For Sunday October 12, 2025
The Feast of St. Francis: A Joyful Blessing of the Animals
This past Sunday, we were graced with sunshine, wagging tails, gentle purrs, and the loving presence of so many cherished companions—both furry and scaled! Thank you to all the animals and their humans who joined us for our special Blessing of the Animals service in honor of The Feast of St. Francis.
It was a beautiful day filled with community, compassion, and celebration. We welcomed:
- Many, many, many dogs—each one bringing joy and energy to the gathering. We are still counting.
- Four cats—two in person and two lovingly represented by photo.
- One guinea pig—small in size but big in spirit.
- One virtual iguana—blessed from afar but no less part of the celebration.
We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated items for the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Nancy Antonius and Jonathan Faulks delivered the donations this past week, and the shelter was thrilled with the generosity and abundance of supplies.
A special shout-out goes to our amazing volunteers—those who woke up early, stayed late, and helped make the day run smoothly. Your dedication and love for this community shine through in everything you do.
Until next year, may the spirit of St. Francis continue to inspire us to care for all creatures with kindness and joy.
Click a picture to enlarge
We invite you to join us for Welcome Back Sunday, a joyful celebration of community and renewal. The day begins with an All-Parish Service at 9:30 AM, featuring the kickoff of the choir under the direction of Charles Peery.
Immediately following the service, explore our Ministry Fair—an opportunity to learn more about the many ways to engage with parish life and participate in the upcoming season. We will gather in the Parish Hall for our Annual Church Potluck to enjoy fellowship with friends old and new as we begin this season together.
Save the date—SAFE CHURCH Training In-Person at St. Paul’s on Nov. 18th!
In-Person Safe Church Training
November 18, 2025
9am-noon
The Church of St. Paul in the Desert, 125 West El Alameda, Palm Springs, CA 92262
“Safe Church Safe Communities” training is required by the Episcopal Church every three years. In our commitment to support as many people as possible in accessing the training, we have begun offering in-person training in addition to the training offered online. This in-person training meets the needs of those who are challenged by technology, or who would benefit from participating in community. Participants will receive training on ethical and theological expectations placed on church workers/volunteers, the impact of misconduct, and the Church’s commitment to creating spaces where individuals and families are secure and valued. Safe Church, Safe Communities training is required for all volunteer and employment positions throughout the diocese. It is the Church’s responsibility to ensure safety, integrity, and trust within its community.
In order to complete all the necessary aspects of the training and receive a certificate, you must attend the full training.
Register HereLove & Faith
Thursday, October 16 at 6PM
Please note the importance of scanning the QR code below to reserve a seat for anyone interested in attending.
Brain Buddies
November Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 2 PM. (Meeting delayed for 1 week for November 4 election.) The meeting will be held in the Music Cottage on the church campus. For November Book Club has selected The Royal Secret by Lucinda Riley. In this suspenseful and heart-pounding novel, an ambitious young journalist unravels a dangerous mystery that threatens to devastate the British monarchy. Keeping secrets is a dangerous game.
New members are always welcome. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com.
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:
- Simply click on the banner at the top of this email and you will be able to fill out the survey.
- 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.
- 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.
- Do NOT click any button asking you to complete another, different survey. It’s probably a marketing survey from Survey Monkey.
- 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!
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.
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 $95 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $65 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees.
Prayers of the Church
For the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate; pray for the Church of the Province of Uganda, The Most Reverend Doctor Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop and Primate.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas: The Right Reverend George R. Sumner, Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Doctor Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for Deacons throughout the Church:Gracious God, we praise you for sending your Son Jesus Christ, who took on himself the form of a servant, and humbled himself, becoming obedient even to death on the cross. We praise you that you have highly exalted him and made him Lord of all; and that through him, we know that whoever would be great must be servant of all. Today we thank you for raising up among us faithful servants for the ministry of your Word and Sacraments, and especially those called to serve as deacons in your Church. We give thanks for all deacons, for their example in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life. We thank you for your ministry of making Christ’s redemptive love known to us; for the ways they interpret the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world to us; for their proclamation of your Word; and for their leadership in our sacramental life. As your son came not to be served but to serve, may our deacons continue to share in Christ’s service, and come to the unending glory of him who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
For those commended to our prayers: Sam Grewal & Family, Gabriel Georgia, Michael L. Marguet, Benjamin Carrillo, Jerry Brown, Fergus, Joan Anderson, Harry Lit, Jud Hoiseth, Carolyn Scott, Ivonne Anderson, Patricia Rossberg, Gary Adams, Dr. Joy Zavarich, David Ballard & Family, Lori Miller, Lucy Youngren, Bonnie Ong, RC Eckert, Gaile Eckert, Cheryl Kelley, Tish & Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Terry Fabian, Pat, David Valenzuela, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.
For those who have died: Amy Kidder, Dan Anderson, Virginia Roberts, Robert Jay Williams, Johathan Relerford, Arthur Binns, Dennis Shepherd, Kathryn Briski, Amelia Grinstead, Roger Allen, Vernon Wade. 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.
Scheduled Funeral: Tom Lutgen – Saturday, October 18, 11:00 AM
For those celebrating anniversaries: October 12: Jeffrey Coates & Steven Holm; October 17: Arthur Rivera & Gregory Schroeder; October 18: Sally & Forest Irons.
For those with birthdays: October 13: Rick Tinsley, Summer Schoch; October 15: Rex Comer, Donald Shamp; October 16: Rodney Dickson; October 17: Leon Walker, David Faull; October 18: John Rauch.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Jim De Mersman & Richard Patenaude, in thanksgiving for their 34th Anniversary (October 9).
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 October 19, The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
Upcoming Funeral Services – October
Saturday, October 11 at 1:00 PM – Ray Kelley
Saturday, October 18 at 11:00 AM – Tom Lutgen
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Monday, October 13 – 2:00 PM – UnClobber Bible Verses Class — Yucca Room — Parish Hall
- Wednesday, October 15 – 2:00 PM – Men’s Bereavement Group — Library — Parish Hall
- Wednesday, October 15 – 5:00 PM – Praying in Liturgical Time
- Wednesday, October 15 – 5:30 PM – Laundry Love — Offsite
- Wednesday, October 15 – 6:00 PM – Evening Prayer
- Thursday, October 16 – 3:30 PM – Interfaith Bible Study — Yucca room — Parish Hall
- Thursday, October 16 – 5:45 PM – Choir Practice — Choir Loft
- Thursday, October 16 – 6:00 PM – Love & Faith TV Show Pilot Viewing — Offsite
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.
Annual Meeting Recap & Impact Report
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 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.
Red Cards
Click to enlarge the images.
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/
