The Abundant Life – May 1, 2025

Migration Sunday – This Weekend!

Every year on the Sunday closest to Cinco De Mayo, St. Paul’s aims to celebrate Mexican culture. In addition to a special coffee hour sponsored by the Latino Ministry, the Sunday service will also aim to highlight the ministry opportunities available for those concerned about undocumented persons seeking a better life for their families.

It is easy to forget that the southern border crisis is just an hour and a half away from us. If you are passionate about finding out about how to get more involved in ministry with migrants, consider attending the next Latino Ministry meeting on Wednesday May 14^th at 6:30PM in the library. We will host the Rev. Brian Johnson, the vicar of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Indio, who ministers with a predominantly Latino population.

The discretionary fund offering this Sunday will be designated to TODEC. TODEC’s mission is to empower disenfranchised immigrant communities to become economically, socially, educationally, and civically self-sufficient while enhancing individual self-esteem and community health. The overall purpose of TODEC is to ensure equitable access to information, immigration legal services, community education, advocacy, and civic engagement for limited and non-English speaking people including immigrants and migrant workers throughout Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, and Imperial counties. You can click here to find out more about TODEC.

The Vestry Votes in Jack McLean to fill the Vestry vacancy for Clerk! Welcome, Jack!

Mother, May I? Class

STARTS THIS SUNDAY MAY 4TH!

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!

HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CLASS AND WANT TO SUBMIT IT FOR CONVERSATION CONSIDERATION—EMAIL REVJESSIE@STPAULSPS.ORG!

Interfaith Bible Study – The Book of Jonah

Interfaith Screening of “No Other Land”

Join us for a Special Screening off “No Other Land,” a powerful documentary on resilience amidst destruction, followed by a panel discussion with Palestinian-American Aziza Hasan and American-Israeli Rabbi David Lazar, sponsored by the Palm Springs Interfaith Clergy Group.

“No Other Land” is an Oscar-winning documentary co-directed by Palestinians Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal and Israelis Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor that offers a profound exploration of the ongoing destruction of villages in the West Bank. At its core lies the compelling story of Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta, and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, who unite in their fight against the systematic demolition of homes and lives. It serves as a powerful lens into the lives disrupted by Israeli policies in the region, highlighting truths about occupation, displacement and the Palestinian human spirit. Learn more and register here: https://orhamidbar.org/nootherland/

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

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/

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.

Parish Hall Refresh Weekly Update

May 1, 2025

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

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).

Congratulations, Jacob Robling!

One of the many hats that our co-rectors wear includes serving on various diocesan committees. Rev. Dan serves on the Commission on Ministry (COM), which is responsible for identifying and guiding those interested in pursuing ordination to holy orders. Everyone who ends up in this process is assigned a mentor from the COM to help them as they navigate this brave new world of being a deacon or being a priest.

This past Saturday, one of Rev. Dan’s mentees, Jacob Robling, was ordained to the transitional diaconate at St. Paul’s Cathedral. What this means is that God-willing and the people consenting, Jacob will eventually be ordained a priest in the next year. This is different than what Ray Tackett and Mike Mullins are pursuing (the vocational diaconate – folks ordained to become deacons without any intention of becoming priests). We give thanks for a new deacon in the diocese and ask for your prayers for all who are in the ordination process.

Last Saturday’s Hike! 

Here are some photos from last Saturday’s hike to the Coral Mountain Archaeological Site in La Quinta — a beautiful and engrossing excursion along the shoreline of ancient Lake Cahuilla. Perfect weather, with 13 in attendance. Fun! Special thanks to Chris Kelly for organizing this wonderful excursion. For more pictures from the hike, visit St. Paul’s Facebook Page.

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 25 to June 27 up in Idyllwild at Riverside County Campground.)

Strategic Plan Update!

We are in the third year of our Strategic Plan (CLICK HERE to read it), and our Strategic Planning Implementation Team (SPIT) has been hard at work in chairing the seven objectives and helping lead us in it. You hear each week from a Vestry member in service who shares how they see particular parts of the Strategic Plan at work in the church. Here are some of the exciting brief updates from the seven chairs of SPIT:

Objective One: Grow the Parish & Engage Parishioners in Discerning Growth Pathways

“We have been focused on two goals.  The first was enhancing our Welcome Team efforts at both Sunday services, with a new, beautiful Welcome Table, recruiting new members, transferring leadership of the team to the very capable and caring Suzi Osuna, and expanding our outreach at community events like the One PS Picnic. The second goal was to devise, launch, and analyze the data from the “6Ts Survey,” which collects the interests and skills of each member of the parish. That work continues and may lead to new and interesting developments in the fall!”—Patrick Von Bargen, Objective 1 Chairperson 

Objective Two: Enrich Spiritual Formation, Pastoral Care, & Community Life

“In focusing on Enriching Spiritual Formation, we have increased the diversity and frequency of Spiritual Formation Classes and retreats, as well as the mode of online sign-ups. With the new technology in the Parish Hall/Library refresh project, we will increase the ability to include homebound and snowbird parishioners in video call participation in said classes/retreats. In working on Pastoral Care, we now have 16 trained (and 13 active) Lay Eucharistic Ministers, who go out each Sunday in rotating pairs to do 1-3 homebound/hospital-bound visits each week. We are working on customaries for funerals and weddings to streamline administrative pieces and pastoral care for individuals, couples, and families.” —The Rev. Jessie Thompson, Objective 2 Chairperson 

Objective Three: Empower Community Advocacy

“We are in a period of community listening as we seek to reimagine our outreach ministries with the changes to our campus infrastructure and as our parish grows. One of the major shifts is that we are moving from a predominantly donating items model to a sending volunteers to partner organizations model. We held an Outreach Discernment Retreat during Lent and we have a much clearer direction as we focus on building relationships with the following communities: 1. Mercy Ministries (Homeless Folks), 2. Latino Ministry (Latino Folks), 3. LGBTQ+ Ministry (especially Transgender Folks), & 4. Racial Justice Ministry (All People of Color).”—The Rev. Dan Kline, Objective 3 Chairperson 

Objective Four: Empower Lay Members for Service & Leadership

“The current focus of Objective Four: Empower Lay Members for Service & Leadership has been working with Objective One to devise and launch the 6 T’s Survey and to analyze its data. Work has also begun to create a structured formal system for vetting and creating new ministry/program ideas. At the same time, work to create and codify a ministries/programs assessment process is also underway.” —Clinton Carbon, Objective 4 Chairperson 

Objective Five: Empower Staff to Advance the Church’s Mission

“The team for Objective 5 includes the Co-Rectors and the HR Committee. Our mission continues to be to serve as advisory support to the Co-Rectors in the areas of best practices for human resources and volunteer services. The HR Committee has approved a final draft of an employee manual, a preliminary plan to develop a multi-year staffing model and future plans to create a volunteer manual.”—The Rev. Canon Tom Clarke, Objective 5 Chairperson 

Objective Six: Update the Campus Infrastructure

“Substantial progress has been made on Strategic Plan Objective 6: Update the Campus Infrastructure. Completed projects include implementation of the security grant (lighting, gating/fencing, security system, video surveillance, electronic access controls), replacement of the office apartment HVAC, expansion of the Colonnade Columbarium by 110 niches, and refresh of the Library. The Parish Hall Refresh is currently underway and expected to be completed on budget by the Feast of Pentecost, June 8. Future projects under consideration include refresh of the Church flooring/carpeting and optimization of the chancel space, preparing for implementation of AB 1562 which generally prohibits watering of turf on commercial properties, and possible assessment of the Parish Hall kitchen.” —John Raposa,Objective 6 Chairperson 

Objective Seven: Enhance Fiduciary Strength & Stability

“We are deeply grateful for the continued generosity of our parish community. The committee is currently reviewing its size and actively working to enhance diversity within its membership. The annual appeal will remain brief and focused. Increasing outreach to individuals who have not previously pledged will be a key priority.” —Alan Glass, Objective 7A Chairperson 

“We continue to draft the business manual for St Paul’s paid administrative staff and office volunteers. The manual includes basic business policies, advice on internal controls and step by step operations processes. We are designing the manual to be user friendly and able to be easily updated as needed.” —Brooke Wolford, Objective 7B Chairperson 

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.