St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL May 5th, 2022
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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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10:00 AM Holy Eucharist
at St. Stephen's
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Dear friends,
I’m going to be very honest here. Mother’s Day makes me a little uncomfortable. I was with a group of friends having lunch last Monday. When lunch was over, everyone was wishing each other a Happy Mother’s Day as they left. There were two women I didn’t know - friends of a friend that were lingering behind. Now, I try to be careful not to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to women I don’t know for obvious reasons. I did ask one of them if she had special plans for Sunday. She shook her head and said she didn’t have any children. She added that her mom had died just a couple of years ago. So no, she had no plans for Sunday.
I was sad for her, but she might not have been sad. She might have never wanted to have children. Or – maybe she had desperately wanted children for many years, but had trouble conceiving. Maybe she had had numerous miscarriages. Maybe Mother’s Day is a particularly painful day for her. Then what? It can be awkward.
There’s nothing wrong with honoring your mother, treating her with a day full of pampering and fun, going out for a special brunch, giving flowers, and maybe even gifts. It’s lovely! I’ve certainly had my share of being treated to such things over the years. But there are so many women who are excluded from the celebration for reasons out of their control. The pain that some women experience on Mom’s special day tugs at my heart.
What’s helpful to me is to remember that historically, according to almanac.com, Mother’s Day “essentially began as a women’s movement to better the lives of other Americans”. You can read more about the history of it here. It helps reframe the day as a celebration of all women.
I have a dear friend (who is not a mother) who chooses to celebrate all the women she loves on that day. I like that. It’s definitely more inclusive.
So should we celebrate or acknowledge or single out mothers on one Sunday every year in church? Is it the pastoral thing to do? What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts sometime.
For now, perhaps we can celebrate all the women in the church. It certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Easter blessings and peace,
Karen+
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Sunday, May 8th, 10:00am – Holy Eucharist
at St. Stephen’s
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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!
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From The Episcopal News Service
Please take a moment to read this pastoral letter from the House of Bishops on Ukraine
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Episcopal Relief & Development supports families in Ukraine.
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You can also make a donation to help families in Ukraine through Episcopal Relief and Development here or the picture above.
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May is. . . .
May is the designated month for recognizing, celebrating, and learning about Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Mental Health awareness, and our Military. The links provided are just a starting place. Take some time this month to dig deeper and learn about each of them. Some of them have ads at the beginning and some you have to scroll down a little to get to the video. Have fun!
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Asian American and Pacific Islander
Heritage Month
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Mental Health Awareness Month
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Military Appreciation Month
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Santa Maria needs pantry volunteers to box groceries between 9:00am and 11:30am on weekdays. It’s a gratifying way to make a big difference in the lives of others. Call Santa Maria Urban Ministry at 408-292-3314. You must be at least twelve years old to volunteer. |
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Bible Study
The Path; A Journey Through the Bible
Our next session will meet
Wednesday, May 11th.
11:00am - in person at St. John’s.
7:00pm - via Zoom using the following link:
We will be discussing Chapter 22
Please join us!
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Support Community Garden Tool Fundraiser |
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For the next 4 days, donations of $1 to $50 are matched dollar for dollar. So $50 is $100 toward this fundraiser when the donor puts the code LIFTOFF in the giving page.
Of course, if you happen to have any of these tools gathering dust in your garage, used tools are welcome too!
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Cardboard needed!
Please bring in all that cardboard you know you’ve been wanting to get rid of! The landscapers (Jessica & Co.) need it for weed control on the embankment.
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I did a bloom inventory this week
crouching around with my camera
to see who will be showing their colors
for the merry merry month of May.
Looks like salvia gracias will be dress
in pale lavender while the palo verde
dances in electric yellow; the salvia celestial
is a veil-piercing violet with a magnolia base,
the salvia farinacea are Lent vestment-purple,
the bladderpods are yellow like ducklings while
the blue eyed grasses are violet and wee, mixed
among the white of the yarrow, fading to rust.
We've already passed the time of blooming for
the salvia mellifera and toyon, purple and white,
and can look forward to the desert willows and silk
trees and strawberries and crepe myrtle and all
the vegetables and sunflowers in the community
garden blooming before they fruit. It should be a
month full of color and contrast and joy and I
hope to see you out amongst the flowers soon.
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“When we say ‘Asian American’ we are talking about so much more than can be fit in a single stereotype.”
― Ijeoma Oluo,
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Kudos to:
-Janet for ordering gift cards and those who purchase them.
-All who have purchased gardening tools and equipment for the Calero students
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Contact Information for Rev. Karen.
Please use this new number to contact Rev. Karen for calls or texts:
(669)270-7479
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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 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.
Please submit prayer requests to Rev. Karen.
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Contact information for Rev. Karen: |
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: (669)270-7479
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Editor's Note
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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