St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL March 8th, 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: March 10th, Epiphany
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Sunday School
Nursery Care
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1
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Sunday in Lent!
Don't forget to turn your clocks forward one hour this weekend so that you don't miss Sunday services!
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Warbles from your Senior Warden
So here we are in the season of Lent. Hope you were all able to get some ashes on your forehead as a way to start this penitential time.
Every year I give up caffeine and yes - that includes chocolate. I do not do this to deprive myself, but because it is a healthy thing to do. When I was 19 and a sophomore in college, I over caffeinated by studying in coffee shops. I was very sick. The doctor I saw told me that I had an allergy to caffeine and I should avoid it for the rest of my life. I do not know what a doctor would say today - but caffeine affects me more adversely than others. So it is something I do for myself every Lent. And every time I am getting fast food with a soda, or thinking about chocolate, I remind myself that it is Lent, what Lent is all about and I say a little prayer.
Some people take on a ministry during this time. Action instead of deprivation. I love the following list of suggestions. This one is attributed to Pope Francis, but there are many similar versions.
Do you want to fast this Lent?
- Fast from hurting words and say kind words
- Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude
- Fast from anger and be filled with patience
- Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope
- Fast from worries and trust in God
- Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity
- Fast from pressures and be prayerful
- Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy
- Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others
- Fast from grudges and be reconciled
- Fast from words and be silent so you can listen
Whatever you do as a Lenten exercise, be mindful that you are doing it because it is Lent. We have a Lenten study series. You can come on Tuesday mornings or on Wednesday evenings. We are reading Are We There Yet? Even if you cannot join us for discussion, considering reading it and maybe share your thoughts if something strikes you. You can share it right here - in the Friday Journal.
We also have Lent Madness. This exercise is so much fun and only takes a little time. You get to vote for your favorite saint and then see if he/she wins. Your favorite saint could make it all the way to the Golden Halo - but even if he /she does not, you will have read about some amazing folks. Just another opportunity during Lent to spread your knowledge and have some fun doing it. Robin will keep score on a poster in the parish hall. Check it out.
So here we are with a plethora of opportunities to observe some Lenten practices. Pick whatever works for you - may you find a feast!
Many blessings dear family,
Edy
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner
There were a lot of smiles on Tuesday night as we gathered
to celebrate Mardi Gras "Fat Tuesday", at our annual dinner.
We dined on sausages, bacon, blueberry pancakes,
blueberry sauce, lots of pancakes, butter and syrup.
Many thanks to Dottie, Dan, Andy, Janet, Rick, Susan, Dot,
Karen and everyone who made this such a fun event.
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Santa Maria Urban Ministry
Our next trip to Santa Maria Urban Ministries will be
next
Saturday March 16th,
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 a call, if you'd like a ride.
Address: 778 Almaden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110
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Lenten Book Study:
Are We There Yet?
Pilgrimage in the Season of Lent
We will read stories by different authors who share stories of pilgrimage in search of healing and wholeness, bearing witness to pain, reuniting with birth parents, and more. Through their stories we will journey together toward Jerusalem, "being open to the miracles of love and life, awestruck by the One who is both our journey and our destination."
Two sessions will be offered:
Tues 10:30-11:30am and
Wed 7:00-8:00pm beginning Mar 12th. Sign up in the Parish Hall. Books are $7.00 ea in hard copy, or available to download on Amazon Kindle, Nook, and iTunes.
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Hearts & Hands
from Dcn Robin
SAVE THESE DATES!
Our next Hearts & Hands day is 24 March 2019
(one service)
Sign-up for a Project, 3/10 and 3/17
At the parish Hearts & Hands planning meeting in January, we decided on the following projects:
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!
Leading up to March 24, as you are able, please bring in the following supplies for the Manna Bags:
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3/3 - tooth brushes and floss
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3/10 - peanut butter (to go sizes), tuna and crackers, tissue
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3/17 - Nutrigrain bars, peanut butter crackers, bottled water
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3/24 - small rolls of TP, razors, Slim Jims/Beef or Turkey Jerky
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We always need new, white socks, either for Manna Bags or SMUM
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Gift Cards
Gift card orders brought in $125 this month.
Next orders will be due on April 7th.
-Janet Thorsrud
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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
@ 408-226-9763, for more information.
Dana, our wonderful water color teacher and
Edie, one of her students.
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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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Bishop Search Update!
The search committee has been very busy and milestones are being reached. The committee has completed the screening process, conducted interviews of candidates, and a transition committee has been convened. The Standing Committee will announce the slate of candidates to the Diocese on Saturday, March 9th. Walkabouts will begin the week of May 5th. That is, candidates will travel throughout the diocese so that clergy, delegates, and all parishioners have an opportunity to meet and listen to the candidates. The walkabout schedule has not yet been announced.
If you'd like to know more about the timeline, the committees, or the diocesan profile,
please go to: https://www.realepiscopal.org/bishops-search/
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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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Rev. Karen's Kudos to:
-All who helped coordinate the Shrove Tues Pancake Supper
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-Dan for fixing the vacuum cleaner.
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-Altar Guild for another liturgical season change
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-All who volunteered to serve on Ash Wednesday
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-Deacon Robin for ushering into Lent Madness
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Food for thought. . .
March is Women's History Month - look for quotes
from some amazing women this month!
"Do you bow your head when you pray or do you look up into that \blue space? Take your choice, prayers fly from all directions".
-Mary Oliver, from her poem Whistling Swans
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San Jose Symphonic Choir Concert in March
This the same Choir that several of us enjoyed during the Christmas Season, under
the St. Joseph's Cathedral Basillica Dome. The dome helps to create a near-perfect acoustic environment for this beautiful sacred music from Hummel & Beethoven.
Our own Genie Lee will be performing once again, in this 100-voice ensemble.
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Contact information for Rev. Karen:
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826
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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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