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St. Stephen's in-the-Fi
eld Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL
September 21st, 2018
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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.
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Sunday Services: September 23rd, Pentecost
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am Holy Eucharist
Sunday School
Nursery Care
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Warbles from your Senior Warden
Gratitude. That is what I want to talk about today. Blessings. Joys.
Happy to be alive today? I know I am. I have a new granddaughter (11 days old today!) I am blessed to have been diagnosed with a serious condition earlier than most. Before I was feeling ill. Before it severely impacted other organs. I am taking the most aggressive form of treatment available. I am so blessed to have that opportunity.
I am also sharing some links in this Friday Journal to 2 organizations that impact the globe in very positive ways - United Thank Offering and Episcopal Relief and Development. Both of these organizations depend on donor support . Do not feel badly if you do not have much to give. Small donations from many people add up to millions of dollars each year. I feel blessed to be a part of the Episcopal Church who raises up these organizations and does so much good in the world.
United Thank Offering is built on gratitude. If keeping a blue box around and putting coins in is not your thing, just think about the joys and blessings you have encountered this year and write a small check to illustrate that gratitude. You will be joining a great tradition and helping people you have never met have clean water, rescuing people who have experienced natural disasters, and spreading joy.
Sometimes I am so filled with joy and gratitude that I cannot speak. I cannot articulate these feelings. But I can assist people who are actively living out a covenant as part of the Jesus Movement. I believe that Jesus is calling us to do this. We may feel small and inadequate to tackle some global issues - but we can certainly support these organizations that do some phenomenal good. My small check may seem insignificant - but when it is combined with yours and with others from around the diocese and others from around the country - well, you get the picture. It takes a village and St. Stephen's is part of a bigger village and we can make changes in the world beyond our expectations.
That is truly something to be thankful for.
Many blessings dear family,
Edy
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Link to a short History of the United Thank Offering
It is also a great history of the role of women in the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (the Episcopal Church) The article states that women have always played an important role. Those iconic blue boxes have been around since 1882. Pick one up the next time you are in church. Everytime you are grateful for something, just drop in a coin or two. You will be a part of a long standing tradition and helping to fund global projects that support women and children. Our in-gathering will be on October 7. Please bring in a check to St. Stephen's (with UTO in the memo line) to show your gratitude for all of your blessings.
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5th Sunday Special Collection
Our 5
th
Sunday special collection on Sunday September 30 will go to Episcopal Relief and Development. Their mission statement is "to feed the hungry, care for the sick and welcome the stranger" They respond to disasters all over the world and also have on-going campaigns such as nets to prevent malaria. This 75 year old organization lists these 5 topics of how your donations impact the planet:
Bringing clean water to communities in need
Protecting children from the threat of malaria
Responding to disasters and emergencies
Empowering women through microfinance
And so much more.
You can read more at https://support.episcopalrelief.org/sem2017/?ID=170705RMBBS00J0&msclkid=5e7c79ecd1fe115dcd2b224f0ea03897&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DR_Brand&utm_term=episcopal%20relief%20and%20development&utm_content=Brand%20-%20Name
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Our Celebration of New Ministry is just around the corner!
On Saturday, September 29th at 2pm, the Bishop will be with us to bless and celebrate our new ministry together with Karen as our new Priest-in-Charge. Not only will we welcome the Bishop, but we will also be welcoming other clergy and friends. There will be a reception following the service.
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It's time to do some Fall cleaning. Our building and grounds need loving hands to spruce things us, clear the cobwebs, clean up shelves, and more. It's time folks! There's not much heavy duty work, but there's plenty to do - many hands make for light work!
Please join the fun TOMORROW from 9-12. Refreshments provided!
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Pet Blessing
In honor of St. Francis, our annual Pet Blessing is on Saturday, Oct. 6th at 4pm. All pets are welcome. Invite your neighbors and friends!
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Clean up
Calero Students helping St. Stephen's
The Calero adults are still hard at work helping to make our grounds and building in tip top shape. They are washing the inside windows and removing spider webs inside and out. The windows sparkle!
Cleaning up the parking lot as we all know is an on-going job. The detritus always needs to be swept up to stay looking neat and tidy.
The project of removing the dead tree is almost completed as roots are uncovered and cut away.
Work continues. Keep these hard workers in your thoughts and prayers as we build bridges within our community as Jesus has taught us to do.
- Janet
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Rev. Karen's Kudos to:
- Dan and Sherrie for making our bulletins every week.
- Our dedicated Sunday School teachers and helpers.
- Janet, Ann, Wanda and all who volunteer at SMUM.
- All the people who will participate in our Parish Workday tomorrow!
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Bell Ringers Wanted
If you can count, you can play bells!
Our bell choir is in need of new members and we welcome anyone who would like to try out, whether or not you can read music. Rehearsal times and day to be determined.
Please think about joining our bell choir and let me know if you would like to play with us.
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Offering Counters Needed
If you can count... ...IT COUNTS!
We have an URGENT need for counters. Approximately 3 are needed. If we have enough volunteers, each one only counts about once a month. It's an easy task, usually taking 2 people about 15 minutes after church. And, our church family members Logan, Tom and Emil all counted for us.
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Deanery Announcement:
All are invited to attend the Deanery Budget & Resolution meeting on Sept 22nd, 9:30AM, at St. Timothy's (2094 Grant Rd., Mountain View)
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Santa Maria Urban Ministry
Our next trip to Santa Maria Urban Ministries is
Sat. October 5th,
led by Ann Little
Can we count on you to help,
Just three hours: 8:45 to 11:45.
Please call Ann at (408) 226-9763, if you can help.
Also, give her a call, if you'd like a ride.
Address: 778 Almaden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110
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Explore New Ministries!
Is God calling you to participate in a new ministry? Please consider and pray about how you can be a good steward of your gifts at St. Stephen's. There are many ministries waiting for your participation! More details to come on what those different ministries are and how you can get involved.
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Food for thought. . .
There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul
than the way in which it treats its children."
Nelson Mandela
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Contact information for Rev. Karen:
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826
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Contact information for Deacon Robin:
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Please send any announcements or articles you want to have included,
to: jhnltl50@gmail
.com, by Thursday, 10am each week.
Thanks, John
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St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139
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