St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL October 11th, 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: October 13th
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8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am
Holy Eucharist
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Warbles from your Senior Warden
Sometimes the best gifts come from the most unexpected circumstances. I got some bad diagnostic news recently. To get out in front of the situation, I was prescribed radiation treatment. The only Kaiser with a radiation treatment center is in Santa Clara. Luckily my daughter lives within a few miles of SC Kaiser.
It was a short round of radiation - only five consecutive treatments. But that meant five days at my daughter's home. Five days with Ella and Calvin. Five days to share meals with them. What a blessing!
My son tells me that my voice is different when he calls and I am with Calvin and Ella. He says that my voice is filled with joy.
I thought about that. I have not felt joy-filled the past few weeks. I felt like shaking my fist at God and yelling "This is not what I prayed for!" But who am I to question God's timetable or methods? What do I gain by wallowing in self pity?
So I have decided to find some joy in each day. I do not need to be joyful all day long as I schedule procedures and speak to nurses and doctors. But I consciously keep an eye out for that bit of joy. That something that will make me smile.
One night it was being able to hear the train whistle as the train traveled along Monterey. Train whistles always make me smile because they remind me of my dad - just like swallowtail butterflies.
What brings you joy? I invite you to find something every day and then revel in that joy! Let it fill your entire being.
Joy is a wonderful feeling. It can protect you from whatever comes along - and make it easier to cope with not-so-good situations. It is like a chocolate coating of protection. Gotta love it!
Many blessings dear family,
Edy
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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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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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Convention volunteers needed
Registration volunteers are needed for this year's convention. You'll have fun meeting and greeting delegates and enjoying each other's company. Hospitality volunteers are needed to help with setting up the Friday night banquet, plus Saturday's convention set-up and clean-up. Please email the following contact
Hospitality
Charles Greenleaf: ckgreenleaf@earthlink.net
Richard Smith:
rcsbsmith@razzolink.com
Registration:
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Bishops' Transition Appeal
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PREPARED WITH LOVE: PART 1
Tuesday evening we started our three part series on end of life planning led this week by Rocky Amaral with the Trident Society. This was a great opportunity to get information on the cost of a funeral service and a little bit about the process.
This makes the process a little more relaxed for your loved ones while they are grieving, to have one less thing to decide on what to do on a really bad day.
Rocky can meet with you if you are interested in this service.
Next week we will have some friends of mine discussing wills and trusts. Come and listen if you can. Bring friends and spread the word about this event.
See you there.
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GIFT CARD ORDERS
This Sunday I will be collecting orders for gift cards. The next order dates will
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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"O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled, as to console. To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life."
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St. Francis of Assisi
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-Susan Zaballos for setting up the refreshment table for the Pet Blessing service
-Eric Samson for volunteering to be the stewardship chair again this year
-Deacon Robin for leadership in "Prepared with Love"
-Janet for leadership in finding professionals to speak at the "Prepared with Love" series
-Janet for ordering and picking up our new banner
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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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