St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL April 30th, 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,
The other morning I read a poem called ‘Freshen the Flowers, She Said’ by Mary Oliver. It’s about preparing fresh flowers for display and it reminded me of what I do when I buy fresh cut flowers at the Safeway this time of year. I bring them home, lay them down at the edge of the sink, fill a vase with water, start trimming their stems on a slant, one at a time, and then put them in the water.
There’s a line in the poem that really stood out for me. After the flowers were all trimmed and put in water. . .
“. . .[I] gave them a bounce upward at the end to let them take their own choice of position. . .”
That’s not what I typically do. After I’ve put all my flowers in the vase, I eye them and make adjustments, snipping more here and there, to try and make them look ‘nice’ (as if they needed help).
I love the idea of letting the flowers ‘take their own choice of position’ because it lets the flowers be what they are – simply beautiful. No arranging needed.
How often do we try to make things ‘just so’ until we figure out that not everything needs to be ‘just so’? I do it way too often. But tonight, I think I’ll go to the Safeway and pick up some cut flowers and when I’m done trimming, I’ll give them a bounce and admire their beauty as they stand in the position of their own choice.
Then maybe tomorrow I’ll appreciate the beauty of something or someone just for what/who they are and not what I want to make them. . . a lifelong lesson for us all!
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. Stephen’s at 10:00am. 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, a notice will go out Saturday via email to let you know about any change of plans. So please check your email!
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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 12th. Time and place TBD.
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Cardboard needed!
Please bring in all that cardboard you know you’ve been wanting to get rid of! The landscapers (Jessica & Co.) need it for weed control on the embankment.
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THE LABYRINTH IS COMING!
And the work continues . . .
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Poem from the Garden
I planted seeds in
the pots where they did
not come up before.
June grass and wild rye,
purple needle grass
and blue fescue, all
plants I picked for how
many birds and bugs
and lizards eat them,
and whether they thrive
on benign neglect,
the most common form
of care in any
native plant garden.
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"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people."
― Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky."
― Kahlil Gibran
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Kudos to:
-Andy, Janet, Susan, and Robin for working on the Labyrinth Project
-Gardening Team
-Maria for playing music at the service this Sunday
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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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