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From The Rector
Increase Our Truth
This week I am reflecting on the specific verses of Luke 17: 4-6. My reflection is about the connection between the requirement to forgive and the power of faith.
Jesus has told the disciples that they must forgive, “Even if someone sins against you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times and says, ‘I am changing my ways,’ you must forgive that person.” (Luke 17:4) The next verse has the disciples demanding more faith.
Jesus raises the stakes. He is not asking them to respond with a superficial level of discipleship, but a deeper and more demanding level. I believe that the seeming absurdity of forgiving someone 7 times a day and who comes back on 7 more days is teaching the disciples to dig beneath the immediate behavior. Jesus is asking them to listen and hear the truth of the person whose relationship with them is so compromised.
Part of the “truth work” that Jesus asks us to do is to play with and tease out the ambiguity of this passage – to serve discipleship in our lives today and deepen our understanding of faith. I think I’m missing the complete truth when I look at this repeat offender as either-or, bad or good, forgivable or not.
What if our faith is incomplete or inadequate because we aren’t listening carefully enough to others? Each of us has “truth,” or at least a part of it. However, we can often ignore that every other person has a share of “truth” as well. If we are polarized, living in a good or bad way of looking at the world and people, we miss a fuller understanding of “truth” and the deeper relationships that can result.
What if Jesus’ understanding of the faith that responds to the sin of broken relationships – and brings forgiveness – is built on discerning a more expansive, less polarized appreciation of “truth.” Our faith might be dramatically and miraculously increased if our listening helps us discern “truth” beyond our immediate experience.
Join us in worship and sharing together the “truth” that grows our faith so that we can heal the world as Jesus leads us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Luke 17:5-10 (CEB)
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. “Would any of you say to your servant, who had just come in from the field after plowing or tending sheep, ‘Come! Sit down for dinner’? Wouldn’t you say instead, ‘Fix my dinner. Put on the clothes of a table servant and wait on me while I eat and drink. After that, you can eat and drink’? You won’t thank the servant because the servant did what you asked, will you? In the same way, when you have done everything required of you, you should say, ‘We servants deserve no special praise. We have only done our duty.'”
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2016 Desert AIDS Walk
 Join the 2016 Desert AIDS Walk Team, now! The 2016 Desert AIDS Walk is Saturday Oct. 22nd. Members of St. Paul’s have participated in every walk since the first one in 1989. Sign up to walk. Get sponsorships. Help support people in the Coachella Valley with HIV/AIDS. We are recruiting Walkers and Sponsors after each service. Look for the AIDS Walk Table on the walkway near the west entrances to the church. You can also join the team at desertaidswalk.org. Our Team name is St. Paul in the Desert. Please make donation checks payable to Desert AIDS Project.
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43rd Annual Diocesan Convention – Local this year
The 43rd Annual Diocesan Convention takes place right in our own backyard this year, at St Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert. Don’t miss the opportunity to take part! Registration is being handled online only at http://www.edsd.org. Convention dates are Friday and Saturday, November 11-12. New at Convention this year – Youth Genius Bar. Do you need help navigating Instagram, Facebook or Twitter? Youth from all over the diocese will come together to answer tech questions on Friday afternoon and evening during Convention.
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10 MYTHS ABOUT
GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA
Today the Social Justice Committee continues presenting another one of 10 myths about Gun Violence in America as published by the Legal Community Against Violence (LCAV)
Gun Violence Myth 2: “We don’t need new gun laws; we should enforce the laws we have.” The Truth: Very few federal laws regulate the manufacture, sale or possession of firearms, and those on the books are filled with loopholes or significantly limit what law enforcement can do. Indeed, current law permits nearly 40% of all firearm sales in the US to sidestep background checks to stop convicted felons or the mentally ill from purchasing guns. Even the most aggressive enforcement of existing laws would not change this.
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Accepting God’s
Gift of Faith Program 2016
 Are you worshipping with our community and ready to take a further step to become an Episcopalian through Baptism and/or Confirmation? Already an Episcopalian and have been inactive and want to reconnect? Confirmed in another denomination and want to be received into the Episcopal Church? Then our Accepting God’s Gift of Faith Program is for you! The program will consist of eight weekly sessions in preparation for Adult Baptism/Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation by Bishop Mathes on Sunday, December 4th. Sessions will be on Tuesdays at 6:00pm, starting on October 11th. Sessions begin promptly with dinner at 6pm and end by 8pm. This group journey will lead participants through their own spiritual life story as well as through the history, theology and worship of the Episcopal Church. It is an opportunity to spiritually grow in and through the community of faith at St. Paul’s. Please RSVP your interest in attending by calling the Office by September 30th at 760.320.7488, ext. 0.
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Blessing of the Animals
 St. Paul’s invites members and friends of the Parish to a special ceremony on Saturday, October 1st, at 10:00 am. We will give thanks to God for the amazing gift of creation and especially for our Animal Companions. The special prayers will take place in the Meditation Garden. All well-behaved animals are welcome and will receive a special blessing and affirmation of God’s love.
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Parish Life News
 As the weather cools and our snowbirds begin returning to their desert home, we have a number of activities being readied for everyone’s enjoyment. First, please join your fellow parishioners for an autumn potluck in the parish hall on Thursday, October 27th at 6:00pm (please arrive around 5:30 so we can get the food set out). We will have sign-up sheets in the Narthex and Parish Hall. Please bring a dish to serve 6-8. Fr. Andrew and the vestry will be leading a program entitled “Together We Serve.”
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And there’s more . . .
Those attending the “Summer Doldrums” potluck in August identified a number of activities with which they would like to be involved. We’re starting with the top two: Hiking and a Book Club.
Chris Kelley volunteered to organize monthly hikes in interesting places around the valley.
Jackie Freeburn will coordinate the development of the book group.
More information and sign-up sheets will be in the narthex and parish hall.
Finally, there was enthusiastic support for small potlucks with groups of perhaps 8-10 parishioners. Alan Zimmerman will be organizing those who expressed interest into small groups. More information to come shortly.
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EDSD Book Drive
For the fall collaborative project, the Diocese is asking churches to collect new and gently used books for children up to age 14. Start collecting books now, and bring them to Church on Sunday, October 30th. We will then bring all the donated books to Convention on November 11-12, at St Margaret’s, Palm Desert. All donations will be distributed throughout the desert region to children in need by Episcopal churches and other social service agencies.
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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. There are many dates still available to sponsor an arrangement this year. RESERVE YOUR DATE NOW by completing the sponsor sign-up form in 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
October
10/2 Finding God and Faith on TV.
Led by Jerry Di Noto
10/9 Attitude of Gratitude- 10 Lepers (Lk.17:11-19)
Led by Br. John Charles
10/16 We Must Risk Delight.
Led Craig Ewing
10/23 Pride and Prejudice
Led by Gary Scott
10/30 Speaking to the Soul- Joyful Choice
Led by Audrey Spencer
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Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
Book Study – “How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis to Revelation,” by John Dominic Crossan. Led by Br. John Charles.
10/4 Part IV: Community (cont’d.)
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Announcements
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Office Hours are 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday. The office is closed on Mondays.
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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SOCIAL JUSTICE
ON GUN SAFETY
Mark Your Calendars!
With important new gun safety initiatives on the California ballot this November, St. Paul’s Social Justice Committee will be kicking off its 2016-2017 Speaker’s Series with an informative presentation on gun violence and safety issues by Dori Smith, local head of the national gun safety advocacy group “Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense.” The talk will be held on October 13, 2016, at 7:00 pm in the Church office library, and light refreshments will be served. We hope you will join us to learn more about this important issue, the upcoming ballot initiatives and how you can become more involved in fighting for gun safety.
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Giving Made Easier
We encourage you to use our new system for online giving.
Pay your pledge, make a donation to St. Paul’s or support select ministries.
More information in the column to the right of this publication.
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Sunday Worship Childcare
Childcare is available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.
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WELL IN THE DESERT
OPEN HOUSE
WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 18th, 2016
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
588 W. Rosa Parks Rd. (building behind First Baptist Church)
Indian Canyon to Rosa Parks, P.S. Gas Station on corner
Click logo below for website.
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Taize Services Resume
On Thursday, October 6th we will resume our monthly Taize services at 7:00 p.m. in the Church. This quiet service of silence, psalm and meditation through singing Taize chants is offered for all in a setting of Liturgical art and candlelight. Contact Nathan Ensign for more details at: 760-320-7488 Ext. 225.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, October 12 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.
Today’s Coffee Hour following the 8:00 service is sponsored by Barry Hagenbuch & Robert Woods. Luis Valdez & Vern Marken are hosting the coffee hour after the 10:30 service.
Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests. There are several Coffee Hours without sponsors throughout the year. Please consider signing up to be a host.
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Call for Confirmation Class Sponsors
Are you interested in accompanying a member of the Confirmation class on their spiritual journey? This is an opportunity to make new spiritual friendships that will last well beyond the confirmation experience. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please call Br. John Charles at 415-279-6340.
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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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Baked Goods and Fruit
for Roy’s
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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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 incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, jseitman@pacbell.net, 858-793-4555 or the Rev. Janet Wheelock, jwheelock@edsd.org, 952-240-8067.
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