St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL April 3rd, 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: April 5, 2020
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The 10:00 service will be via video on our website Sunday morning at 10:00
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Message from Rev. Karen
My dear St. Stephen's Family,
I miss you all, and yet I am comforted that I have been able to be in touch with many of you by phone calls, email, text, and Zoom calls. The vestry and I will continue to check in with you during these days of social distancing.
Holy Week is quickly approaching! There will be services on Palm Sunday, through the Triduum (those three days prior to Easter; Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday), and of course Easter Sunday. This time of preparation for Jesus' resurrection is an important part of our tradition and this year we have a unique opportunity to fully participate in all of them!
Details of each service are still being worked out, but the goal is for you to experience the fullness of Holy Week from home. As details are worked out, I will notify you and send a link to the bulletin.
In the meantime, I strongly encourage you to set up a
sacred space
to worship in your home. It doesn't have to be a big space, or an elaborate space. I suggest finding a space on a cabinet or table. A coffee table or dining room table would work, but any surface where you will be watching the service will do just fine. Lay a cloth of some sort (color and fabric don't matter) on the surface and put symbols that are meaningful to you on it like a Bible, cross, picture, icon. Put a candle there too if you have one. If you have children, consider making space for their drawing or something they've made. If possible, leave it there all the time. If space is limited, prepare the space ahead of time as a ritual before the service.
Once you've created your sacred space, send a picture to me and I'll post it on our Facebook page!
Our tech crew has been working hard to make these services come to you in your home. Just because we are not able to physically be together now, doesn't mean that we can't worship together as community. Keep in mind that at the same time we are trying out new ways of worship, we are trying out new ways of discipleship!
Know that I am here if you need to talk or have concerns. You can send me an email or call me at (408)781-1826.
Stay safe, stay well, and know that you are not alone. God is with us!
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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Sunday Worship
It's been a long time since we've been able to worship together in person. I've been happy to hear that some of you are worshiping at the 10:00 service virtually!
I encourage you to set aside a special place, light a candle, and participate in the liturgy with the bulletin.
It's simple. All you have to do is go to our St. Stephen's website (
www.ssitf.org
) and scroll down to see the video. I will send a separate email with a link to the bulletin.
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to join the Zoom meeting at 11:00!
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This is a new recurring section of our newsletter. In this time of uncertainty, don't be afraid to ask questions. Email Rev. Karen at
revkaren@ssitf.org
. We might not know all the answers, but even that can help sometimes! I'll let others know the questions I've been asked (without naming who asked them) and give the best answer I can.
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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 via Zoom from 10:00-11:00. Rev. Karen will send out an email with the link on Wednesday night or Thursday morning
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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.
Any questions, please ask Rowena:
heyrufus@heyrufus.com or text 408-317-8262.
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Before the shelter-in-place, Mrs Lu was just teaching the non-
Chinese-speaking young adults in the garden some Mandarin. Like:
"cándòu" are called "fava beans" in English but in Mandarin "cán"
means the chrysalis of a silkworm. She described this for
long and patient shared minutes until the younger gardeners
understood how the shape of the slim chrysalis matched that long, curved,
bumpy green shape of the fava beans ("dòu" means "bean"). So: cándòu.
When the shelter-in-place order came down, each of the younger
gardeners each decided on his, her, or their own to stop
going to the garden. It was not because they did not want
free from their apartments, mobile home parks. They could have argued
it was just visiting a park. But the younger gardeners
stopped going to this shared garden they love to protect Mrs Lu. Mr Leung.
To protect Mr Lai. To protect Ms Quinzu. To protect Mr Peng.
Jessica is grateful for a gardening community strong enough to step aside from their own wants and needs for the love and protection of our elders. She is thoroughly looking forward to a time when she can spend more than the 15 minutes/week in the garden it takes to make sure everything is watered (after the shelter-in-place is lifted).
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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 Yoseph
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-Maria, Janet, Trig, Jessica, and Robin for helping make and post the video of our service last Sunday.
-All who made phone calls this week to check in everyone
-All who are doing their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19
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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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