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St. Stephen's in-the-Fi
eld Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL
March 25, 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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Reflections from Fr. Ernie
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Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.
Let those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!"
- Psalm 70: 4
In last week's Friday Journal article our dedicated Senior Warden, Edy Unthank, gave us an overview of the services of Holy Week, which begin this following week. Today I'd like to concentrate on one service in particular, the Easter Vigil.
The Easter Vigil begins at 7:30, which is exactly at sunset, on Saturday night. It is among the oldest and, in my opinion, the most beautiful, of all the services of the church. It is known as the first celebration of Easter, because it begins just as the sun is setting, which according Jewish calculation, which the church follows, marks the beginning of Easter Sunday.
Dating from the 2nd Century AD, probably less than 100 years after Jesus was crucified, the service is earthy, primal, mysterious, haunting, and lovely. As the sun sets, a fire is kindled just outside the church. This is the "new fire," the light of resurrection, and it will be from this that the Pascal Candle is lit. All candles throughout the year will be taken from this light. Once the Pascal Candle is lit, it is carried into a church where all lights have been turned off: into the darkness comes the light of Christ. As the Pascal Candle is carried into the church a single voice chants the beautiful Exsultet. Just picture it: in the darkness a single light; in the silence a single voice. Chills always go down my spine whenever I experience it. From there other candles are lit and this is followed by readings from the Old Testament.
At last, the lights go on and we declare: "Alleluia. Christ is risen!" - a true moment of resurrection. From there the service proceeds to the Eucharist in exultation.
It's a wonderful service, in many ways the highlight of the entire liturgical year. There is something about declaring Christ's resurrection having come through the darkness that makes it so much more immediate and vivid. If you've never attended this service (or haven't for a while) I encourage you to give it a chance. It adds so much to the Easter service that follows the next morning. Why not come to both?
Peace and grace,
Ernie +
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Sunday Services:
Palm Sunday
Sunday, March 18 8 am Holy Eucharist - Blessing of Palms
10 am Holy Eucharist - Procession of Palms
Nursery Care
Sunday School
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And Don't Forget our Holy Week Services:
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March 29 - Maundy Thursday
7:30 PM
Holy Eucharist,
Footwashing &
Stripping of the Altar
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March 30 - Good Friday
12:00 Noon
Station of the Cross
7:30 PM
Devotion
& Communion from
Reserved Sacrament
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March 31
Saturday 7:30 PM
Great Vigil of Easter
Lighting of the New Fire
Candle Lighting (light Incense)
The Exsultet
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RECTOR SEARCH PROCESS UPDATE
from Ann Little and Janet Thorsrud
Search Committee Co-chairs
The first meeting of the newly formed Leadership Team of St. Stephen's took place after the worship service on March 18, 2018 for "The Next Chapter" of our Search for a permanent rector. As a reminder, the Leadership Team is a combination of the Vestry, Search Committee, and interested members of the congregation willing to commit to monthly meetings throughout the process. We had healthy discussion about the search process, and the "To Do List" from the retreat that we had in September with Bishop Mary.
There were 13 people present at the meeting: Search Committee Members Ann Little, Janet Thorsrud, Bjorn Samson, Eric Samson, Julie Zintsmaster; Vestry Members Renee Brown, Susan Zaballos, Rowena Dizon-Burger, Dottie Chin, Tony Pecora; Parish Member Dan Hughes; Fr. Ernie Boyer, and Joanna Shreve, Diocesan Search Consultant
Thank you to:
- Joanna Shreve, our Diocesan Search Consultant, for the logistics support, valuable counsel and feedback, and delicious food
- Ann Little and Janet Thorsrud for leading the meeting
- Fr. Ernie for his thoughtful and helpful comments and insight
- Everyone who participated with honest conversation
Discussion:
"To Do List" items discussed
- Learn to make decisions together
- Learn about what we mean by "Authority" and "Power"
- Deepen our understanding of "nomadic" hospitality (not discussed)
- Learn to have honest conversations together
Next steps:
- Task the Search Committee with revising the Parish Profile to address the comments received from the Diocese - and resubmit to the Vestry and Diocese for approval
- Encourage all members of the congregation to support the Summer Camp Program and grow the Preschool Program to bring in the revenue needed for a full-time rector going forward
- Continue to meet monthly to monitor progress, further discuss "To Do List" items and address any new issues that come up related to the search process
- Communicate meeting notes to congregation each month
- Consider posting our rector position with the national church no earlier than October when summer camp and preschool revenues are known and the Parish Profile is revised and approved.
NEXT MEETING OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM: SUNDAY, APRIL 22, FOLLOWING THE 10 AM WORSHIP SERVICE
If you have questions about the process or if you would like to be part of the Leadership Team, please talk to Ann Little or Janet Thorsrud.
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Kudos to . . .
Renee Brown for replacing the fluorescent bulbs in the office and kitchen
Renee Brown for picking up the large palm fronds from Oak Hill Cemetary to decorate out worship space for Palm Sunday
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MOVIE: PAUL THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST
Risking his life, Luke ventures to Rome to visit Paul -- the apostle who's bound in chains and held captive in Nero's darkest and bleakest prison cell. Haunted by the shadows of his past misdeeds, Paul wonders if he's been forgotten as he awaits his grisly execution. Before Paul's death, Luke resolves to write another book that details the birth of what will come to be known as the church.
This movie has come out just in time for holy week. Could be a reason for that. Tuesday evening at Oakridge mall. The movies are $6.50 all day. If you would like to go as a group plan on meeting in the food court at 6 followed by the movie. Not sure on the time yet so be sure and check before you go!!
Hope to see you there.
--Janet Thorsrud
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Gift Card Update
Thank you to everyone who participated in the gift card program this month. You earned
$142.00 for St. Stephen's without any extra work.
Give yourselves a pat on the back. The next order is due on April 15th.
-- Janet Thorsrud
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Museum Field Trip
The next trip will be to Carmel on Friday April 20th. We will be viewing Gallery 21 featuring Eyvind Earle plus lunch. Plan on departing St. Stephen's parking lot at 10 am.
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Lenten Study at St. Stephen's
by Edy Unthank
Tuesday, March 27, at
we continue our countdown on the Lenten study on Matthew 25.
The Lenten study will also meet on Sundays after church and on Tuesday mornings, whichever is convenient for you.
The next session will be on Sunday March 25.
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What can you teach?
There is an effort to reach out to the St. Stephen's community by offering a summer camp this year. The plan is to offer enrichment sessions to children from the ages of 5 to 12. Please tell us if you have a passion to teach any art or crafts, sing, music, sports, building, or helping kinders to improve their reading, cooking, stand on your head and rub your tummy.....ok maybe not that one, but you get the idea.
We are looking for teachers and helpers. Let Ann Little, Monica Moniz or Janet Thorsrud know if you are interested. We are in the plansning stage now and need to wrap it up soon. Reach out to us and let us know.
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St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139
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