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Shrub Power!
Sometimes theological reflection pops up in unexpected places. (Actually, I would love it if all the places that I think of as “unexpected” came to be the very places that I anticipated having my spiritual life tickled.)
Nathan Ensign, our Director of Music, reminded me that I had a call to make. In planning for our programs for the next year, Nathan had asked me to contact someone and I had forgotten. I returned to the March 7th email, found the phone number and called.
I have been very impressed with the biblical and preaching resources that Luther Seminary offers. I use them regularly, and I donate to that ministry as well.
Christian Scharen, Assist. Professor of Worship and Theology at Luther Seminary, answered. I was very excited to be talking to one of the professors! In the course of making conversation, I asked “how he was doing” this morning. He said that he was in a good place, having just come from Morning Worship. He preached on the Gospel for next Sunday and felt so engaged with the message that his worship felt complete. I asked him what he had preached and he told me.
What follows is a mini-reflection, bouncing off some of what he shared.
This week’s Gospel alludes to Ezekiel. It refers to the tender sprig of a Cedar being planted on God’s Holy Mountain. The birds will nest in it and be protected by it. It is a vertical reference to power. The tree is the tallest on the top of the mountain. Think of climbing the ladder of success.
Jesus turns the power sideways. God’s Kingdom is like a tiny seed that grows to be a pernicious weed or a shrub that covers everything. This is a different type of power and it is almost anti-status. Usually, the more powerful one is, the more resources and privilege flow to that one. Jesus disdains privilege and shares power.
It is a peculiar community that Jesus is creating. The ideas and the person of Jesus are central, but the community is about adding people to the mix. The parable of the mustard seed and the power of the shrub have much to teach our community of faith today. Our welcome at Communion is a symbol of God’s welcome – a welcome beyond status, privilege or power.
Join us this weekend as we practice shrub power.
Fr. Andrew
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Mark 4:26-34
Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
June
6/17 Augustine: The Life and Death of Monica:
If It’s Not one Thing, It’s Your Mother
led by Craig Ewing
6/24 Augustine: On Time:
What do the Big and Little Hands Look Like from Inside the Clock?
led by Craig Ewing
7/01 Characters in the Bible: St. Peter
by Jerry DiNoto
7/08 Characters in the Bible: Martha, Mary & Lazarus
by Jerry DiNoto
7/15 Characters in the Bible: John the Baptist
by David Abernethy-Deppe
7/22 Characters in the Bible: The Gentile Mother
by David Abernethy-Deppe
7/29 Characters in the Bible: St. James
by David Abernethy-Deppe
August
Marcus Borg’s new book, Speaking Christian: Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power and How They Can Be Restored will be the focus of our August Sundays at 9:15 Adult Faith Formation classes led by Victoria Hatch. The book is available at http://www.amazon.com in paperback or Kindle edition. The Faith Formation Team encourages you to order it now and read it several times before the August classes begin. It’s one of Borg’s better books . . . and that’s saying a lot.”
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“Thursdays At 7”
June
6/14 Visual Journeying–led by Susan Green, this four-week course began last week and is designed to help us explore methods of prayer, listening and journaling to nourish and enhance our prayer life.
7/05 No Class
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“Tuesdays at 7”
Movie Nights in July & August
On Tuesdays at 7 in the Library, the Faith Formation Team thought it would be fun to watch a movie together, enjoy popcorn, chocolates, or …, then share thoughts about the film, and discuss its ethical or life implications, if any. Here are three selections for July. We would like your suggestions for August!
7/10 “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” hosted by Jerry DiNoto
7/17 “Priest” hosted by Jerry DiNoto
7/24 “Chocolat” hosted by David Abernethy-Deppe
7/31 To be determined
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Keeping the Doors Open at Ahli Hospital in Gaza
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Ahli Hospital has operated since 1882 and continues caring for desperately poor Gazans, even though the United Nations Relief and Works Agency has halted funding. Ahli is operated by the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, an independent, non-political 501c3 which helps sustain the diocese’s many humanitarian programs. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Visit http://www.afedj.org to learn about or contribute to their important work which sustains the Christian community.
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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 Desert SOS Dessert Ministry, the sign-up sheets are in binders that are on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. The 2012 binders are filling fast, so if you have a special date that you want to commemorate, be sure to sign up early.
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We are pleased to welcome Feras Qumseay and his family who are will be here on Sunday, June 17th on behalf of Christian families in Bethlehem. These families are currently facing economic hardship because of the separation wall that Israel has built and many have been forced to leave the Holy Land. Please stop by their display in the Parish Hall and support them by purchasing some of their beautiful olive wood carvings.
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 Daughters of the King meeting at 1 PM on June 26th will be a rehearsal for the new member and new chapter installation – St. Margaret’s of the Desert Chapter. We’ll meet at St. Margaret’s chapel. We ask for prayers as our sister parish takes this wonderful step. The installation is July 15th.
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St. Paul ‘s Campers
are reserving campsites in Idyllwild County Park for August 16th-17th for our 8th annual trip. Individuals, as well as families, are invited to join us. Dogs are permitted. We’ll do our spectacular BBQ dinner by sharing salads, deserts, etc., on Friday, the 17th. Call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949 to make a reservation. Come and enjoy the cool mountain air!
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
. . . meets every Wednesday from 10 am – 1 pm in the Parish Hall. This peace-filled stitching circle gives members fulfillment and spiritual sustenance in creating prayer shawls to comfort those in need of prayer. For more details contact Valerie Ferguson at 760.799.5927, Barbara Hawkins Villani at 760.322.3987, or Audrey Spencermorris at 760.835.5506.
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Coffee Hour
Hosts at the 8:00 service are Eileen Upton & Don MacLean and at the 10:30 service is Peter Rittenhouse. Coffee Hour hosts are still needed for several services this summer.
To sign up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have questions, please contact Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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Volunteers from St. Paul’s continue to serve dessert to between 70 and 100 homeless men, women and children at Roy’s every Monday evening. The desserts consist of baked goods and other goodies (store-bought or homemade) from our parishioners. As well, we deliver each month sox and undies purchased from our SOS Fund or placed in the SOS basket on Sunday. which is funded by special donations from parishioners. All of these efforts are deeply appreciated by these people who are earnestly striving to get back into the main stream.
If you would like to participate in this program, you can:
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Sign up to Volunteer
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Write a check to St. Pauls (marked for SOS Fund)
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Bring new white socks and/or large underwear for the Basket
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Place baked goods in the center section of the Fridge (again, marked For SOS)
Please call Hap Blaisdell at 760-323-5726 for additional information and ideas.
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Report Sexual Misconduct.
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please remember 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 and to encourage all to report any misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact the Rev. Canon Suzann V. Holding immediately: sholding@edsd.org
or 619-481-5452.
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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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