The Abundant Life – August 3, 2023

Dear Beloveds,

We are writing as we are about to reach a major milestone in our life together this side of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the direction of our Bishop, we will be reinstituting the common cup on Sunday August 6th, 2023 – The Feast of the Transfiguration. As a major part of our theology of the Lord’s Table, we believe in the unity of the body of Christ. As St. Paul reminds us, and as we have been saying in our Eucharistic Prayer over the last several weeks, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

Because of this unity, we are planning on having one, combined service at 9:30AM that day. We will all cross over into this new reality together, just as the Israelites all passed through the Red Sea together on their way to freedom. This watershed moment is a cause for celebration. Some of us have been waiting for this moment for many months.

At the same time, we recognize that all of us may not be comfortable with sharing the common cup just yet – for good and valid reasons. If that is you, we invite you to still come to church that Sunday. We will continue to offer communion via intinction (e.g. dipping the bread in the wine). Of course, one can take just the bread only (gluten-free or gluten-full). Non-alcoholic wine will also be available for those of us in the one body who practice the spiritual discipline of sobriety. For those of us who are separated from the physical campus because of long distance or health reasons, there is the chance to participate in the body of Christ via spiritual communion by means of our livestream. In other words, while the common cup will be offered, there will be other ways to share in the one cup of blessing besides sipping from the same chalice. As the great Anglican phrase reminds us, “all may, none must, some should” partake of the common cup.

Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, come to the Table this Transfiguration Sunday. We will grieve the years we have lost during the pandemic. We will reflect on God’s faithfulness through these lean years in the wilderness. And we will rejoice in hope at the next chapter of our transfigured existence. Come and be fed by the One who loves you and calls you holy.

Blessings & Big Love,

The Rev. Dan Kline & The Rev. Jessie Thompson, Co-Rectors

The Feast of The Transfiguration

Parish Life Circle Supper Ministry 2023-2024

If you’re interested in checking out this fun ministry for the upcoming Season, here’s a bit of information that you may want to consider:

“Circle Suppers” are gatherings of small groups of parishioners (usually no more than 10-12) who meet monthly to socialize – typically while sharing a meal – to get to know each other better.  These “Suppers” often take place in members’ homes or local restaurants – but can happen anywhere that’s comfortable and conducive to relaxed conversation.  Circle Supper gatherings have no assigned reading and no prescribed (or proscribed) topics of conversation.  They are all about building friendships across a large parish where many people, new and old, see their fellow parishioners rarely, or not at all. The goal is to nurture friendships and have fun.  

To join Circle Suppers for 2023-2024, please add your name to the sign-up sheet you’ll find in the Narthex, by August 31.

To help us plan for the coming year, we’re asking current members who do not plan to participate in the Circle Supper Ministry in 2022-23, to inform Gary Hiatt at .

Interested in Volunteering in the Front Office?

We are looking for a few good detail-oriented volunteers who would be willing to serve in a 3 ½ hour shift in the front office working on projects and being a welcoming presence to guests. If you’re interested, please reach out to for more information.

Hiking Club News – New Date!

The Parish Life Hiking Club has planned an off-season summer hike for September 16, in the Oak Glen Preserve, only about 40 miles west of Palm Springs in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. (Hikers, meet at Oak Glen at 9:00 AM.)The Oak Glen Preserve sits in a tranquil canyon filled with apple orchards, shady green forests, babbling brooks and steep mountain slopes.  It’s a great nearby getaway from the hot desert summer.  We will be hiking the scenic Preserve Loop through the Preserve’s many diverse ecosystems.  The trail meanders through curated gardens, beneath towering conifers, past a pretty little lake and then in and out of a shady oak forest as it descends through the chaparral to a pleasant hollow, before climbing again to a beautiful shady meadow.  Deer and other wildlife can sometimes be spotted along the trail.

The trail is about 2.5 miles long in total and links several smaller trails within the Oak Glen Preserve.  It is officially ranked as “Easy,” and should be safely within the skill set of our group.  The trail is well-marked and in good condition, with an easy grade most of the way. There are one or two segments with sharper descents and climbs, including one or two portions with stairs.  The total elevation change across the entire trail is about 500 feet.  There are two areas of sharper descent or ascent, but they should be doable by any who’ve hiked with us previously. This is a dog-friendly trail.  Dogs on-leash are welcome.  Please review the trail description and make sure it is right for your furry friend (it may be an ambitious trek for smaller dogs). You’ll want to carry a dish of some sort so your dog can pause to drink.

What to Bring – Proper footgear is important.  You should wear solid, comfortable walking shoes with a grippy rubber sole that has tread and good traction.  Also don’t forget the usual hiking standards: ample water, sunscreen, and a hat – bug spray is also a good idea.  While this area will feel like paradise compared to August heat in Palm Springs, it will still be objectivelywarm, so dress lightly and prepare for occasional areas of full sun.  Anyone needing additional balance or stability should consider bringing a walking stick or trekking pole.

There should be ample time after the hike to share a quick repast, linger among wildflowers, and visit the nearby apple stand for some tasty fresh cider. We would like to host a late-morning picnic for this hike similar to what we did in Idyllwild last summer.  We welcome volunteers willing to help organize this aspect of the trip and/or bring some sort of potluck item. For more information or to sign up for the hike, please contact Nancy Antonius

Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the summer hike date.

Chris Kelly

St Paul’s Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be held Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 2:00 PM, via Zoom. (NOTE TIME CHANGE!) Our September Book Club selection is Hello Beautiful by Ann Napatilano.

William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him. So, when he meets the spirited Julia in his college, it’s as if the world has lit up around him. A profoundly moving portrait of what is possible when we choose to love someone not despite who they are, but because of it.

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

Get “Social” with St. Paul’s!

To see more stories, pictures, and happenings at St. Paul’s, make sure to like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And, subscribe to our YouTube channel to view our livestream and past services.

Altar flower sponsorships

Fresh flowers at the altar honor God and add to the beauty of our worship.

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). A donation of $95 for each altar flower sponsorship is suggested.

Sharing the Holy Mystery: Eucharistic Visitors

Click to learn more about
“Sharing the Holy Mystery: Eucharistic Visitors”

If you feel called to this special ministry, please reach out to to discuss.

Mid-week Services

You are invited to the church on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM each week for contemplative Eucharist/Evening Prayer.  The church will be open the hour prior (5:00-6:00 PM) for silent, personal prayer. Come and rest.

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby; for Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo, Province of the Anglican Church of the Congo, The Most Reverend Zacharie Masimango Katanda, Archbishop and Primate.

For the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota, The Right Reverend Craig Loya, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for the clergy and people of Good Samaritan, San Diego; for the faculty and students of the EDSD School for Ministry as they prepare for the fall semester.

For those commended to our prayers: Sylvia Toney, Moses Moffitt, Jimmie Faye Johnson, Lennie Ruth Miller, Hope Yarborough, Crystal, Jodene Catterlin, Kenneth Catterlin, Nancy Catterlin Hales, Raymond Stimson, Mark Malone, Robert Blackman, Jeffrey M., Gail Walker, Stan Spooner, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton, Rich Ballard, Mel Parsons, Peter Kent, Jo Ellen Doering, Joanne Humphrey, Ken Van Horn,  Sujey Mota, David Moore, Lisa Moore, Corinne Baldasano, Marna, Darcy, Pat E., Sandy F., Terry Garrity, Frank Kipe, Rus Butler, Joe Christopher, William Eaton, Jr., Roger Allen, Wayne Watson & Larry Stralow, Amelia Grinstead, Marilyn De Silva Currie, Donald Chase, Greg Gowdy, A.J. Miller, Tom Lutgen, Brian Nealy; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Duane “Dirk” Beach-Barrow,  Dennis Fred McBride, Evelyn Bennett, Beryl Parsons, Tony Bennett, Santina Iacono, Angelo DeWitt, Gene Mobley, Amy Shulman, Richard Hales, Spencer Cobleigh, Jerry Beach.

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 faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

For those with birthdays: August 6: Terry Feckett; August 8: Howard Wren; August 9: Linda Krengel, Greg Gowdy; August 11: Daniel Ratnam; August 12: Robert Hammack.

For those celebrating anniversaries: August 9: Eric & Tim Stein-Steele; August 10: Glen Calvin & Sahanan Koompoo.

For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Lou Armentrout & Mick Welch, in thanksgiving for their 50^th Anniversary (August 20). The flowers adorning the Narthex today are sponsored by Shannon Ealy and Rosa Zingg, to commemorate the anniversary of their marriage.

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 Weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.

For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on August 13, 2023, The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Saturday, August 12 – 7:00 PM – Summer Concert Series – Robert York organ recital and reception.
• Sunday, August 27 – 1:00 PM – Vestry meeting – Library.
• Saturday, September 16 – 9:00 AM – Parish Life Hiking Club – Oak Glen Preserve.
• Sunday, September 24 – 9:00 AM – Newcomers’ Class – Library.
• Sunday, October 15 – SAVE THE DATE! – Welcome Back Sunday.

Sunday Service LiveStreaming

We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. The livestream project 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 our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/StPaulintheDesert or on our Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinthedesert