For Sunday, July 7th
July 4th Independence Day
The Parish Office will be closed Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. If you call, please leave a message. In case of emergencies a priest will return your call.
Adult Literacy Program
The Adult Literacy Program is looking for new tutors for English speaking adults who want to improve their skills in reading, writing and comprehension. We have learners waiting for a tutor. If you would like to volunteer for this program, please call Gary Scott at 760-218-3180
Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley (ACV)
Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley (ACV) is a nonprofit agency based in Palm Desert. Its goal is to provide support for patients, care partners and families as they navigate the myriad changes inherent in dementia-related conditions.
ACV will be in our Parish Hall on Tuesday, July 9 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, to present information about the Dementia Caregiver Support Group they plan to establish here.
The meetings will continue Tuesdays, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, in an air-conditioned room in the Parish Hall. For more information, please see the program flyer or call Chuck Olsen, ACV Support Group Facilitator, at 760.667.3100
Women’s Sacred Circle
Women of St. Paul’s are welcome to join the Sacred Circle, which shares and studies women’s unique place in Christ’s Kingdom through scripture, prayer, contemporary and historical literature. Meetings are scheduled for Thursdays at 2:00 PM – locations vary.
Please call Audrey Spencer 760.835.5506 or Sharon Strong 760.285.8910 for more information and the location of the next meeting.
Annual Camping Trip
The Annual St. Paul’s Camping Trip will be August 9 to 11 at Black Rock Campground in Joshua Tree National Park. It promises to be a fun weekend of campfires, short hikes and a great Saturday dinner. The stars will be shining bright and the temperatures will be cool and refreshing.
Contract Bonnie Stroock to RSVP at 760.324.7949
Parish Life Book Club
Our Parish Life Book Club is in summer recess and will not meet in August. Their next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, September 3rd.
For more information please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com
In Memoriam
Erskine Wood
Gini Bottomley
Adult Faith Formation
Sundays at 9:15 AM in the Library: The Episcopal Café
The Adult Faith Building Program offers courses, workshops, lectures and discussion groups on varied theological, biblical and spirituality topics.
Sundays in July
7/7: Do you know what it’s like to be bone-tired? Reflection on Isaiah 66:10-14
Led by Alan Zimmerman
7/14: Have They Fruit? Reflection on Colossians 1:1-14
Led by Gary Scott
7/21: Hospitality: Reflection on Genesis 18:1-10a
Led by Jerry Di Noto
7/28: Ask and you will receive? Reflection on Genesis 18:20-32 & Luke 11:1-13
Led by Craig Ewing
Tuesdays at 6:00 – 7:30 PM, in the Library
The Tuesday evening Faith Building sessions are in summer recess and will resume on Tuesday, September 3rd.
Coffee Hour after Services
We hope you will join us for coffee and conversation in the Parish Hall following our Sunday morning services.
Please consider volunteering to be a Coffee Hour Host sometime. It can be a great way to honor and celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion. There are still many Sundays available. The Sunday Hospitality Sign-Up Book is on the table at the Parish Hall entrance.
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 during the 10:30 a.m. service.
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.
