From the Rector

Dear friends, 

You can really tell that school is in session now.  The middle school kids having fun on the playground (they probably don’t call it that) are noisy, in a good way.  It’s nice to hear their voices again.  If ever drive or walk in neighborhoods with an elementary school nearby, it’s the same thing.  Personally, I like to hear the little voices way more – they don’t use curse words as much as the older kids do.  Those little ones are just precious.

Equally delightful are the chalk drawings on sidewalks and driveways that I’ve been seeing on my walks these days.  They make me smile, even chuckle sometimes.  Yesterday I saw a big smiley face and then a big scary face with gnashing teeth right above it.  I can’t help but wonder what that child was thinking about when they drew them!

Between the school children that come and go from school and the artwork that I am blessed to see regularly, I am reminded that those children are inheriting the earth in the condition we leave it.  I am reminded that I can do better when it comes to protecting and taking care of the earth God has created for us. 

Listen for little voices and look for chalk drawing this week.  Maybe they’ll remind you of something, or maybe they’ll simply put a smile on your face.  Enjoy the gift that they are. 

Blessings and peace,

Karen+

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, Sep 18th, 10:00am – Holy Eucharist

 at St. John's

LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SERVICE

BULLETIN

We continue to wear masks for our indoor services. 

************NEWS FLASH!**********

  St. Stephen’s church doors will be open every Sunday for worship. Services will continue to alternate with St. John’s but the live-stream from services at St. John’s will be projected at St. Stephen’s. Come to St. Stephen’s every Sunday!

Join us for our first annual harvest dinner fundraiser! Come join with your friends, family, and our beloved community for an evening of fun, food, and fellowship.

• When: 5 – 8:30pm | Sunday October 9, 2022
• 5-6pm: Reception, pumpkin decorating, and silent auction
• 6-7pm: Dinner
• 7-8pm: Dancing, pie auction, last chance at silent auction.
• 8-8:30pm: Announcing winners.

• Where: The New Labyrinth at 7269 Santa Teresa Blvd., San José, CA 95139

• How: Tickets are $25/adult and $5/child — buy them through our PayPal page here using your debit or credit card, or drop off a check at the office.

• What:
• Kegs and drinks donated by Rob van der Molen
• Grilling by Andy Lief and Trygve Thorsrud
• Harvest centerpieces from the community garden
• Pie auction with pies by Rowena Dizon-Burger, Jessica Dickinson Goodman, Janet Thorsrud, and more. Bidding starts at just $25!
• Basket auction with goodies from baker Akiko Mizhashi; delicacies from baker Kristen van der Molen; a bird basket from Janet Thorsrud; and more.
• Silent auction with kayaking lesson with Paula Scotney-Castle; website support Jessica Dickinson Goodman; a small project from Andy Lief and Vaquero Construction; original from artist Debbie Wolf; electrical work (hanging lights, etc) and computer upgrades from Trygve Thorsrud; a beautiful quilt from Terre; training and installation support from beekeeper Gavin; a baking lesson from Janet Thorsrud; a lovely watercolor from artists Susan Zaballos; and more!

If you’d like to donate an item to the silent auction or help to set-up or take-down the event, please reach out to the event co-chairs Janet (thorsrud@sbcglobal.net) and Jessica (jessica.dickinson.goodman@gmail.com).

Harvest Festival Pie Raffle Sign-Up Sheet

***We need more pies and baskets!***

Also if you have questions about volunteering, Ideas, or donations please contact Janet using the information above

Pictures from the mural at the garden

Poem from the Garden

We're widening the

gate to the garden,

since the old fence was

cutting into the

bark of a coast-live

oak. The pole will still

be deeply embedded

in the tree, but

in time I hope she

can grow to encompass

it, and heal around it.

Thank you to Bear for

their work removing the

fence and saving the tree.

— Jessica Dickinson Goodman 

“The most

wasted 

of all days

is one

without

laughter.”

-e.e. cummings

Kudos to:

-Jill for taking the minutes of our vestry meetings.

-Susan for serving on the altar guild.

-Jessica for working with the Calero students.

-Janet and Janet for continued planning for the Harvest Festival.