St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL May 22nd, 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: May 24th, 2020
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The 10:00 service will be via video on our website Sunday morning at 10:00
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Message From Rev. Karen
Dear friends,
How are you? What are the new things you are doing that you’ve never done before? Are there things you’ve always done, but are now doing differently and if so, in what new way?
I have to admit my emotional map has been redirected a gazillion times. I’ve been happy and sad, angry and calm, frustrated and content, and cried and laughed – sometimes all in the same day. But at the end of the day I land in the same place, my comfy bed, thanking God for everything I can think of as I drift off to sleep including my comfy bed!
I have also grieved and continue to do so off and on, but I also remain hopeful in knowing that the Kingdom of God continues to be and is yet to come! I see the kindness of strangers, the lengths that people are willing to go to cheer up and help care for another. I have seen the generosity of time, talent, and treasure to provide aid of all sorts. Have you heard about musicians giving neighborhood concerts to folks who gather in the driveways, keeping a safe distance and wearing masks to enjoy the gift of music and just be with one another from afar? These are all precious gifts of love that, had it not been for this devastating pandemic, would probably have never happened. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this kind of love of neighbor – a true expression of God’s greatest commandment!
I hope that you are trying to reach out to friends with a call or a zoom chat. Chances are that you know someone who could use some cheer, and chances are, there are times when you’ve needed some yourself. I hope that you are going to our website and worshipping on Sunday morning, remembering that others are doing the same. Join us for Coffee Hour after the service! It’s been nice checking in with friends and seeing familiar faces. Be assured that our community has not disappeared, we’re just adjusting to new ways of being together! If you need help connecting, or just want to talk, feel free to call me.
Please stay safe, wear a mask to care for the people around you, and continue to wash your hands while singing Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise God all creatures here below, Praise God above ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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Sunday Worship
Our service this Sunday is Liturgy of the Word at 10:00am. The service is posted on the website at 10:00am but is available any time after that.
**Please bring a
red pen
or marker or some kind of writing implement**
We have new readers this week and new music. Come, let us worship together!
I encourage you to set aside a special place, light a candle, download the bulletin, and join us in worship by going to our St. Stephen’s website (
www.ssitf.org
) to view the video and download the bulletin.
I will also send a separate email with links to the bulletin and our virtual coffee hour in an email Saturday evening.
Special prayer requests to be added to our Sunday worship service can be sent to Rev. Karen or Dcn. Robin.
p.s. If you saw the service last week you might wonder why I had to start over. My darling dachshund decided she’d take a stroll on the chancel step! Like I’ve said in the past, I learn something new every week! Maybe someday I’ll post some outtakes just for fun
☺
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WEDNESDAY PRAYER SERVICE
Beginning this Wednesday, 5/27, and every Wednesday following, we will have a short prayer service at 11:00am.
This is an opportunity to offer our prayers of thanksgivings, for healing for ourselves and others, and anything else on our hearts. Even if you don’t have a computer, you can join the Zoom meeting with your phone. The link will be on our website and in a reminder email Tuesday evening.
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Happy Nominationtide!
Make your nomination for Lent Madness 2021!!
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What's up? On Ascension Day, it's Jesus! And also it's the start of Nominationtide!
For ten full days, the
Supreme Executive Committee
will be accepting nominations for Lent Madness 2020. The nominating period will remain open through the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 31, at which point this brief exercise in Lenten democracy will go up in smoke like the hair of the disciples when the tongues of fire descended upon their heads.
Usually we only allow a week for Nominationtide, but this year we are generously allowing you ten days. We know that conferring on nominations might take longer in a time of social distancing. Please note that the Lent Madness website has been thoroughly disinfected, so there is no risk as you read this post or browse the online Lentorium.* Unfortunately, all Lentorium store locations remained closed at this time.
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What’s a LOQUAT? Try them – they’re fresh and free!
Loquats
are a delicious fruit that taste like a combination of
mangos
and
peaches
. Their
sour
and
sweet
taste makes them perfect for using in
fruit salsa
.
We have an abundance that Jessica has harvested from our Community Garden and are very ready to eat Jessica is doing no-contact deliveries of shoe-boxed sized bunches this Sunday afternoon, so text her your addressat 650-804-9044 after the service. Please keep social distance and wear a mask if others are present.
Click on the picture for a delicious salsa recipe to try with your favorite chips or crackers!
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Thanks to our readers last week!
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Financial realities and how you can help . . .
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Having virtual services means that your generous offerings cannot be put in the offering plates on Sunday. We do have to continue to pay our bills. Please mail your pledge checks or any other donations to the church office, or you can use the ‘Donate’ button on our website and pay with a credit card.
Thank you very much!
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Virtual Coffee Hour!
A few more people joined in our virtual coffee hour and it was great to see familiar faces. It would be so nice to see many more of you! There is no limit to the number of people. The link for Coffee Hour will be in a separate mailing with the bulletin! You are welcome to call me (Rev. Karen) before the meeting if you’re having trouble with the link.
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Poem from the Garden
An elder woman
who I did not know
was standing on her
tippiest of toes
to pluck the loquats
she could reach, braced on
her walker in the
peach tree's fallen leaves.
She spoke Assyrian
through her white-grey mask;
I picked fresh peas for
her reused bread sack
because the point of the garden is to feed
our people who find food among their needs.
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Food for thought:
“You don’t think your way into a new kind of living. You live your way into a new kind of thinking.”
-Henri Nouwen
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Kudos to:
-Our worship service musicians
-Trig for office tech help
-The Communications Guild
-All on the Prayer Chain
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COVID-19 Fund established
In response to questions of how to give to the diocese following the Virtual Easter Service, a special Easter Offering has been established to support people in our diocese whose livelihoods have been impacted by shelter-at-home requirements. Donations can be made to the “Donate” web page at realepiscopal.org (
click here
). Choose "Bishop’s COVID-19 Fund" when making your online gift.
Or, mail checks to the diocesan offices at the address below. Please state “Bishop’s COVID-19 Fund” in the memo area of checks.
Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real
PO Box 689
Salinas, CA 93902
Thank you for your support of those in need!
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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 prayer chain of committed pray-ers (who maintain confidentiality). Contact Robin, our Deacon, who will initiate that for you
* 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:
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Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826
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Contact information for Deacon Robin:
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Editor's Note
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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