Spirit of the Desert Presbyterian Fellowship – Coachella Valley CA
A History by Chuck Rassieur
These are some of the defining characteristics and facts about Spirit of the Desert Presbyterian Fellowship:
1. At the outset some of us had the sense, and we even said it out loud, that we were Presbyterians “in exile.” Jerry Van Marter, former coordinator and editor of the Presbyterian New Service, one time in an article called us “misfits.”
At this link you can read Jerry’s story published about how SDPF was started:
http://archive.wfn.org/2005/04/msg00000.html.
2. Thus, one important consequence for us of being Presbyterians was that we intentionally and carefully adhered to a Reformed order of worship as outlined in the Book of Common Worship, and the usual practice for the preachers was to use the lectionary of scripture readings appointed for every Sunday.
3. Our founding five pastors (Ken McCullen, Carl Nelson, Chuck Rassieur, Gordon West and Don Williamson) took turns preaching and never expected nor received any compensation or honorarium. Thus the practice was observed that even our occasional guest preachers also received no honorarium and only mileage for travel. However, a donation was given to a non-profit as recommended by each preacher.
4. After 3 or 4 monthly potluck fellowship meetings, we decided to include worship as a regular part of each gathering with one another. Our first worship service was held in the living room of Chuck and Ginni Rassieur in Sun City, CA on Sunday, May 11, 2003, with Ken McCullen as the preacher.
5. Because our numbers increasing, we began to be too much gather comfortably in our living rooms. In the fall of 2003, we began worshiping at the Pathfinder Community of the Risen Christ in Bermuda Dunes.
6. At that time, Bill Holby, an Episcopalian and member of our fellowship, was our musician, bringing his keyboard each time we met.
7. It was during this time that we also began the book study and discussion group, which met before worship. It was later led by Ralph Waite. He previously played the role of the father in “The Waltons” TV series (1971-’81). Ralph had gone to Yale Divinity School, and for a brief time was a Presbyterian minister. See the article about Ralph that first appeared in The Desert Sun and then published by the Presbyterian News Service: www.pcusa.org/news/2010/8/6/waltons-star-ralph-waite-finds-home-church/
8. We decided from the outset that the Presbyterian thing to do is to celebrate the Lord’s Supper at each worship service, and always to have both wine and grape juice available. Later, gluten free wafers were also included.
9. In the summer of 2004, we decided that we should find another worship location, and we left the Pathfinder C R C. In October of 2004 we worshiped for the first time at the Congregational United Church of Christ at 43250 Warner Trail in Palm Desert. Then, we took the “leap of faith” that enough persons would attend if we worshiped every Sunday.
10. In November, 2004, we began worshiping every Sunday at 5:00 p.m., and continued our practice of having our fellowship meal after the worship service.
11. Our finances have always been handled according to specific guidelines recommended by the first finance committee and adopted by the Steering Committee, guidelines that included two persons present when counting the offering, an annual financial review, and a financial report to the annual meeting.
12. Michael Dearth became our musician, pianist and organist when we moved to the Warner Trail church. Later, Bruce Mangum became our musician.
13. Our expenses were usually $15,000. to $17,000. each year, while our offering receipts within a couple of years began to exceed $50,000. Consequently, generous mission giving became our regular practice, and with few exceptions the mission giving went to Presbyterian-related causes and non-profits in the Coachella Valley.
14. An important mission cause for SDPF across the years has been Hidden Harvest. Besides a yearly financial commitment to Hidden Harvest, many members of SDPF volunteered their time preparing produce for distribution. Both Carl Nelson and Bill Holby different years were named “volunteer of the year” by Hidden Harvest for their dedicated service.
15. SDPF has, from the beginning, supported all efforts in the Presbyterian Church to include and welcome members of the LGBTQ community to full membership as well as to service in ordained ministry. Our mission money has routinely supported gay advocacy groups in the Presbyterian Church. Lisa Larges, who was eventually ordained in Minnesota, preached a couple of times for SDPF.
16. Since the beginning of SDPF, a number of members from St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA, as well as their former pastor, Gary Collins, have been active participants and leaders in SDPF. It might almost be said, because St. Mark shares a similar progressive theology, that SDPF is St. Mark East!
17. Worship attendance has always varied, with very few services ever going over 35 during the winter months. This writer remembers leading a service one time attended by only 9, but the Spirit of the Christ was very much present!
18. Jerry Van Marter, as noted above formerly the coordinator and editor of the Presbyterian News Service, was a good friend of the Meads. So, Jerry was invited to preach for us on at least two occasions.
19. SDPF was stunned by the premature death of Gordon West on July 17, 2012. At the time he was serving on the staff at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at the Eisenhower hospital in Rancho Mirage. Gordon was one of the five pastors who initially served SDPF.
20. And, finally, words from Jane Mead:
“Thanks for sharing your notes, Chuck. How well I remember. All the mission work came after we realized we had a group and money.”