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Are You “Some” Who Doubt?
Do you ever modify your language to take the edge off it? When you address a group and you know that a particular fellow is not understanding, do you say, “Some people are having difficulty understanding?” That way you may avoid embarrassing him. (You might also find that he was one of many.)
In this week’s Gospel selection the disciples are reconnected with Jesus. It says that “they worshiped him, but some doubted.” The “D” word comes up again. It is about the only thing that we know about the disciple Thomas – he doubted.
I think it is a mistake to focus on doubt with Thomas, and I have come to believe that we need to focus more on doubt with all the disciples, and with ourselves.
Pastor Brian Stoffregan from Yuma, AZ questions our translation of this key phrase. As it turns out, the word “some” is not in the text. He suggests this as a possible translation: “When they saw him, they worshiped him and doubted.”
It is more convenient to divide the church into distinct groups. We name our “true” worshipers on one side and our doubters on the other; the “some” who don’t quite get it or are not as faith- filled as the rest. What if all the disciples who met Jesus worshiped and doubted at the same time?
My goal is not to use this possible translation to convince someone that they should doubt. Rather it is to give the doubters in the midst of our communities an invitation to claim their heritage with Jesus’ closest followers. We already had Thomas pegged as a doubter. What if James and John doubted? What if Thaddeus and Jude doubted?
Doubt is not the wet-blanket that dampens faith. It is a tonic that guides my reflection and gives me the confidence to choose faithfully. I would go so far as to say that without doubt, I would not have faith. I might have something else, but not faith.
Please join the doubting worshipers this week as we practice and test our faith with one another.
Fr. Andrew
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Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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Adult Faith Building – “Sundays at 9:15”
 This Sunday, June 19th, we’ll explore “The Story of St. Thomas.” Class begins with a DVD presentation led by Professor Amy-Jill Levine, of Vanderbilt University Divinity School. She points out that the “doubting Thomas” label is an unfortunate misnomer. She will also explore with us three ancient texts attributed to St. Thomas which are receiving lots of attention today. Following the DVD, the Rev. Dr. David E. Abernethy-Deppe will lead us in discussion.
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Adult Faith Building – “Sundays at 9:15”
On June 26th, the Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch will help us explore “The Story of Mary Magdalene.” Again, we begin with a DVD presentation by Professor Amy-Jill Levine, of Vanderbilt University Divinity School. There are many myths and legends about this interesting woman, including that she may have been Jesus’ lover or wife. We will also want to explore her extended conversation with the resurrected Jesus in which, according to the Gospel of John, she is commissioned to be the “apostle to the apostles.” Come and see!
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Adult Faith Building – “Thursdays at 7”
June 9-30, we will discuss the new book written by our Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Katherine Jefferts Schori, “The Heartbeat of God: Finding the Sacred in the Middle of Everything.” In this book, she explores the intersections of faith with the major issues of our day—poverty, climate change, the economy, health care. How does faith speak to those issues, and what is the faith response? This series will be facilitated by the Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch. You can get the book from Amazon, both in hard copy and as a downloadable to your Kindle or Nook. Join us for this interesting series.
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PLEASE NOTE!!!
No “Sundays at 9:15” class on July 3rd.
It’s the 4th of July Week-end!! Enjoy the Fireworks!
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Adult Faith Building – “Sundays at 9:15”
Beginning July 10th, The Rev. Rick Tinsley will lead a 4-week study of The Liturgy: Practicing the Presence of God.” We’ll discuss the details of The Liturgy: Where does it come from? Why do we do it that way? What does it mean? By better understanding the history, structure and meaning of Liturgy, we can enhance our worship experience. As we practice God’s presence using the Liturgy, we will become more aware of God’s presence as we go about our lives, sharing the Abundant Life, and serving Christ in others. Mark your calendars now!
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PLEASE NOTE!!!
“Thursdays at 7: will not be held during July and August.
“Thursdays at 7” will begin again in September, after Labor Day.
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St. Paul Campers are planning their 6th annual trip to Idyllwild on August 12th through the 14th at Idyllwild County Park.
 The short planning meeting will be held on Sunday, June 26th in the chapel during the Coffee Hour. Be sure to sign up in the Parish Hall. St. Paul’s Campers invite you to join our annual trip up to the cool, pine-filled forest. Call Bonnie Stroock 760.324.7949.
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Desert SOS Dessert Ministry
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Get in the Habit!
 ONE extra item in your grocery cart is what we ask of our parishioners to get in the habit of purchasing for the Desert SOS Dessert Ministry of St. Paul in the Desert. While accomplishing your weekly grocery shopping, buy ONE extra item. This ONE extra item would assist us in providing dessert for the children, their parents, plus the rest of the 90+ clients, of Roy’s Desert Resource Center. Dessert (box of cookies, doughnuts, fruit, cheese or any other special treat) is provided every Monday evening by St. Paul volunteer servers and providers. Parishioners can bring items to church on the weekend or deliver desserts before 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Place the perishable desserts in the Parish Hall refrigerator (labeled clearly “SOS”). Contact Hap for more information at 760.323.5726.
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Well In The Desert
Now Serves Lunch at St. Paul’s on Wednesdays
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The Well in the Desert has moved its meal service at St. Paul’s from Fridays to Wednesdays. In order to support the retail businesses in our neighborhood, we requested a change in the day of our meal service. Now a hot meal is served at St. Paul’s from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Wednesday.
The Well needs volunteers to carry out their services and they need financial support to provide them. You can call (760) 327-8577 to volunteer. If you want to contribute to the Well, just write “Well” in the memo portion of your check.
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Thank You to the St. Paul Parishoners Who Have Given
 The population of men, women and children being cared for at Roy’s Resource Center has increased 30% this year. These clients are in need of the basic necessities of life. The SOS Fund needs YOUR support to continue to help our homeless friends who are trying to break the cycle of homelessness. Each month $300.00 comes from the fund to provide undergarments, socks and other necessities. If you are interested in supporting this outreach ministry, drop a check in the collection plate. Make the check payable to: St. Paul’s, and in the memo area, write: SOS Fund.
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Episcopal Relief and Development
Responds to Severe Storms and Tornadoes
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Nation’s Deadliest Tornado Outbreak in Four Decades
Episcopal Relief and Development has responded to the devastated south. The Rev. Canon Michael Buerkel Hunn stated, “There are going to be many gaps between what relief organizations and the government can do. The Episcopal Church can play a vital role in assisting in those areas.” With the support of ERD, churches are responding to residents’ needs for basic household items, temporary shelter and pastoral care. For people whose homes were damaged or destroyed, the churches are providing vouchers for the church’s thrift store and to other local vendors so families can purchase clothing, school supplies and other items. Motel vouchers and funds for small emergency home repairs to prevent further damage are also being distributed.
 The severe storms and tornadoes that overwhelmed over seven mid-western states from Canada to Texas in the last 2 months continue to disrupt the lives of all in the region. At least 281 people were killed across the seven states with more than two-thirds of them in Alabama. Several tornado victims now are suffering or dying from a rare fungal infection that can be caused by soil or vegetative material becoming embedded under the skin sustained from the trauma from the tornado.
Help storm victims by donating to St. Paul’s indicating “storm relief” in the notes space of your check.
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Coffee Hour
 The hosts for the 8:00 a.m. Coffee Hour Eileen Upton and Don MacLean and the 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour is hosted by Terri Miller and Judi Cribbs, Taylor Baird and Roger Allen.
The 2011 coffee hour sign-up sheets are posted on the north wall at Hogarth Hall. Find an empty slot and fill it with your name. For more information, call Ray Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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The Bishop’s Appeal
The Bishop’s Appeal supports the mission of the diocese through gifts that are used for support of our ongoing programs and ministries: congregational support and development, leadership development, pastoral care, ministry development, and Christian formation. 100% of your gift goes to supporting our ministries. To make a gift, to the secure website at http://www.edsd.org or mail to: Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.
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Report Sexual Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please be reminded that our diocese values the tenet of our baptismal covenant to “respect the dignity of every human being.” Part of the way we live into that is to train people in the prevention of sexual misconduct. Another part that goes hand-in-hand with training is reporting incidences of sexual misconduct. Our bishop, the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, takes reports seriously and investigates them thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact Bishop Mathes immediately: bishopmathes@edsd.org, 619-481-5450.
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NEWCOMERS
Are you receiving the latest mailings and the Abundant Lite weekly newsletter? If not, then we probably don’t have your correct mailing and/or email addresses. We want to make sure that you receive the invites to join us in a series of Newcomer events that we believe you will find to be informative and enjoyable. Please fill out the form in the pew pocket and place it in the plate, give it to an usher, or send your contact information by email to: valerie.winters@stpaulsps.org
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Bullies Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we want to welcome all worshipers to a place that is free of violence and bullying.
Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable.
“It Gets Better” is a series of video messages to encourage Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender youth and let them know that they are loved as they are.
“A Blessing for Those Who Are Bullied” was written by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
It is not enough to say “NO” to bullies. It is important to stand up for people and to provide resources for those who have been the targets.
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