For Sunday, October 14th
From the Rector
What Must I Do?
Sincerity meets the demand of salvation in this week’s Gospel portion. A man inquires of Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus offers what the man already knows, and possibly expects, the six commandments that might be summarized as “love your neighbor.” The man is compliant, having observed these since childhood.
After considering the man carefully and lovingly, Jesus invites him to take the next step, one which the man is not expecting. He asks the seeker to sell, give, and follow. He is to sell what he owns, to give the money that results to the poor, and, now poor himself, to follow, Jesus. Sadly, the story we know ends with the man walking away, because he had many possessions. And he was not ready to let them go.
I like to imagine my enthusiastic, energetic, somewhat innocent self – asking Jesus the same question. “What must I do, Jesus, to be a full partner in the abundant life you stand for?” This week’s Gospel tells me that what Jesus will reply is based on Jesus’ careful, loving consideration of me – not the man in the text. It might be something other than my possessions that possess me.
I hear Jesus in my imaginary Gospel gently inviting me to surrender my need to be in control, to share leadership with others, and to follow. I first heard Jesus as a child. Then again in my teens. And regularly as I have grown. Over and over again, that careful, loving consideration of me – as I am – welcomes me.
Maybe Jesus is inviting all of us to follow him in careful, loving consideration of one another, welcoming one another as we are. That welcome from God we celebrate around the table week by week. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
Featured Scripture
Mark 10:17-22 Common English Bible (CEB)
As Jesus continued down the road, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?”
Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God. You know the commandments: Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. Don’t cheat. Honor your father and mother.”
“Teacher,” he responded, “I’ve kept all of these things since I was a boy.”
Jesus looked at him carefully and loved him. He said, “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.” But the man was dismayed at this statement and went away saddened, because he had many possessions.
Ministry Fair this Sunday!
Sunday October 14th after the 8:00 and 10:30 AM Services. Each ministry will exhibit a description of who they are and the work they do. Tasty snacks will be offered at each exhibit station. This promises to be an informative and fun opportunity to see (and nosh!) your way through the various ministries at St. Paul in the Desert.
Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the work our ministries accomplish for the parish and for the surrounding community. We hope you’ll discover a ministry you’d like to join. It’s also a great time to show your appreciation for the dedication and work of our ministry teams.
Hospitality Ministry
Seeking Coffee Hour Hosts
With the arrival of fall, we joyfully welcome our part time parishioners returning to the desert. It’s a time for festive hospitality at our Coffee Hours following Sunday services. Currently, there are several dates available, between now and year-end, to host a coffee hour. It’s easy! All you do is provide offerings of fruit, pastries, cookies – anything, really, that you think others would enjoy. The church provides coffee, tea, lemonade, and all service items. If you would like to sponsor a future coffee hour, please sign-up today. You’ll find the sign-up book on the table just inside the Parish Hall entrance.
Questions? Please contact Kathy Kilmer, 760.774.8233
Parish Life Hiking Group
Sat Inside All Summer? Join the Parish Life Hiking Group!
St. Paul’s Parish Life hiking group will be kicking off its 2018-2019 hiking season with a hike among the oak groves and hillsides of Wildwood Canyon State Park in Yucaipa on Saturday morning, October 20, 2018, starting at 8:00 AM. Please contact Chris Kelly at cwkelly615@gmail.com for a full hike description and details on our upcoming hikes. We’re going lots of wonderful places and would love to have you join us!
2018 Desert AIDS Walk
Sat Inside All Summer? Join the Parish Life Hiking Group!
Saint Paul has supported the Desert AIDS Project for over 30 years providing donors, board members, and participating in events. Please join us as part of the Community and register with our team. Take Action and walk on Saturday, October 20, 2018. Make an Impact by donating or collecting donations for Desert AIDS Project. Sign-up sheets are in the parish hall or online at desertaidsproject.org
Monthly Taizé Service
Our next monthly Taizé service is Thursday, November 1st at 7:00 PM in the church. This service, a beautiful mix of prayer, song and Scripture, gives one an opportunity to experience God in a quiet, contemplative setting. All are invited to participate.
“St. Paul’s 101” – Welcome!
If you want to join St. Paul’s or learn more about the parish, come to “St. Pauls 101.” This is a single session class with Fr. Andrew instructing. In this informal setting, you will have the opportunity to ask questions about St. Paul’s and learn how to become a member. The next session will be Sunday, October 28th at 9:15 AM, in the Parish Office Conference Room.
Parades / Special Events Team
The Parades / Special Events Team is organizing our contingent in the PS Pride Parade, Sunday Nov. 4th and in the Veterans’ Day Parade, Sunday Nov. 11th. Your support and participation in demonstrating who we are as a faith community by our involvement in these public events is greatly appreciated. Walkers, riders and drivers are needed. Sign-up sheets for these parades are in the Narthex (church lobby), in the Parish Hall and the Office. There will be some seats available in cars for individuals who need. Oh, don’t forget to wear the Parish Tee Shirt!
FAITH BUILDING
Sundays at 9:15 AM in the Library
The Episcopal Café
October
10/14 – MINISTRY FAIR No Episcopal Café Session.
10/21 – From Weakness to Greatness Reflection on Isaiah 53:4-12 Led by Alan Zimmerman Read about it
10/28 – He is More than Able Reflection on Hebrews 7:23-28. Led by Gary Scott Read about it
Tuesdays at 5:00 PM in the Library
October
Biblical Wisdom Literature – The Wisdom of Solomon. This five-week series is a video presentation and discussion of the Book of Wisdom and the Solomon’s reflections.
10/16 – The Wisdom of Solomon on Prayer. Led by Alan Zimmerman
10/23 – The Wisdom of Solomon on Death. Led by Rev. Canon David Caffrey
10/30 – Overview of Biblical Wisdom. Led by Br. John Charles
Parish Life Book Club
Parish Life Book Club will meet on the second Tuesday of November this month only at 1 PM in the Library and new members are always welcome. On November 13, 2018, Book Club has selected Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan. Manhattan Beach is a story about a woman mesmerized by the sea and her struggle to understand the disappearance of her father during World War II and the complexity of his life. 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 eight copies in the book club section
and an audiobook to loan.
Parish T-Shirts
Parish Tee-Shirts are available. The cost is $10.
Tee-shirts can be purchased from the ushers before or after services or at the parish office during regular business hours. Our Tee-Shirts are perfect attire for local parades such as the Desert AIDS Walk.
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
Office Hours are 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday through Thursday and 9 am – 11:30 am Friday. The office is closed on Mondays.
Should you call on Monday or Friday afternoon when we are closed to the public, please leave a message. In case of an emergency, a priest will return your call.
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.
