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Message from Canon Victoria Hatch
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“Come away and rest…”
A common theme throughout the Gospel reading concerns time away. However, deeply-rooted in our western ethos is a tension between ‘doing’ and ‘being.’ It might even be said that a core value of our earliest settlers, particularly in New England, was an emphasis on ‘doing.’ Value was given to ‘doing,’ while ‘being’ was not valued or at the very least, under-valued.
It seems to me that Jesus comes from a very different place. Jesus shows us, through behavior and words, the practice of taking time way, apart from our day-to-day regular routine, to ‘be.’ We see in our gospel this week, that Jesus invites us to take time for refreshment and renewal. If we do take time for reflection or renewal, or even for re-creation, we become less lethargic, depressed and anxious. We can see beyond the end of our noses.
Jesus gives us a model of balance in our lives. Even though the story in our gospel shows Jesus and the disciples attempting to get away, it is short lived. There is that oft quoted idiom, “All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.” This is not Jesus’ last time encouraging the disciples to come away and rest. There appears to be a clear understanding for Jesus to show his disciples – not only the twelve, but also us – that the balanced life is preferred. Saint Benedict in the fifth century established what has been referred to as the Rule of Saint Benedict. His Rule became the foundation for monastic life in the western Church. Its very premise is the balanced life – work, prayer and rest, sometimes referred as ‘Ora et Labora.’
I believe that God in Christ calls us to take time to reflect upon life, but also to live a balanced life. As with the three-legged stool of Anglicanism (scripture, tradition and reason), it is hard to be productive without all three elements being engaged.
Blessings,
Canon Victoria+
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Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were heale
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Mark Your Calendar for a COOL Treat
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CHILL OUT FOR DESERT BLIND at Ben & Jerry’s at The River in Rancho Mirage. Enjoy your favorite ice cream delight on Thursday, July 23rd from 6 TO 8PM and Ben & Jerry’s will donate 25% of all sales to Desert Blind & Handicapped. No hoops to jump through, just show up! See Diane Stielstra, George Holliday or Mike Carson for any questions.
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New Ways to Manage Your Support
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 Beginning in August, donations to St. Paul in the Desert can be made online through PayPal. In the Column to the right of this newsletter, there is a button labeled “DONATE ONLINE” (See photo insert). Follow the instructions and make your donation using either your PayPal account or a credit card. You can make a single donation, or set up recurrent donations on a monthly basis. You can also manage your pledge using the “MY PLEDGE CARD” button.
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Episcopalians for PRIDE – All Are Welcome
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 According to a recent study, over half of all Americans (58%) believe that religious groups are “alienating young adults by being too judgmental on gay and lesbian issues.” Want to help change that opinion? This year the Episcopal contingent will be at the front of the San Diego PRIDE parade along with the mayor. With more than 300,000 onlookers, many of whom are millennials and young families from around the county, we have a great opportunity to reverse this misconception. St. Paul’s Cathedral typically has more than 100 marchers and last year we were joined by St. Margaret’s, St. David’s, St. Mark’s, Grace San Marcos, Good Samaritan, St. Andrew’s Pacific Beach and St. Bartholomew’s. The parade ends at Balboa Park where St. Paul’s throws a BBQ for everyone in the contingent. Kids, strollers, friends are all invited.
Date: Saturday, July 18 Time: 10am (parade starts at 11am) We lead the parade, so don’t be late! Additional information is available at St. Paul Cathedral’s website: www.stpaulcathedral.org
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Help Others Beat the Heat
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Help Others Beat the Heat – St. Paul’s is sponsoring a ministry this summer to help our brothers and sisters in need find relief from the heat. Through the Social Justice Team, St. Paul’s will purchase and distribute free bus passes to clients of Well in the Desert, and others, so they can have access to the cooling center, showers, bingo and crafts workshops. If you would like to contribute, please make checks payable to Church of St. Paul in the Desert, with “bus passes/Social Justice” in the memo line. Or, place cash in an envelope identified in the same way.
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“Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café returns in The Chapel”
7/19 Forgiveness: The First Step Toward Reconciliation.
7/26 Speaking to the Soul: Jesus calms the storm.
8/2 Migration – Choosing Freedom over Xenophobia.
Led by Br. John Charles Westaway.
8/9 One cannot have too large a party – Jesus turns things over.
Led by Audrey Spencer.
8/16 The enemy today looks like you and me.
Led by Br. John Charles.
8/23 When you say you ‘don’t see race,’ you’re ignoring racism,
not helping to solve it!
Led by Craig Ewing
8/30 If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
Led by Louisa Young-Caffrey.
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“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library”
THERE WILL BE NO TUESDAY NIGHT SESSIONS
DURING JULY AND AUGUST
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Baked Goods Donations for
ROY’S DESERT RESOURCE CENTER
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St. Paul’s ongoing outreach to the homeless men, women and children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center needs renewed donations of cookies, cakes and other baked treats for our Monday night dessert service at the North Pam Springs facility. Homemade items are especially popular and appreciated. You can simply bring donations with you to church and leave them with an usher before the service. Or you can feel free to contact Chris Kelly – (760) 406-2978 – for further information. Thanks for your help.
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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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Copies of . . .
A CHURCH GROWS
IN THE DESERT,
Rev. Robert Semes’ history of the first 75 years of St. Paul in the Desert, are available at the Church Office during regular business hours. Rev. Semes is an accomplished historian and his richly illustrated book chronicles the life and times of the people and events that shaped the Church we are today. Cost of the book is $20.00.
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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 12th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Coffee hour following the 8:00 Service is hosted by Robert Woods & Barry Hagenbuch.
There are several Sunday hospitality opportunities available through the end of the year. Please consider sponsoring a Coffee Hour after the 8:00 or 10:30 services. Sign-up binders are on the large table on the right as you enter the Parish Hall.
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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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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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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