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.

From the Rector

Dear Friends,

Today I am sharing a lovely reflection on this Sunday’s gospel from Steve Garnaas-Holmes.

A Sower went out to sow . . .

-Matthew 13.3

A person set out to live her life

and she tried to get things right

but some things she got wrong. 

Some were good ideas but they went badly.

Sometimes she had good intentions

but they got choked out

by her doubts and fears and bad habits.

Sometimes she did good things

but they didn’t make any difference,

or they went unnoticed.

Sometimes she was misunderstood and ignored

and she wondered if her life mattered at all.

but she kept trying.

And the seeds of her trying bore fruit,

Some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Blessings,

Karen+

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, July 16th, 10:00am - Holy Eucharist and Baptism at St. John's

LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SERVICE

BULLETIN

 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!

COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UP SHEET

Diocesan Newsletter

Read about what’s going on in the diocese! Click on the link for this week’s

newsletter.

https://us3.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=99ebbaf4cee8d012c9edafe60&id=f789930ce7

The Bishop is coming!

Bishop Lucinda Ashby will be visiting St. Stephen’s on July 30th. 

Please plan to come and welcome her!  Susan and Janet are planning a special coffee hour following the service.  Please contact either of them if you are able to help or bring something delicious!

Wednesday Book Group

Every Wednesday, 11:00am, St. John’s. 

You can join us at any time.

We are reading and discussing “A Rabbi Talks With Jesus” by Jacob Neusner.  

Thank you!

The cost of the Parish Hall refinishing project has been fully covered by donations!  Thank you for your generous donations

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!

Contribute to disaster relief efforts for the devastation caused by the earthquake in Turkey-Syria by donating to:

Episcopal Relief and Development at 

https://support.episcopalrelief.org/syria-turkey-earthquake?_gl=1*1ybrxoe*_ga*MTE0NzA0NjQ1OS4xNjYzNzA5NTM4*_ga_5J3W6B8WL4*MTY3NTk3NjYzMi42LjAuMTY3NTk3NjYzMi4wLjAuMA  

Archbishop’s Earthquake Donation Relief Fund at https://afedj.org/give/give-online/

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• July 16 Holy Eucharist - St. John’s
• July 23 Holy Eucharist - St. Stephen’s
• July 30 Bishop’s Visitation - St. Stephen’s
• Aug 6 Holy Eucharist – St. John’s
• Aug 9 Holy Eucharist – St. John’s 

Poem from the Garden

Two friends of Edy's

came by last month to

walk her labyrinth.

They walked it slow and

well, and stood in the

shade of the coast live

oak to talk, to share

when they'd seen her last,

how they'd felt then, what

brought them here now. It's

not much we get to

leave behind, or to take,

but her friends came and

walked beside her path.

— Jessica Dickinson Goodman

“Saying less is incredibly helpful.

Every feeling does not need to be voiced.

What is often best is slowing down

to spend time developing a clearer and more

informed perspective. Ego rushes

and reacts, but peace moves 

intentionally and gently.”

-Yung Pueblo

Kudos:

-our courageous and Spirit filled vestry.

-all who’ve donated to the floor resurfacing project in the Parish Hall

-Jessica for coordinating the delicious BBQ lunch last week, all who helped set-up and clean-up, and all who made donations for the food.

-Dan for fixing the storage shed door.

Contact Information for Rev. Karen.

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

408-781-1826