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From the Rector
Faith Might Cause an Uproar
We have reached the last 10 days of Easter, and our weekly readings about the early expansion of Jesus’ followers will end on the Feast of Pentecost. This week we read about Paul’s spiritual authority, as his prayer command releases a woman from being used as a profit center by her owner. Slavery was acceptable at that time and parallels today’s scourge of Human trafficking.
I wish the story reflected our modern sense of revulsion at the exploitation of this nameless woman, but its point is to further establish Paul’s power and authority as a prime leader of the developing Christian community. I also wish the story reflected an overt concern for the woman’s well being. Rather, his healing of her points out that Paul, while often distancing himself from his fellow Jews, also distances himself from typical Roman citizens. Because healing her made her unable to do her “job,” and lost him money, the owner has Paul and Silas dragged before the Roman authorities. They were causing an uproar – and flouting local customs.
Because Paul has demonstrated a compassion for people who are on the margins of whichever community he enters (recall his meeting with the God-worshipers and Lydia in last week’s reading), I think the story of the fortune-telling slave keeps our attention.
Through some “spirit,” she was a walking, talking advertisement for the Good News of Jesus. Although there was no indication that she embraced it herself, I imagine that she was closer than most, if only because of her proclamation. The conflict in the resulting uproar was her insistent shouting which made Paul’s relational style of preaching more difficult. Her commercial purpose compromised Paul’s message of building relationships rather than spouting easy slogans.
Since her value to her master was her ability to generate cash from people seeking a window to the future through fortune telling, she was probably not generating much money by stealing Paul’s lynch-pin to conversion. Her “spirit” was an immature connection to a fuller understanding of the Jesus movement.
In the end, I imagine her finding a place in the movement, the community of believers who accept and affirm her as she is, not looking to use her. It takes practice to accept people as they are, so we gather weekly to praise God as we learn from the Jesus movement – the example of Jesus, Lydia, the woman who was healed, Paul, and many others. Join us.
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Featured Scripture
The Acts of the Apostles 16:16-21(CEB)
One day, when we were on the way to the place for prayer, we met a slave woman. She had a spirit that enabled her to predict the future. She made a lot of money for her owners through fortune-telling. She began following Paul and us, shouting, “These people are servants of the Most High God! They are proclaiming a way of salvation to you!” She did this for many days.
This annoyed Paul so much that he finally turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to leave her!” It left her at that very moment.
Her owners realized that their hope for making money was gone. They grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the officials in the city center. When her owners approached the legal authorities, they said, “These people are causing an uproar in our city. They are Jews who promote customs that we Romans can’t accept or practice.”
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Funeral Services for
 Betty Cross
Services will be held at St. Paul’s Saturday May 14th at 2:00 pm. She died January 22, 2016. Betty was a long time parishioner, a member of the Altar Guild, a vestry member, church treasurer, a regular greeter at the 8:00 am service and a frequent lector.
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St. Paul’s Rodeo Invocation
 Fr. Andrew Green and Canon Victoria Hatch have been invited to offer an invocation during the Grand Entrance of the Palm Springs Hot Rodeo on May 7 and 8 in Banning. The competitive events will be from 9-5 and the Grand Entrance will be about noon each day. The Rodeo will be held an the A. C. Dysart Equestrian Center, 2101 W. Victory Ave., Banning, CA
Click here to see pictures from last year’s Rodeo.
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Education for Ministry (EfM)
. . . is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study and practice. This international program has assisted more than 80,000 participants in discovering and nurturing their call to Christian service and bringing them into conversation with their experiences of the world as they study, worship and engage in theological reflection together. If you are interested in learning more about EfM, Alan Zimmerman will provide an overview on Sunday May 29th at 9:15 am in the Chapel. For more information or questions, please call Alan at 313.407.4843.
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Altar and Narthex (church lobby) Flower Sponsorships
Sponsoring flowers for the Altar or Narthex is a distinctive way to remember loved ones or commemorate special occasions, like birthdays and anniversaries. RESERVE YOUR SPECIAL DATE NOW by completing the sponsor sign-up form in the Flower Sponsorship Binder. You’ll find the binder on the table to your right as you enter the Parish Hall.
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End of Life Option Act
Learn about The End of Life Option Act which was signed into California Law by Gov. Jerry Brown last October. The law takes effect on June 9th. On May 12th, at 7:00 pm in the Library, Paul Zak, a retired Palm Springs clinical social worker and educator, will explain the new law and answer any questions you may have. The Act allows terminally ill people in the last 6 months of their lives to request life ending medications from their doctor in order to end their suffering. This event is sponsored by our Social Justice Ministry. To help us anticipate attendance, sign-up sheets are available in the Narthex and the Parish Hall. You may also call the office to sign-up at 760-320-7488.
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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Chapel
Check it out
May
5/8 Be Ardent in the Spirit.
Facilitated by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
5/15 The Mockingbird is the Pentecost Bird.
Facilitated by Jerry Lynch
5/22 Trinity Sunday -A Reflection.
Facilitated by Br. John Charles
5/29 Education for Ministry Program: Overview and Introduction
Presented by Alan Zimmerman
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Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
May
5/10 Beads & Prayer I– Use of beads in prayer traditions.
Presented by Audrey Spencer
5/17 Beads & Prayer II– Use of beads in prayer traditions.
Presented by Audrey Spencer.
Please Note: In the Gospel of Luke, Led by Br. John Charles, Br. John respectfully requests that you [read] the scripture in advance of each session.
5/24 Luke 10: 25-37 – The Good Samaritan: A Way of Life
Led by Br. John Charles.
5/31 Luke 12:13-34 – The Dangers of Money
Led by Br. John Charles.
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Roy’s Still Needs YOU!
Just a reminder that St. Paul’s outreach to the homeless men, women and children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center continues through the summer months and needs your ongoing support. If you are a year-round resident of the desert, please continue to donate baked goods, fresh fruit and used clothing to this worthy cause. If you’re leaving us for the summer, take a moment to consider financial support for this important outreach before you go. Contact Chris Kelly(760) 406-2978 for more information.
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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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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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SERVING CHRIST IN OTHERS
Looking for new ways to put your faith into action? The St. Paul Social Justice Committee continues its important work on various fronts…including our continuing gun violence and safety initiative and our new “shower and service center” homeless outreach for the summer months. We’re working on a host of new social justice programs for the fall. We have ambitious goals and can use your ideas, your energy and your gifts. If you feel called to share Christ’s compassion and love please join us. Contact Chris Kelly (760) 406-2978 for further information.
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Save the Date!
St. Paul’s Campers
are planning a weekend trip to Idyllwild Co. Campground on July 15 to 17. Plan to come and escape the desert in the tall pines and mountain air of Mt. San Jacinto. Call Bonnie Stroock if you are interested in joining us. 760-324-7949
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Giving Made Easier
St. Paul’s has a new system for online giving and we encourage you to use it (see the right hand column on this web page.)
If you have any questions, please contact the office. Our online system makes it easy to direct your donation to a specific fund.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, May 11th at 10:15 am. The priest and residents always welcome parishioners to join in the worship.
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Hospitality
Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments. Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests.
This Sunday’s coffee hours are hosted by John Hampson.
Please consider hosting an upcoming Coffee Hour. The sign-up book is on the table to your right as you enter the Parish Hall.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on
Wednesday’s from 10 am-1 pm 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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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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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 because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
“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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