We’re Hiring!
Dear Parishioners,
The Human Resources Committee is excited to announce that we have opened the search for the new Director of Parish Life and Engagement. We anticipate moving through a process of reviewing candidate applications in late July and conducting interviews of finalists in mid August. We would like to ask your help as members of our St. Paul in the Desert community to help spread the word to anyone you think might be a good fit for this new position. You can click here https://stpauldesert.church/were-hiring/ to read the job description.
Individuals can email hr@stpauldesert.church to find out more information about the role.
On behalf of the HR Committee,
Tom Clarke+ and Dusty Porter (Assistant Clerk of the Vestry)
Newsletter Archives:
A Living History of Our Parish
We are thrilled to share that we have now completed the archiving of our Abundant Life newsletters, preserving each one as a meaningful snapshot of the rich history, faith, and community life of our parish.
These archives offer a unique glimpse into the stories, ministries, and moments that have shaped St. Paul’s over the years. From reflections on worship and outreach to celebrations of milestones and community events, each issue captures the spirit of who we are and how we continue to grow together in faith.
Our collection now includes a complete set of newsletters from November 2010 to the present day, ensuring that this important chapter of parish life is fully preserved and accessible for generations to come.
This archive is more than a record—it is a testament to God’s ongoing work in and through our community. Whether you are revisiting cherished memories or exploring our history for the first time, we invite you to browse the collection and rediscover the many ways our parish has lived into its mission of love, service, and fellowship.
A Season for Rest & Renewal
As we enter the summer months, our parish embraces a slower rhythm. With staff and volunteers taking well‑earned time for rest, July and August bring adjusted schedules and fewer activities — including Monday–Thursday office hours (9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) and a continued two‑service Sunday format.
Many regular meetings will pause for the season, creating space for renewal while allowing staff to plan and prepare for the fall. Important work continues behind the scenes, including ongoing Vestry initiatives and a new staff search led by our Human Resources Committee.
One thing never pauses: pastoral care. If you or a loved one are in need, please reach out — we remain committed to prayer, support, and care in every season.
Summer Camping Trip Recap
Several St. Pauler’s made their way to cooler elevations in Idywilld for the annual Camping Trip last week. Special thanks to Bonnie Stroock for organizing and the Rev. Deb Seles for leading Evening Prayer.
Thank You, Jonathan!
We give thanks for the ministry of Jonathan Faulks, whose last official Sunday on our staff team was this past weekend. A celebration of cake and conversation in the parish hall was enjoyed by all as we shared our goodbyes and our deep gratitude for Sunday morning volunteer team support, a new website, and so many new systems that have helped our parish to thrive!
Jonathan will continue in a new communications vendor role at St. Paul in the Desert, but will no longer be in-person on Sundays
Flower Ministry
Each Monday, a small group of St. Paul’s parishioners gathers the flowers from Sunday worship, arranges them into bouquets, and delivers them to homebound parishioners or those who have experienced recent health challenges. These flowers are a tangible reminder that they are not alone, that they are deeply loved, and that this community holds them in prayer.
Perhaps you might feel called to join this small but meaningful ministry—we need you! If you’d like to learn more and see if this ministry might be right for you, please join us Mondays at 9:00 AM in the church office. You’ll receive a bouquet to deliver to someone in our community. Your presence truly makes a difference.
Upcoming Classes, Events & Services
Join St. Paul’s this Sunday for our Worship Service
The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 9
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
July 5, 2026 · 10:30 AM
We live livestream our 10:30 AM Sunday Eucharist every week. You can view the livestream on the Watch Live Page, YouTube Channel, and Facebook Page.
Missed a Service?
No problem! You can watch previous services anytime.
Visit our YouTube channel to explore past sermons and special events at your convenience.
The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 2 PM
The Book Club will spend June and July reading the iconic book Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. There will be no July meeting. The next Book Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 2 PM. The meeting will be held in the Yucca Room in the parish hall on the church campus. Journey to the dusty little town of Lonesome Dove, where retired Texas Rangers Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call undertake a perilous cattle drive to the untamed plains of Montana. Along the way, they face danger, adventure, and an unforgettable cast of characters. Richly authentic and beautifully written, Lonesome Dove is a story of love, loss, and the unyielding spirit of the American West.
For more information, please contact Alan Zimmerman at alanzimmeran@icloud.com.
Prayers of the Church
For the Anglican Communion: The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, The Archbishop of Canterbury; pray for The Anglican Church of South America.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut: The Right Reverend Jeffrey W. Mello, Bishop.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego: The Right Reverend Doctor Susan Brown Snook, Bishop. For the clergy and people of St. Francis, Pauma Valley.
For those commended to our prayers: Rosendo Perez & Teresa Perez, Marysia, Pat, Beth Muccillo, Mary Rush, Tatianne Simpson, Mark Bianco, Dick Burkett, Barbara Villani, Marla Mark, J. Martin Huber, Gaile Eckert, RC Eckert, David S., Nick K., Jim Rosenthal, Barry Brunetti, Karen Paddock, May Wallace, James Caraway, Mike Brunetti, Lou Armentrout, Janet Spiegel, Cynthia Lulo, Steve Horstman, Leon Walker, Pablo Villagomez, Sheri Marchand, Jon Kates, Laurence Wolfe, Jeff Bonnell, Karla Fuller, Jack Wehler, Irene Castillo, Latesa Anderson, Stefan Hill, Ed Iborg, Helen Zimmerman, Daniell Cornell & Family, Anna Marie Schaffer, Beverly Schaffer, Bridgette Oliver, David & Jen Moreno, Donna Depew, Clifford, Corrine, Sally Depew, Susan Cole, Carmen Vasquez, Diann Caddo, Maggie Dewitt, Ann Lonnie Tribble, Greg, Lynne, Paula & Bill, Diana Ruiz, Bill Davis, Gary Mercer, Cara Oliver, Bill McMillan, Steve Moore, Crystal Vines, Mary Barrett, Dorothy Clark, Linda Staunch, Matt Maestra, Florence Tobin, Sophie Buckiss, Don Hamilton, Mary Hamilton, Ronnie Simpson, John Lasher, Richard Ammon, Barb Steeves, Ellen Betzler, Rex Comer, Tom & Helen Amestoy, Warren Safely, The Rev. David Caffrey, Larry Stralow, Kai C., Kristopher C., Kevin Fleming, Mick & Joan Dawson, Allan Coe & Rose Coslett, Michael Neill, Nesbit Hatch & Dennis Rexroad, Lori Miller; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said. pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.
For those who have died: Terry Williams, Jo Anne Adair, Leslee Lafrantz, Jerry Miles Bland, Jude Hoiseth, Dick Kleen, Willie Moore, John Hatton, Helen Cornell, Rodney Binder, Mellie Young, Ann Keith Nauman, Mel Parsons; 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 departed rest in peace. Amen.
For those celebrating anniversaries: July 7: Gary Gillespie & Irene Gillespie, July 8: Fred Stroock & Bonnie Stroock, July 9: Lee Chandrasena & Jacqueline Chandrasena, July 10: Tony Ellerd & Pat Ellerd.
For those with birthdays: July 5: Curtis Goehring, July 7: Jeffrey Ratnam, Alexis Clark, July 8: Arthur Rivera, Craig T. Coleman, July 10: Evan Schwenk, Michael Schiefelbein, Shannon Ealy, July 11: Brian Blueskye, & Travis Lodahl.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: Sunday’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by The Rev. Canon Victoria T. Hatch in Thanksgiving for Shelia J. Brubaker on her birthday.
“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
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 at the Welcome Table, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship date(s).
Prayer List Update
We have recently taken time to review the names currently on our prayer list to ensure it remains current and meaningful. If you feel a name is missing, we warmly invite you to submit the names of those you would like us to include in prayer.
Please note that names will remain on the prayer list for four weeks. To be included in the weekly newsletter and printed materials, submissions must be received by 4:00 PM each Tuesday. Submissions received after the deadline will appear in the following week.
Thank you for helping us care for our community through prayer.
Prayer Request
Submit a name to our Prayer List, and our community will lift them up in prayer throughout the week.
Share your request and let us pray with you.
RequestCommunity & Outreach
Want to Get Involved?
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
Neighbors For Neighbors Volunteers Needed
Every fourth Thursday of the month, volunteers gather at approximately 7:30 AM to set-up, organize, bag and distribute food beginning at 9:30 AM to over 500 families from the greater Indio area. During summer months (June to September), food distribution will begin at 9:30 AM and continue thru 3 pm. These volunteers are vitally important to our outreach.
Please contact John Sanders at johnfsanders@mac.com to volunteer.
Want to Help Make St. Paul’s Campus & Buildings Better?
Have you ever been at church and noticed the same lightbulb has been out for weeks? Or reached for a handrail only to find it’s loose and wondered why it hasn’t been fixed? Maybe you’ve sat down in a pew and found the rack is missing cards, envelopes, or pens—and realized that unless someone reports it, no one knows it needs attention.
We invite you to use our Maintenance & Repair Request Form, available online.
If you see something on St. Paul’s campus that needs repairing, cleaning, sprucing up, or general attention, this form is the best and most effective way to make sure it gets addressed.
Submitting a request in real time allows:
Our sexton to handle day‑to‑day issues quickly
Our Campus Care Committee to track, prioritize, and plan for larger or ongoing needs
Your participation helps us stay organized, responsive, and good stewards of our sacred space.
The Episcopal Church’s
Immigration Toolkit
Shifting federal policy on immigration is already impacting people in all four of our counties. With this in mind, the Episcopal Church’s church-wide office routinely collects up-to-date immigration resources for congregations.
Visit the Immigration Action Toolkit to find ways your congregation can help migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers.
The Episcopal Diocese of
San Diego’s Info
on Reporting Misconduct
The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego considers the reporting and investigation of misconduct to be of critical importance. Reporting enables the diocese to protect the complainant, the respondent, and the larger community. It also allows the diocese to assist with the spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of all concerned during and after the report of misconduct. Please visit edsd.org/safe-church-safe-communities/reporting-misconduct/
Intake Officers:
Ms. Megan Callan, megan@mecallan.com
The Rev. Willy Crespo, frcrespo@gmail.com
Ms. Meredith Hardy, mlh8180@gmail.com
