From the Rector

Dear friends, 

No matter how tempting, when it comes to books, I don’t ‘cheat and peek’. That is, I don’t flip to the back and read the end to find out what happens when I’m only halfway through the book. I love mystery, crime, suspense novels! They are my go-to when I need a break. I’ve been listening to audio books on my walks - right now I’m enjoying Agatha Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd”. There’s a lot of wondering, speculation, and accusation. Everyone has their own method for solving crimes, all of which are lacking, except Hercule Poirot’s, of course! He never jumps to conclusions, as do others who think they’ve figured everything out - until they find out they haven't.

Lately I’ve noticed some similarities between God and mystery novels.  God is one big enormous mystery, right?  We wonder, speculate, and even accuse when we try to figure God out. How can God love everyone the same? How can Jesus be raised from the dead? God must be trying to teach me something – but what? How could you let this happen, God?  

Our lives can sometimes feel like a mystery novel – so many twists and turns, surprises, frights, frustrations, victories.  Can you imagine that our mysterious God is the greatest mystery writer of all time? If I can imagine that, then I can imagine my life being a great mystery novel – a real page-turner if you will. I’m no Hercule Poirot. I can’t figure it all out, not for lack of trying. There are definitely times when I want to read ahead.  But for now, I am content with savoring every word, sentence, and paragraph. I plan to keep turning the pages . . . not too quickly though. Without even peeking, I know the ending will be great!

Blessings and peace,

Karen+

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, Oct 21st, 10:00am – Holy Eucharist

 at St. Stephen's

LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SERVICE

  BULLETIN

We continue to wear masks for our indoor services. 

  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!

Centering Prayer Retreat

The Rev. Amber Sturgess is leading a Centering Prayer retreat at All Saint's Carmel, Nov. 11-13. This is a beautiful and rewarding opportunity to learn more about and practice Centering Prayer! For more information click on the flyer below. 

Centering Prayer Retreat

New Bible Study

Acts: Catching up with the Spirit 

We are doing a six-week study on the book of Acts with Biblical scholar, Matt Skinner.

Tuesday evenings via Zoom beg at 7pm.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87517609914

Wednesday mornings at 11:00am, in person at St. John’s.

Dancing to the music!

Poem from the Garden

Hi Evan and Aer,

The Calero team

built their first bench this

week, under Aer's oak

tree bower. Two stumps

and some old boards, but

it holds weight and shape

even it is rocks a

little. Each student took

a tool from the box

they had never used,

and learned to use it,

make something new with

it. That's what we do,

in this shared garden.

Jessica

“Forever is composed of Nows - "

                                        -Emily Dickinson

Kudos to:

-Gardeners.

-Susan and Janet, our small but great Altar Guild!

-Jane, our very capable and kind office administrator.

-Andy, our treasurer, for holding everything together.