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From the Rector
Be Known For Forgiving
Have you heard the old saying, “the proof is in the pudding”? I understand it as generally meaning that actions and outcomes are the real test of one’s intentions. Jeremiah is writing to people who have suffered, will continue to suffer for a time, but who will be restored ultimately.
The theme is a change from the tearing down that they have experienced as a result of the failure of their leadership to lead faithfully. There will be building and growing. The core of relationship with God and other people will no longer be external – in a book – but will be written in their hearts. This new authenticity of relationship, this new embracing of the truth of relationship with God, will be based on forgiveness, which ultimately restores relationship with God.
In this reading all the action is initiated by God, not as God’s response to a people who have finally “gotten it.” People will know the covenant, not as external – in a book of laws – but written on their hearts, because they are forgiven.
This is a calling to us today, and one that is desperately needed. As people of faith, as Christians, we should engage in the spiritual practice, in the Godly practice of forgiveness. We should be known for it.
Being people of forgiveness is at the heart of being a serving community. I am not thinking of any particular sin or hurt to be forgiven, and I would not be so presumptuous as to tell a person when they should be ready to forgive, to release a wrong or a resentment. However, in the over-arching plan of God, the spiritual practice of forgiveness and its practical application does several things. It restores broken relationships and builds new ones based on our being forgiven by God’s compassionate love. It promotes the wellness of people and their community. We are forgiven to be forgiving.
Join in worship that celebrates receiving and giving forgiveness, that knows the greatest number of “captives” are those whose hearts are broken – that celebrates being a community of a loving God’s liberation – forgiveness.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Jeremiah 31:27-34 (NRSV)
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord. In those days they shall no longer say: “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge. The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
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All Saints’ Day,
November 5, 2016
In our annual observance of All Saints’ Day, we recognize and celebrate our relationship with those who have gone before us. We invite you to offer the names of loved ones who have passed away within the last 12 months. The names will be celebrated during All Saints’ Day services the weekend of November 5 & 6. You can submit names by adding them to registers located in the Parish Hall and Narthex, or by phoning the Parish Office at 760.320.7288. (NOTE: If you have submitted names in past years, you need not re-submit them. They are part of a permanent parish record and will be remembered along with those newly added.) Deadline for submitting names is Wednesday, October 23, 2016.
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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 presents another one of 10 myths about Gun Violence in America as published by the Legal Community Against Violence (LCAV)
Gun Violence Myth 4: Although the U.S. Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller upheld that the Second Amendment protects the right to possess a firearm in the home for self-defense, the Court made clear that the Second Amendment also permits a wide variety of strong gun laws. The Court provided examples of these laws including those which: prohibit firearm possession by felons and the mentally ill; forbid firearm possession in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings; and, impose conditions on the commercial sale of firearms.
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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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Gay Pride 2016
 All St. Paul’s parishioners are invited to march in the parish contingent of the Palm Springs Pride Parade on Sunday, November 6th at 10 AM. You don’t have to be gay to march! We welcome all of our “allies” and those who are Proud to be welcoming, empowering, supportive Episcopalians! If you would like to “march,” but need to ride, there are a limited number of spaces available in the cars. See the sign-up sheets in the Church Lobby & Parish Hall. Check this space for further details.
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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
10/16 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 6:00 PM
Inquirer’s/Confirmation Class in the Parish Hall
This program is for those preparing for Adult:
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Baptism
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Confirmation
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Reception
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Reaffirmation
in the Episcopal Church on Sunday, December 4th by Bishop Mathes.
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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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“St. Paul’s 101”
Welcome! If you want to join St. Paul’s or learn more about the parish, come to “St. Paul’s 101.” The next single session class with Fr. Andrew will be Sunday, October 30, at 9:15 am in the Chapel in the Parish Hall. In this informal setting you will have the opportunity to ask questions about St. Paul’s and learn how to become a member.
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SOCIAL JUSTICE
ON GUN SAFETY
Mark Your Calendars!
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 in America.” The talk will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, at 7:00 pm in the 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
Our monthly Taize service continues on Thursday, November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. In a quiet setting of candles and Liturgical art, this service offers a style of meditation through repetitive chant, psalm and silence for personal reflection and prayer. All are invited. 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, November 9th 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.
Sunday’s Coffee Hour following the 10:30 service is hosted by the Choir.
Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests. There are still several Coffee Hours without sponsors throughout year end. 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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