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From The Rector
Arise My Love
This week’s reading from the Hebrew Scriptures is one of only two that have no mention of God. (Esther is the other.) However, it is a celebration of love, human love. The content is a series of poems about a woman and a man longing for one another.
This is the only reading from the Song of Solomon we read on Sundays, although there is another passage that is available for weddings. The passage is full of images from nature: stags and turtledoves, figs and vines, blossoms and their fragrances. This is a very earthy and sensual book.
When confronted with scripture that does not fit with some generalized assumptions, one response is to take a step back and see it as a metaphor or develop an allegory. “Our love for God is LIKE the longing of a betrothed woman for her husband.” Or something like that.
Some commentators reflect this, but at least a few resist the immediate transfer to the divine metaphor and insist that these poems are a grounded celebration of human intimacy and love. Alphoneta Wines The Bible celebrates human love and intimacy. Sound, site, taste, and smell are all senses which are called upon to build the connection that comes to mind when one thinks of their beloved. How many of us have a “favorite song” or “special meal” that connects us to our beloved in an immediate way? It requires no thought, but raises up one, if not many, memories and can transport us.
This set of beautiful, earthy, and sensual poems reminds us that the Christian Community we celebrate and desire is made of beautiful folk, who have intimacies, memories, culture, and real flesh. While the specifics of each are different, the humanity is the same.
Join in worship as each celebrates our full humanity, as a community we celebrate our mission, and as the beloved of God respond with thanks and praise.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Song of Solomon 2:8-13 (NRSV)
The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice. My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.”
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Help Others Beat the Heat
This summer, St. Paul’s is helping our brothers and sisters in need to find relief from the heat. In collaboration with the Social Justice Team, St. Paul’s has purchased and is distributing 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, put cash in an envelope, identified in the same way, and place it in the offering plate.
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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café returns in The Chapel
August
8/30 If you’re not part of the solution,
you’re part of the problem.
Led by Louisa Young-Caffrey.
September
9/6 How Do I Address A Conflicting
Belief With My Neighbor?
No website preview-handout given at session.
Led by Alan Zimmerman.
9/13 Getting Beyond Hateful Acts & Labels-Part 1.
Led by Br. John Charles.
9/20 Getting Beyond Hateful Acts & Labels-Part 2.
Led by Craig Ewing. Read about it here.
9/27 Can Mindfulness Reduce Racism?
Led by Br. John Charles. Read about it here.
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Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
Meets in the Library
Tuesday evening Adult Faith Building sessions resume on September 1st at 7 PM with a series on “DeMystifying the Book of Revelation”.
9/1 Apocalyptic Literature and How to “Read” It.
Led by Br. John Charles
9/8 What Inspired Revelation’s Author?
Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch.
9/15 Basics: Who wrote Revelation? When?
What does the Book say?
Led by Craig Ewing.
9/22 What Makes this Book So Attractive to So Many?
Led by Br. John Charles.
9/29 The Erroneous “End of the World” Interpretation.
Led by Jerry Di Noto.
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Baked Goods Donations for
“ROY’S DESERT RESOURCE CENTER”
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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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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Announcements
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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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AN OPEN INVITATION
All Altar Guild and Altar Ministers, and any parishioners who may be interested in joining one of these ministries, are cordially invited to a gathering for fellowship and refreshment at the home of Richard Wells on Sunday, September 13th at 5:00 pm. Watch this space for more details in coming weeks.
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COME AND BRING A
JOYFUL VOICE
Soon it will be time when St. Paul’s Parish Choir reassembles for weekly rehearsals. Wednesday, September 16, 7-8:30 pm is the date and time, and the choir room of the Parish Hall is the place. If you’d like to join the choir this fall, please contact Meg Irwin-Brandon prior to the rehearsal. Meg will serve as Interim Director for Nathan Ensign, through October. She can be reached at 413-285-6881 or mibrandon@verizon.net Newcomers are welcome!
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SAVE THE DATES
Saturday and Sunday, October 10 & 11, Diocesan Day of Service, following the 4:00 pm, 8:00 am and 10:30 am services.
Sunday, October 18th, St. Paul’s Parish Open House and Ministry Fair, between the 8 am and 10:30 am services and following the 10:30 am service.
Details to follow!
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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
Suday’s coffee hour following the 8:00 am service is hosted by the Green family in honor of Fr. Andrew’s 60th birthday.
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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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 John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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