|
We Were Not Made To Be Alone
For many people, reading from the Old Testament is difficult. It is easy to drop in almost anywhere and find a description of violence or condemnation that leads the reader to ask about God: “Really? Is this what God is about?”
I am not a casual reader of the Scriptures and I have read everything several times. (Ok, there are parts of Numbers which have not received that level of attention.) I know that the reality of difficult passages is there, but I also see much more: I see an abundance of grace and love.
This week’s reading from Genesis is a wellspring of that love.
The man, the first human has discovered what it means to be alone. The human has discovered what it is not to be able to share with a kindred spirit. The picture I imagine is sad and silent.
The man is not unloved. All one has to do is read a few verses earlier to witness the attention of God crafting this creature. My imagination is filled with delight as I ponder God forming the red clay into Adam.
Yet the reality of his singularity sinks in, the man seems sad. And God notices. And God comes to the rescue in this creation story. “It is not good that the man is alone, I will make a proper partner for him.”
In our popular memory, we assume Eve, but that is not the whole story. God embarks on a workshop experience to create the proper partner, and forms the creatures for Adam to encounter and name. The man is not just naming as a part of the making process, but he is seeking connection, intimacy, a kindred spirit, maybe communion. But, among all the creatures that God has formed for this purpose, the proper partner is not found.
God goes to plan B.
As the man sleeps deeply, God takes of the man’s own substance – a rib – from near his heart, to craft that proper partner. When he wakes, the man recognizes and embraces that kindred spirit with delight.
Now, put aside all the issues that lead us to take sides and divide us in our country and in our church. Take a moment to celebrate the deepest meaning of this story: We were made for each other. We need each other. Reaching for closeness and communion is part of our God-created DNA. This is true in the church. It is true outside the church. It is part of being truly human as God made us.
Join us in common worship as we experience this broad communion with one another, with the world, and with Christ.
Fr. Andrew
|
|
Genesis 2:18-24
The LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” So out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,
for out of Man this one was taken.”
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.
|
|
Bp. Mathes joins San Diego Religious Leaders
in denouncing film
|
|
Click the image (below) to view
|
|
25th Annual Palm Springs AIDS Walk
|
|
Join the St. Paul’s walkers as we participate in the Palm Springs AIDS Walk on Sunday, November 4th. Join us as we walk to end the AIDS pandemic. There is a table to sign up after the Sunday services on the walk between the Church and the Parish Hall.
Sunday, NOVEMBER 4TH
Click the heart above to go to the St. Pauls AIDS WALK page!
|
|
PMS: THE RECITAL
(A Benefit for the Music Program at St. Paul’s)
|
|
 
Our soprano section-leader, Patricia Minton Sivcovich, along with special guest musicians, will present a concert on Sunday, October 21st, at 4 PM. Serious songs, sacred songs and silly songs will be included in the program. There will be a reception following in the Parish Hall hosted by the choir. For more information contact Patti at: 760.778.6016 or Nathan at 760.320.7488, ext. 225. Donations are graciously expected at the door.
Click Patricia’s picture to view her bio.
|
|
Wanted!
Your Photos, Messages, & Announcements
|
|
. . .to be put up on the new monitors in the Parish Hall. Please give your JPEG images to Roger Allen (or place them in his mail box in the Parish Office) on a flash drive (thumb drive) or SD card at least a week before you would like them shown. We can also show Power Point presentations.
ALSO NEEDED: Experts in Power Point and video editing. Please talk to Roger Allen for details.
|
|
New Program at St. Paul’s by the
Older Adult Forum…
“Building Community & Socialization”
3rd Friday Breakfast 9am-10am
Come join us the 3rd Friday of each month to enjoy a great program and have a bite to eat. Our next event will be Friday, October 19th at 9am in the Parish Hall.
|
|
“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Stewardship
10/7 – Peter Rittenhouse – Chair of the Abundant Living Action Team
The Orthodox Church
10/14 DVD: Catholic-Orthodox-Protestant, led by Rick Tinsley
10/21 Interview with John Granet, led by Rick Tinsley
10/28 DVD: Eastern Orthodox Theology, led by Jerry Lynch
|
|
“Tuesdays At 7”
In The Library
The Story of the Episcopal Church
10/09—The Episcopal Church and Mission / Hooking up our High Horse to a Plow, led by Victoria Hatch & Craig Ewing
10/16—The Parish, the Diocese and the Episcopate / “The Parish, the What and the What?”, led by Victoria Hatch
10/23—General Convention / “Next Stop on the Via Media: Grand Central Station”, led by Victoria Hatch
10/30—The Parish Vestry / “When the Greek Chorus Gets Budget Authority,” led by Victoria Hatch & Craig Ewing
|
|
Roy’s Desert Resource Center
|
|
You’re Invited to Roy’s Desert Resource Center for Dinner on Monday night, October 15 @ 5:30 PM. The evening will start with an introductory DVD, followed by a tour of the facility, dinner with Roy’s clients, and a Q&A at the end of the evening. Reservations are required, so please RSVP to John Westaway. Volunteers from St. Paul in the Desert serve dessert to 70-100 homeless men, women and children at Roy’s every Monday evening. We also deliver socks and underwear purchased and placed in the “ROY’S” basket. Roy’s clients, who are striving to get back into the main stream, deeply appreciate your efforts.
If you would like to participate in this program:
• Sign up to Volunteer.
• Write a check to St. Paul’s (marked: “Roy’s Fund”). This fund is
currently operating on empty.
• Bring new white socks and/or large underwear for the
“ROY’S” basket.
• When you are baking, make an extra cake, muffins,
cupcakes or dessert loaf. Mark them for “ROY’S”
and put them in the right-hand section of the Parish Hall fridge.
Please call Hap Blaisdell at 760.323.5726 for additional information and ideas.
|
|
|
|
Holy Communion Service for
Local Care Facilities
Holy Communion will be hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of each month at Windsor Court. The next service will be October 10th at 10:15 am. Father Dick Merrill will preside and welcomes assistance from parishioners.
|
|
The Children’s Choir has regular rehearsals on Wednesdays, at 6:00 in the choir room. New members are always welcome! All children age 4 and up are invited to participate in this activity learning musical life skills and working together as a team. For more information contact Nathan Ensign at:
760-320-7488 Ext. 225
|
|
The St. Paul’s Campers
. . . are going to the mountain on October 5th to 7th. We had to reschedule our original plans due to a thunderstorm. We have equipment to lend, a great dinner planned, and lots of fresh mountain air! Please call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7979 to reserve a spot.
|
|
SAVE the DATE for our NEXT STEWARDSHIP EVENT!
October 13th, from 11-2, will be our all parish Bar-B-Q! The fun will begin with a mystery activity! While the event is complimentary, you will need to acquire your tickets after worship services this weekend.
|
|
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour hosts after the:
8:oo service are Rex Comer, Lanny Tucker & the AIDS Walk Team.
10:30 service is the Choir of St. Paul in the Desert.
Coffee Hour hosts are still needed for several services the rest of the year. To sign up to host a Coffee Hour, please use the binder on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. If you have questions, please contact Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
|
|
Prayer Shawl Ministry
. . . meets every Wednesday from 10 am – 1 pm in the Parish Hall. This peace-filled stitching circle gives members fulfillment and spiritual sustenance in creating prayer shawls to comfort those in need of prayer. For more details contact Valerie Ferguson at 760.799.5927, Barbara Hawkins Villani at 760.322.3987, or Audrey Spencermorris at 760.835.5506.
|
|
Sign Up for Flowers,
Coffee Hour and
Roy’s Desert Resource Center
To make is easier for parishioners to sign-up for Flowers, Coffee Hours, and the Desert SOS Dessert Ministry, the sign-up sheets are in binders that are on the entrance table in the Parish Hall. The 2012 binders are filling fast, so if you have a special date that you want to commemorate, be sure to sign up early.
|
|
Report Sexual Misconduct.
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, please remember 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 and to encourage all to report any misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced sexual misconduct of any kind, please contact the Rev. Canon Suzann V. Holding immediately: sholding@edsd.org
or 619-481-5452.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Write a comment: