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Give Me A Drink
The longest conversation we read in the Gospel according to John, starts with this request from Jesus, “Give me a drink.” We read this amazing exchange between Jesus and “the Woman at the Well” in our worship this weekend. It is a long reading and covers several topics, but at its heart it is about Jesus touching her life and giving her a new lease on it. And it starts with, “Give me a drink.”
With this request, Jesus crosses, cultural, religious, and ethnic borders and invites the unnamed woman to join him. She does. She crosses those same borders and responds to his invitation. She takes a step toward him and changes her life. Because with his request, Jesus begins a conversation and a relationship that changes her life and the lives of those in her village. She is knowledgeable about her faith and what differentiates it from the mainstream Judaism of her time and region. This conversation is less about Jesus correcting her wrong ideas and more about taking them to a new level, a level that gives her hope and the possibility that her future is not bound by her past. She takes that hope, not doctrine, back to her village and identifies Jesus as the source of her hope.
I wonder. What if requests like Jesus’, that come from unexpected people or places, are invitations to a conversation that God intends; one that challenges us more deeply and offers a new level of hope. There are simple ways to prepare for and practice those conversations. One is the Exchange of Peace at worship. What if we imagined Jesus inviting a deeper awareness of the one with whom we “pass the peace?” In reaching out, we cross an invisible border and may be God’s agents of hope for new life.
Join the woman at the well in each of us this weekend as we worship and practice the conversation with Jesus that inspires hope and makes us partners in the promise of new life.
Fr. Andrew
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John 4:5-42
Jesus came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.
A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, `Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”
(Read More)
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Lenten Well Water Project
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 ‘WATER IS LIFE’S MATTER AND MATRIX, MOTHER AND MEDIUM, THERE IS NO LIFE WITHOUT WATER’ -Albert Szent-Gyorqyi 1937 Nobel Prize Winner
“WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THE WATER I SHALL GIVE HIM SHALL NEVER THIRST” -John 4:14.
Bishop Mathis invites us to join the Lenten Well Water Project. Around the globe, 800 million people live without access to potable water. Meeting basic human needs for water is a huge challenge. $5000 builds a well, providing potable water and increases sanitation. Can you conceive of not being able to wash your hands? Please consider donating to our diocesan water well project which will provide potable water to a community in Central America. Donations will be accepted starting March 30th. Thank you. For questions please contact Audrey Spencer 760.835.5506 or Michael Howard 760.323.1050.
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Desert Convocation: Building a Community of Conversation
Bp. Sue Moxley
April 10-30, 2014
 Our next visitor in the Desert Convocation will be the Rt. Rev. Sue Moxley. At the end of March, Bp. Sue will retire after 10 years as bishop in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Bp. Sue has been married to her husband, Bruce, for 47 years. The Moxleys will be with us for about three weeks, including during Holy Week and Easter
There are already connections with St. Paul in the Desert. Mel and Beryl Parsons, in St. Paul’s Choir, are friends from Nova Scotia. I am told that they love to share a good Curry. Bp. Chilton Knutson, our first Desert Convocation guest, was the Bishop of Maine and preached at Bp. Sue’s consecration. I met Bp. Sue in Salt Lake City last July at the Stewardship Conference of the Episcopal Stewardship Network.
Bruce Moxley is a golfer and would love to be invited to play.
All invitation should be routed through the Rector rector@stpaulsps.org so that our guests are not overburdened and their personal time is respected.
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Gus Frouws
Died 2/21/2014
Funeral services are scheduled for March 22nd at 11:00 am.
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Thomas R. Paling
February 4, 1959 –
February 7, 2014
Interred at St. Paul’s,
February 15, 2014
Please keep his partner
Michael Chacon in your prayers.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally:
Dramatic Changes in Global Christianity.
We are pleased that the Rev. F. Dean Lueking will lead our Sunday morning program March 23, and 30. Pastor Lueking and his wife, Beverly, have engaged Christians from many countries around the world to learn about the state of Global Christianity. The result is his twelfth book, Through Their Eyes, A People’s View of the Global Church, which will be the basis of the class.
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“Tuesdays at 7”
In The Library
Jesus and the Gospels – a continuation of the DVD series by Luke Timothy Johnson.
3/25 Parallels – Stories of Greek and Jewish Heroes
Hosted by Jerry Lynch
4/01 The Context – Jesus in the Memory of the Church
4/08 The Context – Jesus in the Memory of the Church
4/15 Earliest Stages – Paul and the Oral Tradition
Hosted by Jerry DiNoto
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Roy’s Desert Resource Center
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Volunteers needed for Roy’s Desert Resource Center! St. Paul’s is expanding its outreach to the men, women and children of Roy’s, one of the Coachella Valley’s largest transitional living facilities for the homeless. New volunteers are needed to assist in our continuing Monday night dessert service to Roy’s residents, as are baked goods, used clothing, and donations to our Roy’s “SOS” fund. We are also looking for new volunteers willing to assist residents as they visit the on-site “God’s Closet” clothing repository. We are hoping to a have “team” together for this new program by early April. We expect to have additional volunteer needs as we expand our ministry over the next few months, and encourage everyone with a little time to spare to join us in this opportunity for service and fellowship. For more information, contact Chris Kelly at 760.406.2978. We would love to hear from you!
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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 the John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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Bullying Behavior Not Welcome Here
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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.
“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”
Ministry!
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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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Our Partnership
with
Katherine Finchy
Elementary School
. . . continues through our donations of classroom supplies. Please take a blue classroom supply wish list, available from the ushers, (or view and print), to use when you go shopping. Please place your donations in the basket marked “Katherine Finchy Elementary” located in the Narthex. You may also bring your purchased supplies to the Church Office during business hours. If you are unable to shop, but would like to help financially, please make your check out to “St. Paul in the Desert” and write “Katherine Finchy” on the memo line.
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THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR
. . .every Wednesday at 6pm in the Choir Room. All children age 4 and above are invited to participate in this activity learning musical skills while having fun and assisting in the congregation’s worship. For more information please contact Nathan Ensign at 760.320.7488 ext 225.
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Please observe that the office is not open for walk-ins on Mondays. If you call, please leave a message. In case of emergencies, a priest will return your call.
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SOCIAL JUSTICE WISDOM
“The Roots of Violence: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without
humanity, Worship without sacrifice, Politics without principles.” Mahatma Ghandi
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PLEDGE UPDATE
As of March 17th, there are 172 pledges, for a projected income of $332,564, that have been received for the ministry of St Paul in the Desert in 2014. Offering envelopes can be picked up in the parish office.
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FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S MINISTRY OUTING
…will meet at the Coachella Valley Preserve parking lot off Thousand Palms Road on Saturday, March 22nd, at 1:30pm. Contact Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949 or Michael Howard at 760.323.1050.
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LUNCH WITH
BISHOP MATHES
A Lunch with our Bishop will take place at 12:30 PM on Sunday, April 6th at Temple Isaiah, 332 W Alejo, Palm Springs. Tickets are $10 and will be sold after each worship service or in the Parish office through Sunday, March 30th. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from our Bishop, James Mathes.
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A Taizé Service
. . . is held on the first Thursday of the month. Currently the service schedule is April 3rd at 7:00 pm.
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The Annual Parish Spaghetti Dinner
and
ECW Bake Sale
. . . will held in the Parish Hall on Saturday, March 22nd from 5-7 PM. Tickets are on sale after each worship service, each Sunday through March 16th, and in the Parish Office until the event. Tickets are $10 and proceeds will benefit Desert Blind and Handicapped. Enjoy an evening in an Italian trattoria.
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MUSIC OF J. S. BACH
. . . and His Boys for Violin and Harpsichord, played on period instruments by the eminent Dutch violinist, Jaap Schroeder and harpsichordist, Margaret Irwin-Brandon will be presented Sunday, March 23rd, at 2:30pm in the Parish Hall. A reception to meet the artists will follow and a suggested donation of $20 is requested. Contact Nathan Ensign at 760.320.7488 ext 225.
Click here for more details
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ECW Destination:
The Holy Land
A visit to many of the favorite pilgrim sites in the Holy Land, via photographs and personal recollection, will highlight the ECW Spring luncheon on Thursday, April 3rd. A brief business meeting, to be followed by luncheon at noon, will preface the program.
Tour guide will be Bonnie Stroock, who will discuss her recent trip to the Holy Land where she visited Jerusalem, Galilee, Bethlehem, and the site of the Sermon on the Mount. This is a not to be missed Lenten season event, and all women of the Parish are encouraged to attend.
Please, (except for newcomers) bring a salad to serve 6 to 8, rolls, or a dessert. Beverages will be provided. Hostesses for the luncheon will be Bonnie Stroock and Kathy Briski. For additional information, contact Kathy Briski, (760) 864-7145.
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THE DAUGHTERS
OF THE
KING
. . . will be training prospective members during the next two months. We are meeting in Palm Springs on Monday afternoons. Join us to see how the DOK Rule of Prayer and Service can work in your life. Call Bonnie Stroock at 760.324.7949 for more information.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE
FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
Holy Communion at Windsor Court, 201 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, is hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of the month, next, on April 9th, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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SPIRITUAL REFLECTION RETREATS AT
CAMP STEVENS
Camp Stevens offers two retreats during Lent. March 29-30 is a Women’s Weekend led by Mother Kelli Grace Kurtz with a pilgrimage theme. The Gary Hall retreat will be April 11-13; a popular retreat leader, The Very Rev. Gary Hall is presently Dean of Washington National Cathedral. The DOK is planning carpooling to the women’s event. Register with info@campstevens.org.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
The hosts after the 8:00 service are Alan Zimmerman, Dee Hansen, Bert and Jean Anne Zimmerly; the hosts after the 10:30 service are Joe Noble and Richard Cadarette.
You may sign up to host a Coffee Hour by using the binder at the entrance to the Parish Hall. There are lots of opportunities in 2014. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on Wednesday’s from 10am -1pm 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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At the
Church of St. Paul
in the Desert
. . . we welcome all worshipers to a place free of violence, bullying, and abuse. 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.
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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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