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How Is the Beloved Community Created?
In a commentary on this week’s gospel selection, Emerson Powery quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls and a quantitative change in our lives.”
Rather than dig in to the small detail of Jesus’ dining experience – looking at the specifics of the situation and Jesus’ advice – I intend to take a wider focus. This means not talking about where we sit at meals or whom we invite to feasts. It is about learning from God as the Host. On my own, on our own, we will never create the “beloved community” of which Dr. King speaks. At best, we will be taking measures of greater or lesser effectiveness to close the gaps we see in social relationships. Rather than create the “beloved community,” we tinker with and repair the status quo.
The “beloved community” begins to be created when we look past our human relationships for a moment and acknowledge our primary relationship with God. It is people who see themselves – and all people – created in God’s image, who desire a wider community of love. When we know ourselves loved by God, we can extend love to others. When we have been welcomed to the table of Jesus without reserve and without judgement, then we can know what it is to welcome others.
There are two requirements that I see in this gospel. First, we need to recognize that, at Jesus’ table, there is no higher position or lower position – all places are of equal and immeasurable value. Then we need to admit that our welcome to God’s table, is as based on grace as it is for the outcasts mentioned in this gospel, and not on even a generous account of our achievement or status.
The “beloved community” begins to be created when God’s grace is given the lead, and the clear and equal value of all of God’s children is made real. When the last are first and the first are last, it means that all are welcome.
In worship this week we will practice being the last who are now first – and the first who are now last – as we feast at God’s table. Join with Dr. King and his “beloved community,” first voiced by blessed Mary in the Magnificat. (Luke 1:46-55)
Fr. Andrew
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Luke 14:1, 7-14
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.
When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, `Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, `Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
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Get Tested Coachella Valley!
Dear Parishioner:
On Saturday, October 19, Saint Paul in the Desert will be participating in the 26th Desert AIDS Walk to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in our community. We’d love for you to join us that day in spreading the message that AIDS is not over, and that everyone should be tested as part of our ‘Get Tested Coachella Valley’ initiative. Please consider walking with us!
What is ŒGet Tested Coachella Valley‚? It is a 3-year region-wide campaign dedicated to dramatically reducing transmission of HIV . Why ŒGet Tested Coachella Valley?‚
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53.3% of Coachella Valley residents have never been tested for HIV
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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that approximately one in five people living with HIV do not know they are infected
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In parts of our valley, the prevalence of HIV is estimated at three times the national average˜putting everyone at greater risk.
An international study, hailed by Science Magazine as the „2011 Breakthrough of the Year,‰ has proven it: If an individual who is HIV positive takes the right medications, he or she is 96% less likely to pass the virus to others.
Follow This Link to visit my team web page and help me in my efforts to support Desert AIDS Project.
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Boyd Funeral Re-Scheduled
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F. Gillar Boyd, Jr.
3/15/28 -8/4/13
Gillar’s funeral will be on Saturday, October 5th at 10:00 am.
It will be a wonderful celebration of his life.
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SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 12, 2013 – 5:00 PM!
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SAVE THIS VERY IMPORTANT DATE!
You won’t want to miss this wonderful event.
We will kick off St. Paul’s 75th Anniversary
in a grand way!
Remember – SAVE THIS DATE: 10/12/13!!
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Why Did Jesus, Moses, The Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road?
Marriage Equality: Where the Episcopal Church Stands, hosted by Craig Ewing
9/1 No Class (Labor Day Weekend)
9/08 The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant
9/15 US Supreme Court Decisions on DOMA and Proposition 8
9/22 Bishop Mathes: “Same Sex Blessings and Marriages”
9/29 The Rector’s Reply: “The Blessing Ministry”
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
American Religious History—A Struggle for Peace & Justice, audio CD by Patrick N. Allitt, hosted by Victoria Hatch and Robert Hettinger
9/03 Major Features of American Religious History–
Diversity and Vitality
9/10 European Background–Reformation and Religious Separatists
9/17 Natives and New Comers–Similarities/Differences of Religious
Identities
9/24 Puritans–Struggles with Religious & Political Way of Life
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center is an outreach of St. Paul’s that serves the homeless by providing clothing and desserts on Monday evening served by our volunteers. You can help by contributing desserts, donating to our SOS Fund, adding to our donation baskets in the Narthex or joining our volunteers on Monday evening. For more information, call Hap Blaisdell at 760.323.5726.
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Report Misconduct.
Report Misconduct. As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact the Rev. Thomas Wilson at twilssdca@gmail.com or 619.518.4713.
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At the
Church of St. Paul
in the Desert
. . . we welcome all worshipers to a place free of violence, bullying, and abuse. Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
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Peace & Justice Ministry:
Thought for the week: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The next meeting will be Thursday, September 12 @ 7 PM in the Library.
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Children’s Sunday School continues through the summer (although not the Godly Play program) with stories, artwork, and music during the 10:30 service.
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A PICTORIAL VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND
On September 7th, Time To Be Announced, Bonnie Stroock will narrate a slide show of places that pilgrims to the Holy Land visit at a fall assembly of the DOK to be held at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church located at 308 E. Acacia Ave., Hemet CA 92543. All are welcome! Please RSVP to one of the DOK Presidents: Mae Kramer (951) 765-0257, email: missyk70@roadrunner.com or Kathy McClelland (909) 205-5981, email: claddaghbutt@yahoo.com.
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Hungry for Italian Food?
Join Desert Blind & Handicapped on September 18th between 5 & 8 PM . The tickets are $25 and include salad, garlic bread, beverage, entree’ and dessert. Tickets available from George Holliday, Bette Knutson or Mike Carson; by calling 760.440.7720 or by visiting the web at www.desertblind.org.
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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 September 11th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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Coffee Hour Celebration
Hosts are needed for many Sundays throughout the rest of 2013. To sign up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have questions, call 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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Episcopalians Against
Gun Violence
. . . is an ad-hoc group of bishops, clergy and lay people disseminating information about Episcopalians who are working, collectively and individually, to curb gun violence. For further information, click here.
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Bullying Behavior Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we 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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We Need Volunteers
. . . to assist with Name Badge organization. Please contact Mike Funke at 760-409-0986 or: mike.funke@yahoo.com if you can help.
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“A Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive”
Ministry!
Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Pau’s to support that mission. Volunteers are needed from all three services to donate approximately 90 minutes of their time per month. That time is split into 3-30 minute segments: 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the service you attend, once per month, to support the Welcoming Table located in the Narthex and another 30 minutes a month assisting with name badge organization. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Mike Funke at 760.-409.0986 or mike.funke@yahoo.com!
Help us live our mission statement!
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