St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
 FRIDAY JOURNAL November 27th, 2020
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.
Sunday Service: November 29th, 2020
Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 10:00am online
From the Rector

Dear friends,

In spite of all the challenges that COVID gives us, I pray that your Thanksgiving was meaningful to you and your family! I myself overcooked the turkey, and somehow messed up the gravy. I didn’t realize until I was getting ready to make the pumpkin pie that I didn’t have enough evaporated milk and forgot the potatoes. Not fully prepared and a little miffed, I strolled over to Safeway to pick up what I needed. I don’t like not being prepared. I don’t like being surprised by something that takes me off course. But at the end of the day, my home smelled wonderful and the pumpkin pie did not disappoint!

Advent begins this Sunday. We will be spending some time in the gospel of Mark beginning with a mini-apocalypse about when the Son of Man will come in clouds with great power and glory! We are told to be awake! Keep alert! Don’t fall asleep! “. . .for you do not know when the time will come.” This is what begins our season of waiting – anxious waiting. We await the birth of our Savior and at the same time, await his coming again. Will you wait with me? I hope so - I’d rather not wait alone.

Advent blessings,

Karen+
Sunday Worship

Recorded from St. John’s

This week Rev. Karen will preside the Holy Eucharist at St. John’s and shared with St. John’. The service will be posted on both our websites (www.ssitf.org and www.stjohndivinemorganhill.org) at 10:00am but is available any time after that.  

I encourage you to set aside a special place, light a candle, and download the bulletin here as you prepare to worship. 

Please send any special prayer requests and/or anniversaries and birthdays to Rev. Karen. 







Join us for Coffee Hour at 2:00 on Zoom with this link. 
WEDNESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP

Weekly Wednesday prayer group at 11:00am.
This is an opportunity to offer our prayers of thanksgivings, for healing for ourselves and others, and anything else on our hearts. Even if you don’t have a computer, you can join the Zoom meeting with your phone. 
WEDNESDAY EVENING COMPLINE

Compline, the last Office of the day. End your day with a beautiful and short liturgy. All are welcome and please feel free to share the link with friends! 
Keeping the conversations going. . .and going. . .and going!

The Rev. Jani Wild and I are facilitating Pastoral Conversations on Racism and yesterday was our 24th week of gathering to learn and talk about a broad spectrum of subjects concerning race in our country.  
We follow the same format (a brief introduction followed by a short video, discussion, and prayers ) every week with a different focus. Last week we discussed reparations. 
Please come join us next Thursday at 4:30. Whether it’s the 1st time or the 18th time you’ve attended, please come to learn, process, and share together in a safe space with a faith community. 
Bring a friend or family member – all are welcome – by clicking the Zoom link below.
 
 
Meeting ID: 835 7594 8022
Password: 748467
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,83575948022#,,1#,748467# US (San Jose
Thanks to last week’s liturgy assistants!
 Susan Smalley
Ginny Scott
2020 STEWARDSHIP Campaign
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. 1Timothy 6:18-19 NRSVA
 
Thank you to all who have sent in their pledge cards. If you haven’ yet, it’s not too late! We do need it though in order to create a budget for 2021. Please prayerfully consider pledging for next year. No amount is too small or too large. We don’t know what lies ahead, but we have faith in knowing that God is with us and in us, and that we have much to do to be agents of God’s love! Thank you for your faith filled generosity! 
Your faithful giving. . .
We rely on you to keep us current in paying our bills. If you haven’t yet, please mail your pledge checks or any other donations to the church office, or you can use the ‘Donate’ button on our website and pay with a credit card. We certainly understand if you are experiencing financial hardship at this time. If you are able, we appreciate any small offering you might consider making. Your financial stewardship is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!
SAD NEWS . . .

As you know, over the years we have supported The Rev. Dcn. Kathey Crowe’s ministry with students from San Jose State University.
Last Sunday night there was a deadly stabbing at Grace Baptist Church in downtown San Jose where some of Kathey’s students are housed. One student was locked in the residence, and Kathey was able to stay on the phone with him until the suspect was apprehended. We pray for those who died, those who were severely injured, and for all who were impacted by this tragic incident.

Blankets

Hello my friends,
 
It's that time of year when we start
thinking about people without a place
to call their own, might need a blanket.
 
This year we can't meet together so I
will leave some blankets, a guide for
cutting the strips to knot and the St.
Stephen's labels to be sewn on each
blanket.
 
I'm hoping each family can put together
4 blankets. If not, do what you can.
Email me to let me know you are coming
by to make sure you have some choices on
the blankets you want to put together.
 
See you soon.
 
Janet
Poem from the Garden

Dirt in the garden
holds a certain
ethnography,
an object history

of the place, people 
who planted themselves
there. An old trash can
as a root-guarding

in-ground pot; a heap
of granite gravel;
a pair of green gloves.
People leave themselves

in places, for us
to discover later.
Food for thought:
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.”


— Henry David Thoreau
Kudos to:
-All who are making blankets
-The Re-Entry Team making our outdoor worship service possible last week
-Andoni and all musicians who give of their gifts in our worship services.
-Susan and Ginny for assisting in the service last Sunday.
-All who have turned in their pledge cards


Great News about our Community Garden!

We are so grateful to Jessica for writing and submitting a grant application to St. Andrew’ Opportunity Fund! We were blessed to be the recipients of a large sum of money to help build our community garden! Here is the announcement from the Committee: 

“At yesterday night's meeting, the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Vestry approved the Opportunity Fund Committee's recommendation to fund St. Stephen's in the Field's grant application for $5,000. We are glad that the money will be useful to purchase 27 trees in five gallon pots for the community garden, as specified in your grant application. . . You should be receiving a check from the Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church office soon. 

Thank you for your dedicated service to our community. We welcome your questions.

Best wishes for your health and peace,
Katy Dickinson and Barbara Merrill
Opportunity Fund Committee Co-Chairs

Please join me in giving thanks to Jessica for her dedication to this ministry and for doing the extra work to submit the grant application!!
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.
Contact information for Rev. Karen: 
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826
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
St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139