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We Hold One Another Dearly
I am getting ready to go.
Last Sunday, I preached at St. Paul’s for the last time before I leave on a four month Sabbatical and vacation. This week, I am tying up loose ends and finishing things. Although I won’t preach this week, I will reflect on our Gospel selection.
I am getting ready to go.
Jesus is preparing his disciples for the reality of his mission from God. That mission goes beyond signs and wonders and confronts the powers that run the world and the temple. It will take him to the cross and resurrection. Jesus is getting the disciples ready. They don’t understand now, but with time and the Spirit, they will.
His teaching here focuses on “keeping” Jesus’ commandments. Brian Stoffregan reminds his readers that this can sound a like an exhortation to “follow the rules.” He suggests that we understand it as “holding dear” the commandments of Jesus. If we do, then the emphasis continues to be about building and deepening one’s relationship with Jesus and one another.
It is that continuing relationship with Jesus that will be the basis of the mission the disciples are given. It continues to be the basis of our mission at St. Paul’s. We are asked to hold dearly that mission. We are invited to care about it and attend to it. Much more than going to church, it is being church.
Jesus promised his Spirit to his friends to guide them and support them as they embodied Jesus in the world. We are recipients of that same promise. Jesus gives his Spirit to us as we embody his mission, as we “hold dear” his commandments, as we love and serve an ever expanding circle of those Jesus loves.
I will “hold dearly” our Parish as I begin this Sabbatical and I know the Parish “holds dearly” Susan and me.
As you join in worship this week to practice for and rejoice in Jesus’ mission, may we each renew our calling from God and hold one another dearly.
Fr. Andrew
Beginning next week, Jerry DiNoto will offer his reflections in this space.
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John 14:15-21
Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
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As you know, Fr. Andrew has left on well earned annual vacation and 3 month sabbatical, his second after 25 years as Rector. It is a time for him (and Susan part of the time) to relax, grow and renew so that he can return refreshed for the next chapter of his ministry with us. It is a part of Episcopal tradition to give the members and friends of the parish an opportunity to contribute to a Sabbatical Fund to assist in an extended and meaningful time away. It’s still not too late to be a part of this effort and we invite you to write a tax-deductible check payable to “St. Paul in the Desert” noted for the Sabbatical Fund and either place it in the offering plate or send it to the Parish Office. It is through this fund that Fr. Andrew will be able to submit appropriate expenses through our usual business expense reimbursement procedure.
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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
5/25 Memorial Day Weekend. No Session
American Religious Movements:
Presentation & discussion on some of the American-founded, Christian-based denominations.
6/1 Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints: Led by Rick Tinsley
6/8 NO SESSION- Pentecost
6/15 Jehovah Witnesses: Led by Rick Tinsley
6/22 Christian Science: Led by Jerry Di Noto
6/29 Seventh Day Adventists: Led by Rick Tinsley
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In The Library
Responding To Our Baptismal Promises. An interactive approach incorporating Social Justice issues.
Facilitators:
Jerry Di Noto, Audrey Spenser-Morris, Br. John Charles Westaway.
5/27 Respecting the Dignity of ALL people?
“A Grief Observed”, by C.S. Lewis.
Book study facilitated by Craig Ewing.
A discussion of this short, yet powerful exploration into one man’s response to great personal loss. Twelve books will be available at the first session for $10 each or may be purchased on Amazon.
6/3 Introduction and Orientation / C. S. Lewis and Joy Davidson
6/10 Life, loss and living in grief
6/17 Who is God in the most grievous of times?
6/24 Grace, patience, and moving forward.
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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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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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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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Faith Formation will continue through the summer with classes Sunday mornings at 9:15 AM in the Library and Movie Nights on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library. Stay tuned for themes and movie selections.
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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
“WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF THEE? DO JUSTICE AND TO LOVE KINDNESS, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD.”
MICAH 6:8
You are invited to attend the Social Justice meeting Thursday, June 12th’ at 7 p.m. We meet in the church library.
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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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Taizé Services
will be on
vacation until
October 2, 2014
See You Then!
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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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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 June 11th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
The hosts for the Coffee Hour after the 8 AM service are Jessica & Marcus Scott in memory of their daughter, Kyara Scott. Hosts for the 10:30 AM service are Oz and Ruth Kraus.
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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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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