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From the Rector
The Meaning of the Orlando Attack
Last Sunday I sent an email to the Parish about the devastating attack on Pulse in Orlando. It was thoughtful and sincere. However, it was ignorant and thoughtless on at least two counts, as I have learned today.
Although St. Paul’s has a large LGBTQ membership, I never mentioned that this attack was a direct attack on the LGBTQ and Latino communities. Not stating that, dismisses the significance of this violation of two communities that are largely dismissed by our society and incredibly vulnerable. One need only look at any collection of the pictures of the victims to learn that this atrocity was very specifically targeted.
It is clear that this slaughter targeted both the LGBTQ and the Latino communities. As one tearful parishioner told me, “This was the Gay 9/11.” I was stunned by the significance of this perspective and by my own ignorance.
Second, in my publication, I reflected that I was concerned that our society might adjust to this as the “new normal.” This was spoken as a straight male who has never been targeted for hatred because of my sexual orientation, my gender expression, my gender, my race, or my religion. This was both ignorant and thoughtless. This will not be the “new normal” for the LGBTQ communities, because it has always been the norm. It has been normal to dismiss or ignore the suffering of and discrimination directed against the LGBTQ community. During the Holocaust, homosexuals wore the pink triangle, suffered in concentration camps and were murdered, but at the end of the war the survivors were largely ignored and received no help. Some were incarcerated for their “crimes.” There was no apology by the German government until 2002.
I am embarrassed by my ignorance, but grateful for the willingness of caring people to mentor me and hold me accountable. As the Rev. Eric Law teaches in his book, “Holy Currencies,” we learn more truth when we listen to the vulnerable and marginalized – first.
Join us as we worship together this weekend, where all – including our leaders – are learning week by week.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Galatians 3:23-29 (NRSV)
Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.
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Help Answer Gun Violence
In the wake of the Orlando shootings, St. Paul’s Social Justice Committee is looking for some new faces to assist in its continuing program to combat the scourge of gun violence. The Committee is currently planning educational programs on gun safety and violence prevention, as well as opportunities for advocacy and prophetic witness for a more peaceful society. Contact Chris Kelly at cwklly615@gmail.com if you are interested in finding out what you can do to help.
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Baked Goods and Fruit
for Roy’s
With the snowbirds flown, St. Paul’s Monday night outreach to the homeless men, women and children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center needs your support to help get through the summer doldrums. Home-made or store bought baked desserts, cakes and cookies, as well as fresh fruit, are urgently needed. Simply bring your donation to church on Saturday or Sunday and leave it with the ushers. Contact Chris Kelly at (760) 406-2978 for further information.
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Sunday School Ministry Recognition
Our Sunday School meets every week during the school year. Regular attendees include Ramon Barajas, Mario Baca, Maria Greider, and Alina Polanco. They are joined by other local and visiting students throughout the Season. The curriculum is developed from Episcopal Digital Media and each session makes use of a Story Teller and Door Keeper. The Storytellers this Season have included Bonnie Stroock, Eric Baker-Aidukas, Michael Howard, Lucinda Hampson, and Ted Barajas.
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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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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Library
Check it out
June
6/19 Freedom and Subjection
Led by Br. John Charles.
6/26 The Three Kinds of Grief Nobody talks About
Led by Craig Ewing.
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Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
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.
June
6/21 Luke 23:32-49 – Reflections from the Cross: The Death of Jesus.
Led by Br. John Charles.
6/28 Luke 24:13-35 – The Road to Emmaus.
Led by Br. John Charles.
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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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Announcements
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CHURCH SUMMER
OFFICE HOURS
Effective May 31 through Sept 6, our summer office hours will be 9:00- 4:30 Tuesday through Thursday: and Friday 9:00 – noon.
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
If you’re interested in getting to know your fellow parishioners at a more social or personal level, the St. Paul Parish Life Committee may have something just for you! This new endeavor is looking for ways for St. Paul’s members to socialize and have fun together, with programs starting gradually this summer and expanding in the fall. If you have thoughts on how social and recreational activities could be developed and sustained, please contact Fred Ross and/or Gary Hiatt at 760-325-1542, or email Fred at fredeross@comcast.net or Gary at ghiatt@comcast.net. Gary and Fred look forward to hearing from you.
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Sunday Childcare Change
Sunday worship childcare for 8:00 am services will be suspended for the summer, from July 3 through September 4, resuming on Sunday, September 11. Childcare will be available for 10:30 Sunday services, beginning at 10:00 am, throughout the summer.
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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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Attention St. Paul Campers
There’ll be an organizational meeting on Sunday, June 26th, after the 10:30 service. We have two campsites reserved for July 15th – July 17th in Idyllwild at the Riverside County campground. We can take two more campers. If you are interested please call Bonnie Stroock 760.324.7949.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, July 13th 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.
Today’s Coffee Hour after the 10:30 service is sponsored by Ruth, Roberto & Lena.
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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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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