For Saturday November 4, 2023
Pride Weekend Worship Service & Wedding
Saturday November 4, 2023 – 4pm
NOTICE! Pride weekend (November 4-5) worship service schedule changes
As has been our practice, we adjust our normal weekend service schedule so our worshipers can avoid the traffic and congestion created by the Palm Springs Pride Parade here in our neighborhood. Our single weekend worship service (with music) will be at 4:00 PM, Saturday, November 4th. This will be a PRIDE Mass and the Celebration and Blessing of the Marriage of Jon Dotson & Anthony Jones.
There will be no services on Sunday, November 5.
If marching in the parade on Sunday:
- Meet us in the church parking before 9:30 a.m. to either walk to our parade position (106) or be shuttled there.
- Set their clocks back one hour overnight because of the change to standard time.
Pride 5K Run & Walk
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Click here for more information: https://www.palmspringspriderun.com
Church T-Shirts Available!
A new shipment of St. Paul’s T-shirts has arrived, and they are now available for purchase at $20 each (cash or check only). Available sizes: XXL, XL, L and M.
As we embark upon another annual parade season, we encourage all who represent St. Paul’s at community events to wear our parish logo attire. Look for the display/sales table located just outside the church on Sundays, between services. Or pick up your shirt(s) at the Parish Office during the week.
St. Paul’s Annual Stewardship Season Has Kicked Off
Legacy Society Our Story
Who are you?
John and Ann Grainger
How long have you been at St. Paul’s and what brought you here?
We have been attending St Paul’s for 2 years, we were searching for a Church that is Christ-based and follows His teaching as God commanded us.
What keeps you here?
We love our church because of its heart for All people. John and I feel Gods presence in all the Church’s outreach and in the warmth and grace of our fellow congregation members. The leadership and love of our Reverends, it a reminder of God’s everlasting grace and desire that we get to know Him better.
Why did you join the Legacy Society?
We joined the Legacy Society so the great works our Church are doing can be carried on long after we are gone.
What are your big dreams for St. Paul’s future as we embark on our annual stewardship campaign this year?
Our dream is to see the continued success of Christ’s ministry through St Paul thrive.
What is something interesting that St. Paul’s folks might not know about you?
John and I have 2 grown sons, the oldest is an Inspector for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and our youngest is a Red Seal Journeyman Welder. Both boys have given us 4 grandchildren each, whom we adore. We also have 3 Basset Hounds named for Classic Rock songs and singers: Layla (Eric Clapton), Levon (Elton John) and Seger (Bob Seger). We support the Calgary Basset Rescue Society as well 💙
If you would like to find out more information about planned-giving, end of life care, or joining the St. Paul in the Desert Legacy Society please email
In Case You Missed It…A Recap of Our All Souls’ Day Requiem Eucharist with reception sponsored by the Latino Ministry and Legacy Society
Book Study with Rev. Jessie Thompson & Rev. Frank Dunn
“Divine Communion: A Eucharistic Theology of Sexual Intimacy”
Mondays, Nov. 6, 13, 20, & 27; Dec. 4, 11, & 18 – 3:30-5:00 PM – in the Library.
Jay Emerson Johnson’s book: “Food, sex, and God– these intertwine at the heart of Christian faith and practice. This book invites Christian communities to reflect theologically and spiritually on the desire for God and the desire for sexual intimacy as the same fundamental desire for communion. This is likewise God’s own desire to be in communion with us, which Christians celebrate whenever we share a simple meal of bread and wine at the Eucharistic table.
The longing for intimacy and its disruptions echo throughout our political contestations, economic systems, racial and ethnic conflicts, and ecological crises. In no small measure, the vitality of Christian witness to the Gospel in the twenty-first century depends on exploring the depths of desire itself in the ancient hope for Divine Communion.
Patio Parties – A few spaces left!
Praying as you Can – Not as you Can’t
Sundays 9:00 – 10:15 AM in the Library
November 12, 19
An exploration of different prayer types and practices based on personality type and found in world religions. Tapping into sources as diverse as the Bhagavad Gita, the Book of Job, the Tao Te Ching, St. Francis of Assisi and Mohammed we wil learn how each of us follows on of four Journeys: that of Unity, Devotion, Works or Hamony. We’ll learn why we prefer certain prayer forms and why others are more of a challenge.
Where & Who: St. Paul’s Library. Taught by Mother Deb Seles, qualified MBTI administrator (individual & team assessments in for-profit and non-profits). with questions!
Book: Four Spiritualities: Expressions of Self, Expressions of Spirit. Peter Tufts Richardson. Section I for 10/22.
Preparation: If you don’t know your MBTI type, you may want to go to: http://keys2cognition.com/explore.htm to take a free inventory. Other inventory sources can be found here: https://millennial-grind.com/top-10-best-myers-briggs-tests/
St Paul’s Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 2:00 PM via Zoom. Meeting information will follow later. For November, Book Club has selected Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. A scientist and single mother living in California in the 1960’s becomes a star on a TV cooking show.
New members are always welcome at Book Club. For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at
Social Justice Blessing Bag Distribution
Parishioners will be encouraged to take a blessing bag to keep on-hand in their car to distribute when they see someone need as they run errands about town during the course of their daily lives.
The Social Justice Ministry is collecting the following items for Blessing Bags:
- Travel-size Toothpaste/toothbrushes (individually wrapped)
- 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 Sundays in November in the narthex. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lena Granet at or call the Parish Office at 760-320-7488.
Saying Goodbye to Arlene Rosenthal
Arlene Rosenthal, the long-time Executive Director of the Well in the Desert, died on Tuesday, after months of hospitalization. A Funeral Memorial will be held Thursday, November 9 – 3:00 PM at St. Paul’s.
Rev. Dan was interviewed by Channel 3 about the relationship between St. Paul in the Desert and the Well in the Desert and working with Arlene over the years. You can find out more about her legacy by clicking here:https://kesq.com/news/2023/10/17/community-members-mourn-the-passing-of-local-homeless-advocate-arlene-rosenthal/.”
Please Welcome Our Newest Staff Member
Please Welcome Our Newest Staff MemberOn Welcome Back Sunday, we announced that we would be hiring Charles “Chuck” Peery as our new Music Coordinator. This new role will bring Chuck’s gifts as a talented church musician, volunteer choir director, and recruiter of guest musicians into one role. Please welcome Chuck as we move into a new chapter of music at St. Paul. Click Here to read Chuck’s bio in more depth.
Parish Choir News
We will have another choir opportunity for anyone interested: we will practice after the 10:30 postlude on November 12, November 19, and November 26 in order to sing at Lessons and Carols (3 PM, Dec. 3) and for Pink Sunday (10:30 worship) on December 17. It is not required that you sing both times, but it will be the same anthem and we will determine who is available for the two events. We will also talk about the feasibility of a Christmas Eve choir, though we will not be rehearsing for that yet. Everyone is invited to come and sing with us!
Vestry Update
At the October meeting the Vestry:
+ Passed a formal endowment policy. This has been months in the making and is the result of a collaboration between the Finance Committee and the Legacy Society. This sets us up on a path where interest from estate gifts (not the principle) will help offset our overall operating budget. It is an enormous step forward for the fiscal health, strength, and sustainability of our parish.
+ Called the Vestry Nominating Committee to investigate the role of a Parish Chancellor (attorney) in our future governance model. This comes at the request of the Bishop who is setting a goal that all parishes have their own chancellor.
Sunday’s Altar Flowers
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom . . .” Isaiah 35:1-2
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 to commemorate 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 dates(s) A donation of $95 for each altar flower sponsorship is suggested.
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 La Iglesia Anglicana de Mexico (the Anglican Church of Mexico), The Most Reverend Francisco Manuel Moreno, Archbishop and Primate.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, The Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; for the faculty and students of the School for Ministry; for Clergy and Delegates to the 50th Annual Diocesan Convention.
For those commended to our prayers: Bonnie Stroock, Jacqui Chandrasena, Meg Irwin-Brandon, Sharon Pick, Rob Porter, Alfred Boutté, Donald Hamilton, Quinci Vicory, Nico Cataneso, Jason Melfa, Ramon Gueits, Jacinta Rodriguez, Crystal Caballero, Gail Medrano, Glad, Paris, Mary Jo, Bonnie, Thomas Root, Jodene Catterlin, Terry Garrity, Rus Butler, Joe Christopher, Kelly Barnard, Garrett Estrin, Teresa O’Steen, The Most Reverend Michael Curry, Amelia Grinstead, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton, Marilyn De Silva Currie, Donald Chase, Greg Gowdy, Tom Lutgen; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.
For those who have died: Maudry Davis, Arlene Rosenthal, Frank Riviers, Don Orsbern, Charles Stephen Jones, Barbara Foster, Steven Salk.
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: November 5: Valerie Winters; November 7: Mark Berry; November 8: Christopher Nance; November 9: Patrick Jarvis, Mick Welch; November 10: Terrie Donohue.
For those celebrating their anniversary: Wesley Henry & Adam Swinney.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: Sunday’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Michelle Hathaway in celebration of the birthday of John Hathaway and the 20th anniversary of Gen & Santiago, AND by Deb Seles in memory her parents, Bud & Donna Galante, on the anniversary of their marriage. The flowers adorning the Narthex today are sponsored by Deb Seles in thanksgiving for her 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 . The weekly print deadline is Wednesday noon.
For next Sunday’s Lectionary readings, go to www.lectionarypage.net and click on November 12, 2023, The Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost.
Upcoming Meetings & Events at St Paul’s
- Friday, November 3 – 6:30 PM – Interfaith PRIDE Shabbat at Palm Springs United Methodist Church
- Saturday, November 4 – 4:00 PM – PRIDE Mass & The Celebration and Blessing of the Marriage of Jon Dotson & Anthony Jones
- Sunday, November 5 – NO SUNDAY SERVICE – PRIDE Parade – Meet in church Parking lot at 9:30 AM to march with the church
- Tuesday, November 7 – 1:00-2:00 PM – Stewardship Committee – Library
- Tuesday, November 7 – 6:00-8:00 PM – Patio Party – Cathedral City
- Wednesday, November 8 – 4:30 PM – Latino Ministry Meeting – Library
- Wednesday, November 8 – 6:30 PM – Finance Committee– Library
- Thursday, November 9 – 10:00 AM – Frank Riviers funeral; 3:00 PM – Arlene Rosenthal funeral
- Friday to Saturday, November 10-11 – EDSD Diocesan Convention
- Saturday, November 11 – 4:00 PM – Palm Springs Veterans’ Day Parade
- Sunday, November 26 – 9:00-10:00 AM – Newcomer Class – Library
Sunday Service LiveStreaming
We are livestreaming our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. 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
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