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From The Rector
I Relent And Find Comfort
In this long conversation, Job has the last word. Yes, God acts to restore and honor Job, his neighbors surround him with sympathy, and his profits soar in the storybook ending. But Job has the final word.
He was a man of integrity from the start. That is what stood out when God noticed him at the beginning of this story. He remains a man of integrity at the end as he has been throughout the ordeal. His integrity combines his righteous living, his faith in God, and his steadfast claim of justice.
His right living is never impugned by God. However, the idea that it is always rewarded is challenged. Job is righteous because it is the right way to be, not because it would profit him.
His faith in God demands an encounter. He believes that God will meet him and engage his suffering and his questions. And God does engage him. God speaks and Job listens. God’s voice in the whirlwind reveals his power’s majestic control, and Job both understands the otherness of God and knows he has “seen God.” His faith had been confirmed: a faith of relationship, not answers.
Even Job’s cry for justice is not answered directly. His direct encounter with the Living God is all the response he will get. And he relents. It will be enough.
In our daily lives, we look for answers and when they don’t appear, we are disappointed. I believe the example of Job is an invitation to a different kind of spiritual integrity. God invites us to focus on relationship with the God who made heaven and earth, and is not the dispenser of every answer. The integrity called for is not to be satisfied with every circumstance or hardship, but to know myself, really know God, and engage in active connection – even argument.
Join in our worship as, week by week, we are welcomed to a feast at the table of and in relationship with the Living God.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Job 42:1-6 (CEB)
Job answered the Lord:
I know you can do anything;
no plan of yours can be opposed successfully.
You said, “Who is this darkening counsel without knowledge?”
I have indeed spoken about things I didn’t understand,
wonders beyond my comprehension.
You said, “Listen and I will speak;
I will question you and you will inform me.”
My ears had heard about you,
but now my eyes have seen you.
Therefore, I relent and find comfort
on dust and ashes.
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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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Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil
Friday November 20th from 7-8 pm at Ruth Hardy Park in Palm Springs. There will be live music, entertainment, and information booths from 5–8 pm. This event is to remember and pay respect to Transgender persons who have been killed because of their gender identity.
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Welcoming Pride Shabbat
Temple Isaiah invites people of all faiths to a community-wide Welcoming Pride Shabbat (Sabbath) service to be held on Friday, November 6th at 6:30 p.m. in the Bochner Sanctuary at Temple Isaiah JCC, 332 West Alejo Road, Palm Springs. Clergy from various congregations will participate. The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch will represent St. Paul’s. Please join in this worship service at Temple Isaiah and stay for the reception following.
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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Chapel
October
10/25 Speaking to the Soul: Gifts.
November
11/1 Speaking to the Soul:
Covering the Flaws.
Led by Alan Zimmerman.
11/8 Pride Sunday: NO SESSION.
11/15 Being Terrible.
Led by Br. John Charles
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Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
Meets in the Library
October
10/27 Giving Yourself Permission to Embrace Crazy Hope.
Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch.
November
Foundations of our Faith:
Living out our Crazy Christian Lives.
11/3 Foundations of our Faith 1:
Living out our Crazy Christian Lives,
Led by Br. John Charles.
11/10 Foundations of our Faith 2:
Living out our Crazy Christian Lives,
Led by Rev. Canon David Caffrey.
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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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TIME CHANGE!
Just a quick reminder: DON’T FORGET TO FALL BACK! We return to Pacific Standard Time next Sunday, November 1st. The official time change is at 2 a.m., but you might want to turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed.
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KUDOS
. . . to Br. John Charles, Kathy Kilmer, all our ministry teams and our staff for making last week’s Ministry Fair & Open House such a success. Thanks also to all who attended. We hope you enjoyed the event and that you’ll consider sharing some of your time and talent in the future.
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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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COPIES OF
“A Church Grows in the Desert”
a riveting history of St. Paul in the Desert from 1939-2014, are still available at the office. This well illustrated and thoroughly researched book makes a super gift or stocking stuffer. Cost is $25.00.
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SAVE THE DATE
DOK is pleased to offer our parish the second workshop in prayer practices on Saturday, November 21st, from 9 to noon. The Rev. Canon David Caffrey will lead us in Contemplative/Meditative Prayer.
Canon Caffrey’s first workshop was presented this past spring on Intercessory Prayer.
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THE DAUGHTERS
OF THE KING
DOK meets Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 1:15 p.m. in the Chapel. Our time together will include discussion of two chapters from “Monastic Practices” – should be lively and informative. Women of the parish are always cordially invited to join us.
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FAMILY/CHILDREN’S MINISTRY FACTOID
Did you know that our ministry has outings? Our next outing will be a picnic at Whitewater Preserve on November 15.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL
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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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 November 11th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR
Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 10:30 service is sponsored by the Children’s & Family Ministry.
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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