Diocesan Executive Council Recap

This past weekend, Rev. Dan attended the Diocesan Executive Council’s annual retreat at St. Bart’s in Poway, CA, a suburb of San Diego. The Executive Council is similar to the Vestry, but at the level of the diocese. Rev. Dan was appointed to fill a vacancy on the governing body with a 1-year term. Aside from the monthly business meeting and some team-building exercises, the bulk of the retreat was focused on the diocese’s strategic planning process. There is a separate taskforce working on that, but getting input from the members of the Executive Council is a key part of their process. For instance, we reviewed data analysis from Holy Cow Consulting with a special facilitator. The hope is to have the official plan ready by Fall of 2026. We are proud of Ray Tackett, a member of St. Paul in the Desert and postulant for holy orders to the vocational diaconate, who is a member of the Strategic Planning Taskforce. If you have any questions about the diocese’s strategic plan, please reach out to him!

Confirmation Kickoff Potluck Recap

On Sunday, after the 10:30AM service, several of our newcomers and our retired clergy met with Rev. Jessie & Rev. Dan to begin their journey to confirmation. We were even blessed with someone from the last confirmation class who wanted to join again as a mentor for this year’s cohort. We give thanks for the food, good conversation, and time together. Confirmation is the church’s rite in which a baptized person makes a mature, public affirmation of faith and is strengthened by the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by a bishop. From now until the Bishop’s visit on March 15th, this closed class will meet weekly during the Adult Education hour to learn more about the Episcopal Church and its connection to the wider Jesus Movement. Please be praying for the class as they begin this exciting chapter in their spiritual growth.

The LBGTQ+ Ministry has a new Mission Statement, and an upcoming event for you to get involved in!

Mission Statement: “The LGBTQ+ Ministry of the Church of St. Paul in the Desert seeks to empower hope and extend the love of Jesus, as we create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where people of all sexual orientations and gender identities can find a sense of belonging.”

The LGBTQ+ Ministry will be hosting a table at the Center’s Info-A-Go-Go event on Saturday, January 31st from 11AM -2PM. Would you like to wear your St. Paul’s shirt that proclaims our belief in the dignity of EVERY person and greet people and let them know about this amazing faith community of St. Paul’s? If so, please reach out to Suzi Osuna (osuziosuna@hotmail.com) who is scheduling folks for that day. Help us be a balm of hope and healing in our wider Palm Springs Community.

If you’d like to join the next LGBTQ+ Ministry meeting, mark your calendar for Monday, February 9 at 12noon in the Yucca Room. Join us in empowering hope and extending the love Jesus to all.

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Celebration

Kitchen Renovation Update – January 15, 2026

Happy New Year! Much work has been underway in the Kitchen Renovation.

Demolition is complete except for removal of one old ceiling vent. Electrical rough-in is 90% complete. Plumbing rough-in is 80% complete. Appliances/sinks/plumbing fixtures/tables/storage shelves were all ordered in mid/late-December and are being delivered and stored in the Parish Hall. Installation of the custom ventilation/fire suppression hood is underway and will be completed early next week. Initial City inspections (Electrical/Plumbing/Building, Health Dept., Fire Dept.) will occur once the hood is installed. Trenching for new electrical service will begin late next week or early the following week. This is expected to take approximately one week, with Edison and City inspections to follow.

The project timeline is very tight for targeted completion by the bishop’s visitation on Laetare Sunday, March 15. Much will depend upon the pace of City inspections.

Save the date: Annual Meeting

WHAT: The 87th Annual Meeting of the Church of St. Paul in the Desert.
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, immediately after the single 9:30AM service.
WHERE: The Church Parish Hall.
WHY: Elect members of the Vestry and representatives to the Diocesan Convention; Approve last year’s Annual Meeting Minutes; Impact Reports on the State of the Parish; Review of the 2026 Budget adopted by the Vestry; Announcement of the Senior Warden for 2026.

ELECTION OF VESTRY & DELEGATES/ALTERNATES

WHO IS BEING ELECTED:
4 members of the Vestry, the Parish’s governing body, each for a 3-year term until the 2029 Annual Meeting, and 4 Delegates and 2 Alternates to the 2026 Diocesan Convention held at St. Bart’s in Poway.

CAN I VOTE?
Yes, if you…

• Are at least 16 years old
• Regularly attend worship services at St. Paul’s
• Are a contributor of record as of Jan. 1, 2026 — meaning that you financially contributed to the Parish in 2025 and will receive a Giving Statement for 2025 and/or made your 2026 Stewardship Pledge that was received in the office by Jan. 1, 2026, and
• Have been registered with the Parish for at least 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting – wear your name badge to show that you’ve registered with the Parish!

WHO IS NOMINATED FOR VESTRY?

• • • • Last autumn, all members of the Parish were invited to submit their names if they wished to be considered for election to the Vestry.
      • The Vestry Nominating Committee, composed of the Senior Warden, co-chair of the Strategic Plan Implementation Team, one other current Vestry member, and one former Vestry member, vetted these potential candidates.
      • Candidates must be at least 18 years old and eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting. Desired qualifications include being a person of prayer, known and respected within the Parish, with a positive and trustworthy demeanor, and the possession of unique skills.
      • The Nominating Committee submitted a slate of four persons to the Vestry which were approved for recommendation to the Parish for election at the Annual meeting.
      • The recommended slate of Vestry candidates is (bios forthcoming this Sunday and in next week’s Abundant Life):
      •  – Alex Cherkas
        – Jack McClean
        – Rick Nauman
        – Dusty Porter

WHO IS NOMINATED FOR DIOCESAN DELEGATES/ALTERNATES?

• We are seeking 6 members willing to represent the Parish at the annual Diocesan convention – 4 Delegates and 2 Alternates.
• This is a great way to learn more about the diocese and St. Paul’s place in the wider church.
• You must be at least 18 years old and eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting.
• Interested? Contact Rev. Jessie ASAP at revjessie@stpaulsps.org.

HOW DO WE VOTE?

• Instructions will be given at the Annual Meeting.
• You will be provided paper ballots. You may vote for the entire slate or for the individual candidates.
• Proxy and absentee ballots are not permitted.
• Voting is supervised by 3 Inspectors of Election appointed by the Vestry.
• The newly elected members of the Vestry and Diocesan Delegates and Alternates will be announced before the end of the Annual Meeting.

VESTRY APPROVED RECOMMENDED SLATE OF VESTRY CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION AT THE 86TH ANNUAL MEETING

Alex Cherkas

Alex Cherkas and his husband began searching for a church community in the spring of 2024. Having grown up in the Russian Orthodox faith in Los Angeles and having served as an Altar Boy, he came with a strong foundation in faith. Their first thought was to join an Orthodox church in Palm Desert, but as a same‑sex married couple, they found that Rob was not welcomed there. After discovering St. Paul’s and meeting Rev. Jessie, they knew immediately that they had found their spiritual home. Since then, both he and Rob were confirmed in the Episcopal Church. He became an Altar Minister and, drawing on his professional background as an Interior Designer, began planning the Parish Hall refresh while working with the Parish Hall Task Force. He also joined the Campus Care Committee and serves as a leader of the LGBTQ+ Ministry. He feels that the church has added immeasurable goodness to his life—from the leadership of the exceptional clergy to the mind‑opening educational classes, to the love and support of the entire congregation.

Jack McLean

Jack McLean was born and raised in Montana and attended Carroll College, Helena, MT as an undergraduate. He graduated from the University of Montana School of Law and was in private civil practice in Montana for 8 years which included serving on the Montana Human Rights Commission, a quasi-judicial board that heard discrimination complaints. He then joined the Jesuits, a religious order, where he received a Licentiate in Philosophy and Master of Divinity degrees. He left religious life to pursue a relationship with his partner, Nat Wilburn, and worked in student development at Gonzaga University, the University of San Francisco, and Loyola University of Chicago for more than 25 years. He served on the national board of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps for more than 10 years and the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators for more than 5 years. He currently serves as Chair of the Los Compadres Neighborhood Association. He and his partner moved from Chicago to Palm Springs in 2021 and joined St. Paul’s shortly after that. He was elected to the Vestry, and as Clerk of the Vestry, in May 2025.

Rick Nauman

Rick Nauman has been retired and full-time resident in Palm Springs since January 3, 2017, and joined Church of St. Paul in the Desert shortly after, starting with choir. He is currently coming to the end of a three-year term on Vestry, and serves on Finance, Human Resource and Endowment/Gift Committees. He has lived in a variety of cities: Seattle, New Orleans, Detroit, Baltimore, Metairie LA, Shreveport LA and Baton Rouge LA. Those cities were part of job moves during a 43 year Property and Casualty insurance career culminating in executive underwriting management positions for the last two postings. In each of the cities after Baton Rouge, Rick was active at an Episcopal church. Seattle–St. Stephens (choir, vestry and co-chair of Rector Search Committee); New Orleans–St. George (choir, Vestry, Treasurer, coordinator for Mardi Gras Café); Troy, MI–St. Stephens (choir, Vestry and Senior Warden); Westminster, MD-Ascension (choir); Metairie, LA–St. Augustine (choir and Vestry); Shreveport, LA–Holy Cross (choir). Rick spends his time in the valley doing volunteer work: Palm Springs Art Museum store and theatre usher, Country Club Estates of Palm Springs HOA board and Treasurer, board and Treasurer of the Notre Dame Club of Palm Springs and lots of committees at St. Paul.

Dusty Porter

Dusty Porter joined St. Paul’s in July 2024 with his husband, Tim Ring, when they relocated from New Orleans, Louisiana to enjoy retirement. Dusty is a life-long Episcopalian who grew up in Atlanta; Tim and Dusty have lived in Denver, Washington DC, Baltimore, and New Orleans during their 32 years together and active members in Episcopal parishes all along the way. Since joining St. Paul’s, Dusty has been a member of the Human Resources and Stewardship Committees and is an active participant in the St. Paul’s Book Club. He and Tim have also participated in the Circle Suppers the past two years. They reside in Sunrise Park with their rescue labrador Stella.

The Book of Forgiving Class

Skills for Facing Adversity Through Psychological & Spiritual Awareness

In today’s stressful political climate, prayer and meditation can help us reconnect with peace and joy. Within that openness, we can explore how witnessing cruelty and scapegoating impacts our own wounds—and begin the work of healing

Mondays at 3:30 PM
Jan 5, 12, 19, 26
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by Grace Jill Schireson

So I Send You: A Discipleship Study Based on the 7 Signs in the Gospel of John

This study invites us to explore the seven signs in the Gospel of John as markers of God’s kingdom breaking into our world. Through these signs, we discover that even small acts of faith can transform lives. This study helps us discern our unique call as disciples—bringing Christ’s light into every encounter. Together, we reflect on hospitality, pray for healing, embrace wholeness, seek abundance, face fear, examine intent, and deepen our faith as we go forth to continue Jesus’ work.

Tuesdays at 10:00 AM
Jan 13, 20 & 27
Feb 3, 10, 17, & 24
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Dcn. Cris South

New Online Bible Course on the Hebrew Scriptures … for Smarties!

You’ve heard of The Bible for Dummies. Now, introducing The Bible … for Smarties! A chance to explore and learn about the Bible without dumbing it down. Going beyond your typical Bible Study, this seminar will be a university-level academic class focused on Nurturing Students towards a Nuanced, Critical Interpretation and Sophisticated Understanding of the Texts of the Bible. Dr. David Moseley will be the Instructor for this upcoming online offering in the Spring — a 12-week class on Hebrew Scriptures 2 (focusing on the Prophetic Literature and the miscellaneous Writings that include Poetry, Wisdom and Philosophy, Inspirational Stories and Apocalypse), starting on Monday 12th January 2026.

*** All Classes meet on Zoom on Monday evenings, 6:00-8:00 p.m. *** Classes are recorded and can be accessed if you miss any of the *live* discussions. For more information, click on this LINK which includes all you need to know about the material we will be covering, the schedule, and registering for the class. Scholarships are available – please inquire. And please feel free to email Dr. Moseley (drdavidmoseley@gmail.com) with any questions.

Episcopal Church Statement on U.S. Intervention in Venezuela

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Visit,  Saturday, January 31^st

Would you like to learn more about the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians with a visit to their beautiful and informative Cultural Museum in downtown Palm Springs? St. Paul’s is going to have a small group outing to the Museum on Saturday, January 31st.

We’ll meet at the church at 10am and carpool. If enough people are interested, we could go to lunch nearby afterwards.

Please contact Linda Castro at poisonoak.linda@gmail.com or (760) 221-4895 to RSVP.

Entrance fees are: Coachella Valley residents $8, seniors (65+) $5, and everyone else $10.

If the entrance fee is an issue for you, please let Linda know (don’t let the cost keep you from going).

Parish Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be held on February 3, 2026, at 2 PM. The meeting will be held in the Music Cottage on the church campus. The Book Club pick for February is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. She wrote to all sorts and lived a very full life. But letters arrive from someone in her past, forcing her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life. The novel is about the hubris of youth, the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime.

New members are always welcome. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmeran@icloud.com.

Daughters of The King Meeting – Saturday, February 24th

Flower Ministry

• Donate SMALL vases or jam jars (glass or plastic) in the marked basket near the Welcome Table.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and help arrange flowers in the sacristy.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and get a few arrangements and Flower Cards with parishioners’ addresses and deliver to home! (Easy drop offs at the door or left on the porch.)
• Pray for those delivering flowers, that they might offer and receive Christ in those deliveries.
• Reach out to our Flower Ministry Coordinator, Natalie Ousley, and let her know you’re interested (njousley@yahoo.com).

Altar Flowers

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s). A donation of $105 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $75 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees

Upcoming St. Paul’s Funerals

• Ben Clark, Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11AM
• Terry Fabian, Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11AM
• Kathryn Briski, Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11AM
• John Alex Houlton, Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11AM

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate; pray for the PROVINCE DE L’Eglise Anglicane DU CONGO, The Most Reverend Titre Ande Georges, Archbishop and Primate.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon: The Right Reverend Patrick W. Bell, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Doctor Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; Clergy and people of Trinity, Escondido, For the children and leaders at Epiphany Camp at Camp Stevens, For our Ecumenical partnerships during the Week of Christian Unity.

For those commended to our prayers: Susan Leach Reynolds, Tim Rogers, Charlesdrain West Mia Glaser, Shawna Rickard, Ron Wright, Eric Harsen, Don A., Pam M. , Allison & Stephan, Margie Paris, Jon Kates, Marty Turner, Frances Boaze, Tim Castor, Rhylee Citi, Eric Harsen, Marge S., Raffaele, Paul Cronin-Swalboski, Katie Walsh, Rev. Gary Bradley, Michael Neill, Tellez Family, Kevin Lee, Aaron Riviers, Gerardo Reynoso, Anika Burke, Nesbit Hatch & Dennis Rexroad, Don Moore, Adrienne, George, Bridgette Oliver, Nicole, Beverly Schafer, Bob Blum, Steven Pilgrim, Marysia, Francis, Marty, Chris Migdol, Natalie Ousley, Greg, Jude Hoiseth, Tony & Pat Ellerd, Vicky Boaz & Marty Turner, David Faull, Jessica Rodriguez, Crystal Gonzalez, Julia Anne Galperen, Troy Elder, Reuben Hernnadez, Shaun Water, Patricia Valtier-Medina, René (Reno) Valtier, Rodney Binder, Sam Grewal & Family, Gabriel Georgia, Jerry Brown, Fergus, Joan Anderson, Harry Lit, Lori Miller, Lucy Youngren, Bonnie Ong, RC Eckert, Gaile Eckert, Tish & Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Pat, David Valenzuela, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Terry Fabian, Terry Garrity, Louise Standefer, Benjamin Carrillo, Hugh Curtis, Samuel Pineda, Rev. Tom Callard, Cecily, Jackie Smart, Robert Menifee.
Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed rest in peace. Amen.

For those celebrating anniversaries: January 16: Tom Kieley & Linda Krengel.

For those with birthdays: January 16: Tony Martinez, January 17: John Raposa, January 19: Jerry Di Noto, January 20: Ivonne Anderson, January 22: Clinton Carbon, January 23: Andy Johnson, January 24: Peter Smurthwaite.

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Send us your Prayer Requests via email — You may request prayers, “For those commended to our prayers” or “For those who have died,” by sending requests to revdan@stpaulsps.org. The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on January 25, The Third Sunday after The Epiphany.

Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul

Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email Reverend Dan, at revdan@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Monday, January 19, In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the office will be closed. 
• Monday, January 19, 3:30 PM — Facing Adversity Zen Class — Yucca Room, Parish Hall.
• Tuesday, January 20, 11:30 AM — 7 Signs of John Class — Yucca Room, Parish Hall.
• Tuesday, January 20, 12:00 PM — Worship Committee — Parish Library.
• Wednesday, January 21, 4:00 PM — Path Ahead Class — Yucca Room, Parish Hall.
• Wednesday, January 21, 5:30 PM — Laundry Love — Off-site
• Wednesday, January 21, 6:00 PM — Eucharist — Church
• Wednesday, January 21, 6:30 PM — Vestry
• Thursday, January 22, 3:30 PM — Sisters In Spirit Lunch — Off-site
• Thursday, January 22, 5:45 PM — Choir Practice — Music Cottage

Want to help make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?

Have you have had a moment where you were at church and you saw the same lightbulb has been out for weeks and no one has changed it? Or maybe you go to grab a railing to steady yourself and find that it’s really loose and wonder why it hasn’t been fixed? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your pew rack is missing cards or envelopes or pens and you are reminded that no one can fill them unless someone knows they are empty?

We have a BRAND-NEW tool that anyone can use to help us make sure the campus is safe, stocked, and ready for worship and other campus activities! Welcome to the NEW St. Paul’s Maintenance/Repair Request Form found online. If YOU see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. on St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan the QR code below OR click on the Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form. You will be able to fill out the form in real time, which will allow our sexton to address those issues and/or the Campus Care Committee to address any major campus issues. Help us stay organized and prioritized!

If you see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan below to reach our Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form.

Stay Connected

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.

Missed a service?  Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert

Join our E-Mail List

You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s Info on Reporting Misconduct

Intake Officers:

Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com

The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com

Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/

Journey to Confirmation

Are you ready to explore faith with curiosity and openness?

Whether you’re asking deep questions, drawn to the beauty of Anglican worship, returning after time away, or simply wondering what baptism, confirmation, or reaffirmation mean, this is for you.

Journey to Confirmation offers a thoughtful, supportive space for anyone seeking to learn about Christianity and how we live it in the Episcopal Church. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey—longtime believer, hesitant seeker, or first-time explorer—you are welcome here.

Kickoff Potluck
Sunday, Jan 11
Following the 10:30AM service

Confirmation Classes
Jan 18, Feb 1, 8, 15, & 22
March 1 & 8
Yucca Room — Parish Hall

Following the Star: Coffee & Conversation with the Co-Rectors on Our Third Weekend Service

During Epiphany, we remember seekers who followed God’s leading toward something new.

Join the Co-Rectors for a conversation about the developing third weekend service. In this season of insight and illumination, come learn about its shape, time, liturgical style, and the needs it might meet in our growing parish.

Sundays at 9:15 AM
Jan 11 & 18
Saguaro Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Dan Kline &
The Rev. Jessie Thompson

Save the date: Annual Meeting

WHAT: The 87th Annual Meeting of the Church of St. Paul in the Desert.
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, immediately after the single 9:30AM service.
WHERE: The Church Parish Hall.
WHY: Elect members of the Vestry and representatives to the Diocesan Convention; Approve last year’s Annual Meeting Minutes; Impact Reports on the State of the Parish; Review of the 2026 Budget adopted by the Vestry; Announcement of the Senior Warden for 2026.

ELECTION OF VESTRY & DELEGATES/ALTERNATES

WHO IS BEING ELECTED:
4 members of the Vestry, the Parish’s governing body, each for a 3-year term until the 2029 Annual Meeting, and 4 Delegates and 2 Alternates to the 2026 Diocesan Convention held at St. Bart’s in Poway.

CAN I VOTE?
Yes, if you…

• Are at least 16 years old
• Regularly attend worship services at St. Paul’s
• Are a contributor of record as of Jan. 1, 2026 — meaning that you financially contributed to the Parish in 2025 and will receive a Giving Statement for 2025 and/or made your 2026 Stewardship Pledge that was received in the office by Jan. 1, 2026, and
• Have been registered with the Parish for at least 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting – wear your name badge to show that you’ve registered with the Parish!

WHO IS NOMINATED FOR VESTRY?

• • • • Last autumn, all members of the Parish were invited to submit their names if they wished to be considered for election to the Vestry.
      • The Vestry Nominating Committee, composed of the Senior Warden, co-chair of the Strategic Plan Implementation Team, one other current Vestry member, and one former Vestry member, vetted these potential candidates.
      • Candidates must be at least 18 years old and eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting. Desired qualifications include being a person of prayer, known and respected within the Parish, with a positive and trustworthy demeanor, and the possession of unique skills.
      • The Nominating Committee submitted a slate of four persons to the Vestry which were approved for recommendation to the Parish for election at the Annual meeting.
      • The recommended slate of Vestry candidates is (bios forthcoming this Sunday and in next week’s Abundant Life):
      •  – Alex Cherkas
        – Jack McClean
        – Rick Nauman
        – Dusty Porter

WHO IS NOMINATED FOR DIOCESAN DELEGATES/ALTERNATES?

• We are seeking 6 members willing to represent the Parish at the annual Diocesan convention – 4 Delegates and 2 Alternates.
• This is a great way to learn more about the diocese and St. Paul’s place in the wider church.
• You must be at least 18 years old and eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting.
• Interested? Contact Rev. Jessie ASAP at revjessie@stpaulsps.org.

HOW DO WE VOTE?

• Instructions will be given at the Annual Meeting.
• You will be provided paper ballots. You may vote for the entire slate or for the individual candidates.
• Proxy and absentee ballots are not permitted.
• Voting is supervised by 3 Inspectors of Election appointed by the Vestry.
• The newly elected members of the Vestry and Diocesan Delegates and Alternates will be announced before the end of the Annual Meeting.

VESTRY APPROVED RECOMMENDED SLATE OF VESTRY CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION AT THE 86TH ANNUAL MEETING

Alex Cherkas

Alex Cherkas and his husband began searching for a church community in the spring of 2024. Having grown up in the Russian Orthodox faith in Los Angeles and having served as an Altar Boy, he came with a strong foundation in faith. Their first thought was to join an Orthodox church in Palm Desert, but as a same‑sex married couple, they found that Rob was not welcomed there. After discovering St. Paul’s and meeting Rev. Jessie, they knew immediately that they had found their spiritual home. Since then, both he and Rob were confirmed in the Episcopal Church. He became an Altar Minister and, drawing on his professional background as an Interior Designer, began planning the Parish Hall refresh while working with the Parish Hall Task Force. He also joined the Campus Care Committee and serves as a leader of the LGBTQ+ Ministry. He feels that the church has added immeasurable goodness to his life—from the leadership of the exceptional clergy to the mind‑opening educational classes, to the love and support of the entire congregation.

Jack McLean

Jack McLean was born and raised in Montana and attended Carroll College, Helena, MT as an undergraduate. He graduated from the University of Montana School of Law and was in private civil practice in Montana for 8 years which included serving on the Montana Human Rights Commission, a quasi-judicial board that heard discrimination complaints. He then joined the Jesuits, a religious order, where he received a Licentiate in Philosophy and Master of Divinity degrees. He left religious life to pursue a relationship with his partner, Nat Wilburn, and worked in student development at Gonzaga University, the University of San Francisco, and Loyola University of Chicago for more than 25 years. He served on the national board of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps for more than 10 years and the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators for more than 5 years. He currently serves as Chair of the Los Compadres Neighborhood Association. He and his partner moved from Chicago to Palm Springs in 2021 and joined St. Paul’s shortly after that. He was elected to the Vestry, and as Clerk of the Vestry, in May 2025.

Rick Nauman

Rick Nauman has been retired and full-time resident in Palm Springs since January 3, 2017, and joined Church of St. Paul in the Desert shortly after, starting with choir. He is currently coming to the end of a three-year term on Vestry, and serves on Finance, Human Resource and Endowment/Gift Committees. He has lived in a variety of cities: Seattle, New Orleans, Detroit, Baltimore, Metairie LA, Shreveport LA and Baton Rouge LA. Those cities were part of job moves during a 43 year Property and Casualty insurance career culminating in executive underwriting management positions for the last two postings. In each of the cities after Baton Rouge, Rick was active at an Episcopal church. Seattle–St. Stephens (choir, vestry and co-chair of Rector Search Committee); New Orleans–St. George (choir, Vestry, Treasurer, coordinator for Mardi Gras Café); Troy, MI–St. Stephens (choir, Vestry and Senior Warden); Westminster, MD-Ascension (choir); Metairie, LA–St. Augustine (choir and Vestry); Shreveport, LA–Holy Cross (choir). Rick spends his time in the valley doing volunteer work: Palm Springs Art Museum store and theatre usher, Country Club Estates of Palm Springs HOA board and Treasurer, board and Treasurer of the Notre Dame Club of Palm Springs and lots of committees at St. Paul.

Dusty Porter

Dusty Porter joined St. Paul’s in July 2024 with his husband, Tim Ring, when they relocated from New Orleans, Louisiana to enjoy retirement. Dusty is a life-long Episcopalian who grew up in Atlanta; Tim and Dusty have lived in Denver, Washington DC, Baltimore, and New Orleans during their 32 years together and active members in Episcopal parishes all along the way. Since joining St. Paul’s, Dusty has been a member of the Human Resources and Stewardship Committees and is an active participant in the St. Paul’s Book Club. He and Tim have also participated in the Circle Suppers the past two years. They reside in Sunrise Park with their rescue labrador Stella.

Clerk’s Corner: December Vestry Meeting Recap

• The Finance, Campus Care, and Human Resources Committees of the Vestry are working on supporting the parish staff in developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Parish Hall. The purpose of the standard operating procedure is to clarify what the expectations are for any group using the Parish Hall. This is especially important for our newly remodeled facilities and timely as we get close to finishing the kitchen project this spring. The parish has been intentionally limiting the use of the hall to outside groups until construction is completed and these procedures could be finalized to ensure the long-term use of the facilities for many years. Ministries and groups within the parish have been slowly beginning to use the hall as a soft launch and test-case for sharing this incredible asset with the wider community.

• The Church of St. Paul in the Desert has a Permanent Endowment Fund. The Endowment Committee makes a recommendation each year regarding what income from the fund should be distributed to the parish. For 2025, the Endowment Committee recommended that $32,132 be distributed from the endowment to the Parish. The Vestry accepted this recommendation and directed the Senior Warden to make that transfer.

• The Vestry also worked on approving a recommended slate of candidates for the next Vestry election. An in-depth recruiting process was implemented involving a call to the entire parish to attend a Vestry Interest Day in the autumn of 2025, interviews with the Vestry Nominating Committee, interviews with the Co-Rectors, and review of potential candidates by the Vestry. While anyone who is eligible may be elected to Vestry at the Annual Meeting, the slate represents the candidates who have been thoroughly vetted. In respectful fashion, I, along with the other Vestry member who are seeking to be re-elected, recused ourselves from the final discussion and vote at the Vestry meeting for the slate. Please see the section in the newsletter this week that covers the Annual Meeting for more information.

Respectfully submitted,
Jack McClean
Vestry Clerk

Laundry Love

Another successful Laundry Love in the books!
Guests: 46
Number of people who benefitted from the event: 96
Detergent accepted: 28
Total loads: 311

Not quite as many guests or loads as in November, but even so we’re slightly higher in our number of beneficiaries. This event generally went more smoothly and peacefully than November, We shared our Laundry Love List (foundational guidelines, built during our core team meeting on 11/30, attached here) with our volunteers and in January every guest will also get a copy when they sign in. We talked through the LLL guidelines with guests during the December event and let them know that they’d go fully into effect in January.

Now that the holiday activities are over, we’re moving on our preparations for our daytime program expansion in February, which includes coordination with our partners at the PS Early Entry Overnight Shelter and creating some new signage.

Megan Goehring & Tony McEwing

Epiphany House Blessing

Celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany, (January 6, 2026), it is a tradition of using chalk to write above the home’s entrance asking for God’s blessing on the home and those who dwell in or visit the home. As the individual/family/household gathers in prayer, it is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our lives and our home.

NOTE 1: Bring all members of the household together for this blessing.
Utilize any children in your home to be the Leader, Reader, and chalk drawer.

NOTE 2: If you live alone, you are invited to call someone else from church who lives alone and do your home chalk blessings together, reading and praying the words below AND/OR invite a neighbor over and share in blessing your homes together.

OPENING

All – Make the Sign of the Cross
Leader – Let us praise God, who fills our hearts and homes with peace.
All  – Blessed be God forever.

READING

Leader A reading from Matthew 2:1-12.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

The Word of the Lord.
All – Thanks be to God.

HOUSE BLESSING

Leader (using the chalk, write above the door) 20 + C + M + B + 26
saying “May Christ bless this house.”

• The numbers represent the New Year.
• C M B stands for “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” –Latin for “May Christ bless this house”
• C M B also stands for the traditional names of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior, & Balthasar
• The “+” signs represent the cross, and the four seasons of the year for blessings over all the earth in every cardinal direction.

ACCLAMATION (from Psalm 24)

Leader Lift up your heads, O gates!
All – That the King of Glory may enter.

Leader Who is the King of Glory?
All – The Lord of Hosts. He is the King of Glory.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Leader Let us pray.
All  – During these days of the Christmas season, we keep this feast of the Epiphany. Through the guidance of a star, the coming of Jesus was made known to the Gentiles. We celebrate Christ made known to the Magi, to John in the River Jordan, and to the disciples at the wedding at Cana. Today, Christ is made known to us. Today this home is a holy place. Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, humility, kindness, and the keeping of your law. Fill us with the light of Christ that our love for each other may go out to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(After you have blessed your doorway and home with chalk and prayer,
please take a picture of yourself with the door blessing—
practice those “selfie skills”—and email it to communications@stpaulsps.org)

The staff of The Church of St. Paul has gathered in prayer and blessed the church.

Celebration of The Epiphany

What a wonderful celebration of the Epiphany, one of our seven principal feasts in the church calendar. These Three Kings brought gifts of our sorrows (prayers from our Blue Christmas service of grief and loss), our gratitudes from 2025 and hopes for 2026 (from our Pink Sunday In-Gathering service of celebration and thanksgiving), and our chalk to be blessed for marking homes to invite the King of Kings into our full lives. In the sermon, we heard that wherever we are, we are fully welcomed and wanted on the spiritual journey, and that though it may cost us as we bring our full selves, we will return changed as we encounter Christ.

Special congratulations to Noe Cruz, who was voted best dressed royal and was named the King of Mardi Gras for 2026 (come on Shrove Tuesday, Feb 17 at 5PM to find out more!). We also are grateful for the Latino Ministry who hosted a special cocktail hour afterwards, as Los Tres Reyes is a big holiday in Latin American countries. If you missed it, you can pick up your blessed chalk this Sunday!

Skills for Facing Adversity Through Psychological & Spiritual Awareness

In today’s stressful political climate, prayer and meditation can help us reconnect with peace and joy. Within that openness, we can explore how witnessing cruelty and scapegoating impacts our own wounds—and begin the work of healing

Mondays at 3:30 PM
Jan 5, 12, 19, 26
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by Grace Jill Schireson

Celebrating Our Differences — Workshop

Join us as we explore how many of us have a preference on how we collect information about the world, how we make a decision on what to do with that information, whether we like to drill down to a decision or look for more possibilities, and if we are energized for life by thoughts, concepts, and ideas, or persons, places, and things.

Saturday, Jan 10 at 9AM —12PM
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Mark Spaulding

So I Send You: A Discipleship Study Based on the 7 Signs in the Gospel of John

This study invites us to explore the seven signs in the Gospel of John as markers of God’s kingdom breaking into our world. Through these signs, we discover that even small acts of faith can transform lives. This study helps us discern our unique call as disciples—bringing Christ’s light into every encounter. Together, we reflect on hospitality, pray for healing, embrace wholeness, seek abundance, face fear, examine intent, and deepen our faith as we go forth to continue Jesus’ work.

Tuesdays at 10:00 AM
Jan 13, 20 & 27
Feb 3, 10, 17, & 24
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Dcn. Cris South

New Online Bible Course on the Hebrew Scriptures … for Smarties!

You’ve heard of The Bible for Dummies. Now, introducing The Bible … for Smarties! A chance to explore and learn about the Bible without dumbing it down. Going beyond your typical Bible Study, this seminar will be a university-level academic class focused on Nurturing Students towards a Nuanced, Critical Interpretation and Sophisticated Understanding of the Texts of the Bible. Dr. David Moseley will be the Instructor for this upcoming online offering in the Spring — a 12-week class on Hebrew Scriptures 2 (focusing on the Prophetic Literature and the miscellaneous Writings that include Poetry, Wisdom and Philosophy, Inspirational Stories and Apocalypse), starting on Monday 12th January 2026.

*** All Classes meet on Zoom on Monday evenings, 6:00-8:00 p.m. *** Classes are recorded and can be accessed if you miss any of the *live* discussions. For more information, click on this LINK which includes all you need to know about the material we will be covering, the schedule, and registering for the class. Scholarships are available – please inquire. And please feel free to email Dr. Moseley (drdavidmoseley@gmail.com) with any questions.

TODEC Update

Episcopal Church Statement on U.S. Intervention in Venezuela

Parish Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be held on February 3, 2026, at 2 PM. The meeting will be held in the Music Cottage on the church campus. The Book Club pick for February is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. She wrote to all sorts and lived a very full life. But letters arrive from someone in her past, forcing her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life. The novel is about the hubris of youth, the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime.

New members are always welcome. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmeran@icloud.com.

Flower Ministry

• Donate SMALL vases or jam jars (glass or plastic) in the marked basket near the Welcome Table.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and help arrange flowers in the sacristy.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and get a few arrangements and Flower Cards with parishioners’ addresses and deliver to home! (Easy drop offs at the door or left on the porch.)
• Pray for those delivering flowers, that they might offer and receive Christ in those deliveries.
• Reach out to our Flower Ministry Coordinator, Natalie Ousley, and let her know you’re interested (njousley@yahoo.com).

Altar Flowers

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s). A donation of $105 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $75 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees

Upcoming St. Paul’s Funerals

• Benjamin Carrillo, Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11AM
• Judi Miller-Steele (inurnment in columbarium), Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 12noon
• Ben Clark, Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11AM
• Kathryn Briski, Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11AM
• John Alex Houlton, Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11AM

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of     Canterbury-designate; pray for the Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America, The     Most Reverend Juan David Alvarado, Archbishop and Primate.

For the Episcopal Diocese of California: The Right Reverend Rev. Austin Keith Rios, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Doctor Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for clergy and people of Clergy and people of St. John’s, Chula Vi sta.

For those commended to our prayers: Ron Wright, Eric Harsen, Don A. Pam M. Allison & Stephan, Margie Paris, Jon Kates, Marty Turner, Frances Boaze, Tim Castor, Rhylee Citi, Eric Harsen, Marge S., Raffaele, Paul Cronin-Swalboski, Katie Walsh, Rev. Gary Bradley, Michael Neill, Tellez Family, Kevin Lee, Aaron Riviers, Gerardo Reynoso, Anika Burke, Nesbit Hatch & Dennis Rexroad, Don Moore, Adrienne, George, Bridgette Oliver, Nicole, Beverly Schafer, Bob Blum, Steven Pilgrim, Marysia, Francis, Marty, Terry Garrity, Chris Migdol, Natalie Ousley, Greg, Jude Hoiseth, Tony & Pat Ellerd, Vicky Boaz & Marty Turner, David Faull, Jessica Rodriguez, Crystal Gonzalez, Julia Anne Galperen, Troy Elder, Reuben Hernnadez, Shaun Water, Patricia Valtier-Medina, René (Reno) Valtier, Rodney Binder, Sam Grewal & Family, Gabriel Georgia, Jerry Brown, Fergus, Joan Anderson, Harry Lit, Lori Miller, Lucy Youngren, Bonnie Ong, RC Eckert, Gaile Eckert, Tish & Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Terry Fabian, Pat, David Valenzuela, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Louise Standefer, Benjamin Carrillo, Hugh Curtis, Samuel Pineda, Rev. Tom Callard, Cecily, Jackie Smart, Robert Menifee. Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed rest in peace. Amen.

For those celebrating anniversaries: January 7: John & Lena Granet, January 9: Michael Harbin & Warren MacPherson, January 10: Barry Hagenbuch & Robert Woods, January 16: Tom Kieley & Linda Krengel.

For those with birthdays: January 6: Steven F. Holm, January 7: Gary K. Scott, Gary Gillespie, January 8: George Holliday, January 9: Nathan DePetris, Ed Walsh, January 10: Pat Ellerd, Kylie Georgia, Gail Heitman, January 13: Suzi Osuna, January 14: Joanne Lampela, John Lasher. January 15: Laurent Dellac, January 16: Tony Martinez, January 17: John Raposa.

For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Shelia Brubaker in Thanksgiving for the 49th Anniversary of the Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch’s Ordination, AND by Warren & Mike in Thanksgiving for 47 years together and 13 years legally.

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Send us your Prayer Requests via email — You may request prayers, “For those commended to our prayers” or “For those who have died,” by sending requests to revdan@stpaulsps.org. The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on January 18, The Second Sunday after The Epiphany.

Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul

Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email Reverend Dan, at revdan@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Monday, January 12, 1:00 PM — LGBTQ+ Outreach Ministry Meeting —
• Monday, January 12, 3:30 PM — Facing Adversity Zen Class — Yucca Room, Parish Hall.
• Tuesday, January 13, 11:30 AM — 7 Signs of John Class — Yucca Room, Parish Hall.
• Wednesday, January 14, 4:00 PM — Path Ahead Class — Yucca Room, Parish Hall.
• Wednesday, January 14, 6:00 PM — Eucharist — Church

Want to help make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?

Have you have had a moment where you were at church and you saw the same lightbulb has been out for weeks and no one has changed it? Or maybe you go to grab a railing to steady yourself and find that it’s really loose and wonder why it hasn’t been fixed? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your pew rack is missing cards or envelopes or pens and you are reminded that no one can fill them unless someone knows they are empty?

We have a BRAND-NEW tool that anyone can use to help us make sure the campus is safe, stocked, and ready for worship and other campus activities! Welcome to the NEW St. Paul’s Maintenance/Repair Request Form found online. If YOU see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. on St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan the QR code below OR click on the Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form. You will be able to fill out the form in real time, which will allow our sexton to address those issues and/or the Campus Care Committee to address any major campus issues. Help us stay organized and prioritized!

If you see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan below to reach our Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form.

Stay Connected

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.

Missed a service?  Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert

Join our E-Mail List

You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s Info on Reporting Misconduct

Intake Officers:

Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com

The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com

Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/

Parish Office Hours

St. Paul Gingerbread House

Preparing for the Co-Rectors’ 2027 Sabbatical

LGBTQ+ Ministry Builds Ecumenical Bridges

This past week members of the LGBTQ+ Ministry and the local Roman Catholic parishes’ Gifted and Called Ministry (their LGBTQ+ Advocacy Group) met to discuss a collaborative Lenten project for 2026. We give thanks for the opportunity to advocate for full LGBTQ+ inclusion in every church. Stay tuned for this important project as more details will be forthcoming in the new year!

The Feast of Epiphany

Upcoming Classes

Skills for Facing Adversity Through Psychological & Spiritual Awareness

In today’s stressful political climate, prayer and meditation can help us reconnect with peace and joy. Within that openness, we can explore how witnessing cruelty and scapegoating impacts our own wounds—and begin the work of healing

Mondays at 3:30 PM
Jan 5, 12, 19, 26
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by Grace Jill Schireson

Click to Register

The Path Ahead: Spirituality & Purpose in Later Life

A six-session program exploring aging as a season of growth and purpose. Through discussion, prayer practices, and creative expression, participants deepen spirituality, build community, and discern God’s ongoing call.

Wednesdays at 4 PM
Jan 7, 14, 21, 28
Feb 4, 11
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Dale Carr

Click to Register

Celebrating Our Differences — Workshop

Join us as we explore how many of us have a preference on how we collect information about the world, how we make a decision on what to do with that information, whether we like to drill down to a decision or look for more possibilities, and if we are energized for life by thoughts, concepts, and ideas, or persons, places, and things.

Saturday, Jan 10 at 9AM —12PM
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Mark Spaulding

Click to Register

Baking in Community

Join us for a fun, hands-on baking class where we’ll create delicious treats, share a meal, and build community. No experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm! Everyone leaves with something they’ve made.

Saturday, Jan 10 at 9AM —12PM
Location — TBD
Led by Pete Smith

Click to Register

Journey to Confirmation

Are you ready to explore faith with curiosity and openness?

Whether you’re asking deep questions, drawn to the beauty of Anglican worship, returning after time away, or simply wondering what baptism, confirmation, or reaffirmation mean, this is for you.

Journey to Confirmation offers a thoughtful, supportive space for anyone seeking to learn about Christianity and how we live it in the Episcopal Church. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey—longtime believer, hesitant seeker, or first-time explorer—you are welcome here.

Kickoff Potluck
Sunday, Jan 11
Following the 10:30AM service

Confirmation Classes
Jan 18, Feb 1, 8, 15, & 22
March 1 & 8
Yucca Room — Parish Hall

Click to Register

Following the Star: Coffee & Conversation with the Co-Rectors on Our Third Weekend Service
During Epiphany, we remember seekers who followed God’s leading toward something new.

Join the Co-Rectors for a conversation about the developing third weekend service. In this season of insight and illumination, come learn about its shape, time, liturgical style, and the needs it might meet in our growing parish.

Sundays at 9:15 AM
Jan 11 & 18
Saguaro Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Dan Kline &
The Rev. Jessie Thompson

Click to Register

So I Send You: A Discipleship Study Based on the 7 Signs in the Gospel of John

This study invites us to explore the seven signs in the Gospel of John as markers of God’s kingdom breaking into our world. Through these signs, we discover that even small acts of faith can transform lives. This study helps us discern our unique call as disciples—bringing Christ’s light into every encounter. Together, we reflect on hospitality, pray for healing, embrace wholeness, seek abundance, face fear, examine intent, and deepen our faith as we go forth to continue Jesus’ work.

Tuesdays at 10:00 AM
Jan 13, 20 & 27
Feb 3, 10, 17, & 24
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Dcn. Cris South

Click to Register

New Online Bible Course on the Hebrew Scriptures … for Smarties!

You’ve heard of The Bible for Dummies. Now, introducing The Bible … for Smarties! A chance to explore and learn about the Bible without dumbing it down. Going beyond your typical Bible Study, this seminar will be a university-level academic class focused on Nurturing Students towards a Nuanced, Critical Interpretation and Sophisticated Understanding of the Texts of the Bible. Dr. David Moseley will be the Instructor for this upcoming online offering in the Spring — a 12-week class on Hebrew Scriptures 2 (focusing on the Prophetic Literature and the miscellaneous Writings that include Poetry, Wisdom and Philosophy, Inspirational Stories and Apocalypse), starting on Monday 12th January 2026.

*** All Classes meet on Zoom on Monday evenings, 6:00-8:00 p.m. *** Classes are recorded and can be accessed if you miss any of the *live* discussions. For more information, click on this LINK which includes all you need to know about the material we will be covering, the schedule, and registering for the class. Scholarships are available – please inquire. And please feel free to email Dr. Moseley (drdavidmoseley@gmail.com) with any questions.

Flower Ministry

• Donate SMALL vases or jam jars (glass or plastic) in the marked basket near the Welcome Table.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and help arrange flowers in the sacristy.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and get a few arrangements and Flower Cards with parishioners’ addresses and deliver to home! (Easy drop offs at the door or left on the porch.)
• Pray for those delivering flowers, that they might offer and receive Christ in those deliveries.
• Reach out to our Flower Ministry Coordinator, Natalie Ousley, and let her know you’re interested (njousley@yahoo.com).

TODEC Update

Altar Flowers

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s). A donation of $105 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $75 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees

Upcoming St. Paul’s Funerals

• Benjamin Carrillo, Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11AM
• Judi Miller-Steele (inurnment in columbarium), Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 12noon
• Ben Clark, Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11AM
• Kathryn Briski, Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11AM
• John Alex Houlton, Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11AM

Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul

Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email Reverend Dan, at revdan@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.

Want to help make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?

Have you have had a moment where you were at church and you saw the same lightbulb has been out for weeks and no one has changed it? Or maybe you go to grab a railing to steady yourself and find that it’s really loose and wonder why it hasn’t been fixed? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your pew rack is missing cards or envelopes or pens and you are reminded that no one can fill them unless someone knows they are empty?

We have a BRAND-NEW tool that anyone can use to help us make sure the campus is safe, stocked, and ready for worship and other campus activities! Welcome to the NEW St. Paul’s Maintenance/Repair Request Form found online. If YOU see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. on St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan the QR code below OR click on the Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form. You will be able to fill out the form in real time, which will allow our sexton to address those issues and/or the Campus Care Committee to address any major campus issues. Help us stay organized and prioritized!

If you see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan below to reach our Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form.

Stay Connected

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.

Missed a service?  Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert

Join our E-Mail List

You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s Info on Reporting Misconduct

Intake Officers:

Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com

The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com

Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/

Pink Sunday Recap

Last Sunday was truly one for the books! As we wait for the announcement of our 2026 pledge in-gathering goal, we donned our finest pink liturgical attire and shared in two beautiful services. Together, we wrote down our gratitudes and prayers for St. Paul’s and offered them at the altar. We officially welcomed 15 new members into our parish family—and then we toasted it all during the Pink Coffee Hour.

Dear Church, it is a joy and a privilege to share in the life and ministry of this place with you. May we continue to keep our hearts open to where the Spirit is inviting us to participate as St. Paul’s steps into this new year!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who sent in pictures from this special day.

Special thanks to Music Director Charles Peery and the St. Paul’s Choir for elevating our worship through song and anthem, to Jim DeMersman for baking and frosting 150 cupcakes, and to Ed Walsh for providing the champagne and cider.

🎄 Help Decorate the Church for Christmas!

Preparing for the Co-Rectors’ 2027 Sabbatical

LGBTQ+ Ministry Builds Ecumenical Bridges

This past week members of the LGBTQ+ Ministry and the local Roman Catholic parishes’ Gifted and Called Ministry (their LGBTQ+ Advocacy Group) met to discuss a collaborative Lenten project for 2026. We give thanks for the opportunity to advocate for full LGBTQ+ inclusion in every church. Stay tuned for this important project as more details will be forthcoming in the new year!

Parish Hall Kitchen Renovation Update as of Dec. 18

Here a few items to note this week on the progress of Kitchen Renovation:

• Extensive electrical work continues.
• Appliances, sinks, plumbing fixtures and tables have been ordered, with deliveries expected in early to mid-January.
• Flooring has been ordered.

Immediately following the unveiling of the refreshed Parish Hall on Pentecost, the Kitchen Task Force appointed by the Vestry began work on preparing the Parish’s permit application to fully renovate the Kitchen. Although small, our Kitchen is treated as a commercial kitchen for local (Palm Springs Municipal Code) and state (California Building Code) requirements, essentially as if we were a restaurant. These requirements are extensive and complicated and necessitated the engagement of specialists and engineers in design and drafting, mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical/energy, and structural/building. We worked with these specialists and engineers throughout the summer crafting an application that we believed met all code requirements, which was submitted on August 29, although the City did not put it “in process” until mid-September.

Four City agencies had to sign off on our application before a permit was issued: Planning Department, Health Department, Fire Department and Building Department. Each of these departments has purview over a piece of the various city and state requirements for commercial kitchens. We worked with these departments throughout the autumn, modifying and clarifying our permit application as each mandated. These discussions were extensive and laborious, and the process was oftentimes frustrating, as responsiveness is not a key attribute of local governance. Our permit was finally issued on Nov. 21, the Friday before Thanksgiving. Plumbing work began immediately the following Monday.

Work is now occurring six days a week (Monday-Saturday) excluding holidays and when liturgical events happen on Saturdays (such as funerals). Demolition of the Kitchen was completed earlier this week. Our refrigeration appliances have been given a new lease on life by being donated to The Galilee Center that serves the needs of the underprivileged and disadvantaged by providing food, clothing, and other basic necessities. Extensive plumbing and electrical work are underway. We expect that the new kitchen appliances, sinks, tables etc. will be ordered next week and delivered shortly after the New Year. Flooring should also be ordered next week. As a condition of permit approval, we will have to install a new electrical service to the Parish Hall. This work will begin presently and requires trenching from the south side of the Music Cottage to the west side of the Parish Hall. The grassy area including the jungle gym will be closed off during this work which is expected to take about two weeks due to required Edison and City inspections, although it could stretch on a bit longer because of the fast approaching Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

The project timeline is approximately 16 weeks from permit issuance, with a targeted completion by the bishop’s annual visitation on Laetare Sunday, March 15.

Parish Office Hours

The Feast of Epiphany

Upcoming Classes

Skills for Facing Adversity Through Psychological & Spiritual Awareness

In today’s stressful political climate, prayer and meditation can help us reconnect with peace and joy. Within that openness, we can explore how witnessing cruelty and scapegoating impacts our own wounds—and begin the work of healing

Mondays at 3:30 PM
Jan 5, 12, 19, 26
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by Grace Jill Schireson

Click to Register

The Path Ahead: Spirituality & Purpose in Later Life

A six-session program exploring aging as a season of growth and purpose. Through discussion, prayer practices, and creative expression, participants deepen spirituality, build community, and discern God’s ongoing call.

Wednesdays at 4 PM
Jan 7, 14, 21, 28
Feb 4, 11
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Dale Carr

Click to Register

Celebrating Our Differences — Workshop

Join us as we explore how many of us have a preference on how we collect information about the world, how we make a decision on what to do with that information, whether we like to drill down to a decision or look for more possibilities, and if we are energized for life by thoughts, concepts, and ideas, or persons, places, and things.

Saturday, Jan 10 at 9AM —12PM
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Mark Spaulding

Click to Register

Baking in Community

Join us for a fun, hands-on baking class where we’ll create delicious treats, share a meal, and build community. No experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm! Everyone leaves with something they’ve made.

Saturday, Jan 10 at 9AM —12PM
Location — TBD
Led by Pete Smith

Click to Register

Journey to Confirmation

Are you ready to explore faith with curiosity and openness?

Whether you’re asking deep questions, drawn to the beauty of Anglican worship, returning after time away, or simply wondering what baptism, confirmation, or reaffirmation mean, this is for you.

Journey to Confirmation offers a thoughtful, supportive space for anyone seeking to learn about Christianity and how we live it in the Episcopal Church. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey—longtime believer, hesitant seeker, or first-time explorer—you are welcome here.

Kickoff Potluck
Sunday, Jan 11
Following the 10:30AM service

Confirmation Classes
Jan 18, Feb 1, 8, 15, & 22
March 1 & 8
Yucca Room — Parish Hall

Click to Register

Following the Star: Coffee & Conversation with the Co-Rectors on Our Third Weekend Service
During Epiphany, we remember seekers who followed God’s leading toward something new.

Join the Co-Rectors for a conversation about the developing third weekend service. In this season of insight and illumination, come learn about its shape, time, liturgical style, and the needs it might meet in our growing parish.

Sundays at 9:15 AM
Jan 11 & 18
Saguaro Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Dan Kline &
The Rev. Jessie Thompson

Click to Register

So I Send You: A Discipleship Study Based on the 7 Signs in the Gospel of John

This study invites us to explore the seven signs in the Gospel of John as markers of God’s kingdom breaking into our world. Through these signs, we discover that even small acts of faith can transform lives. This study helps us discern our unique call as disciples—bringing Christ’s light into every encounter. Together, we reflect on hospitality, pray for healing, embrace wholeness, seek abundance, face fear, examine intent, and deepen our faith as we go forth to continue Jesus’ work.

Tuesdays at 10:00 AM
Jan 13, 20 & 27
Feb 3, 10, 17, & 24
Yucca Room — Parish Hall
Led by The Rev. Dcn. Cris South

Click to Register

New Online Bible Course on the Hebrew Scriptures … for Smarties!

You’ve heard of The Bible for Dummies. Now, introducing The Bible … for Smarties! A chance to explore and learn about the Bible without dumbing it down. Going beyond your typical Bible Study, this seminar will be a university-level academic class focused on Nurturing Students towards a Nuanced, Critical Interpretation and Sophisticated Understanding of the Texts of the Bible. Dr. David Moseley will be the Instructor for this upcoming online offering in the Spring — a 12-week class on Hebrew Scriptures 2 (focusing on the Prophetic Literature and the miscellaneous Writings that include Poetry, Wisdom and Philosophy, Inspirational Stories and Apocalypse), starting on Monday 12th January 2026.

*** All Classes meet on Zoom on Monday evenings, 6:00-8:00 p.m. *** Classes are recorded and can be accessed if you miss any of the *live* discussions. For more information, click on this LINK which includes all you need to know about the material we will be covering, the schedule, and registering for the class. Scholarships are available – please inquire. And please feel free to email Dr. Moseley (drdavidmoseley@gmail.com) with any questions.

Flower Ministry

• Donate SMALL vases or jam jars (glass or plastic) in the marked basket near the Welcome Table.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and help arrange flowers in the sacristy.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and get a few arrangements and Flower Cards with parishioners’ addresses and deliver to home! (Easy drop offs at the door or left on the porch.)
• Pray for those delivering flowers, that they might offer and receive Christ in those deliveries.
• Reach out to our Flower Ministry Coordinator, Natalie Ousley, and let her know you’re interested (njousley@yahoo.com).

Altar Flowers

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s). A donation of $105 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $75 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate; pray for the Anglican Church of Burundi, The Most Reverend Sixbert Macumi, Archbishop and Primate.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana: The Right Reverend Jacob W. Owensby, Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Doctor Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for clergy and people of Church of St. Barnabas, Borrego Springs, and for those experiencing homelessness and those who journey at their side.

For those commended to our prayers: Katie Walsh, Rev. Gary Bradley, Michael Neill, Tellez Family, Kevin Lee, Aaron Riviers, Gerardo Reynoso, Anika Burke, Nesbit Hatch & Dennis Rexroad, Don Moore, Adrienne, George, Bridgette Oliver, Nicole, Beverly Schafer, Bob Blum, Steven Pilgrim, Marysia, Francis, Marty, Raysheen Kidd, Douglas Woodmansee, Terry Garrity, Chris Migdol, Michael Himelright, Sandy Lyons, Matt Shepherd, Bob Carter, Samuel Panarella, Mary Eckert, Michael Jardula, Teresa Slowik, Natalie Ousley, Mark Pamperin, Bruce McLean, Greg, Sherry Reynolds, Jud Hoiseth, Tony & Pat Ellerd, Vicky Boaz & Marty Turner, David Faull, Jessica Rodriguez, Crystal Gonzalez, Julia Anne Galperen, Troy Elder, Reuben Hernnadez, Shaun Water, Patricia Valtier-Medina, René (Reno) Valtier, Rodney Binder, Sam Grewal & Family, Gabriel Georgia, Benjamin Carrillo, Jerry Brown, Fergus, Joan Anderson, Harry Lit, Lori Miller, Lucy Youngren, Bonnie Ong, RC Eckert, Gaile Eckert, Tish & Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Terry Fabian, Pat, David Valenzuela, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Hugh Curtis, Samuel Pineda, Rev. Tom Callard, Cecily, Jackie Smart, Robert Menifee, Chuck Coursey, Michael Marguet, John Alex Houlton, Brian Emmanuel, Denni Bogert Russell, Michael Cohen, Mark Carnavale, Ron Withrow, Ethan Heitman. Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed rest in peace. Amen.

For those celebrating anniversaries: December 23: Rick Gooch & Gary Smith December 26: Michael Funke & Rick Roberts.
For those with birthdays: December 22: Greg Barton, December 24: Tyrus Brown, Linda Richard,
December 27: Rev. William Hardwick

For those for whom flowers have been donated: Sunday’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Gary Hiatt in memory of Fred Ross, AND by Rick Gooch and Gary Smith in thanksgiving of their 42nd Anniversary.

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Send us your Prayer Requests via email — You may request prayers, “For those commended to our prayers” or “For those who have died,” by sending requests to revdan@stpaulsps.org. The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on December 28, The First Sunday after Christmas

Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul

Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email Reverend Dan, at revdan@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Sunday, December 21 — 12:00 PM — Decorating the Church for Christmas — In the Church
• Sunday, December 21 — 6:00 PM — Interfaith Blue Christmas Service — In the Church
• Wednesday, December 24 — 4:00 PM — Christmas Eve Family Service — In the Church
• Wednesday, December 24 — 11:00 PM — Christmas Eve Midnight Mass — In the Church
• Thursday, December 25 — 10:30 AM — Christmas Day Service — In the Church

TODEC Update

Want to help make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?

Have you have had a moment where you were at church and you saw the same lightbulb has been out for weeks and no one has changed it? Or maybe you go to grab a railing to steady yourself and find that it’s really loose and wonder why it hasn’t been fixed? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your pew rack is missing cards or envelopes or pens and you are reminded that no one can fill them unless someone knows they are empty?

We have a BRAND-NEW tool that anyone can use to help us make sure the campus is safe, stocked, and ready for worship and other campus activities! Welcome to the NEW St. Paul’s Maintenance/Repair Request Form found online. If YOU see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. on St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan the QR code below OR click on the Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form. You will be able to fill out the form in real time, which will allow our sexton to address those issues and/or the Campus Care Committee to address any major campus issues. Help us stay organized and prioritized!

If you see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan below to reach our Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form.

Stay Connected

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.

Missed a service?  Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert

Join our E-Mail List

You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s Info on Reporting Misconduct

Intake Officers:

Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com

The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com

Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/

Pink Sunday

Christmas Flowers

🎄 Help Decorate the Church for Christmas!

Advent Lessons & Carols

On Sunday, December 7, St. Paul’s celebrated the season of Advent with a beautiful service of Lessons and Carols, drawing 128 attendees into a time of reflection and joyful anticipation.
The service featured an extraordinary lineup of musicians:

• Douglas Leightenheimer, Guest Organist
• The Church of St. Paul in the Desert Choir
• Charles Peery, Harpist and Music Director

Through scripture readings and music, the congregation journeyed through the story of God’s promise and hope, preparing hearts for the coming of Christ. The combination of voices, harp, and organ created an atmosphere of reverence and celebration that will be remembered throughout the season.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended and to those who shared their gifts to make this service so meaningful. A special thank you to our Music Director, Charles Peery, for his leadership and artistry.

[embedyt]https://youtu.be/HYjmK82lLHw[/embedyt]

YOU’RE INVTED: Co-Rectors’ Sabbatical Listening Session
Monday, December 15 at 11AM

Parish Hall Kitchen Renovation Update

Immediately following the unveiling of the refreshed Parish Hall on Pentecost, the Kitchen Task Force appointed by the Vestry began work on preparing the Parish’s permit application to fully renovate the Kitchen. Although small, our Kitchen is treated as a commercial kitchen for local (Palm Springs Municipal Code) and state (California Building Code) requirements, essentially as if we were a restaurant. These requirements are extensive and complicated and necessitated the engagement of specialists and engineers in design and drafting, mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical/energy, and structural/building. We worked with these specialists and engineers throughout the summer crafting an application that we believed met all code requirements, which was submitted on August 29, although the City did not put it “in process” until mid-September.

Four City agencies had to sign off on our application before a permit was issued: Planning Department, Health Department, Fire Department and Building Department. Each of these departments has purview over a piece of the various city and state requirements for commercial kitchens. We worked with these departments throughout the autumn, modifying and clarifying our permit application as each mandated. These discussions were extensive and laborious, and the process was oftentimes frustrating, as responsiveness is not a key attribute of local governance. Our permit was finally issued on Nov. 21, the Friday before Thanksgiving. Plumbing work began immediately the following Monday.

Work is now occurring six days a week (Monday-Saturday) excluding holidays and when liturgical events happen on Saturdays (such as funerals). Demolition of the Kitchen was completed earlier this week. Our refrigeration appliances have been given a new lease on life by being donated to The Galilee Center that serves the needs of the underprivileged and disadvantaged by providing food, clothing, and other basic necessities. Extensive plumbing and electrical work are underway. We expect that the new kitchen appliances, sinks, tables etc. will be ordered next week and delivered shortly after the New Year. Flooring should also be ordered next week. As a condition of permit approval, we will have to install a new electrical service to the Parish Hall. This work will begin presently and requires trenching from the south side of the Music Cottage to the west side of the Parish Hall. The grassy area including the jungle gym will be closed off during this work which is expected to take about two weeks due to required Edison and City inspections, although it could stretch on a bit longer because of the fast approaching Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

The project timeline is approximately 16 weeks from permit issuance, with a targeted completion by the bishop’s annual visitation on Laetare Sunday, March 15.

Newcomers’ Brunch Recap

Our Newcomers’ Brunch on Advent 1 was a joyful and energizing gathering, with more than 40 newcomers, plus several Vestry members and other ministry leaders joining us in the Parish Hall! The main hall was filled with great conversation, curiosity about St. Paul’s, and a wonderfully warm spirit of welcome. We are grateful to everyone who helped host, prepare food, and greet our newest members and friends. Events like this remind us how vibrant and growing our community truly is.

We look forward to seeing many of our newcomers again at Pink Sunday on December 14, as we celebrate the in-gathering of pledges and continue our Advent journey of hope.

LGBTQ+ Ministry Update

This week, two of the outreach ministries that fall under the Peace, Justice, and Mercy Ministry met on Monday to do some planning and conversation about what God might be calling St. Paul’s into in this next year. First, the LGBTQ+ Ministry met over a shared potluck lunch and reviewed the 2025 events:

• • Tabled at Info-A-Go-Go (February 1)
  • Peace, Justice, Mercy Retreat with Outreach Consultant (March 21-22)
  • Attended the “Living Out” event (March 25)
  • Tabled at Trans Pride (March 29)
  • UnClobbered class (Fall)
  • Pride activities (November)
  • Harper & Will Movie and discussion (November 13)
  • Showed up as good neighbors at the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) (November 20)

Rev. Jessie shared about her Summer Continuing Education through Transmission Ministry Collective (transmissionministry.com), as she participated in a three-month cohort of faith leaders who seek to increase trans affirming churches. Their mission statement is: “Connecting and empowering trans and gender-expansive people within a Christian context to explore gender and spirituality, share holistic care, and develop as leaders. Educating and inspiring change in broader faith communities.” (Rev. Jessie welcomes conversation about her learnings over a cup of coffee in the new year, so reach out!)

The LGBTQ+ Ministry spent time talking through possible Informational Events to Be Good Neighbors, Speaker Events, Educations Events, and Exploring possible partnerships with community organizations for 2026. The Ministry group spent time working on a Mission Statement to give the ministry a focus, discussing the most vulnerable letters in the alphabet. In January the Ministry will meet again on the 12th (you’re invited!) to finalize the Mission Statement and create a few SMART goals for 2026. For now, mark your calendar if you’d like to help table at two community events and share in the Welcoming Spirit of St. Paul’s:

The LGBTQ Center’s Info-A-Go-Go on Saturday, January 31, 2026
The Transgender Health Center’s Trans Pride on Saturday, March 29, 2026.

For further questions on this ministry, reach out to Layla Alexia (laylagw@gmail.com) and/or Alex Cherkas (alexcherkas@icloud.com).

Racial Justice Ministry Update

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

[embedyt]https://youtu.be/M-vWAE-RQIU[/embedyt]

Monthly Food Distribution

Border Compassion Trip

Border Compassion invites you to travel across the border to Mexicali on Dec. 20th. Timing is to leave the valley at 7:30 AM and return at 4:30 PM. A Christmas celebration with the families at Las Cobinas shelter, a lunch and time to learn about being an immigrant at the border. A current passport is needed.

Join the Flower Ministry

• Donate SMALL vases or jam jars (glass or plastic) in the marked basket near the Welcome Table.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and help arrange flowers in the sacristy.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and get a few arrangements and Flower Cards with parishioners’ addresses and deliver to home! (Easy drop offs at the door or left on the porch.)
• Pray for those delivering flowers, that they might offer and receive Christ in those deliveries.
• Reach out to our Flower Ministry Coordinator, Natalie Ousley, and let her know you’re interested (njousley@yahoo.com).

Altar Flowers

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s). A donation of $105 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $75 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate; pray for the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil, The Most Reverend Marinez Santos Bassotto, Archbishop and Primate.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas: The Right Reverend Michael Milliken-Assisting
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Doctor Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for clergy and people of Church of St. Michael’s by-the-sea, Carlsbad.

For those commended to our prayers: Kevin Lee, Aaron Riviers, Gerardo Reynoso, Anika Burke, Nesbit Hatch & Dennis Rexroad, Don Moore, Adrienne, George, Bridgette Oliver, Nicole, Beverly Schafer, Bob Blum, Steven Pilgrim, Marysia, Francis, Marty, Raysheen Kidd, Douglas Woodmansee, Terry Garrity, Chris Migdol, Michael Himelright, Sandy Lyons, Matt Shepherd, Bob Carter, Samuel Panarella, Mary Eckert, Michael Jardula, Teresa Slowik, Natalie Ousley, Mark Pamperin, Bruce McLean, Greg, Sherry Reynolds, Jud Hoiseth, Tony & Pat Ellerd, Vicky Boaz & Marty Turner, David Faull, Jessica Rodriguez, Crystal Gonzalez, Julia Anne Galperen, Troy Elder, Reuben Hernnadez, Shaun Water, Patricia Valtier-Medina, René (Reno) Valtier, Rodney Binder, Sam Grewal & Family, Gabriel Georgia, Benjamin Carrillo, Jerry Brown, Fergus, Joan Anderson, Harry Lit, Lori Miller, Lucy Youngren, Bonnie Ong, RC Eckert, Gaile Eckert, Tish & Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Terry Fabian, Pat, David Valenzuela, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Rev. Tom Callard, Cecily, Jackie Smart, Robert Menifee, Chuck Coursey, Michael Marguet, John Alex Houlton, Brian Emmanuel, Denni Bogert Russell, Michael Cohen, Mark Carnavale, Ron Withrow, Ethan Heitman. Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed rest in peace. Amen.

For those celebrating anniversaries: December 18: Steven Chacon & Felipe Rodriguez

For those with birthdays: December 14: John Hampton, December 15: John Granet, December

For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Lena Granet in celebration of John Granet Birthday, AND by Frank Stahl in memory of A.J. Miller, AND the Narthex Flowers are sponsored by William Schleicher in memory of Matthew “Red” Lackowski

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Send us your Prayer Requests via email — You may request prayers, “For those commended to our prayers” or “For those who have died,” by sending requests to revdan@stpaulsps.org. The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on December 21, The Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul

Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email Reverend Dan, at revdan@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Wednesday, December 17 — 5:00 PM — Rosary Prayer Group — Church Nave
• Wednesday, December 17 — 5:30 PM — Laundry Love — Offsite
• Wednesday, December 17 — 6:00 PM — Eucharist — In the Church
• Thursday, December 18 — 11:30 AM — Sisters in Spirit Lunch — Offsite
• Thursday, December 18 — 6:30 PM — Movie Night, The Nativity Story
• Saturday, December 20 — 10:00 AM — The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK) — Parish Library

Want to help make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?

Have you have had a moment where you were at church and you saw the same lightbulb has been out for weeks and no one has changed it? Or maybe you go to grab a railing to steady yourself and find that it’s really loose and wonder why it hasn’t been fixed? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your pew rack is missing cards or envelopes or pens and you are reminded that no one can fill them unless someone knows they are empty?

We have a BRAND-NEW tool that anyone can use to help us make sure the campus is safe, stocked, and ready for worship and other campus activities! Welcome to the NEW St. Paul’s Maintenance/Repair Request Form found online. If YOU see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. on St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan the QR code below OR click on the Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form. You will be able to fill out the form in real time, which will allow our sexton to address those issues and/or the Campus Care Committee to address any major campus issues. Help us stay organized and prioritized!

If you see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan below to reach our Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form.

Stay Connected

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.

Missed a service?  Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert

Join our E-Mail List

You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s Info on Reporting Misconduct

Intake Officers:

Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com

The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com

Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/

Join the Flower Ministry

• Donate SMALL vases or jam jars (glass or plastic) in the marked basket near the Welcome Table.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and help arrange flowers in the sacristy.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and get a few arrangements and Flower Cards with parishioners’ addresses and deliver to home! (Easy drop offs at the door or left on the porch.)
• Pray for those delivering flowers, that they might offer and receive Christ in those deliveries.
• Reach out to our Flower Ministry Coordinator, Natalie Ousley, and let her know you’re interested (njousley@yahoo.com).

Altar Flowers

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s). A donation of $95 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $65 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees.

Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul

Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email Reverend Dan, at revdan@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate; pray for the Episcopal /Anglican Church of Bangladesh, The Most Reverend Samuel Sunil Mankhin, Archbishop and Primate

For the Episcopal Diocese of Texas: The Right Reverend Dr. David G. Read

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Doctor Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for clergy and people of Church of the Good Shepherd, Bonita.

For those commended to our prayers: Don Moore, Adrienne, George, Bridgette Oliver, Nicole, Beverly Schafer, Bob Blum, Steven Pilgrim, Marysia, Francis, Marty, Raysheen Kidd, Rev. Tom Callard, Douglas Woodmansee, Terry Garrity, Chris Migdol, Michael Himelright, Sandy Lyons, Matt Shepherd, Bob Carter, Samuel Panarella, Mary Eckert, Michael Jardula, Teresa Slowik, Natalie Ousley, Mark Pamperin, Bruce McLean, David Smith, Greg, Sherry Reynolds, Jud Hoiseth, Tony & Pat Ellerd, Vicky Boaz & Marty Turner, David Faull, Jessica Rodriguez, Crystal Gonzalez, Julia Anne Galperen, Troy Elder, Reuben Hernnadez, Shaun Water, Patricia Valtier-Medina, René (Reno) Valtier, Rodney Binder, Sam Grewal & Family, Gabriel Georgia, Benjamin Carrillo, Jerry Brown, Fergus, Joan Anderson, Harry Lit, Lori Miller, Lucy Youngren, Bonnie Ong, RC Eckert, Gaile Eckert, Tish & Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Terry Fabian, Pat, David Valenzuela, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Cecily, Robert Menifee, Chuck Coursey, Michael Marguet, John Alex Houlton, Brian Emmanuel, Denni Bogert Russell, Michael Cohen, Mark Carnavale, Ron Withrow, Ethan Heitman, Bernward Boecker, Michael Fights. Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed rest in peace. Amen.

For those celebrating anniversaries: December 7: The Rev. Victoria T. Hatch & Shelia Brubaker, Steve Horstman & Louis Sanchez, December 10: Bill & Alex Finlay-Christensen.

For those with birthdays: December 7: Jack McLean, Jim McLean, December 11: Nancy Antonius, Martin Prew.

For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by The Rev. Victoria T.
Hatch & Shelia Brubaker, in thanksgiving for their anniversary (Dec. 7), and by Bill & Alex Finlay-Christensen in thanksgiving for their anniversary (Dec. 10).

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday honoring a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship date(s).

Send us your Prayer Requests via email — You may request prayers, “For those commended to our prayers” or “For those who have died,” by sending requests to revdan@stpaulsps.org. The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on December 14, The Third Sunday of Advent.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Sunday, December 7 — 3:00 PM — Lessons & Carols
• Monday, December 8 — 12:00 PM — LGBTQ+ Outreach Ministry Potluck —Yucca Room — Parish Hall
• Tuesday, December 9 — 6:00 PM — Racial Justice Ministry here at St. Paul — Via Zoom
• Tuesday, December 9 — 2:00 PM — Book Club— Music Cottage
• Wednesday, December 10 — 5:00 PM — Rosary Prayer Group
• Wednesday, December 10 — 6:00 PM — Our Lady of Guadalupe (transferred) — In the Church

Want to help make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?

Have you have had a moment where you were at church and you saw the same lightbulb has been out for weeks and no one has changed it? Or maybe you go to grab a railing to steady yourself and find that it’s really loose and wonder why it hasn’t been fixed? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your pew rack is missing cards or envelopes or pens and you are reminded that no one can fill them unless someone knows they are empty?

We have a BRAND-NEW tool that anyone can use to help us make sure the campus is safe, stocked, and ready for worship and other campus activities! Welcome to the NEW St. Paul’s Maintenance/Repair Request Form found online. If YOU see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. on St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan the QR code below OR click on the Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form. You will be able to fill out the form in real time, which will allow our sexton to address those issues and/or the Campus Care Committee to address any major campus issues. Help us stay organized and prioritized!

If you see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan below to reach our Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form.

Stay Connected

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.

Missed a service?  Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert

Join our E-Mail List

You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s Info on Reporting Misconduct

Intake Officers:

Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com

The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com

Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/

Happy Thanksgiving!

Join the Flower Ministry

• Donate SMALL vases or jam jars (glass or plastic) in the marked basket near the Welcome Table.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and help arrange flowers in the sacristy.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and get a few arrangements and Flower Cards with parishioners’ addresses and deliver to home! (Easy drop offs at the door or left on the porch.)
• Pray for those delivering flowers, that they might offer and receive Christ in those deliveries.
• Reach out to our Flower Ministry Coordinator, Natalie Ousley, and let her know you’re interested (njousley@yahoo.com).

Year end report: HYMNS!

At the end of November we will come to the end of Liturgical Year C. Lectionary readings are in a rotation cycle that takes 3 years to accomplish and are designated as years A, B, and C. Hymns are chosen to reflect or illuminate ideas from the day’s readings.
St. Paul’s is a singing congregation and this informs our strategy of singing as many varied hymns as possible during the year. Since we sing four to six hymns in any given service, that is a lot of hymns! It isn’t unheard of to sing a favorite hymn more than once in the rotation, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

During year C, we have sung about 279 hymns, broken down as follows:

• 239 from The Hymnal 1982
• 13 from Lift Every Voice and Sing (the denomination’s African American hymnal)
• 10 from Wonder, Love, and Praise (another Episcopal hymnal supplement)
• 1 from My Heart Sings Out (another supplement designed for children)
• 16 in the category “Other”:
  – from “Voices Found”, a hymnal by, for, and about women
  – from “Songs of the Holy Other” an LGBTQ hymnal
  – New hymns by living authors
  – Hymns from other denominational hymnals.

It is such a blessing to serve a congregation which sings so capably and confidently!

Charles Peery, Director of Music

Mike Mullins completes his year-long diaconal internship with us here at St. Paul!

On Sunday, November 23 we celebrated Mike Mullins as he completed his year-long diaconal internship with us here at St. Paul!

We’re deeply grateful for his ministry, his compassion, and the countless ways he has blessed our parish. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to collect $2,000 that will go to his deacon discretionary fund at his next call at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Indio. Your support will go directly to helping undocumented persons and immigrants at our sister church in the Coachella Valley.The discretionary fund is a benevolence fund that can only be used to support those who are most in need. In a deacon’s ordination vows, deacons promise to serve all people, “particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 543).

Please join us in praying for him as he prepares for ordination to the vocational diaconate. The ordination date has not been set, but we will update the parish as soon as the bishop has published the date.

Newly inducted members in The Order of the Daughters of the King®

Congratulations to Jan Wacker, Mary Eckert, and Ann Grainger — the newest members of The Order of the Daughters of the King.

“Members of The Order of the Daughters of the King® are women and girls between the ages of seven and one hundred and seven who desire a closer walk with the Lord. We are Christian women, both lay and ordained, who are strengthened through the discipline of a Rule of Life and supported through the companionship of our sisters. We are all at different stages of our Christian journey — some have just begun and some have been on this path for a long time. But no matter where we are on our sacred journeys, our primary goal is the same: to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known to others.”

The journey to becoming a Daughter is one of intention and devotion. After a three-month period of study and discernment, each new member takes vows to uphold the two Rules of the Order: the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service.

Let us pray for these faithful women who now pray daily for us.

Altar Flowers

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s). A donation of $95 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $65 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees.

Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul

Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email Reverend Dan, at revdan@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Tuesday, December 2 — 1:00 PM Stewardship
• Tuesday, December 2 — 3:00 PM-6:00 PM 5th Annual Office Holiday Open House
• Wednesday, December 3 — 5:00 PM Rosary Prayer Group — Church Nave
• Wednesday, December 3 — 6:00 PM Eucharist — In the Church
• Wednesday, December 3 — 6:30 PM Latino Ministry
• Thursday, December 4 — 5:45 PM Choir — Choir Loft

Want to help make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?

Have you have had a moment where you were at church and you saw the same lightbulb has been out for weeks and no one has changed it? Or maybe you go to grab a railing to steady yourself and find that it’s really loose and wonder why it hasn’t been fixed? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your pew rack is missing cards or envelopes or pens and you are reminded that no one can fill them unless someone knows they are empty?

We have a BRAND-NEW tool that anyone can use to help us make sure the campus is safe, stocked, and ready for worship and other campus activities! Welcome to the NEW St. Paul’s Maintenance/Repair Request Form found online. If YOU see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. on St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan the QR code below OR click on the Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form. You will be able to fill out the form in real time, which will allow our sexton to address those issues and/or the Campus Care Committee to address any major campus issues. Help us stay organized and prioritized!

If you see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan below to reach our Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form.

Stay Connected

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.

Missed a service?  Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert

Join our E-Mail List

You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s Info on Reporting Misconduct

Intake Officers:

Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com

The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com

Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/

Thanksgiving Day Service

Join us on Thursday, November 27 for Eucharist at 10:30 AM. All are welcome as we gather in gratitude and celebrate this day of thanksgiving together.

Join the Flower Ministry

• Donate SMALL vases or jam jars (glass or plastic) in the marked basket near the Welcome Table.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and help arrange flowers in the sacristy.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM and get a few arrangements and Flower Cards with parishioners’ addresses and deliver to home! (Easy drop offs at the door or left on the porch.)
• Pray for those delivering flowers, that they might offer and receive Christ in those deliveries.
• Reach out to our Flower Ministry Coordinator, Natalie Ousley, and let her know you’re interested (njousley@yahoo.com).

Altar Flowers

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s). A donation of $95 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $65 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees.

Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul

Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email Reverend Dan, at revdan@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate; pray for the Episcopal / Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia The Most Reverend Don Tamihere, Archbishop and Primate, The Most Reverend Sione Ulu’ilkepa, Archbishop and Primate, and The Most Reverend Justin Duckworth, Archbishop and Primate.

For those commended to our prayers: Michael Himelright, Sandy Lyons, Matt Shephard, Bob Carter, Samuel Panarella, Rev. Dan Kline, Mary Eckert, Michael Jardula, Teresa Slowik, Natalie Ousley, Mark Pamperin, Bruce McLean, David Smith, Greg, Sherry Reynolds, Jud Hoiseth, Tony & Pat Ellerd, Vicky Boaz & Marty Turner, David Faull, Jessica Rodriguez, Crystal Gonzalez, Julia Anne Galperen, Troy Elder, Forest Irons, Reuben Hernnadez, Shaun Water, Patricia Valtier-Medina, René (Reno) Valtier, Rodney Binder, Sam Grewal & Family, Gabriel Georgia, Michael L. Marguet, Benjamin Carrillo, Jerry Brown, Fergus, Joan Anderson, Harry Lit, Lori Miller, Lucy Youngren, Bonnie Ong, RC Eckert, Gaile Eckert, Tish & Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Terry Fabian, Pat, David Valenzuela, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: John Alex Houlton, Ethan Heitman, Bernward Boecker, Michael Fights, Mary Helen Kelly, Shirley Patton, Richard Klinkerman, Ben Clark, Gloria Stevens, Amy Kidder, Dan Anderson. Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed rest in peace. Amen.

For those celebrating anniversaries: November 23: James Crumby & Warren Safley, November 24: Raffaele Alberto & Don Chase, November 25: Gary K. Scott & David S. Hayden, November 26: George Holliday & Rick Tinsley, November 28: Peter Smurthwaite & Patrick Von Bargen.

For those with birthdays: November 24: Katie Martin, November 25: Samuel Thayer, Patrick Von Bargen, Tony Santamaria, November 27: Luis Valdez, David S. Hayden, Dr. Alan Glass.

For those for whom flowers have been donated: Sunday’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by James Crumby & Warren Safley, in thanksgiving for their 23rd Anniversary (November 23).

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2
If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday honoring a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship date(s).

Send us your Prayer Requests via email — You may request prayers, “For those commended to our prayers” or “For those who have died,” by sending requests to revdan@stpaulsps.org. The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on November 30, The First Sunday of Advent.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Wednesday, November 26 — Office Closed — Please note — There is no Wednesday evening service this week (due to Thanksgiving Day service on Thursday).
• Thursday, November 27 — Office Closed — Happy Thanksgiving
• Thursday, November 27 — 10:30 AM Eucharist
• Friday, November 28 — Office Closed
• Friday, November 28 — Prayer Shawl Ministry (Offsite)
• Sunday, November 30 — Newcomers’ Brunch after 10:30 AM Service — Yucca Room — Parish Hall

Want to help make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?

Have you have had a moment where you were at church and you saw the same lightbulb has been out for weeks and no one has changed it? Or maybe you go to grab a railing to steady yourself and find that it’s really loose and wonder why it hasn’t been fixed? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your pew rack is missing cards or envelopes or pens and you are reminded that no one can fill them unless someone knows they are empty?

We have a BRAND-NEW tool that anyone can use to help us make sure the campus is safe, stocked, and ready for worship and other campus activities! Welcome to the NEW St. Paul’s Maintenance/Repair Request Form found online. If YOU see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. on St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan the QR code below OR click on the Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form. You will be able to fill out the form in real time, which will allow our sexton to address those issues and/or the Campus Care Committee to address any major campus issues. Help us stay organized and prioritized!

If you see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan below to reach our Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form.

Stay Connected

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.

Missed a service?  Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert

Join our E-Mail List

You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s Info on Reporting Misconduct

Intake Officers:

Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com

The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com

Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/

Flower Ministry Kicks off Monday, Nov. 17th!

Each Sunday we offer beautiful flowers to the glory of God in worship, adorning our chancel and narthex. These flowers need a second life after services! YOU are invited to show up each Monday, beginning November 17^th, at 9AM to join with others in taking apart the flower arrangement and putting them into simple bouquets and small vases and delivering them to homebound parishioners and assisted living facilities. Here’s how you can help:

• Donate SMALL vases or jam jars (glass or plastic) in the marked basket near the Welcome Table.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM (Nov. 17^th and after) and help arrange flowers in the sacristy.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM (Nov. 17^th and after) and get a few arrangements and Flower Cards with parishioners’ addresses and deliver to home! (Easy drop offs at the door or left on the porch.)
• Pray for those delivering flowers, that they might offer and receive Christ in those deliveries.
• Reach out to our Flower Ministry Coordinator, Natalie Ousley, and let her know you’re interested (njousley@yahoo.com).

Save the date—SAFE CHURCH Training In-Person at St. Paul’s on Nov. 18^th!

In-Person Safe Church Training
November 18, 2025
9am-noon
The Church of St. Paul in the Desert,  125 West El Alameda, Palm Springs, CA 92262

“Safe Church Safe Communities” training is required by the Episcopal Church every three years. In our commitment to support as many people as possible in accessing the training, we have begun offering in-person training in addition to the training offered online. This in-person training meets the needs of those who are challenged by technology, or who would benefit from participating in community. Participants will receive training on ethical and theological expectations placed on church workers/volunteers, the impact of misconduct, and the Church’s commitment to creating spaces where individuals and families are secure and valued. Safe Church, Safe Communities training is required for all volunteer and employment positions throughout the diocese. It is the Church’s responsibility to ensure safety, integrity, and trust within its community.

In order to complete all the necessary aspects of the training and receive a certificate, you must attend the full training.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS FULL, BUT PLEASE SHOW UP EARLY TO REGISTER IN PERSON.

Section 14 organization to mark settlement anniversary with summit

• The Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors organization will host a community summit Nov. 15 marking one year since the city of Palm Springs and survivors and descendants of Section 14 reached a $27 million reparative justice settlement addressing racially motivated displacement and property destruction.
• The free summit, titled “Healing, Accountability, and Moving Forward,” will begin at 10 a.m. at St. Paul in the Desert Church and include workshops on racial healing and trauma recovery, a town hall on the settlement’s implementation, and an interfaith service at 3 p.m. Registration is encouraged at this site.
• Bottom line: The settlement, announced in 2024, represents one of the largest municipal reparative justice agreements in U.S. history. “What was accomplished in Palm Springs has had ripple effects throughout the state of California and the nation,” said Areva Martin,  lead counsel for the group.This story originally appeared in the Nov. 4 edition of the Daily Briefing from The Palm Springs Post.

Altar Flowers

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s). A donation of $95 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $65 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees.

Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul

Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email Reverend Dan, at revdan@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate; pray for the Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria, The Most Reverend Dr. Samy Shehata, Archbishop and Primate.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Rio Grande: The Right Reverend Michael Buerkel Hunn, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Doctor Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for Clergy and people of St. Brigid’s in Oceanside, for musicians and those that bring art into our lives.

For those commended to our prayers: Rev. Dan Kline, Mary Eckert, Michael Jardula, Teresa Slowik, Natalie Ousley, Mark Pamperin, Bruce McLean, David, Smith, Greg, Sherry Reynolds, Jud Hoiseth, Tony & Pat Ellerd, Natalie Ousley, Vicky Boaz & Marty Turner, David Faull, Jessica Rodriguez, Crystal Gonzalez, Julia Anne Galperen, Troy Elder, Forest Irons, Reuben Hernnadez, Shaun Water, Patricia Valtier-Medina, René (Reno) Valtier, Rodney Binder, Sam Grewal & Family, Gabriel Georgia, Michael L. Marguet, Benjamin Carrillo, Jerry Brown, Fergus, Joan Anderson, Harry Lit, Lori Miller, Lucy Youngren, Bonnie Ong, RC Eckert, Gaile Eckert, Cheryl Kelley, Tish & Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Terry Fabian, Pat, David Valenzuela, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Ethan Heitman, Bernward Boecker, Michael Fights, Mary Helen Kelly, Shirley Patton, Richard Klinkerman, Ben Clark, Gloria Stevens, Amy Kidder, Dan Anderson, Virginia Roberts, Robert Jay Williams, Johathan Relerford, Arthur Binns. Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed rest in peace. Amen.

For those celebrating anniversaries: November 22: Sandra Shaw & Bruce Blauvelt

For those with birthdays: November 16: Michael Howard; November 18: Roger Donnelly, Charles Morrison; November 19:Claire McCleery, November 22: Rev. Canon Anthony Jewiss, Carmen Vasquez.

For those for whom flowers have been donated: Sunday’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Jesse Martel, in loving memory of his husband, Marshall Martel, on the first anniversary of his passing.

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2
If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday honoring a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship date(s).

Send us your Prayer Requests via email — You may request prayers, “For those commended to our prayers” or “For those who have died,” by sending requests to registrar@stpaulsps.org. The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on November 23, The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Monday, November 17 – 2:00 PM – UNCLOBBER Bible Verses Class — Saguaro Room — Parish Hall
• Tuesday, November 18 – 9AM-12PM – Safe Church Training (In-Person) — In the Church
• Tuesday, November 18 – 1PM – Worship Committee — Parish Library
• Tuesday, November 18 – 6PM-9PM — Patio Party
• Wednesday, November 19 – 10AM-12PM – Zoom Patio Party
• Wednesday, November 19 – 4PM — HR Committee
• Wednesday, November 19 – 5:30PM — Laundry Love
• Wednesday, November 19 – 6:00 PM – Mid-week Eucharist. Come and rest.
• Wednesday, November 19 – 6:30 PM – Exec Committee

Want to help make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?

Have you have had a moment where you were at church and you saw the same lightbulb has been out for weeks and no one has changed it? Or maybe you go to grab a railing to steady yourself and find that it’s really loose and wonder why it hasn’t been fixed? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your pew rack is missing cards or envelopes or pens and you are reminded that no one can fill them unless someone knows they are empty?

We have a BRAND-NEW tool that anyone can use to help us make sure the campus is safe, stocked, and ready for worship and other campus activities! Welcome to the NEW St. Paul’s Maintenance/Repair Request Form found online. If YOU see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. on St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan the QR code below OR click on the Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form. You will be able to fill out the form in real time, which will allow our sexton to address those issues and/or the Campus Care Committee to address any major campus issues. Help us stay organized and prioritized!

If you see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan below to reach our Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form.

Stay Connected

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.

Missed a service?  Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert

Join our E-Mail List

You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s Info on Reporting Misconduct

Intake Officers:

Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com

The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com

Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/

Racial Reconciliation Ministry Invites you to an Info Meeting Regarding UBE & Tribal Relations THIS Sat. Nov. 8 at 10AM

The Leaders of the Racial Justice Ministry invite you to an information meeting this Saturday, November 8^th at 10AM in the Yucca Room in the Parish Hall for great discussion and action towards discernment about St. Paul’s starting a chapter of UBE (Union of Black Episcopalians) AND conversation around Tribal Relations and how to be good neighbors (e.g. education, possible Land Acknowledgement, attending community tribal events, etc.) to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

Please join us this Saturday and bring your calendars!

For more information: https://ube.org and https://nahc.ca.gov/cp/tribal-atlas-pages/agua-caliente-band-of-cahuilla-indians/.

Clerk’s Corner: Update from the Last Vestry Meeting

Updates from the October 2025 Vestry Meeting 

• Each year each Episcopal parish in the diocese is asked to pledge a Common Life Share which supports the work of our bishop and diocese. The Vestry approved a 2026 pledge from The Church of St. Paul in the Desert in accordance with the diocesan requirements: 10.5% of net disposable income. While this may seem like a lot, the diocese is required to pledge 15% of its income to the national Episcopal Church, so we are really getting a deal! Unlike other denominations, the diocese does not support parishes, but parishes support dioceses. In turn, the diocese is able to support the national church, which has a host of programs we benefit from – including Sacred Ground. On a local level, the diocese is also able to support churches that are called missions (which are different from parishes). Missions tend to be small churches, often in impoverished rural or urban areas who would not be able to exist if they had to fully raise their own budget. The bishop is considered their rector, and the diocesan executive council is considered their vestry, but there usually is a priest who runs the day-to-day operations called a vicar and a bishop’s committee that acts like a vestry. One example of how our dollars go to support these missions is our sister church, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Indio. By giving to the Common Life Share, we are helping to fund their incredible feeding program that is helping hundreds of undocumented persons find food security. Thank you for your generosity as your dollars are helping to make a difference in the wider Coachella Valley! 

• The Church of St. Paul in the Desert routinely does an audit of all parish finances.  The 2024 audit is in process and is expected to be completed shortly.  

• The Vestry has been working to update the parish’s computer hardware and software. Steve Klinkerman, Campus Care Committee member and chair of the IT Task Force, reported that the task force has completed all hardware purchases. He also reported that St. Paul’s had qualified to receive a non-profit subscription for Microsoft 365, cutting software costs by 85%. The IT Task Force is now working on completing a SharePoint document management site. 

• The Campus Care Committee is considering ways to improve and expand the parish’s accessible parking for those with mobility concerns.                           

• The Vestry approved a Facilities Use License (Single Use) template. This is the first step in creating a procedural manual for all outside groups who will be using church facilities and sets forth all expectations the parish would have of anyone using the church. 

• The Vestry unanimously passed a resolution honoring Orin Ellingson for his many years of service as Volunteer Registrar.  

Coming Up 

• The Stewardship & Finance Committee ARE also hosting “Vision Forum,” a presentation on St. Paul’s finances, at 9:15AM on Sunday, November 16th in the Saguaro Room in the Parish Hall. If you would like to find out more about the nuts and bolts of how your generosity supports our mission, this forum is for you! 

• The Vestry Nominating Committee will also be sponsoring a Vestry Interest Day at 9:15AM on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in the Saguaro Room in the Parish Hall. If you are interested in serving on Vestry or want to find out more about what the Vestry is and does, please join us! 

• Please be praying for our Diocesan Convention delegates who are heading to St. Dunstan’s in San Diego this weekend! 

Respectfully submitted, 

Jack McLean 

Clerk 

Looking for a Simple Way to Serve? NEW Flower Ministry Kicks off Monday, November 17^th!

Each Sunday we offer beautiful flowers to the glory of God in worship, adorning our chancel and narthex. These flowers need a second life after services! YOU are invited to show up each Monday, beginning November 17^th, at 9AM to join with others in taking apart the flower arrangement and putting them into simple bouquets and small vases and delivering them to homebound parishioners and assisted living facilities. Here’s how you can help:

• Donate SMALL vases or jam jars (glass or plastic) in the marked basket near the Welcome Table.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM (Nov. 17^th and after) and help arrange flowers in the sacristy.
• Show up on any Monday at 9AM (Nov. 17^th and after) and get a few arrangements and Flower Cards with parishioners’ addresses and deliver to home! (Easy drop offs at the door or left on the porch.)
• Pray for those delivering flowers, that they might offer and receive Christ in those deliveries.
• Reach out to our Flower Ministry Coordinator, Natalie Ousley, and let her know you’re interested (njousley@yahoo.com).

St. Paul’s Parishioner Featured in Pride Week Art Show

St.Paul’s parishioner, Michael Harbin, is part of a powerful new exhibit titled “The Last Hug”, debuting during Palm Springs Pride Week. The full show premieres at the Stephen Richard Baumbach Gallery, with special events and gallery hours:

Pre-Pride Gallery Hours

• Thursday, Nov. 6 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Friday, Nov. 7 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Pride Saturday Event

• Saturday, Nov. 8 · 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

To learn more visit: https://lasthug.art/the-project/the-story/

Save the date—SAFE CHURCH Training In-Person at St. Paul’s on Nov. 18^th!

In-Person Safe Church Training
November 18, 2025
9am-noon
The Church of St. Paul in the Desert,  125 West El Alameda, Palm Springs, CA 92262

“Safe Church Safe Communities” training is required by the Episcopal Church every three years. In our commitment to support as many people as possible in accessing the training, we have begun offering in-person training in addition to the training offered online. This in-person training meets the needs of those who are challenged by technology, or who would benefit from participating in community. Participants will receive training on ethical and theological expectations placed on church workers/volunteers, the impact of misconduct, and the Church’s commitment to creating spaces where individuals and families are secure and valued. Safe Church, Safe Communities training is required for all volunteer and employment positions throughout the diocese. It is the Church’s responsibility to ensure safety, integrity, and trust within its community.

In order to complete all the necessary aspects of the training and receive a certificate, you must attend the full training.

Section 14 organization to mark settlement anniversary with summit

• The Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors organization will host a community summit Nov. 15 marking one year since the city of Palm Springs and survivors and descendants of Section 14 reached a $27 million reparative justice settlement addressing racially motivated displacement and property destruction.
• The free summit, titled “Healing, Accountability, and Moving Forward,” will begin at 10 a.m. at St. Paul in the Desert Church and include workshops on racial healing and trauma recovery, a town hall on the settlement’s implementation, and an interfaith service at 3 p.m. Registration is encouraged at this site.
• Bottom line: The settlement, announced in 2024, represents one of the largest municipal reparative justice agreements in U.S. history. “What was accomplished in Palm Springs has had ripple effects throughout the state of California and the nation,” said Areva Martin,  lead counsel for the group.This story originally appeared in the Nov. 4 edition of the Daily Briefing from The Palm Springs Post.

Add a Name to the Prayer List at St. Paul

Want to add someone’s name to the prayer list? Please call the Church Office or email Reverend Dan, at revdan@stpaulsps.org with names. Prayers remain on the list for one month unless otherwise noted.

Altar Flowers

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

Altar flowers, also known as chancel flowers, are a Christian tradition of placing flowers in the chancel of a church to beautify the space and honor loved ones. In the Episcopal Church, altar flowers are often used to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. They can also be given in memory of a loved one or to honor a person.

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday to commemorate a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship dates(s). A donation of $95 for each altar flower sponsorship (or $65 for narthex flower sponsorships) covers the flower shops fees.

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate; pray for the Church of the Province of West Africa, The Most Reverend Doctor Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, Archbishop and Primate.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma: The Right Reverend Poulson C. Reed, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Doctor Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for Chaplains and ministries of the Armed Forces; for all Veterans of the Armed Services.

For those commended to our prayers: Natalie Ousley, Mark Pamperin, Bruce McLean, David, Smith, Greg, Sherry Reynolds, Jud Hoiseth, Tony & Pat Ellerd, Natalie Ousley, Vicky Boaz & Marty Turner, David Faull, Jessica Rodriguez, Crystal Gonzalez, Julia Anne Galperen, Troy Elder, Forest Irons, Reuben Hernnadez, Shaun Water, Patricia Valtier-Medina, René (Reno) Valtier, Rodney Binder, Sam Grewal & Family, Gabriel Georgia, Michael L. Marguet, Benjamin Carrillo, Jerry Brown, Fergus, Joan Anderson, Harry Lit, Lori Miller, Lucy Youngren, Bonnie Ong, RC Eckert, Gaile Eckert, Cheryl Kelley, Tish & Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Terry Fabian, Pat, David Valenzuela, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Bernward Boecker, Michael Fights, Mary Helen Kelly, Shirley Patton, Richard Klinkerman, Ben Clark, Gloria Stevens, Amy Kidder, Dan Anderson, Virginia Roberts, Robert Jay Williams, Johathan Relerford, Arthur Binns. Rest eternal grant to these, your servants, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed rest in peace.  Amen.

For those celebrating their anniversary: November 12: Drew Bizzaro & Paul Olingy; November 15: Scott Thacker & Keeman Wong.

For those with birthdays: November 9: Patrick Jarvis, Mick Welch; November 10: Steve Johnson; November 14: Tom O’Mara; November 15: Steve Innes

For those for whom flowers have been donated:Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Nick Bonnell, in loving memory of his brother, Spike, who died November 12, 1966, in service to his country.

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers for a future Sunday honoring a special person or event, you’ll find the sign-up book in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship date(s).

Send us your Prayer Requests via email — You may request prayers, “For those commended to our prayers” or “For those who have died,” by sending requests to registrar@stpaulsps.org. The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on November 16, The Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Saturday, November 8 — 4:00 PM Pride Mass & Vow Renewal — In the Church
• Sunday, November 9 – No Sunday services – Annual Pride Parade
• Monday, November 10 – Office Closed – Veteran’s Day
• Monday, November 10 – 2:00 PM – UNCLOBBER Bible Verses Class — Saguaro Room — Parish Hall
• Monday, November 10 – 4:00 PM – Ride Share Ministry Orientation — Saguaro Room — Parish Hall
• Tuesday, November 11 – 10:00 AM-12:00 PM – Patio Party — South Palm Springs
• Tuesday, November 11 – 2:00 PM – Book Club – Music Cottage
• Tuesday, November 11 – 3:00 PM – Veterans’ Day Parade – March with St. Paul’s
• Wednesday, November 12 – 1:30 PM – SPIT
• Wednesday, November 12 – 6:00 PM – Mid-week Eucharist. Come and rest
• Wednesday, November 12 – 6:30 PM – Annual Circle Supper Kickoff

Want to help make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?

Have you have had a moment where you were at church and you saw the same lightbulb has been out for weeks and no one has changed it? Or maybe you go to grab a railing to steady yourself and find that it’s really loose and wonder why it hasn’t been fixed? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that your pew rack is missing cards or envelopes or pens and you are reminded that no one can fill them unless someone knows they are empty?

We have a BRAND-NEW tool that anyone can use to help us make sure the campus is safe, stocked, and ready for worship and other campus activities! Welcome to the NEW St. Paul’s Maintenance/Repair Request Form found online. If YOU see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. on St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan the QR code below OR click on the Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form. You will be able to fill out the form in real time, which will allow our sexton to address those issues and/or the Campus Care Committee to address any major campus issues. Help us stay organized and prioritized!

If you see something that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing-up, etc. St. Paul’s campus, this is THE way to ensure that we know about it. Scan below to reach our Building & Grounds Maintenance/Repair Request Form.

Stay Connected

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on our Home Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.

Missed a service?  Or want to rewatch a liturgy? All our past services are available to watch either on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert

Join our E-Mail List

You’ll find this invitation on the front page and many pages throughout our website. It’s intended for anyone who wants to receive communications from St. Paul’s via email. This includes The Abundant Life weekly, online newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up today!

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

Want to see daily pics about what’s happening at St. Paul’s? Be sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s Info on Reporting Misconduct

Intake Officers:

Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com

The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com

Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/