St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL March 13th, 2020
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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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Sunday Services: March 15, 2020
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In response to the Corona virus, Sunday services are suspended until March 25th
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A very important message from Rev. Karen
Dear St. Stephen's family,
Based on frequent updates about the Corona virus, it is clear that COVID-19 is spreading and that the measures being taken to slow down the spread of the virus are increasing around the country. It's very important that we not act out of fear. Wasn't it Jesus who said, "do not be afraid" over and over? Instead we need to be steadfast in our efforts to slow the virus from spreading, and take care of one another.
Clergy from all over the diocese met with Bishop Lucinda on Wednesday via a Zoom meeting and discussed the measures we are taking in our services and ministries for the good of all our people. The very next day, due to the rapid updates, she sent out a message to the clergy in Santa Clara Deanery recommending that we "strongly consider a practice of fasting from in-person public worship until March 25." While I never expected that I would ever need to do that, I have decided that we will suspend our Sunday services for the next two weeks. I believe that it is the right thing for us and all people. I will re-evaluate the situation after the 25
th
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In the meantime, I am working on finding a way to live-stream the Eucharist to you all this Sunday. If it doesn't happen this Sunday, I will at a minimum, share our service bulletin and Deacon Robin's homily with the parish on Sunday morning. In addition, I will send out frequent Lenten reflections as we move through this time.
We are a very loving and faithful community and I realize that this is a big sacrifice, but I encourage you to think of this, as +Lucinda expressed, a Lenten fast. Think about the opportunities we have to be community in a different way these next couple of weeks. Call a friend, bake bread for someone, finish that crocheting project, take a walk and enjoy God's creation, or something else that will sooth your soul.
The vestry will be starting a phone tree this weekend so that we can all stay in touch with one another. If you fasted from Facebook this Lent, consider breaking that fast and substituting it with something different so that you stay connected with your Facebook friends. I will be posting things on our St. Stephen's page so if you're on Facebook, check out our page!
In the meantime dear friends, stay well, stay home if you're sick, reach out to a friend if you need to talk or need anything at all, and . . . wash your hands often!
I leave you with the following prayer that was adapted by another priest:
God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you.
-Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 765
God's blessing and peace be with you all,
Karen+
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I want to share with you a wonderful book that I have discovered, by an amazing author and artist. It is titled "The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse", by Charlie Mackesy. On the outside, it looks like a children's book. I have a fondness for children's book, partly due to the amazing artwork you can find in so many of them. This book was no different. The cover has a beautiful pen and ink drawing, which immediately caught my eye, so I purchased it, briefly glancing inside to check out the rest of the illustrations.
When I got home I sat down to read it and was amazed and touched by its messages. On each page is a beautiful illustration and a few lines of hand inked text. It is the story of a young boy, who is lonely when he first meets the mole. In their wanderings they meet a fox, who has been hurt by life, and a horse, who is the biggest thing they have ever encountered, and also the gentlest:
The mole asked the boy, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Kind" said the boy.
"Asking for help isn't giving up," said the horse. "It's refusing to give up."
"What's your best discovery?" asked the mole. "That I'm enough as I am," said the boy.
I discovered that Charlie Mackesy has some YouTube videos of talks he has given and I was so impressed with his message. He is open and real with his journey in Christianity, starting out as a child in the Anglican church, becoming an atheist as a young man, and gradually rediscovering his belief in God. He is constantly questioning and learning and has a wonderful wit. I encourage you to watch some of his videos, especially the Christmas one.
I plan to buy a copy of this book for each of my grown children, so that they can share it with my grandchildren, and in doing so, hear its message for themselves. It is a book of hope and love and kindness, which this world surely needs.
Quotations and illustrations from "The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy.
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Dust Bunnies in the Basket: Finding God in Lent & Easter
by Tim Schenck
Please feel free to join us on Thursday mornings from 10:00-11:00. There are no more hard copies of the books available for purchase but you can order an e-copy on Amazon.
Please
check our website for any updates.
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Growing in God's Grace
Do you have a photo of you in childhood or young adulthood (baby years through early 20's)? Well it's not too late to submit it for our Parish Hall bulletin board!
The Sunday school students have been learning about Jesus as he grows up, and we'd also like to show YOU as you were growing in God's Grace.
Please make sure not to label with your name on the front. That way we can all have fun guessing who everyone is!
Copies only please (and can be on regular paper; doesn't have to be on photo paper) since we'll need to put glue or staples on it.
Submissions accepted through March. Any questions, please ask Rowena:
heyrufus@heyrufus.com or text 408-317-8262.
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Last Sunday was the fourth annual blessing of the fleece blankets the women of our congregation and friends made together in community.
Together we collected money and made 46 blankets to be distributed to the homeless students by the Rev Deacon Kathey Crowe on campus at San Jose State University.
The past two years we have collaborated with Deacon Kathey in her endeavor to make a difference in the homeless population on campus.
Each year we have been able to increase the number of blankets we can donate. We accomplish this be purchasing Jo Ann's gift cards throughout the year. This helps us to be able to buy fabric when it's on sale.
The previous year's we donated to help foster children and the homeless at SMUM.
We are bringing God's light to those in need.
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SMUM
SMUM's farmers market. People get to pick how much produce they want and what they will use.
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Look, for me, finding Lent in the garden
begins with purple. When the Anglican
church was founded it was a rare color
worn just by queens who could afford cloth dyed
in Lebanon. But we don't have to fly
to BEY for Lenten purple. You
see it in the new-sprung leaves of roses;
the fat crepe myrtle buds; the blush faint hearts
of each peach bloom; in plum bark; in the bright
but thumb-sized breast of our own resident
boy hummingbird swooping from the stone pine.
As the liturgical calendar circles
where else in the garden can you find purples?
We're weaving the ramada Sunday 1-5pm as well as planting crops to share with the Canterbury House group.
We'll be in the garden 9-1pm Tuesday and Thursday as well, come on by!
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Food for thought. . .
"Every hand that we don't shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another, must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise."
- Rav Yosef
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-Deacon Robin for her homily this Sunday, and for quietly restocking bathroom essentials when no one was looking
-our awesome vestry
-Ann Little for designing the logo for our Community Garden
-Maria and the Calero students for digging to find the water main.
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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 Biddings book at the back of the sanctuary where you can write in things before the service starts
* there is a prayer chain of committed pray-ers (who maintain confidentiality). Contact Robin, our Deacon, who will initiate that for you
* there is prayer at the altar every Sunday, where we all join you in the privacy of your need with the Priest
* there is a kneeling prayer station at the side of the church with candles, prayer book, all available anytime, not just Sundays
* turn to your neighbors and friends in church to share what's on your heart, ask for support in speaking to God about your needs (and tell them the updates next week!)
* tell people about your answers to prayer! and the miracles you witness, or how prayer changes YOU.
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Contact information for Rev. Karen:
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826
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Contact information for Deacon Robin:
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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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