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From The Rector
Tears To Share
This weekend we will celebrate All Saints Day, which falls on Sunday, Nov. 1st. We will baptize a child. We will remember Saints who have gone before us. And we will remember our loved ones who have died. There will be tears to share.
Our readings this weekend are linked by tears. Tears are assumed to be common, as grief and loss are common. In the Gospel appointed for All Saints, John 11, even Jesus weeps as he stands outside the grave of his friend.
In the reading from the Revelation to John and in the reading from Isaiah below, tears are present. The tears of grief seem obvious, but there is a deeper sadness or loss. These tears are shed by those who have suffered injustice and by those who have suffered as a result of their faithfulness. All these tears come with a promise – God will wipe them away!
As a father, I have hugged hurt children and wiped away a share of their tears. In adult interactions, however, God is calling me to share tears rather than to wipe them away too quickly. Trusting that God will wipe them away, we are called to be open to tears and to share them as a way of service.
Sharing tears does not mean that if someone is crying, I immediately weep as well – although that might happen. It means that I can let the tears speak from someone’s heart without embarrassment and without judgment. I can serve by listening and being vulnerable to their hurt. Serving does not always mean doing something for someone in need, solving a problem or answering a question. It may also mean being present to listen or hold a hand – to care.
On All Saints there will be lots of tears, but not all of them will be obvious or visible. Join in worship as we are present with one another, sharing joy and sorrow, and being vulnerable to the despair that comes from injustice – in our community and beyond. Practice sharing tears and trust that God will wipe them away.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Isaiah 25:6-9 (CEB)
On this mountain,
the Lord of heavenly forces will prepare for all peoples
a rich feast, a feast of choice wines,
of select foods rich in flavor,
of choice wines well refined.
He will swallow up on this mountain the veil that is veiling all peoples,
the shroud enshrouding all nations.
He will swallow up death forever.
The Lord God will wipe tears from every face;
he will remove his people’s disgrace from off the whole earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
They will say on that day,
“Look! This is our God,
for whom we have waited—
and he has saved us!
This is the Lord, for whom we have waited;
let’s be glad and rejoice in his salvation!”
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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
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
11/22 To Forgive, Devine.
Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
11/29 The Sea Calls Out for Justice.
Led by Craig Ewing.
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Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
Meets in the Library
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.
11/17 Foundations of our Faith 3:
Living out our Crazy Christian Lives,
Led by Rev. Canon David Caffrey.
11/24 Foundations of our Faith 4:
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 welcomes 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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NEXT WEEK
Pride Sunday is next Sunday November 8. The Choir will sing at the 4pm Service on Saturday November 7. There will be a said service at 8am Sunday and there will be no 10:30 service.
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TIME CHANGE!
Just a quick reminder: DON’T FORGET TO FALL BACK! We return to Pacific Standard Time 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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VESTRY NOMINATIONS
We will soon be preparing the ballot for the next vestry elections. Please give thoughtful consideration to who you would like to see serving in this capacity and submit their names (even your own!) for consideration by the vestry nominating committee.
There’s no need to ask individuals if they are willing to serve. The committee will do that. Submit names soon to any vestry member.
Click here for the Vestry Member E-mail list.
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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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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 8:00 service is sponsored by Mary Holmes. To Celebrate the return of Music Director Nathan Ensign from his Sabbatical, the Choir is hosting the 10:30 Coffee Hour.
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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