Along the King's Highway
El Camino Real Newsletter
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Please note:
No Bible Study October 10. Class will continue with Chapter 4 on October 17.
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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.
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 Please see the "Angels of St. Stephen's" article for our Thank You's this week.
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The Next Day-Trip
The next day-trip organized by Janet Thorsrud is scheduled for THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017.
...details to follow.
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Support St. Stephen's with mini-fundraisers
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Matching Donations
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.
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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.
Susie's contact info:
Phone: 408-375-0680
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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.
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Last week I promised to share some ideas about how we might use this time of transition for our benefit, transforming what might otherwise be a painful and uncertain experience into a time of self-discovery and renewal. In the intervening week, Bishop Mary made this job much easier. In a conversation with Joanna Shreve, she has made it clear that our next step in the search process has to be to begin the "to do" list, which the Vestry and Search Committee identified on their retreat as vital to the church's health and spiritual well-being. I initially presented that list in my Friday Journal letter two weeks ago, but here it is again:
- Learn to make decisions together,
- Learn about what we mean by "authority" and "power,"
- Deepen our understanding of "nomadic" hospitality and develop our skills to provide genuine and loving welcome.
- Learn to have honest conversations together.
As I say, these are what the Vestry and Search Committee identified were needed to clarify not only who we are as a church but also who we want to be - both necessary as we prepare to call a new rector. Bishop Mary strongly agrees - so much so, in fact, that she has informed Joanna Shreve that she is not going to advance the parish in the search process until the Vestry and Search Committee have made significant progress in advancing this work.
Sorry, but right now this process is only for the Vestry and Search Committee. I am informing the church as a whole, first, so you know what's going on and, second, so that you can pray for the Vestry and Search Committee as they proceed.
I want to emphasize, that by moving the "to do" list to the top priority in the search process, Bishop Mary is not trying to steer us in a particular direction. Nor is she anticipating a specific result. The "to do" list represents the areas where parishioners in leadership positions at St. Stephen's saw that work was needed. Bishop Mary is just asking that we follow through on that. She trusts the process and is open to wherever it takes us. She asks only that we begin.
With that in mind, if you are a member of the Vestry or Search Committee, Joanna and I have come up with two possible dates for our first session, Saturday afternoon October 14, beginning at 1 PM (or possibly 2PM), or Sunday October 15 after coffee hour. (Lunch will be provided.) By the way, Robin has canceled her forum for that day for an unrelated reason. The forum has now been rescheduled for Nov. 5. Please, if you're on the Vestry or Search Committee, let me know which date works best, and if the other is at least possible.
My email address is boyer.ernest@gmail.com.
Peace and grace,
Ernie+
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A Message from Senior Warden Genie Lee
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Dear St. Stephen's Family,
This Sunday, October 8, 2017, is the 18th Sunday after Pentecost. The Rev. Ernie Boyer, our Interim Pastor, will preside over the 8:00 am and the 10:00 am services. Joyful Noise Band will provide the music for the 10:00 am service. Please join Ernie after coffee hour for a discussion about his sermon and the Sunday readings .
We are now in need of a Vestry Clerk
. Please let me know if you are interested.
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:
From the retreat and Bishop Mary, we learned that there needs to be a part of the profile describing our spirituality. The Rector Search Committee are now working to revise the profile once again. Once they are finished, the vestry will meet to 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. 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.
Christmas Eve Surve
y: The Worship Committee met to plan the next 3 months of services and decided to change our traditional Christmas Eve service times because Christmas Eve is on a Sunday this year. We sent out a survey to the congregation to get your feedback regarding which time you prefer for the late Christmas Eve service. The following schedule reflects your feedback:
There will not be an
8:00 am
service that day.
The
10:00 am
service will be for the Children's Pageant (traditionally done at
4:30 pm
on Christmas Eve)
The late Christmas Eve service will be at 4:30 pm - based on your feedback
Thank you for your responses to the survey.
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
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THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2017
Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
8 am Holy Eucharist, Prayer A (no music)
10 am Holy Eucharist, New Zealand Prayer Book and Joyful Noise Band
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PET BLESSING
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 
4:00 PM
by Donna Yamamura
This Saturday, October 7, St. Stephen's will host its annual Pet Blessing in honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, lover of all creatures great and small. All pets are invited: dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, iguanas and any other pet you may have at your home.
This is a very special and heart warming event and is held under the oak tree on our property. This special event is for pets and their humans so feel free to invite your neighbors and relatives.
Father Ernie will preside over the blessing of each pet; all pets will receive a certificate and a small St. Francis medal. Light refreshments will be provided. Please bring pets on a leash or in a crate.
In the event your pet cannot attend, you may bring a photo of your pet, or a stuffed animal, as all will be blessed by Father Ernie.
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DIOCESE OF EL CAMINO REAL -- ECW  HONORED WOMEN'S DAY AND UTO INGATHERING
Saturday, October 7
CARPOOL to Honored Women's Day.
Meet at the St. Stephen's in-the-Field parking lot promptly at 9:00 am. If you think you might be late, call Edy's cell (408-455-3205) and they will wait for you.
T
he Diocese of El Camino Real Honored Women's Day and UTO In-gathering is on
Saturday, October 7. We will honor a woman from each of our congregations in the Diocese of El Camino Real - women who proclaim their faith through their lives and actions - for the congregation, the diocese, and the community.
The event begins with registration at 9:30 am to 2:00 pm at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Gilroy.
Our Honored Woman for St. Stephen's in-the-Field this year is Nancy McGuinness.
Congratulations Nancy !
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SUNDAY SCHOOL -- JOIN US
OCTOBER 8
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
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TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
NO Bible study October 10
Bible Study on hiatus next week.
Continuing with chapter 4 on Oct 17
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 9:30 am beginning September 12 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
This past week, THANK YOU to:
- Wanda Bryan, who has continued to pamper the roses near the Bell Tower every Thursday.
- Dot Remson also continues to clean under the oak tree.
- Tom Good, Logan & Julie Zintsmaster secured the white canopy by the preschool door with bungee cords to prepare for the rainy season.
- Andy Lief, arranged for a gardener to trim the Lantana along the north sidewalk, and some of the other plants on the property. An anonymous donor covered the cost.
- Andy Lief for the beautiful new doormat in the Narthex.
- Logan Zintsmaster for mowing the lawn this week and leveling the mower deck for a more even cut.
- Trig Thorsrud for replacing two front tires on the mower.
- Trig Thorsrud, Andy Lief, Ryan Kelly, Logan Zintsmaster, and Tom Good, our dedicated lawn mowers.
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
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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
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GIFT CARD PROGRAM...
by Janet Thorsrud
Hey my friends,
The next Scrip (Gift Card) order will be collected on October 15. We have almost reached our goal of giving back $2,000 to St. Stephen's through the Gift Card Program. If you buy gas or groceries you can use gift cards. This helps St. Stephen's and you by keeping your identity safe. If you plan on traveling, you can use Southwest gift cards and there are cards for hotels. I have used the Hilton cards twice to pay for a room without any problems. If you need help with this just let me know.
For information, contact Janet Thorsrud:
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