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The Abundant Life
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July 19, 2018 For Sunday, July 22nd
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From the Rector
Mission and Rest
The Gospel reading for this weekend begins with Jesus’ 12 disciples – whom he renamed apostles when he sent them out to preach and heal – returning and reporting to him. Then they all take a break. Although Jesus tries to get away to rest, the crowds won’t let him.
I have just returned from the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church which met in Austin, TX. Deputies, Lay and Clergy, and Bishops from 110 Dioceses, in the United States and in several other countries, met to conduct the business of the Episcopal Church, learn about and call attention to injustices affecting our world, worship, and pray.
The Convention acted on 498 resolutions, approving, rejecting, referring to an interim committee, or deciding to take no further action. The work was apportioned to 24 committees. I was assigned to Governance and Structure and we processed 42 resolutions. One resolution dealt with making appropriate accommodations for those needing translation, interpretation, or accessibility during the Convention, in regular meetings and weekly church worship. I was moved by the testimony of people who are disabled, deaf, or hearing impaired.
While I will give an overview of the actions of Convention later, there are two topics that I want to mention now.
Prayer Book Revision – The action taken was to establish the 1979 Book of Common Prayer as the standard, and to encourage continued development of our worship forms locally. Each diocese might establish a Liturgy Commission that would supervise and share with a church-wide task force to select and approve.
Marriage Rites for All – The liturgies for the blessing and marriage of same-sex couples have been updated and authorized for permanent trial use. The experience of the church over the last three years has shown that most couples are able to be married in their home congregation. The work of this convention assures that in the future all will be able to.
It was a wonderful convention, and I was blessed to be working with a great Deputation from the Diocese of San Diego. We have leaders who are respected across the Episcopal Church. And there was BBQ!
Now I take a break and leave for vacation until late August.
Fr. Andrew
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Featured Scripture
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 (CEB)
The apostles returned to Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. Many people were coming and going, so there was no time to eat. He said to the apostles, “Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.” They departed in a boat by themselves for a deserted place.
Many people saw them leaving and recognized them, so they ran ahead from all the cities and arrived before them. When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.
When Jesus and his disciples had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret, anchored the boat, and came ashore. People immediately recognized Jesus and ran around that whole region bringing sick people on their mats to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went—villages, cities, or farming communities—they would place the sick in the marketplaces and beg him to allow them to touch even the hem of his clothing. Everyone who touched him was healed.
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FAITH BUILDING
Sundays at 9:15 AM in the Library
The Episcopal Cafè
July
7/22 Broken Walls, Crossed Borders: Reflection on Eph. 2:12-22.
7/29 Praying for Power: Reflection on Ephesians 3: 14-21.
August
8/5 Walking together in the tragic gap: A reflection on Ephesians 4:1-16 .
8/12 Christian Communication: Reflection on Ephesians 4:25-5:2.
8/19 Wisdom’s Table – A Reflection on Proverbs 9:1-6.
8/26 Whom shall we Serve? Reflection on Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18.
Led by Alan Zimmerman Read about it
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Tuesdays at 7 PM in the Library
Our Adult Faith Building Classes on Tuesdays at 7 PM will be on hiatus for the rest of July and the month of August. Sessions will resume September 4th. Be on the lookout for a new start time in September.
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Summer Blood Drive
Hosted by St. Paul in the Desert
Join the Blood Drive on Friday July 20th between 9:30 AM & 2:30 PM. This summer 1 in 4 will need a blood transfusion, but only 1 in 20 will donate. Help make sure that this is the summer of LIFE and give blood here at St. Paul’s this coming Friday, July 20th. For each blood donation given at St. Paul’s on that day, LifeStream will donate $10 to Well in the Desert. “Give hope. Give life. Give blood.”
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United Thank Offering grants:
More than $1 million for Episcopal Church,
Anglican Communion Mission and Ministry.
 The United Thank Offering of the Episcopal Church awarded 34 grants for a total of $1,257,778.17 for the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. The announcement was made during the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, meeting July 5 through July 13 in Austin, TX (Diocese of Texas). The United Thank Offering is a ministry of the Episcopal Church to promote thankfulness and mission in the whole Church. Known worldwide as UTO, the United Thank Offering grants are awarded for projects that address human needs and help alleviate poverty, both domestically and internationally in the Episcopal Church. The focus of the 2018 granting process was “Becoming Beloved Community: Racial Healing, Reconciliation, and Justice.” St. Paul’s annual UTO campaign generally takes place during Lent. You should expect to hear more in spring of 2019.
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GUN VIOLENCE AND PREVENTION INFORMATION
 According to the Mass Shooting Tracker there have been 220 Mass Shootings as of July 9, 2018, which has resulted in the death of 280 people and 803 injured. On an average, that’s 3 killed and 8 injured every other day in a mass shooting and 96 people are killed every day with a gun. Over 30,000 people die each year from gun violence. You can help end this atrocity by supporting any one of a variety of gun violence prevention organizations and supporting political candidates that advocate for gun violence prevention.
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Hospitality Ministry
We hope you will join us for coffee and conversation in the Parish Hall after either service on Sunday.
There are many upcoming opportunities for you to sponsor a Sunday Coffee Hour after either the 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM service. The sign-up notebook is on the table as you enter the Parish Hall.
WANTED:
Parish Life Hospitality Coordinators – If you enjoy planning and managing social events, we’d like to talk to you! We’re currently seeking volunteers to help coordinate our after-service hospitality on Sundays. Partnering with the Sexton, volunteers will provide oversight to ensure adequate host presence and suitable refreshments following the 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM services. Questions? Please contact Fred Ross at (415) 710-9180 or email Fredeross@comcast.net. (NOTE TO ALL: Donated food items suitable for Sunday hospitality are always welcome. Please deliver your contributions to the Parish Hall kitchen.)
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Thank you for your Support
Scholarships for Refugee Children
Thirty-nine St. Paul parishioners and friends donated $6,100 to fund scholarships so that refugee children in the diocese can attend a full week at Camp Stevens. St. Paul’s was able to contribute over 10% of the $45,000 needed for this important campaign. Your generosity and commitment to the children of the Diocese of San Diego is appreciated and is another example of St. Paul’s as a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.
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A Theological Gem in Our Own Backyard
Our diocese has a local theological training program in Ocean Beach open to all adult learners. Anyone can take classes on subjects ranging from Hebrew and Christian scriptures to world religion, spirituality, ethics, and others. While these courses are graduate level, and prepare future deacons and priests for ordination, they are accessible, interactive and relevant to modern day ministry. The fall semester begins on September 21. Classes are $400 each, and may be audited for $150 each. An informational discernment day will take place on Saturday, July 21, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the school. Learn more
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SUMMER OUTDOOR POTLUCK IN IDYLLWILD
 Escape the heat! Wednesday, August 1st, Noon to 2:00 PM at the Quiet Creek Inn, 26345 Delano Dr., Idyllwild, CA 92549 – (951) 468-4208. Attendees bring food, beverages and serving utensils. Our generous hosts, Nathan De Petris and Marc Kassoof, owners of the Inn, will supply the plates and cutlery. Parking at the Inn is limited and reserved for the registered guests. However, there is ample street parking located on Delano Dr. and Four Chimneys Road. Please sign up in the Narthex or Parish Hall or call the office at (760) 320-7488 to confirm your attendance. Also, please indicate if you need a ride or are willing to use your vehicle for carpooling.
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Report Clergy Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact John Seitman, 858-793-4555 or Equilla Luke, 760-583-0485.
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Compassionate Care Task Force
Our diocesan task force on compassionate care for victims of clergy sexual misconduct seeks to connect with those who have experienced misconduct. If you have reported clergy sexual misconduct and have information about the reporting or post-reporting experience that could be helpful to their work, please refer to the task force members, all of whom are listed on the diocesan website: Task-Force. Information on how to report misconduct is available here.
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Church Office Hours
The Parish Office hours have changed for the summer. From Memorial Day, the Parish Office will be closed on Friday afternoons, beginning at 11:30 AM and will be unavailable for walk-in business. These hours will remain in place through the Labor Day weekend.
If you call on Monday when we are closed to the public, please leave a message. In case of an emergency, a priest will return your call.
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Print a copy of The Abundant Life?
Print a copy
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Sunday Worship Childcare
Childcare is available for both the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services.
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Bullying Behavior Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we welcome all worshipers to a place that is free of violence and bullying.
Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
“It Gets Better” is a series of video messages to encourage Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender youth and let them know that they are loved as they are.
“A Blessing for Those Who Are Bullied” was written by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
It is not enough to say “NO” to bullies. It is important to stand up for people and to provide resources for those who have been the targets.
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    The Church of St. Paul in the Desert
Local: 760.320.7488 // Fax: 760.416.2441
Email: clergy@stpaulsps.org Website: www.stpaulsps.org
125 West El Alameda
Palm Springs, California 92262
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