St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL September 20th, 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: September 22nd
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Message from Rev. Karen
Lately I have been using the prayer book "Daily Prayer for All Seasons" as a spiritual practice. It has very brief services for each liturgical season. Right now we are in Ordinary time (the longest season) and there are two different sections: Creation and Rest.
I've mostly been using the Creation section and, with our Hearts and Hands service Sunday coming up, it has been especially meaningful.
Many of you have worked in the Community Garden for these services. Although I have not, I have enjoyed witnessing adults and children working together with enthusiasm and dedication to care for and expand the garden so that others in the wider community can use it.
The blessings of this work is reciprocal. That is, the residents from the senior community behind our parking lot have
been blessed
by using the community garden. Many have expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to do what they love and for the work we are doing.
The Calero students have
blessed us
with the work they have also done to expand the garden so that more people can use it. I hope they will claim one of the raised beds for planting their own garden some day!
I recently took a tour of the garden with Jessica, who has also done a lot of work there. I noticed that the beds being used are all in one area, though there are more available. She explained that the other beds have too much sun exposure and vegetable won't grow there. The residents are incredibly resourceful and have used materials from God's good creation to weave protective 'walls' around plants that need even more shade than what the trees provide. Their work is impressive, and it is also tedious and time consuming. We can help.
One of the garden projects for Sunday will be raising up shades to cover the other existing beds. There are more boxes to be made as well. Bring your gardening gloves, electric drills and bits, hammers, shovels, and spades if you have them. But mostly, bring yourself - you will surely be blessed!
I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday. There's plenty to do, inside and out. Let's be the hands and feet of Jesus as we worship together!
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
(
Daily Prayers for All Seasons
can be purchased online or downloaded for free at episcopalchurch.org)
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Hearts and Hands Service Sunday!
This Sunday's service (September 22
nd
) includes - Holy Eucharist, service, and lunch. There will be no 8:00am service that day. Come and be prepared to serve! If you can't decide what you'd like to do, you can decide when you get to church - there's always a place for you!
There's a real need for walkers. Wanda and Karen are the only people scheduled to walk the neighborhood. Bring your sneakers
☺
Electric drills and bits, hammers, contractor shovels, and spades would be helpful for work in the Community Garden.
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Support the diocesan UTO Ingathering
September 29
th
is our United Thank Offering Fall Ingathering.
Count your blessings and consider contributing to the UTO.
The monies support innovative mission and ministry throughout The Episcopal
Church. What we collect will be offered at the Honored Women Day on October
5
th
at St. John's, Aptos.
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Honored Women's Day & United Thank Offering Ingathering
On Saturday, October 5, the Episcopal Church Women will honor a woman
from each congregation in the Diocese of El Camino Real - women who proclaim their faith through their lives and actions - for the congregation, the diocese, and the community. Don't miss this annual tradition on October 5, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm at St.
John's, Aptos. Download the flyer here and the registration form here
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Sunday, October 6, 2019
10:00 AM Holy Eucharist
You are invited to bring your animal companions for a blessing, celebrating the ministry of St. Francis of Assisi and his love for all creatures.
Pictures and stuffed animals are welcome. (No snakes please)
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Art show, farewell to Bishop Mary on October 6
Everyone in the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real and our communities are invited to a free art show on Sunday, October 6 from 3-6 pm at the Sargent House in downtown Salinas. The Monterey Deanery is hosting the event with the diocesan Arts Commission.
At 5 pm, the Monterey Deanery will host a special tribute reception to Bishop Mary; drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served during the entire afternoon. The historic home is located at 154 Central Avenue, one block from John Steinbeck's childhood home.
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Scrip gift card orders
We sold
$167
worth of
gift cards last month.
Next order is due on Oct 13th.
-Janet Thorsrud
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New 3 Part Series offered to the community!
Prepared With Love
: End of Life planning
Oct 8
th
, 7:30pm:
Trident Society
- Cremation Services;
Rocky Amaral, Pre-arrangement Advisor
Oct 15
th
, 7:30pm:
Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts
Rachel Calunan, Associate, World Financial Group
Christopher M. Gee, Trusts and Estates Attorney
Oct 22
nd,
7:30pm:
Funeral/Memorial Service Planning:
The Rev. Karen Cuffie,
The Rev. Dcn. Robin Popoff
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St. Andrew's Saratoga hosts NAMI presentation on mental illness
You're invited to a presentation by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, (NAMI) on Tuesday, October 1, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Center in Saratoga.
NAMI
In Our Own Voice
presentations change attitudes, assumptions and ideas about people with mental health conditions. This free 90-minute presentation provides a personal perspective of mental health conditions, as presenters with lived experience talk openly about what it's like to have a mental health condition.
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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 is an odd paradox that a society, which can now speak openly and unabashedly about topics that were once unspeakable, still remains largely silent when it comes to mental illness."
-Glenn Close
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-Rowena for coordinating Family Fun Day last Sunday, the grill masters, the Moniz family for bringing fun and games, and Andy for providing entertainment.
-Ryan for mowing the lawn.
-All who participated in the California Pizza Kitchen fundraiser.
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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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