The Abundant Life – February 17, 2023

A Note from Senior Warden Alex Christensen

Dear Parishioners,

I’d like to take this opportunity to reintroduce myself to those who have known me for a long time; to those who never heard of me or hardly know me, or if anything else, you know me as the “hat lady”.

I have served on the Vestry for three years, and going into a second term. This year I was appointed by Reverends’ Dan and Jessie to be Sr. Warden, a position I never imagined myself being in but one I welcome with great excitement, enthusiasm and commitment to all of you to do the absolute best I am capable of.

Timing is everything as the Vestry just held their annual retreat Feb. 11^th to basically frame the roadmap for 2023 not just for St. Paul, but t0 execute the implementation (in small, medium and large) steps of our newly formed Strategic Plan.  You ALL are part of the Plan as we begin the process – actually, you’ve been part of it starting with the patio parties held last year and we welcome your continued support and interest.  During our retreat, priorities were identified – most of which you’re aware of: hiring a Parish Administrator, housing for the Reverends’, and (to take from one of the Revs’ quotes), “keep the place from falling apart”.  These tasks are just a tip of what lies ahead but are at the top of the “to do” list.

The retreat also serves as a time for Vestry members to reflect on their roles as leaders of St. Paul; re-invigorating their relationship with other members’, instilling trust, honesty and fellowship; and, thanks to the Reverends’, a “treasure hunt” of St. Paul and the grounds to reintroduce and educate us on what this beautiful property holds.  Was a great and creative exercise.

So here we go everyone – put on your running shoes and thinking caps and be ready for a really busy, challenging and progressive year – thanks to all of you who are involved, will become involved and are part of, in your own way, we can and will WALK the TALK.

I welcome you to seek me out, text me or call should you have questions, want to volunteer, or just chat – I’m available.

Blessings,

Alex Christensen

Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant
Matthew 20:26

Lenten Offerings

• 

  Sunday class between services (9:15-10:15 AM) in library discussing Henri Nouwen’s book, The Way of the Heart, Desert Spiritualityand Contemporary Ministry with Rev. Tom Clarke.

• Sunday class between services (9:15-10:15 AM) in Parish Hall on the Diaconate (What is a Deacon?) for those discerning a call and for those just curious with a variety of teachers.
• Tuesday evening class in library (5:00-7:30 PM) Opera Night: Resurrection in Erich Korngold’s Die tote Stadt (The Dead City)and Das Wunder der Heliane (The Miracle of Heliane) with teacher Joseph Casazza.
• Wednesday lunch class in library (11:00 AM-12:30 PM) on 30 Poems for Lent with teacher Ken Ballard.
• Wednesdays at 6:00 PMis our simple spoken mass. During Lent, we will be using Rite I. The church will be open for the hour prior (5:00-6:00 PM) for contemplative silent prayer.
• Wednesday evening class after Eucharist in the church (6:30-8:00 PM) on a Lenten Play: “Joan of Arc” with teachers Mick Welsh and Lou Armentrout.
• Mondays – Thursdays in Lent, log onto St. Paul’s Facebook page at 10:00 AM to join our Co-Rectors for Morning Prayer.
• Saturday, March 4 (9:00 AM-12:00 Noon) – Preparing for the End of Life morning retreat with Co-Rectors and several retired clergy.
• Schedule a time for Confession (see The Reconciliation of a Penitent).
• Join us in getting rid of stuff to make space (see #40BagsIn40Days).

Lenten Retreat
Preparing for the End of Life: Plan Your Own Funeral

Saturday, March 4, 2023, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, in the church (coffee and donuts served 8:30 – 9:00 AM). Thoughtfully led by our Co-Rectors and retired clergy, explore planning your funeral, final things, legacy, and more. Come and bring your questions and learn how to prepare in ways that honor our living legacies, give our framework for funerals in the Episcopal tradition, and provide comfort to our loved ones that they will best know how to honor our wishes. Believe it or not, it will be a fun and interesting morning and we hope you will join us! For questions, please reach out to

Movie Night at St. Paul’s

Have fun, meet friends, and share a movie and popcorn with your fellow parishioners. If you like, you can bring a pizza, a bucket of chicken, or just a snack, and have a great time in the Parish Hall at St. Paul in the Desert, February 18 at 6:00 PM. We will provide the drinks and popcorn; you create the fellowship. All are welcome, so invite your friends and neighbors. We’ll see you there!

This month’s featured film is Harriet. Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, Harriet tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. – Focus Features

The Latino Ministry Committee

The Latino Ministry Committee is presenting a summary of the booklet, “Coachella – A History of Coachella and Its People,” on Sunday, February 19, between the services, in the library. You are invited to come and hear about issues that have affected our valley cities and created our cultural diversity. The meeting will be conducted in English with a Spanish closing prayer. Gracias!

February is Black History Month, and the 2023 Palm Springs Black History Parade is February 25

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, and every American President since has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The theme for 2023 is “Black Resistance” and “explores how African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression in all forms,” since the nation’s earliest days.

In observance of Black History Month, the Palm Springs Black History Committee will host the 36^th annual City of Palm Springs Black History Month Parade and Town Fair, Saturday, February 25, 2023. The parade begins at 11:00 AM at Palm Canyon and Arenas and ends at Francis Stevens Park. Following the Parade, the Town Fair will be well under way, located at the Downtown Park near the PS Art Museum. As in years past, The Church of St. Paul in the Desert will be represented in the Palm Springs parade. If you would like to walk or ride with the St. Paul’s contingent, please add your name to one of the sign-up sheets you’ll find in the Narthex OR call the Parish Office (760.320.7488).

Throughout February, St. Paul’s will honor these Black Saints:

• February 5 – The Rev. George Freeman Bragg
• February 12 – The Rev. Absalom Jones
• February 19 – The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray
• February 26 – Frances Joseph-Gaudet

Join us as we prepare for Holy Lent

Shrove Tuesday, February 21

5:00 – 6:00 PM – Pancake Supper and bubbly drinks!
6:00 – 7:00 PM – Burning of the Palms and burying of the “Alleluia” liturgy.

Ash Wednesday, February 22

The Imposition of Ashes will occur at both services 12:00 Noon (spoken mass) and 6:00 PM (sung mass).
Ashes-to-go will be offered downtown in front of Starbucks during the day from 2:30-4:30 PM.

Absalom Jones Fund

The Absalom Jones Fund for Episcopal HBCUs – Our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry invites us to support the hope-filled, life-impacting work of two historically Black institutions of higher education that were started by The Episcopal Church: Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina. These two schools were founded after the Civil War to create educational opportunities for formerly enslaved persons, and they continue to provide a liberal arts education to thousands of students today.

Bishop Curry has encouraged us to take up a collection for this fund on the Feast of Absalom Jones on February 12 (transferred). Blessed Absalom Jones was the first Black person ordained an Episcopal priest. All loose plate offerings donated Sunday, February 12, will go toward this important cause.

Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s

• Saturday, February 18 – Movie Night at St. Paul! – 6:00 PM – Parish Hall – “Harriet.”
• Sunday, February 19 – 9:00 – 10:00 AM – Book Review: “A History of Coachella and its People” – library – sponsored by the Latino Ministry.
• Monday, February 20 – 6:00 PM – Finance Committee – Library.
• Tuesday, February 21 – Shrove Tuesday – 5:00 – 7:00 PM.
• Wednesday, February 22 – Ash Wednesday 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM services.
• Thursday, February 23 – 6:30 PM – Vestry meeting.
• Saturday, February 25 – 2023 Palm Springs Black History Month Parade and Town Fair – parade begins at 11:00 AM, Palm Canyon Drive, Downtown Palm Springs.
• Sunday, February 26 – The First Sunday in Lent.
• Sunday, February 26 – “Last Call” – Library – Between services and 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Celebration of Life Service for Gary Koch

Saturday, February 18^th at 11:00 AM

Worship Booklets are available for download. Click Here for the Worship Booklet

Join Zoom Meeting

Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 837 3759 2172

Passcode: 432913

Grant to Gary eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother, Gary. We thank you for giving him to us, his family, and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

UPDATE: St. Paul’s Parish Directory – 2023

Looking to pick up your new directory?

You can stop by the church office Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and check in with our volunteer at the front desk. You’ll be asked to sign the log to receive one (1) directory per household.

Need to update your household directory information?

If you find your information is not current or is missing, first, thank a volunteer for putting this directory together out of the goodness of their hearts (and thank the photographers for doing this pro bono too!). Then, EMAIL your correct information to . Make sure you write Attn. Photo Directory Update in the subject line. The updates will be gathered and published in The Abundant Life each week, so you can flip to the back few pages of your directory and add them. NO UPDATES will be published in the newsletter unless emailed to

Thank you to our volunteers who have been working on this project for the past eight months! Now get your directory and flip through it to see all God’s beloved children!

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.

Winter Coat Donations Needed

Now that cooler weather has arrived in the desert, the Social Justice Ministry is seeking donations of new or gently used winter coats and jackets to distribute to our needy neighbors. Winter hats, scarves and gloves are also appreciated. Remember, donated used clothing should first be dry cleaned. Please place your donated items in the collection “barrels” located in the narthex.

St Paul’s Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 1:00 PM via Zoom. Meeting information will follow later. For March, Book Club has selected The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore. The true story of two kids with the same name from the same city: One went on to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated combat veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader. The other is serving a life sentence in prison. Told in alternating dramatic narratives, it tells the story of a generation of boys trying to find their way in a hostile world.

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

Prayers of the Church

For the Anglican Communion, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby; for The Eglise Anglicane du Rwanda, The Most Reverend Dr. Laurent Mbanda, Archbishop and Primate.

For the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, The Right Reverend Samuel Sewall Rodman, Bishop.

For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for the clergy and people of St. Alban’s, El Cajon, and for our full communion partners, especially the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, on the World Day of Prayer, March 4.

For those commended to our prayers: The family of Susan W., Teresa Ball, Joel Cutler, Paula Davis, Justin, Monique, Dirk Beach-Barrow, Matthew Patton, Ken Smithler, Russ Butler, Omana, Missy Martinson, Eliott Kahn, Marna & Rick Hill, Stan Spooner, Frank Riviers, Amber Burns, Chris Rogers, Griff Linsenmayer, John Ketchum, Ashley Mount Family, Bert M., Darlene Noon, Charles Russuel Thomas, Jr., Tim Johnson, Bret Caton, AJ Miller, Tom Lutgen, Brian Nealy; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.

For those who have died: Billy Kiker, Margaret Phillips, Gary Koch, Rita Leary, Deborah Caraway, Betty Burris. 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: February 19: Timothy Sharbaugh, John Page; February 20: Benjamin Lander; February 21: Ramon Gueits, Donald Smith; February 23: Terry Moran; February 25: Dee Dee Bart on, Mark Pease, Cecilia Mendivil.

For those celebrating their anniversary: February 22: Mark McMillan & Bruce McLean.

For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Doug Thompson, in memory of Audrey Spencer, on the one-year anniversary of her passing, AND by Shannon Ealy and Rosa Zingg in memory of Mary “Cookie” Zingg. The flowers adorning the Narthex today are donated by Cheryl Kelley in thanksgiving for Ray Kelley’s 85^th birthday.

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 February , 2023, The First Sunday in Lent.

Book Study Event at St Margaret’s

Learning to walk the way of the nonviolent Jesus: A Book Study with author John Dear during Lent

Lent is a time for reflection and reconnection with the risen Christ.  It is a time to engage in spiritual disciplines like prayer, worship, and study to be able to grow in our faith and put our faith into motion.  The Living Without Fear ministry here at St. Margaret’s is pleased to offer a small group study using The Rev. John Dear’s book Walking the Way: Following Jesus on the Lenten Journey of Gospel Nonviolence to the Cross and Resurrection.   Father John, a Catholic priest, author and internationally known peace activist, is joining us for an evening forum on March 9, and will be leading a workshop on his book on March 10 from 9:30 – 2:00 with lunch provided.  The workshop is open to those who are studying his book in a small group, or those who have read the book and would benefit from his workshop.  You can register through a link in Saint mail or at a table on the patio following worship.

The Study begins the week of Ash Wednesday on Wed. Feb. 22 from 6:00-7:30 moving from the Ash Wednesday service to class or on Fridays 10:00 – 11:30 and goes for four weeks.  Books will be for sale each Sunday in February on the patio or you can order an e-book.  You can register for the class at that table or go to the link in Saint Mail to join a small group to learn how to follow the nonviolent Jesus in this world of war and conflict.

“Gandhi once said that Jesus was the greatest person of nonviolence in history, but the only people who don’t know that are Christians”.  Father John Dear will reflect with us on the life and teachings of Jesus from the perspective of active nonviolence and what that means for us.  Together we will look at teachings like “Blessed are the peacemakers”, “Love your enemies”, and “Put down your sword” and explore a spirituality of peace and nonviolence.

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

Episcopal News Services

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego – The EDSD News is full of event announcements, church news, death notices, clergy changes, bishop-related notes, and current opportunities for service. Go to https://edsd.org/communications/ and scroll to the bottom of the page where you’ll find space to add your name and email address.  Then click on SIGN UP TODAY. You’ll receive the EDSD News on Wednesday, every week.

Want the latest news from the National Episcopal News Service?

Subscribe for free at episcopalnewsservice.org/signup