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Reflections: From Jerry Di Noto
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Another sibling rivalry account!
Our reading from Genesis is a somber scripture story about siblings. The brothers of Joseph were so envious of their father’s love for him that they colluded to hurt or destroy Joseph. In the end they did not kill him, rather they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. As we know, this is not the end of Joseph’s story. This is only the middle, but I believe there is particular meaning in this mid-story ending.
Like Joseph in the pit, no matter who we are or what we’re experiencing, we don’t know what the future holds. But like Joseph we are called to believe in the One who holds the future. We believe that in whatever future we move into, God is already there. No matter where we are or what we’re facing, we’re just in the middle of our story. We may look into the unknown future and say, “there will be trouble – there will be problems- there will be pits,” but we can look straight into the unknown and say, “God is already there.”
This story also reminds me that some family relationships or friendships may break down or even drift apart. We may even harbor negative feelings and thoughts about these individuals. This should not be the conclusion of our life stories; we can begin a new chapter by reaching out to those from whom we have slipped away. We can take the first step in reflecting our healing, forgiving and loving God in reestablishing those bonds.
As we learn from the ongoing story of Joseph, God can lift us out of any life pit.
Lifting our arms would help!
Blessings,
Jerry DiNoto
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Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. This is the story of the family of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.
Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” He answered, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron.
He came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said; “tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” The man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, `Let us go to Dothan.'” So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him” — that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to hi s father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Welcome to The Episcopal Café’ Discussion Group! Sessions held in Parish Hall Chapel.
These discussion-sharing sessions are based on online topics from Episcopal websites.
Participants can pre-read discussion articles on the sites indicated. The Episcopal Café discussion group topics and websites are:
8/10 “Spreading the word – A Liberal Response”
Facilitated by Audry Spencer
Click to read
8/17 “So Am I A Christian or Not?”
Facilitated by Jerry DiNoto
Click to read
8/24 “There’s No Such Thing As An Atheist Baby”
Facilitated by Craig Ewing
Click to read
8/31 NO SESSION Labor Day Weekend Holiday
9/7 Immigration Advocacy Update (referred by Bishop Mathes)
Click to read
9/14 “Eight Things the Church Needs to Say” – by Tom Ehrich @ religious news service
Click to read
9/21 “Whatever Happened to Inclusive Language?”
Click to read
9/28 “Transgender Priest Rachel Mann Made Minor Canon at Manchester Cathedral”
Click to read
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“Tuesdays at 7” In The Library
Join us for movies on Tuesdays at 7 PM in the Library!
8/12 Movie: Driving Miss Daisy Facillitator: Audry Spencer
8/19 Movie: Rain Man Facillitator: Craig Ewing
8/26 Movie: Nebraska Facillitator: Jerry DiNoto
In September: Celebrating 40 Years of Woman’s Ordination
9/2 No Session Labor Day Holiday
9/9 & 9/16 Book Discussion: The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me- The Writings of Suzanne Hiatt. Authors: Carter Heyward and Janine Lehane, Editors. As we observe the 40th anniversary of the irregular ordination of the group of women who became known as the “Philadelphia Eleven,” Carter Heyward and Janine LeHane gather the writings of Sue Hiatt, considered “bishop to the women” and leader of the movement that led to that momentous occasion.
9/23 & 9/30 Book Discussion: Looking Forward, Looking Backward: Forty Years of Women’s Ordination by Fredrica Harris Thompsett (Editor)
This is a wide-ranging exploration of the past, present, and future effects of women’s ordination on the church. Both books are available through Amazon.
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Volunteers Needed – Roy’s Desert Resource Center!
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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. 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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A WELCOMING, EMPOWERING, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
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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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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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St. Paul’s
Social Justice Ministry
will meet Thursday, August 14th, at 7 pm in the church library. Please be prepared to join our discussion as we plan next years agenda.
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Taizé Services
will be on
vacation until
October 2, 2014
See You Then!
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ST. PAUL’S CAMPER’S MEETING AUG. 3 AFTER 10:30 SERVICE!
St. Paul’s Campers are going up to Idyllwild County Campground on August 15 through the 17th! Come and enjoy the cool mountain air and tall pine trees. Sign up in the Godly Play Room or call Bonnie Stroock at 760-324-7949.
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Piano Fund Update:
To date, the Church has received 53 donations totaling $11,295.
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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 August 13, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Luisa Caffrey and Suzanne Trackman will host this morning’s coffee hour following the 10:30 AM service.
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. There are several Sundays available through the end of 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
Is on vacation for the Summer! Check back with us in September!
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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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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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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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