St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL April 9th, 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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Sunday after Easter: April 11th, 2021
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Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 9:30am
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From the Rector
Dear Friends,
What a glorious Easter Sunday we had! It was so wonderful to see folks in person, hear some traditional Easter hymns, and share communion. There are some important update below regarding services, so be sure to read the entire newsletter!
How is your photo album coming along? In the sermon last week, I Ieft you with an idea that, though Mary didn’t have a cell phone to record her experience of Jesus resurrection, we might use our smart phones (or cameras) to take pictures of those faces and things that might help you tell someone what Jesus’ resurrection means to you and why it matters to you.
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On my day off I went for a hike at Henry Cowell Redwood State Park. The picture you see here captures a moment where the glorious sunlight broke through. There were plenty of trees that showed remnants of fires years ago, but also surrounded by new life. All that reminded me of Jesus’ resurrection.
I hope that, this week, you will find things and people that capture your thoughts about Jesus’ resurrection. Take a picture and add it to your album labeled with Mary’s words, “I have seen the Lord!”.
Easter blessings,
Karen+
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Easter Sunday Worship
These are some of the pictures of our service last Sunday. Many thanks to Bethann Bath and Eric Samson, lectors; Susan Zaballos, Liturgy Assistant; and Kaylyn and Joseph Eswine torch bearer and crucifer, respectively. We used a laptop for the camera so it did not capture everyone who served. Jessica took pictures from behind the congregation. Thank you Jessica!
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Worship Services Update **********************
All of our services will now be held in person and outdoors. They will also be live streamed so that if you are not at St. John’s physically, you can participate from with the rest of the congregation gathered at the church.
Click HERE for the bulletin
We will continue alternating services, so this week’s service will be at St. John’s.
Service times: 9:30am when at St. John’s
10:00am when at St. Stephen’s
Bring your own chair or we will provide one. All protocols remain the same: we still need to keep 6ft apart, unless you are family, masks must be worn, and singing is not permitted. RSVPs will be sent out separately to the hosting church.
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COFFEE HOUR
For the time being, Coffee Hour will be a Coffee-less Hour after the service. This is subject to change. As with everything else this year, we’ll try this arrangement out for a few weeks to see how it works out.
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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 30th. Time and place TBD.
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CHECK OUT OUR REFURBISHED SIGN!
Thanks to Jessica and Arike for repainting, and reviving our sign
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Vestry Meeting
Your vestry met this week, as we do once a month, following a very busy and successful Easter week. Thanks to everyone involved in making it a success, from alter guild, buildings and grounds and garden workers, the re-entry team implementing our plans to ensure a safe outdoor event, our musicians and musician mixers, tech support for live streaming, and so many others.
We've made exciting progress on the labyrinth, approving the detailed plan and costs as presented by Susan and Janet. Progress will begin by formalizing quotes with vendors and then we are off to the races with the implementation! This significant milestone is something to celebrate as many from our parish, including our dear Edy, were implemental in Labyrinth planning committees over the years. Thanks to you all!
Now that the county has moved us to the next tier, our services will be outside on Sundays through June, live streamed, rotating between St. Stephens-in-the-Field and St. John's every other week. That makes it easy for parishioners from St. Stephens to watch via live stream or watch the recording later, when the service is held at St. John's, and visa versa.
I wanted to feature these two major points from our meeting. Otherwise, we are on track with our ongoing oversight. Feel free to reach out to anyone on the vestry if you are curious about anything.
In your service,
Margo - Sr. Warden
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Poem from the Garden
I saw a pregnant
lizard hiding in
the garden on the
chiaroscuro edge
of light along the
dark side of a new-
built plant bed, inching
up and down to warm
and cool her big full
belly with the spring
sunshine. I'm sure she's
ready to meet her
hatchlings; I am too.
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April is National Autism Awareness Month
“I am different, not less”
-Dr. Temple Grandin
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Kudos to:
-The Re-entry team (Margo, Andy, Dot, Rob, and Jessica) for all the work to plan and set up for Easter
-Jessica and Arike for painting the St. Stephen’s sign.
-Dan Hughes for fixing the lock on the office door.
-Kaylyn and Joseph for leading the procession for our Easter Service.
-The Labyrinth Guild for continued work the Labyrinth project. Things are moving along!
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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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