For Sunday, August 18th
Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley (ACV)
The Dementia Caregiver Support Group at St Paul’s meets every Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM in an air-conditioned room in the Parish Hall. For more information, please see the program flyer or call Chuck Olsen, ACV Support Group Facilitator, at 760.667.3100.
As a reminder, the weekly meetings are intended for care givers only.
A message from the Episcopal bishops in California
“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” – Matthew 18:5
Separation of Families: What You Can Do!
We, the bishops of the Episcopal Church in California, write to express our opposition to the inhumane conditions in which our government is holding migrant children. Our commitment to our Christian faith compels us to speak out for justice and care for the most vulnerable.
Please click this link to read the complete document with many ideas of how we can help the refugees at our borders: https://www.realepiscopal.org/california-bishops-issue-call-to-assist-central-american-refugees/
In addition to the organizations named in the Bishops’ letter, you can also donate desperately needed clothing and some food items at the San Diego shelter for asylum seekers. Contact Good Samaritan Episcopal Church (goodsamchurch.org) to donate money for clothing, phone cards, or travel funds for asylum seekers. Send your check to Good Samaritan with “refugee relief” indicated in the subject line.
Parish Life Book Club
Our Parish Life Book Club is in summer recess and will not meet in August. The next meeting is Tuesday September 3, 2019, at 1 PM in the Library. For September, Book Club has selected House on Fire by Bonnie Kistler. This debut novel about a blended family in crisis after a drunk driving accident explores truth, lies and loyalty. Book Club is a group of people who enjoy reading and talking about the books they read. New members are always welcome.
For more information please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmerman@icloud.com
Altar Retreat
Save the Date – All members of the Altar Guild, Altar Ministry and Ushers are cordially invited to a retreat on Saturday, September 7, at 8:30 AM. We will gather in the church for fellowship, learning, sharing and some fun. Lunch will be served and we will adjourn by 12:30.
Please RSVP to Kathy Kilmer (kmkcc@aol.com) or Br. John (brjohncharles@gmail.com). If you are interested in participating in any of these ministries, please feel free to attend.
2019/2020 Parish Potluck Kickoff
September 14 at 5:00 PM in the Parish Hall.
Join us for a “meet & greet” gathering to launch the new season of Circle Supper small group potlucks. This is when we’ll set the October potluck dates for each of the five groups. If you have not yet joined a group, sign up forms will be in the Parish Hall and in the Church foyer. (If you are already in a Circle Supper group you do not need to sign up again.)
The Circle Supper program is now in its fourth year and is a great way to meet new people and enrich existing friendships. For more information contact Fred Ross at fredeross@comcast.net
Sunday School Season Kickoff
St. Paul’s Sunday School will begin its new season on September 15, 2019. Classes will meet the third Sunday of each month from 10:30 – 11:30 AM in the Parish Hall.
In Memoriam
Connie Pace
Service: Saturday August 17th 11:00 a.m. No reception planned on our campus.
James Kyle
Daisy Williams
Anthony Kendrick
Bennie Marzett
Vilma Rey
Slyde Hyde
Jeff Adair
Adult Faith Formation
Sundays at 9:15 AM in the Library: The Episcopal Café
The Adult Faith Building Program offers courses, workshops, lectures and discussion groups on varied theological, biblical and spirituality topics.
Sundays in August
8/18: Surrounded by Superheroes: Reflection on Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Led by Audrey Spencer
8/25: Transition and Growth: by The Rev. Laura Sheridan-Campbell, director of formation and transition.
Sundays in September
9/1: Practical Advice. Reflection on Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16)
Led by Alan Zimmerman
9/8: Choose Life! Reflection on Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Led by Gary Scott
9/15: Lifting-up our Hearts: Communion and Springsteen at Ground Zero. Communion in Hell: a remembrance of 9/11.
Led by Jerry Di Noto
9/22: Praying for Others? Reflection on 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Led by Audrey Spencer
9/29: What Kind of Bed Do You Sleep On? Reflection on Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Led by Karen Nelson
Tuesdays at 6:00 – 7:30 PM, in the Library
Violence & Religion: A video and discussion series which explores factors that contribute to violence in the name of religion.
9/3: Religion & Violence: A complicated connection.
Led by Gary Scott and Team
9/10: How Do We Define Religious Violence.
Led by Alan Zimmerman and Team
9/17: Violence in Scripture.
Led by Jerry Di Noto and Team
9/24: Why People Commit Self-Harm for Religious Purposes.
Led by Audrey Spencer and Team
Coffee Hour after Services
We hope you will join us for coffee and conversation in the Parish Hall following our Sunday morning services.
This week, Hap Blaisdell is sponsoring Coffee Hour after the 10:30 service. Thanks Hap!
Please consider volunteering to be a Coffee Hour Host sometime. It can be a great way to honor and celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion. There are still many Sundays available. The Sunday Hospitality Sign-Up Book is on the table at the Parish Hall entrance.
Report clergy 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 John Seitman, 858-793-4555 or Equilla Luke, 760-583-0485.
Compassionate Care Task Force
Our diocesan task force on compassionate care for victims of clergy sexual misconduct seeks to connect with those who have experienced misconduct. If you have reported clergy sexual misconduct and have information about the reporting or post-reporting experience that could be helpful to their work, please refer to the task force members, all of whom are listed on the diocesan website: Task-Force. Information on how to report misconduct is available here.
Church Office Hours
Office Hours are 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday through Thursday and 9 am – 11:30 am Friday. The office is closed on Mondays.
Should you call on Monday or Friday afternoon when we are closed to the public, please leave a message. In case of an emergency, a priest will return your call.
Sunday Worship Childcare
Childcare is available during the 10:30 a.m. service.
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.
