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, November 19th

10:00am - Morning Prayer, RITE II

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 Rector

Dear friends,

Bishop Lucinda encourage all clergy to share her Convention Address from Nov. 4^th. I am including the links to the PDF as well as the video, which I recommend watching. I encourage you to listen especially for the parts that resonate with us a small church and as a church that shares a priest with another congregation. There is a message of hope there!

PDF

VIDEO

Also, if you were in church last Sunday, you will have watched Andy and Susan attach a few leaves to our “Rooted in Abundance’ tree that shows our progress with the Stewardship Campaign this year. I hope that we can add more leaves to our tree! You have been very generous and faithful stewards in previous years and for that we are grateful!  As you prayerfully consider your pledge for 2024, I hope that you will look at the abundance, God’s abundance, you already enjoy and how, by sharing it, others can benefit from the gifts St. Stephen’s has to offer as the body of Christ in the world.  

Blessings and peace to you,

Karen+

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.

By now you will have received a letter from Rev. Karen and a letter and pledge card from Andy. This Sunday you will hear someone share their thoughts about their experience with stewardship and pledging to St. Stephen’s. This Sunday we will hopefully have some leaves to add to our beautiful (and bare) tree!  Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten your pledge card, or if you never received yours in the mail, there are extras at church. Please prayerfully consider what you will pledge this coming year. Your generosity has sustained us and we are deeply grateful for all that you give to St. Stephen’s!

“To be rooted in abundance suggests that gratitude and generosity are a natural consequence of a loving environment, a space where possibility, generosity, and abundance thrive. Without love for God, self and others, you risk being trapped in an environment of scarcity.”

 |

Dora Currea belongs to the Washington National Cathedral congregation where she is a Co-Chair of the Sanctuary Ministry advocating and supporting immigrants

Reflection question: Often those with limited means show great generosity and solidarity. Why do you think that is?

A Prayer for Peace

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.



- Reverend Said

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

Sunday, November 19, 2023, 3pm.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Gilroy

651 Broadway St. Gilroy, CA 959020

Bring fruit/vegetable canned item food donation.

Impromtu choir practice at 1:30

Light refreshments

Diocese of El Camino Real Advent Retreat

December 2nd, 10:00am-3:00pm

^{St. Francis, Willow Glen} 

 You are invited to a diocese-wide Advent Retreat and we hope you will join us! You are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a journal or computer, if you are someone who enjoys writing while reflecting. Lunch will be provided, and there is a $10 suggested donation to help with the cost of lunch, but this is not a required contribution. The retreat will end by 3pm. The theme of the day is “The Mysteries of the Season of Advent” and the retreat will be led by the diocesan Advent Retreat committee. 

Questions? 

Please email Canon Martha at canonmartha@realepiscopal.org. 

To register, please click HERE

SAVE THE DATES!

Friday December the 8^th at 7 pm

Labyrinth walk with Christmas carols.

We will have a short service on the labyrinth followed by hot beverages and treats rounded out with carols sung around the piano – feel invite others!

December 24^th

Lessons and Carols, 10:00am, St. John’s



 Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist and Pageant, 4:30pm 

All are welcome!

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

• Sunday, November 19th, Morning Prayer, 10:00am
• Sunday, November 26th, Holy Eucharist, 10:00am
• Sunday, December 3rd, Morning Prayer, 10:00am
• Sunday, December 10th, Holy Eucharist, 10:00am

Poem from the Garden

In lieu of a poem this week I’d like to share one of the prayers one of my mentee in Gaza posted on Facebook earlier in the month. I thought it was really poignant. The Arabic is first and then the Facebook automatic translation is below.



اللهم إنا نسألك بإسمك الأعظم ووجهك الأكرم يا من تعيد للمريض صحته يا من تستجيب دعاء المضطر ومن بيده الشفاء والداء والدواء يا من تحيي العظام وهي رميم اللهم إنا نسألك أن تشفى عمر زيارة فإن عجزت حيلتنا فقدرتك أعظم وإن أغلقت الأبواب فباب رحمتك أوسع يا كريم يا رب بشرنا بعافيته يا من تحيي العظام وهي رميم أحيي العافية في جسد زوج أختي عمر Omar Ziara عمر محتاج دعوات كل اللي بحبوه

O Allah, we ask you in your greatest name and your most generous face, O you who restore health to the patient, O you who respond to the supplication of the helpless, and with his hand healing, disease and medicine Oh who revives bones and they are pine Oh God, we ask you to heal Omar Ziyara If we fail, your ability is greater, and if the doors are closed, your mercy is wider, O Generous O Lord, give us good tidings of his health, O the one who revives the bones, and it is a relic of my life Wellness in the body of my sister-in-law Omar Ziara Omar needs the prayers of all those who love him

— Israa K. Moussa, November 7, 2023

“The whole world is a series of miracles, but we're so used to them we call them ordinary things."           

-Hans Christian Andersen

Kudos:

• Andy for calling in the pros to fix the leak at the top of the outside stairs. 

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