The Abundant Life – September 6, 2018

From the Rector

Strength For Racing Hearts

Do you ever use the pharmacy’s automatic blood pressure machine? I did. I was always pleased with the results and It felt like a game. It was almost like I was doing something healthy. I don’t often use the self-service machine anymore. I am regularly checked at the doctor and dentist. What I have become aware of is that I am more concerned about the results now. I feel like my heart is racing and I need to relax before the test. Even today, the numbers are still good, but I think about my heart racing.

People with racing hearts are the subject of this week’s reading from Isaiah: “Say to those who are of a fearful heart….” I found a reflection on the website “Working Preacher” which says a more literal rendering of the original would use “racing hearts” instead of “fearful hearts.” The reflection is Alethea Portier-Young’s, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Duke Divinity School, who says, “Isaiah calls you to preach to people whose hearts are racing.” We get an immediate, very real physical fact.

Their hearts might be racing from fear, but the description is something one can feel even before one identifies the cause. My heart races when I am anxious about an impending conflict, not just when I am frightened. It also races when I am anticipating good things or when I am immersed in an exciting story or movie. Before I have identified the reason, I experience that racing heart. At my best, I have practiced noticing the racing and pondering the cause. And Isaiah invites me to ponder how God is with me when my heart is racing.

I don’t find comfort in vengeance, but I find great comfort in the image of streams in the desert. And I ponder my racing heart while depending on the strength of God who loves me – and it fills me with peace. That thirsty ground being refreshed with water is me.

One blessing of gathering for worship is being in a place, among a people, where racing hearts encounter our loving God through fellowship, prayer, music and Holy Communion. The thirsty ground is being transformed. Join us.

Andrew

Featured Scripture

Isaiah 35:4-7a (NRSV)

Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.

From The Rev. Deacon Susan Green

I am excited to join the staff of St Paul in the Desert as a deacon. As I said in my sermon on August 26, I want everyone to get to know me as Deacon Susan whose last name just happens to be Green. It has been six years since I began my formation process which culminated in my ordination as a deacon in June 2017. During those intervening six years, I had the privilege to complete parts of my field education at the other three Episcopal Churches in the valley. There were days when I felt myself to be homeless but, in reality, I had actually expanded my definition of church home to include all the congregations. I am grateful to have had that opportunity to become acquainted with fellow Episcopalians all over the Coachella Valley.

My first assignment, as a deacon, took me back to St Anthony of the Desert where my formation process began. One thing I have discovered about my role as a deacon is that, outside the well-defined liturgical responsibilities, the scope of my diaconal ministry can be as broad or as narrow as I allow it to be. I never expected to have the responsibility of being the Deacon in Charge of St Anthony for their last eight months. With the help of a variety of priests, I have grown in my confidence as a church leader. I have especially enjoyed my role as pastoral care giver to the people of St Anthony’s as we all moved through the grieving process over the closing of that congregation.

I look forward to discovering new aspects of my ministry as I become involved at St Paul in the Desert. I will be working Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday weekly, as well as most of the weekend services. I am anxious to get to know you all and invite people to email me to schedule a visit. My church email address is Deacon-Susan@stpaulsps.org

Deacon Susan

Hap Blaisdell Retires from Finance Committee

On August 30th, the Parish Treasurer, Rafael Alberto, convened members of the Finance Committee for a luncheon in honor of Hap Blaisdell. Hap has retired from the Finance Committee after 17 years of service. Hap has served as the Treasurer, the initiator of a Single Seniors fellowship, and a lynchpin or ministry with people who experience homelessness. Hap was part of SOS (Services and Overnight Shelter) where folks were given dinner, a place to sleep, and a breakfast to-go at St. Paul’s for several years. The program would grow to become Roy’s Desert Resource Center. The parish is grateful for Hap’s service. Hap feels this is a good time to leave the Finance Committee as it one of the strongest he has seen.

Sunday School News

St. Paul’s Sunday School is offered at the 10:30 worship service the first three Sundays of the month from September through June. It seeks to make a safe, happy, welcoming place for children where the Church’s gifts of grace may assist in their positive formation. Sunday School is conducted by two adults trained in the Diocese’s Safeguarding God’s People program. The children enter the church in the procession, then go to the Sunday School rooms in the Parish Hall, and then return to the church to receive Communion with family and friends. The fourth Sunday of the month our children participate in the worship service by reading lessons and prayers, serving at the altar, and/or singing choral works. Do you have children or grandchildren who might enjoy St. Paul’s Sunday School, or know of someone who does? For further information please contact Michael Howard, 760-323-1050.

Hospitality Ministry

We hope you will join us for coffee and conversation in the Parish Hall after either service on Sunday.

Karen Nelson is hosting Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 8:00 service. 

There are many upcoming opportunities for you to sponsor a Sunday Coffee Hour after either the 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM service. The sign-up notebook is on the table as you enter the Parish Hall.

Hispanic Heritage Month

The parish is invited to attend a Fiesta of Food next Sunday, September 16th, at both coffee hours. Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15th – October 15th, includes the anniversary of the September 16, 1810 peasant uprising that lead to Mexico becoming free from Spanish rule.  It’s a celebration and acknowledgement of the contributions, heritage and culture of Latino and Hispanic Americans. Roberto Thais, Bonnie Stroock, Clinton Carbon, and Lucinda and John Hampson are hosting this special event.

Summer Help for the Homeless

This year’s heat will likely linger into the fall, meaning it’s time again for our annual hot weather outreach to those on the streets. This year, the Social Justice Committee is asking your help in buying and distributing sunscreen, lip balm, sun visors, sun glasses and other hot weather essentials to those in need. Please consider a generous contribution to this outreach, which has already served hundreds this summer. Simply drop your donation or check payable to St. Paul’s into the collection plate and write “Social Justice” in the memo section.

Contact Lena Granet at 760-322-2179 for more information.

On Sunday September 23rd St. Paul’s will join the national Concert Across America to end gun violence. The Concert will take place on Sept. 23, the date designated by Congress in 2007 as a day of remembrance for murder victims. This nationwide event will bring together a network of organizations, activists and artists to remember the victims of gun violence across the nation and in our state. You are encouraged to wear orange on this day.

New Parish T-Shirts

Parish Tee-Shirts are available in the Office. Cost– $10

Parish Life Book Club

Parish Life Book Club meets on the first Tuesday each month at 1 PM in the Library and new members are always welcome. On October 2, 2018, Book Club has selected The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.  The Book Thief tells how book-stealing and story-telling sustain a young German girl amid the horrors of World War II.  Book Club is a group of people who enjoy reading and talking about the books they read. For more information please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com

The Palm Springs Library has 1 book and 1 audiobook to loan.

Music Tour in Spain

Our “Vacation Organist” at St. Paul’s, Meg Irwin-Brandon, invites you to join a small-group tour for aficionados of the organ in Spain, October 23rd – November 2nd. Private visits to historic organs in churches and cathedrals, Salamanca, Tordesillas, Valladolid and more. Contact Meg for more information: 413-285-6881.

Have you chosen not to report clergy sexual misconduct?

The task force for the compassionate care of victims of clergy sexual misconduct would like to hear from you. We wish to understand better the choice not to report, from those who have made such a choice. Please contact the Rev. Paige Blair-Hubert at 858-755-1616 x 101 or pblair@stpetersdelmar.net or visit edsd.org/task-force to connect with other members. We are committed to protecting your confidentiality and will share only what you give us express permission to share anonymously. Thank you, in advance, for helping us do our work. Please keep us in your prayers as the diocesan convention approaches and we prepare to offer our report and recommendations.

Report Clergy 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 John Seitman, 858-793-4555 or Equilla Luke, 760-583-0485.

Compassionate Care Task Force

Our diocesan task force on compassionate care for victims of clergy sexual misconduct seeks to connect with those who have experienced misconduct. If you have reported clergy sexual misconduct and have information about the reporting or post-reporting experience that could be helpful to their work, please refer to the task force members, all of whom are listed on the diocesan website: Task-Force. Information on how to report misconduct is available here.

Church Office Hours

The Parish Office hours have changed for the summer. From Memorial Day, the Parish Office will be closed on Friday afternoons, beginning at 11:30 AM and will be unavailable for walk-in business. These hours will remain in place through the Labor Day weekend.

If 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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Sunday Worship Childcare

Childcare is available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.

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.