St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL January 24th, 2020
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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 26th
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am Holy Eucharist
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Message from Rev. Karen
This meditation from Henri Nouwen inspired and encourage me this week. I hope it does for you too:
"Being in the world without being of the world." These words summarize well the way Jesus speaks of the spiritual life. It is a life in which we are totally transformed by the Spirit of Love. Yet it is a life in which everything seems to remain the same. To live a spiritual life does not mean that we must leave our families, give up our jobs, or change our ways of working; it does not mean that we have to withdraw from social or political activities, or lose interest in literature and art; it does not require severe forms of asceticism or long hours of prayer. Changes such as these may in fact grow out of our spiritual life, and for some people radical decisions may be necessary. But the spiritual life can be lived in as many ways as there are people. What is new is that we have moved from the many things to the Kingdom of God. What is new is that we are set free from the compulsions of our world and have set our hearts on the only necessary thing. What is new is that we no longer experience the many things, people, and events as endless causes for worry, but begin to experience them as the rich variety of ways in which God makes his presence known to us.
Henri Nouwen
May you be keenly aware of God's presence in your life, today and always. May we all at St. Stephen's in-the-Field be keenly aware of God's presence as we answer God's call together to love and serve.
Peace.
Karen+
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Annual Meeting update. . .
Thanks to all who attended the Annual Meeting last Sunday. We have three new vestry members: Jessica Dickinson-Goodman, Andy Lief, and Dot Remson! Our delegates to convention are Wanda Bryan and Nancy McGuinness, and the alternate delegate is Dottie Chin. We recognized the four vestry members rotating off this year: Dottie Chin, Rowena Dizon-Burger, Gregg Hall, and Edy Unthank. We are so grateful for your dedicated service!
If you were unable to attend last week, extra reports are in the office.
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Wednesday, Jan. 29
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At Janet Thorsrud's house
6pm - Dinner is served!
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Our banner has been repaired after being ripped from a powerful storm this winter. Unfortunately the frame to hang the banner was also broken. We need someone to either construct and install a new and stronger frame, or repair the existing frame! We cannot hang our awesome banner without a frame!
Please see Janet Thorsrud or Rev. Karen if you can help.
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Training for Eucharistic Ministers, Chalice Bearers, Lectors, and Lay Eucharistic Visitors is on Feb 16
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, following the 10:00 service.
Please see Rev. Karen or Dcn. Robin if you have questions or are interested in serving in one or more of these ministries.
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The Episcopal Church in Almaden (ECA)
(6581 Camden Ave, San Jose CA 95120)
will be hosting our Village House guests starting
January 4, 2020 through February 3, 2020.
We are a small church that has hosted ladies for two years and have felt God's calling to support this outreach event.
But we need some of your help to fill some of the slots.
You will feel good having helped these ladies during the
cold weather in January. Thanks for all you do!
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GIFT CARD ORDERS
Gift card orders are due this Sunday the 26th. This
order will include any items needed for Valentine's
Day.
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Sandeeth, DeShawn and Arike and I
spent Tuesday morning planting prickle-edged
green toyon and soft-sweet grey-leafed black sage
in the emerging front native garden.
Why plant the toyon, called California
Hollywood because the colonialists
who found it high in the Los Angeles hills
thought it was the red-berried British bush?
Because next Christmas we'll have bunches of
our native scarlet berries to greet us,
bright in the winter chill. Why plant black sage?
Because our church is a dry oak woodland
and planting native habitat will feed
hungry things who evolved to eat their seeds.
Jessica DG will be in the garden Sunday until 5pm if you'd like to help number three new beds, stake some leaning saplings, or dig postholes for the shade.
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Food for thought. . .
"I the lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I have made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord. . ."
Daniel L. Schutte
, Wonder, Love, and Praise
#812
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-All who attended the Annual Meeting
- New vestry members: Jessica Dickinson-Goodman, Andy Lief, and Dot Remson -Jessica and her gardening friends
-Outgoing vestry members for their commitment and dedication to their service.
- Janet for purchasing materials for the Community Garden and getting the banner fixed.
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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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