For Sunday, March 6, 2022
COVID-19 and Masking at St. Paul’s
March Update
Please click here to read the latest update regarding masking at St. Paul’s. We continue to wear masks until we receive further direction from the Diocese and after further deliberation between the Vestry and Co-Rectors.
Desert Baroque Concert Series
A Season of Holy Lent at St. Paul in the Desert 2022
The Reconciliation of a Penitent: Remembering Confession in Lent
The Book of Common Prayer contains two orders of service for private confession, known officially as the Reconciliation of a Penitent. Making a private confession is a traditional and powerful spiritual practice, and the choice to confess or not confess to a priest is governed by the adage: All may, some should, none must. This Lent, Rev. Jessie and Rev. Dan will be reserving Sunday afternoons for hearing confessions and will also be available by appointment. If you would like resources or help preparing for confession, or if you would like to set up a time for this sacrament, please email revjessie@stpaulsps.org or revdan@stpaulsps.org.
The Real Dracula, written by our own Mick Welch, examines how we deal with anger management. This Lent, come join in a weekly reading of this vivid play each Sunday at 9:00 AM, in the Library, between services. You might wonder, why are we studying vampires at church? This plot will grab you and can be an entryway into thinking about our own anger, our own capability for violence and what kinds of people we want to be as we dream of and work toward a future of peace. The text is easy to read, and no play reading experience is required. Our first reading session is Sunday, March 6. We’ll read pages 7-32. The takeaway quote from this section: “If you make the wrong choices, you will become a creature of the night, a real-life vampire, a monster who will drown in his own blood.” See you Sunday! Questions? Contact Mick Welch at bonitabrothers@hotmail.com or 760.992.7491.
Lenten Retreat Day – Interactive Prayer: Deepening Our Conversations with God – Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 8:00 AM – Noon, at the church. Creative, experiential, reflective, connecting. Come take half a day to slow down, be present, and listen in new ways to the Author of Love. We will learn about and experience several interactive ways of praying and being with God. Refresh and relax at this half-day retreat. Please register for this event prior for planning purposes at: revjessie@stpaulsps.org or by calling the church office at: 760-320-7488.
Where is God in the Pandemic? Starting March 8, join us for a five-week series on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM in the Library. We’ll use N.T. Wright’s God and the Pandemic: A Christian Reflection on the Coronavirus and Its Aftermath as a springboard for conversation. You can order the book in advance at all major book retailers or come to the intro session on 3/8 and decide if it’s for you before making the commitment!
Give up your stuff for Lent – Searching for a Lenten Practice that will have you looking at what you have, getting rid of what you don’t need, and creating literal space for God’s Spirit to flow and your home to be a place of resurrection? Join us this Lent with the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge. You determine the size of the bags, and going through each room, drawer, closet, and cupboard, each day collect the items you don’t need, don’t use, or have too much of and discard, recycle or find a new home for those items. By using/having less and by being less wasteful, we can make more room for prayer and to hear God’s Voice. Join us. #40bagsin40dayslentchallenge
Mid-Week Contemplative Eucharists
Worship with us at a simple spoken mass (Eucharist) offered every Wednesday at 6:00 PM. The church will be open the hour prior (5-6:00 PM) for silent, socially distanced personal prayer. Come and rest.
Book Club is Back in Person!
Parish Life Book Club will resume meeting in the Library on the first Tuesday each month at 1:00 PM. The Book Club meets again on April 5th and is reading Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan.
This biography reveals Jesus as a man full of conviction and passion, yet rife with contradiction. First-century Palestine was awash in a fervent nationalism that made resistance to the Roman occupation a sacred duty incumbent on all Jews. Few figures better exemplified this principle than the charismatic Galilean.
New members are always welcome at Book Club. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com
St Paul’s Parish Library Launches “Last Call!”
Libraries have always been an important part of the Christian faith. The Bible is a library of 66 books and many early Christians kept the writings and accounts of their favorite saints in libraries. To introduce our recently reimagined library, the Library Ministry presents “Last Call!” On the last Sunday of every month, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, the library will be open for parishioners to read and check out books using our state-of-the-art library system. March 27 is our next Last Call! For more information please contact Tom Lutgen, our Volunteer Librarian (tom.lutgen@gmail.com) or Ben Palmer, our Volunteer Library Assistant (palmerbd@att.net).
Social Justice Ministry Distribution Event
The Social Justice Ministry sponsors a Distribution event the last Wednesday of each month, set up in the colonnade outside the church. The next distribution is scheduled for March 30. Ministry volunteers will be on hand to give out sundries, clothing, backpacks, blankets – and so many other essentials – for our needy neighbors.
The ministry is always looking for additional volunteers to package and distribute these items so, if you can help, let us know. Thank you to all who have contributed financially or donated items for this project. If you would like to donate time and/or treasures, please contact Lena Granet at lgranet@protonmail.com
Rectors’ Discretionary Fund
Beginning in February, the first Sunday of the month loose-plate (i.e., general giving, not pledged giving) offerings will be designated for the Rectors’ Discretionary Fund (sometimes referred to as “Benevolence.”) This fund provides the clergy with a financial pool to draw from when unanticipated (and unbudgeted) spending requests arise. The traditional uses of the discretionary fund are to assist the poor of the community. Examples of appropriate discretionary spending for those in need include rent, utilities medical bills, etc. To learn more about the Discretionary Fund, contact Rev. Jessie or Rev. Dan.
Coffee/Social Hour Hospitality
Our coffee hour has moved outdoors (to the covered Columbarium area). Due to the recent surge of the COVID-19 omicron variant, we want to minimize/eliminate unnecessary time indoors with masks off. All our hospitality procedures and protocols are subject to any CDC guidelines and mandates that Bishop Susan may put into place, depending on prevailing COVID conditions.
For those wishing to sponsor refreshments for a specific Sunday Coffee Hour, please call or stop by the Parish Office to sign up. You can also find the hospitality sign-up book in the Narthex and in the Parish Hall on Sunday mornings.
The Abundant Life E-List
If you are not a current subscriber to our weekly electronic newsletter, it’s easy to sign up. Just go to www.stpaulsps.org, scroll down to find “Join Our E-Mail List,” enter your email address – and you’re all set. You will receive the newsletter each week, usually on Fridays.
If the newsletter ends up in your spam/junk folder, simply add newsletter@stpaulsps.org to your email address book.
Are You Interested in Baptism or Confirmation?
Baptism is the foundation for all ministry in the church. Confirmation is confirming the promises we make at baptism and is when we express our connection with The Episcopal Church through the laying on of hands by a bishop. Are you interested in learning more? Reach out to revjessie@stpaulsps.org
Ushers needed!
We have reinstated our 8:00 AM worship services and are pleased with the enthusiastic turnout of our “Eight O’clock Regulars” and many new worshipers. For now, we will offer these as spoken services with no music; vaccination proof and masks are required.
WE STILL NEED USHER VOLUNTEERS! We’re looking for four teams of two people to cover one Sunday a month at 8:00 AM. We also need more volunteer ushers for the 10:30 service. If you think you can help, please contact Kathy Kilmer, Junior Warden, at kmkcc@aol.com
Sunday School is back in session after Winter Break
Sunday School classes for preschool through fifth grade have resumed and will meet (outdoors) every Sunday during the 10:30 AM service. We start the class in the church and are invited up front for a special children’s moment with our priests. Then we head outside to our Sunday School “classroom” on the library porch. We meet outside to be as protective as possible for everyone’s safety during the current pandemic.
You’re invited to join Sacred Circle
St. Paul’s Sacred Circle is a band of women who wish to deepen their spirituality and build community. We would be pleased to have you join us. Our Circle is open to all women in our Community. For information, please call Kaye Ball at 303.517.5321 or Summer Schoch at 619.804.2592
Prayers of the Church
For the Anglican Communion, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby; for The Anglican Church of Korea, Peter Lee Kyeong-ho, Primate, Bishop of Seoul and Presiding Bishop of Korea.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Colombia, The Rt. Rev. Francisco Duque Gomez, Obispo.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for the clergy and people of Sts. Peter and Paul, El Centro; for Hispanic/Latino ministries throughout the diocese; for the students, teachers and staff of The Bishop’s School, La Jolla; for our Bishop and all other bishops attending the House of Bishops Spring Meeting.
A prayer for Ukraine
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
The Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York
For those commended to our prayers: Carolyn & Zachary Scott, Donna Palmer, Mark Thallander, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Emily Macdonald, Lorraine Myers, Addison Kahn Padian, Nelson G., Jimmy, Fanny Levy, Davenport Family, Marna and Rick Hill, V. J. Hume, George Smith, Brian Nealy; pray for all those affected by COVID-19: heal those who are suffering, comfort those who grieve, and strengthen those who are caring for others; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.
For those who have died: Audrey Spencer, Alvin Crawford, Marvin Manning, Harold Logan, Leroy Cameron, Dennis Marguet, O. J. Porche.
For those with birthdays: March 6: Terri Miller-Steele, Shirley Schott; March 7: Timothy Nugent; March 9: Fred Stroock, Diane Jessup, Mike Gorman, Kerry Deal; March 10: Bob Rimac, Donald Hemstreet; March 12: Sandi Austin.
For those celebrating anniversaries: March 10: Dale McGhee Pollack & Arthur McGhee Pollack, Nathan DePetris & Marc Kassoof.
Send us your Prayer Requests via email — You may request prayers, “For those commended to our prayers” or “For those who have died,” by sending requests to announcements@stpaulsps.org
For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.stpaulsps.org, and click on “This Week’s Scriptures” in the Worship Services box. From the calendar, select March 13, The Second Sunday in Lent.
Sunday Service Livestreaming
We will be livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week, going forward. The livestream project has been a one-year journey coming to St. Paul’s and was made possible through a generous gift from a “snowbird” member from Philadelphia who wintered in Palm Springs for many years and worshiped at St. Paul’s every Sunday. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.
Missed a service? Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on St. Paul’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert or by subscribing to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert
Daughters of the King Prayer List Requests
St. Paul’s Order of the Daughters of the King chapter maintains a confidential prayer list, praying daily for our families, friends, congregation, and the world. If you would like to ask the Daughters to pray for you or someone else, email your requests to dokstpaulsps@gmail.com. Confidentiality of this list means that names on our list are not shared beyond our chapter members and Chaplain.
Members of The Order of the Daughters of the King® are women who desire a closer walk with the Lord. We are Christian women, both lay and ordained, who are strengthened through the discipline of a Rule of Life, and supported through the companionship of our sisters. All women of St. Paul’s who seek deeper spiritual life and inspiration in prayer and Christian fellowship are invited to learn more about becoming a member. Our chapter meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Requests for additions to the confidential prayer list may be emailed to dokstpaulsps@gmail.com.
Contact: Patty Kiker
patty.kiker@gmail.com
Revised COVID Protocol for Indoor Worship
Due to the recent spike in COVID cases in our area, Bishop Susan has issued this appeal to all clergy in our diocese.
Dear Clergy,
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
Jesus commands us to love our neighbors, which includes doing what we can to keep them and ourselves safe in a public health crisis. With regret, due to the spike in Covid cases in our area, I am asking you to reinstate mask-wearing for all (except while reading or preaching) for indoor worship in our diocese.
I have so enjoyed our brief respite from most restrictions in worship. Like all of you, I hoped and prayed that the drop in Covid cases we saw earlier in the summer would prove to be the end of the pandemic. Sadly, the choice of many people in our area to remain unvaccinated is allowing the pandemic to continue. Given the fact that children and some people with health conditions cannot yet be vaccinated, and that even vaccinated adults can catch breakthrough cases (albeit with far better outcomes than unvaccinated people), it seems that the responsible thing to do is keep ourselves safe with masking during indoor worship. I am saddened by the need to tighten restrictions once more, but this message comes after review of the concerning news of a Covid spike, and after discussion with members of our Public Health Task Force.
I ask you to join me in prayer that the current growth in cases is short-lived, and I ask you to urge your members to be vaccinated, for the sake of public health in our community. I hope we can remove the masking requirement soon. But for now, I believe that Jesus’ command to love our neighbor compels us to do what we can to protect our neighbors and our community from this disease. I am grateful to all of you for your leadership in this trying time.
In Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
Episcopal News Service
Want the latest news from the Episcopal News Service?
Subscribe for free at episcopalnewsservice.org/signup
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.
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.
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.
Fraud Email Alert
A recurring threat to churches is email-based impersonation scams targeting key personnel. The scheme involves cybercriminals mimicking clergy or other staff through the use of phishing emails. Criminals typically pose as personnel in positions of authority and ask victims to perform money transfers, pay invoices, or to send the attacker sensitive data. Scammers will often manipulate the “from” email address and name so that it appears to be coming from someone you know.
Churches and dioceses across The Episcopal Church and across other denominations have been a target of these email impersonation attacks. Scammers use a free email account (such as Gmail) and register it with an impersonated name. They then send an email to an unsuspecting recipient asking for immediate help in order to get a task done (such as purchasing a gift card or wiring money). Attention to detail can be a lot of help in combating cases of impersonation. Users should check sender details carefully. Any suspicious email message should be investigated before replying. Also, proper attention should be given to the message content, including attachments and URLs.
While there is no way to stop these scams, you can minimize risk by taking these steps:
- Check the return email address. If the address doesn’t match the name of the sender, be wary.
- Never open attachments from unknown sources.
- Be wary of generically addressed emails like “Dear Friend” or Dear Customer.”
- If there are links in the email, hover over them without clicking on them. This will show where the link will actually take you.
- Be wary of email with grammatical or spelling errors in the text.
- Check the address at the bottom of the email. If it says ”Pastor Jim” and Jim never goes by “Pastor,” it’s fake.
Finally, if after all these steps it looks safe and the sender is asking for money or access to secure data, call the person directly to get verification.
Your best defense for this is to simply delete the email; do not click on any links or reply to the sender.
