January 8, 2009

The Abundant Lite The Baptism of Jesus January 8, 2009 For Sunday January 11th From The Rector Baptism, the Beginning of Ministry Each of the four Gospels recounts the baptism of Jesus. They do it differently. For some it is fully described, for Luke it is almost an afterthought, "after everyone else was baptized, Jesus himself was baptized." However, all begin Jesus' public ministry following his baptism. In the larger church, and in our local parish, we work to make the same connection between baptism and ministry. Ministry and leadership do not automatically follow from ordination as a priest or deacon, although many people seem to make that assumption. The primary ministry of the Episcopal Church is the ministry of the baptized. Lay people and clergy all fall under this broader vision of ministry. This Sunday we will celebrate the baptism of Jesus and we will baptize Zachary and Lucas Fogle. Each of them will become full members of the Body of Christ. Each of them will be called into ministry as they grow in Christ. This will be their baptism and it will be our reminder of our calling to ministry. In addition, I am pleased to announce that there are four candidates to be elected to our Vestry at the Annual Meeting on January 18th. Jan Heller, is nominated for a full term, after filling an unfinished term. Craig Ewing, Russ Gamble, and Chris Green are each nominated for a full term as members of the Vestry. There should be biographies and pictures in the next issue of the Abundant Lite. Join us in worship this weekend as we celebrate baptism as the beginning of ministry. Fr. Andrew If you have a brief story of unexpected blessing, share it with me. Give your name, email, and add your story in the comments section. Featured Scripture Mark 1:4-11 (NRSV) John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." 70th Anniversary of St. Paul in the Desert January 25, 2009 at 12 noon You are invited to a brunch in celebration of 70 years of the ministry of our parish community. From the meeting in Los Angeles in 1939, where the Rev. Stephen Crane (from Banning) received approval of our name, until now, we have been serving Christ and the people of the desert for 70 years. The celebration will be a time to rejoice together for what God has wrought among us. Tickets are $5 each with a maximum of $20 per family. You can get them from the Parish Office or Vestry Members. If for some reason, you Mother Stephanie Update Hello All,   I am happy to report that I am recovering nicely and looking forward to returning very soon.   I want to express my deep gratitude for all of your continued prayers, well wishes, cards, and messages.  I also want to say a very special thank you to those who have provided wonderful meals and cared for my creatures --- you all know who you are and I feel wonderfully blessed by how you have ministered to your minister in her time of need.   The people and staff of St. Paul in the Desert are truly an amazing community of faith!   Blessings and Thanksgiving, Mother Stephanie Upcoming Events Mark Your Calendar January 9 Funeral for Dorothy Banks 1:00 p.m. January 11 The Rev. Sam Portaro Guest Preacher 8 & 10:30 a.m. Baptism at 10:30 a.m. January 13 Diocesan Clergy Day 9-1 Funeral for Kathy Braddy 3:00 p.m. January 18, 2009 Annual Meeting at 9:15 Epiphany Pageant at 10:30 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at St. Paul's 2:00 p.m. January 25 St. Paul in the Desert 70th Anniversary Celebration January 31 Safeguarding God's People Training 8:30-3:30 at St. Margaret's (Details Next Week) February 12 Inquirers/Confirmation Class - Begins 7-8:30 p.m. February 17 Tuesday Evening Bible Study - Begins 7-8:30 p.m. March 28-29 Bishop Mathes makes his Confirmation Visit. Links Anglican Communion The Episcopal Church Diocese of San Diego Episcopal Community Services Epis. Public Policy Network Global Reconciliation Daily Prayer The Episcopal Cafe Thinking Anglicans Theolog The Painted Prayerbook Secure Giving and Statement Listen to Sermons Changes   Worship Schedule All Services include Holy Communion Commissioning of Lectors Saturday Evening 4:00 p.m. Sunday Morning 8 a.m. Sunday Morning 10:30 a.m. Children Welcome in Worship Godly Play 10:30 a.m. Childcare also available on Sunday Morning Wednesday Evening 6:00 p.m. An informal Holy Communion in the Library, with shared reflections. Guest Preacher on Sunday The Rev. Sam Portaro  In the Diocese to Teach and Preach Our preacher on Sunday is the Rev. Sam Portaro, an Episcopal priest and graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and the Virginia Theological Seminary. He was the Episcopal Chaplain to the College of William and Mary and earned his Doctor of Ministry from Princeton University. He has been the Chaplain to the University of Chicago and the Director of Brent House and has served in interim posts on the faculty of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and The University of Chicago Divinity School. A prolific writer, his works include Brightest and Best: A companion to Lesser Feasts and Fasts, Crossing the Jordan: Meditations on Vocation, Daysprings: Meditations for the Weekdays of Advent, Lent and Easter and Sheer Christianity: Conjectures on a Catechism. His latest book, Transforming Vocation, is the subject of a Diocesan Clergy Day at St. Paul's on Tuesday. ALAT Work Continues Thanks!

The Abundant Living Action Team reports that members of St. Paul's are returning their pledges. It is great to see people joining to support the mission that God has given us here in Palm Springs.

As you can imagine, some pledges are up, some are down, new people are pledging their support, and some have declined to pledge. A number of people have responded to the request for additional generosity in response to the Parish's extreme financial circumstances. (See Separate Article)

As January unfolds ALAT will resume our process for this Pledge Campaign. You might expect a call from one of our members or a parish leader. We intend for these calls to be mutually supportive, an opportunity to complete our work and to see you might be supported by the Parish Community.

Challenging Times A Test of Our Mission and Generosity The end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 have seen unprecedented declines in contributions to support the mission and ministry of our Parish. The is not happening in a vacuum and is similar to reports from churches and non-profits around the country. The Vestry, the Rector, the Finance Committee, and an ad-hoc Budget Committee have met several times and will continue to meet and will take steps to respond to these challenges. One good news is that more people have responded sooner with pledges than previously. However, the total that this group has pledged is lower than last year. Currently our total of pledges is about $100,000 less than last year. Leaders will be contacting members throughout January to successfully complete our pledge campaign. Good and faithful people are making every effort to assure that we continue to accomplish the mission to which God has called us. As a Parish Family we can meet this challenge and move forward in service to God.

Safeguarding God's People January 31, 2009 8:30-3:30 At St. Margaret's The next training for Safeguarding God's People will be held at St. Margaret's in Palm Desert on January 31st from 8:30-3:30 and you must plan on spending the entire day. The fee is $30.00 and includes lunch. If you serve in a ministry at St. Paul in the Desert that requires contact with our children or other members in the parish in a significant way you are required to have this certification.  This means all Family and Children's Ministry volunteers, Caring Ministry, LEV's, Vestry, Staff, etc.  We require that you renew your certification every five years.  This is a wonderful course that ensures that as we minister to God's people we are able to be excellent stewards of their physical and emotional well-being as well.  The course is open to all. Click here to register on-line.  If you do not want to register on-line you may pick up a form at the office and follow the instructions for mailing it to the Diocesan office.  Please be registered by by January 28th.

Recent Deaths in the Parish Your prayers are requested Dorothy Banks died on December 23. Remember her sisters Nancy and Sally. Funeral January 9 at 1 p.m. Kathy Braddy died on January 6. Please remember her husband Bob, daughters, Colleen and Kelly, son, Michael, and grandchildren, Corey, and Fiona. May they rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.

Education & Spiritual Growth Opportunities Inquirers/Confirmation Class Begins Thursday, February 12, 2009, from 7-8:30 p.m. Confirmation and Bishop Mathes' Visitation March 29, 2009 Tuesday Evening Bible Study Next Series begins February 17, 2009, from 7-8:30 p.m.

Why do they call it Dorcus House? The Very Rev. Scott Richardson, Preacher and Presenter February 8, 2009 Until 2003 over 400 children lived in the Tijuana state penitentiary. Their crime? They were the children of convicts with nowhere else to live. Even today, only one foster home in Tijuana will accept the children of prisoners. Founded in 1992, Dorcas House provides a safe haven, schooling, medical care and love to 40 children whose parents are incarcerated. St. Paul's Cathedral took over operations in 2006, and since that time, many other parishes around the diocese have become involved. Join the Very Reverend Scott Richardson, Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego after the 8:00 service to learn how children who began their lives in prison are thriving in school and even heading to college. And find out why they call it "Dorcas House."

Mission Statement God has invited us to share the Abundant Life of Jesus Christ, through the Church of St. Paul in the Desert, by serving Christ in others and by gathering to praise and thank God in worship. We are a Welcoming, Empowering, Supportive Community.

St. Paul in the Desert | 125 W El Alameda | Palm Springs | CA | 92262

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