamic musical ministry where they not only learn musical skills but also how to work together as a team. They will be singing about once a month for the 10:30 service. Call Nathan at 760-320-7488 ext. 225 for more details.
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Scam Alert!
 An impersonator pretends to be a relative in urgent need of money.
You receive a phone call from someone pretending to be your son, daughter, grandchild, etc. requesting money to get out of a predicament. Your emotions run high and you cave in to sending a money gram to assist. You have been scammed. It is happening frequently.
If you should receive such a call, verify the identity of the caller by asking a question only the true individual could answer. If the caller is unable to answer correctly, you can be assured you have interrupted a scam.
For a thorough discussion on this subject, Click Here.
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Sign Up for Flowers,
Coffee Hour and
Desert SOS
To make is easier for parishioners to sign-up for Flowers, Coffee Hours, and the Dessert Ministry, we have integrated the sign-up sheets into a three-ring binder format. These sheets are in binders that are on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. Instead of writing parallel onto a bulletin board, you will now be able to write at table height. Please note that there are binders for the rest of 2011 and for 2012. If you have a special date that you want to commemorate, be sure to save it as soon as possible.
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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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Parishioners: Are you sure we have your contact information? In our quest to keep our directory current, we ask you to give us your updated address, telephone, and email if it has changed in the past year. Too often we get the message “Return to Sender” and “Telephone no longer in service.” Please fill out the form in the pew pocket and place it in the plate or email: valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org.
Better twice than not at all. Thank you!
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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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