Abundant Life — May 21, 2026

The Feast of Pentecost and the Spirit Beyond Our Walls

Last week, we reflected on how St. Paul’s continues building partnerships throughout the Coachella Valley and Inland Empire as part of our evolving understanding of outreach ministry. That work continued this week through advocacy, service, racial healing, leadership development, and community collaboration both within and beyond our parish walls.

As the Church prepares to celebrate Pentecost, these ministries remind us that the Holy Spirit continually sends the Church outward into the world. Pentecost is not simply the story of the Church’s birth, but of a community empowered by the Spirit to cross boundaries, accompany vulnerable neighbors, and bear witness to God’s love in public life.

On Monday, two leaders of the Latino Ministry, Joe Rodriguez and Judy Deertrack, joined The Rev. Dan Kline in meeting with Congressman Raul Ruiz and other clergy and community leaders at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mecca following increased ICE activity throughout the Coachella Valley. Participants heard firsthand testimony from families experiencing fear, instability, and trauma connected to immigration enforcement actions, including growing concern about the emotional and mental health impact on children and teenagers. The gathering reminded all present that ministry often begins not with easy answers, but with listening and standing alongside vulnerable neighbors with compassion and dignity.

That same spirit of accompaniment was visible on Thursday morning as Laundry Love resumed ministry operations at a new location in Cathedral City after being unexpectedly shut down in January. Laundry Love partners with local laundromats to assist neighbors experiencing financial hardship by providing quarters, laundry supplies, hospitality, and human connection. Beyond meeting practical needs, the ministry creates opportunities for relationship-building between volunteers and guests, reminding all involved that outreach ministry is rooted not only in service, but also in mutual dignity and community.

This new chapter of the ministry includes a partnership with Martha’s Village & Kitchen, which operates the Homeless Navigation Center for the City of Palm Springs. Because participants transported from the overnight shelter missed their morning meal at the center, St. Paul’s volunteers also provided breakfast and hospitality. Special thanks go to Megan Goehring, Tony McEwing, Samantha Hirsch, and the many other volunteers who made the morning possible.

Several other ministries also continued important work this week. The LGBTQ+ Ministry concluded its educational series on The Lilac People, led by Bill Himmelright, Layla Alexia, and the Rev. Jessie Thompson. The ministry also participated in the annual Palm Springs Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, where parish leaders heard from courageous advocates for inclusion from across the country and began envisioning ways St. Paul’s might build relationships with Gay-Straight Student Alliances throughout the local school district. The ministry is also exploring sponsoring a table at Pride Festival events this Fall, in addition to marching in the annual parade. The Racial Justice Ministry, led by Linda Castro, discussed a possible Land Acknowledgement in partnership with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, future Indigenous liturgies, and hosting diocesan LARK anti-racism training in Fall 2027 as part of the parish’s ongoing healing and reconciliation work connected to Section 14.

Meanwhile, leaders from several outreach ministries gathered for training on program evaluation and ministry design led by Clinton Carbon and the Rev. David Norgard. The work supports St. Paul’s strategic goal of empowering lay leadership while helping ministries strengthen long-term impact, sustainability, and accountability. Both the Land Acknowledgement and a trial use program design and evaluation process will be recommended to the Vestry for approval.

Several of these ministries are also discerning future educational programs, gatherings, and partnerships that could one day take place in the future Parish Hall, helping it become a center for hospitality, formation, outreach, and community connection. The program design and evaluation process are the incubators for trying out new parish outreach programs in this newly refurbished space.

Pentecost reminds us that the Spirit continually pushes the Church outward — into relationships, service, reconciliation, and deeper solidarity with our neighbors. In many ways, that holy work is already unfolding here at St. Paul’s. If you feel called to participate, we invite you to consider becoming involved in one of these ministries.