The Abundant Life – April 11, 2024

What is Confirmation?

The sacramental rite in which candidates “express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop (Book of Common Prayer, p. 860 ). Those who were baptized at an early age and those baptized as adults without laying on of hands by a bishop are expected to make a mature public affirmation of their faith, recommit themselves to the responsibilities of their baptism, and receive laying on of hands by a bishop (BCP, p. 412). Adults baptized with the laying on of hands by a bishop are considered to be confirmed. The Episcopal Church’s theology of Confirmation has continued to evolve along with its understanding of baptism. Confirmation is no longer seen as the completion of Christian initiation, nor is Confirmation a prerequisite for receiving Holy Communion. Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body the church (BCP, p. 298). Accordingly, Confirmation has been increasingly understood in terms of a mature, public reaffirmation of the Christian faith and baptismal promises. Some dioceses require that candidates for Confirmation be at least sixteen years old to ensure that the candidates are making a mature and independent affirmation of their faith. There is considerable diversity of understanding and practice concerning Confirmation in the Episcopal Church. Confirmation has been characterized as “a rite seeking a theology.”

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You’ve heard of the Alpha Course (Intro to Christianity 101), but have you heard of the Omega Course? This offering will explore what the shape of the Church could be in the future if it recovers the Wisdom/Perennial/Mystical tradition which grounded it in the past. Using the thought of medieval and modern mystics and other progressive theologians, we will attempt to deconstruct the Christian understanding of major topics in systematic theology (God, the Christ, the Church, etc.) and imagine what Christian faith might look like in the light of a 21st understanding of the world. The course takes its inspiration from quotes from two major religious figures, +John Shelby Spong “Christianity must change or die” and Karl Rahner, S.J. “The Christian of the future will be a mystic or [s]he will not exist at all.”

Daughters of The King

Patty Kiker

What prompted you to become a Daughter?

• I learned more about the Order after we moved to a town where one of my closest friends lived and was a member of the Daughters of the King chapter at the local Episcopal Church. I had been a lifelong Episcopalian but wasn’t familiar with the Order. As I learned more about the Order I decided it would be something I wanted in my life to help deepen my spiritual walk.

How has being a Daughter impacted your faith life?

• When I became a daughter in 2004, I was a regular churchgoer and living a very busy life with my career. The Order’s Rule of Prayer and Rule of Life helped me to make prayer a priority in my life. Setting aside time to be with God daily has been a profound and enriching experience.

What would you like to share about DOK with the church that is meaningful to you?

• One of my favorite parts of being a Daughter is the relationships with my sisters and how we all support one another not only on our spiritual paths but also with the ups and downs in all our lives.
• Another favorite of mine is from our Motto, “I cannot do everything but I can do something. Lord, what would you have me do?” It’s easy to get overwhelmed with life and all of its details. For me, taking a deep breath, remembering that I can’t do everything, and asking for guidance is a great gift.

 

Bonnie Stroock

What prompted you to become a Daughter?

• I decided to become a daughter in 1997 at St. Peter’s Church in San Pedro. I was inspired by the women in the group who faithfully served the parish.

How has being a Daughter impacted your faith life?

• Being a daughter has added a richness to my relationship with Jesus as I pray daily and do some Bible study most days.

What would you like to share about DOK with the church that is meaningful to you?

• One beautiful blessing about being a daughter is to attend the Triennial conference with women from all over the world who are members and sisters in prayer. This June, Patty and I are attending the 49th Triennial meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, which is run by the  National Office of the Order of the Daughters of the King.

 

Karen Nelson

What prompted you to become a Daughter?

• Most prayer groups are likely to become social hours if not guided carefully. The Daughters of the King provides structured prayer.

How has being a Daughter impacted your faith life?

• In following our Rule of Prayer and Rule of Life, fortunately, for me, the Hours of the day are now online. So I can join thousands of others and pray in a structured way. Daily worship has become easier. Although far away, Episcopal services are at hand in Yucca Valley. Thank God for these hardy souls.

What would you like to share about DOK with the church that is meaningful to you?

• It is meaningful to me that the Order of the Daughters of the King is a community of women who take prayer and good works seriously.

 

Jo Anne Adair

What prompted you to become a Daughter?

• I wanted to become a Daughter to have a one-on-one togetherness with women who are seeking to become closer to Jesus. I thoroughly enjoyed the process of becoming a Daughter. The study of the Rule of Life was so wonderful and I discovered I am precious in His sight and never alone.

How has being a Daughter impacted your faith life?

• My faith in life is centered in daily prayer as I learned that Jesus wants us to talk to him on a daily basis. By wearing my cross I uphold with heart, mind and spirit a powerful show of grace for the love I have for Jesus. He is my constant and eternal hope.

What would you like to share about DOK with the church that is meaningful to you?

• In becoming a Daughter I’ve been shown that I am thankful to be able to walk this journey with Jesus, with prayer and togetherness with women in our parish. Love and prayer will continue to be my saving grace and we continue to be evangelists forever.

 

Teri Whitmer

What prompted you to become a Daughter?

• After I started attending St. Paul’s, several daughters were in my life at a time of need. Their love and peace and kindness guided me and showered me with happiness. I vowed that from that day I would share and pay it forward. Joining the Order was my way to do that for the rest of my life.

How has being a Daughter impacted your faith life?

• In the discernment process to become a Daughter, I learned about our Rule of Life and the Rule of Prayer. I felt like it was almost a little miracle to honor and serve God in this way.

What would you like to share about DOK with the church that is meaningful to you?

• I enjoy learning and have learned more from the DOK than had ever in my life about being a Christian. Wearing the cross daily allows me to evangelize when people ask about it or comment on it. With our daily prayers, I’m serving God and His precious children.

St. Paul’s Hiking Club – Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

St. Paul’s Hikers…we are “on” for our hike this Saturday, April 13, at the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in Morongo Valley.  We will be meeting at the trailhead in the Preserve parking lot at 8:30 AM sharp. The hike is about 2-2.5 miles around the perimeter of the Preserve – trails are generally well-maintained with a mixture of sun and shade.  The weather is expected to be sunny, with highs in the low 70s.  Make sure to bring/wear solid walking shoes with good traction, water, sunscreen, a hat and maybe a light jacket or sweatshirt for the morning chill.  Wildlife viewing is possible, so you may want to carry binoculars, a camera, etc.

It is an easy ½-hour drive from the Low Desert to the Preserve.  Driving directions are as follows: From Palm Springs, take Indian Canyon or I-10 West to Highway 62 North (or, if coming from areas East of Palm Springs, take I-10 West to Highway 62 North) and proceed North on Highway 62 approximately 20 miles to East Drive in Morongo Valley.  There will be signs pointing the way to the Preserve parking lot.   Make a right turn on East Drive and follow the signs to the parking lot.  The address is 11055 East Drive.

If you are planning on joining us & have not signed up yet or you need to share a ride, please contact me.  I will be around today, Thursday 4/11 and tomorrow, Friday 4/12 to handle any last-minute sign-ups or questions.  My email address is cwkelly615@verizoon.net, and my cell number is 760-406-2978

Looking forward to seeing everyone and sharing this unique and beautiful place!

Chris Kelly

Church Camping Trip in Indian Cove

St Paul’s Campers – Our Joshua Tree National Park trip is next week, April 17-19.  Gorgeous stars and wonderful rock formations will be enjoyed in Indian Cove, at the 29 Palms end of the park. Join a shared meal on Thursday night and explore the campground.  Enjoy an overnight, or just make it a daytrip on Thursday. A short meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM this Sunday (outside the church, next to the Parish Hall), to answer questions, distribute maps and coordinate food sign-up. Call Bonnie Stroock 760-799-9336 to reserve.

Movie Night

Saturday April 20th, 2024 at 7:30PM in the St. Paul’s Parish Hall Theater

“The New World”

Director Terrence Malick’s take on the story of Pocahontas, John Smith, and the founding of Jamestown is one of his most fully realized works, a poetic meditation on love, colonialism, and the eternal duel between civilization and nature. Upon arriving in the New World, Smith (Colin Farrell) is sentenced to death for mutinous behavior but is pardoned by Captain Christopher Newport (Christopher Plummer), then captured by natives and once again has his life spared, this time by young Pocahontas (Q’orianka Kilcher). Smith soon falls in love with her and wins the trust of her tribe, but violent conflict between the English settlers and the region’s natives seems all but fated. Emmanuel Lubezki’s swirling camera captures the majesty and sensuality of the natural world, yielding an enthralling epic that’s both historical and metaphysical.

Compassion Knows No Borders

Come! see! and experience! a compassionate humanitarian response to asylum seekers at the nearby USA border crossing at Calexico/Mexicali. Sponsored by Latino Ministry and the vibrant ministries of peace, justice, and mercy, join us along with Rev. Dan Kline for the day on Saturday, April 27 as we sojourn to the Cobina Posada Del Migrante, a shelter for 80-175 individuals and family members, in Mexicali.

We’ll depart at 6:30 am sharp from St. Paul’s parking lot and return at approximately 5:30 pm. A valid passport or passport card is required. Visit www.border-compassion.org for more detailed information about this vital and timely ministry. Information for our “crossover” and sign-up are available at the Connections table or by contacting Andrew Trofka at 323-786-2523 or email at andrewtrofka@gmail.com

Parish Book Club

St. Paul’s Book Club will meet again on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 2:00 PM via Zoom. Meeting access details will follow. The transition back to Zoom is a bit sooner than anticipated because many folks are returning early. For May, Book Club has selected James by Percival Everett. “From Percival Everett-a recipient of the NBCC Lifetime Achievement Award and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Booker Prize, and numerous PEN awards-comes James, a retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view.

When Jim,“James” overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a “cult literary icon” (Oprah Daily), and one of the most decorated writers of our lifetime, James is destined to be a major publishing event and a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.”

Strategic Plan Update

Earlier this week, the Strategic Plan Implementation Team formed a taskforce as part of Objective 1: Grow the Parish & Engage Parishioners in Discerning Growth Pathways. This taskforce will work on discerning how we can connect the passions, skills, and experiences of parishioners with all the different ministries and ways to volunteer at St. Paul’s.

It will also help in connecting the different ministry opportunities and resources with parishioners. As we have many folks, this could not come at a more opportune time as we seek to empower those who call St. Paul’s to find ways to share the abundant love of Jesus within our parish and with the wider community. Think about it as ministry match-making 101!

Campus Care Update

Our security grant implementation continues to steam ahead! This past week, our security vendor installed new wiring all over campus so that we our new security cameras will be operational. Additionally, our internet vendor began laying new fiber optic cable so that we will have the internet capability needed to power this new security system (as well as all of the other parts of our campus that need internet!). Next time you see someone on the Campus Care Committee, please thank them for the many hours of behind the scenes work they are doing to implement this project.

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 Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, The Most Reverend Don Tamihere, Archbishop of Aotearoa; for the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of New Zealand (Archbishop seat currently vacant); for the Anglican Church of Polynesia, The Most Reverend Sione Ulu’ilakepa, Archbishop of Polynesia.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Colombia, The Right Reverend Elias Garcia Cardenas, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for the clergy and people of St. James by-the-Sea, La Jolla.

For those commended to our prayers: Henry Black, Frank Stahl, Stan Kolodzi, Leah Drake, Ralph Bise, Carmen Vasquez, Robert Timberlake, Rosa Zingg, Lydia, Oliver, Mary Hildebrandt, Daniel Garcia, George Barros, Andy Johnson, Robby Robinson,   Michael Chacon, Teri Whitmer, Marsha Myers, Scott Jones, Bobbby Brock, Stacy Solomon, Ken Spaetti, Kylie Smith, Suzi Osuna, Lucinda Hampson, David Crandall, Dana Gunning, Mark Austin, Jim Crumby, Layla Alexia, Richard, Patrick, Donald, Cindy Jiovani, Paul Mattaliano, Michael Marguet, Terry Garrity, Rus Butler, Joe Christopher, Hap Blaisdell, David Valenzuela, Amelia Grinstead, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton, Marilyn De Silva Currie, Greg Gowdy, Tom Lutgen; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Gwendolyn Walton, Roger Senter, Donald Rimac, Nicole Rimac, Peter Rimac, Judy Hampton, Jeanne Holland, Gary Dahl, Marvin Williams, Frances Williams, The Reverend Tom Kennedy. 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  rest in peace. Amen.

For those with birthdays: April 14: Duncan McVeigh, Monicka Rueda; April 16: Larry Wilson, Thomas Root; April 17: Bradley White, David Weir, Luca Reineke; April 18: Natasha Hemrajani; April 19: Elaine Martinkovic.

For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Steve Horstman, in memory of Margaret Horstman, on the first anniversary of her passing AND by Josh Brown, in memory of his father, Stuart Brown, to commemorate the Tenth Anniversary of his passing.

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. The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on April 21, Easter IV.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Monday, April 15 – 2-4:00 PM – Sacred Ground Class – Parish Library
• Wednesday, April 17 – 6:30 PM – Finance committee
• Wednesday – Friday, April 17-19 – St. Paul’s Campers – Spring Outing in Indian Cove
• Saturday, April 20 – 7:30 PM – Movie Night! – The New World – Parish Hall Theater
• Sunday, April 21 – Easter IV – Confirmation Class & and Omega Class – Between services
• Monday, April 22 – 6:30 Pm – Earth Day screening of the movie “Common Ground” – Palm Desert High School Performing Arts Center, Palm Desert
• Tuesday, April 23 – Daughters of the King – 1:30 PM, Closed Meeting for members; 2:00 PM, Open Meeting; Noonday prayer and discussion for all interested women – Parish Hall Conference Room
• Wednesday, April 24 – 4:00 PM – Human Resources
• Saturday, April 27 – Mexicali Trip
• Sunday, April 28 – Easter V – Newcomers’ Class – 9AM-10:15AM – Between services
• Sunday, April 28 – 1:00 PM Vestry meeting

Stay Connected

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. 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

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