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“Peace. Be Still”
Jesus words calmed the wind and waves.
Jesus got up from his nap, entered the place where the disciples were afraid for their lives, calmed the uncontrollable forces of nature and rebuked Peter, James, John and the rest. This is not the nice, “Tender Shepherd” Jesus. This fellow is frustrated with his followers. (Hint: In Mark it does not get any better for the disciples.)
In Mark’s Gospel there is not much explanation given. There are few editorial asides. We don’t really know why the disciples don’t get it, why they don’t learn well.
What follows is my speculation.
They have been following Jesus all around Galilee, their home turf. He teaches them along with the crowds. What they don’t understand, he re-teaches in a different way. The difference between the crowds and the disciples is that the disciples have homework. They have been cut out of the crowd and appointed to be with Jesus and to be apostles. They see and hear him teach – they are assigned to teach. They witness his power to heal and cast out demons – they are given power to do the same.
I believe that Jesus expected more out of his followers. Perhaps he expected them to use the authority and training he had given them to deal with the wind and waves themselves. He names the barrier for them – internal fear, cowardice. This not the fear of what will happen if they fail. It is the fear that won’t even allow them to try.
We are not often put on the same spot as the disciples, but we are often placed in new situations or called upon to care for people we don’t think we are ready for. Jesus has taught us and given us the authority to reach out and love others in his name. He has given us his Spirit to guide us.
I don’t think Jesus is disappointed when we make mistakes or when we fail. Only when we don’t take our shot at the wind and waves.
After all, he’s there in our boat if we run into trouble.
Join us this weekend as we practice becoming a more fearless community.
Fr. Andrew
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Mark 4:35-41
When evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
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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
July
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
6/28 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.
There will be no “Thursdays at 7” meetings in July and August
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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 “The King and I (By request)
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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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 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 Ana Mercado & Kevin Kirkpatrick. 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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