Parish events & parish life
Webmaster's Note: As much as possible these events in our Parish Life are presented in a chronological order. Use the links below to jump to events.
Ongoing Small Groups & Gatherings | Volunteer opportunities | news & Notes
Welcome to St. Margaret's Episcopal Church
As you visit our parish, searching for a new church, or seeking a greater relationship with Christ, we invite you to meet one of our clergy or vestry members, and to visit our membership table in the Narthex (lobby) or on the patio this Sunday. Our membership shepherds are available there to answer your questions and to share a variety of church program and membership information with you. We want you to feel welcome, we want to introduce you to others who have come to find spiritual nurture, intellectual stimulation, and the fellowship of believers in this parish family. After worship we invite you to fellowship on the patio and in Karns Hall.
Brochures (as PDF files) to give you an idea of our history, our ministries, our opportunities to help you "know Christ."
Cherry Remboldt to be ordained deacon on June 7, 2008
Our parishioner/seminarian/friend, Cherry Remboldt, began to discern God’s call to ordained ministry in 2002. Affirmed in the parish and at the Diocesan level, she began study and work in 2003 to be ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church (while working full time and caring for her family). On Tuesday, April 15, 2008 the Commission on Ministry recommended that the Standing Committee approve Cherry for ordination; they did and Bishop Mathes concurred and a date was set: June 7, 2008 at the Cathedral in San Diego. The ordination is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (6th Avenue and Nutmeg near Balboa Park). Everyone is invited to join Cherry and her family in the service of ordination.
Would you like to travel to the ordination by bus?
There is talk of hiring a Charter Bus to take people to and from Cherry’s ordination service in San Diego. If you would be interested in joining others (up to 56 persons) for the trip to and from San Diego, please contact the parish office at 760-346-2697 to indicate your interest. More information will be posted here and shared by phone. PLEASE R.S.V.P.
Mass on the Mountain, a unique worship opportunity, scheduled for Sunday, May 18th
Bring the whole family and join Father Burgdorf at 9:00 am on the front
steps of the church on Sunday,
May 18, 2008. When all are gathered, Father
David and those assembled will introduce themselves and
the group will leave on a hike to the cross overlooking the valley.
Along the way the group will stop to pray, listen to the readings, hear a
sermon, and pray some more (and, yes, catch their breath). At the top, under the
cross, Father Burgdorf will offer the Great Thanksgiving and the group will
share Holy Communion.
Wear hiking boots or trail shoes able to grip the ground as there are lots of
places with loose rock. Plan on gaining 800 feet in elevation over a mile and a
half. Bring water. Bring a snack. Be sure to wear sun screen and a hat. A
walking stick is optional.
The Cross on the hill (PDF file)
Contact Father Dan at the Church
Office for more information: 760-346-2697 Ext 105
Saturday evening Service is a quiet offering of worship from the Book of Common Prayer
St. Margaret's Saturday evening service is changing. In response to requests for a variety of worship opportunities at St. Margaret's the Saturday night service will be a spoken Service of Prayer and Holy Communion using Rite II from the Book of Common Prayer. The Service begins at 5:30 pm.
After the Service, the Clergy Celebrant will stay to pray with those desiring the healing prayers of the church.
For more information contact Father Dan at 760-346-2697 Ext 105
Sunday Services At St. Margaret's give glory to God - bring a friend
At 7:45 am -- A spoken service of Holy Communion using the Prayer Book Rite I. Members of our Music Ministry assist congregational singing during the Liturgy of the Word and provide instrumental, and vocal meditations during Communion. Nursery Care is available.
At 9:00 am -- A "Contemporary and Casual" Service of Holy Communion using the Service Outline for Holy Communion in the Book of Common Prayer (pages 400-401). Our Youth Choir, led by Mrs. Julie Holmes and accompanied by Mr. Tom Barker, assists the congregation in singing. This highly interactive service will also feature dramatic presentations prepared by our youth (and "young thinking adults") in the "Acting out the Gospels" class (offered on Sunday mornings from 9:45 -10:30 am). Nursery Care is available.
At 10:30 am -- This service of Holy Communion using Rite II is accompanied by congregational singing led and supported by our Adult Choir. Children who attend Kid's Word (beginning at 10:30 am in the Chapel) are reunited with their parents for the Great Thanksgiving Prayer and Holy Communion. On the first Sunday of most months "First Sunday Music" featuring our Adult Choir accompanied by various artists will further grace worship at this Service. Nursery Care is available.
Also at 10:30 am -- Kid's Word. Kid's Word is a Liturgy of the Word designed to encourage kids to encounter their natural desire to worship God, and to assist them in developing the language of worship and prayer--reader and non-reader alike.
Other worship opportunities for you at St. Margaret's
10:00 am Wednesday Service of Healing and Holy Communion -- A midweek service of Holy Communion. Prayers for healing, the laying on of hands, and anointing, are offered within this service.
5:30 pm Wednesday Evening -- Service of Holy Communion -- A midweek service of Holy Communion; this is part of the Wednesday Sonshine programming at St. Margaret's. This Service is offered through May 21, 2008.
The Labyrinth is always available at St. Margaret's
The Labyrinth Guild of St. Margaret's cordially invites you to join us in our monthly public evening candlelight walk on Wednesday, May 21st, at 6:45 PM. After a short introductory talk participants are invited to walk the Labyrinth.
The Labyrinth is a spiritual tool used for centuries by those seeking to know the Lord and the Lord's will. Learn more about the Labyrinth as a spiritual tool; learn more about the Labyrinth at St. Margaret's: The Labyrinth Brochure as a PDF file (183 KB). The Labyrinth is available for your use whenever the Spirit moves you. During the weekdays of the school year, be advised, the patio area is noisy and energetic with the students of St. Margaret's Episcopal School.
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco features both an indoor and an outdoor labyrinth. The Cathedral website offers further insight into the labyrinth and how to use the labyrinth in your spiritual nurture and growth: The Cathedral Labyrinths
Veriditas is the "Voice of the Labyrinth Movement." The Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress who has written extensively and definitively about the labyrinth is the President and Founder of Veriditas. You will find additional materials and insight about the labyrinth by visiting their site: Veriditas
Labyrinth Walk and a Meditation on "The Mystery" is scheduled for May 21st
The Labyrinth Guild invites you to join them for their monthly walk on Wednesday, May 21st, at 6:45 PM. A brief introduction and meditation will be offered by Brother Carl Sternberg. After this short introduction, the Labyrinth Walk begins.
Learn more about the Labyrinth at St. Margaret's: The Labyrinth Brochure (183 kb PDF file).
For more information, or to contact the Labyrinth Guild, please call the Church Office at 760-346-2697
Parishioners reminded to shop Maggie's Corner for that book to help with Christian formation
Father
Dan reminds all
parishioners, their families, friends, and neighbors, that
the book you heard about in a sermon, on the radio, referred
to in the newspaper or on the television is available at
Maggie's Corner. If not in the store itself, then it is
available to you online through Amazon.com (and if you enter
Amazon.com through our site, Maggie's Corner shares in the
sale). Not only will you help yourself as you purchase the
book, but you will also help this important ministry of
Christian Formation at St. Margaret's.
Another starting point for your Amazon order through Maggie's
More about Maggie's Corner--St. Margaret's Book and Gift Store
Artist's Group Forming
If you are interested in joining a group of St. Margaret's artists to enjoy the creative energy and camaraderie of painting or drawing together, please contact Barbara McEwen or Katharine Russell. All oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, pencil and pen artists and all skill levels are welcome.
This Week at St. Margaret's features hyperlinks to current and coming events
Every week the Staff of St. Margaret's prepares an email bulletin entitled "This Weekend, This Week at St. Margaret's." To get an idea of the variety of ways you can nourish body and soul at St. Margaret's follow the link provided here. Once on the email bulletin you will find additional links to more information about joining in the life, mission, and ministry of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church. One link opens an Acrobat Reader File of the current Parish Life Bulletin (handed out at Sunday Services).
This Weekend, This Week at St. Margaret's
Online Calendar is a valuable source of information for both Church and School
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and School maintains an online calendar for use by members, guests, and our neighbors in the Coachella Valley.
The variety of opportunities for nourishing body and soul and serving others is displayed in a convenient calendar form.
Using different navigation tools you can see all possibilities or just the ones that appeal to you and your family. The staff makes every effort to include additional information and contact information for each event listed in our calendar.
Go to the full Online Calendar
For additional information about events on the calendar, or to report errors or problems, please contact Debby Jansma, Parish Secretary, at 760-346-2697 Ext 104
Supper Clubs provide a way to meet the family and have fun
The Supper Club
actually consists of a number of small groups that meet
for and share a supper together. Groups generally contain 6 to 8
persons, both singles and couples. Each group determines its own
calendar of suppers. These monthly small group, in-home dinners, are
opportunities for fellowship and meeting new friends. Of course,
some of the groups choose to dine out once or more during their time
together. At home or dining out, the conversation is refreshing, the
food filling, and the work of the Spirit to build the Body of Christ
at St. Margaret's is accomplished.
To register to be placed in a group, or simply for more information, contact Chet Hecht, our Parish Life Coordinator: on the patio most Sundays, at our Wednesday Evening Program, by phone at 760-346-2697 Ext 102 or by email - chet@stmargarets.org
Men's Morning Fellowship meeting in La Quinta at The Coffee Break Cafe
Join other men at Just Java (near Trader Joe's in La Quinta) for wide ranging discussions on topics such as daily life, personal spirituality, church projects, and planning for outdoor fellowship activities. The men gather every Tuesday morning at 6:30 am for coffee and fellowship and sometimes a handyman project or two around the church. Contact Chet Hecht 760-346-2697 Ext 102 for more information. (Updated 19 Sep 2007)
Men's Prayer Breakfast meets in Palm Desert every Thursday morning
Join other men at the Denny's Restaurant (corner of Monterey and Highway 111 in Palm Desert) for a time of fellowship, study (the Sunday Readings), and prayer. The men gather every Thursday morning at 6:45 am. Contact Debby Jansma, Parish Secretary, at 760-346-2697 for more information. (Updated 5 January 2008)
Generation Next meets monthly
Do you consider yourself a "young adult"? Consider joining Generation Next which meets once a month for friendship and socializing. Contact Shivaun Nelson at 760-346-2697 Ext 147 for more information. (Updated 12 January 2008)
First Friday No Host Lunch for women meets First Friday of every month
On the first Friday of each month the "Girlfriends' Lunch Bunch" gathers for a no host lunch at a local restaurant in Palm Desert. Women of all ages are invited to gather for fun, food, and fellowship. Come to lunch on the first Friday of April, April 4th at 11:45 am. The lunch bunch meets at a different place each month, please contact Darlene Fletcher for more information: 760-346-2697. (Updated 29 March 2008)
St. Margaret's Guild Lunch Bunch meets Second Friday of every month
Beginning November 10 and then every month after that through May the St. Margaret's Guild Lunch Bunch will meet at Noon on the 2nd Friday of each month. This no host lunch is open to all women of St. Margaret's (and their women friends, of course). Contact Debby Jansma, Parish Secretary, for more information: 760-346-2697 Ext 104. (Updated 29 March 2008)
Solo Journeys celebrates one year anniversary on May 18th
Solo Journeys is for men and women of all ages who are single. Contact our Parish Secretary, Debby, at 760-346-2697 Ext 104 for the exact location and more information about the Solo Journeys gatherings. The one year anniversary lunch will be Desert Willow on May 18th. (Updated 10 May 2008)
St. Margaret's Altar Guild seeks helpers of all ages
The St. Margaret's Altar Guild works quietly and behind the scenes to make sure all is ready for worship services at St. Margaret's Church--for God's greater glory. Under the leadership of Anne Leavitt the Altar Guild prepares all the vessels needed for worship in our Episcopal Church. After Services are over, the Altar Guild members clear and clean the vessels used in worship, storing them for their next use. Members work in Teams and each Team has a week's service each month (that is, they prepare for the Services scheduled within their week -- usually Wednesday Chapel Services, the Saturday evening Service, and the two Services on Sunday). With many helping hands, the work is light and the time is easy to budget. This rewarding service requires only a heart willing to serve "out of the limelight" and a heart willing to provide the best for God's People as they come to worship the Lord.
To find out more and to volunteer call Debby, our Parish Secretary at 760-346-2697 or contact Anne Leavitt by email.
The Cellar Door has work for you
Volunteers are the key to operations at the Cellar Door Thrift Shop. Many tasks need doing. Hours can range from once a week to many days a week, Days and hours of service can accommodate your schedule. Why not give it a try?
To volunteer call: Renate Knoblauch at the Cellar Door: 760 773-0501 or email cellardoor@stmargarets.org
Among the ways you may choose to serve:
Receiving Volunteers.
Customers and donations come through the same front
door. Receiving Volunteers greet customers, help unload vehicles and begin
the selection and allocation process for donations. Positions available
Monday through Saturday.
Mechanical Volunteers.
Some furniture and
house wares
need a little fixing. Electric devices need testing. Pictures need hanging. Hands
On! Positions available Monday through Saturday
Light Duty Transit Volunteers.
Auto needed. Assess condition of large
donations prior to sending truck. Pick up hand carried donations from those
unable to bring them to the Cellar Door. Very random on call service Monday
through Saturday.
Clothing Care Volunteers.
Steam and press clothing as needed. Light sewing.
Light at-home laundry on a volunteer basis. Positions available Monday
through Saturday.
Pricing Team Volunteers.
Help sort, hang, categorize and tag
clothing. Unpack, evaluate, and price general merchandise. No
experience needed. Full written guidelines to follow. Positions
available Monday through Saturday
Counter Volunteers.
General cashiering and goods packing. Help with jewelry
cases and featured house wares cases. Positions
available Monday through Saturday.
Floor Volunteers.
Help re-stock and straighten merchandise. Re-do and
maintain displays. Be present to deter theft. Positions available Monday
through Saturday.
Boutique Volunteers. Assist shoppers. Help re-stock and straighten merchandise. Be present to deter theft. Positions available Monday through Saturday.
Yours are the hands needed to feed the hungry
Food in Need of Distribution (FIND) is a valley wide organization gathering food for the hungry in our Coachella Valley. FIND relies upon churches and other charitable organizations to distribute the food. Our St. Margaret's volunteers work every Monday morning in Whitewater Park in Rancho Mirage to distribute food to those in need. If the Lord is to feed the hungry, he will need your helping hand.
Contact Don Poorman at 760-328-8621 for more information and to volunteer your time.
F.I.N.D. needs your donation today
St. Margaret's portion of the Food In Need of Distribution (FIND) program is running dangerously low on cash. Without cash to purchase food for distribution to the needy, FIND cannot operate. Many senior citizens and families with small children could not survive without the food provided by our parish volunteers through FIND.
You are invited to put a special contribution to FIND in the collection plate this week so our volunteers can continue to provide food for the poor people of the Coachella Valley.
Please make checks payable to St. Margaret's Church and place the word FIND on the Memo Line. You may also mail your donation to St. Margaret's Church from your summer home.
Finally, the best option of all, stop by Whitewater Park in Rancho Mirage on Monday morning at 7:15 am and deliver your check to Don Poorman in person. You'll meet some wonderful volunteers and receive a first-hand view of how your time and treasure is used in God's work.
For more information, contact our Parish Secretary, Debby Jansma, at 760-346-2697 Ext 104.
Maggie's Corner welcomes volunteers
Share
your time with others by serving them in Maggie's Corner. Our
Bookstore and Gift Shop is open every Sunday and many helping hands
make for light work. Volunteers with welcome smiles and a helping
attitude make the experience of our guests and customers a pleasant
experience. This is a wonderful way to make St. Margaret's "Your place in
the Son."
Contact Debby Jansma at 760-346-2697 Ext 104 for more information or to volunteer.
Share your voice in our Adult Choir for the glory of God
ST. MARGARET'S ADULT CHOIR sings for the 10 am service most Sundays September through June and for special services during the year. Rehearsals are on Thursdays with occasional special rehearsals scheduled throughout the year. New members are always welcome. Please call or see John Wright, Organist and Choirmaster, for admission details: 760-346-2697 Ext 109.
More ways to help others through St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, CA
We regularly share the many ways your time and talent can be used to serve others. Take a look, find a way to make a difference, find a way to serve as our Lord served, find a way to let your light shine.
Volunteer Opportunities at St. Margaret's
Vestry approves draft revision of Bylaws
At the November 13 meeting of the Vestry, Draft 10 of the Bylaws was approved. This document is now available for your reading.
Full text of the Draft 10 Bylaws
Parishioners asked to support the ongoing work of Episcopal Relief and Development
Parishioners of St. Margaret's are invited to make a sustained effort to support the work of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) in this country and abroad.
On October 8, 2005 an earthquake in Pakistan killed more than 87,000 people and left millions homeless. To read more about the continuing work of ERD in Pakistan and India see the article "Earthquake survivors in Pakistan and India receive additional aid from ERD" on the ERD website.
Of course, ERD continues to work in the United States in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in August 2005. More information about current efforts can be found at the ERD "Hurricane Response Center."
"The December 2004 tsunami killed more than 225,000 people in 12 countries, left millions homeless and destitute, and tore a path of destruction and misery that is nearly unprecedented in modern history." That is the report from Episcopal Relief and Development. In the name of Christ, on behalf of all Episcopalians, Episcopal Relief and Development has partnered with Asian churches to help in rebuilding and to help in healing. You may read about these efforts in an article entitled "ERD Tsunami Relief One Year Later." For additional information and links see the Tsunami Response Center page maintained by ERD.
Parishioners are reminded that all of the donation made to ERD--online or through St. Margaret's--will go to help those in great need. Parishioners are asked to help as they are able.
Year round gift ideas that give more than once
When you consider giving a gift for one of life's special occasions, consider giving a gift that helps others survive another day. Give a gift that gives joy to your special person and hope to a person or a family in need. Give a Gift of Life from the Gifts for Life catalogue of Episcopal Relief and Development.
Each dollar received is used to provide help for children, adults, families, and even whole villages, in need. Each gift helps those in need begin to break the cycle of poverty and disease that grips much of our world. Each dollar you give in this way brings hope beyond your imagination to God's children around the world.
Follow this link to the Gifts for Life catalogue of Episcopal Relief and Development
Father Mark Byers, "Church Planter," has begun his work in the Coachella Valley
Mark Byers enlisted in the Navy shortly after high school, serving from 1985-1991, including sea tours on the USS Scamp (SSN-588) and the USS Flying Fish (SSN-673). Following this, he attended Haverford College and Yale Divinity School. After ordination in June, 2001, he served as associate rector of St. John's, Essex, Connecticut and associate vicar of St. Ives', Arlington, Virginia (a church plant of the Diocese of Virginia).
Mark is recently arrived in the Coachella Valley, serving the Diocese of San Diego as the Church Planter for the East Coachella Valley Episcopal Church. As the "Church Planter" Mark was called and hired by Bishop Mathes to take the East Valley Episcopal Church dream and make it real. His letter to Episcopalians living in the Coachella Valley (see below) tells you more.
He is married to Jessi and they have two children, Fiona, 2 years old and Lydia, 6 weeks old. Mark enjoys playing rugby in his spare time. And yes, his family thinks that's silly, too.
Letter from The Rev. Mark Byers to Episcopalians in the Coachella Valley.
Email Father Mark with your comments and questions: info@apostlescoachella.org
Website for the Church of the Apostles growing in the East Coachella Valley: Church of the Apostles
Printed brochures from St. Margaret's now available online
We are working to make our print materials available to those who browse here for inspiration or information. Links to most of our print brochures can be found on the page About St. Margaret's. Please let us know what you think by sending email to our webmaster, George Reeves.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people?
The eight United Nations MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) form
a blueprint agreed to by the world's countries and leading
development institutions. They have become the Episcopal Church's
top mission priority (outreach) for the next three years.
Learn more about the goals and the invitation to all Episcopalians
to join the ONE campaign "to Make Poverty History" over the next 10
weeks.
Read the first installment in a 10 week series:
Achieving
the U.N. Millennium Development Goals: Become 'ONE Episcopalian,'
join the effort for global good.
Staff and Vestry will continue to make information available about this important effort of our church. Together we can make a difference. Together we will step toward fulfilling our mission "to make Christ known."
The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego on the web
In an effort to improve communications the Diocesan Convention initiated work with the Bishop and his staff to revise the diocesan website. The new site has just been launched. You will find places still under construction, but you will also find news, notes, and pictures about life in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.
See for yourself: http://www.edsd.org
The View, Parish Newsletter, available electronically
The current edition of the View (our parish newsletter) is always available online. Follow this link to current and past editions of The View.
The People of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church & School seek to know Christ and to make Christ known in all that is said and done. We work with each other to make St. Margaret's "Your place in the Son." We invite you to visit us, to worship with us, to study with us, and to work with us, for the spread of God's Kingdom. We invite you join our family.
© 1998 - 2008Saint Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Palm Desert CA" All rights reserved. Please contact the church for permission to use any of this material