St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL February 15th, 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: February 17th, Epiphany
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am Holy Eucharist
Sunday School
Nursery Care
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Friday Journal Article 2/15/19
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The following is an important message from Bishop Mary. She has requested that all clergy and congregational leadership share this information with all of you. As sad and painful as the topic is, we can be glad that the Episcopal Church takes it seriously. I urge you to take the time to read the entire message. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
May God's peace be with you always,
Karen+
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A message from Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves
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Dear Friends,
At the General Convention of The Episcopal Church last summer, held in Austin, TX,
resolution D034
was passed, suspending the statute of limitations on reporting acts of sexual misconduct by all clergy of The E
piscopal Church against adult victims, under TEC Canon IV.19.4. The suspension of the statute of limitations began January 1, 2019, and will continue until December 31, 2021, for all proceedings initiated during that period. Until December 31, 2021, those who wish to bring a case against a member of the clergy involving an adult may do so regardless of when the alleged misconduct occurred. There previously existed, and it continues, Canon IV.19.4(b) that exempts from the statute of limitations acts that include "physical violence, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation, if the acts occurred when the alleged Injured Person was under the age of 21 years."
A December 2018 letter published to the whole church from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President Gay Jennings,
may be found here
(
EspaƱol
). Links to the legislation and pertinent reporting information are included in their letter. If you wish to be heard and to engage a formal disciplinary process, the Intake Officer for the Diocese of El Camino Real is the Reverend Eliza Linley. She may be reached at
ammaeliza@igc.org
. You may also reach out to me directly at
bishopmary@realepiscopal.org
. Additional information about the clergy disciplinary process of the Episcopal Church can be found at
www.titleiv.org
.
Sadly, the church has a long history of acts of commission and omission regarding sexual misconduct within the body of Christ. Whether overt allowances of individual behaviors, 'unsafe-church' practices or covert silences kept, inappropriate, abusive and violent uses of power are part of our history.
I am thankful that at this same General Convention the House of Bishops hosted and participated in a Listening Session to hear the stories of victims, as a way of breaking open the truth of our own #MeToo experience (
read about it here
). I am thankful that at this same convention, 25 other resolutions (and one memorial) were passed to empower our Constitution and Canons for making church a safer space. I am thankful that the changes in our behavior instruct the body of Christ and the world around us regarding what it looks like "to respect the dignity of every human being," and to be accountable for one's emotional and spiritual health. I am thankful that as we continue to change our church culture into one where all are welcome, respected and safe, the holy work of keeping boundaries will result in healthier communities that more deeply reflect the loving, liberating and life-giving energy of God we know in Jesus Christ.
As this is being published in
Along the King's Highway
, I have asked clergy and congregational leadership to respectfully share this information utilizing their usual and customary modes of communication, taking into consideration the challenge it may present for some. May God open to us yet deeper healing as the sinful and painful truth of sexual misconduct in our church continues to be brought to light.
"Gracious God, we pray for the holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen." BCP, p 816.
With blessings of grace and peace,
The Right Reverend Mary Gray-Reeves
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Santa Maria Urban Ministry
Our next trip to Santa Maria Urban Ministries will be
this
Saturday February 16th,
led by Janet Thorsrud.
Can we count on you to help?
Just three hours: 8:45 to 11:45.
Please call Janet at (408) 281-0628,
if you can help.
Also, give a call, if you'd like a ride.
Address: 778 Almaden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110
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Rev. Karen's Kudos to:
-Janet and Dottie for bringing donuts to coffee hour every Sunday.
-the Communications Guild for tackling the tough work ahead on our website.
-All who attended the Eucharistic Visitor Training last Sunday, and Robin for her leadership.
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Join us as we paint the world!
A teacher at heart. Water-coloring for
6 years. Love to teach others how to paint! Thank you for allowing me to express my joy
of watercolor to nice people here!
We would love to have you join us each Friday at 10:30 in the parish hall.
Call Janet Thorsrud
@ 408-281-0628, for more information.
Dana, our wonderful water color teacher and Edie, one of her students.
This week in our water color class, we studied how to make different shades
or values by varying how much or how little water we use. Come and try
out the class if you are interested.
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Diversity Sensitivity Training
(for all congregation leaders)
The diocese is hosting a Diversity Sensitivity Training event at St. Timothy's in
Mountain View on Feb 23, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. This one day training will
meet the requirements for "anti-racism" training for all lay licenses and for local
parish leaders (vestry, etc. . .). Pre-registration is required by Feb 15th. Email
line; include your full name and church affiliation in the email. A $20 donation
will graciously be received on the day of the event to cover cost of materials and
lunch.
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Gift Card Orders!!!
We made
$127 with gift cards
this month!! The next order
Gift cards can be used for lots of things! Groceries... we got you covered. Gas... we have that too! Movies, travel, toys, clothes you name it you can use gift cards to buy them. All while helping out the budget at St. Stephen's. The more you use this program the more we make.
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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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Hearts & Hands
from Dcn Robin
SAVE THESE DATES
1. Our next Hearts & Hands day is 24 March 2019 (one service)
2. Project Coordinator's meeting on 3 March 2019
At the parish Hearts & Hands planning meeting in January, we decided on the following projects:
- Manna Bags*,
- Distribute flyers in the neighborhood for an upcoming Goodwill truck (spring cleaning!)
- Build more planter boxes in our Community Garden
- Lunch (of course!!)
Project coordinators volunteered for all projects.
Please pray and consider which project(s) you would like to help with.
This is a chance for us to live out our Christian calling to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus out in the world, and to do this together. Please join us!
*NOTE: Janet Thorsrud has requested everyone please bring in
socks and/or
raisins, for the Manna Bags this Sunday. She wants to collect 2 new items each week till March 24th.
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St. Stephen's star word for '19 is . . .
TRUTH!
This is our word to ponder together - share your experiences with one another. If you didn't get a star word for yourself, you can pick one out this Sunday. I look forward to hearing from you about your word and how it is speaking to you this year!
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Karen + |
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Impressions of a Field Trip
It's been a while since we have been on a field trip. On
February 20th (Next Wednesday) we will journey to San Francisco's de Young Museum to see the Monet and Gauguin exhibit and then on to the Legion of Honor to see the Jewels of the Maharajas. We will have lunch at the de Young and decide to have dinner out or just return back to San Jose as we get closer to the day.
Monet, well known for painting water lilies from his garden at
Giverny in France produced more than 50 painting mainly from
1913 through 1926. These are called his "late years" where you
can see his style change due to failing eye sight.
Gauguin: a spiritual journey.
This exhibition at the Fine Arts Museum displays his paintings,
wood carvings and ceramics from this self-trained former stock-
broker on his quest to discover his own spirituality and that of
other cultures he encountered.
East meets West: Jewels of the Maharajas include showstoppers such as the 17.21-carat Arcot ll diamond. This collection has exquisite jewelry and precious objects from the seventeenth century to the present including pieces of historical importance.
For more information check the websites:
+ deyoungmuseum.org
+ legionofhonor.org
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Influencer Training - The Power of Influence
Have you ever struggled to get others to adopt something new - even when it was good for them? Why are people so resistant to change? How can they be so stubborn?
What if you could help anyone change in a way that would improve their lives and yours! Think of all the people whose behavior you wish you could change..
- Your neighbor keeps parking his motor home in front of your house
- Your team members show up to meetings late
- Your son has spent the past 2 years since graduating high school in your basement
- Your sister is not managing her diabetes well and you're worried about her health
Influencer training provides a systematic way to address our influence problems. Using the best of social science, it provides principles and strategies to help you think about your influence challenges.
Influencer Training is fun! It uses a combination of live training, compelling videos, and a written toolkit to aid learners. You will engage in extensive in-class practice, group discussions, and personal planning.
Would you like to attend this training course? The training lasts two days. It's scheduled for Saturday, March 23 from 9 - 3 and Sunday, March 31 from 12 - 6. The class is limited to the first 20 people to Email or call me. Sign up today!
eMail: Hall.christineb@gmail.com
Ph#: 831-236-0008
Chris Hall
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Food for thought. . .
(February is Black History month. Did you notice that the quotes
f
or February are from well renowned African Americans?)
Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.
-Cornell West
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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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