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Welcoming “Little Ones”
This week’s Gospel selection from Matthew uses the word welcome 6 times! Could it be important? I think it is. I think we understand it, at least on the surface.
At first, Jesus is making a connection between those who are officially working out God’s Mission and those who support or help them. (In the case of the prophets, those who don’t actively try to undermine or kill them.) It is no simple task to support God’s Mission. It means making choices and it may mean taking stands that challenge the prevailing church or community politics.
In the final section of our reading, Jesus promises that anyone who supports “one of these little ones” will be assured of a reward. Who are the little ones?
In this passage, they are not children, although they share some important characteristics with children. Children are learners, children are powerless, children are mostly innocent, and in the society of the day, children are unimportant. Jesus is talking about his followers, his disciples. They are the little ones. These are the ones who have exchanged their birth families for the community of Jesus. These are the subject of his words, and they are the audience. This is the end of his instructions to the disciples.
The important thing to note is that Jesus invites his listeners to go against the prevailing culture. This has been a common part of the instructions we call the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is telling his disciples that those who know them as his disciples and offer them any kindness are partners in God’s Mission.
The name that Jesus uses for them is important. “Little ones” might be an affectionate title, but it is also placing them at the bottom of the social pecking order. It is natural to seek the approval of the “Big Ones,” the important people, the people who can help you back. Jesus is giving his followers a reality check. Supporting his disciples is not natural and does not come with any social benefits, in fact, it may deter them.
Jesus calls us to reexamine our relationships and social expectations against God’s call to Mission. How might each of us both get comfortable being identified as the “little ones” and organize ourselves to support one another in following Jesus. How might we better welcome other “little ones?”
Join us this weekend as we practice.
Fr. Andrew
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Matthew 10:40-42
Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple– truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
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Pew Shepherds: Do you sit in a usual place when you worship? Are you aware of the other people around you? You may be a Pew Shepherd! Pew Shepherds get to know the people around them. If one is absent or has an impending trip to the hospital, the Pew Shepherd inquires after them and let’s them know that someone is thinking of them, praying for them. The Pew Shepherd also let’s the clergy know of the situation.
Communion Access: At the Communion Rail, one may stand or kneel. One may roll a wheel chair up to the rail. If one is unable to get to the Communion Rail, please advise the Ushers and the Presider will bring Communion to you. If you require a Gluten Free bread, they are available on the west side (right side) of the Rail. Simply ask the priest.
Open Hands: As a sign of our openness to receiving all that God has in store for us at Communion, some approach the Communion Rail with their hands in some position that suggests openness.
Special Prayers: On most Sundays, we invite anyone who desires a prayer or blessing to come stand at the Communion Rail following the confession. If you desire a prayer or blessing, please think a bout it before you come forward, so you can share it with the priest quickly. This is not a time for conversation or significantly involved explanations. The priest will then offer a prayer on behalf of the whole congregation.
Offerings of Food: We invite contributions of food for the Well in the Desert each week. The gifts are placed in the baskets at the entrance and offered with all our gifts at the Altar. They are taken to the Well following the 10:30 service.
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Death Notice – Jack Macdonald
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Jack Macdonald died on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, after a long illness.
His celebration of life will be on Saturday, August 6, 2011
Jack was involved in St. Paul’s over many years, including serving on the Vestry of the Church. He is survived by his wife, Karen Reynolds.
January 28, 1933 – June 21, 2011
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Adult Faith Building – “Sundays at 9:15”
This Sunday, 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 THIS 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. Thank you to the parishoners who have donated money to purchase dessert items! 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 are Susan and The Rev. Andrew Green
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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