For Sunday June 11, 2023
SPIT (Strategic Planning Implementation Team) Update
After an in-depth assessment, St. Paul’s issued the first of a series of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) on June 1 for a significant portion of the work that will be done pursuant to the Security Grant that was announced in March. This first RFP covers updating/expanding the alarm system, video surveillance, access system (door controls) and campus lighting. We hope to have one or more vendors onboarded by August, with work to occur in the late summer/early autumn.
Subsequent RFPs over the next few months will address campus communications/Internet access, hardening the property border (e.g., vehicle intrusions barriers, fencings, gating), security patrols, etc. All this work ties to Objective #6 of our Strategic Plan: Update Campus Infrastructure. Watch for periodic updates in future editions of The Abundant Life.
“Summer Second Saturdays at Seven”
Concert Series
Although we will miss our talented and dedicated Mixed Ensemble this summer, we have planned other musical offerings for June, July, and August as part of our concert series. The second Saturday of each month, we will showcase a different musical presentation at 7:00 PM in the church, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Mark your calendars!
- Saturday, June 10, Douglas Graham performs “Dancin’ Man – My Song and Dance Journey.”
- Saturday, July 8, The Boy’s Chorus of Tucson
- Saturday, August 12, Robert York Organ Recital
The Reverend Enmegahbowh (c. 1813-June 11, 1902)
First Native American Episcopal Priest
Today, we commemorate the life of The Reverend Enmegahbowh, the first Native American Episcopal priest and missionary. He was born on the north shore of Rice Lake, Ontario, Canada, and was a member of the Chippewa (Ojibwe) Nation. His name means “one-who-stands-before-his-people.” After he was baptized by a Methodist preacher, he took the name John Johnson. Sometime before 1850 he was given a Prayer Book. Through the influence of James Lloyd Breck (Episcopal priest, educator, and missionary from the Philadelphia area) he became a candidate for ordination in the Episcopal Church. He was ordained deacon on July 3, 1859, and priest on June 2, 1867. Rev. Enmegahbowh and Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple (first Episcopal Bishop of Minnesota) worked together among the Native American peoples until Rev. Enmegahbowh’s death at White Earth, Minnesota.
Excerpted from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church.”
Adult Faith Formation Sundays in June with Rev. Deb Seles
In May, we learned about the lives of four mystics. In June, join Rev. Deb Seles on Sundays at 9:00 AM in the Library to explore how to “ease into contemplative prayer.” Using the book, Armchair Mystic by Jesuit Mark Thibodeaux, we’ll explore the background and practice of various forms of prayer. If you feel a tug towards a deeper relationship with the Holy, this experience is for you! The book will be a jumping-off point; each week we’ll hear from poets and mystics as we move from Stage I (Talking AT God) to Stage IV (Union with God).
Schedule:
- June 11 (Stage II & The Graces of Prayer)
- June 18 (Stage III & Dealing with Distractions)
- June 25 (Stage IV & Putting Prayer into Action)
Books may be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/Armchair-Mystic-Easing-Contemplative-Prayer/dp/0867164301
Abe Books: https://www.abebooks.com
Half-Priced Books: https://www.hpb.com or any other online bookseller.
Rev. Deb Seles hails from Chicago and always wanted to be a priest but, having grown up Roman Catholic, likes to joke, “Not only was the idea on the backburner, the stove was in someone else’s house!” A social worker before she became a priest, she worked with people with disabilities. She was introduced to the Episcopal Church by her late husband. Ordained in 2002, she was Executive Director of the Chicago L’Arche Community (a faith-based group home for people with and without disabilities). Trained as an interim rector, she served several churches in the Chicago area and also managed a spiritual direction practice. Working as a chaplain at Stroger Hospital broadened her experience. In 2010, she moved West and accepted the call to become Rector of Ascension Church in Twin Falls Idaho. She moved to the Coachella Valley in 2016, where she served as Associate Priest at St. Margaret’s before retiring in June 2022.
Movie Night at St. Paul’s
Saturday, June 17
7:30 PM – On the Lawn
Have fun, meet friends, and share a movie and popcorn with your fellow parishioners. If you like, you can bring a pizza, a bucket of chicken or any other favorite snacks to enjoy on the lawn in the Memorial Garden, June 17 at 7:30 PM. We will provide the drinks and popcorn; you create the fellowship. All are welcome, so invite your friends and neighbors. See you there!
This month’s featured film is Sordid Lives. It tells the story of a family coming together, despite different moral opinions, following the death of a loved one. Latrelle Williamson, a mother, sister and daughter, returns to her rural Texas hometown for her mother’s funeral. Williamson is described as uptight and unwilling to accept her brother Earl for his homosexuality and cross-dressing or the possibility that her son, Ty, is gay, too. Earl, also referred to as “Brother Boy,” has been institutionalized for 23 years because he is gay. Earl is enrolled in conversion therapy managed by psychiatrist Dr. Eve Bolinger, who only wishes to convert Earl for her own fame.
Throughout the play, Latrelle must see her son for who he really is with encouragement from her free-spirited sister LaVonda DuPree and aunt Sissy Hickey. Film director and producer Del Shores produced the play in 1996 and later adapted a screenplay, which was released as a comedy film in 2000. The film stars Olivia Newton-John, Leslie Jordan, Bonnie Bedelia and Beau Bridges. It opened in Palm Springs at the Camelot Theatres in 2001 and ran for 96 weeks, making it the longest running film in the city’s history.
Parish Administrator Job Posting
We are hiring a new parish administrator. The Parish Administrator is a critical role at the Church of St. Paul in the Desert and serves as the central contact and hub for all church staff, parishioners, volunteers, visitors, vendors, and community partners. They must be well-organized, able to work independently and collaboratively, and be flexible in responding to the changing needs of the parish.
The Parish Administrator reports to the Co-Rectors, and manages two other staff members: a Sexton and Assistant Sexton. They work with the Co-Rectors in managing a team of office volunteers who will assist in the broad scope of this key role. As we grow into a program-sized church, our Parish Administrator will help us navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the multiplication of mission endeavors, expansion of communication lines, and increasing complexity of day-to-day operations. Please click on the link below for further information. If you know someone who may be interested in applying, please forward the website link to them. Application Deadline Extended: June 30th, 2023
Parish Life Camping Ministry
Escape the summer heat, July 18-20, up in Idyllwild at the Riverside County Campground. There will be plenty of trails for walking or hiking, evening campfire fellowship, time to explore Idyllwild village, and, of course, lots of group games to play.
A shared dinner on Wednesday will be followed by a compline service. Cost – $20 per person. Dogs on leashes are allowed (for an extra fee). To sign-up, contact Bonnie Stroock at 760-324-7949 (home).
Giving Update
First Quarter Giving Statements have gone out. The statements reflect January through March. If your donation was given on the last week of March, it may not appear until the Second Quarter Giving Statement because of the timing of deposits. If you are giving online, please check to make sure you are giving to the 2023 Pledge Fund and not the 2022 Pledge Fund.
With a $10K/month revenue deficit due to lower than anticipated pledges, we encourage all pledgers to make timely contributions whenever possible. If for any reason you are planning on paying your pledge later on in the year or need to reassess your pledge for the year based on a change in personal circumstances, please notify the office (registrar@stpaulsps.org) or speak with the Chair of the Stewardship Committee, Kathy Kilmer. They can also assist with helping you to set up recurring online payments. Thank you for your continued, faithful support during the slower summer months when attendance drops as snowbirds return home and locals travel to escape the heat. We could not do the ministry we do without your incredible generosity.
Safe Church Challenge – June 30th DEADLINE!
We currently have about 80 people in process or who have completed the Safe Church training. Let’s reach 100 people and be THE safest church in the diocese! If you need help accessing and understanding the modules, please reach out to brojohncharles@gmail.com or call the church office.
Music Ministry News – A Message from our Interim Director of Music and Organist
During the next few months, I will be calling parishioners to talk about our Music Ministry at St. Paul’s. This will be a way of getting to know each other better, and to discern the needs and concerns of you, the people of St. Paul in the Desert. I look forward to having our conversations. In the meantime, I invite you to enjoy the upcoming musical presentations in our summer concert series.
Phil Smith
Altar flower sponsorships
Fresh flowers at the altar honor God and add to the beauty of our worship.
If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday honoring a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship date(s). A donation of $95 for each altar flower sponsorship is suggested.
St. Paul’s Social Justice Ministry Needs Warm Weather Clothing Donations
The Social Justice Ministry is seeking donations of new or gently used warm weather clothing and accessories to distribute to our needy neighbors. Please place your donated items in the collection containers located in the Narthex. Our volunteers distribute these items in the Columbarium colonnade the last Wednesday of each month.
If you would like to learn more about this important ministry, please contact Lena Granet at lorainehome@gmail.com.
Mid-week Services
You are invited to the church on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM each week for contemplative Eucharist/Evening Prayer. The church will be open the hour prior (5:00-6:00 PM) for silent, personal prayer. Come and rest.
- Wednesday, June 14 – The Rev. Dr. David Norgard
- Wednesday, June 21 – The Rev. Frank Dunn
- Wednesday, June 28 – The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
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 in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia; Primates (Archbishops): Don Tamihere (Aotearoa); Philip Richardson (New Zealand); Sione Ulu’ilakepa (Polynesia).
For the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, The Right Reverend Dr. Douglas E. Sparks, Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority.
For those commended to our prayers: Michael Holliday, Kris and Kai Christensen, Gloria Swanson Stansbury, Don Johnson, Ken Van Horn, Wendy V., Adele, Paula Davis, Rev. Jessie & Rev. Dan, Jim, Donna & Bruce, Donald Gravelle, Ken Smithler, Betsy Westaway, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton, Rus Butler, Frank Kipe, Terry Garrity, Kylie Smith, Jenni Foreman, Kelly, Amelia Grinstead, Marilyn De Silva Currie, Donald Chase, Greg Gowdy, AJ Miller, Tom Lutgen, Brian Nealy; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.
For those who have died: John Ketchum, Irene Kutach, James Robert Valletti, Farris Smith, Daniel Engle, Bill Moran, Darlene Winkler.
Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
For those with birthdays: June 11: Mary Holmes, Kriste Petite, David Norgard; June 12: Alan Zimmerman; June 13: Terry Arnett, Will Tacchi; June 14: William Casey; June 15: Christopher Kelly; June 17: Jack Moore, Tim Rogers.
For those celebrating anniversaries: June 11: Lyn & Mark Pease; June 12: Vern Marken & Luis Valdez, Stephen Dixon & Terry Jones; June 16: Lyle Haas & Donald Smith.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Steve Horstman & Leonard Sanchez, in loving memory of Marge Horstman, on what would be her 90th birthday.
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 registrar@stpaulsps.org Weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.
For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on June 18, 2023, The Third Sunday after Pentecost.
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Saturday, June 10 – 7:00 PM – “Summer Second Saturdays at Seven” performance and reception.
- Saturday, June 17 – 7:30 PM – Movie Night – “Sordid Lives” – On the lawn.
- Sunday, June 18 is Father’s Day.
- Monday, June 19 – And weekend of June 17-18 – Juneteenth holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. – numerous civic events are scheduled throughout the weekend in the Coachella Valley.
- Wednesday, June 21 – 6:30 PM – Finance Committee meeting – Library.
- Sunday, June 25 – 12:00 – 2:00 PM – “Last Call” – Library.
- Wednesday, June 28 – 10:00 AM – Columbarium colonnade – Social Justice Ministry clothing distribution.
- Wednesday, June 28 – 6:30 PM – Vestry meeting – Library.
Sunday Service LiveStreaming
We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. The livestream project 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 our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert
Assistance for Migrants
Coachella Valley clergy,
Robert Vivar, our Diocesan Migration Missioner (CC’ed) recently discovered that many asylum seekers crossing our southern border are being relocated to a center in Mecca, CA. You may already be aware of this and, if so, I apologize for the redundancy. In any case, if you or your members would be interested in assisting these folks please feel free to have anyone fill out our volunteer form found here. If you have more information about this situation or have questions for Robert, he can be contacted at rvivar@edsd.org. Thanks!
Jason Evans
Canon for Mission
Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
(619) 208-0818
Tijuana Service & Learning Trip
Hosted by the Diocese, this day trip is a wonderful opportunity to meet migrants and hear their stories, learn more about the immigration process, and make an impact just south of the border!
Tijuana Service & Learning Trip – June 25, 2023, 8:30-6pm, $60 (space is limited)
See the full schedule and register here: https://edsd.org/event/tijuana-full-day-service-learning-trip/
St Paul’s Book Club
The Book Club will not meet in July. The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 1 PM via Zoom. Meeting information will follow later.
For August Book Club has selected Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Set in southern Appalachia, this is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a ferocity for survival. Spoken in his own unsparing voice, he braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in popular culture.
New members are always welcome at Book Club. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com
