The Abundant Life – April 29, 2022

Earth Day 2022 was Friday, April 22

It was a time for us to pause and reflect on how we interact with our environment.  Here at St Paul’s Parish Office, we made a decision that will help us better utilize the natural resources we enjoy.

Going forward we will no longer purchase water in plastic bottles.  A filtration system was placed in the office refrigerator at a nominal cost, so now we have unlimited, cool, filtered tap water without the bottles. If you attend a meeting in the Library or elsewhere in the Parish Office, please remember to bring your personal water bottle and fill it from the refrigerator tap.

May Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be held Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 1:00 PM. Book Club is returning to Zoom only and meeting information will follow later. For May, Book Club has selected Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doeur. This is a beautiful and redemptive novel about stewardship – of the book, of the Earth, of the human heart. And a story about children on the cusp of adulthood in different worlds in peril, who find resilience, hope – and a book.

New members are always welcome at Book Club. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at

Mid-Week Contemplative Eucharists

Worship with us at a simple spoken mass (Eucharist) offered every Wednesday at 6:00 PM. The church will be open the hour prior (5-6:00 PM) for silent, socially distanced personal prayer. Come and rest.

Rectors’ Discretionary Fund

The first Sunday of every month, loose-plate offerings (i.e., general giving, not pledged giving) are designated for the Rectors’ Discretionary Fund.  This fund provides the clergy with a financial pool to draw from when unanticipated (and unbudgeted) spending requests arise.

The traditional uses of the discretionary fund are to assist the poor of the community. To learn more about the Rectors’ Discretionary Fund, contact Rev. Jessie or Rev. Dan.

Interfaith Peace Service May 17th

Parish Life Hiking Club News

Calling all hikers and walkers! We’re excited about preliminary plans for outings in July and November led by parishioner Chris Kelly.  For July, we’re looking into an excursion to Mt. Palomar Observatory (near San Diego), or Laguna Beach. Or a hike and picnic in either Big Bear or Idyllwild.

For November we’d like to combine an archeological walk with a picnic somewhere here in the desert. Anyone who has taken hikes or nature walks with Chris leading the way knows they are fabulous.  Chris really knows his stuff! As with our past outings, family and friends are always welcome to participate. If interested in any of the above options, we’d like to know which you would consider joining.  Please forward your thoughts and preferences to Nancy Antonius at

Episcopal Relief & Development

Episcopal Relief & Development is mobilizing with Anglican agencies and other partners to provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. Working through the Action by Churches Together Alliance (ACT Alliance), Episcopal Relief & Development will provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other needed assistance. Please pray for all those affected. To donate directly to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Ukraine Crisis Response Fund, visit  (https://support.episcopalrelief.org/).  If you prefer, you can donate through St. Paul’s Parish.  Be sure to designate “ERD Ukraine” on your check or cash envelope.  To date, donations processed through our church have totaled $1,918.

A Celebration of Life

Audrey Spencer – 1944 – 2022

A memorial service for Audrey Spencer will be held Saturday, April 30, 2022, 1:00 PM, at St. Paul’s.

May her soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby; for The Episcopal Church in the Philippines, The Most Revd Brent Harry W. Alawas, Prime Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, The Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Brown, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for the clergy and people of St. Andrew’s, La Mesa; for the children and teachers of St. Andrew’s Parish Day School.

A prayer for Ukraine (from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York)

God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

For those commended to our prayers: The Rev. Elizabeth Hasen, Vince Thomas, Roy Cody, The Rev. David Forbes,  Bruce Kahn, Darcy Kelley, Jim Pierce, Patty & Richard Kiker, Frank Caldwell, Trish Caldwell, Antonio Quaranta, Ned Bennett, Jeff Bonnell, Cecelia Faber, James & Tony, Vincent & husband, Margaret at The Cancer Center, Brian Nealy; pray for all those affected by COVID-19: heal those who are suffering, comfort those who grieve, and strengthen those who are caring for others; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Michael Howell, Richard Proctor, Donald Lancaster, Berks Baker, Lena Woodson.

For those with birthdays: May 1: Bob Bernat, Jim Simms; May 2: John Toogood, Chuck Peery; May 3: Alex Escudero, John Thatcher; May 5: Brian Brodowsky; May 6: Eric Stein-Steele, Rita Yribar.

For those celebrating their anniversary: May 7: Michelle & Tyrus Brown.

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

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.stpaulsps.org, and click on “This Week’s Scriptures” in the Worship Services box. From the calendar, select May 8, The Fourth Sunday of Easter.

Daughters of the King Update

All women of St. Paul’s who seek deeper spiritual life and inspiration in prayer and Christian fellowship are invited to learn more about becoming a member of the Order of the Daughters of the King. St. Paul’s Chapter will be offering a new discernment class soon.

On Sunday, April 24, at 9:00 AM, between the two services, representatives from our order will be in the church library to discuss the discernment class and answer questions. We will also be at Coffee Hour after the 10:30 AM service, so look for women wearing the cross of the order at Coffee Hour if you can’t attend the discussion at 9:00 AM. We will answer your questions and help you start the process.

You can also contact Patty Kiker at 214-497-3034 or

Coffee/Social Hour Hospitality

For those wishing to sponsor refreshments for a specific Sunday Coffee Hour, please call or stop by the Parish Office to sign up. All our hospitality procedures and protocols are subject to any CDC guidelines and mandates that Bishop Susan may put into place, depending on prevailing COVID conditions.

Ushers needed!

We have reinstated our 8:00 AM worship services and are pleased with the enthusiastic turnout of our “Eight O’clock Regulars” and many new worshipers.  For now, we will offer these as spoken services with no music; vaccination proof and masks are required.

WE STILL NEED USHER VOLUNTEERS! We’re looking for four teams of two people to cover one Sunday a month at 8:00 AM. We also need more volunteer ushers for the 10:30 service.  If you think you can help, please contact Kathy Kilmer, Junior Warden, at

You’re invited to join Sacred Circle

St. Paul’s Sacred Circle is a band of women who wish to deepen their spirituality and build community. We would be pleased to have you join us. Our Circle is open to all women in our Community. For information, please call Kaye Ball at 303.517.5321 or Summer Schoch at 619.804.2592

The Abundant Life E-List

If you are not a current subscriber to our weekly electronic newsletter, it’s easy to sign up.  Just go to www.stpaulsps.org, scroll down to find “Join Our E-Mail List,” enter your email address – and you’re all set.  You will receive the newsletter each week, usually on Fridays.

If the newsletter ends up in your spam/junk folder, simply add to your email address book.

Are You Interested in Baptism or Confirmation?

Baptism is the foundation for all ministry in the church. Confirmation is confirming the promises we make at baptism and is when we express our connection with The Episcopal Church through the laying on of hands by a bishop. Are you interested in learning more? Reach out to

Sunday School is back in session after Winter Break

Sunday School classes for preschool through fifth grade have resumed and will meet (outdoors) every Sunday during the 10:30 AM service. We start the class in the church and are invited up front for a special children’s moment with our priests. Then we head outside to our Sunday School “classroom” on the library porch. We meet outside to be as protective as possible for everyone’s safety during the current pandemic.

Sunday Service Livestreaming

We will be livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week, going forward. The livestream project has been a one-year journey coming to St. Paul’s and was made possible through a generous gift from a “snowbird” member from Philadelphia who wintered in Palm Springs for many years and worshiped at St. Paul’s every Sunday. 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 St. Paul’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert or by subscribing to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert

Episcopal News Service

Want the latest news from the Episcopal News Service?

Subscribe for free at episcopalnewsservice.org/signup

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.

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.

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.

Fraud Email Alert

A recurring threat to churches is email-based impersonation scams targeting key personnel. The scheme involves cybercriminals mimicking clergy or other staff through the use of phishing emails. Criminals typically pose as personnel in positions of authority and ask victims to perform money transfers, pay invoices, or to send the attacker sensitive data. Scammers will often manipulate the “from” email address and name so that it appears to be coming from someone you know.

Churches and dioceses across The Episcopal Church and across other denominations have been a target of these email impersonation attacks. Scammers use a free email account (such as Gmail) and register it with an impersonated name. They then send an email to an unsuspecting recipient asking for immediate help in order to get a task done (such as purchasing a gift card or wiring money). Attention to detail can be a lot of help in combating cases of impersonation. Users should check sender details carefully. Any suspicious email message should be investigated before replying. Also, proper attention should be given to the message content, including attachments and URLs.

While there is no way to stop these scams, you can minimize risk by taking these steps:

• Check the return email address. If the address doesn’t match the name of the sender, be wary.
• Never open attachments from unknown sources.
• Be wary of generically addressed emails like “Dear Friend” or Dear Customer.”
• If there are links in the email, hover over them without clicking on them. This will show where the link will actually take you.
• Be wary of email with grammatical or spelling errors in the text.
• Check the address at the bottom of the email. If it says ”Pastor Jim” and Jim never goes by “Pastor,” it’s fake.

Finally, if after all these steps it looks safe and the sender is asking for money or access to secure data, call the person directly to get verification.

Your best defense for this is to simply delete the email; do not click on any links or reply to the sender.