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, July 28th

10:00am - Holy Eucharist

BULLETIN

LIVE STREAM

 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 Rector

Dear friends,

Even though the dust has settled down a little bit, it’s okay if you’re still feeling anxious. Change does that to all of us. Jesus had a lot to say about fear. Even in the midst of challenges, there can be calm – Jesus said so.

The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.

They saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat,

             and they were terrified.

             But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

                         —Mark 6.18-20

What dark night has the Loving One entered

when you thought you were struggling alone?

What rough seas has the Beloved walked across

to be with you?

What storms has the Calm One walked through

with peace to give you?

Peace; be still. The Faithful One

will do it again.

                       -Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding Light

peace,

 Karen+

UPCOMING EVENTS

COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UP SHEET

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.

As we all know, communication is vital to healthy relationships and I have been communicating regularly with our Sr. Wardens and Vestry about preparing for the transition ahead. There’s extra work that will need to be done and it’s critical that everyone get involved in helping do it. One small way to be of great help, is to support one another with compassion, encouragement, and hope. The future of St. Stephen’s is in the hands of the people of St. Stephen’s – as it should be. That said, you are not alone. Our Canon to the Ordinary, Martha Korienek will be walking with both St. Stephen’s and St. John’s vestries in the transition time. She will help guide them through next steps.

I’ve heard several people say that St. Stephen’s is too small to survive.  Be reassured that no plans have been made to close the doors. There are many possibilities for the future that need to be explored. Don’t – I repeat – don’t lose hope. We are not the only small congregation in our diocese and in the wider Episcopal Church. You might not be able to imagine it, but there are some who can. Trust the work of the Holy Spirit to move St. Stephen’s in the right direction and hold one another up in love and faith! And lend a hand – your Wardens and vestry will need it!



With deep love,

Karen+

Presiding Bishop Elect prioritizes

Creation Care from the start . . .

The title of the recent Episcopal News Service (ENS) article reads:

"Presiding bishop-elect to forego installation at National Cathedral; scaled-back event to be held at church’s New York headquarters."

Read the full article HERE.

Philadelphia Eleven Screening at St. Jude's, Cupertino

Sunday, July 28, 2024, 1:00 PM

The Diocese of El Camino Real is pleased to be offering a screening in each deanery of the documentary “The Philadelphia Eleven,” about the first women ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church, 50 years ago.

From the website: In an act of civil disobedience, a group of women and their supporters organized their ordination to become Episcopal priests in 1974, but change is no small task. The women are harassed, threatened, and banned from stepping on church property. In this feature-length documentary film, we meet the women who succeed in building a movement that transforms an age-old institution and challenges the very essence of patriarchy within Christendom.



All are welcome!

RSVP

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.

A prayer for peace in the Middle East

God of mercy and compassion, of grace and reconciliation, pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East: Jews, Muslims and Christians, Palestinians and Israelis. Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope, oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation, that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces, and peace and justice could be experienced by all. Amen.

(by The Reverend Said Ailabouni Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago, IL.) 

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

Pray for the people of Maui and the destruction and loss caused by the fires.

Donations for relief efforts in Maui and the Diocese of Hawaii can be made to:

https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/donate-now/individual-donation/

https://www.episcopalhawaii.org/

https://www.episcopalhawaii.org/a-cup-of-cold-water.html

Join Education For Ministry - EfM

Please consider joining EfM! Education for Ministry (EfM) is a life-changing and unique college-level program in theological education based on small-group study and practice. Weekly seminars are designed to prepare lay persons to live out by word and deed the promises made at baptism: to love God, serve Christ, and proclaim the Gospel. EfM seminars take place online during the pandemic. 

More about EfM:https://theology.sewanee.edu/education-for-ministry/

If you are interested in joining EfM, please contact the ECR Diocesan Coordinator, Katy Dickinson: katy.dickinson@gmail.com

Wednesday Book Group

Weekly Wednesday Bible Study

 11:00am, at St. John’s 

Learn about the Book of Revelation!

The last book of the Bible is more than a foretelling of doom. Come and explore what it's all about! Books are $20 ea. See Rev. Karen if you're interested.

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, August 4th, Morning Prayer
• Sunday, August 11th, Holy Eucharist
• Sunday, August 18th, Morning Prayer
• Sunday, August 25th, Holy Eucharist
• Sunday, September 1st, Morning Prayer

Kudos:

• Susan for scheduling music through July.
• Andy for trimming the foliage over the sidewalk.
• Jessica for trimming the silk tree over the parking spaces in the lot. 

Contact Information for Rev. Karen.

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

408-781-1826

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.

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