The Abundant Life – March 11, 2022

Episcopal Relief & Development

Episcopal Relief & Development is mobilizing with Anglican agencies and other partners to provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. Working through the Action by Churches Together Alliance (ACT Alliance), Episcopal Relief & Development will provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other needed assistance. “Ecumenical and orthodox faith networks are on the ground in the border areas of Poland and Hungary,” said Abagail Nelson, Executive Vice President, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We will continue to coordinate with these networks, in order to meet the needs of people who have been displaced.”

Please pray for all those affected. Donations to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Ukraine Crisis Response Fund will provide humanitarian assistance for the crisis in Ukraine (https://support.episcopalrelief.org/).

RefugeeNet San Diego

RefugeeNet invites you to register for its annual fundraising gala the evening of Saturday, March 19 (go to https://www.refugee-net.org).  The event will be held at St. Luke’s in North Park, San Diego, and guests will have the option of attending either in person or virtually via livestream.  In-person tickets of $60 will cover a delightful array of east African foods enjoyed in a beautiful outdoor setting with plenty of space for you to choose the level of social distancing you prefer.

There is no cost to participate in the online livestream, though virtual attendees can also order food to be delivered if they like.  The online auction opens on March 12.  Thank you for helping us raise crucial operating funds necessary to provide for San Diego’s refugee families.  Email fargin@ernsd.org for more details.

A Long-Time Staff Member Farewell

Dear People of the Church of St. Paul in the Desert,

We are writing to inform you that Kathy Guidry, our parish administrator, has resigned from our staff, effective March 31, 2022. After this date, please direct all communications you would normally send to our parish administrator to Rev. Dan or Rev. Jessie. As I said to Kathy this week, it will not be easy to find someone who can fill her shoes and we will want to take our time to find the right fit. While saddened by Kathy’s departure, we recognize that we have been presented with an opportunity to reassess our current staffing model.

In the meantime, we are currently working on potential workflow solutions to help us continue our daily tasks. Our hope is to balance expediency in addressing the essentials of our day-to-day operations with patient exploration around what future staffing could look like. We have an incredible staff team, paid and volunteer, who will help us navigate this change. St. Paul’s has demonstrated tremendous adaptability over the last few years and that strength will serve us well as we approach this transition. Our strategic planning process will help us determine next steps by creating organizational goals for the next five years. From there, we will be able to envision what kind of staff team we will need to achieve those measurable outcomes that have buy-in from the entire parish.

We are incredibly grateful for the many contributions that Kathy Guidry has made during her time here. She has been a pillar during the biggest transition this parish has faced in over 30 years and did it all during a pandemic. This was no small accomplishment, and our parish is eternally indebted to her behind-the-scenes work in the office. We, as your co-rectors, would not be here if she did not help to hold the fort down over the last two years. We hope that once the announcement has gone public you will express similar sentiments to Kathy for her many years of service at the Church of St. Paul in the Desert. Please feel free to drop her a note or stop by the office over the next few weeks to say goodbye. We will also be taking a special collection up on Sunday March 20^th to express our gratitude for all of Kathy’s hard work. We are sorry to see Kathy go, but wish her the best in her next chapter.

Sincerely,
Rev. Dan+ and Rev. Jessie+

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.

Co-Rector’s Installation Service

February 26, 2022 – Photo credit: San Diego Diocese
More photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/edsd/albums/72177720297046504

Photo Credit: Shelia Brubaker

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

Coffee/Social Hour Hospitality

For those wishing to sponsor refreshments for a specific Sunday Coffee Hour, please call or stop by the Parish Office to sign up. 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.

Sunday’s Coffee Hour is sponsored by Lucinda Hampson, in honor of John Hampson’s birthday (March 13).

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

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 Melanesia, The Most Revd Leonard Dawea, Archbishop of Melanesia.

For the Episcopal Diocese of The Dominican Republic, The Rt. Rev. Moisés Quezada Mota, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for the clergy and people of St. Andrew the Apostle, Encinitas; for the children and teachers of St. Andrew’s Preschool.

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: Pat Lutgen, John Rich Family, Mary Kipe, 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: John Rich, Audrey Spencer, Alvin Crawford, Marvin Manning, Harold Logan, Leroy Cameron, Dennis Marguet, O. J. Porche.

In Memoriam – Richard Nulan Cadarette (1-13-1932 – 11-20-2021)
Richard Cadarette was born in Michigan and lived there until he retired to Palm Springs.  He is survived by his beloved spouse Joseph Noble and three generations of nieces and nephews. Richard earned a PhD in psychology and taught school for 32 years.  He was on staff as a professor at Wayne State University and Michigan State University.  Services will be held at St. Paul’s March 12 at 12:00 PM, with a reception immediately following in the Parish Hall.

For those with birthdays: March 13: Karen Shepherd, John Hampson; March 15: Daria Lightner-Eder, Dennis Vasquez, Jim Watkins; March 18: Tim Johnson.

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 20, The Third 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

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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.