The Abundant Life – April 17, 2025

Holy Week Off to a Moving Start

We’ve begun the journey with Christ to the cross, as we gathered on Palm Sunday with the reading of the Passion (thank you to our recently confirmed and received parishioners and supportive members reading), AND with our gathering to pray the Stations of the Cross. Your clergy went to San Diego to the Chrism Mass, which included the consecration of all the oils used in the diocese for the year (for baptisms and for healing), as well as the Renewal of Ordination Vows for all clergy. We hope to see you tonight as we begin the Triduum. For additional pictures, see our Facebook or Instagram.

Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on bombing of al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza

Click to read the Presiding Bishop’s Statement

Parish Hall Refresh Weekly Update

April 17, 2025

Installation of the Main Hall acoustic panels was completed last weekend, as were plumbing rough-ins in the Restrooms. Installation of the new porcelain tile flooring over the exposed concrete floors is underway and will continue through next week. Once this is completed, the new floor and wall tiles will be installed in the Restrooms.

Do you want to help? If you would like to contribute to defray the costs of the Parish Hall or Library Refresh in addition to your stewardship pledge, please contact one of the wardens: alex.c.christensen@gmail.com or john.raposa1@gmail.com

Putting Faith into Action: Using Christian Faith to Navigate Difficult Times Class

We are living through a challenging chapter of the American story in which the history of our country is being called into question, many of our cherished freedoms are at risk of being compromised, and the very fabric of our society is threatened. What can we do to fight back against the forces that divide our nation and weaken its democracy? As Christians we have a not-so-secret weapon, our faith in Jesus Christ. Episcopalians have come to understand this faith according to the “three-legged stool” of Anglicanism which attempts to balance Scripture, Tradition, and reason/experience as the sources of faith. In this class we will examine Christian faith from the perspectives of progressive theology and psychology, discussing ways in which it could be brought to bear on the controversies surrounding immigration, racism, sexual orientation/identity, health care, and economic inequality. Class members will also have the opportunity to put faith into action concerning these issues. This class will meet in the library.

Mother, May I? Class

Every Sunday in May, you’re invited to a special Q&A with Mother Jessie in between the services. Have a question you’ve always wanted to ask a priest, but never had the chance? Have some wonderings from your Lenten spiritual journey that you want to explore in more depth? Are you new to the Episcopal Church and are curious about some of the quirkiness in our tradition? Come ready to ask all your questions about God, church, being Episcopalian, etc. “Mother, MAY I?” is a chance to hear from Rev. Jessie and see where the conversation goes. Meet you in the music cottage with your questions!

Introduction to the Enneagram: A Personality Map to Spiritual Growth Class

The class explains the nine personality types identified by the Enneagram, a dynamic tool for self-understanding and spiritual growth with roots in the contemplative Christian tradition. The class explores the gifts and challenges of each personality type in its own particular spiritual journey to the fullness of life that Jesus models and invites us to share. The class begins with a diagnostic to help participants identify their types. Throughout the course, one-on-one sessions for type exploration will be available. Participants will use the book Wisdom of the Enneagram by Don Riso and Russ Hudson. They can purchase the book on Amazon.com or on www.enneagraminstitute.com

Interfaith Bible Study – The Book of Jonah

Towards a Fuller Gospel: Illuminating Scripture to Inspire Change

EDSD Class on Zoom, Tuesdays in May.

Towards A Fuller Gospel is a dynamic virtual speaker series highlighting the voices of racially diverse clergy as they illuminate scripture through the lens of their lived experiences, cultural perspectives, and/or the stories of the communities that formed them. Over the course of four weeks, faith leaders from across the Episcopal Church will model how race, identity, culture and community shape and expand the ways we understand and apply sacred texts today.

Whether you’re a faith leader, scholar, or seeker, this series invites us to engage deeply with scripture in ways that challenge, inspire, and transform.

When: 6:30-7:30 PM May 6, 13, 20 & 27

Where: Zoom (participants will receive a link after registering)

Featured speakers: The Rev. Isaiah Shaneequa Brokenleg; The Rev. Canon Eric McIntosh; The Rev. Ryan Macias; The Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers.

Register here: https://edsd.org/news/toward-a-fuller-gospel/

LARK

EDSD’s Localized Anti-Racism Knowledge (“LARK”) is a 2-day workshop that equips our congregations for local contextual ministry through stories of leaders and communities of color who have faced structural and systemic challenges across the extent of our region. Participants will then analyze and think critically about ongoing instances of racism in our neighborhoods and consider how they can apply what they have learned to their own lives and ministries. Through post-workshop follow-up, the program makes space for folks to nurture the relationships and resilience necessary for advancing racial reconciliation and justice within our diocese.

When: Friday, May 2, 3:30-8:30 PM & Saturday, May 3, 9:30-4:30 PM, with a follow-up Zoom meeting TBD.
Where: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3725 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Cost: $50 per person, with sliding scale/grace-based options.

Register here.

Join members of the Peace, Justice, and Mercy Ministries at the Human Rights Campaign Event on April 29

SIS Event for All Women

All women of St. Paul’s are invited to join Sisters in Spirit (SIS) for the 2:00PM matinee  of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on Sunday, April 27th at the Palm Canyon Theater.  More information to follow.

Attention, St. Paul’s Hikers!

This year’s Spring Hike will be on SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., at the Coral Mountain Archaeological Park in La Quinta, California.

Location:  The trail cuts along the edge of Coral Mountain in La Quinta, once the shoreline of the giant inland sea known as Lake Cahuilla and a center of a thriving indigenous culture going back thousands of years. There are three principal sites along the mountain, which include petroglyphs incised into the ancient tufa, the remnants of ancient fish traps, morteros and even occasional pottery shards, together with a variety of historic graffiti from pioneers on the De Anza Trail in the 1700 and 1800s. Scenery includes rugged desert mountain, wash (and lush La Qunita golf course)– recent rains may even send us some wildflowers. I’ve attached some photos showing a bit of the scenery and the archaeological sites.

The Trail:  The tail is about 3.5 miles out and back –mostly easy and level on gravel, about 300 feet of elevation change throughout, one short but steeper incline – some manageable sandy and rocky patches. Occasional shade from rocks and overhangs, otherwise sunny. Parking and tailhead access off Ave 58, no restroom facilities at trailhead.

What to Bring:  As always, bring solid, comfortable shoes with a good, grippy sole. A good sun hat and plenty of sunscreen are also recommended.

I will come prepared with history and details on the geology, the artifacts and the long and mysterious history behind the various rock art sites.  Lots more to come (including driving directions) as the day approaches. Hope to see everyone on the trail! To register, reach out to Nancy (nancyjantonius@gmail.com).

Calling all Campers! Spring Camping Trip to Blackrock, Joshua Tree National Park

Mark your calendars for Monday, May 5 to Wednesday, May 7, and join St. Paul’s Campers for a fun and relaxing time. Campsites are #8 and #5–They back into each other on a lower-level campground near the lower restroom. We will have a shared dinner on Tuesday, May 6. We have space for 10 campers and 4 cars. Please contact Bonnie Stroock ( bcstroock@aol.com) if you’d like to reserve and spot and join! It will be a great event! (Our summer trip is June 30 to July 2 up in Idyllwild at Riverside County Campground.)

Movie Night May 15 The Way!!

Synopsis:  A father heads overseas to recover the body of his estranged son who died while traveling the “El camino de Santiago,” and decides to take the pilgrimage himself.

Directed by Emilio Estevez and starring Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Deborah Kara Unger, Yorick van Waginengen and James Nesbitt (2 hrs, 3 min; released 2010).

Interfaith Screening of “No Other Land”

The Center is offering a Gender Expansive Language Workshop

6 Ts Survey

Our survey tracking system shows that many parishioners started to fill out the survey but just didn’t have a chance to complete it (by typing in their name and email address and clicking the “Done” button at the end).  If you had to stop mid-way, please try again.  If you started the survey from an email link, you might find that you can pick up where you left off; others would just start anew, reminding yourself that it only takes 13-15 minutes to do at one sitting!  Thank you so much for your time — it will make a big difference!

As you heard about at the Annual Meeting we have a new tool to help connect parishioners to their passions and needs in the church and the wider community. Under the parish’s Strategic Plan Objectives One and Four, the 6 Ts Task force has developed a survey for all parishioners that we hope can bring us together to do more and for each other. The “Six Ts” refer to parishioners’ talents, testimony, time, temperament, treasure, and ties (relational networks).

It takes only 13-15 minutes (it’s been timed!) and you can do it easily on your computer, smartphone, or tablet (all connected to WiFi).

Here are the simple instructions to complete the survey:

1. Simply click on the banner at the top of this email and you will be able to fill out the survey.
2. Almost all the questions just ask you to check the boxes that apply to you, except for those at the end that ask you to fill in your contact information.
3. When you reach the end of the survey, be sure to click the “Done” button. If you do, you will receive a confirmation email that you have completed the survey.
4. Do NOT click any button asking you to complete another, different survey. It’s probably a marketing survey from Survey Monkey.
5. If you run into any issues, there will be a team of folks next to the Welcome Table on Sunday morning at both services to offer assistance.

The 6Ts survey is designed to benefit each parishioner and the church, too. By asking you about your interests, the survey can offer you more opportunities to connect with other like-minded parishioners in spiritual formation, ministry work, volunteer possibilities within the church and the community at large, and even recreational activities. By asking about your skills, the survey can help the Revs and our lay leaders identify ways that you might like to contribute to the church’s vitality and that are suited to your particular strengths and interests.

All of the information collected in the survey will be confidential; it will only be available to the clergy and laity authorized to review that information specific to their duties as employees or supervised volunteers. 

Thank you for helping us connect more regularly and more meaningfully with one another!

Annual Meeting Recap & Impact Report

The Episcopal Church’s Immigration Toolkit

Shifting federal policy on immigration is already impacting people in all four of our counties. With this in mind, the Episcopal Church’s church-wide office routinely collects up-to-date immigration resources for congregations. Visit the Immigration Action Toolkit to find ways your congregation can help migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers.

Click here for more information: 

Red Cards

Click to enlarge the images.

Arbor Day at St. Hugh’s