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.

From the Rector

Dear friends, 

I like unraveling things like tangled up necklaces or thread – things that get knotted up and need to be detangled.  The more knotted up something is, the more determined I am to untangle it. But I seemed to have lost my touch or patience this week.  

I was working on a knitting project that was going along just fine, until I made a mistake and the more I tried to fix it, the worse it got.  After spending at least two hours over two days trying to untangle the big mess, it became clear that I wasn’t going to win that battle, so I gave up, which I rarely do.  Giving in wasn’t easy but it was taking up time that I could’ve have used for something more important or productive - and it was making me grumpy. 

How do you know when to give up something?  How do you draw the line when something isn’t working and you need to move on?  The answers can be easy when it’s necklaces and yarn, but aren’t so easy when it comes to the bigger challenges of life – one’s health or job or relationships.  

I talk to God about such things.  Honestly, the fact that we’re in the season of Lent helped me make the decision to let the tangled mess go.  A small thing, I know, but every little bit helps. I’m absolutely sure God is there for the bigger things too.    

Blessings and peace

Karen+

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, Mar 5th, 10:00am – Holy Eucharist 

at St. Stephen's

LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SERVICE

BULLETIN

  St. Stephen’s church doors will be open every Sunday for worship. In-person 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!

COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UP SHEET

Contribute to disaster relief efforts for the devastation caused by the earthquake in Turkey-Syria by donating to:

Episcopal Relief and Development at 

https://support.episcopalrelief.org/syria-turkey-earthquake?_gl=1*1ybrxoe*_ga*MTE0NzA0NjQ1OS4xNjYzNzA5NTM4*_ga_5J3W6B8WL4*MTY3NTk3NjYzMi42LjAuMTY3NTk3NjYzMi4wLjAuMA

Archbishop’s Earthquake Donation Relief Fund at

https://afedj.org/give/give-online/

The Way of Love in Lent

Wednesday morning Lenten Forum

Every Wednesday in Lent from 10:30a.m.-12:00p.m.

At St. John’s.

Come as you are and bring a friend.!

Pot luck

Hey party people!

 The plan for the pot luck has evolved a little.

In the hopes that we don't have too much food,

I am making spaghetti with a vegetarian sauce

with meatballs on the side to add if you want.

That leaves salads, bread, dessert and beverages

to bring. Not everyone needs to bring something

as we always have plenty.

 A head count is needed so have people rsvp to

me. This is just to make sure I have enough plates

and glasses. My address is:198 Giddings Ct, SJ 95139.

 We will gather at 5:30. This is for women only.

 This event is on March 6th.

 If people want to donate money instead of

shopping, that will be great. I am buying 50

kits from www.cleantheworld.com at the cost

of $200, only $4 per person which includes,

soap, toothpaste, tooth brush, 2-in-1 shampoo/

conditioner, socks or lotion. I hope we can raise

another $200 to buy 50 more kits to fill 100 bags.

 Items we can still use include:

socks

beanies

emergency blankets

combs

floss

deodorant  

female hygiene products

 Checks or cash can be given to either myself

 or Susan.

 Hope to see you on the 6th.

Mark your calendars . . .

Mon, Mar 6, 6:00pm

- Assembling Manna Bags at Janet’s house.  

Wed, Mar 8, 5:30pm

- Lenten Soup Supper at St. Stephen’s. 

Wed, Mar 8, 10:30am

- Way of Love in Lent Forum

Looking a little further down the road:

Sun, Apr 4 – Palm Sunday, St. John’s

Thur, Apr 6 – Maundy Thursday, St. John’s

Fri, Apr 7 – Good Friday, St. John’s 

Sat, Apr 8 – Easter Vigil, St. Stephen’s

Sun, Apr 9 – Easter Sunday, St. Stephen’s

Commemorative Wine Glasses!

This beautiful commemorative glass marks the year St. Stephen’s made Parish Status and you can have one for just $2!  There are only 6 dozen left so get them while you can!  Your purchase helps St. Stephen’s so buy a few if you can.

Poem from the Garden

Lauren and Catherine

spent Saturday with

their hands in the soil

planting alliums

garlic and onions,

plus purple flowering

amaranth, in a

sequential planting

following the bright

green garlic Kat planted

back in December.

We hope that these plants

will be tasty to

humans and not squirrels,

-- Jessica Dickinson Goodman. As a reminder, we have a crafts fair March 17-19.

“The hardest spiritual work in the world is to love the neighbor as the self - to encounter another human being not as someone you can use, change, fix, help, save, enroll, convince or control, but simply as someone who can spring you from the prison of yourself, if you will allow it.”

-Barbara Brown Taylor

Kudos to :

-Rob and Jessica for putting up another new sign.

-Rob for working on the thermostats in the church.

-Jim for raking leaves and sweeping sidewalks.

Contact Information for Rev. Karen.

Please use this new number to contact Rev. Karen for calls or texts:

(669)270-7479