St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL May 24th, 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 26th, 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
"New Instructions For Access To Server Schedule" below.
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Message From Rev. Karen
My family has a reputation for spontaneously bursting into song - especially Disney songs. One person just needs to get a few words out and then the rest of us join in. We've done it for years and I imagine will always do it when we are all together. We know most of the songs from Aladdin, Little Mermaid, Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King and more. The songs are forever grafted in our brains and in our hearts and evoke a wide variety of emotions - joy, fear, even sorrow. There can even be a little wisdom in some - like in one of our favorites from Pocahontas, "Just Around the Riverbend". Pocahontas sings,
"What I love most about rivers is
You can't step in the same river twice
The water's always changing, always flowing"
But people, I guess can't live like that
We all must pay a price
To be safe, we lose our chance of ever knowing
What's around the river bend
Waiting just around the river bend"
Pocahontas' discernment about whether to marry Kokoum took her on a canoe ride down the river that is always changing - sometimes still and calm, sometimes rapid and bumpy. She went down a long waterfall and eventually ended in a beautiful, still, silent place among the trees before making her decision. Her spirit of adventure and wonder and longing enabled her to keep looking just beyond the river bend and imagine new possibilities.
Like a river, there is always movement in life - nothing stays the same. And while change and uncertainty can be scary at times, embracing the inevitability of change can be life giving - it can help us discover 'what's waiting just around the river bend'.
We are very close to electing our next bishop. It is an exciting time and I am pleased and encouraged to see so many of you engaged, showing interest, and sharing your thoughts about the bishop candidates! We are embracing the inevitability of change with an awareness that we are part of something bigger. The Holy Spirit is moving in our diocese and the Holy Spirit is moving in us at St. Stephen's. I am ever grateful and blessed to be on this journey of bravely and boldly looking around the river bend to discover what God has in store for us and our mission!
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
, we care about who will be leading us to explore together what's around the riverbend. The Spirit is moving
Thankfully there have been many fearless, energized, and faith-filled people who've been working very hard to bring us a wonderful slate of candidates. Each of th am pleased and encouraged to see so many of you engaged, showing interest, and sharing thoughts! To me, that is a sign of embracing change and entertaining the possibility of what's next.
In a way, I've sensed our St. Stephen's community being willing to dip our toes in the water so to speak.
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Single Service this Sunday!
There is no 8:00 service this Sunday (5/26). Deacon Robin is back and she will be preaching and leading Morning Prayer with music and sermon at the 10:00 service!
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Confirmation classes beginning!
Bishop Mary's last visitation at St. Stephen's in-the-Field is on June 23rd. In preparation for that visit, Rev. Karen will begin Confirmation classes on Sunday, May 19th. Classes will be held after the 10:00 service. If you are interested in being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, please see Rev. Karen or send her an email. If you've never been baptized and would like to be baptized by the bishop, please let Rev. Karen know NLT Friday, May 17th
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Walkabout Video presentation
please take time to visit the youtube videos of the walkabout sessions with the bishop candidates. They are now posted on the diocesan website: realepiscopal.org.
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Agape Meals
are a gathering for young adults (20s/30s), offering community, cooking, and conversation. We gather
monthly for an intentional time of reflection, prayer, cooking, and eating together. We are saying yes to belonging and co-creating community. We attempt to live in a rhythm of life that helps us be life-giving, liberating, and loving people. As a community we make an agreement to show up, share, socialize,
and slow down.
For more information or to join our group please reach out to Hogan:
ldhogan3@gmail.com
All identities are loved and welcome.
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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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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 could use some beautiful, hardy flowers.
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Food for thought. . .
May is Mental Illness Awareness month.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers several scripture passages on their website that are thought provoking for all of us as Christians in the world. Sadly, treatment for mental illness is disproportionally expensive compared to other illnesses. Many people do not have the resources to access the care they need. How can the church help? Consider the following passages:
"Speak up for those that cannot speak for themselves, for the rights for those who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." I John 3:17-18
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Rev. Karen's Kudos to:
-Edy for showing the videos of bishop candidates and all who attended and offered feedback.
-Andy and Dottie for opening/closing the church for the recital last Sunday
-All who participated in the California Pizza Kitchen fundraiser
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Gift Cards
Keep
buying Gift Cards!
St. Stephen's
earned
$102
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, June 2nd.
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Janet Thorsrud
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ST. STEPHEN'S
The Calero students clear the overgrowth from under our oak tree.
The Calero students raking up the pine needles from the parking lot to use in the community garden.
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New Instructions For Access To Server Schedule
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:
evan.bryan1@gmail.com, by Thursday, 10am each week.
Evan Bryan
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St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139
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