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From The Rector
Honest With God
Job has not gotten any answers. He is still in pain. He is still at a profound loss. But Job does not give up. His tenacity intrigues us.
The poetry of this week’s reading does not look like the poetry of the hymns we sing Sunday by Sunday. It does not look like the rhyming poetry of greeting cards that are designed to turn frowns to smiles. It is the poetry of real searching in the midst of darkness – within and without. Job is not asking questions in order to serve up his list of answers, his questions are calling him – and us – to dig deeper
“Poet Elizabeth Alexander, in a conversation with Krista Tippett on the NPR program “On Being,” suggested that reading and writing poetry are ways to get at hard and true things that other forms of language and literature can’t quite do, especially in ways that allows both poet and reader to formulate and ask questions.” From Karla Suomala at Workingpreacher.org.
It is all about the questions. And it is about Job’s integrity, which frames the asking.
Job questions God’s absence. “O that I could know how to find him-” Job questions God’s fairness. “God has weakened my mind.”
Job’s poetic questions squarely challenge God. Job has lost so much that he has nothing left to lose but his integrity – which is what God admires most about him. And which we begin to suspect is crucial between God and Job.
This is not the God we learned about in Sunday School. This is not the God who is “safe” to encounter. This is not the God who exists to make all our dreams come true – like a Disney Fairy Godmother. This God is dangerous and must be taken seriously – engaged with care. There is nothing trivial at stake here.
As a pastor, I am asked for answers, and I think that having the answers was an early attraction for me. However, I learned quickly that answers often meant escaping the questions, especially the questions that had no answer at hand. Job reminds me that God is not so fragile that we must avoid questions. Rather, God inspires or incites us to question and to grapple with discomfort and trauma.
God also inspires us to be a community that welcomes questions. We need to be the community where it is safe to grapple with the questions that reveal and hone our own integrity -which God admires and searches out.
We worship a God who is not always easily found, but welcomes seekers and questioners.
Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Common English Bible (CEB)
Job answered:
Today my complaint is again bitter;
my strength is weighed down because of my groaning.
Oh, that I could know how to find him—
come to his dwelling place;
I would lay out my case before him,
fill my mouth with arguments,
know the words with which he would answer,
understand what he would say to me.
Would he contend with me through brute force?
No, he would surely listen to me.
There those who do the right thing can argue with him;
I could escape from my judge forever.
Look, I go east; he’s not there,
west, and don’t discover him;
north in his activity, and I don’t grasp him;
he turns south, and I don’t see.
God has weakened my mind;
the Almighty has frightened me.
Still I’m not annihilated by darkness;
he has hidden deep darkness from me.
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Diocesan Day of Service
St. Paul in the Desert will participate in the Diocesan Day of Service On Saturday and Sunday, October 10 & 11, following the 4:00 pm, 8:00 & 10:30 am services. Our contribution will be to assemble “Blessing Bags” after each service for distribution to our brothers and sisters in the community who might benefit from them. Please consider donating new, travel-size only toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, bar soap and sunblock. There is a basket in the foyer for the collection of items. If you prefer to donate by check, please make it payable to St. Paul in the Desert with “Blessings Bags” in the memo line. Thank you for your generous support of those in need.
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Welcoming Session on Membership
Welcoming Session – Many worshipers wonder how to become a member of St. Paul’s. If you’re one of them, join Fr. Andrew in the Parish Library on Sunday, October 25th at 9:15 am. In this single-session class, you will hear interesting facts about St. Paul’s, plus, learn all you need to know about becoming a member of the Parish. (Note: this is not the same as the Inquirers’ Class.) If you are already a member, this class is not for you.
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Beat the Heat Initiative Results
The heat is off, mostly, and for the working poor, disabled, and homeless who gather for lunch once weekly at St Paul’s Hogarth Hall, bus passes worth $600 got many of them some relief. Though the primary intent was to avoid the long walk to the “Well in the Desert” cooling station east of the airport, some expressed gratitude for other needs: a way to get to and from Eisenhower hospital, Social Security, a job interview in Indio. All deeply appreciated these gifts, which may have touched them in a way three dollars could not. Thanks to all who contributedT to make this important project of St. Paul’s Social Justice team a success.
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Desert AIDS Walk
 Saturday, October 17th, St. Paul’s will sponsor a team of walkers who will participate in the Desert AIDS Walk. You are welcome to sign up for the walk and collect donations or donate directly to a team member. Checks should be made payable to the Desert AIDS Project. We will be signing up walkers and accepting donations after each worship service.
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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Chapel
October
10/11 BLESSING BAGS No Session.
10/18 MINISTRY FAIR – No Session.
10/25 Speaking to the Soul: Gifts.
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Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
Meets in the Library
“DeMystifying the Book of Revelation”.
October
10/13 Why Being a Crazy Christian is both Easy and Hard.
Led by Alan Zimmerman.
10/20 Habits of a Crazy Christian. Led by Jerry DiNoto.
10/27 Giving Yourself Permission to Embrace Crazy Hope.
Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch.
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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 Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a lunch break from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.
Should you call on Monday when we are closed to the public, please leave a message. In case of an emergency, a priest will return your call.
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THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM
. . . will be offered on All Saints’ Day, November 1, 2015.
Please contact Fr. Andrew at 760.320.7488, ext. 223 this week to make preparations.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES
Our Sunday School sessions have resumed for the school year! We look forward to having the children attend the 10:30 Sunday School Program. We are still looking for volunteers to be a storyteller or a doorkeeper. If you are interested, please contact Ted Barajas at 760-902-1014 or email at tedbarajas1@yahoo.com.
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PARKING LOT
A small portion of St. Paul’s parking lot will be used during the evenings for valet parking for our new neighbor, Eight4Nine restaurant. Our staff will be monitoring the usage to be sure it does not cause any conflicts with the needs of our parishioners.
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ST. PAUL’S PARISH OPEN HOUSE AND MINISTRY FAIR
The event is Sunday, October 18th, between the 8:00 am and 10:30 am services, and following the 10:30 am service. This information-sharing event will feature ten parish ministries stations showcasing their respective goals and accomplishments. You will have the opportunity to speak with ministry leaders, learn more about their missions and sign up to participate. There will be incentives for those who visit all the ministries. There will be “food stations” set up throughout the campus.
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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 October 14th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR
Sunday’s 10:30 coffee hour is hosted by Amy Hardwick & Revae Reynolds.
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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