The Abundant Life – January 15, 2026

Diocesan Executive Council Recap

This past weekend, Rev. Dan attended the Diocesan Executive Council’s annual retreat at St. Bart’s in Poway, CA, a suburb of San Diego. The Executive Council is similar to the Vestry, but at the level of the diocese. Rev. Dan was appointed to fill a vacancy on the governing body with a 1-year term. Aside from the monthly business meeting and some team-building exercises, the bulk of the retreat was focused on the diocese’s strategic planning process. There is a separate taskforce working on that, but getting input from the members of the Executive Council is a key part of their process. For instance, we reviewed data analysis from Holy Cow Consulting with a special facilitator. The hope is to have the official plan ready by Fall of 2026. We are proud of Ray Tackett, a member of St. Paul in the Desert and postulant for holy orders to the vocational diaconate, who is a member of the Strategic Planning Taskforce. If you have any questions about the diocese’s strategic plan, please reach out to him!

Confirmation Kickoff Potluck Recap

On Sunday, after the 10:30AM service, several of our newcomers and our retired clergy met with Rev. Jessie & Rev. Dan to begin their journey to confirmation. We were even blessed with someone from the last confirmation class who wanted to join again as a mentor for this year’s cohort. We give thanks for the food, good conversation, and time together. Confirmation is the church’s rite in which a baptized person makes a mature, public affirmation of faith and is strengthened by the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by a bishop. From now until the Bishop’s visit on March 15th, this closed class will meet weekly during the Adult Education hour to learn more about the Episcopal Church and its connection to the wider Jesus Movement. Please be praying for the class as they begin this exciting chapter in their spiritual growth.

The LBGTQ+ Ministry has a new Mission Statement, and an upcoming event for you to get involved in!

Mission Statement: “The LGBTQ+ Ministry of the Church of St. Paul in the Desert seeks to empower hope and extend the love of Jesus, as we create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where people of all sexual orientations and gender identities can find a sense of belonging.”

The LGBTQ+ Ministry will be hosting a table at the Center’s Info-A-Go-Go event on Saturday, January 31st from 11AM -2PM. Would you like to wear your St. Paul’s shirt that proclaims our belief in the dignity of EVERY person and greet people and let them know about this amazing faith community of St. Paul’s? If so, please reach out to Suzi Osuna (osuziosuna@hotmail.com) who is scheduling folks for that day. Help us be a balm of hope and healing in our wider Palm Springs Community.

If you’d like to join the next LGBTQ+ Ministry meeting, mark your calendar for Monday, February 9 at 12noon in the Yucca Room. Join us in empowering hope and extending the love Jesus to all.

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Celebration

Kitchen Renovation Update – January 15, 2026

Happy New Year! Much work has been underway in the Kitchen Renovation.

Demolition is complete except for removal of one old ceiling vent. Electrical rough-in is 90% complete. Plumbing rough-in is 80% complete. Appliances/sinks/plumbing fixtures/tables/storage shelves were all ordered in mid/late-December and are being delivered and stored in the Parish Hall. Installation of the custom ventilation/fire suppression hood is underway and will be completed early next week. Initial City inspections (Electrical/Plumbing/Building, Health Dept., Fire Dept.) will occur once the hood is installed. Trenching for new electrical service will begin late next week or early the following week. This is expected to take approximately one week, with Edison and City inspections to follow.

The project timeline is very tight for targeted completion by the bishop’s visitation on Laetare Sunday, March 15. Much will depend upon the pace of City inspections.

Save the date: Annual Meeting

WHAT: The 87th Annual Meeting of the Church of St. Paul in the Desert.
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, immediately after the single 9:30AM service.
WHERE: The Church Parish Hall.
WHY: Elect members of the Vestry and representatives to the Diocesan Convention; Approve last year’s Annual Meeting Minutes; Impact Reports on the State of the Parish; Review of the 2026 Budget adopted by the Vestry; Announcement of the Senior Warden for 2026.

ELECTION OF VESTRY & DELEGATES/ALTERNATES

WHO IS BEING ELECTED:
4 members of the Vestry, the Parish’s governing body, each for a 3-year term until the 2029 Annual Meeting, and 4 Delegates and 2 Alternates to the 2026 Diocesan Convention held at St. Bart’s in Poway.

CAN I VOTE?
Yes, if you…

• Are at least 16 years old
• Regularly attend worship services at St. Paul’s
• Are a contributor of record as of Jan. 1, 2026 — meaning that you financially contributed to the Parish in 2025 and will receive a Giving Statement for 2025 and/or made your 2026 Stewardship Pledge that was received in the office by Jan. 1, 2026, and
• Have been registered with the Parish for at least 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting – wear your name badge to show that you’ve registered with the Parish!

WHO IS NOMINATED FOR VESTRY?

• • • • Last autumn, all members of the Parish were invited to submit their names if they wished to be considered for election to the Vestry.
      • The Vestry Nominating Committee, composed of the Senior Warden, co-chair of the Strategic Plan Implementation Team, one other current Vestry member, and one former Vestry member, vetted these potential candidates.
      • Candidates must be at least 18 years old and eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting. Desired qualifications include being a person of prayer, known and respected within the Parish, with a positive and trustworthy demeanor, and the possession of unique skills.
      • The Nominating Committee submitted a slate of four persons to the Vestry which were approved for recommendation to the Parish for election at the Annual meeting.
      • The recommended slate of Vestry candidates is (bios forthcoming this Sunday and in next week’s Abundant Life):
      •  – Alex Cherkas
        – Jack McClean
        – Rick Nauman
        – Dusty Porter

WHO IS NOMINATED FOR DIOCESAN DELEGATES/ALTERNATES?

• We are seeking 6 members willing to represent the Parish at the annual Diocesan convention – 4 Delegates and 2 Alternates.
• This is a great way to learn more about the diocese and St. Paul’s place in the wider church.
• You must be at least 18 years old and eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting.
• Interested? Contact Rev. Jessie ASAP at revjessie@stpaulsps.org.

HOW DO WE VOTE?

• Instructions will be given at the Annual Meeting.
• You will be provided paper ballots. You may vote for the entire slate or for the individual candidates.
• Proxy and absentee ballots are not permitted.
• Voting is supervised by 3 Inspectors of Election appointed by the Vestry.
• The newly elected members of the Vestry and Diocesan Delegates and Alternates will be announced before the end of the Annual Meeting.

VESTRY APPROVED RECOMMENDED SLATE OF VESTRY CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION AT THE 86TH ANNUAL MEETING

Alex Cherkas

Alex Cherkas and his husband began searching for a church community in the spring of 2024. Having grown up in the Russian Orthodox faith in Los Angeles and having served as an Altar Boy, he came with a strong foundation in faith. Their first thought was to join an Orthodox church in Palm Desert, but as a same‑sex married couple, they found that Rob was not welcomed there. After discovering St. Paul’s and meeting Rev. Jessie, they knew immediately that they had found their spiritual home. Since then, both he and Rob were confirmed in the Episcopal Church. He became an Altar Minister and, drawing on his professional background as an Interior Designer, began planning the Parish Hall refresh while working with the Parish Hall Task Force. He also joined the Campus Care Committee and serves as a leader of the LGBTQ+ Ministry. He feels that the church has added immeasurable goodness to his life—from the leadership of the exceptional clergy to the mind‑opening educational classes, to the love and support of the entire congregation.

Jack McLean

Jack McLean was born and raised in Montana and attended Carroll College, Helena, MT as an undergraduate. He graduated from the University of Montana School of Law and was in private civil practice in Montana for 8 years which included serving on the Montana Human Rights Commission, a quasi-judicial board that heard discrimination complaints. He then joined the Jesuits, a religious order, where he received a Licentiate in Philosophy and Master of Divinity degrees. He left religious life to pursue a relationship with his partner, Nat Wilburn, and worked in student development at Gonzaga University, the University of San Francisco, and Loyola University of Chicago for more than 25 years. He served on the national board of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps for more than 10 years and the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators for more than 5 years. He currently serves as Chair of the Los Compadres Neighborhood Association. He and his partner moved from Chicago to Palm Springs in 2021 and joined St. Paul’s shortly after that. He was elected to the Vestry, and as Clerk of the Vestry, in May 2025.

Rick Nauman

Rick Nauman has been retired and full-time resident in Palm Springs since January 3, 2017, and joined Church of St. Paul in the Desert shortly after, starting with choir. He is currently coming to the end of a three-year term on Vestry, and serves on Finance, Human Resource and Endowment/Gift Committees. He has lived in a variety of cities: Seattle, New Orleans, Detroit, Baltimore, Metairie LA, Shreveport LA and Baton Rouge LA. Those cities were part of job moves during a 43 year Property and Casualty insurance career culminating in executive underwriting management positions for the last two postings. In each of the cities after Baton Rouge, Rick was active at an Episcopal church. Seattle–St. Stephens (choir, vestry and co-chair of Rector Search Committee); New Orleans–St. George (choir, Vestry, Treasurer, coordinator for Mardi Gras Café); Troy, MI–St. Stephens (choir, Vestry and Senior Warden); Westminster, MD-Ascension (choir); Metairie, LA–St. Augustine (choir and Vestry); Shreveport, LA–Holy Cross (choir). Rick spends his time in the valley doing volunteer work: Palm Springs Art Museum store and theatre usher, Country Club Estates of Palm Springs HOA board and Treasurer, board and Treasurer of the Notre Dame Club of Palm Springs and lots of committees at St. Paul.

Dusty Porter

Dusty Porter joined St. Paul’s in July 2024 with his husband, Tim Ring, when they relocated from New Orleans, Louisiana to enjoy retirement. Dusty is a life-long Episcopalian who grew up in Atlanta; Tim and Dusty have lived in Denver, Washington DC, Baltimore, and New Orleans during their 32 years together and active members in Episcopal parishes all along the way. Since joining St. Paul’s, Dusty has been a member of the Human Resources and Stewardship Committees and is an active participant in the St. Paul’s Book Club. He and Tim have also participated in the Circle Suppers the past two years. They reside in Sunrise Park with their rescue labrador Stella.

The Book of Forgiving Class

Skills for Facing Adversity Through Psychological & Spiritual Awareness

In today’s stressful political climate, prayer and meditation can help us reconnect with peace and joy. Within that openness, we can explore how witnessing cruelty and scapegoating impacts our own wounds—and begin the work of healing

Mondays at 3:30 PM
Jan 5, 12, 19, 26
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by Grace Jill Schireson

So I Send You: A Discipleship Study Based on the 7 Signs in the Gospel of John

This study invites us to explore the seven signs in the Gospel of John as markers of God’s kingdom breaking into our world. Through these signs, we discover that even small acts of faith can transform lives. This study helps us discern our unique call as disciples—bringing Christ’s light into every encounter. Together, we reflect on hospitality, pray for healing, embrace wholeness, seek abundance, face fear, examine intent, and deepen our faith as we go forth to continue Jesus’ work.

Tuesdays at 10:00 AM
Jan 13, 20 & 27
Feb 3, 10, 17, & 24
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Dcn. Cris South

New Online Bible Course on the Hebrew Scriptures … for Smarties!

You’ve heard of The Bible for Dummies. Now, introducing The Bible … for Smarties! A chance to explore and learn about the Bible without dumbing it down. Going beyond your typical Bible Study, this seminar will be a university-level academic class focused on Nurturing Students towards a Nuanced, Critical Interpretation and Sophisticated Understanding of the Texts of the Bible. Dr. David Moseley will be the Instructor for this upcoming online offering in the Spring — a 12-week class on Hebrew Scriptures 2 (focusing on the Prophetic Literature and the miscellaneous Writings that include Poetry, Wisdom and Philosophy, Inspirational Stories and Apocalypse), starting on Monday 12th January 2026.

*** All Classes meet on Zoom on Monday evenings, 6:00-8:00 p.m. *** Classes are recorded and can be accessed if you miss any of the *live* discussions. For more information, click on this LINK which includes all you need to know about the material we will be covering, the schedule, and registering for the class. Scholarships are available – please inquire. And please feel free to email Dr. Moseley (drdavidmoseley@gmail.com) with any questions.

Episcopal Church Statement on U.S. Intervention in Venezuela

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Visit,  Saturday, January 31^st

Would you like to learn more about the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians with a visit to their beautiful and informative Cultural Museum in downtown Palm Springs? St. Paul’s is going to have a small group outing to the Museum on Saturday, January 31st.

We’ll meet at the church at 10am and carpool. If enough people are interested, we could go to lunch nearby afterwards.

Please contact Linda Castro at poisonoak.linda@gmail.com or (760) 221-4895 to RSVP.

Entrance fees are: Coachella Valley residents $8, seniors (65+) $5, and everyone else $10.

If the entrance fee is an issue for you, please let Linda know (don’t let the cost keep you from going).

Parish Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be held on February 3, 2026, at 2 PM. The meeting will be held in the Music Cottage on the church campus. The Book Club pick for February is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. She wrote to all sorts and lived a very full life. But letters arrive from someone in her past, forcing her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life. The novel is about the hubris of youth, the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime.

New members are always welcome. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmeran@icloud.com.

Daughters of The King Meeting – Saturday, February 24th

Flower Ministry

• Donate SMALL vases or jam jars (glass or plastic) in the marked basket near the Welcome Table.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and help arrange flowers in the sacristy.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and get a few arrangements and Flower Cards with parishioners’ addresses and deliver to home! (Easy drop offs at the door or left on the porch.)
• Pray for those delivering flowers, that they might offer and receive Christ in those deliveries.
• Reach out to our Flower Ministry Coordinator, Natalie Ousley, and let her know you’re interested (njousley@yahoo.com).

Altar Flowers

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate 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 dates(s). A donation of $105 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $75 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees

Upcoming St. Paul’s Funerals

• Ben Clark, Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11AM
• Terry Fabian, Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11AM
• Kathryn Briski, Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11AM
• John Alex Houlton, Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11AM

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate; pray for the PROVINCE DE L’Eglise Anglicane DU CONGO, The Most Reverend Titre Ande Georges, Archbishop and Primate.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon: The Right Reverend Patrick W. Bell, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Doctor Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; Clergy and people of Trinity, Escondido, For the children and leaders at Epiphany Camp at Camp Stevens, For our Ecumenical partnerships during the Week of Christian Unity.

For those commended to our prayers: Susan Leach Reynolds, Tim Rogers, Charlesdrain West Mia Glaser, Shawna Rickard, Ron Wright, Eric Harsen, Don A., Pam M. , Allison & Stephan, Margie Paris, Jon Kates, Marty Turner, Frances Boaze, Tim Castor, Rhylee Citi, Eric Harsen, Marge S., Raffaele, Paul Cronin-Swalboski, Katie Walsh, Rev. Gary Bradley, Michael Neill, Tellez Family, Kevin Lee, Aaron Riviers, Gerardo Reynoso, Anika Burke, Nesbit Hatch & Dennis Rexroad, Don Moore, Adrienne, George, Bridgette Oliver, Nicole, Beverly Schafer, Bob Blum, Steven Pilgrim, Marysia, Francis, Marty, Chris Migdol, Natalie Ousley, Greg, Jude Hoiseth, Tony & Pat Ellerd, Vicky Boaz & Marty Turner, David Faull, Jessica Rodriguez, Crystal Gonzalez, Julia Anne Galperen, Troy Elder, Reuben Hernnadez, Shaun Water, Patricia Valtier-Medina, René (Reno) Valtier, Rodney Binder, Sam Grewal & Family, Gabriel Georgia, Jerry Brown, Fergus, Joan Anderson, Harry Lit, Lori Miller, Lucy Youngren, Bonnie Ong, RC Eckert, Gaile Eckert, Tish & Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Pat, David Valenzuela, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Terry Fabian, Terry Garrity, Louise Standefer, Benjamin Carrillo, Hugh Curtis, Samuel Pineda, Rev. Tom Callard, Cecily, Jackie Smart, Robert Menifee.
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 departed rest in peace. Amen.

For those celebrating anniversaries: January 16: Tom Kieley & Linda Krengel.

For those with birthdays: January 16: Tony Martinez, January 17: John Raposa, January 19: Jerry Di Noto, January 20: Ivonne Anderson, January 22: Clinton Carbon, January 23: Andy Johnson, January 24: Peter Smurthwaite.

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

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 revdan@stpaulsps.org. The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on January 25, The Third Sunday after The Epiphany.

Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul

Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email Reverend Dan, at revdan@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Monday, January 19, In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the office will be closed. 
• Monday, January 19, 3:30 PM — Facing Adversity Zen Class — Yucca Room, Parish Hall.
• Tuesday, January 20, 11:30 AM — 7 Signs of John Class — Yucca Room, Parish Hall.
• Tuesday, January 20, 12:00 PM — Worship Committee — Parish Library.
• Wednesday, January 21, 4:00 PM — Path Ahead Class — Yucca Room, Parish Hall.
• Wednesday, January 21, 5:30 PM — Laundry Love — Off-site
• Wednesday, January 21, 6:00 PM — Eucharist — Church
• Wednesday, January 21, 6:30 PM — Vestry
• Thursday, January 22, 3:30 PM — Sisters In Spirit Lunch — Off-site
• Thursday, January 22, 5:45 PM — Choir Practice — Music Cottage

Want to help make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?

Have you have had a moment where you were at church and you saw the same lightbulb has been out for weeks and no one has changed it? Or maybe you go to grab a railing to steady yourself and find that it’s really loose and wonder why it hasn’t been fixed? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your pew rack is missing cards or envelopes or pens and you are reminded that no one can fill them unless someone knows they are empty?

We have a BRAND-NEW tool that anyone can use to help us make sure the campus is safe, stocked, and ready for worship and other campus activities! Welcome to the NEW St. Paul’s Maintenance/Repair Request Form found online. If YOU see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. on St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan the QR code below OR click on the Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form. You will be able to fill out the form in real time, which will allow our sexton to address those issues and/or the Campus Care Committee to address any major campus issues. Help us stay organized and prioritized!

If you see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan below to reach our Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form.

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

Join our E-Mail List

You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s Info on Reporting Misconduct

Intake Officers:

Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com

The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com

Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/