St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
  FRIDAY JOURNAL July 10th, 2020
We the people of Saint Stephen's in-the Field
Seek to know Christ, to share Christ, and to serve Christ,
recognizing his presence in all people, and reaching out in love 
to each other and to the world around us.
Sunday Services: July 12th, 2020
The 10:00 service will be via video on our website Sunday morning at 10:00
Reflections from your Sr. Warden

This past Saturday, my son Nick and his family came over for our first in-person visit in almost 4 months. I know that my daughter in law, Mandy, schooled my grandkids on what they could and couldn’t do while at our house: no hugging, no kissing, no playing inside the house. 

When they drove up to the house and got out of the car, there was an awkward moment with all of us wanting to immediately hug, but all of us holding back. I said to my 4 year old grandson Jack, “Come on honey, you can hug my legs”. He looked to his mom and dad for permission and then ran over and grabbed me around the knees.  My two year old granddaughter Abby, was being held by Nick, so there was no physical contact with her.

Later on, as we were sitting in the back yard and the kids were playing with squirt guns, Abby came walking over to me. She reached out with her little hand and touched my bare knee, every so lightly and said “I love you grandma.” That slight touch conveyed as much as Jack’s hug. She figured out a way to make that physical connection with me, a connection we both needed.

Just as we, as adults, have to learn to navigate these times with social distancing and face masks, while still keeping some sort of human connection, so too, do our children. They are learning how to adjust. They are learning there can still be tenderness and sweetness, all conveyed in a slight, soft touch.

Peace,
Susan
Sunday Worship
This week Rev. Karen will preside the Holy Eucharist at St. Stephen’s and shared with St. John’s in Morgan Hill.  The service will be posted on both our website ( www.ssitf.org ) at 10:00am but is available any time after that.  

I encourage you to set aside a special place, light a candle, download the bulletin, as you prepare to worship. 
A separate email with links to the bulletin and our virtual coffee hour (11:00am as usual) will be sent Saturday evening.
Special prayer requests to be added to our Sunday worship service can be sent to Rev. Karen. 
Sunday services update! 

July 1 st is the day I become your half-time Rector and St. John the Divine’s half-time Rector. These are exciting times!   As in all transitions, changes are necessary but we will start small. I know many of you are wondering how we will work out worship services.   For the month of July, our worship service time will not change (though it will for St. John’s).  Coffee hour will also be the same,(St. John’s will again be making the adjustment to their schedule).  The change for both congregations is mutual.  For the month of July, the recording of the service will take place at St. John’s on the 1 st and 3 rd Sundays, and at St. Stephen’s on the 2 nd and 4 th Sundays. As usual, all services will be posted online at 10:00am.  Coffee hour at St. John’s will begin at 9am, and at St. Stephen’s at 11:00 as usual.  Everyone will be able to worship every Sunday, you’ll just see new faces in a new place!  I’m so grateful for your flexibility and support of not only me, but of each other as we build new relationships. Please keep both St. John’s and St. Stephen’s in your prayers!
WEDNESDAY PRAYER SERVICE

Weekly Wednesday prayer group at 11:00am.
This is an opportunity to offer our prayers of thanksgivings, for healing for ourselves and others, and anything else on our hearts.  Even if you don’t have a computer, you can join the Zoom meeting with your phone.  The link will be on our website and in a reminder email Tuesday evening.
Keeping the conversations going. . .
Pastoral Conversation About Race Thursdays @ 4:30pm 
The Revs Karen Cuffie and Jani Wild will lead pastoral conversations on racism. There will be a brief introduction to the focus of the session followed by a video, discussion, and prayers. Please join us, there is no better way to learn, process and share together than in a faith community.  Come join us next week by clicking on the following Zoom link:
 
 
Meeting ID: 835 7594 8022
Password: 748467
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,83575948022#,,1#,748467# US (San Jose
Re-entry Task Force

We have a new Re-entry Task Force that is doing the hard work of writing a plan, including protocols for the time when we can begin having some worship services at church again. The Re-entry Task force is chaired by Jessica Dickinson Goodman (Jr. Warden) and includes Margo Westfall, Dot Remson, Rob van der Molen, and Eric Samson.  
Every church in the Santa Clara Deanery must have a plan that has been approved by the Bishop before moving forward. Look for updates from the team in future Friday Journals!
Thanks to our readers last week!
 From St. John’s: Ginny Scott and Jane-Marguerit Russell

Your faithful giving. . .
We rely on you to keep us current in paying our bills.  If you haven’t yet, please mail your pledge checks or any other donations to the church office, or you can use the ‘Donate’ button on our website and pay with a credit card.  We certainly understand if you are experiencing financial hardship at this time.  If you are able, we appreciate any small offering you might consider making.  Your financial stewardship is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!
Virtual Coffee Hour!

A few more people joined in our virtual coffee hour and it was great to see familiar faces. It would be so nice to see many more of you!  There is no limit to the number of people. Click here to join the meeting. The link for Coffee Hour will also be in a separate mailing with the bulletin! You are welcome to call me (Rev. Karen) before the meeting if you’re having trouble with the link.  
Poem from the Garden

There’s a mystery in the garden,
a great tree in the center of it
that I could have sworn was a peach
but appears to be a nectarine. 

In the short year I’ve been with the parish
I’ve never seen it fruit, but this year,
with careful pruning and good luck,
it has a dozen fist-sized fruits, unfuzzy

so thus obviously not peaches. It’s a 
special joy, realizing there is a tree
I’ve climbed and pruned and whose
dropped grey sticks I’ve picked up

who I do not know the fruit of, who
is flourishing, bringing something new.   
Food for thought:
“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.”                           

-Maya Angelou
GIFT CARD ORDERS
due this Sunday



Parking lot update:

The Lutheran church (New Creation) is having their parking lot resurfaced tomorrow (7/11).  Our parking lot will not be accessible for the day. 

Kudos to:
-Wanda for taking care of the roses
-Maria for editing our Pre-recorded video last Sunday
-the Vestry
-Jessica and her friend for their work in the Community Garden
-Susan, Janet, and Maria for maintaining the flower beds and parking lot center divider.
Address change for the Tom and Susie Good:

Tom and Susie would like to share their new address.  Please update your directory!
Base Ramey
119 Calle N
Aguadilla, PR 00603


COVID-19 Fund established

In response to questions of how to give to the diocese following the Virtual Easter Service, a special Easter Offering has been established to support people in our diocese whose livelihoods have been impacted by shelter-at-home requirements. Donations can be made to the “Donate” web page at realepiscopal.org ( click here ). Choose "Bishop’s COVID-19 Fund" when making your online gift.
 
Or, mail checks to the diocesan offices at the address below. Please state “Bishop’s COVID-19 Fund” in the memo area of checks 
Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real
PO Box 689
Salinas, CA 93902
 
Thank you for your support of those in need!
NEEDING PRAYER SUPPORT?

Prayer is one of those things we often think about, might feel inadequate about, believe in but might be unsure how to proceed. How we pray is sometimes unique to each of us. The Church provides help in many ways. If you find yourself in need, of any kind (emotional, physical, spiritual, guidance, etc) consider how St. Stephen's can support you:
       
*   there is a prayer chain of committed pray-ers (who maintain confidentiality).  Contact Robin, our Deacon, who will initiate that for you
 
*   tell people about your answers to prayer! and the miracles you witness, or how prayer changes YOU.
Contact information for Rev. Karen: 
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826

Editor's Note   
Please send any announcements or articles you want to have included, to:  evan.bryan1@gmail.com , by Thursday, 10am each week. 

Evan Bryan
St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139