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The Desert Convocation:
Building a Community of Conversation
The third year of our tradition of bringing wonderful leaders to join us at St. Paul’s begins on December 2nd. Some of the guests have been Bishops, so the first round was titled “Bishop in Residence.” In the second year, the guests were a mixture of leaders, so we went back to the drawing board for a name.
Our purpose in bringing leaders, thinkers, writers, and musicians is to build our community. We want to connect our members and the people of the valley with outstanding resources from around the country and we want to make people outside the valley more aware of our exceptional community.
We hope the Desert Convocation evokes the idea of bringing people together. We believe that the idea of bringing most guests for an extended visit is a great way to encourage conversation and build relationships.
Dr. Diana Butler Bass: December 1-3 2012
Diana Butler Bass is an author, speaker, and independent scholar specializing in American religion and culture.
See a PBS interview with Dr. Bass.
The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson: January 6-22, 2013
Bp. Robinson will retire as Bishop of New Hampshire on January 5th and join us on January 6th.
Alice Parker: February 22-24, 2013
Alice Parker is a composer, conductor and teacher
The Very Rev. Dr. Jane Shaw:
February 28-March 8, 2013
Dr. Shaw is Dean of Grace Cathedral
In the weeks ahead, the specific schedule of events for each speaker will be published. Please look for opportunities to join in the conversation.
Fr. Andrew
You may view the full Desert Convocation flyer by clicking here.
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John 18:33-37
Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
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Desert Convocation Series
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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.
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Help Needed – Decorating for Christmas
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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.
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Celebration of Life for Jack Becker-Nov.30 at 1 PM
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Jack Becker
9/8/1939 – 11/10/2012
A Celebration of his life will be held
at St. Paul’s Friday, November 30, 2012
at 1:00 p.m.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
The Hebrew Scriptures – The Book of Genesis
11/25 Murder, Flood & Dispersion: facilitated by Canon Hatch
12/02 “Overview: Luke’s Gospel” led by Victoria Hatch
12/09 “Luke’s Christmas” led by David Abernethy-Deppe
12/16 “John, the Baptist” led by David Abernethy-Deppe
12/23 “Luke’s Canticles” led by David Abernethy-Deppe
12/30 NO CLASS
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“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.
11/27 Boethius – Does God foreknow our actions?
Advent Taize Prayer and Song, Tuesdays at 7 in the Church
12/04, 12/11, 12/18 led by Nathan Ensign. Bring a Cross and/or Candle!
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center & SOS
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Christmas for the Homeless.
St. Paul in the Desert is planning a repeat of the very successful Christmas in-gathering we had for the men, women, and children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center last year. Our parishioners made Christmas so much merrier for those less fortunate through their donations to Roy’s SOS Fund. We were able to provide $25 gift certificates for most of the homeless at Roy’s, and the staff facilitated their being able to use the certificates for their special needs at designated retailers.
YOU can be a part of this Christmastide happiness for the homeless by donating to our Roy’s SOS Fund. Make your check out to St. Paul’s and designate it for “SOS Christmas.” For more information about this program, call Hap at 760.323.5726.
Please call Hap Blaisdell at 760.323.5726 for additional information and ideas. SOS is the ministry of St. Paul’s at Roy’s.
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Lessons and Carols
will be presented by the Choirs of St. Paul in the Desert on Sunday, December 16th during the 10:30 worship service. Be sure to make this program a part of your Advent preparation.
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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.
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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. The next service will be December 12 at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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Daughters of the King
…will meet Tuesday, November 27th at 1:15 PM in the Condo. Join us to plan our annual January Tea. Some members will attend a local Advent Quiet Day on December 8th and we invite more ladies to join us as we start our Advent Season. Call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949 for information.
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The Family and Children’s Ministry
…will meet in the Godly Play room after the 10:30 service on Sunday, December 2nd. All families with young children who are planning to attend church on Christmas Eve, please come and help plan our special service.
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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.
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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.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
Coffee Hour hosts after the 10:30 service are Cheryl & Ray Kelley, in honor of Miriam Hoover’s birthday.
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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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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