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From The Rector
What Happened to the Stone?
By this Sunday, we will have experienced 40 days of Lent as well as Holy Week. The powerful events of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter will be past. We have experienced these times together: At the beginning of Lent, we were invited to pick up and carry a stone, and to scatter some seed.
These simple symbolic acts were signs that each of us wanted to grow, and that each of us would examine our lives to see what needed to be released, let go, forgiven. I have heard several “stone” stories where the symbol or sign became a tool in renewal. I have heard lots of commentary on the growth of the grass in the cross in the Rose Garden; the grass has been a playful reminder of the reality of God’s love and a sign of hope.
As Lent and Holy Week have led to Easter for me, I am finding that my growth is not in a straight line, nor always in a helpful direction, but that growth is continual. I have forgotten my stone and left it behind once. I have found that even as I practice releasing hurts and fears, and those occasions when I have sinned, that there is more to process. Release is countered by burdens.
Our world is filled with examples of brokenness, hurt, and fear. News has reminded us that deep brokenness has led to violence and fear in Turkey, West Africa, and Belgium, even in this last week. The stone that I am preparing to release on Good Friday has grown heavy.
I imagine Jesus carrying a stone like mine as he went about his ministry of healing and his proclamation of God’s love and justice. I imagine him touching it as he met the blind man on the road or raised the widow’s son, or healed the leper. I bet it got heavy. And in the last week of his life, as he entered Jerusalem, challenged leaders, and was abandoned by his closest disciples, I imagine it seemed more like a boulder than a smooth river stone.
Holy Week is difficult. By Good Friday it seems that his stone has crushed Jesus as he dies on the cross. As each of us is feeling the burden symbolized by our own simple stone, we might lose the hope of release.
But Jesus’ story does not end there. It does not end at the fact of death. It becomes that seed that was scattered, and as the light of Easter dawns, the women at the tomb see the result. The huge stone is rolled away – its burden of death is released.
Join together in the rest of Holy Week as part of a community that know burdens are real, but that God rolls stones away.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
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Defeating Evil Through Love
The Bishop and Clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and
The Bishop and Clergy of the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Gathered at St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego
Click to read their letter on violence regarding the recent events in Brussels.
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Death of a Friend of St. Pauls
We learned that the Rev. Robert Kley who assisted at St. Paul for several years died on February 21st in Phoenix, AZ. May light perpetual shine on him. Remember Fr. Kley, his family, friends and colleagues in your prayers.
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Newcomers Class
with Fr. Andrew
Many worshipers wonder how to become a member of St. Paul’s. If you are interested, join our Rector in the Chapel on Sunday, April 3rd at 9:15 am. You’ll learn how easy it is to become a member and will hear more about St. Paul’s, its ministries, and how we serve our members and our community. This is a single session class and is not the same as the Inquirers’ Class. If you are already a member of St. Paul’s, this class is not for you.
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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Chapel
Check it out
April
4/3 Reconciliation & Anglican Relations presented by Bishop Sue Moxley
4/10 The Mystery of Easter. Facilitated by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
4/17 Easter People Dressing a Corpse.
Facilitated by Audrey Spencer
4/24 Love One Another– John 13:31-35.
Facilitated by Br. John Charles
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Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
March
3/29 50 Days of Easter
Presented by Rev. Canon David Caffrey
April
“Studying, Speaking and Singing the Psalms”
Presented by Rabbi David Lazar.
4/5 Psalm 121- Turning Our Eyes Toward the Mountains
4/12 Psalm 130- Calling Out from the Depths
4/19 Psalm 118- Praising Together with the Other
4/26 Psalm 30- Riding the Roller Coaster of Life
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Episcopalians Against
Gun Violence
. . . is an ad-hoc group of bishops, clergy and lay people disseminating information about Episcopalians who are working, collectively and individually, to curb gun violence. For further information, click here.
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Bullying Behavior
Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we 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 because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
“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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A WELCOMING, EMPOWERING,
SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Paul’s to support that mission. Volunteers are needed from all three services to donate approximately 90 minutes of their time per month. That time is split into 3-30 minute segments: 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the service you attend, once per month, to support the Welcoming Table located in the Narthex and another 30 minutes a month assisting with name badge organization. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Mike Funke at 760.-409.0986 or mike.funke@yahoo.com!
Help us live our mission statement!
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REPORT MISCONDUCT
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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Announcements
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CHURCH
OFFICE HOURS
The church office is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a lunch break from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.
Should you call on Monday when we are closed to the public, please leave a message. In case of an emergency, a priest will return your call.
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Bishop Sue Moxley
to lead study on
Water Concerns
The Social Justice Committee and the Adult Faith Building team invite you to join Bishop Sue Moxley for a study on Global Water Concerns. Water is a vital source of life affecting our world –physically, environmentally and spiritually. Bp. Moxley, retired bishop of Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island, is widely known as a passionate advocate for social justice. Bp. Moxley and her husband Bruce are previous and always welcome visitors to St. Paul’s. Please join us Thursday, March 31st at 7:00 pm in the St. Paul’s library. Click this link for full information.
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Picnic at The Living Desert!
The Family/Children’s Ministry will have a “bring your own lunch” picnic at the Living Desert on Sunday, April 10 at 1:00 pm. For more information, please contact Ted Barajas at 760-902-1014.
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DOK Retreat
Ladies of St. Paul’s: There will be information sheets available in the Parish Hall Sunday for the Daughters of the King Retreat this coming Saturday, April 2nd, at Fr. David Caffrey’s Desert Journeys Guest House. Fr. Caffrey will share three Benedictine rules that will deepen our spiritual lives and celebrate our Easter discipleship. We’ll gather from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The day will include Fr. Caffrey’s insight of the rules and discussion, time for lunch (bring your own), and a reflective quiet time. Drinks, snacks, and dessert for lunch will be provided. There is no charge, and we can car pool. If you plan to attend – and all women of the Parish are welcome – please call Sharon Strong: 760.285.8910.
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CHOIR CALL
As some of you have remarked, we are currently short on singers in the Choir, especially in the Bass and Soprano sections. We know that there are very fine singers (you) sitting in the pews because the Choir hears you singing as they process. Now would be an excellent time to join the choir as we prepare for Easter and the weeks that follow to June, when we break for summer. Please contact Nathan Ensign for more information after services or at 760.320.7488, ext. 225.
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Giving Made Easier
St. Paul’s has a new system for online giving and we encourage you to use it (see the right hand column on this web page.)
If you have any questions, please contact the office. Our online system makes it easy to direct your donation to a specific fund.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13th at 10:15 am. The priest and residents always welcome parishioners to join in the worship. The priest will impose ashes in observance of Ash Wednesday for those attending this service.
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COFFEE HOUR
Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests.
Please consider hosting an upcoming Coffee Hour. The sign-up book is on the table to your right as you enter the Parish Hall.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on
Wednesday’s from 10 am-1 pm in Hogarth Hall. Whether you wish to learn to knit or crochet or are an expert needleworker, we welcome you. Needles, hooks and yarn are provided. Please drop in to create and enjoy our prayerfully made creations.
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