St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL August 2nd, 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: August 4th
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am
Holy Eucharist
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We lived in Morgan Hill for nearly twenty years. Tessa had weekly physical therapy appointments in Gilroy. Four of our kids had regular orthodontic visits in Gilroy. Three of them had their weekly allergy shots in Gilroy. Our daughter played in a youth orchestra that rehearsed at Gilroy High School right next to Christmas Hill Park. For many years, Gilroy was like a next door neighbor - very close to home.
After the initial shock upon hearing the news of the active shooting scene at the Garlic Festival, I kept thinking (and probably said out loud), "It's so close to home this time."
'So close to home' and 'this time'
These words have gotten under my skin this week. The shooting did happen close to home. This time we can imagine that it could have been us, our family, someone we know. This time we only need to drive a few miles to attend a vigil, rather than watch it on TV. Perhaps this time rattles us a little more than the one in the Walmart parking lot, or the school on the east coast, or in Australia.
To even say 'this time' says that there have been many other shootings and there will likely be more. To say 'this time' suggests a 'next time', which is disturbing.
The gun violence epidemic somehow becomes more real when it's so close to home and yet, the epidemic has been in our backyard for a long time now. Living in the kingdom of God makes us all neighbors regardless of our geographical location. What then does it mean to love our neighbor within the context of an ugly epidemic that is killing innocent people? What can we, as Christians who are called to love our neighbor, do to make sure there isn't a 'next time'?
It's too close to home this time - yes. And so, we pray for those who died, Stephen Romero, Keyla Salazar, Trevor Irby, and Santino Legan and for their grieving families. We pray for all who were injured, for those who were traumatized, especially the children who will carry the trauma for the rest of their lives. We give thanks for the remarkable first responders who no doubt saved lives. And we pray for the community of Gilroy.
With God's help, may we discover together how to serve our call to love our neighbor so that there is no 'next time'.
I am grateful that you are all safe, and grateful to be your sister in Christ!
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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Bishop Mary will lead the vigil for the church congregation, the Gilroy community, and all who are hurting as a result of the tragic shooting at the Garlic Festival. Please come to pray, to heal, and to be healed. The vigil is expected to last approximately 30 minutes, followed by light refreshments in the parish hall where people can continue sharing and support for one another. St. Stephen's is located at 651 Broadway in Gilroy.
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16
th
Annual Golf Tournament!
Sept 10th, 2019
Save the date for our 16
th
Annual Golf Tournament - Tues, Sept. 10th at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club. Registration forms are in the back of the church. Take a couple extra for friends and neighbors who enjoy golfing or eating or both!
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THEMED BASKETS FOR RAFFLE NEEDED!
Please consider creating a themed basket (do it with a team, with another friend, or on your own). Contact Dot Remson for more information.
[Dear St. Stephens family-We now have 10 promised baskets for the golf tournament-2 wine,tea,spa,coffee,pet,children's,hair care,gift card &sewing/knitting baskets.We need 5 more baskets.I have a list of other baskets or you can choose a new one.You can contact me at 408-264-9446 or see you at church-Regards Dot Remson]
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Summer Book Group
Our summer book meets Tuesdays mornings from 10:30am-12:00pm.
We are reading
"Gifts of God for the People of God": Exploring Worship in the Episcopal Church."
by Furman L. Buchanan.
You are welcome to drop in anytime!
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Diocesan Conference on a Spiritual Response to Climate Change
How can we best respond to the crisis facing life on the planet-our island home? On Saturday, September 14, please join us at St. Paul's/San Pablo Episcopal Church in Salinas for a conference on the stewardship of creation at a time of climate change (9:30 am-3:00pm). Participants will receive information on the latest scientific understandings of the causes and effects of global warming, will explore how caring for the Earth is an integral part of living as the Jesus Movement, and will leave with practical tools to put their care into action. Together, we can do more as a body than any of us can do alone. To register, copy and paste this website into your browser. Be sure to register for the Conference (not the retreat)
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Advent Group Ministries
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Maybe you can help!
Advent Group Ministries is a Christian organization serving at-risk youth. Their all Christian adult staff often come from out of state and are in need of rooms to rent. If you have a room and want a bit of income ($600-700/month or so) please contact Renee Brown who works for this ministry.
rbrown@adventgm.org
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ECW's MARY LOU THOMPSON RETREAT
Friday, August 16
4:00 p.m
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to
2:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 18, 2019
St. Francis Retreat Center, San Juan Bautista
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GOING DEEPER SPIRITUALLY
Our Retreat Leader,
Pastor Mary Blessing, Rector of St. Philip's in Scotts Valley, has prepared an enriching program coupled with opportunities to engage in quiet time, spiritual reflection, and several sacred sessions to enrich us in going deeper spiritually.
We will begin with a special Friday evening offering by our own
Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves
and end with an interactive gathering with music and worship which celebrates our unique gifts in the midst of the Body of Christ. For more information, contact
Jane Pomeroy
, Vice President of Diocesan Episcopal Church Women
, at
jane.pomeroy@gmail.com
or call 408-263-8485.
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How can I help?
Back pack season is almost here! SMUM is changing things up a bit this year. To receive a backpack you have to register and then the back packs will be picked up with their box of food. No special to pick up.
SMUM is asking for gift card donations. They say Target is best. Please remember them when the next gift card order is due on July 14
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From the photo's you can see the way produce is distributed has also changed. Now fruits and vegetables are set up in the open and everyone can pick what they want. Makes the boxes of food they pick up much lighter and easier for the loading crew as there is less to pack into the boxes. The atmosphere resembles a farmers market.
Come and check it out any first or third Saturday of the month.
Don't forget to order gift cards!!
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Scrip gift card orders
We have many ways to help others with this month's gift card orders. SMUM is starting their back to school backpack drive and they have requested Target gift cards to be used by the children and their families. School supplies can be bought with the gift cards but also items like new shoes and clothes.
By purchasing gift cards from St. Stephen's allows us to do things like buy bus tokens to be added to the Manna bags we make and distribute to the homeless.
So far we have collected $450 Jo-Ann gift cards to purchase material for blankets that are given to Deacon Kathey Crow for her ministry of working with the homeless students at San Jose State.
Orders are being collected this Sunday with the next order being placed on Aug 25
th
to be received in time for the golf tournament.
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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, and all who seek to serve God and God's church. Please prayerfully consider joining one of these ministries! See Rev. Karen or Susan Zaballos if you are interested in learning more.
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As Christian people, we are called not to be perfect and never make a mistake- but to do the best we are able,
recognizing not only our own needs but also those of others.
-The Rev. Dr. J. Barrington Bates from
THE UNCOMFORTABLE MIDDLE
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-Dot for keeping the refrigerator clean.
-all surrogate greeters
-Golf tournament team: Andy, Tony, Ryan, and Janet
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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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