St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL August 28th, 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 Service: August 30th, 2020 |
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Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 10:00am online |
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Sunday Worship
This week Rev. Karen will preside the Holy Eucharist at St.John’s and shared with St. Stephen’s. The service will be posted on both our websites (www.ssitf.org and www.stjohndivinemorganhill.org) at 10:00am but is available any time after that.
I encourage you to set aside a special place, light a candle, and download the bulletin as you prepare to worship.
A separate email with links to the bulletin and our virtual coffee hour (11:00am as usual) will be sent Saturday evening.
Please send any special prayer requests and/or anniversaries and birthdays to Rev. Karen.
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WEDNESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP
Weekly Wednesday prayer group 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.
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WEDNESDAY EVENING COMPLINE
Begins at 7pm
Compline, the last Office of the day. End your day with a beautiful and short liturgy. All are welcome and please feel free to share the link with friends!
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Keeping the conversations going . . .
Pastoral Conversation About Race Thursdays @ 4:30pm
The Revs Karen Cuffie and Jani Wild will lead pastoral conversations on racism. There will be a brief introduction to the focus of the session followed by a video, discussion, and prayers. Please join us, there is no better way to learn, process and share together than in a faith community. Come join us next week by clicking on the following Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 835 7594 8022
Password: 748467
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,83575948022#,,1#,748467# US (San Jose
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Thanks to last week’s liturgy assistants! |
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Your faithful giving. . .
We rely on you to keep us current in paying our bills. If you haven’t yet, 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. We certainly understand if you are experiencing financial hardship at this time. If you are able, we appreciate any small offering you might consider making. Your financial stewardship is greatly appreciated. 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. Click here to join the meeting. The link for Coffee Hour willalso 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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The aftermath of wildfires across the diocese. (KSBW-TV image)
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A message from Bishop Lucinda |
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Dear People of El Camino Real,
In this time of wildfire atop COVID, it may feel as though we are in the middle of the perfect chaotic storm—a place of upheaval, where we may cling to the side of our boat, wondering what will toss us about next … or what wind will blow that may send us into the depths. Fire rages and people are evacuated from their homes, their businesses, their parishes—many of us literally waiting for the wind to change.
Scripture reminds us that in the middle of the perfect storm, Jesus walked on water toward his disciples who were in that vulnerable boat; not only that, he called Peter out from the boat to walk with him.
In our diocese, I have witnessed with wonder as people have walked through these stormy times towards those in need. It is amazing to behold God’s beloved as they reach beyond their own fear, to stretch out a hand and offer solace, care, and a warm bed to another. This is amazing kindness and generosity.
Thank you for your continuing kindness, for your faithfulness, and for your resilience. Jesus continues to reach out his hand amidst the storm. And we continue to take that step forward into the place of faith.
Gratefully,
Bishop Lucinda
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To all that is chaotic
in you,
let there come silence.
Let there be
a calming
of the clamoring,
a stilling
of the voices that
have laid their claim
on you,
that have made their
home in you,
that go with you
even to the
holy places
but will not
let you rest,
will not let you
hear your life
with wholeness
or feel the grace
that fashioned you.
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Let what distracts you
cease.
Let what divides you
cease.
Let there come an end
to what diminishes
and demeans,
and let depart
all that keeps you
in its cage.
Let there be
an opening
into the quiet
that lies beneath
the chaos,
where you find
the peace
you did not think
possible
and see what shimmers
within the storm.
– Jan Richardson
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Celebrate "Jubilee for the Earth" September 1 with online services
Starting next Tuesday, Christians around the world will celebrate the Season of Creation, a time to repair and renew our relationship with the Earth and one another. The theme of the Season of Creation 2020 is Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope. You are invited to join the following services on Tuesday, September 1:
Noon: Interactive Prayer Service
6 pm: Pre-recorded service of “The Lucernarium”
Please join us for the Lucernarium, or, “The lighting of the evening lamps" led by Trinity Cathedral and other congregations throughout the diocese. Visit Trinity's YouTube Link at 6pm on Sept. 1, available here.
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Poem from the Garden
The garden is filled
with so many parts
of so many folks:
Margo’s woodpile will
make a new fence, Trygve’s
mower keeps the grass
low, Janet’s girlscouts
planted the climbing
rose, Wanda’s big love
keeps the rose garden
alive, Anthony’s
bricks will make a new
border, the Hughes’ coast
live oaks are guideposts.
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Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in. -Leonard Cohen
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Kudos to:
-Maria for creating our pre-recorded service last Sunday and for Jessica who produced the one prior.
-All musicians who give of their gifts in our worship services.
-Dan and Maria for signing checks
-Evan for publishing the Friday Journal every week.
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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).
* tell people about your answers to prayer! and the miracles you witness, or how prayer changes YOU.
Please submit prayer requests to Rev. Karen.
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Contact information for Rev. Karen: |
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826
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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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