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A Message from the Rector
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Eat Real. Get Real.
Sometimes, we Christians can over-spiritualize what we are about. We believe things that have a deep spiritual content, which are always rooted in a very real (physical, human, earthy, emotional) context. For example, we believe in life after death, but we are often hesitant to contemplate or even name the death which precedes that new life. One of the results is that we can ignore or paper over the realities of grief and loss. We are less healthy and our understanding of new life is impaired.
Several times Jesus ate with his disciples, with crowds, and with people who provoked scandal. The Last Supper was a meal including Jesus and his disciples which we continue to share today. The meal we share today does not resemble any meal we can read about Jesus being a part of, save the repetition of Jesus’ command to take and eat/drink in remembrance of him. When one connected with Jesus, there was often a meal involved – and it always included fellow guests, some of whom we would not choose or who would not have chosen us.
The abundant life of Jesus is represented as a full participation in his flesh and blood – in his real life. It is pure grace. When I join in, when I “take and eat,” it is grace for me. As a part of that life, I see it as grace for the whole world.
But I get tripped up. Death interferes with my understanding of eternal life, when I don’t name and value it. Death often reminds me that I am not in charge. I need that to understand eternal life. The guest list for Jesus’ banquet interferes with my understanding of being a part of Jesus’ life. The fact that all are welcome means I am welcome. Any other criteria, litmus test, or judgement for welcome means that, in my heart, I wonder about myself. Am I welcome?
Join in Jesus’ banquet this week and be nourished by God’s grace. We practice and we grow, hoping for the time when all are present and the banquet never ends.
Fr. Andrew
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John 6:51-58
Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
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It is with great sadness that we inform the Parish that Larry Krauska died on the morning of August 6th. Larry was a regular attender to the 4 PM service and served on the Altar Guild for that service. Please pray for the repose of Larry’s soul and for God’s reassurance for Larry’s partner, Richard Jacobs.
No service scheduled at this time. Richard requests that no flowers or plants be sent.
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Anne Kraft
April 4, 1927 – July 17, 2015
Anne died in her sleep at home on July 17th.
There will be a service for her at 3:00 pm on Thursday, September 10th.
Following the service there will be a reception and Tea at Billy Reed’s.
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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”
8/16 The enemy today looks like you and me.
Led by Br. John Charles Westaway. Read about it here
8/23 When you say you ‘don’t see race,’ you’re ignoring racism,
not helping to solve it!
Led by Craig Ewing. Read about it here
8/30 If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
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“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library”
There will be no Tuesday night sessions during August. Tuesday evening Adult Faith Building sessions resume on Tuesday evening, September 8th at 7 PM with a series on “DeMystifying the Book of Revelation”.
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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 at Roy’s Desert Resource Center needs donations of cookies, cakes and other baked treats for our Monday night dessert service at the North Palm Springs facility. Homemade items are especially popular and appreciated. You can bring donations with you to church and leave them with an usher before the service. For more information, contact Chris Kelly – (760) 406-2978. Thanks for your help.
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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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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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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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SAVE THE DATE
…for St. Paul’s Parish Open House and Ministry Fair on Sunday, October 18th, between the 8 AM and 10:30 services and after the 10:30 service. Details to follow! Stay tuned and don’t touch that dial!
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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 September 9th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Sunday’s coffee hour following the 8:00 am service is hosted by Phillip Young.
There are several Sunday hospitality opportunities available through the end of the year. Please consider hosting a Coffee Hour after the 8:00 or 10:30 services with family or friends. 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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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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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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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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