St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL January 25th, 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: January 27th, Christmas
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am Holy Eucharist
Sunday School
Nursery Care
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Warbles from your Senior Warden
Last Sunday was our Annual Meeting. Thank you to all who attended and voted. We did an exercise to discover gifts. We were to write on paper a gift that we personally have. Then we were to ask the person sitting next to us what gift they thought we have.
I always find that to be an interesting exercise. Often the insight offered by our neighbor surprises us. Maybe even startles us. It is a great perspective. I remember once my neighbor told me that I possess great patience.... I would list that as my weakest gift. But what does that say about me and how I am seen by others?
I Corinthians 12:1 - 12 lists many gifts. What do you identify as one of your gifts? What do you think others would attribute to you? Are your gifts hidden and not used? Matthew 5:15 says "People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house." Putting your gifts to good use will fill you with joy!
I think that Calvin's gift may be patience - not mine. And I feel that is very unusual for a 4 year old. Calvin spent the night last night and we had a full morning of activity planned before I took him to school. We planned to go to See's and get some chocolate covered raisins for him to share with his mom. We planned to go to Costco to check out the Star Wars Lego set that I had seen there. We planned to attend a meeting during which he would eat his lunch. Well, all of that went out the window when my car wouldn't start. He got to watch roadside assist start my car. He got to accompany me to AutoZone and he watched while they installed a new battery. He got to eat lunch in the car on the way to school. He told me we could go to Costco next week to check out the Legos. No complaining. No worries. What a blessing for me as I was stressing about the meeting I missed and the broken promises.
I think it is sometimes easier to see the gifts of others. You might consider asking other people about what gifts they see in you. And then take those words to heart and really consider what that might mean for you and those close to you. Also, take the time to acknowledge the gifts that you see in others. That is a gift in itself - to recognize gifts and give thanks for those around you possessing gifts that you may not have. Or, possessing a similar gift and therefore making both of you better.
I invite you to extend that small exercise we did in church. Look at your neighbors and family members to see what wondrous things they bring into your life. Ponder the gifts that they acknowledge in you and think about how you put them to good use. Are you hiding anything under a bushel basket? Wouldn't you love to have that light shine?
When I think of you, I see many gifts. I see some that are not on the Corinthian list - compassion, joy, forgiveness. These gifts that are from the Spirit are not like the trinket gift that you wonder "What were they thinking?" The gifts of the Spirit are intentional and meant to make the world a better place.
Remember that my star word is Wonder. Does your star word identify one of your gifts? Use your gifts wisely. Use your gifts often. I promise that this perspective will enrich your life.
Love to all.
Many blessings dear family,
Edy
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Abundant Wine
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Last week we heard the story of the Wedding at Cana where Jesus turned water into abundant, excellent wine. Rev. Karen included an activity in her sermon that asked us to write down our gifts. The end result was a picture of a water jar overflowing with the very best wine we have to offer. Gathering all the words together revealed the abundance of gifts we are called to share, not only with each, but with all people. Here are the words that filled our 'jar' (duplicates were combined ). God has certainly blessed us with wonderful gifts to offer througout our ministry together in 2019!
Playfulness
Dedication
Organization
Love
Friendship
Teaching reading
Teaching
Compassion
Faithful
Organization
Knowledge
Giving
Money
Thoughtfulness
Sewing
Empathy
Service
Time
Helpful
Business sense
Praying
Kind
Humor
Artistic
Drive
Handy
Creative
Money Strategic thinking Joyful
Calm
Centered
Problem solving
Handy
Care
Love of music
Diplomacy
Rhythm
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Village House Day Center
at the Episcopal Church in Almaden
(ECA)
Now thru Feb 6, 2019: Please sign up
Alert: We need your help!
Saturday, 1/26: Supervisor 11a-1p,
Supervisor 1p-3p
Volunteer 1:15p-3:15p
Sunday, 1/27: Supervisor 7a-9a
Supervisor 11a-1p
Volunteer 9:15a-11:15a
Supervisor 1p-3p
Volunteer 1:15p-3:15p
Volunteer 5:15p-6:30p
Monday, 1/28: Supervisor 7a-9a
Volunteer 7:15a-9:15a
LUNCH 11a-noon
Volunteer 5:15p-6:30p
It's time to sign up for Village House's January, 2019, day center for medically fragile, homeless women to be held at the Episcopal Church in Almaden (ECA). This is a ministry of presence, which
St Stephen's people are so good at! Two hour shifts. Bring a friend!!
Please click on the
link below to sign up.
Then please watch this training video at
Thanks so much for being a part of this worthwhile service.
ECA address: 6581 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95120.
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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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Rev. Karen's Kudos to:
-Calero students for moving furniture so that carpets could be cleaned and the water color class for moving it back.
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-Our new Vestry members: Ann Little and Maria Eswine
-Our new Diocesan delegate: Nancy McGuinness
-Our new Co-Sr. Wardens: Edy Unthank and Susan Zaballos
-Those rotating off the Vestry: Renee Brown and Tony Pecora for their faithful service!
-Ann and Janet for clearing debris on the side yard.
-Andy for arranging to have the debris removed
-Dan Hughes for fixing the sign at the entrance of our parking lot.
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Join us as we paint the world!
Having fun learning to paint with watercolors.
We would love to have you join us.
Friday 10:30 in the parish hall.
Call Ann Little @ (408) 226-9763
for more information.
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Santa Maria Urban Ministry
Our next trip to Santa Maria Urban Ministries will be
on
Saturday February 2nd,
led by Janet Thorsrud & Ann Little.
Can we count on you to help?
Just three hours: 8:45 to 11:45.
Please call Janet at (408) 281-0628,
or 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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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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What's happening at St. Stephen's
This week has been an exciting one here at St. Stephen's! It started on Friday with our second water color class where we made our journals that we will be using to take with us when we paint outdoors. We experimented with making a color wheel and watching how the colors travel when mixed with water. We got to play with how much water to use to achieve the lesson.
Making our journals Making our color wheel
Then on Saturday a few of us met at SMUM to sort and package food. There was plenty of work to do as the warehouse has been closed for the holidays.
People are put to work at SMUM
Tuesday saw the Calero students and their wonderful life coach move all the furniture off the carpets so they could be cleaned. One side of the chairs in the church were also moved. As we still have AA meetings on Tuesday and Thursday, we needed to make sure they had some place to sit.
Calero students remove furniture from the parish hall
Thursday we were blessed with three groups from Calero High School to help us get even more done. Removing leaves under the Oak tree and on the pre-school side will help keep leaves from being tracked inside on our clean carpets and returning some of the chairs will help my back!!
Calero students clean up the leaves
Just a reminder, ladies only, blanket making at my home Tuesday any time after 5:30 to start making blankets. Bring your own mug please for beverages. Food and drink are provided. See you there!
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Gift Card Orders
We raised
$184 for St. Stephen's this month by ordering gift cards.
The
next gift card
order will be
Sunday, February 3rd. In time for...
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See's candy and Valentine's Day!!.
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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 THE DATE! Our next
Hearts & Hands
day at St Stephen's!
- Sunday, March, 24, 2019, Hearts & Hands Sunday (one service).
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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 (Wed) 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. . .
"May your hands be an extension of your heart and may you do the work of love with them."
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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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