July 1, 2010

The Abundant Lite                 For July 4th In This Issue From The Rector Featured Scripture Church Security Breach Our Church History Vestry Action Plans Mark Your Calendar! Rides To Worship Dessert at Desert SOS Coffee Hour Ministry Gulf Oil Spill Relief Volunteer Opportunity Information Please Gifts to the Parish Worship Schedule All Services include Holy Communion Saturday Evening 4:00 p.m. Sermon-Fr. Andrew Green Sunday Morning 8:00 a.m. Sermon- Fr. Andrew Green Sunday Morning 10:30 a.m. Sermon- The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch Children Welcome in Worship Childcare is available on Sunday Mornings Watch Sermons You can now see recent sermons and other video material on-line. We have begun posting the sermons on YouTube. Our channel is named: stpaulinthedesert. This is just a beginning and we are learning as we go. View Last Sunday's Late Sermon by clicking here TidBits 2010 Flower Sign-Up Sheets Are now available in the Hogarth Hall. Please reserve your special day of remembrance before it is taken. Calendar Connection Find out what is on the schedule at St. Paul in the Desert anytime from your own computer. Just click on this link and connect with the Parish Calendar and Calendar of Outside Meetings (AA, NA, OA, etc.) Quick Links Be Informed Anglican Communion The Episcopal Church Diocese of San Diego Episcopal Life-Online Make A Difference Episcopal Relief and Development Episcopal Public Policy Network Global Reconciliation The Well In The Desert Dorcas House Think, Reflect, Pray Our Bishop Blogs Daily Prayer The Episcopal Cafe Thinking Anglicans Theolog Father Jake Stops the World The Painted Prayerbook Listen to Sermons Housekeeping Secure Giving and Statement Changes Join Our List Contact Information The Church of St. Paul in the Desert -- -- -- 125 W El Alameda Palm Springs, CA 92262 -- -- -- Ph. 760.320.7488 Fax: 760.416.2441 Email: info@stpaulinthedesert.com July 1, 2010 Minute Video From The Rector Know This The Gospel reading this week is an episode of sending, doing, rejoicing, and judging. In the Episcopal Church we are often loathe to admit judging, but we and all people do it constantly. We can't help but make judgments. What did you wear today? You had to make a judgment. Judging can be a simple as sorting things or as passionate as telling truth to power. Think of the Prophet Amos who told the leaders of God's people how far they had departed from the way of God. He judged them to be people who hurried to get through the Sabbath so they could get back to putting their thumbs on the scales of their businesses. (Paraphrase of Amos 8:5) We would not get through a day without this kind of judgment. Sometimes, however, we confuse truth telling with condemnation. Condemnation is when we conclude, based on our perception of the truth, that someone should be punished. If you read anywhere in Amos, you will see lots of truth telling and lots of punishment that is to be handed out. I don't see any condemnation in this week's Gospel reading. Even when the 35 pairs of disciples find a community that is unwilling to listen (You can't handle the truth!), they shake off the dust from their sandals in protest and leave with these words - which I see as an invitation. "Know this, the kingdom of God has come near." Join us in worship this weekend as we practice the Christian virtue of truth telling without condemnation. Fr. Andrew Featured Scripture Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 (NRSV) After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.' "Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Church Security Breach Theft At St. Paul's A recent theft at the church necessitated changing the locks on the doors of the various buildings on the church campus.  If you were issued a church key and still have need of one, please see Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie in the parish office (the office is open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. - closed on Mondays and for lunch 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.).  Note: In order to reduce liability and risk, we are only issuing keys to those individuals who regularly need them for their specific ministries.   I Love To Tell The Story Our Church History An exciting new project is taking shape to document the history of St. Paul in the Desert.  We are seeking photographs of the church building and its members from the past 71 years.  If you have photographs you would like to share with the archivist, please tag the photos with your name, the year (if you know it), and the names of the church members in the photos.  Bring the photos to the church and we will digitally scan them and return them safely to you.  In addition, we are looking for stories about the building of the church, its history, and member anecdotes.  Thank you for helping us bring a bit of our church's past out of the attic and into the light. 2010 Vestry Action Plans These plans are the result of our May Retreat and were affirmed at the May 27, 2010 Vestry Meeting. Create a comprehensive Master Plan focusing on facility needs in order to prepare for maintenance, repairs and upgrades. Create a 2-year plan for reinstating the position of Associate Rector. Create a plan for more effective outreach to people in need. Develop a Personnel Committee to meet with Father Andrew to review and evaluate current personnel needs and make a recommendation back to the Vestry. Continue to develop our Welcoming Committee so that we might have a more effective welcome of first time worshipers and follow-through to membership. Mark Your Calendar! Upcoming Events You Won't Want To Miss! __________________________________________ Camp Under the Stars in Idyllwild Friday - Sunday, August 13 - 15th Escape the summer heat with the St. Paul's Campers, as this fun group, once again, travels skyward to the County Campground in Idyllwild. August weather averages between 85 in the day and 51 at night in Idyllwild. In just an hour, you can be enjoying the quiet little mountain village of Idyllwild. Hidden in a national forest in the majestic San Jacinto mountains, this cozy getaway offers a broad variety of relaxing opportunities. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of a hike, peruse the many art galleries, antique shops, unique shopping, entertainment or relax with your friends by your tent. On Friday, setup camp, Saturday, share a great campfire meal together and Sunday, join some of us as we attend St. Hugh's church. You may sleep under the stars or make a cabin or motel reservation. Call Ronn Ellenich, to reserve a spot. An organizational meeting is planned for Sunday, August 1st after the 10:30 service. The purpose of this meeting is to plan our menu, transportation, etc. Join us campers to meet friends, old and new. __________________________________________ To Serve and Guard the Earth A Six-Week Environmental Bible Study Thursdays 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Beginning September 9th Join Br. Michael-Gregory Norrie for a Bible study focusing on Stewardship of God's Creation. Each session explores one of the days of creation from Genesis, offering several avenues of exploration: Scripture, theology, and environmental practice. Participants will be invited to compare their own story with that of the creation story in Genesis and this fragile earth, our island home. Space is limited. To pre-register, call the church office at (760) 320-7488, ext. 0. Bring your Bibles! All other class materials will be provided. __________________________________________ Rides To Worship Needed Can you be a "Worship-Pool" provider? If you would be able to give a ride to church occasionally, to a member who is without transportation, please contact Br. Michael-Gregory. (760-320-7488 x224) Dessert at Desert SOS St. Paul in the Desert to serve dessert at Desert SOS The Desert SOS program is located at  Roy's Desert Resource Center in the North Palm Springs Business Park. The initial phase of St. Paul's involvement is to provide and serve dessert on the first and third Monday evening to the 60 +/- men, women and children enrolled in the program. Sign-up sheets are posted in the Parish Hall for those of you who would like to serve and/or provide desserts. You may also contact Hap Blaisdel for more information at (760) 323-5726. THE NEXT DATES FOR SERVING ARE JULY 5TH AND 19TH. PLEASE SIGN UP! Coffee Hour Ministry The Coffee Hour hosts for the 8:00 a.m. service are The Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch and Shelia Brubaker. Shelia's birthday is July 3rd. The hosts for the 10:30 a.m. service are The Zingg Family. We Need Coffee Hour Volunteers to host Sunday coffee hours and present their "Favorite Dishes." Sign up in Hogarth Hall to host Sunday's 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour. Contact Ray Kelley at 760.778.1725 for info. Gulf Oil Spill Relief Response Through Episcopal Relief & Development Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of Louisiana is providing Gulf Area residents with assistance.  Their major goals are to provide relief for immediate needs.  For information on how you can help, check out the document provided by ER-D. Volunteer Opportunity Desert Blind and Handicapped is looking for volunteers, including drivers as well as individuals to answer phones and handle data entry and processing.  If you are available to assist, please call Thomas Samulski at 760-770-1700. Newcomers:  Information Please! Do we have your current contact information? In September we will be gearing up for a whole new program year and will be inviting you to join us in a series of Newcomer events that we believe you will find informative and enjoyable.  For us to invite you to these events, we will need your current and accurate contact information.  Please fill out the form found in the pew pocket and place it in the collection plate or hand it to an usher.  Thanks! Acknowledgments for May and June 2010 Gifts The Parish is grateful to all of its regular pledgers for their steadfast generosity. We also acknowledge the special gifts listed below: ALTAR GUILD Ellen Fulton BISHOP'S FUND Anonymous COUNSELING PROGRAM Scott Van Alstine,    in memory of Lois Thompson CLERGY SPECIAL EXPENSE Isabelle and Raymond Baddour Frank Crosthwaite Bob and Connie Dean Terry Feckett Robert Grieger and Valerie Ferguson John Hampson Patrick Jarvis Marilyn Johnson James Panos Benjamin San Doval and Louis Thibault Fred and Cathy Schuit Valerie Winters PARISH SPECIAL PROJECTS Frank Crosthwaite Ellen Fulton Robert Grieger and Valerie Ferguson GIFTS Rex Comer and Lanny Tucker Donation of cooking and cost of all the food at the Vestry Stimulus Dinner in April. Sunny Boland Auction purchase of Harpist performance, Jeannette Debonne, donated back to St. Paul's MUSIC Ellen Fulton Hal Groat and Barney Rosenstine Patricia Minton Sivcovich Beverly Zwach PRAYER SHAWLS Emile and Ruth Duvernay Elizabeth Johnson John Westaway Valerie Winters RUN REX RUN Bob and Connie Dean SOS Bob Edgerly and Bob Warburton UNITED THANK OFFERING Berks and Arlene Baker The Rev. Dr. David and Kaye Clemons William and Nancy Davies Peter DiCarlo Emile and Ruth Duvernay Dr. Lucille Fostvedt Gus Frouws and Fred Crawford Ellen Fulton Patrick Jarvis Ray and Cheryl Kelley Kevin Kirkpatrick and Ana Maria Mercado Bette Knutson Anne Kraft Oz and Ruth Kraus Jerry Lynch Drs. Don MacLean and Eileen Upton Terri Miller and Judi Cribbs Tim and Judy O'Connell Bonnie and Fred Stroock Oneil and Karen Theriault Amanda and Deana Washburn Mary Woods-Shields and David Shields Harriet Yost Beverly Zwach WELL IN THE DESERT Mary Lou Feenstra Oz and Ruth Kraus Sahara Mobilehome Park,    Park-wide Food Drive Benjamin San Doval and Louis Thibault   If we have omitted acknowledging your donation, please advise us and the omission will be corrected in the following newsletter.

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