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Where Do We Belong?
In Jesus’ prayer of this week’s passage, he shares with God that he has insured the disciples’ belonging to God, their protection while in the world, and that he has given them the “full measure” of his joy. He asks God to sanctify them by the truth of his becoming flesh – fully man, yet fully God’s “word” – which truth they now know and accept.
This prayer is our present inheritance and speaks to power as we go out to minister to a world we are not part of, and which often opposes us.
We Christians are challenged to negotiate our relationship with this world as people of faith. Our spiritual beliefs manifest themselves in our concern for other people, our family and friends, as well as strangers and even enemies. And our beliefs manifest themselves in our care of God’s creation, the world we live in. Our faith makes us stewards and calls us to take action.
Water is a precious resource, throughout the world and in our valley. All of us know of the current drought and the probable drought-like future. St. Paul’s is taking steps to be responsible stewards of the water we use. We are carefully considering how to manage our landscaping to be good stewards of water as well as providing a beautiful place for our members and the hundreds of others who use our campus. As you see changes, please know the they are in response to our understanding of our faith. We don’t belong to the world, but Jesus sends us to serve the world. Our response to the drought is one such service.
Join us in praying for wisdom, creativity, and a heart that is filled with love for God’s world.
Fr. Andrew
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John 17:6-19
Looking up to heaven, Jesus prayed, “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
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Snapshot of the Episcopal Church
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Over the last three years Fr. Andrew has been a part of the House of Deputies Committee on the State of the Church. It provided a report for the General Convention of the Church that will meet this summer in Salt Lake City, Read the whole report here.
The Committee, in partnership with the Forward Movement, has offered a very short summary of the report.Read the summary here.
Fr. Andrew is very proud of the report and the excellent work of the amazing members of the committee.
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A History of St. Paul in the Desert
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A CHURCH GROWS IN THE DESERT
by Robert Louis Semes
A history of the first 75 years of St. Paul in the Desert has just been published. Copies will be available at a table in the Parish Hall during the Coffee Hours and they will be available at the Front Office during office hours from Tuesdays through Fridays. The cost is $20.00.
The author, the Rev. Robert Louis Semes, is an historian who has retired to Palm Springs. This is his third parish history to be published. He will be available to sign copies of his book at the Coffee Hour after the 10:30 service on May 31st.
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The United Thank Offering Returns!
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 The United Thank Offering is making it’s return to St. Paul’s. The UTO is a ministry, started in 1871, where Episcopalians give thanks to God for special gifts. Blue cardboard boxes or envelopes are used for coins, bills or checks that are sent to the UTO offices in New York. The money that is collected then underwrites grants that are requested for ministries in the USA and overseas. One local example is a church in San Diego that was granted money for the purchase of a portable shower. It has been used by the homeless in their area and is now a part of the “Showers of Blessings” program at the Episcopal Church Center. Please think about your blessings and plan to bring an offering to put in the special UTO baskets at church on May 24th, the Day of Pentecost. Blue envelopes will available during the month of June in the pew pockets or a limited number of blue boxes will be available from the Sunday School, Bonnie Stroock or the Parish throughout the month of May. Please help support this ministry and take a blue box home this week. Please think about your blessings and plan to bring an offering of thanksgiving to put in the special UTO baskets on Saturday May 23rd or Sunday, May 24th.
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Bishop’s Discretionary Fund
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As is customary when the Bishop visits, any undesignated offerings will be donated to the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund. This fund is used throughout the year to support emergencies and other non-budgeted ministries that may occur. Your contributions enable the Diocese of San Diego to respond quickly and appropriately to a wide variety of human and social needs both within, and when necessary, outside the Diocese.
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“Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café returns in The Chapel”
5/17 Confirmation Sunday- Bishop’s Visit: NO SESSION
5/24 The Power of Pentecost
5/31 What Is Your Story?
6/7 Episcopal Café Session-
Reclaiming Climate Change as a Moral Issue
6/14 Episcopal Café Session- Can We Inconvenience Ourselves a Little?
6/ 21 Episcopal Café Session- Why Institutions Matter
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“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library”
5/19 Accessing the Psalms.
Presented by Jerry Di Noto
5/26 A Zen Perspective on the Psalms.
Presented by Bro. John Charles Westaway
6/2 Writing the Sacred. A Psalm inspired path to appreciating and writing sacred poetry led by guest presenter Ray McGinnis
6/9 Book of Common Prayer. Orientation/Offices. Facilitated by Bro. John Charles
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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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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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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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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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Taizé Worship
. . . service will be held on June 4th at 7 PM. This is a contemplative, candle-lit service of chanting, prayer and meditation. All are welcome to join us. Bring a candle and a friend! This will be our last Taize service before summer break.
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ST. PAUL’S CAMPERS
Several of St. Paul’s camper members are planning for our annual Idyllwild summer outing on July 17 to 19. Can you join us up in the cool pine trees and fun atmosphere of the Idyllwild County Camp Ground? Adults, kids, even dogs, are welcome. Contact Bonnie Stroock to make a reservation 760-324-7949 or bcstroock @aol.com.
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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 10th, 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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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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