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“Don’t Trouble The Teacher Further.”
Can you say hope-less?
Jesus has been begged (repeatedly) to accompany a father to heal his daughter who is at the point of death. He goes and he is interrupted on the way.
The interruption is a healing being taken from Jesus, as the woman touches his cloak. Actually, it is the process of naming and owning the rogue healing. As this process is being wrapped up and the healed woman is included in Jesus’ reconstituted family, news arrives: the official’s daughter has died; there is no need to trouble Jesus further.
However, Jesus shows a persistent willingness to be troubled. He is willing to be troubled for the woman’s desperate healing. He is willing to be regularly troubled by disciples who are slow in understanding. And he is willing to be troubled by the stakes increasing. He is not troubled by death.
In Jesus’ stories, the diseases, the demons, and the loss suffered from death are real. They are tangible and they respond to his touch. As amazing as these are, I don’t think they form the real point of the Jairus story.
Because the father, Jairus, is the only person in the healings who is named, (neither the hemorrhaging woman nor the daughter are named,) I believe the point of these stories is what Jesus has to teach Jairus about faith.
Jairus had the beginnings of faith or he would not have approached Jesus. It might be a last-ditch kind of faith. “Nothing else has worked, so I’ll try Jesus.” It was a faith all too ready to be disappointed.
Jesus is not troubled by disappointment. For Jesus, faith starts one step past disappointment.
Jairus was invited to have faith by actively believing. He was invited to join the ranks of Jesus’ “new” family of disciples, formerly demon-possessed foreigners, formerly hemorrhaging women, and little girls whom Jesus knows are only sleeping.
There is no shortage of concerns that you and I have, about which we would like to trouble Jesus. Fear not. Jesus tells us to trouble him and he will show us how to keep believing.
Join us this weekend as we trouble Jesus, support one another, and reach out to the world.
Fr. Andrew
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Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” He went with him.
And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, `Who touched me?'” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
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Sandy Suzanne Allen
May 27, 1936 – June 24, 2012
Celebration of Life
June 30, 2012
11:00 a.m.
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Changes Are Happening in the Parish Hall thanks to the kind and generous gifts of time, talent and funds by numerous parishioners. The “upgrades” in Hogarth Hall include the Parlor (the room behind the sliding accordion doors) to create a user-friendly Adult Education Area. It will be painted, carpeted and have a new wall built to hide the stored chairs and tables. The closets have been cleaned and organized.
We are also making changes in the Kitchen: A new center island and new movable cabinets will provide flexibility. They are lockable to assist in assuring security.
The Restrooms are being thoroughly cleaned, painted and wallpapered. There is now a larger handicap stall in the women’s room. The entry hall to the restroom will be cleared out and made more inviting.
Finally, we are installing audio and video systems in the Main Hall and in the newly upgraded Adult Education Room. The large bulletin boards are being replaced with flat screen monitors that will provide current information about St. Paul’s, our programs, parishioners, and activities.
July will be a busy month for all these projects. Your participation is welcome and appreciated. Roger Allen, our Senior Warden, is coordinating these efforts, and he welcomes your contributions, comments, and support.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
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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Holy Communion Service for
Local Care Facilities
Holy Communion will be hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of each month at Windsor Court. For July, this will occur on
July 4th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
Holy Communion will be hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Premier Health Care. For July, this will occur on
July 23rd at 11:00 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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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 Ron & Rosanna Langley. 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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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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