St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL March 6th, 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 8, 2020
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The Rev. Dcn. Kathey Crowe is our visiting Preacher. We will be blessing blankets for San Jose State University students in need.
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An important message from Rev. Karen regarding COVID-19
Dear St. Stephen's family,
I was able to join the Zoom meeting that Bishop Lucinda mentions in her letter to the diocese below and am grateful for hearing from fellow clergy about how they are responding to the Coronavirus in their own congregations. Based on the bishop's recommendations and taking into consideration the differences in congregations' sizes, ages, health conditions, and outreach ministries that use their facilities, I ask that we all adhere to the following:
-wash hands thoroughly (or use hand sanitizer) before coffee hour.
-Rather than passing the offertory plates, they will be placed on a table in front of
the font.
-at the passing of the Peace, use elbow bumps or bows rather than handshakes or hugs
when greeting one another.
-at Communion, if you want to receive wine, refrain from intincting (it is less sanitary
than sipping from the chalice!) You may also choose not to receive the wine at all, which
is perfectly acceptable. (see the article the bishop references below)
-if you are ill, please stay home.
I realize that some of this might seem over the top, but we are responsible for not only keeping ourselves healthy, but also our entire beloved community. We are particularly demonstrative of our love for each other at St. Stephen's, which is why I am urging these precautions. Many of us are at risk simply being over 50, and others have health conditions that make them even more vulnerable. We can be carriers of the virus without any symptoms for two weeks, thus passing it on to others without knowing it. Please take time to read +Lucinda's article below. It is long but informative and very relevant to every church in our diocese.
It is out of love for all of you that I am asking you embrace these changes for the time being!
Faithfully,
Karen+
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SPECIAL ISSUE
March 5, 2020
A message from Bishop Lucinda Ashby:
Thoughts, resources, and practices in response to the Coronavirus
Dear Friends in Christ,
This past Wednesday, I held an emergency meeting via Zoom with the Clergy of the Santa Clara Deanery. This meeting was to update each other, share insights and resources, and to seek opportunities for ways to "be church" during the Coronavirus crisis. Those who gathered have wisdom and experience in a variety of fields, including medicine, chemistry, technology, parish life, and education.
During this time of crisis and reaction, of fear and confusion, we are called as church to lead from the places of faith, information, and opportunity. As faithful followers of the Way of Love, we recognize that we are members of a global community: when one is weakened, so are we all. That awareness is especially keen in our parish lives. Where one is in need, so is the entire Body. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) does not pay attention to borders or nations, and does not limit itself to a specific culture or group.
We in the Diocese of Camino Real are experiencing not only the effect of this virus on our life in faith communities, but in our workplaces, our family lives, and our own travels to meetings and conferences across the country and around the globe. Yet as faithful followers of the Way, we will continue to seek information and find ways to gather in community. We will stay connected and pursue ways to engage in worship and study of Scripture and serve those in need.
As one person pointed out, it is hard to deal with something that is contagious before symptoms are in evidence. I encourage our leaders of congregations, lay and ordained, to stay informed and up-to-date on the facts of this epidemic. Below are links to the Public Health Departments in our five counties. On their websites you may find the latest updates, as well as practical advice and facts about the spread of the virus.
Santa Clara County
Santa Cruz County
San Benito County
SLO County
Monterey County
In our congregations, I would encourage the following:
General practices
- Limit the consumption of finger foods. In some cases, you may decide not to serve food at all; for example, your Lenten Soup Supper could become your Lenten Brown Bag Supper.
- Frequently disinfect general surfaces, door handles, and toys. A solution of 50% alcohol/50% vinegar works well.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water. In the absence of that, use a solution of 60% alcohol or higher, and wipe with paper towels.
- Provide your congregants with factual information on a regular basis.
- Encourage congregants to be personally responsible for not spreading germs.
- Encourage congregants to participate in alternative ways of gathering in community.
Regarding technology
This is an opportunity to use technology in very effective ways. Below are some options:
- Livestream your worship services.
- Use Zoom conferencing for vestry meetings, Bible Studies, Lenten classes.
- Hold small worship services (Compline) via Zoom.
- Use a phone tree to stay connected with those who are shut-in or unable to use other technology.
Regarding Holy Water and the Font
Please keep the font empty of water.
Regarding the Passing of the Peace
Congregants may greet each other with words, a bow, and/or an elbow-to-elbow connection. Please refrain from sharing hugs, handshakes, or kisses.
Regarding the Offering
Please put an offering plate or two in a prominent place to receive gifts. Refrain from passing the plate.
Regarding Communion
Discourage communicants from intinction, which is in fact less sanitary than drinking in the first place -- we can make sure our Eucharistic Ministers and clergy wash their hands, but we can't do the same for the congregation members!
Here is a great online article about the evolution of the practice and theology around the Common Cup.
- Priests may choose to only have the Chalice at the altar for the consecration and not distribute the wine.
- Communicants may choose to receive only the wafers. Wafers are preferred over bread at this time.
- Some communicants may feel more comfortable receiving a blessing rather than communion.
- Anyone involved in the handling or distribution of communion should wash hands before and after distribution.
Regarding other groups using the facility
- Stress the importance of following reasonable guidelines.
- Provide disinfectant (see above) for wiping down surfaces.
- Provide sanitizer (see above) for cleansing hands.
Regarding staff and personnel
Adopt appropriate practices for people to tend to their own care. This may include working from home, using Zoom conferencing, etc.
This is an opportunity to model for our communities and parishes the ways to "be church" in a time of confusion and crisis. Staying grounded in prayer and attending to our own self-care will not only keep us healthy and strong, it will model leadership of a church that is healthy, prayerful and faithful to its calling. I urge us all to serve as a calm, sane presence in our communities and households.
I remain grateful to the group that participated in Wednesday's discussion on your behalf, and to you for all that you are and do.
Faithfully,
+Lucinda
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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.
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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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St. Stephen's on the go!
Ashes to go at Starbucks! St. Stephen's to go wherever we are needed! Wednesday was a beautiful day to remind people of what Jesus gave for us. It was humbling to go and meet people where they are instead of them trying to find the time to remember that Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
There was a mother with her child waiting for us when we got to Starbucks. Some people forgot that it was Wednesday. Others just weren't sure if they should receive the imposition of ashes and others were eager.
We made new friends and helped bring others closer to God.
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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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For three millennia Ancestral Pueblo people built
ramadas for shade in what is now the American
Southwest. Ramadas are open on three sides with a roof
of woven wood, harvested and found sticks packed together.
As global warming changes our climate, our little part
of the South Bay is getting hotter and the weather less
predictable. So to help plants in the garden not die
in summer, this week the Calero students are weaving
a new ramada. It is made from five strong wires strung round
some salvaged wood with branches pruned from trees on the campus
woven between. It will give shade and flutter with ribbons
filling in gaps between the sticks in Roy G. Biv colors.
Come weave on Sunday afternoon or sit beneath its shade
as you work on your very own garden bed with your spade.
We're doing a garden party Sunday afternoon from 1-5pm if you'd like to come by and help build the ramada!
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Food for thought. . .
A poem by Jan Richardson from her book
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Circle of Grace; A Book of Blessings for the Seasons
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"Rend Your Heart"
To receive this blessing,
all you have to do
is let your heart break.
Let it crack open.
Let it fall apart
so that you can see
its secret chambers,
the hidden spaces
where you have hesitated
to go.
Your entire life
is here, inscribed whole
upon your heart's walls:
every path taken
or left behind,
every face you turned toward
or turned away,
every word spoken in love
or in rage,
every line of your life
you would prefer to leave
in shadow,
every story that shimmers
with treasures known
and those you have yet
to find.
It could take you days
to wander these rooms.
Forty, at least.
And so let this be
a season for wandering
for trusting the breaking
for tracing the tear
that will return you
to the One who waits
who watches
who works within
the rending
to make your heart
whole.
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-Janet for feeding the Communications Guild and the Guild for their hard work.
-the Altar Guild for the extra work required in the change of liturgical seasons.
-All who cooked, served, set up, and cleaned up after the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner.
-Janet for assisting Rev. Karen with Ashes to Go.
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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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