For Sunday July 30, 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
A Return to the Common Cup
Please click here to read Rev. Jessie’s sermon from July 9th about returning to the common cup.
The Feast of The Transfiguration
To prepare for The Feast of the Transfiguration, the Social Justice Ministry is collecting the following items for Blessing Bags:
- Travel-size Toothpaste/toothbrushes
- Travel-size Tissues
- Combs
- Travel-size bars of soap
- Neosporin
- Travel-size Hand lotion
- Travel-size Hand sanitizer
- Small cans of fruit
- Small cans of Vienna Sausage
- Compostable forks/napkins
- 8 oz. water bottles
Please feel free to drop these items off on the remaining Sundays in July in the narthex. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lena Granet at or call the Parish Office at 760-320-7488.
Blessing Bag Packing Party
Blessing Bag Packing PartySunday, July 30th after 8AM and 10:30AM services
All parishioners are invited to head to the Parish Hall after services next Sunday to put together just ONE Blessing Bag. It only requires putting a few items in a gallon ziplock baggie, and will be an easy and fun way to prepare for Transfiguration Sunday. The rumor is that after you put together ONE bag, there will be celebratory ice cream (to celebrate the birthdays of Lena Granet and Barbara Villani!).
Parish Library News
The Church of St. Paul in the Desert Library supports the mission of the Church as well as the growth of our individual members’ faith. It is a living testament to the love and support of the many donations we have received. Our latest gift came from an anonymous donor – a beautiful display case that houses the historic collection of Bibles we are blessed with. Also, now on display, is a curio cabinet that holds a collection of American Indian artifacts from several North American tribes. Thank you all so very much for your donations and support.
Please stop by July 30 between 12:00 – 2:00 PM for “Last Call” Sunday. This is a time to come and celebrate our library, offer suggestions, talk, check out a book, have a cup of espresso. Remember, “a great library has something in it to offend everyone.”
– Ben and Tom
Parish Administrator Update
Please pray for the HR Committee and Co-Rectors as they do their first round of zoom interviews with candidates this week.
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.
Best of the Desert Community Choice Awards – 2023
These awards celebrate and recognize the best our community has to offer. St. Paul in the Desert competed in this community challenge last year and was recognized as a Finalist in the Best Place To Worship category. This year’s Nomination Round for The Best of the Desert Program has begun and runs through July 24. You may vote once per day, every day.
Of course, we want to repeat last year’s impressive showing, so we encourage you to nominate St. Paul’s as your choice for Best Place to Worship. And then, once nominated, we hope you cast your vote for St. Paul’s in the final voting stage.
To nominate St. Paul’s for Best Place of Worship,
- go to Best of the Desert Community Choice Awards.
- Scroll down to Place of Worship.
- Enter Nomination Name (St. Paul in the Desert) and click on the green Nominate button.
That’s it. The nominations will be tallied and the Top 5 will be determined by the number of nominations an organization has received. The Top 5 nominees move on to the voting round. Then we will vote for the Top 3 nominees in the final voting stage, September 8 – 22. The Top 3 will be revealed September 29 and the winners will be revealed in The Desert Sun Best of the Desert Special Edition in November.
A note from David Bruns, Member of St. Paul’s Choir
Here is an upcoming concert you might enjoy. It’s at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert on Sunday, July 30th at 3:00 p.m. It is technically free, but there is a suggested donation of $20.00. There will be a reception following. This concert features operatic and theater music by American composers. I’ll be singing an aria, and a duet, from Douglas Moore’s The Ballad of Baby Doe. Joining me in the duet is the lovely local soprano, Melanie Pedro. Matthew Bishop Burn will also be featured. More details are in the flyer!
Join us!
David
“Summer Second Saturdays at Seven”
Concert Series
Although we will miss our talented and dedicated Mixed Ensemble this summer, we have planned other musical offerings for June, July, and August as part of our concert series. The second Saturday of each month, we will showcase a different musical presentation at 7:00 PM in the church, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Mark your calendars!
- Saturday, August 12, Robert York Organ Recital
Hike Postponed
The Parish Life Hiking Club trek through the Oak Glen Preserve, scheduled for Saturday, August 5, has been cancelled, due to extremely high temperatures predicted for the area that weekend. We’re sorry for this last-minute change, but there is also GOOD NEWS! The hike will be rescheduled for the same location as soon as we can agree on an acceptable date. We’re hoping for a Saturday in September. Check back here for scheduling updates. For more information about this event, contact Nancy Antonius at
St Paul’s Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 1 PM via Zoom. Meeting information will follow later.
For August Book Club has selected Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Set in southern Appalachia, this is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a ferocity for survival. Spoken in his own unsparing voice, he braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in popular culture.
New members are always welcome at Book Club. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at
Altar flower sponsorships
Altar flower sponsorshipsFresh 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
Mid-week ServicesYou 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 Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America, The Anglican Church in Central America, The Most Reverend Julio Murray, Archbishop and Primate.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, The Right Reverend Elizabeth (Betsey) Lockwood Hawley Monnot, Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for the clergy and people of All Souls’, San Diego; for the Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese.
For those commended to our prayers: 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, Jodene Catterlin, Kenneth Catterlin, Duane “Dirk” Beach-Barrow, 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: Beryl Parsons, Tony Bennett, Santina Iacono, Angelo DeWitt, Gene Mobley, Amy Shulman, Richard Hales, Spencer Cobleigh, Jerry Beach, Roy Cody, Joseph Robert Richter.
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: July 23: The Rev. Louise Macatee, July 30: Barbara Hawkins Villani, Daniel Schmidt; July 31: Jim De Mersman, Thomas Clarke; August 1: Fred Crawford, Kathryn Briski, Michael Welden; August 2: Wayne Watson, Andrew Petras; August 3: Robert McElroy, Felipe Rodriguez; August 5: Benton Clark.
For those celebrating anniversaries: August 1: Clinton Carbon & Carl Bellamy; August 3: Ed Walsh & Wayne Soucy; August 4: Carmen Vasquez & Julie Galperon.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: Today’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Lucinda Hampson in loving memory of Jeffrey John Hampson.
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 6, 2023, The Transfiguration of our Lord, The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost.
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Wednesday, August 2 – 4:30 – 5:30 PM – Social Justice Meeting – Library – (Note new meeting time.)
- Sunday, August 6 – 9:30 AM – Transfiguration Sunday – Single Sunday worship service.
- Saturday, August 12 – 7:00 PM – Summer Concert Series – Robert York organ recital and reception.
- Sunday, August 27 – 1:00 PM – Vestry meeting – Library.
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
Palm Springs Mosquito Control
The Coachella Valley Mosquito Control District will be providing mosquito control treatments in response to the spread of an invasive mosquito in Palm Springs. Treatments will be applied via low flying helicopters.
When: Saturdays, July 22 – September 23, 1am-7am, weather permitting.
Where: The application area is within the boundaries of Racquet Club Rd, Sunrise Way, Alejo Rd, and the San Jacinto Mountains. This area includes St. Paul’s campus.
For the most current information on the status of this project, check the website of the Mosquito Control District https://www.cvmosquito.org/palmsprings2023. The website will be updated after each application is completed.
