St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL November 7th, 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: November 10th
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am
Holy Eucharist
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Message from Rev. Karen
If you're a Star Trek geek you know what a force field is, maybe not in scientific terms, but you know what it means. I am not a Star Trek fan but I would like to be because some of the smartest people I know (including some of my seminary professors) are big fans! Someday maybe. . .
One of the daily meditations I receive in my email this morning was called
The Field of Love
. It was about "the physical phenomenon of quantum entanglement" as an illustration of "the interconnected nature of reality, both spiritual and material." My first reaction to that introduction was to delete the email and go on to my next one, but I resisted. I like reading about the connection between science and spirituality, so I stuck with it.
Without going into a lot of detail, Richard Rohr explains that 'quantum entanglement' is a foundationally Christian concept, which is now finding voice in modern science. He describes the phenomenon as the experiential "force field" of the Holy Spirit. It's a positive force field formed whenever one loves, cares, is in solidarity with, or serves with positive energy.
This immediately made me think of Edy and last Sunday. We, everyone in the congregation, formed a force field around Edy with our love, care, laying on of hands, and prayers. I had such a deep sense of the Holy Spirit's presence in the room - did you? The positive energy of faith and hope carried Edy and all present through the episode. It is energy that we can intentionally carry with us at all times, even the most difficult, because we believe in the resurrection.
God is working in each of us to create a force field of love, care, and service not only to our faith community, but to our neighbors near and far. Could the light we are called to shine be part of a force field for God's kingdom? If so, wouldn't you agree that our light needs to be as far reaching as possible? How can we make that happen? While you think about it. . .May the Force (the Holy Spirit) be with you!
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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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
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Mark your calendar!
Bishop elect Lucinda Ashby will be visiting St. Stephen's
November 17th
at the 10:00AM service. The Vestry is hosting a hot lunch after the service. Come and meet the next Bishop of El Camino Real! (No 8:00am service)
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Celebration Sunday with Stewardship In-gathering
November 24th
This St. Stephen's tradition is an acknowledgement and thanksgiving for the abundance we enjoy in whole range of God's gifts: food, shelter, health, employment, friendships, and family. We will collect two special offerings to be blessed:
Food for Santa Maria Urban Ministry and St. Julie's Food Pantry. Please bring non-perishable traditional Thanksgiving dinner Items (ie; canned cranberry sauce, corn, yams, boxes of stuffing mix).
2020 Pledge cards that show your commitment to shining our light - as individuals and as a faith community in worship, discipleship, and evangelism.
A potluck lunch will follow the service. Please bring something to share according to the first letter of your last name:
A-J Salad
G-R Main dish
S-Z Dessert
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This Sunday is the fourth week of our five-week journey of this year's stewardship campaign "Shining Our Light." During each of these five Sundays you will have heard 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:
October 20th: Dan Hughes
October 27th: Maria Eswine
November 3rd: Tony Pecora
November 10th: Margaret White
November 17th: Robin Poppoff (Bishop-Elect Lucinda will be here!)
November 24tth: Ingathering Service
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. Completed pledge cards are coming in. If you did not already submit your pledge card, you should have received a letter in the mail on last Wednesday, October 30th, with a pledge card. These are also available in the rear of the church. You can mail your completed pledge card, or place it in the offering plate.
Thank you for your ongoing and spiritual support.
Eric Samson
Stewardship Chair
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MUSICIANS NEEDED- ADD YOUR VOICE!
Greetings! My name is Mary Ann Gee and I am a member of the Bishop Transition Committee. We are looking for singers who are interested in singing at the Consecration. To register or find out more, go to the Consecration area on the Diocesan webpage (realepiscopal.org).
We have a limit of 60 in the Saint Andrews choir loft. Choir Director Leroy Kromm will hold the first rehearsal on November 24th at Saint Andrews. There are 2 mandatory rehearsals on Jan 9 and 10, also at Saint Andrews. Times of these rehearsals are forthcoming. The Transition Committee has asked for all chorister registrations to be in by November 15.
If you or your choir director have any questions, please free to contact me at
geett8@gmail.com
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GIFT CARD ORDERS
We earned $213 from gift card orders last month and $100 from the CPK fundraiser. We are on a roll!!!
The next order dates will be
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
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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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You are the light of the world
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Matthew 5:14
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-All who assisted in helping Edy Sunday
-Paul Padilla for providing the new plate glass window for Rev. Karen's office. -the finance committee
-Tony Pecora for sharing his St. Stephen's story
-Wanda and Nancy for serving as our delegates to Convention
-Jessica for finding a good home for the changing table
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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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