St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL October 18th, 2019
|
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.
|
Sunday Services: October 20th
|
8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am
Holy Eucharist
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Message from Rev. Karen
I am not a huge fan of the shorter days - as in the end of Daylight Savings Time. I love the cooler weather, I love the changing colors of the leaves (subtle as they are), I love pumpkin pie (and Janet's pumpkin flan even more). I love everything autumn except for the seemingly premature setting of the sun. But I will get used to it. I always do.
The reality is that necessary adjustments are minor. The lights go on earlier, I tend to stay inside after dark so I run errands earlier, and a flashlight is in hand earlier in the evening when I take Basil and Olive out. I've mentioned before that the backyard where I live is deep and dark - who know where critters lurk, especially the coyotes!
I keep two flashlights in a drawer with a leash. I have a bigger heavy one about 12in tall, and I have a smaller one that's about 5 inches tall. My preference is the small flashlight, because it actually shines brighter than the big one. Its light is more intense and illuminates further into the darkest places.
It has occurred to me that my flashlights are a meaningful metaphor for the theme of our stewardship campaign this year: Shining Our Light. I've heard you're concerns about the size of our congregation. As people move away to retire to more affordable cities and states, we can easily get discouraged. But the truth (our star word) is, the number of people in our congregation doesn't diminish our ability to shine. In other words, we can still mightily to carry out the mission Jesus gives us to be the light in the world. This past year is evidence of that!
As I open the drawer to reach for a flashlight each morning and night, I usually choose the smaller one because it shines more brightly, which reminds me of St. Stephen's. The brilliance of our light together isn't dependent on the size of our congregation! I pray that you will carry that in your heart now and always. Let us shine, let us shine, let us shine!
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
|
|
C
HECK OUT OUR NEW BANNER!
Our new banner has arrived and is installed.
Check it out on your way to church Sunday!
|
Third and final session of the Prepared With Love series.
Prepared With Love
: End of Life planning
Oct 22
nd,
7:30pm:
Funeral/Memorial Service Planning:
The Rev. Karen Cuffie,
The Rev. Dcn. Robin Popoff
|
Dot Remson, along with other women from the diocese, was honored at the ECW Honored Women's Luncheon on October 5
th
at St. John the Bapstist in Aptos. Dot, Frances, Wanda, Margaret, and Rev. Karen had a great time at the event!
|
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. Starting tomorrow, Oct 19
th
, 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.
|
Jessica will be teaching a self-defense class tonight from 5-6:30pm here at the church. Jessica will adapt the class so that all people of any age will benefit from the class.
|
|
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
.
|
Convention volunteers needed
Registration volunteers are needed for this year's convention. You'll have fun meeting and greeting delegates and enjoying each other's company. Hospitality volunteers are needed to help with setting up the Friday night banquet, plus Saturday's convention set-up and clean-up. Please email the following contact
Hospitality
Charles Greenleaf: ckgreenleaf@earthlink.net
Richard Smith:
rcsbsmith@razzolink.com
Registration:
|
Bishops' Transition Appeal
|
This Sunday begins 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. We will culminate this campaign at the Ingathering Service, November 24th.
The last line of last Sunday's Gospel reading was, "Your faith has made you well." 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.
Eric Samson
Stewardship Chair
|
End of life planning: Part two
On Tuesday evening to a well-attended group, Rachel Calunan an Associate with World Financial Group and Chris Gee a trusts and estates attorney lead us in a discussion on how to plan for your legacy to continue after you are gone.
One of the many benefits of having a life insurance policy and a trust is that your loved one left behind and grieving, have one or three less things to think about. Chris and Rachel gave us some details to talk to family members while you can, before you can no longer take care of your assets yourself.
Next in this series Rev. Karen and Deacon Robin lead a discussion on how to
plan for a funeral or memorial service.
Hope you can join us.
|
|
|
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
|
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.
|
|
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
- Albert Schweitzer
|
-Maria and Rick for hanging our new banner
|
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.
|
Contact information for Rev. Karen:
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826
|
Contact information for Deacon Robin:
|
Please send any announcements or articles you want to have included, to:
evan.bryan1@gmail.com, by Thursday, 10am each week.
Evan Bryan
|
|
St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139
|
|
|
