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Sabbatical With Jesus
This week I am going to take advantage of our Gospel focus, meeting Jesus on the road, to reflect on my upcoming Sabbatical. It begins at the end of May.
On the evening of Easter, Jesus joins some disciples as they return to their home. They are dejected and he is unexpected, but his presence gives them hope and purpose. This experience is generalized for Christians today. The risen Jesus meets us in the ordinary activities of life – walking and eating – and transforms us. Despite our seeking connection and relationship with God, these transforming experiences are often unexpected.
The Sabbatical is an extended leave from the usual work routine. First, it is a break. In addition to my yearly vacation, I will be taking a three month leave. I begin on May 23rd and return to lead worship on September 20-21st.
Second, it is a time of rest so that I may return to the ministry we share, recharged and renewed. Those of you who know me, are aware that I don’t do rest very well. Part of this Sabbatical is for me to focus on self-care and return with a different balance.
Third, it will be a time for me to explore some new skills or renew some that might be better used. I will be engaging in ministry that has impact across the Episcopal Church. Although I have had wider responsibilities for many years, I will be in a leadership role that is new to me. In addition, I will be learning to assist congregations that are in transition. This will be part of a new certification in Transition Ministry. Finally, I continue to believe that using Spanish will be important to my ministry and our mission as a congregation, so I will spend some time in intensive language learning, again.
Fourth, Bp. Mathes encouraged me to take time in the Sabbatical that was just for me, something I would do just for joy. I will be spending a week at the Village Harmony Camp in Oregon, singing. I love to sing and hope to learn how to hear and sing in harmony.
All of our Parish Leadership are very active in working to assure worship, pastoral, and administrative coverage during this time. A separate publication will detail this coverage. It will also be a time when our leadership and congregation practice different ways of doing ministry.
I am incredibly grateful for this Sabbatical opportunity, and look forward to this time of rest, reflection, re-tooling, and renewal.
Join in worship this week, and join me in this Sabbatical, as we prepare to be surprised by Jesus’ Easter presence that calls us to service and gives us powerful joy.
Fr. Andrew
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Luke 24:13-35
On the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ followers were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
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Sophie Marie Olson was born to
Sarah and Shaun Olson on April 23rd.
Sarah is Worship Coordinator at 8 AM.
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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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Juanita Bosworth
May 15, 1916 – April 15, 2014
A celebration of life for Juanita Bosworth, who died April 15, 2014, will be held at St. Paul’s on May 17th at 11:00 AM. Juanita was a very long time member of the Parish and attended the 10:30 service.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
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
5/11 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
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 Desert Resource Center, 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 “S.O.S” fund. We are also looking for new volunteers willing to assist residents as they visit the on-site “God’s Closet” used clothing repository, and we hope to have a “team” together for this new program by early June. We encourage everyone with a little time to spare to join us in this opportunity for service and fellowship. For more information, please 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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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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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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“MEDIA” VOLUNTEER NEEDED AT ST. PAUL’S
A volunteer is needed to transmit times and dates of services and special events to The Desert Sun (and possibly other news outlets) on a regular basis, for publication in their listing of “Upcoming Activities”. This does not involve writing any articles, it does not involve attending any meetings, and it can be done from home on your own schedule. Training will be provided. To volunteer for this important outreach ministry or for more information, please call Br. John Charles at 760.320.7488 in the Church office.
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SOCIAL JUSTICE
Our next Social Justice meeting will be held Thursday, May 8th, @ 7p.m. in St. Paul’s Library. Please join us as we explore our attitudes concerning the dignity of work. As Christ’s hands and feet, how do we confer equal dignity to our fellow travelers who work to uplift humanity? “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” -The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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MEMORIAL DAY CAMP AT CAMP STEVENS
Camp Stevens Memorial Day Family Camp is May 24-26. Come and kick off summer in the mountains as you swim, hike, make crafts, play, sing and relax with families and friends. Get more information about the San Diego Diocese’s camp in Julian at www.campstevens.org/family.
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ECW MAY LUNCHEON !
The last gathering of the season for the Episcopal Church Women will be a luncheon on Thursday, May1, at noon in the Parish Hall, and will feature a White Elephant gift exchange. Please bring a wrapped item for the exchange. Those attending should also bring a salad to serve six, rolls, or a dessert. Beverages will be provided. For additional information, contact Kathy Briski, (760) 864-7145.
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Taizé Services
will be on
vacation until
October 2, 2014
See You Then!
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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
Please join us for coffee in the Parish Hall. The Hosts for the 8:00 service are Kevin Kirkpatrick & Ana Mercado. The Daughters of the King are the Hosts for the 10:30 service.
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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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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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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