St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL August 23rd, 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 25th
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am
Holy Eucharist
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I've been thinking of my mom a lot lately - I miss her. I want to hear her voice join in on the conversations I've been having with friends and family. I want to hear her affirming voice tell me that I'm right. It's not that we always agreed, but as a mom, she always had a way of saying something like, "Yes, honey, I hear you" which is not the same as, "Yes, honey, you're right." At least I felt I was heard, and being heard is important.
My mom used to say, "Karen, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all." Maybe you've heard that sentiment before. I didn't like it as a young child, but I've grown to appreciate it. I often think of it today when I'm engaged in a difficult conversation. It makes me pause to consider if or how my contribution to a conversation could be helpful. When I take the time to pause and think about being kind and at the same time speaking about what is true to me, I feel like I'm contributing in a meaningful way. When I take the time to pause, I can think about whether my words reflect my Christian values. When I take the time to pause, I'm also making room to listen and think about what the other person/people are saying.
While I've found my mom's words of wisdom helpful on many occasions, in today's climate of deep division, I have to disagree with the last part of the sentence. We can't afford to say nothing at all. When people's lives are at stake, we can't be silent. When the dignity of all human beings is not being honored, we can't sit on the sidelines. We do not have to agree on how to fix our problems, but we do need to name the problems and begin to work on solutions.
Today I might rephrase it to say, "If you don't have anything nice to say, find a better way to say it and be part of the conversation."
I'd like to offer two sentence starters that I've found helpful in difficult conversations over the years:
"I could be wrong, but. . . ." and "I wonder. . ."
Let me know how they work out for you! Be brave, be gentle, be true.
May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be always acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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Don't miss this planning meeting about reaching out to our community in a brand new (and fun) way. See Deacon Robin after the service.
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16
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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 or can be found on our website by clicking the Golf Tournament event on the front page. Invite friends and neighbors. Even if they don't golf, they can enjoy a lovely dinner and live music.
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DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE SILENT AUCTION??
How about:
-Giving lessons for a particular talent or skill you have -for example, juggling, playing an instrument, yoga, cooking, baking bread - you name it!
-Hosting a dinner party
-Airline tickets from your frequent flyer miles.
-Theater tickets
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THEMED BASKETS FOR RAFFLE NEEDED!
It's your last week to decide to make that last needed themed basket for the golf tournament!Baskets are due Sunday Sept 1st with contents listed' See you on Sunday-Regards-Dot Remson
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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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We are trying a pie auction this year at the golf tournament. To do that we need.....you guessed it!
PIES!
So far we have:
Key lime
Coconut cream
Coffee cream
Lemon meringu
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We need a dozen. Some ideas would be: apple -caramel, peach with bourbon, blueberry, pumpkin with candied pecans, pecan with bourbon or chocolate, chocolate cream, sweet potato, apricot with almonds and amaretto. You get the picture. Make them unique. Something you can't get at the bakery.
Let me know which pie has your name on it.
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Scrip gift card orders
We sold $ 190 worth of
gift cards last month.
Next order date is Aug 25th
-Janet Thorsrud
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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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-Andy, Tony, Ryan and Janet for their continued work on the golf tournament
-Dot Remson for coordinating baskets
-The new class of Calero students who greeted us Tuesday.
-The Sr. Wardens for their dedication to St. Stephen's
-The Lief family for coffee hour last Sunday
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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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