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.

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, March 16th

10:00am - Morning Prayer

BULLETIN

 St. Stephen’s has an in-person worship service every Sunday at 10am. We alternate between Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist. We are not live-streaming Morning Prayer services at this time. All Holy Eucharist services are live streamed. Links to the bulletin and YouTube video are provided for all Holy Eucharist services.

From the Vestry

The bad pipe causing the leak has been found and removed!

The new drain has been installed. The other tiles and carpet in Jane's office will be removed and the concrete floor will be sealed and smoothed. This will be happening on 3/29/2025 starting at 10:00am.

Please fill out the Easter Flowers form if you want your loved ones names to be added to the bulletin. A check can be dropped off to the office. Forms are available at St. Stephen's.

What’s happening with the Moniz Family?

Lainie is settling in very well at her new school, NYFA, and made the Dean's List for Fall 2024! She auditioned for the college show this term, and will be playing Natasha in the upcoming musical: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. It is based on a section of the book, War and Peace. Her classmates have been so welcoming and supportive of her during the audition and rehearsal processes. She was so excited and honored to receive the role and got the opportunity to sing a solo from the musical, "No One Else," for the Chinese Service Center for Scholary Exchange in New York two weeks ago. What a wonderful experience!

As you may recall, Lainie had an ensemble roll in the Fall musical, 9 to 5, with a few lines as the doctor. She got to choose the name on the badge on her costume, and chose Dr. Mitchell. Please enjoy the recording, where you can see Lainie in many ensemble dance numbers and as Dr. Mitchell around the 62 minute mark:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ovj0Wdwrp6Txq_os_Jh8c7RH-fgxAOIc/view?usp=drivesdk

Lainie's address through mid-April:

Lainie Moniz

55 Clark St, # 736

Brooklyn, NY 11201-2415

Please let her know if you mail a letter or package. Her email is Lainieismyname@yahoo.com 

Thanks for all your prayers, love, and support!

Dearly,

Monica

Below is the updated list for Lenten Lessons and Lunch!

Also, please bring canned goods for Santa Maria Urban Ministries. We will be collecting food all through Lent.

REMINDER:

We will be reading "Witness the Cross" by Amy-Jill Levine for our Lenten Lessons and Lunch starting on March 9, 2025.

Click on the image or the link below to order the book from Amazon:

https://a.co/d/djOMtwB

Come and help the gardeners plant seeds on Saturday, March 15^th from 10:00am to 12:00pm. 

If you can’t stay the full 2 hours, no problem! Just show up when you can.

Something new!

If you want to watch our Livestream services, you can watch on Facebook now! Below are the links:

SSITF Facebook Homepage:

https://www.facebook.com/ssitf

SSITF Facebook Videos: https://www.facebook.com/ssitf/videos

Starting Sunday, March 9th

Lenten Lessons and Lunch- Starting at 12pm

Bring a soup or bread or a side to share while we discuss the book "Witness at the Cross".

Supporting Victims of the LA Wildfires

Our hearts are with those impacted by the LA wildfires. Thank you to everyone who has already offered prayers and support. The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is directing donations to their Annual Appeal, which is focused on aiding institutions and individuals affected by the fires. You can donate directly HERE.

Episcopal Relief & Development is also accepting contributions to their Wildfire Fund, which supports recovery efforts for wildfire-affected areas globally. Learn more and donate HERE.

Be near to us Lord, those of us near the fires and far away, we who know what we must do and we who do not. Grant us your wisdom and discernment. Show us the works you have set before us and give us the courage to do them. Grant us endurance to continually draw near to you and walk with you into whatever lies ahead. We thank you for your Goodness and boldly ask all of these things in your name. Amen.

Dear Clergy and Wardens of the Diocese of El Camino Real,

The Bishop of Western North Carolina, +Jose McLoughlin , has sent an update on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. His communication is very limited at this time, so updates are infrequent.



Power is still out in many areas, especially the mountains in the western part of the diocese. It is anticipated that power will not be restored until Friday. Flooding is extensive, as he says, historic, and most of the effort is being put into search and rescue at this time. Roads and bridges are washed out, so it is very hard to get into the remote areas.

Bishops in the eastern part of the country are accumulating supplies to take into that area, but most of it will need to wait until access is granted. Meanwhile, the best course of action for those in our diocese who wish to be of assistance is to donate to Episcopal Relief and Development. ER-D works to give long-term support in areas affected by disaster: support.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-relief.

Thank you all. Let us keep praying for the people in the southeastern part of our country.

Faithfully,

+Lucinda

Diocesan Newsletter



Read about what’s going on in the diocese! Click below to subscribe to the diocesan newsletter that is emailed every two weeks.

A Prayer in Times of Transition . . .

Assist us, Lord, in living hopefully into the future. In the face of change, help us to set unnecessary fears aside and to recognize our potential for creative response. Help us to develop a reasonable optimism when confronted by “the new” and to guard against our own defensiveness. Be with us as we remember and celebrate former times, and keep us from unreasonable yearning for them, which takes us from the work you have set before us in our time. All this we ask in the name of your Child, our Savior, Jesus Christ.



Amen.

You can help . . .

If you are interested in making donations to help with the relief efforts in Israel/Palestine, here are the links that were included in Bishop Lucinda's letter:

https://j-diocese.org/wordpress/

https://realepiscopal.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=d91c439a3d&e=bcc1702497

Updates and opportunities!

We have space available to rent. If you know of any non-profit agencies or schools that need a space, let them know that St. Stephen’s has space. 



While it’s nice to have the flexibility to use the space ourselves, we need the income and so hope to find a new renter. 

Our church, parish hall, and our beautiful grounds, including the labyrinth are all great venues like for a variety of special events like receptions, birthday parties, quinceaneras, etc. Please encourage friends to consider St. Stephen’s as a venue for their special event!  

To reserve a space or ask question, contact the office, office@ssitf.org or click on the link on our website https://www.ssitf.org/facility-rentals. 

Spread the word and pray for St. Stephen’s!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

All Services begin at 10:00am, unless otherwise noted.

• Sunday, March 16th, Morning Prayer
• Sunday, March 23rd, Holy Eucharist
• Sunday, March 30th, Morning Prayer.
• Sunday, April 6th, Holy Eucharist

Kudos:

• Ruth Lief for cleaning up after the Lenten Lunch.



• To all who brought food.

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 prayer chain of committed pray-ers (who maintain confidentiality). 

*   tell people about your answers to prayer! and the miracles you witness, or how prayer changes YOU.

Editor's Note  

Have an announcement?

Please send any announcements or articles you want to have included, to: kristenvdm@yahoo.com, by Thursday, 10am each week. 

Kristen van der Molen