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Running Toward The Tomb
Lent is designed to be a long haul. The name comes from the days lengthening in the Spring. The disciplines associated with Lent are about reflection and transformation, which take time to develop.
Week by week we have read about various people and how an encounter with Jesus transformed them – or initiated the process of change. The leader who questions Jesus by night, the water drawing woman who learns about herself, the blind man who sees more than all the scholars and leaders, and the dead man who comes out of the burial cave and was released to life were examples of how far God is willing to go to heal, restore, and transform US.
The last week of this long haul is packed. Holy Week is packed with different ways of walking with Jesus, and our fellow disciples, as he offers himself for the world. Jesus leads us into serving others, sharing with others at his table, watching with him when we would rather sleep, witnessing his gift of forgiveness from the cross, and he finds us when we search for him at Easter.
This Holy Week is so full that it is difficult to walk one step at a time. I have to work to be patient and pay attention to each day. Like Peter, who regularly missed the point and was unable to wait with Jesus, I want to run to the tomb – I want to skip the difficult and heartbreaking steps and see the Risen Jesus.
This Holy Week invites me and all of us to walk, not run, for a few more days. There are opportunities to gather with other beloved disciples and seekers as we attend carefully to each step that Jesus takes this week. And there is encouragement. I remember Tony Campolo preaching about Holy Week. He said something like, “Friday is tough, but Sunday is coming!”
Join in worship as we practice walking with Jesus for a few more days – before we break into a run.
Fr. Andrew
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John 20:1-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
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Albert Francis Warman
April 27, 1938 – March 30, 2014
A celebration of life for Al Warman, retired sexton and friend of St. Paul’s will be held on Saturday, April 26th at 11:00 AM.
Al worked at as Sexton at St. Paul’s for 20 years and lived on the property. Being a part of this community was one of the joys of his life.
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A celebration of life for Neal Boden, who died Sunday, April 6th, will be held at St. Paul’s on Saturday, May 3rd at 11:00 AM. Neal and his retired service dog was always a festive presence at our 10:30 Sunday Service.
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Desert Convocation: Building a Community of Conversation
Bp. Sue Moxley
April 10-30, 2014
 Our next visitor in the Desert Convocation will be the Rt. Rev. Sue Moxley. At the end of March, Bp. Sue will retire after 10 years as bishop in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Bp. Sue has been married to her husband, Bruce, for 47 years. The Moxleys will be with us for about three weeks, including during Holy Week and Easter
There are already connections with St. Paul in the Desert. Mel and Beryl Parsons, in St. Paul’s Choir, are friends from Nova Scotia. I am told that they love to share a good Curry. Bp. Chilton Knutson, our first Desert Convocation guest, was the Bishop of Maine and preached at Bp. Sue’s consecration. I met Bp. Sue in Salt Lake City last July at the Stewardship Conference of the Episcopal Stewardship Network.
Bruce Moxley is a golfer and would love to be invited to play.
All invitation should be routed through the Rector rector@stpaulsps.org so that our guests are not overburdened and their personal time is respected.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
4/27 Rise to Healing from your hurt by the Church,
Hosted by Jerry DiNoto
How Do You Live As An Easter Person:
Personal Shared Reflections of the 1st Peter Epistle
5/4 1st Peter 1:17-23 – “Love one another from the Heart?”
Led by Jerry Di Noto
5/13 1st Peter 2:19-25- “Endure when you are beaten?”
Led by Audrey Spencer-Morris
5/18 1st Peter 2:2-10 – “Are you a Living Stone?”
Led by Rev. Victoria Hatch
5/25 Memorial Day Weekend. No Session
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In The Library
A Call to Stewardship
4/22 Part I
4/29 Part II
Led by George Holiday & Bishop Sue Moxley.
Tuesdays @ 7:00 – Responding To Our Baptismal Promises. An interactive approach incorporating Social Justice issues.
Facilitators:
Jerry Di Noto, Audrey Spenser-Morris, Br. John Charles Westaway.
5/6 Who is My Neighbor?
5/13 Seeking and Serving?
5/20 Striving for Peace and Justice?
5/27 Respecting the Dignity of ALL people?
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center
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Volunteers needed for Roy’s Desert Resource Center! St. Paul’s is expanding its outreach to the men, women and children of Roy’s, one of the Coachella Valley’s largest transitional living facilities for the homeless. New volunteers are needed to assist in our continuing Monday night dessert service to Roy’s residents, as are baked goods, used clothing, and donations to our Roy’s “SOS” fund. We are also looking for new volunteers willing to assist residents as they visit the on-site “God’s Closet” clothing repository. We are hoping to a have “team” together for this new program by early April. We expect to have additional volunteer needs as we expand our ministry over the next few months, and encourage everyone with a little time to spare to join us in this opportunity for service and fellowship. For more information, contact Chris Kelly at 760.406.2978. We would love to hear from you!
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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 John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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Bullying Behavior Not Welcome Here
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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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“A Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive”
Ministry!
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Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Paul’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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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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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Please observe that the office is not open for walk-ins on Mondays. If you call, please leave a message. In case of emergencies, a priest will return your call.
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SOCIAL JUSTICE WISDOM
“The Roots of Violence: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without
humanity, Worship without sacrifice, Politics without principles.” Mahatma Ghandi
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 The Order of the Daughters of the King‘s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 22nd at 1:15 pm in the Condo behind the church office. In order to have a closer bond with all the ladies of our congregation, we invite and welcome you to attend the meeting in order to see what DOK is about. We are a Prayer, Service, and Evangelism Order. Please pause and look at our bulletin board located 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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A Taizé Service
. . . is held on the first Thursday of the month. Currently the service schedule is May 1st at 7:00 pm.
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CONCERT TO BENEFIT DESERT BLIND AND HANDICAPPED ASSN.
An Evening with John Granet and Friends to benefit the Desert Blind and Handicapped Association will be presented at Temple Isaiah, 332 West Alejo Road in Palm Springs on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, beginning with a Reception at 6 PM followed by a Concert at 6:30 PM. The concert features John Granet, pianist, composer and parishioner here at St. Paul’s with vocalists Keisha D’Allesandro and Rob Thomas. Tickets are $40 per person, and can be purchased on line at desertblind.org/unforgettable-concert or by calling 760-778-8552.
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COME BOWLING
 . . . on Sunday, May 4th at the Palm Springs Lanes at 68051 Ramon, just East of the wash. Family and Children’s Ministry invites adults and kids to come bowling at 12:30. Cost is just $10 for shoes, food and bowling. Call Bonnie Stroock to RSVP – 760-324-7949.
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Camp Stevens applications have arrived and are in the parish hall! Imagine your kids or grandkids enjoying the beautiful hills of Julian at the church camp for the Diocese of San Diego. Camping trips to the Sierra Nevada are available for teens and adults, as well. Write to: info@campstevens.org to get the schedules.
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THE DAUGHTERS
OF THE
KING
. . . will be training prospective members during the next two months. We are meeting in Palm Springs on Monday afternoons. Join us to see how the DOK Rule of Prayer and Service can work in your life. Call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949 for more information.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE
FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
Holy Communion at Windsor Court, 201 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, is hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of the month, next, on May 14th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Alleluia, Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed, Alleluia! Happy Easter! Because of Easter Sunday, there is no Coffee Hour. Please consider signing up to host a Coffee Hour in 2014. A binder at the entrance to the Parish Hall indicates available Sundays throughout the year. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on Wednesday’s from 10am -1pm in Hogarth Hall. Whether you wish to learn to knit or crochet or are an expert needleworker, we welcome you. Needles, hooks and yarn are provided. Please drop in to create and enjoy our prayerfully made creations.
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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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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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Our Partnership
with
Katherine Finchy
Elementary School
. . . continues through our donations of classroom supplies. Please take a blue classroom supply wish list, available from the ushers, (or view and print), to use when you go shopping. Please place your donations in the basket marked “Katherine Finchy Elementary” located in the Narthex. You may also bring your purchased supplies to the Church Office during business hours. If you are unable to shop, but would like to help financially, please make your check out to “St. Paul in the Desert” and write “Katherine Finchy” on the memo line.
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