St. Paul’s Lay
Eucharistic Visitors
You might wonder each week about the pair of people who find their way to meet one of the Co-Rectors at the steps in front of the church after communion. They seem to share a secret and are gifted some sort of small container and a piece of paper. These folks are called Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEVs).
As an important part of pastoral care, St. Paul’s has a devoted group of Lay Eucharistic Visitors who go to parishioners’ homes to serve communion when health reasons keep parishioners from attending services.
The Lay Eucharistic Visitors come in pairs and make time to visit as well as share communion. They often bring some of the flowers from worship and/or any special materials from the service.
The Lay Eucharistic Visitors have completed Safe Church training as well as LEV training from both the diocese and the Co-Rectors.
It is an honor for this group to serve fellow parishioners in this sacred capacity. The relationships that are built and the connections that are made are cherished by all. In the last year, Lay Eucharistic Visitors have gone on 104 visits!
If you or someone you care about would like to receive home communion, please call the church or visit the website and click on Schedule an Appointment under the Pastoral Care tab.
Clerk’s Corner – May Vestry
Meeting Update
Jack McLean, Vestry Clerk
At its recent meeting, the Vestry approved several routine governance items, including committee appointments and updates to parish policies and procedures. Among these was the adoption of a Volunteer Manual, building on the strong foundation established through our Safe Church policies and training. The manual is designed to provide greater clarity, consistency, and support for the many parishioners who generously serve in ministries throughout the church, helping ensure that volunteers are equipped, informed, and empowered in their service. More than a collection of policies, the Volunteer Handbook isan invitation to live out our Baptismal Covenant through service. It reflects St. Paul’s commitment to fostering a community where every person is welcomed, valued, and encouraged to participate in God’s work in the world. Keep your eyes open for its rollout in the near future!
The Vestry also adopted a trial process to help evaluate existing ministries and thoughtfully develop new programs over the next two years. The work of this process was birthed out of the Strategic Planning Implementation Team, and created by Clinton Carbon and The Rev. Dr. David Norgard. This framework is intended to support healthy growth, ensure responsible use of resources, and provide opportunities for ministries to assess their impact and effectiveness. The process will be reviewed by the Vestry in 2028.
The meeting also focused on planning for upcoming campus improvements related to California’s requirements for the removal of nonfunctional turf. The Vestry approved moving forward with professional design services to assist with assessing the project. In addition to meeting state requirements, the project will explore opportunities to enhance portions of the campus for broader congregational use. As planning progresses, parishioners will receive updates and opportunities to learn more about the project and offer feedback
A significant portion of the meeting was focused on discussing long-term staffing needs and operational support. These conversations are part of the Vestry’s ongoing responsibility to ensure continuity of ministry, effective administration, and faithful stewardship of parish resources.
The Vestry remains grateful for the many volunteers, ministry leaders, and staff members whose dedication supports the mission and ministry of St. Paul’s. Please continue to keep the Vestry and parish leadership in your prayers as they discern priorities for the months ahead.
Sincerely,
Jack McLean
Vestry Clerk
Children’s Ministry End of Year Sharing
Children’s Ministry Art in the Park:
Last fall, the Children’s Ministry wanted to do outreach to the children in our community, and after some discernment, we decided to offer periodic arts & crafts projects in an effort to get to know the families in our community and to offer a free activity. We decided setting up at one of the neighborhood parks would allow us to meet families where they are rather than expecting them to come to us. We timed these activities with some of the holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.), and in addition to the art or craft project, we also offered face painting and games. This has been very well received by the families with an average of 12 to 15 kids each time. I have also had a chance to chat with parents who expressed over and over their appreciation for what we are doing, as not every family can afford to take their children to the commercial places for children. We hope to resume our Art in the Park project in the fall and welcome the participation of parishioners who might have a talent to share at these events.
Kathy Kilmer, Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Box City, Community & Poetry
The Sunday school teachers each bring incredible gifts to share with the children. Among the children’s ministry community outreach activities was “Box City.” Remember creating your own forts and clubhouses out of “stuff”? In local parks the children created tunnels, adjacent households, and their own shared community through working together with boxes of all sizes, markers, and stickers.
In the children’s room at St. Paul’s, a very different kind of creativity emerged. Our exploration of Living Water began with water play using a variety of containers. We then colored pages featuring water and fire, symbols of Living Water and Holy Fire. Lulu remained deeply engaged and I recorded her observations as a poem in her own words. I read it back to her and she delighted in hearing her own words.
Gail Heitman
Being a Children’s Ministry leader is joyful and fun, despite not having a lot of children. I have seen some real growth with Lulu as she can follow directions and listen to Bible stories and make crafts. The Art in the Park program at Halloween, Christmas, and Easter gave St. Paul’s a chance to reach out to other children. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed doing some drama with Mathew and Bella, plus using classroom supplies to teach about Jesus and Bible history. We pray together. I hope to see the program grow with more children.
Bonnie Stroock
Eisenhower Hospital Honors Community Clergy with Annual Luncheon
Last week our Co-Rectors joined dozens of other community clergy of all faiths for a special luncheon hosted by Eisenhower Hospital. Eisenhower recently started a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program. Clinical Pastoral Education is a supervised, experiential training program that helps chaplains and other spiritual care providers develop skills in providing compassionate spiritual and emotional support to people in healthcare, hospice, and other care settings. It is often required for ordination and is also a pathway for lay people to pursue chaplaincy as a vocation. Eisenhower had a post-CPE seminar to give clergy a continuing education opportunity. After a meal, the event closed with a ceremony honoring the Rev. Patricia Horkey for her tireless service at the hospital. Prior to becoming an Episcopal priest, Rev. Patricia did her field education at St. Paul’s. She was ordained as a priest at The Church of St. Paul in the Desert in 2018 by the Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, the first female Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. She is currently the Associate for Pastoral Care at St. Margaret’s. We give thanks for the ministry of Rev. Patricia. We also give thanks for those who have a connection to St. Paul in the Desert and are currently involved with the CPE program – Chris Davidson, Rodney Dickson, Mike Mullins, and the Rev. Tom Harshman.
St. Paul’s Julian is part of the Youth Delegate from EDSD on this Summer’s Youth Pilgrimage to Hawaii.
A Letter From The Co-Rectors
Dear Beloved in Christ,
The Church of St. Paul in the Desert is entering an exciting new season of ministry. Over the past several years, we have strengthened our worship life, welcomed new members, expanded our ministries, and celebrated the opening of our new parish hall. As we continue to discern how God is calling us forward, we are making an important staffing transition that reflects both our current needs and the opportunities before us.
As many of you will remember, our stewardship theme this past year was Empowering Hope, inspired by St. Paul’s words: “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold” (2 Corinthians 3:12). This transition reflects that same spirit. We are not responding to scarcity or retreating from ministry. Rather, we are seeking to be bold in our stewardship of the opportunities God has placed before us and to align our resources with the needs of the parish’s next season of growth.
After prayerful conversation and mutual discernment, Jonathan and parish leadership have agreed that this is the right moment to transition his work from a full-time staff role to an ongoing communications partnership. Jonathan’s role as full-time Director of Communications & Events will conclude at the end of June, and his last Sunday with us as a staff member will be June 28. Following this transition, Jonathan will continue serving St. Paul’s as an external communications partner, helping maintain and strengthen the communications systems he has worked so faithfully to build.
As the needs of our parish grow and evolve, how we support the parish through staffing also grows and evolves. This innovative idea for how to strengthen our communications came at Jonathan’s initiative and gave the Co-Rectors and Vestry a chance to look at our staffing model as a whole and how we can continue to deepen connection and engagement across the parish. We are deeply grateful for Jonathan’s ministry among us. He has helped create a strong foundation for parish communications, including the development of our website, improvements to our welcome and communications systems, and support for countless parish events and ministries. His work has strengthened how we connect with one another and how we share the story of St. Paul’s with the wider community. He will continue to help us build on this incredible foundation in a new, focused capacity. We are excited to work with Jonathan in this new role.
On June 28, we will gather for a special Coffee Hour to celebrate Jonathan’s ministry, give thanks for his many contributions, and pray for continued blessings in this next chapter of his life and work. I hope you will join us in expressing our gratitude.
This transition is taking place during a period of growth and opportunity that would not have been possible without Jonathan’s faithful ministry among us. The addition of the 9:00 a.m. service has brought approximately 50 new worshippers into parish life, and St. Paul’s continues to enjoy strong attendance, healthy stewardship, and increasing participation in ministry.
Along these lines, the opening of our parish hall represents one of the most significant developments in the life of our parish in recent years. With our kitchen now complete after a delightfully unexpected phase 2, the habits and systems we establish now will help determine whether this space becomes a vibrant center for ministry, formation, fellowship, outreach, and community engagement for years to come.
We also recognize that St. Paul’s has substantial untapped capacity. With approximately 250 average Sunday worshippers and winter attendance approaching 325, we have opportunities to deepen discipleship, strengthen community, expand outreach, and welcome even more people into the life of the church. To do that well, we need strong systems, healthy volunteer leadership, and clear pathways for participation.
Over the next six months, our focus will be on activating the parish hall as a ministry hub, strengthening life across multiple Sunday services, building a more robust newcomer integration process, developing volunteer leadership, and ensuring operational stability as we look ahead to the clergy sabbatical planned for 2027.
To support these priorities, we anticipate adding a new staff position currently being developed under the working title of Parish Life Coordinator. While the title and job description are still under review, this role will focus on volunteer engagement, hospitality, newcomer integration, parish events, and helping coordinate the growing in-reach and outreach opportunities emerging through expanded parish life.
This reflects a shift in emphasis. As our communications systems have matured, our greatest need is increasingly not simply communicating ministry opportunities, but building the relationships, structures, and leadership capacity that allow those ministries to thrive.
Thank you for your prayers, your support, and your continued commitment to the mission of St. Paul’s. We are excited about the opportunities before us and confident that God is leading our parish into a season of faithful growth, deeper community, and renewed ministry.
Faithfully,
The Rev. Dan Kline & The Rev. Jessie Thompson
Co-Rectors
The Church of St. Paul in the Desert
A Note from Jonathan Faulks to the Parish
My friends,
Over the past ten months, I have had the absolute honor and privilege of being part of the incredible things happening here at the Church of St. Paul in the Desert. Serving as your full-time Director of Communications and Events has been a deeply meaningful chapter of my professional life, and I am profoundly grateful for the trust, creativity, collaboration, and kindness you have shared with me.
The past several weeks, I have been in conversation with our Co-Rectors, sharing that I have made the decision to step away from my full-time role, effective June 30, 2026. This decision was made thoughtfully and prayerfully, with deep care for the well-being of both the parish and myself.
I am happy to share that this transition is not a goodbye. In those same conversations, I offered—and the Co-Rectors and Vestry have accepted—my continued support in a new capacity. Beginning in July, I will serve the Church of St. Paul in the Desert as an external communications partner, supporting the parish from afar on a weekly basis. This arrangement allows me to continue offering my talents, skills, and creative vision while adapting to a new season of work and life.
On a personal note, the Church of St. Paul in the Desert has shown me—clearly and consistently—what it truly means to welcome all at the table. This parish lives its values with integrity, generosity, and love. I carry with me so many wonderful moments: sacred liturgies, joyful celebrations, quiet holy work behind the scenes, and countless conversations marked by grace. There is something genuinely special happening here, and it has been a gift to witness and be part of it. I am deeply thankful for the love and friendship I have found in this community, and I hope that the relationships we have built will continue to flourish in the years ahead.
I remain deeply invested in the mission, ministry, and storytelling of this parish. The Church of St. Paul in the Desert is a place where faith is lived boldly, community is nurtured intentionally, and beauty is embraced as a pathway to God.
Jonathan
We’re Recruiting Ushers!
On Trinity Sunday this last week, we had a special “trinity” of ushers. (Can you tell we’re recruiting? 😉) If you’d like to join this fun bunch of people who greet and welcome everyone who comes in on a Sunday, we promise we won’t require you to wear a princess dress! Unless you want to…
Inquiring usher minds can contact revjessie@stpauldesert.church to find out more about the Ushering program and how to get on the monthly rotation schedule!
Sisters-in-Spirit (SIS)
is Looking for a Leader!
Sisters-in-Spirit (SIS) was a brief-lived monthly opportunity for the women of St. Paul’s to get together over a lunch or coffee for a time of socializing and connection. If you are interested in helping these events continue as the leader (or one of the leaders), please reach out to revjessie@stpauldesert.church.
We are in the midst of scheduling out the 2026-2027 calendar and will consider SIS events, but only if a leader emerges to help organize it.
Upcoming Classes, Events & Services
Join us for a four-week interfaith study exploring the stories and significance of the prophet Elisha. As a sequel to our Lenten Elijah class, this course continues the journey through the prophetic tradition—though no prior class is required. All are welcome for thoughtful conversation and shared learning across faith traditions.
Tuesdays
May 19, 26, June 2, 9 & 16
3:30 PM — 5:00 PM
Saguaro Room
Pilgrim Places, Holy Lives invites our church into a season of shared journey and discovery from May 25 through June 28. Beginning the day after Pentecost, we will explore eight places that shaped the spread of Christianity in England, alongside the stories of the saints who lived and witnessed there. Every parishioner who attends Pentecost Sunday will receive the companion booklet for use in their own spiritual journey throughout the week.
As we celebrate the new Archbishop of Canterbury, who has recently made her own pilgrimage to the heart of Anglican Christianity, we, too, are invited to journey—across landscapes of history and faith, and within our own lives—seeking the presence of God who meets us in every place.
Sundays
May 31, June 7, 14, 21 & 28
9:15 AM — 10:15 AM
Saguaro Room
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.
Upcoming Funerals
Saturday, June 27, at 11:00 AM — Ben Palmer
Wednesday, July 1, at 6:00 PM — Amelia Grinstead
Join St. Paul’s this Sunday for our Worship Service
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: PROPER 6
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
June 14, 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.
Prayers of the Church
For the Anglican Communion: The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, The Archbishop of Canterbury; pray for The Church of the Province of Southeast Asia.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras: The Right Reverend Lloyd Emmanuel Allen.
For the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego: The Right Reverend Doctor Susan Brown Snook, Bishop; the fifth Bishop of San Diego, the Standing Committee, and the Diocesan Staff. The Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach, its various ministries, and the people it serves.
For those commended to our prayers: 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, Family of Jackie Freeburn, Richard Ammon, Barb Steeves, Ellen Betzler, Teena Hale, Mark, Marla, Gen Lopez, James Holjes, Randal J. Kinnear, David Dunn, Sandy Morgan, Tom & Helen Amestoy, Warren Safely, The Rev. David Caffrey, Veronica Romero, Larry Stralow, Kai C., Kristopher C., Kevin Fleming, William P., Willie Ramos, Donna, Jaimie Hubbard, Mimi, Charlene, John O’Brien, Barb Steeves, Cathy, Marshall Banks, Cyndia Fisher, Michael Patino, John Alex Houlton’s Family, Joan Dawson, Allan Coe, Morgan, Jamel Monson, Alex, Pat Wolach, Fr. Rob Lord, William E. McKenzie, Kristi Lehnert, Gary, John and Lena Granet, Daniel Lopez-Molina, Gary Wise, Shawna Rickard, Marge S., Raffaele, Paul Cronin-Swalboski, Michael Neill, Tellez Family, Kevin Lee, Gerardo Reynoso, Anika Burke, Nesbit Hatch & Dennis Rexroad, Don Moore, Adrienne, George, Nicole, Beverly Schafer, Bob Blum, Steven Pilgrim, Marysia, Francis, Marty, Chris Migdol, Natalie Ousley, Greg, Jude Hoiseth, Tony & Pat Ellerd, Jessica Rodriguez, Crystal Gonzalez, Julia Anne Galperen, Troy Elder, Reuben Hernandez, Shaun Water, Patricia Valtier-Medina, René (Reno) Valtier, Rodney Binder, Sam Grewal & Family, Gabriel Georgia, Jerry Brown, Fergus, Joan Anderson, Harry Lit, Lori Miller, Lucy Youngren, Bonnie Ong, RC Eckert, Gaile Eckert, Tish and Eliott Kahn, Hap Blaisdell, Pat, David Valenzuela, Chloe Grace Wilson Barton; pray for all those for whom no prayers have been said.
For those who have died: Helen Cornell, Rodney Binder, Mellie Young, Ann Keith Nauman, Mel Parsons, Jean Gilraine-Hickson, Richard Tracz, Jackie Freeburn, Kelly Morgan, David Hankins, David Eckert, Dorothy Bowens, Larry Clipper, Gordon Wipf, 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: June 16: Lyle Haas & Donald Smith.
For those with birthdays: June 14: John Pick, William Casey, June 15: Christopher Kelly, June 16: Dee (Dolores) Boytim, June 17: Jack Moore, Rev. Tim Rogers, June 20: Sally Irons.
For those for whom flowers have been donated: Sunday’s Altar Flowers are sponsored by Dan Drinan in Thanksgiving for Boots Scott on her 92nd 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 in the Narthex, or you can call the Parish Office at 760.320.7488 to reserve your sponsorship date(s).
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
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
