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From The Rector
Decisive Speech – Not Hate Speech
Wow! Jesus is followed by large crowds on his journey to Jerusalem. Rather than “playing up” to them, he confronts them, as he confronts the modern reader and especially the potential disciple.
The word “hate” is part of that confrontation. As used, it can denote “hate speech” with its hazards of aggressive antagonism. There are several places in the Bible where disciples are warned that they will be “hated” or attacked. However, that is not the only use. Mark Davis reflects that when “hate” is used in forced choices, its intent is to emphasize the decisive quality of the choice. In this week’s Gospel, the choice offered to the crowds is not casual in any way, but will come at a great price – everything. The choice critically includes the self-understanding required of discipleship.
In the course of the story unfolding in Luke, Jesus’ words are a warning to potential followers. For the early reader, they would have been a description of the divisions and brokenness that the early disciples experienced. These readers would have known the cost of following Jesus only too well.
In our current social order, we have a different response to choices, and a possible aversion to decisiveness. Many of us live in a world of multiple choices: the simple choices of what to eat and wear, the choices available for our futures, the serious choices of self-growth and understanding. Susan and I still smile about the day our elder daughter came home from kindergarten and announced, “I have options!”
Christianity and participation in a church is one option among many. It is in competition with other potential choices, some that are far more enticing. Within the community of faith, we have choices about how and what we share. Many of the choices we make come from the abundance of options. But the most fundamental – the most decisive – are choices that affect our substance: who we are as disciples, and what we value most in our commitment to carry our “own cross.”
Jesus has always offered a costly life of fearless love. He challenges us to choose that fearless love of the “other” over comfort and security for our own lives and interests. This is a decisive question for each of us, and some aspect of our worship each week should help us look beyond ourselves – into the face of that fearless love. Join us.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Luke 14:25-33 (CEB)
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. Turning to them, he said,“Whoever comes to me and doesn’t hate father and mother, spouse and children, and brothers and sisters—yes, even one’s own life—cannot be my disciple. Whoever doesn’t carry their own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
“If one of you wanted to build a tower, wouldn’t you first sit down and calculate the cost, to determine whether you have enough money to complete it? Otherwise, when you have laid the foundation but couldn’t finish the tower, all who see it will begin to belittle you. They will say, ‘Here’s the person who began construction and couldn’t complete it!’ Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down to consider whether his ten thousand soldiers could go up against the twenty thousand coming against him? And if he didn’t think he could win, he would send a representative to discuss terms of peace while his enemy was still a long way off. In the same way, none of you who are unwilling to give up all of your possessions can be my disciple.
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Social Justice Committee
BIG Fall Meeting
Are you interested in volunteering time to help the poor, homeless and disadvantaged? Are peace and social justice important parts of your Christian witness? If so, join us on Thursday, September 8, 2016, at 7:00 in the Church library for the fall organizational meeting of St. Paul’s Social Justice Committee. We will be discussing new volunteer opportunities at Roy’s Desert Resource Center, our 2017 speaker’s series, and new joint programs with St. Margaret’s and St. John’s Indio – there will be lots of opportunity to learn, discuss and volunteer. Come and serve Christ in others through this important ministry. Call Chris Kelly for further information — (760) 406-2978.
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Join the 2016
Desert AIDS Walk Team, now!
The 2016 Desert AIDS Walk is Saturday Oct. 22nd. Members of St. Paul’s have participated in every walk since the first one in 1989. Sign up to walk. Get sponsorships. Help support people in the Coachella Valley with HIV/AIDS. We are recruiting Walkers and Sponsors after each service. Look for the AIDS Walk Table on the walkway near the west entrances to the church. You can also join the team at desertaidswalk.org. Our Team name is St. Paul in the Desert. Please make donation checks payable to Desert Aids Project.
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Supporting Palm Springs Gun Safety Laws
On Wednesday September 7, 2016, at 6:00 pm, the Palm Springs City Council will be discussing the adoption of common sense gun safety ordinances regarding storage and transportation of firearms within city limits. The St. Paul’s Social Justice Committee will have a contingent in attendance and is inviting other interested parishioners to join us in and be heard regarding these important gun safety measures.
A description of the ordinances can be found here. Or contact Chris Kelly for more information – (760) 406-2978.
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Accepting God’s
Gift of Faith Program 2016
 Are you worshipping with our community and ready to take a further step to become an Episcopalian through Baptism and/or Confirmation? Already an Episcopalian and have been inactive and want to reconnect? Confirmed in another denomination and want to be received into the Episcopal Church? Then our Accepting God’s Gift of Faith Program is for you! The program will consist of eight weekly sessions in preparation for Adult Baptism/Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation by Bishop Mathes on Sunday, December 4th. Sessions will be on Tuesdays at 6:00pm, starting on October 11th. Sessions begin promptly with dinner at 6pm and end by 8pm. This group journey will lead participants through their own spiritual life story as well as through the history, theology and worship of the Episcopal Church. It is an opportunity to spiritually grow in and through the community of faith at St. Paul’s. Please RSVP your interest in attending by calling the Office by September 30th at 760.320.7488, ext. 0.
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The Altar Guild and Altar Ministry Kickoff
 . . . will be held at Rick’s Desert Grill on Sunday, September 18th at 5 PM. We will hold a business meeting in which we will discuss the Altar Guild and Altar Ministry calendar for the remainder of the year, followed by a no-host dinner. All members of the Altar Guild, all Altar Ministers and anyone interested in either Ministry are invited to attend. Please call the office to RSVP. For questions or comments, please call Kathy Kilmer at 760.774.8233 or Br. John Westaway at 415.279.6340.
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Altar and Narthex (church lobby) Flower Sponsorships
Sponsoring flowers for the Altar or Narthex is a distinctive way to remember loved ones or commemorate special occasions, like birthdays and anniversaries. There are many dates still available to sponsor an arrangement this year. RESERVE YOUR DATE NOW by completing the sponsor sign-up form in the binder on the table to your right as you enter the Parish Hall.
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Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM
Episcopal Café in The Library
Check it out
September
9/4 The Religious Ring inside the Political Circus.
Led by Gary Scott
9/11 How Should WE Respond to “Evil”?
Led by Craig Ewing
9/18 Five Myths about Sharia Law.
Led by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
9/25 Who Do You Love?
Led by Alan Zimmerman
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Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Faith Building – In the Library
This Tuesday, September 6th, we will begin our reading and study of John Dominic Crossan’s book, “How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis to Revelation.” The book is available on Amazon in paperback. The paperback edition costs $11; hardcopy is $22. It is also available on Kindle for $14.99. Please call the office to reserve your space. We have a limited number of paperback copies for purchase at the office.
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Announcements
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CHURCH SUMMER
OFFICE HOURS
Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 6th, Office Hours will be 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday. The office is closed on Mondays.
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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Sunday Worship Childcare
September’s here! Beginning next Sunday, September 11, Childcare will again be available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.
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St. Paul’s 101: Welcome!
If you want to Join St. Paul’s or learn more about the Parish, come to St. Paul’s 101. The next single session class with Fr. Andrew will be Sun. Sept. 25 at 9:15 in the Chapel in the Parish Hall. You will learn about St. Paul’s, ask questions about the Parish, and join.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
The next COMMUNION SERVICE at Windsor Court is scheduled for Wednesday, September 14th at 10:15 am. The priest and residents always welcome parishioners to join in the worship.
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Hospitality Ministry
Please join us in the Parish Hall after each Sunday service for coffee and refreshments. Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests.
Sunday’s Coffee Hour after the 8:00 service is sponsored by Karen Nelson & Jerry DiNoto.
Coffee Hours are an important ministry of hospitality for both our members and guests. There are several Coffee Hours without sponsors throughout the year. Please consider signing up to be a host.
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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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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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Baked Goods and Fruit
for Roy’s
St. Paul’s Monday night outreach to the homeless men, women and children at Roy’s Desert Resource Center needs your support to help get through the summer doldrums. Home-made or store bought baked desserts, cakes and cookies, as well as fresh fruit, are urgently needed. Simply bring your donation to church on Saturday or Sunday and leave it with the ushers. Contact Chris Kelly at (760) 406-2978 for further information.
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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 incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, jseitman@pacbell.net, 858-793-4555 or the Rev. Janet Wheelock, jwheelock@edsd.org, 952-240-8067.
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