“To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Dearest friends and colleagues,
It has been a privilege to be part of this community of St. Paul’s, to have been ordained here, and to serve as your deacon. We have learned, welcomed, and stood for justice together. We have laughed and cried and celebrated everything imaginable for over 35 years (including a worldwide pandemic). Mostly we have prayed and walked a remarkable journey of faith together.
The time has come for me to retire from my duties at St. Paul’s and focus on my work as the archdeacon. It means being away from St. Paul’s for up to a year as I travel around the diocese, beginning in mid-October. My plan is to eventually return and join you in the “the pews”, occasionally serving at the table.
Over the last eight years, my staff duties have focused on welcome, communications, pastoral care, hospitality, and volunteer coordination. St. Paul’s staff is in the process of re-organizing responsibilities in a way that will be life-giving to our growing congregation. We believe that these changes will bring renewed direction to our community.
My duties as a deacon have often led us into unknown territory: from visiting undocumented detainees in jail to advocating for housing justice to offering showers to those who need them. We have grown in compassion each time we have been called to the work of justice. I trust that the call to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger will continue now with your leadership.
Thank you for being beacons in a world that longs for the way of love. I will be forever grateful for our journey together.
In peace and gratitude,
Laura
WOMEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY JULY 30TH AT 9:00 a.m.
Join us for breakfast on the patio for a time to reconnect and imagine future gatherings.
Please RSVP HERE
NEW ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM THE DIFFICULT WORDS OF JESUS
On Thursday, August 4, we’ll begin a six-week class meeting at 10:30 a.m. in Room A of the Parish Hall. We’ll be using a video series by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, a distinguished Jewish professor of New Testament studies at Vanderbilt University. The series is titled “The Difficult Words of Jesus,” and Dr. Levine will discuss the social and religious context of some of Jesus’ hardest sayings, including “sell what you own,” and “hate your father and mother”. Class will be facilitated by Kay Sylvester.
Following the video and discussion, please stay for the noon service of Holy Eucharist. Bring your lunch, and gather after church to share fellowship on the patio.
WHAT ABOUT SHOWERS?
Are you a good listener? Are you curious about what it’s like to live on the streets? Have you ever wondered about our Sunday afternoon guests? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then volunteering for Sunday Showers might be for you. Over the last year and a half, we have learned that it’s not just about the shower, it’s also about relationships and getting to know each other. We look forward to our assigned Sunday because we enjoy the company of the folks we’ve gotten to know.
Showers are offered every Sunday from Noon until 4:00. Volunteers participate in two shifts. If this sounds intriguing, speak with Deacon Laura.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all who came to the Here Comes the Sun event. We had a wonderful time eating, drinking, dancing, and raising funds for our operating campaign. As a matter of fact, we added $9,724.68, after expenses, to our fund! Thank you for bidding on the Live auction items and having fun with the Stuff an Envelope Wall. Thanks also to our Co-coordinators, Joe and DeeDee Bedell, Connie Ash, and the exceptional help from our volunteers to make the evening one worth remembering. By the way--the Solar Panels are installed, and we are hoping in a month to have them up and running!
THANK YOU FROM SUNDAY SUPPER
St. Paul's friends,
Thank you to our parishioners who donate fresh fruit and vegetables to give to our guests. It's a tremendous gift for helping those in need feed their families much healthier food. Gordon's Garden is producing a bounty, but we have a lot more people coming now. Thanks to Adelle Yeaton, Linda Shearman, and Susan Ross who work each week to plant and harvest the wonderful, organic produce. And to Dennis who provides advice and guidance.
Thank you to those who are steady donors of Bus Passes and $10 Gift Cards, as well as our faithful financial supporters. We simply could not do what we do 52 Sundays a year without you.
Thank you for being so incredibly generous.
Much Love,
Sandi B, Sunday Supper Director
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY, BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER
During these uncertain times with COVID-19 disrupting our lives and the struggle to end racial inequality, you may have been looking for new ways to deepen your faith or for a way to challenge old ways of thinking so that you can start putting your faith into action in challenging new and dramatic ways.
Education for Ministry (EfM), a four-year program course in scripture, theology, and church history sponsored by the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, has opened registration for the 2022-23 academic year.
EfM is experienced in small-group settings, from September to May, under the guidance of a trained mentor. In addition to academic studies, participants explore their personal beliefs and effective practice of their faith. Each session includes prayer, worship, theological reflection, and discussions on the book readings. Through the course of the four years
EfM works from a common lesson book that will cover the following themes:
Year A: Living faithfully in your world
Year B: Living faithfully in a multicultural world
Year C: Living as a spiritually mature Christian
Year D: Living into the journey with God
Regardless of the year's theme, participants in their first year explore the Hebrew Scriptures. Second-year participants focus on the Christian scriptures. The third-year surveys the history of Christianity. And the fourth year looks at the key questions in theology, how to do theology for yourself, how that affects behavior (ethics), and relationships with other faiths.
The program is active in 20 parishes in the LA Diocese, including our sister parish, Church of the Messiah in Santa Ana, where the mentor, Wayne Kempe, is in his 17th year of mentorship.
i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
- e.e. cummings,
Let us give thanks for the world around us.
Thanks for all the creatures, stones and plants
Let us learn their lessons and seek their truths,
So that their path might be ours,
And we might live in harmony, a better life.
May the Earth continue to live,
May the heavens above continue to live,
May the rains continue to dampen the land,
May the wet forests continue to grow,
Then the flowers shall bloom
And we people shall live again.
- Hawaiian indigenous prayer
We pray for those who are afraid, lost, and in the midst of the turmoil of spirit and mind as we remember those in need of God's healing presence, in illness, grief, and during these challenging times: Sylvia, Doriel, Holland, Bob, Ralph, Kathryn, Jean, the Chai family, Tom, Becky, Christine, Michael, Susan, the Takahashi family, Andalee, Lyle, and Connie, the Lewis family. Give them courage and strength during the days ahead; may they know your love and grace.
We give thanks for the life of Mary Lewis. May she rest in peace.
Gracious God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love. Guide us so that we may reflect your love and grace to the world. Amen.
We pray for the following members of our parish:
Barry & Rachel Fernelius
Betty Ferrell
Anna Maria Fiallo
Patti & Bruce Finn
Cristina & Ricardo Flores and their children Alison, Richard and Makeyla
Janniene & Jim Gaff
This week we give thanks for St. Paul’s Church School and Vacation Bible School.
THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL'S LINKS ARE SHOWN FOR ONLINE PROGRAMS
Monday – July 25, 2022
8:00 amMorning Prayer - Facebook Live HERE Tuesday – July 26, 2022
8:00 amMorning Prayer - Facebook Live HERE
6:30 am Aging Parents Support Group HERE Wednesday – July 27, 2022
8:00 amMorning Prayer - Facebook Live HERE
Sunday – July 31, 2022 10:15 am Eucharist
11:30 am Messy Sunday 1:00 pm Shower Ministry
3:00 pm Sunday Supper - Sack dinner and food distribution
Monday – August 1, 2022
8:00 amMorning Prayer - Facebook Live HERE Tuesday – August 2, 2022
8:00 amMorning Prayer - Facebook Live HERE 7:00 pm Youth Group Wednesday – August 3, 2022
8:00 amMorning Prayer - Facebook Live HERE
Thursday – August 4, 2022
10:30 am Bible Study - "The Difficult Sayings of Jesus" 12:00 Noon Eucharist Saturday – August 6, 2022 10:00 amSunday Supper Prep 5:00 pm Eucharist
St. Paul’s Staff
The Rev. Kay Sylvester,Rector
The Rev. David Milligan,Associate Pastor
The Rev. Valerie Hart,Assisting Priest
The Venerable Laura Siriani, Welcome andCommunications
The Rev. Bonnie Brandon,Parish Administrator
Cristina Flores,Children and Family Minister
Connie Ash,Coordinator of Giving
Gail Forbes,Preschool Director
Debbie Middlebrooks,Music Associate
Evan Benjamin,Music Associate
Hilda Hernandez, Sexton
Nick Lee,Sexton
St. Paul’s Vestry Sr. Warden: Patty Hicks,714-538-7829 Jr. Warden: Steve Plesh,714-283-3671
Joe Bedell,315-576-7111 Helen Benedikter,714-272-7373 Pam Brooks,949-552-0748 John Middlebrooks,949-910-0333 George Puente,714-812-3831 Ruth Sarvas,714-906-3183 Linda Shearman,914-830-8849 Kitsy Smith,209-608-1218 Jeff Tan, 714-209-1156 Adam Tapias, 206-849-6706
