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Who is lost?
Mary and Joseph would naturally and understandably be in a panic when they discover that Jesus is not with the group of travelers. Can you imagine their feelings when, after three days of searching, finally finding him? I can just hear Mary saying, “We assumed you with us and we were frantic when we realized you were not to be found. Your father and I did not survive angel visits, birth in a manger, and living like refugees in Egypt, only to have you get lost in Jerusalem.”
Traditionally this gospel passage is seen as Jesus’ growing up story. Yet, as I reflect on this beautiful passage, I don’t see Jesus as the one who is lost, or the only one growing up. Jesus seems to be fully aware of who he is and what he is called to do. It does speak to me about Mary and Joseph growing in their understanding and faith, as well as our own growing into deeper and more authentic relationships with God, each other and our world.
There are times when we can be busy, scurrying around and taking care of our business. We become lost in preoccupation, only to come to the realization that we haven’t had Christ’s presence with us for quite a while. Perhaps it has been only a few days, perhaps much longer. We assumed Christ’s presence, but somewhere on our journey we realize that we left Christ behind. What is our response? What would we be willing to do in order to search find Christ again? Would we drop everything and search with the same passion, anguish, and determination that Joseph and Mary did? Would we even be alarmed at all?
When we find those times that we have lost spiritual focus and drifted away from Jesus, we need to be prepared to search for Jesus in prayer, in the Scriptures, in our fellowship with our faith community, and not give up until we find him. When we do find him, let’s not be surprised to find him doing exactly what Mary and Joseph found him doing. He will be about his father’s business waiting for us to join him. In fact, when we find that Jesus isn’t accompanying us the way we might have thought, it’s almost always because we went off doing our business rather than God’s.
Jesus knew that he needed to be about his Father’s business and so should we! It is the business of reflecting God’s love, compassion, healing and presence to all.
Jerry DiNoto
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Luke 2:41-52
Now the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
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Patricia Minton Sivcovich
10/20/1952 – 12/12/2014
Patti was a vital part of our Parish community.
She was the Soprano Section Leader for the choir and had recently been responsible for scheduling the various worship ministers.
In addition, Patti was a regular worshiper when she was not singing and was a hub for various kinds of fellowship and social activities.
Please remember Patti in your prayers, as well as Steve, her beloved husband.
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St. Paul’s Makes Gift to Diocesan Capital Campaign
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The Diocese of San Diego is concluding a multi-year Capital Campaign. As of this writing, the campaign has exceeded its goal of $2,500,000.00! You can learn more about the Capital Campaign here.
The Vestry of St. Paul’s has made a gift to the Capital Campaign of $30,000.00. This gift represents a portion of the bequests we have received in the past year.
Read the entire article here.
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Bequests Received in 2014
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St. Paul in the Desert received four bequests this year. Bequests are used according to the donors designation, or if undesignated, according to the policy of the Vestry.
Bequests were received from:
The Estate of Shirley Gary
The Estate of Forrest Harrell
The Estate of Gene and Peggy Wilczak
The Estate of Neal Boden
The Wilczak Family requested that a portion be used to support the rebuilding of the piano in the Choir Room.
Neal Boden asked that a plaque be placed in the Meditation Garden in Memory of Neal, his dogs Julie and Caroline, and his love for all animals.
St. Paul’s is grateful to receive these generous gifts. The Vestry will be using a portion of these for some projects to improve our facilities and to support the Capital Campaign of the Diocese.
Every member in encouraged to consider making a gift to the work of St. Paul’s as you develop estate plans and make a will or trust.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Welcome to The Episcopal Café Discussion Group! Sessions will be held in the Chapel Room in the Parish Hall. These discussion/sharing sessions are based on online topics from Episcopal websites,
1/4 Torture and the Cross Facilitator: Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
Read the article here
1/11 The Anosognosia of Racism Facilitator: Br. John Charles
Read the article here
1/18 Transgender Priest Rachel Mann Made Minor Canon at
Manchester Cathedral Facilitator: Craig Ewing
Read the article here
1/25 Annual Meeting: No Café session
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“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library”
Christian Mysticism & Mystics
1/6 The Cloud of Unknowing and the Mystic Tradition.
Led by Rev. Canon David Caffrey
1/13 Teihard de Chardin. Led by Craig Ewing
1/20 Julian of Norwich. Led by Br. John Charles Westaway
1/27 de Caussade / Evelyn Underhill. Led by Rev. Andrew Green
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“Christmas at Roy’s Desert Resource Center”
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It’s never too late! For the past several years, St. Paul’s has raised money to buy Christmas gift cards for the residents at Roy’s Desert Resource Center. Each Roy’s resident received a $25 gift card that can be used to purchase clothes and other essentials at a local retailer. Please join in showing your support for this important outreach with a donation – simply make your check payable to “St. Paul-in-the-Desert” and put “Roy’s Christmas” in the memo line. Drop it in the plate on Sunday or bring it to the church office Our target this year is to raise $2,500 by the end of December, so please give early and give often!”
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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 John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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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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Christmas isn’t over ‘til the decorations are put away. Please join your fellow parishioners Friday, January 9th at 9:00 am to help take down the decorations and pack them away for next year.
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Taize Services return on Thursday, February 5th at 7 PM in the Church.
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On Friday, January 16th at 7:30 p.m. we will present the
Plymouth State University Chamber Singers from New Hampshire.
Under the direction of Dr. Dan Perkins, this 21 voice choir will sing a program with works by such known composers as Whitacre, Bernstein, The Beatles, Part and others as a benefit for The Friends of Roy’s Foundation. Donations are graciously received at the door and a reception will follow to welcome singers and community guests.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL
(FORMERLY “GODLY PLAY”)
NEEDS –-> YOU
We are looking for volunteers to be Story Tellers and/or Doorkeepers (observers) for our Sunday School program during the 10:30 service. This is an opportunity to teach children through biblical readings and activities selected by the Sunday School Team from an Episcopal curriculum. If you are interested in volunteering or want more information, please contact Ted Barjas at 760.902.1014.
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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 January 14, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Coffee Hour following the 10:30 AM service is hosted by Louisa and David Caffrey and Cheryl and Ray Kelley.
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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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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A WELCOMING, EMPOWERING, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
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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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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