The Abundant Life – November 14, 2024

Daughters of the King Open Meeting for ALL Women on Tues. Nov, 19 at 1:30PM

Join the Daughters of the King (DOK) for Noonday Prayer and a free Advent Study kickoff in the Library.

“Members of The Order of the Daughters of the King^® are women and girls between the ages of seven and one hundred and seven 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. We are all at different stages of our Christian journey – some have just begun and some have been on this path for a long time. But no matter where we are on our sacred journeys, our primary goal is the same – to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known to others.”

For more information: https://www.doknational.org/page/WhoWeAre

Transgender Day of Remembrance

The Transgender Health & Wellness Center is hosting the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) in Palm Springs on Wednesday, November 20 from 5-7PM in front of City Hall. Let us support our transgender neighbors who need loving support right now, by showing up in our St. Paul’s t-shirts to this event. [NOTE: Since it will be outside at City Hall, make sure to bring a warm jacket or blanket, and feel free to bring a camp chair to sit.]

“TDoR was founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith. It has grown into a global moment as a vigil to read the names of the transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) persons that have been murdered for being TGI. Although, in a more supportive administration the previous administration with state conservative activists has nurtured an environment where ignorance is encouraged and rewarded.  In 2020, there were a little over two dozen reported murders of TGI people in the U.S. Since then, the number has doubled. We have chosen to increase visibility to bring public attention to these senseless acts of violence by hosting TDoR vigils in Palm Springs, Riverside, Crestline, and Victorville.  The Palm Springs TDoR has historically been held at Palm Springs City Hall.

We ask that our allies please take a moment to join us so that we can change this world together. 2017 was a historical year for the City of Palm Springs, as Transgender Community Coalition donated the first Transgender Day of Remembrance Memorial Cenotaph in memory of those transgender people that have been murdered and committed suicide due to a world that is not understanding nor accepting. This statue is the first of its kind and we thank everyone who participated in this inspiring event, showing your support for the transgender community. The Cenotaph is on display in the front lobby of the Palm Springs City Hall.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) was founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith when she held a vigil for Rita Hester, a transgender woman that was murdered.  It has become a global event to address the violence and oppression against this community.  It is a time when the community that supports LGBTQ equality comes forward with their direct support to end violence against the transgender, intersex, gender non-conforming and non-binary communities.”

Laundry Love

Laundry Love is the name of a mission to help individuals and families/households wash and dry their clothing, bedding and towels with no cost to people who need these services. These services are offered at the Wash Time Coin Laundry in Palm Springs on the third Wednesday evening of each month. If you are interested in helping serve NEXT WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20^TH, please click on the graphic above.

Mercy Ministry Distribution, Stats, & Closet Needs

Our Mercy Ministry (formally Social Justice) is looking to care well for our neighbors as the weather turns cooler. Here are items you can bring to donate (and these items can be placed in the brown wicker bins at the entrance to services on Sundays):

• EXTRA-LARGE hoodies, sweatshirts, sweaters and jackets
• Belts
• LONG pants = JEANS. JEANS. JEANS. JEANS
• Athletic shoes = sizes 9 thru 12

⬆⬆⬆These are the ONLY things we need right now to get us through the cool season. PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF ANYTHING ELSE. We are not a thrift store and cannot handle bedsheets or other items.

Wondering the statistics from the last two Mercy Ministry Distributions? The distribution on October 23^rd was a full distribution (sundries and clothing), and the one on November 6^th was a mini distribution (blankets, backpacks, and jackets, etc.). On October 23^rd, we served 110 houseless people. On November 6^th, we served 65 people. We gave away 41 backpacks and 51 blankets. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers!

Interested in helping at our next distribution— NEXT WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20^th—please click on link above!

Poetry Pizza & Pride

Diocesan Convention 2024 Recap

“Our diocesan family gathered at Convention for an inspiring weekend at St. Margaret’s in Palm Desert. This year’s Convention offered much more than the important business of elections and resolutions. We came together for shared worship, celebrated community over a delightful dinner, and joined in a solemn candle-lit vigil for gun safety, honoring lives lost and committing ourselves to advocacy for peace. The screening of The Philadelphia Eleven offered a poignant look at the trailblazing women who shaped our church, inspiring deep reflection on our history and our future. Throughout the weekend, the spirit of unity and dedication to our mission was palpable as we honored the work of the church and discerned our path forward. In worship, fellowship, and service, we embraced both our joyful connections and our shared responsibilities, creating lasting memories and renewed commitments.”

For more information, videos, and pictures from Bishop Susan Brown Snook’s Annual Address, Convention Eucharist Sermon, Report on Border Ministries, Report on Formation, Report on our Church and Diversity, Report on Mission Real Estate, Report on the Inclusion Taskforce, Report on Church Planting, the Election Results (spoiler—Rev. Jessie was nominated to serve on the Executive Council!), and Resolutions, click here: https://edsd.org/news/convention-recap-2024/

Special thanks to our St. Paul’s Diocesan Convention Reps: John, Kathy, Brooke, David, and the Revs!

Thank you to our Veterans and the St. Paul’s Crew who marched and represented in the Veterans Day Parade!

Special Thanks to Pete Smith and his Baking in Community Crew Last Saturday!

Parish Life Event: St. Paul’s Does Disneyland!

Parishioners, family & friends, you are invited to a fun day at the “Happiest Place on Earth” on Monday, November 18th  (Minnie Mouse’s Birthday)! The park opens at 8 a.m. but you can arrive whenever you want, either with St. Paul’s carpooling group, or on your own. However you get there, we will ALL meet at 11:30AM for a group picture (Location: At the end of Main Street and before the Castle there is a circular garden area with a statue of Walt & Mickey in the middle—we’ll meet in front of the statue). Have fun and get to know your fellow parishioners in a totally informal, fun environment.

You are responsible to purchase your own ticket (and can do so on https://disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/disneyland/?CMP=OKC-330339_GM_DLR_destination_disneylandpark_NA). Disney raised the prices so the “Park Hopper” for that date is now $207 & the single park pass is $142. Anyone who decides to come, who has an annual pass and hasn’t made their reservation yet, can no longer book Disneyland, for that day, they can only book California Adventure BUT after 11, they can switch parks. This means we’ll make sure everyone is in and take our group photo at 11:30AM. If you wish to add Lightning Lane, that will be an additional cost depending on which you choose and there is a fee for parking.

Wear your St Paul’s shirt. Carpooling is encouraged. Cars can be left in the church parking lot. (According to Waze, the group should leave at 5:30AM to arrive by the 8AM opening.) You can buy your admission ticket on-line. Please make sure to make a reservation for Nov 18. Everyone, whether you have a pass or are using a ticket, please reserve Disneyland Park.

Email Nancy Antonius to let her know you’re coming (and let her know if you’d like to carpool): nancyjantonius@gmail.com

Fall Choir Rehearsals

We will use the schedule we have been using this past year: Sundays after the 10:30 AM postlude for 30-45 minutes, and Thursdays at 5:45 PM for 45-60 minutes. Singers choose which time is best for them. There is no expectation that you’ll attend both rehearsals, but you are certainly welcome to do so if you choose.

Everyone is welcome! Questions? Please contact Chuck Peery musicdirector@stpaulsps.org

Want a St. Paul’s T-shirt?

Wear your church pride and baptismal covenant at upcoming parades and community events: “We believe in the dignity of every human being.” Purchase your Church of St. Paul in the Desert T-shirt on Sundays at the Welcome Table! Shirts are $25, and can be purchased with cash or check.