The Friday Journal
St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church  & Preschool
October 13, 2017
In This Issue
Quick Links
Along the King's Highway
El Camino Real Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Special Announcements
The Reverend Karen Cuffie will preside and preach at St. Stephen's on October 22 and 29 while Father Ernie is on an out-of-town trip that was planned way before he knew he would be coming to St. Stephen's. 

We look forward to welcoming Reverend Karen back to St. Stephen's, and wish Father Ernie safe travel.
Church Office & Preschool Hours

The church office is CLOSED on Mondays, and OPEN from  
8am to 1pm,
Tuesday - Friday. 

Preschool is in session Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8am to 1pm.


Thank You's
Please see the "Angels of St. Stephen's" article for our Thank You's this week.

Quick Notes
The Next Day-Trip
The next day-trip organized by Janet Thorsrud is scheduled for THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017.
...details to follow. 
Support St. Stephen's with mini-fundraisers
Matching Donations
by Janet Thorsrud
Do you know if your company does donation matching?  Many companies will match what you give to St. Stephen's up to a certain amount.  If you don't know if your work place will do this just go and ask the HR department what their policy is for matching to a non-profit organization.
Purchase 
Melaleuca Products
Contact Susie Good for information about Melaleuca Products--high quality, concentrated, eco-friendly products that contain no toxic ingredients or harsh chemicals. 

You can learn more about their products at www.melaleuca.com.

Susie's contact info:
Phone:  408-375-0680
GoodLifeUSA VIP Hotel Savings Card  
This is a new fundraising opportunity to support St. Stephen's.  Donate whatever and whenever you want and receive a card worth $200 in discounts.  Save money on hotels and resort stays through GoodLifeUSA.   
 
Click here for more details or see Susie Good.    
 
I'd like to return to the subject of the "to do" list, which was generated by the vestry and the search committee during their retreat with Bishop Mary, one last time by offering my own brief reflections in the form of several questions. As I've already suggested, I believe the list is inspired, guided no doubt by the Holy Spirit. I am convinced that by completing this "to do" list we will more fully realize who and what God is calling us to be. I offer these questions as a preliminary step in that direction.
 
As you know, the "to do" list involves four separate tasks. The first is learn to make decisions together. In my conversations with some of you I have already heard that the concern here is not at all a lack of procedures or an absence of guidelines for how to make decisions. Those are clearly in place. Instead, the issue goes deeper. So, what is it then that is currently holding us back from making decisions together? To help get at that I suggest that we all ask ourselves:
  • Do I feel like I have a voice at St. Stephen's? Do I feel heard?
  • If no, what do I believe would help me to feel heard?
  • If yes, what could I do to help others feel heard?
This first task appears closely related to the second: learn about what we mean by "authority" and "power." As a result, the questions I would ask are similar to the ones just proceeding:
  • Do I feel empowered at St. Stephen's?
  • If no, what is needed for me to claim my power?
  • If yes, how can I use that power to empower the community?
The third task has two parts: (a) deepen our understanding of "nomadic" hospitality and (b) develop our skills to provide genuine and loving welcome. For me this complex issue begins with these questions:
  • Is there any group or condition of persons who I have trouble embracing and honoring as a child of God in a way that would inhibit me from fully welcoming them to St. Stephen's?
  • If no, how can we make this more apparent to the wider community?
  • If yes, what is it that prevents me from doing this?
The last task is the hardest: learn to have honest conversations together. This time I offer just two questions. They are just a start:
  • Do I believe it is possible for people to disagree and still respect and honor each other (and perhaps even be friends)?
  • What do I think is necessary to make this possible?
That's it. I leave for vacation next Tuesday. (It was arranged long before I knew I was coming to St. Stephen's.) I will be back for my office hours on Wednesday, November 1. God bless you all. I will hold you in my prayers.
 
Peace and grace,
Ernie+

A Message from Senior Warden Genie Lee
Dear St. Stephen's Family,
 
This Sunday, October 15, 2017, is the 19th Sunday after Pentecost. The Rev. Ernie Boyer, our Interim Pastor, will preside over the 8:00 am and the 10:00 am services. The Bell Choir will provide the music for the 10:00 am service. The vestry and Rector Search Committee will meet after coffee hour (12:30 pm - 2:30 pm) with our Diocesan Liaison, Joanna Shreve.
 
Gregg Hall has agreed to take minutes at our vestry meetings. Thank you Gregg for volunteering.
 
The vestry met last night for its monthly meeting. Please look further down in the Friday Journal for highlights from the meeting.  
 
Please keep the vestry, the Rector Search Committee, and Rev. Ernie Boyer in your prayers. The vestry is working hard to keep St. Stephen's operating smoothly and the Rector Search Committee is working hard to create our church profile.   Ernie will be leading us through the rest of our transition, preparing us to call our next Rector. Please pray that God will guide us all and that we will have open hearts and minds as we make decisions for the church during this transition.
 
Transition Update:
The Rector Search Committee has finished the OTM and Church Profile and the vestry will review and hopefully approve the OTM and Church Profile. Once the vestry approves the OTM and Church Profile, both will be sent to the Diocese, to Bishop Mary and Cannon Brian Nordwick to review. Once they approve it, then they will send the OTM and Profile out to the community to advertise our opening. The Diocese will screen and do background checks for all prospective candidates. They will send the search committee the candidates that qualify.  
 
Save the Date: Halloween is not far away and we plan to have our annual Trunk or Treat event at St. Stephen's. Trunk or Treat will be Saturday, October 28, 2017 @ 6:00 pm. Andy Lief has agreed to organize Trunk or Treat. Andy will get a group of kids together to create a haunted house and Monica Moniz will provide crafts for a crafts table. Thank you Andy and Monica for volunteering to make this event happen.   More details to follow. It is a fun and safe time for kids to enjoy pizza, crafts, haunted house, and trick-or-treat in their costumes. We need adults to come and decorate their trunks/cars and to give out candy.   Please plan to join us.
 
Reminders:                                                                                                                              Please bring in dry food for the Food Basket for St. Julie's and pocket change for the Food for the Poor Jar.
 
Please look at the Angel Board to see if there are any tasks that need to be added or tasks that you want to volunteer to do. 

 
Genie Lee
Senior Warden
 
Sunday, October 15, 2017
THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2017
Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost
8 am Holy Eucharist, Prayer A (no music)
10 am Holy Eucharist, Prayer A (and Bell Choir)

Announcements
VESTRY MEETING HIGHLIGHTS -- OCTOBER 12, 2017
by Gregg Hall
 
The Vestry met on Thursday Oct 12 for our regular meeting.  Here are the highlights so the congregation is informed.
  • The Preschool currently has five students on a two day a week program, we are still seeking more students at this time.
  • Rector Search Committee:  The Committee has the parish profile updated as requested by Bishop Mary and will be distributing it to the Vestry, who will then make a final approval so it can be sent to the Diocese for approval.
  • The Financial Report for this year was fairly good.  Thanks to Tom Good and his team's efforts we raised a record amount on the Golf Tournament.  However, this year was a bit different than normal, so we need to have a strong Stewardship campaign so that we can meet our needs for next year when we Call a new Rector.
  • For the Children's Pageant at Christmas we still need to find a director and it was decided based on the survey that the second Christmas Service would be held at 4:30pm
  • Andy Lief will be heading up the Trunk or Treat program to be held on October 28th
  • The Stewardship Drive will be starting soon with the theme being "Journey to Generosity".   Look for more to come.
  • To help with approvals of non-budgeted expenditures it was decided that we would use an approval form to ensure that we are allocating items properly, please ask a Vestry Member should you have any questions on this item.
  • A couple of potential new ideas were presented which will be sent to the appropriate committees to be discussed and implemented should they decide that they are something we want to try.
  • And finally, the Vestry Nominating Committee was formed and consists of the four members that will move off the board at the end of the year: Genie, Andy, Tom and Donna.  We will need to replace them.  Three of the positions are three-year and one will be a two-year term. 


DIOCESAN ECW HONORED WOMEN'S DAY
 
The 2017 Honored Women of the Diocese were celebrated on Saturday, October 7, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Gilroy.  Our 2017 Honored Woman Nancy McGuinness was one of the guests of honor and we took these
photos to capture the event.  Congratulations again Nancy!
 
   
FORWARD DAY BY DAYS ARE HERE
 
The NEW Forward Day By Days for November -December-January are here!  You can pick up your copy at the back of the church to the left of the door as you exit. We have both the regular print and large print versions.
 
SUNDAY SCHOOL -- JOIN US 
OCTOBER 15   

Our new Sunday School curriculum,
SparkHouse!, is aligned with the current lectionary. Students will have songs and activities that correspond with what their parents and grandparents are hearing in church each Sunday.

Please join in - our dedicated teachers are excited to share this new curriculum with students.
Bring a friend!!

Teacher this week:  Barbara Kelly
 
 
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY  
 
October 17 -- Chapter 4 
 
The curent Bible Study series is a Kerygma course on
The Parables -- Stories for Life in God's World. 
 
Edy Unthank is leading the seven-week class on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am through October 24. 

Cost of the class is  $20/person to cover cost of materials.  Scholarships are available upon request.

It's not too late to join the discussion. 
 
You may send an email to office@ssitf.org.  Or call the church office at 408-629-1836.    
THE NEXT FORUM PLANNED AT ST. STEPHEN'S IN-THE-FIELD
by Deacon Robin Poppoff

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Sunday, November 5 (following the 10 am worship service) - Advanced Medical Directives using the "Five Wishes" form (forms will be provided). Advanced Medical Directives apply to everyone over the age of 18, not just the older folks like your deacon.
 
Please note, the date of this Forum has been changed from its original date of October 15. 
 
CPR/FIRST AID CLASS AT  
ST. STEPHEN'S IN-THE-FIELD 
Monday, November 6, 2017, at 8:00 am

St. Stephen's Preschool is hosting an 8-hour CPR/First Aid Training class for teachers and office staff.  Extra spots are available in the class for $60 each.  If you are interested, please call the St. Stephen's office at 408-629-1836, or send an email to office@ssitf.org.
 

ST. STEPHEN'S PRESCHOOL 
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd 
San Jose, CA 95139

WHERE LEARNING IS FUN......
 

TELL YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS -- WE STILL HAVE OPENINGS IN THE TUESDAY/THURSDAY CLASS

Class Times 
8:30 am - 11:30 am
Extended Day 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Tuesday & Thursday (open now) 
Monday, Wednesday, Friday (wait list) 
 
 
We provide a nurturing environment that prepares children for Kindergarten academically, socially, and emotionally based on Christian values.

Visit our website
or call 408-629-1843
for more information.
  

EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT HELPING THOSE AFFECTED BY RECENT HURRICANES 
 
Episcopal Relief & Development works closely with church partners after disasters, equipping them to meet needs of those most vulnerable in their communities. Currently, our staff is responding to areas devastated by multiple Hurricanes, and watching developing tropical storms. Because of our strong diocesan partnerships, Episcopal Relief & Development is ready to assist in the recovery of the impacted areas for as long as necessary. You can help provide critical relief to affected communities by donating to our Hurricane Relief Fund.  To donate and read the latest updates, visit www.episcopalrelief.org.
 
Episcopal Relief and Development: 
Healing a Hurting World 
 
ANGELS OF ST. STEPHEN'S   

THANK YOU to everyone who pays attention to what might need to be done at St. Stephen's and takes the initiative to offer help.  It takes many hands to keep St. Stephen's at its best.

 A SPECIAL THANK YOU THIS WEEK TO:
  • TWO ANONYMOUS DONORS  for the beautiful new window blinds in the Parish Hall.  They look good from the inside and outside. 

  NEW TO THE LIST:
  • Clean windows on the outside (priority order: parish hall, offices, worship hall)

If you see a need, please call the church office at 408-629-1836  

so we can add it to the list.


CALLING ALL ANGELS !
LET'S KEEP ST. STEPHEN'S SHINING

PRAY FOR THE RECTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE

Dear Lord, Heavenly Father, we, the people of St. Stephen's ask for your blessings on the members of the Search Committee.  Bless them in their meetings, in their deliberations and in their discernment.  Keep their hearts and minds open to the Holy Spirit and to wherever You will lead them in this process. 
 
Guide them in their deliberations while they prepare the St. Stephen's Profile which will be posted to the National Office of Transitional Ministry (OTM).  Please allow this process to be completed with ease and joy.
 
We trust you and we know that you will bring us the best possible Rector for St. Stephen's as you have done for us before.  Thank you, Heavenly Father for all your blessings on the Search Committee and this congregation. AMEN

Please pray daily for our Search Committee...... 
Search Committee Members: 
Ann Little, Co-Chair 
Janet Thorsrud, Co-Chair 
Marie Rose Bianco 
Susie Good 
Anthony Francis 
Chris Hall 
Eric Samson 
Bjorn Samson 
Ruth Lief 
Julie Zintsmaster 
   
GIFT CARD PROGRAM...   by Janet Thorsrud  
Hello my friends.
 
This Sunday is the day to turn in your Scrip orders so bring your check book!
 
The next order will be on Nov 12th so you will have your Honey Baked Ham cards in time for Thanksgiving. If you are planning ahead for Christmas, it's only 10 weeks away. By using the gift card program it can help you budget how much you spend on gifts and spread out the worry of spending too much money in one month.
See you Sunday.
 
Your servant,
Janet Thorsrud

Gift Card Order Form 
   
For information, contact Janet Thorsrud: 
   thorsrud@sbcglobal.net   408 281-0628

St Stephen's Episcopal Church | 1-408-629-1836 | comms@ssitf.org | http://www.ssitf.org
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd
San Jose, CA 95139