The Abundant Lite – November 15, 2012

From the Rector

Don’t Be Led Astray

The language of Jesus warning his disciples sounds a little old-fashioned to me, but I actually use the word “astray.” I use it because it sounds just enough out of step with today, that people notice the word and pay more attention.

If you followed the news this last week, “going astray” figured prominently. It usually refers to compromised marital fidelity. In this week’s Gospel, I think it refers, not to marital infidelity, but to spiritual infidelity – being unfaithful to Jesus’ Mission.

Jesus was warning his closest followers that they had to pay attention and not let false Messiahs and fears distract them from his Good News. The followers were tempted by a variety of spiritual perspectives that were rejected by Jesus: the purists, those who resorted to violence, and others who were too accommodating to the Romans.

The Good News that Jesus proclaimed assured the people of God’s love for them and especially for those who were at the edges of society. God loved rich and poor, families and widows, Jews and foreigners, even people who did unpopular work for the government. In response, the people were to love God – and show it by loving their neighbor.

To me the warning means to pay attention. We cannot afford to take the gift of God’s love for granted. We need to attend to it and to our response constantly. Don’t we do this in successful human relationships? We understand that caring for another requires a constant interplay, not to be perfect, but to stay attentive.

The warning also means to keep perspective, to stay the course. Jesus told of both potential and actual war and catastrophe. There will always be threats to the mission. This is nothing new – and it is only the beginning.

Jesus’ warning is a call to stewardship. His disciples were called to manage expectations and anxieties so that they kept their eye on the mission of Jesus. We need to keep our eye on mission. We need to be reaching out, building community, welcoming worshipers, and praising God. We need to do this in Hurricane Season and out, in the Political Season and out. It is just the beginning.

Join us as we attend to Jesus in worship this weekend.

Fr. Andrew
 

Featured Scripture

     Mark 13:1-8

As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, `I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs.”

CONCERT!  Anglican Chorale-4PM Sunday Nov. 18

The men of the Anglican Chorale will present a concert Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM in the Parish Hall under the direction of James A. Person. The program will include works by Vaughn Williams, Biebl, Gabrielli and others. A suggested donation of $12 General & $10 Students and Seniors can be made at the door. All are welcome and there will be a reception afterwards to greet our guests.

Desert Convocation Series

Dr. Diana Butler Bass will be our guest preacher Dec. 2nd

Diana Butler Bass is an author, speaker, and independent scholar specializing in American religion and culture. She holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Duke University and is the author of eight books including Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening. Her other books include A People’s History of Christianity: the Other Side of the Story and the best-selling Christianity for the Rest of Us. She is in our area to lead a workshop on Theological Education on Dec. 3rd for Bexley Hall/Seabury Seminary.
 

View the entire

“Desert Convocation: Building a Community of Conversation”

flyer by clicking here.

Wonderful Celebration With Bp. Mathes

The Rt. Rev. James Mathes joined members of St. Paul’s and members of the Palm Springs Community Saturday, Nov. 3rd for a celebration with 3 themes: All Saints, the Desert AIDS Walk, and the Gay Pride Weekend. Bp. Mathes sermon can be viewed by clicking  the block “Sermon Video” to the right of the newsletter.

 AIDS Walk – Pride Parade – Wrap-Up

The St. Paul’s Team walked and raised over $5,000.00 for the Desert AIDS Project in the 25th AIDS Walk. Members of our Parish have been particiipated in every walk.

The team finished the AIDS Walk and turned around to march North in our first official entry in the Palm Springs Gay Pride Parade. Fr. Andrew Green and Team Captain Rex Comer rode behind the walkers in a beautiful Ford Galaxy 500 belonging to Dennis Vasquez and Robert Perry.

Special thanks to Rex Comer, Lanny Tucker, and George Holliday. Great Job!

Celebration Weekend – November 17-18

Each year the Fall begins with our Stewardship Theme of the Year. This year it is Serving Christ in Others. You might recognize it from our Mission Statement.

By November 18th, we will have heard from 3 service organizations which count our members among their voulnteers and supporters. Leaders from Friends of Roy’s, The Desert AIDS Project, and Well in the Desert will tell us about their mission and how our participation affects the people they serve.

Celebration Weekend, November 17-18th is the culmination of the first phase of Stewardship for the year. Everyone is invited to return the pledges of financial support for God’s Mission at St. Paul in the Desert

Annette Salveson to speak

“Sworn to Secrecy”, a book written by our Parishioner Annette Salveson, chronicles the story of code breaking at Bletchley Park, Britain’a main decrytpion venue during WWII. Annette has been asked to give a talk about the book and memories at the Palm Springs Public Library on Tuesday evening, November 20th, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
 

Help Needed – Decorating for Christmas

Christmas is upon us! This means that it’s time to decorate the exterior & interior of the church, the Christmas tree in the Parish Hall and the church office. We can use your help! On Monday, November 26th at 9:15 AM, we will put up the outside lights, decorate Hogarth Hall with the Christmas tree and decorate the Christmas tree in the church office. On Sunday, December 23rd at 1:00 PM, we will decorate the inside of the church. To volunteer, please contact Rosa Zing @ 760.408.7796 or rozingg@yahoo.com.

African Team Ministry Craft & Jewelry Sale

November 11 & 18

African Team Ministries is a Christian organization working to provide funding for orphan and refugee relief missions in East Africa.  The support they receive is used to provide school fees, tuition, books and uniforms for orphaned and refugee children. In addition, ATM also provides a means for selling jewelry and crafts handmade in Kenya, the proceeds from which go directly back to the artisans who made them.

Rosanna Langley will be hosting this sale on  November 11th & 18th in the Parish Hall after the 10:30 service.

Celebration of Life for Jack Becker – 11/30 at 1 PM

Jack Becker

September 8, 1939 – November 10, 2012

A Celebration of his life

at St. Paul’s

Friday, November 30, 2012

at 1:00 p.m.

Faith Building

“Sundays at 9:15”

In The Library

The Hebrew Scriptures – The Book of Genesis

11/18  Adam and Eve: facilitated by the Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch

11/24  Murder, Flood & Dispersion: facilitated by Canon Hatch

“Tuesdays At 7”

In The Library

Reason and Faith-Faith Seeking Understanding

Part I: A look at philosophy of the Middle Ages and how Reason and Faith were used to address the nature of God, humanity, evil and freedom, led by Jerry DiNoto.

11/20   Boethius – Why do bad things happen to good people?
11/27   Boethius – Does God foreknow our actions?

Roy’s Desert Resource Center & SOS

You’re Invited to Roy’s Desert Resource Center for Dinner on Monday Night, November 19th @ 5:30 pm.

The Evening will start with an introductory DVD, followed by a tour of the facility, dinner with Roy’s clients, and a Q&A at the end of the evening. Reservations are required, so please RSVP to John Westaway at john.westaway3@verizon.net.

ST. Paul’s SOS

Volunteers from St. Paul in the Desert  serve dessert to 70-100 homeless men, women and children at Roy’s every Monday evening. We also deliver socks and underwear purchased and placed in the “ROY’S” basket. Roy’s clients, who are  striving to get back into the main stream, deeply appreciate your efforts.

Announcements

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Emergency Update:

Hurricane Sandy

Episcopal Relief and Development is helping to meet the need.

Your help is urgently needed.

Click here to donate.

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.  The next service will be December 12 at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.

ECW Welcomes the Holidays!

The Episcopal Church Women will gather on Thursday, December 6th for their annual Christmas luncheon. The event begins with a business meeting, followed by a festive meal. As is our tradition, there will be caroling and a “special guest” to help “desk the halls”. The salad luncheon is a noon and those attending are asked to bring a salad that serves 6-8, rolls/bread or a dessert. Beverages will be provided. Questions? Please contact Bette Knutson, 760.416.5739. Hostesses for the luncheon are Marilyn Johnson and Ruth Kraus.

Dining in the Dark

Desert Blind & Handicapped Association’s 40th Anniversary Event: Dining in the Dark! Saturday, December 8th, 5 PM at the Annenberg Rotunda at Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage. $150 ($75 tax deductible) per person . Experience the nation-wide phenomena – A Gourmet dinner experience served in total darkness by blind professional wait staff! No-host bar, limited seats available. Call 760.422.3002 for tickets or www.desertblind.org.

Coffee Hour Celebration

The Hosts after the 8:00 and 10:30 Services are the Abundant Living Action Team. We are celebrating God’s gifts to us of Time, Talent & Treasure! The parishioners that attend the 4 PM Service will also have a surprise!

Coffee Hour hosts are still needed for several services the rest of the year. 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.

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.
 

Sign Up for Flowers,

Coffee Hour and

Roy’s 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.

2013 Budget

Your Input Welcome

Your Vestry would like your input on the 2013 Budget. The Draft Budget is being evaluated and a copy is available here. Share your comments here.

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.

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.