St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL April 23rd, 2021
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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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Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 10:00am
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From the Rector
Dear Friends,
Happy belated Earth Day! I’d like to share an excerpt from Richard Rohr’s daily meditation.
Sherri Mitchell is a Native American attorney offers us some much needed Indigenous wisdom and compassion that fits with our celebration of Earth Day. These are her comments on the word N’dilnabamuk which means “all my relations”:
“Many people have heard Native people say “all my relations” after speaking or offering prayers But what does it really mean? All societies organize around some sort of core principle. The core principle for Wabanaki societies is relationship. Our story begins with an understanding that we are related to all beings within creation. The two legged, the four legged, the winged, the beings that crawl and slide along the ground, the plants the trees, and the living Earth are all our relatives. Everything is interconnected and interdependent; the well-being of the whole determines the well-being of any individual part. We recognize that connection in our prayers, and the understanding that the whole is shifted by every action of each individual. There is one life, one breath that we all breathe. Therefore, when we take any action out in the world, even when we pray for ourselves, we impact all life. This belief forms the foundational understanding [that] weaves through all of our other values. It’s the thread that ties them all together . . .”
This changes my perspective of our prayer for the stewardship of creation in our Book of Common Prayer (page 259, or on the latest post on our Facebook page). It’s all tied together.
May we all learn to take good care of God’s good gifts-
Easter blessings,
Karen+
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Worship Services Update **********************
All of our services will now be held in person and outdoors. Anyone, from both St. Stephen’s and St. John’s is welcome to attend any service. They will also be live streamed so that if you are not physically at church, you can participate from home with the rest of the congregation gathered at the church.
We will continue alternating services, so this week’s service will be at St. John’s at 9:30am. Click below for links to the service and bulletin.
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IF IT RAINS . . .PLAN B:
In the off chance that it rains (like it’s predicted to do this Sunday), a notice will go out Saturday via email to let you know about any change of plans. So please check your email!
The service will be live streamed from inside the church. You can stay home and use the same link above to view the service live. There will be no in-person worship if it rains.
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For the time being, there will be a shortened zoom Coffee Hour at 11:30 on Sunday mornings.
Click on the link below:
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Join Rev. Karen for lunch on the lawn on the 3rd Thursday every month from 11:30-12:30. Bring your lunch, catch-up with friends, questions, or just enjoy some time outside. Children are welcome!
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The Church Cracked Open; Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community by Stephanie Spellers, the Presiding Bishop’s Canon for Evangelism. The four week book discussion will begin May 12th. Time and place TBD.
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THE LABYRINTH IS COMING!
CHECK OUT. . .
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Poem from the Garden
A few weeks ago,
three gardeners from
came to visit us;
they helped us empty
our compost bins, and
plant succulents in
the stumpery. This
week, Arike and
I returned the favor,
pruning all of their
fruit trees, to help them
feed their whole neighborhood.
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"Though I play at the edges of knowing, truly I know our part is not knowing, but looking, and touching, and loving.”
-Mary Oliver
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Kudos to:
-Trig for mowing the grass.
-The Labyrinth Guild for continued work on the Labyrinth project. Things are moving along!
-Saturday gardeners
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New Contact Information for Rev. Karen!
Please use this new number to contact Rev. Karen for calls or texts:
(669)270-7479
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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 prayer chain of committed pray-ers (who maintain confidentiality).
* tell people about your answers to prayer! and the miracles you witness, or how prayer changes YOU.
Please submit prayer requests to Rev. Karen.
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Contact information for Rev. Karen: |
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: (669)270-7479
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Editor's Note
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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