May 2023 Inspiration for You
Because Inspiration isn't just for Sundays...
This month we offer the following resources
to help you build spiritual strength and live a more fulfilling life.
For video resources, check out our YouTube Channel:
Get inspired while exploring the wonder of Holy Scripture...
Scripture Readings for Coming Sundays
Fifth Sunday of Easter, 5/7
Sixth Sunday of Easter, 5/14
Ascension Sunday, 5/21
Pentecost Sunday, 5/28
Help make a difference by putting your Faith in Action
Faith in Action Suggestion for the Month of April
We are called to pray, AND we are called to put our faith into action. We are called to follow Jesus which means we need to love and serve our neighbors in the name of Christ. It’s also our job to stand up to injustice and respect the dignity of every human being.
This month we suggest you Urge Congress to End Gun Violence.
The Episcopal Church strongly supports efforts to address America’s unique and shameful gun violence crisis. It is out of love for the living God and reverence for human life that The Episcopal Church calls upon Congress to act decisively to limit access to deadly firearms and invest in proven efforts to interrupt violence and make our communities safer.
The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations reiterates today our urgent call for legislation that will add reasonable restrictions on firearm ownership, require universal background checks, eliminate loopholes, tighten laws against gun trafficking, require gun safety training, fund gun violence prevention programs, and address gun violence as a public health crisis.
It is vital that we encourage our lawmakers to put partisanship aside and come together to address the senseless loss of life.
We invite all Episcopalians to take action by urging their members of Congress to support gun violence prevention legislation.
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-...
Take a look at our Enews ORANGE Edition. Select something you can do, and do it. You can also find a lot of other great ideas at the Episcopal Public Policy Network's website.
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO TAKE ACTION TO #ENDGUNVIOLENCE? CHECK OUT OUR ENEWS ORANGE EDITION
Help serve the world in the name of Christ...
This Month's Outreach Project - May
OUTREACH PROJECT – Reach to support Sober Living
This month, we're reaching to support sobriety. The Ventura Sobriety House is setting up a new location on our campus! The Gooden Center will become a place where women who have struggled with sobriety can go to get the support they need to put their lives in order.
We are looking for new or gently used items with which to set up the home and make it comfortable for the women and staff who will live there.
- 16 Water glasses (plastic)
- 10 Smaller cups (think kid size)
- Flatware for 16
- Pots/pans
- Baking dishes
- Mixing utensils
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Coffeemaker (large capacity)
- dish towels,bath towels
- Cleaning items (brooms, hardwood floor cleaner, bleach, scrub brushes, sponges)
- Desk
- microfiber cleaning towels
- an office chair,
- a computer
- printer
- pillowcases, pillows, sheets.
- for more items, please see our Amazon wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/
More About Ventura Serenity House
A Women with Children’s Home
Ventura Serenity House was founded in 2010 when we realized that there were too many women that did not have access to affordable, ethically managed and accountable Sober Living homes, with which to start their journey. What inspired us to expand to include a home that specifically caters to women with children was the lack of such places in Ventura County. We knew it was the right direction to go as we witnessed, time and again, women being reunited with their children, learning to be the parent they always wanted to be, rising above this horrible disease and breaking the cycle, getting jobs, moving to their own place and raising their family. We look forward to serving our community one family at a time and we are blessed that you have chosen to join us in our passion to help those that have been so broken will now have the opportunity to be made whole. Thank you in advance for your kind donations and good will!
~ Ruben and Teresa
Year of Prayer to End Racism
The Diocese of West Virginia has released an inspiring and motivating series of prayers to be used throughout the year as we work and pray for an end to racism. I encourage you to use these prayers in your personal prayer life, and I encourage us to make the commitment to become more and more, day by day the people God is calling us to be.
May -- For an end to racial prejudice:
“ One God, in Three Persons, creator of one human species, in many hues: all who pray
to you are descendants of Adam and Eve, all members of one race called “human.”
Forgive the blindness that causes our eyes to notice and magnify those things we regard
as different from ourselves in others. Teach us to see clearly, that we, your children, are
far more alike than we are different. Help us to put aside the racial prejudices imbedded
within us, and to see within every person the Child of God you created, our sister or
brother, destined for Glory. In the name of One who died for all persons, of all colors,
Jesus Christ.” Amen.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS
We can all be Digital Disciples, sharing the Good News on social media.
Are you passionate about St. Paul's?
Want to encourage others to join the church?
Please consider writing us a review. It’s easy!
- Google St. Paul’s Ventura, Click "Write a Review" in info box on right hand side.
- Share your enthusiasm and recommend the church we all love so much. Thank you!
Love social media? Join our Digital Disciple team! Contact the Church Office to be put in touch with a team member.
Lots of great things are happening!
Keeping Up with Everything Offered at St. Paul's
This is an overview of this week's resources to help you GROW in faith. To learn about everything going on at St. Paul’s, please see our E-newsletter. If you don’t receive it, please let us know. We’d be happy to add you to the list!
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR ENEWS
Finally, I welcome you to reach out to share your spiritual journey. Next week, we’ll have new ideas and resources for you. And week after week we’ll get stronger, go deeper and offer ourselves to be transformed more and more into the people God is calling us to be.
God bless you this week and always,
Rev. Susan+
These resources are made available because of the generous donations of our members. We are grateful to everyone who pledges to support the work of the church. To learn more about giving to St. Paul's CLICK HERE.
Tags: Faith in Action / Growing in Faith - Sunday and Everyday
