St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL November 1st, 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: November 3rd
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am
Holy Eucharist
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Warbles from your Senior Warden
I am writing this on Halloween. Calvin is dressed like Hawkeye (maybe an avenger?) and Ella is dressed like Minnie Mouse. I can show you pictures on Sunday if you want.
Halloween is a fun time for children. They put on costumes, pretend to be someone else and people give them candy! I remember going trick or treat around my neighborhood in Santa Clara where I grew up. So many people asked for a trick! We do not do that much anymore. Many of the children are strangers these days.
Do you have a costume? Do you go around with your children? I remember the first ECW meeting I attended at St. Stephen's. It was in the early 80's. A lady was warning about letting children wear costumes and demonic possession. I was wondering what I had gotten into. Ann Little pulled me aside and let me know that not everyone at St. Stephen's felt that way. I was so grateful for that welcoming gesture.
Other people at St. Stephen's invited me over for lunch with my children. Someone invited me to join altar guild. Then, just as now, St. Stephen's was a very welcoming place. I have stayed at this church through a divorce, becoming an empty nester, through good jobs and layoffs, through becoming a nana, and through sickness and through health. Dear friends have died. Dear friends have moved away. New friends arrived.
I never thought of leaving because of anyone's political or religious beliefs. I never thought of leaving because a person said something that offended me. This church means too much to me. I could say that differing beliefs opens the door for conversation, but that is not always comfortable. However, I do not shy away from my convictions either. And the people who love me as a part of this St. Stephen's family accept me as I am.
That is what family does. When we gather around the dinner table for Thanksgiving, we accept all those "weird" family members, the eccentric ones, the quiet ones, the noisy ones. Sometimes we are very grateful to see them - this may be the one time every year that we see each other.
I look forward to seeing everyone as we share a meal at the altar.
Many blessings dear family,
Edy
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Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour! If you arrive an hour early this Sunday, don't worry, Rev. Karen will find something for you to do!
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This Sunday we will read The Necrology. You are welcome to add names before the service. The book is in the Narthex.
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Santa Clara Deanery to host celebration of Bishop Mary
Mark your calendars for November 9 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, when the Santa Clara Valley Deanery will host a celebration of the ministry of Bishop Mary at St. Andrew's in Saratoga. Everyone is invited for fellowship and dinner (no cost). The event includes music from the combined choirs and instrumentalists from the deanery churches, dinner, plus a slide show featuring pictures of Bishop Mary's time in our parishes over the past 12 years. Please register through your parish representative
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Welcome Iglesia ni Christo!
After months of planning, we are happy to announce that another church, Iglesia ni Christo, will be using our campus for their services two days a week.
They will have exclusive use of the building on Wednesday evenings from 6-11pm, and Saturdays from 6am-3pm.
No other St. Stephen's activities should be scheduled during those times.
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This Sunday is the third week of our five-week journey of this year's stewardship campaign "Shining Our Light." During each of these five Sundays you will hear from one of your fellow parishioners at the 10:00 AM service
share their stories about how St. Stephen's-in-the-Field has had an impact on their lives, why they come to St. Stephen's, and why it's important to give of their time, talent, and treasure. On October 20th we heard from Dan Hughes; October 27th, Maria Eswine. This Sunday, November 3rd, Tony Pecora will speak to us. Sunday, November 10th is available. If you are able to address the congregation that day, please let me know. Our Deacon Robin Poppoff will speak to us on November 17th. We will culminate this campaign at the Ingathering Service, November 24th.
Our pledges to St.-Stephen's are a tangible manifestation of wellness - not only our financial wellness but the wellness of our congregation. It enhances St. Stephen's ability to carry out its ministries, including those involving cultivating gracious leadership and relationship in the church community. Completed pledge cards are coming in. If you did not already submit your pledge card, you should have received a letter in the mail on Wednesday with a pledge card. These are also available in the rear of the church. You can mail your completed pledge card, or place it in the offering plate.
Eric Samson
Stewardship Chair
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What's happening at St. Stephen's
Last Friday the lovely Jessica gave a class open to all on several ways to stay safe. We learned how to escape from someone's grasp if they grab with one hand or two. Jessica described these releases as the "lazy" way to work smarter. Sha also taught us how to get away if someone grabs your hair and how to fall without getting hurt. Everyone who attended learned a lot and I have had other people who couldn't make ask if we will do this again. Jessica, are you up to the challenge??
Next time you are on campus you might notice that the parking lot has more sun. Curry brothers have removed one of the diseased pine trees and trimmed the dead wood of our majestic oak tree. The Calero students had a little job training as they got to observe the work involved in tree trimming. The students removed some of the brush from the community garden to be put through the wood chipper. We get the wood chips to be used in the garden.
Last be not least, Karen got a new office chair. She no longer has to use a chair with duct tape on the arms. Out with the old and in with the new!
Last be not least, We earned $213 from gift card orders last month and $100 from the CPK fundraiser. We are on a roll!!!
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GIFT CARD ORDERS
This Sunday I will be collecting orders for gift cards. The next order dates will
Nov 17, Dec 15
. If you are planning to use gift cards for either Thanksgiving (food or travel) or Christmas (presents, etc.) these dates should help you.
SMUM would like Target cards to distribute for the holidays. If you are able this order will be used for the Thanksgiving exchange and the Nov order will be used for the Christmas exchange. Help if you can.
Our annual blanket making workshop will happen in January again. If you can help with a Jo Anna's gift card we can deliver more blankets to Kathey Crow's ministry. Did you see her story in ALONG THE KING"S HIGHWAY?
Blessings
Janet
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We are in need of ushers, lectors, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, and Altar Guild members. These are wonderful ministry opportunities for both extraverts and introverts, male and female, young and not as young as they used to be! Please prayerfully consider joining one of these ministries! See Rev. Karen, Edy or Susan if you are interested in learning more.
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"it has been my experience that what makes us the saints of
God is not our ability to be saintly but rather God's ability to work through sinners."
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Nadia Bolz-Weber,
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-Janet for donating staples cards to purchase a new chair for Rev Karen's office
-our wonderful check signers - Dan, Maria, and Gregg
-the finance committee
-Maria and Dan for sharing their SSITF story
-our friendly greeters
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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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