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Keeping Faith
Jesus tells a parable about a despicable judge and a wronged widow. Since it is a parable, I need to remind myself that it is a made up story which Jesus used to make a point. It is not specifically about judges or widows – even if each of us knows someone who would fit the bill.
The story is pretty straight forward and the message is clear. When things are tough, keep praying, because God will come through. It is likely a message the disciples would remember, years later, when they were facing challenges. It is an encouragement to anyone who is struggling.
I am struck by the Judge, and Jesus says to listen to what he says: with no awe of God nor respect for mankind – foundations of wisdom and justice – he wants only to escape the widow’s persistence. Then Jesus shifts our attention to God’s greater faithfulness: if you want justice, stay the course in prayer to the only one who can grant it.
We joined together at our 75th Anniversary Kickoff Dinner last Saturday, and honored the stories and facts of the persistent ones – the faithful who were and are the pioneers and guardians of St. Paul’s mission, who pass their faithfulness on so generations of us are woven seamlessly into the tapestry that is Christ’s – and our – church here.
Let’s rejoice together: if Christ came today, he would find faith here!
Fr. Andrew
Special thanks to Sharon Strong for her gracious labor supporting this weekly reflection with her edits, suggestions, and ability to link and expand ideas.
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Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, `Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
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 Special Worship, Saturday, November 2nd, at 4pm. The Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool, Suffragan Bishop of Los Angeles, will lead a special Holy Communion service in support of Pride Weekend and the LGBT community. The Bishop will preside and preach, the Choir of St. Paul in the Desert will sing, and the Palm Springs Community will be welcomed. We will also observe our special All Saints prayers. There will be a special reception for Bishop Glasspool following the Saturday evening service. Sunday worship will be led by Canons Victoria Hatch and David Caffrey.
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It Was a GRAND Celebration!
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 Our 75th Anniversary Kickoff Dinner which was held in the Warsaw Ballroom of Temple Isaiah on Saturday night, October 12th. It brought together the strengths and treasures of our community: Christ-centered people breaking bread and laughing together with beloved friends. There was special entertainment provided by Derrick Lewis and Alan Scott, accompanied by Brent Reynolds; reminiscing by parishioners and Fr. Andrew; along with great food provided by Sherman’s Deli, Bakery & Catering. Even our Honorary Co-Chair, St. Paul’s Parishioner and Palm Springs Mayor, Steve Pougnet, made a surprise video appearance! Special thanks go to the organizing committee and for all who shared their talents or experiences. Special note should be made of Claudia McVeigh’s 75th logo design, Mike Funke’s place cards with pins and Michael Chacon’s beautiful centerpieces.
Click here to view a collage of photos from the event.
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March in the Pride Parade! November 3rd
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 St. Paul’s invites you to march in the Pride Parade on November 3rd! All members of the LGBTQ Community, their friends and supporters are invited to march with St. Paul’s contingent in the Pride Parade on Sunday November 3rd in the morning. All parishioners and their friends who march with the contingent will get a free commemorative 75th Anniversary T-shirt! The parade starts at Palm Canyon and Baristo at 10 AM. Gathering and formation of the Contingents starts @ 8:30. Please sign up in the Parish Hall during Coffee Hour. For more information, please call the Parish Office @ 760.320.7488, ext. 0.
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Social Justice Team Sponsors New Ministry
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The Katherine Finchy Partnership is a new ministry sponsored by our Social Justice Team that partners with Katherine Finchy Elementary School in Palm Springs to donate needed classroom supplies. There will be a basket in the Narthex to receive donations beginning Sunday, October 27th. Please take the list of needed items on the insert to the bulletin if you can participate in this ongoing ministry. Several parishioners have also volunteered to assist with students’ reading. For further information about how you can participate in the partnership please contact Audrey Spencer, 760-835-5506 or Jerry DiNoto, 760-416-7710.
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 Taize services will be offered at St Paul’s on the first Thursday of the month at 7pm; next on November 5th. In a quiet, peaceful setting, short songs are repeated again and again with just a few words to express a basic reality of faith. As these words are sung multiple times, our whole being is gradually permeated by this reality. Meditative singing thus becomes a way of listening to God and it allows everyone to take part in a time of prayer together. All are invited to come and experience this calming, prayerful moment in our hectic, daily lives.
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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! We will meet at the St. Paul’s Booth in Ruth Hardy Park, which will be open at 7:30 am.
Follow This Link to visit my team web page and help me in my efforts to support Desert AIDS Project.
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The Screwtape Letters – Theater Presentation
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The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis is produced by Fellowship for the Performing Arts, whose mission is to produce theater from a Christian worldview that engages a diverse audience. The Screwtape Letters is a provocative and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of the C. S. Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view. It will run at the Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave @ E Street, San Diego, on Saturday, October 19th at 4pm and 8pm. For tickets visit www.screwtapeonstage.com or call 619.570.1100.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Hebrew Scriptures with DVD
facilitated by Jerry DiNoto
10/20 Samuel & Saul – charismatic leadership and monarchy
10/27 King David – his charm, ruthlessness and faith
Year of St. Matthew, DVD series –
“Jesus and the Gospels” by Prof. Timothy Johnson.
Facilitated by Jerry Lynch 11/3 & 11/10 and
Craig Ewing 11/17 & 11/16
11/3 Gospel of Matthew-Synagogue Down the Street
11/10 Gospel of Matthew-The Messiah of Israel
11/17 Gospel of Matthew-Jesus and the Torah
11/26 Gospel of Matthew-Teacher and Lord
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In the Library
Contemplative Prayer … Prayer of the Heart,
led by David Caffrey
10/22 Desert Spirituality
10/29 Contemplation and the Eastern Christian Tradition
Peace & Justice Issues. (Led by Bob Hettinger)
11/5 In Various Religious Traditions:
Roman Catholic, Protestant & Evangelical”
11/12 War and Peace
11/19 The Affluent Society
11/26 The Civil Rights Movement
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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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“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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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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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.
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Well in the Desert
. . . is seeking volunteers to help prepare and/or serve dinners for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Volunteer applications are in the church hall. Please fill them out if you are interested and we will group FAX them. Thereafter you will be called with the particulars.
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The All Saints Remembrance
. . . will be published again for All Saints Sunday, November 3. Those names which have already been submitted will remain on the list, but if there are additional loved ones you wish to include, please submit them to susan.jacob@stpaulsps.org no later than Monday, October 28.
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Family & Children’s Ministry
Family & Children’s Ministry is planning a fun afternoon in Oak Glen on Nov. 3rd. We invite kids & adults to enjoy fun in the foothills near Yucaipa with a picnic, visiting the museum, petting zoo and apple orchards of Oak Glen. We leave church at 12:30 pm and return by 4. Call Bonnie Stroock to reserve a ride or join the group.
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75th Anniversary T-shirts are now in! For those people who received IOU’s for the T-shirts at the Anniversary Kickoff Dinner, you may pick them up in the Parish Office or please see Br. John Westaway at Coffee Hour after the 8 AM and 10:30 services.
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The Order of the
Daughters of the King
. . . next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 22, at 1:15 pm in the condo behind the church office. So that we may have a closer bond with all ladies of the congregation, we invite you to attend the meeting in order to see what DOK is about. We are a Prayer, Service, and Evangelism Order. Please take a look at the bulletin board just to the right as you enter the Parish Hall. Any questions, please call Val Ferguson at 760-799-5927 or 760-671-5372.
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THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR
. . .every Wednesday at 6pm in the Choir Room. All children age 4 and above are invited to participate in this activity learning musical skills while having fun and assisting in the congregation’s worship. For more information please contact Nathan Ensign at 760.320.7488 ext 225.
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 Godly Play
This Bible story-centered children’s curriculum aims at ages 4-9. It is held during the 10:30 Sunday service in the corner room of the parish hall. Nursery care is also available. A short parent and staff meeting will take place in the Godly Play room after church on Sunday. Bring your young children to church or invite friends who have grandkids of this age to join us. Call Bonnie Stroock for more information at 760.324.7949.
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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 November 13th 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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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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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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