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One Heart and Soul
The very earliest community of Jesus’ disciples a short time after his resurrection were described as being united and connected, being”of one heart and soul.”. Their love for God and their concern for this new gathering came first – as they began to form the first community of church and mission. This reading from the Acts of the Apostles makes it clear that the community of the Risen Jesus was living out his teaching. The poor among them were lifted up and honored, while the rich sacrificed for the benefit of the others. This is a high standard for communities of faith.
Troy Troftgruben reflects on this passage at Working Preacher.org and reminds us that this passage is “read best not as blueprints for today but as glimpses of dynamic experiences by a community enlivened by God’s Spirit. And so, these texts say less about model church practices and more about the dynamic power of God among believers.” I have seen evidence of this kind of community among us today. It is not so much about us, and how faithfully we live, but it is about an immediate awareness that God is active – even now and even in our midst.
God’s power is worked out in relationship.
Bp. Sue Moxley is teaching our Social Justice Team about how our world wide community of Episcopalians/Anglicans – the Anglican Peace and Justice Network – is moving to the awareness of how we can manifest God’s power in bringing the world together. It is not by agreeing with one another. It is by being with one another, listening to one another, and by sincerely praying for the needs of one another. The relationships that develop from this disciplined caring are the hearts and souls that witness to God’s love.
I believe that during this Easter Season, God is asking us to look after each other in the body of Christ as a sacramental witness to God’s love, and as practice for reaching out beyond our walls and beyond our borders – for the work of reconciliation. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Acts 4:32-35
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
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Bishop Mathes Easter Greetings
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“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library”
4/14 Anglican Perspective on Peace and Justice, Part 2:
Presented by Bishop Moxley
4/21 Renewing the Face of the Earth: Environment/Sustainability,
Part 1: Facilitator: Br. John Charles Westaway
4/28 Renewing the Face of the Earth:Environment/Sustainability,
Part 2: Facilitator: Audrey Spencer
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Our Homeless Brothers and Sisters
Still Need Your Help
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Our goal now is to resume monthly deliveries of new underwear and socks to Roy’s residents – a gift that is both urgently needed and much appreciated. Please help feed the hungry and clothe the naked with a financial contribution this month. Simply drop your check, payable to “St. Paul in the Desert,” in the collection plate or hand it to an usher with a notation on the “memo” line that it is for the “Roy’s Fund.” For more information contact Chris Kelly at 760-406-2978. Both the Roy’s team and residents are truly grateful for your support.
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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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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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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
The church office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a lunch break from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.
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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A celebration of life will be held for Jeanine Moore on Saturday, April 11TH at 11:00 AM.
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Children’s Baptisms
. . . will take place Sunday, May 17th at the 10:30 service with Bishop Mathes presiding. If you would like to have your child baptized, please call Marco Barrios in the Parish Office at 760.320.7488, ext. 227, to schedule an appointment with Fr. Andrew.
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Save the Date:
Saturday, May 2nd, from 9 AM to Noon. Fr. David Caffrey will present a workshop on Intercessory Prayer in the Parlor of the Parish Hall. The Daughters of the King host this event and invite all interested Parishioners to attend.
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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 13, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Please consider hosting a Coffee Hour celebration. 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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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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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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