St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL May 3rd, 2019
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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: May 5th, Easter Season
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10 am Holy Eucharist
Sunday School
Nursery Care
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Editor's Note: For further instructions, see
"What's Happening At St. Stephen's" below.
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Message from Rev. Karen
Craig and I have been empty nesters for several years now - well, sort of. We still have two miniature dachshunds, Basil and Olive. Basil is 17 and Olive is 12.
They are not young, but of course we treat them like our babies.
If you have ever had pets, you know that they are part of the family. They're easy to love (no talking back) and they love easily. We owners, feed them and give them hugs and kisses. And of course we protect them as best we can - but sometimes that's not enough. Like our children, we can't keep them safe from every danger there is. I have been acutely aware of that these last few days.
This past Sunday, our sweet little Olive was attacked by a coyote passing through our yard. We were between services when it happened and I didn't read the text until after the service. Amazingly, she fought off her attacker and got away with what we thought were a couple of surface wounds that actually were deeper than we realized. After a few visits to the vet, including minor surgery, she is recovering well and is going to be fine.
But now I'm on the look-out for that coyote. I only take one dog out at a time and have an aluminum pan and wooden spoon to make noise, and I carry a long umbrella just in case it shows up again. I am always right next to my dog - and I am scanning the perimeter of the yard, constantly looking over my shoulders. It's stressful and takes away any fun of being outside with them.
I can't help but think that there are many people in our world who live in constant fear and stress and all they can do is make it from day to day. I'm thinking of people who are homeless and people who are abused (though there are many more) - people who sleep on streets or even in lovely houses in our own neighborhoods. They live in fear of being hurt or being robbed of what little they have. They live extremely stressful lives. I doubt they experience much joy.
I wonder how we can help. How can we make noise to ward off what makes them afraid? What safety measures can we offer so that they can protect themselves? How can we be Easter people in places where there is little hope?
I think there are a lot of things we can do if we put our heads together and get creative! What ideas might you have?
Easter blessings,
Karen+
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A GOODWILL TRUCK AT ST. STEPHEN'S!
DATE: This Sunday, May 5th,
TIME: 9am-3pm
Please Donate:
- Clothes, Shoes, Accessories
- Small Household Items
- E-Waste
- Electronics
- Books
Please do NOT donate:
- Furniture, Mattresses, Baby Strollers, Car Seats
- Large Appliances, Automiobile Parts
- Weapons, Exercise Equipment
- Carpeting, Construction Debris (Lumber, Concrete, Bricks, etc)
- Pet-related Items, Hazardous Waste (Chemicals, paints, insecticides, oils, flammables, alcohol, etc)
- Items over 50 lbs
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Saying Good bye . . .
We will be celebrating the ministries and friendships of four beloved members of St. Stephen's in the Field. This is a formal good bye because they will be leaving us soon and we want to have an opportunity to embrace them as a community to say THANK YOU, CONGRATULATIONS, WE LOVE YOU, and WE'LL MISS YOU!
We will also be having a Mexican Pot Luck lunch!
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POT LUCK LUNCH THIS SUNDAY
[
This Sunday is Cinco de Mayo. Please bring your favorite Mexican food to share for our after service pot luck.
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Water needed!!
Now that the outside temperatures are rising, the Calero students need to stay hydrated when they are working in the garden. Please consider donating a case/6pack of water. It's the least we can do! Please drop of your donations in the parish hall.
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Outreach - Santa Maria Urban Ministry
With Ann Little moving, we are looking for new leadership with our outreach ministry at SMUM. There is a minimal amount of work, but a lot of benefit to a community that needs help. If you are interested in hearing more about what leading this ministry requires, please see Ann Little or Janet Thorsrud.
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Bishop Search Update
Walkabout dates have been announced!
Everyone in the diocese will have an opportunity to meet all five candidates for bishop during a series of "Walkabouts" held the week of May 5-10. Childcare will be provided at each location. Teenagers are welcome to attend the sessions as active participants!
In addition, the Transition Committee is inviting everyone to submit questions they would like to see asked of the candidates. Questions should be submitted to
realepiscopalwalkabout@gmail.com, NLT April 26th
The Walkabouts Schedule
- Sunday, May 5, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - SCV Deanery, St. Timothy's, Mountain View
- Monday, May 6, 6:15 pm - 9:30 pm - SLO Deanery
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:15 pm - 9:30 pm - Monterey Deanery
- Thursday, May 9, 6:15 pm - 9:30 pm - SCV Deanery, Episcopal Church in Almaden
In case you are not able to attend one of the sessions, there will be at least one room video recorded at each Walkabout session. Video will be made available online after all Walkabouts
have been completed.
Would you like to know more about the candidates for our next Bishop of our
**
If you would like to carpool, please contact Edy Unthank or Susan Zaballos.
**
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Angel's List
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Please take a moment to check out the Angel's List in the back of the church
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There are many areas of the campus that need weeding or trimming. If you have an hour to spare, please consider choosing an area to beautify.
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Cobwebs be gone! There are plenty of areas around the church that could use cobweb cleaning.
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There are two rocking chairs in the "crying room". Ask friends or neighbors if they need one. Wouldn't it be nice if they were used by someone who would enjoy them?
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If you like to garden, there's a lovely cross planter on the Santa Teresa side yard that you use some beautiful, hardy flowers.
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Food for thought. . .
"
The best of all is,
God
is with us."
John Wesley
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Rev. Karen's Kudos to:
-Evan for weeding the planter box that holds our Santa Teresa sign
-Dottie Chin for driving Suzanne to and from church last Sunday
-Rowena, Monica, and Ruth for teaching Sunday School
-Alexa for her help with Sunday School
-Suzanne, Andy, and Genie for providing music for Holy Week services
-Calero students working hard in the Community Garden - please donate water!
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Gift Cards
Keep
buying Gift Cards!
St. Stephen's
earned
$160
for April.
Now is the time to get your gift cards for those Grads/Dads/Brides & Grooms on your late Spring and early Summer calendar. Next Gift Card orders will be due on Sunday, May 5th.
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Janet Thorsrud
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ST. STEPHEN'S
Website update
If you need to find the St. Stephen's calendar to find out when you are scheduled to assist in the service, it is no longer on the home page. You need to click on the blue ribbon at the top of the page under "MEMBERS". Enjoy the new look. More improvements to come.
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Join us as we paint the world!
We would love to have you join
us
each
Friday at 10:30 in the
parish
hall.
@ 408-281-0628
for
more information.
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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 Biddings book at the back of the sanctuary where you can write in things before the service starts
* there is a prayer chain of committed pray-ers (who maintain confidentiality). Contact Robin, our Deacon, who will initiate that for you
* there is prayer at the altar every Sunday, where we all join you in the privacy of your need with the Priest
* there is a kneeling prayer station at the side of the church with candles, prayer book, all available anytime, not just Sundays
* turn to your neighbors and friends in church to share what's on your heart, ask for support in speaking to God about your needs (and tell them the updates next week!)
* tell people about your answers to prayer! and the miracles you witness, or how prayer changes YOU.
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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.
John Little
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St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139
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