St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL October 2nd, 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 Service: October 4th, 2020 |
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Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 10:00am online |
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From the Rector
Dear friends,
This Sunday is the Feast Day of St. Francis and I am excited to be able to bless your pets! While COVID-19 has disrupted our ‘normal’ way of worshiping, we’ve not only learned to be flexible, we have opportunities that might not have otherwise made us stretch our imaginations. For example, there will be three different and safe opportunities to have your pet(s) blessed. I hope that you’ll participate in at least one, but all three would be fun.
Because we have a re-entry plan approved by the bishop, we can have an outdoor service with protocols in place. Physical distancing of at least 6ft and wearing masks is required. There will also be hand sanitizer available. You are welcome to bring your own chair if that feels safer. An usher will be there to greet you with a one sheet order of service available. The service will be very brief and will not include refreshments for pets or people this year. There are plenty of seats open but you must email me to reserve a spot ahead of time so that we can plan accordingly
Hope to see you there!
In addition, we will be posting pictures of pets at the Sunday service. Pictures must be sent via email to Rev. Karen NLT 7pm tonight. (revkaren@ssitf.org)
And last but not least, there will be a drive-through blessing at the St. John’s parking lot (17740 Peak Ave, MH). You must be masked, as I will be, and will do a light sprinkling of Holy Water from the appropriate distance.
Do one or all three! Hope to see you this weekend!
Blessings,
Karen+
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Sunday Worship
***New update – links to the bulletin and coffee hour are below!***
A separate email with links will no longer be sent out Saturday evening.
(The links will be in your Friday journal and on the front page of our website: www.ssitf.org)
This week Rev. Karen will preside the Holy Eucharist at St. Stephen’s and shared with St. John’s. 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 11:00am on Zoom with this link.
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Guest Preacher this Sunday! |
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I am happy to inform you that our preacher this Sunday will be The Rev. Dr. Roger Wharton, Ecochaplain for the Care of Creation. Roger has been introducing people to the out-of-doors since he was a teenager. He has staffed and directed several children’s summer camps. As an undergraduate biology major he planned and developed a small outdoor education park for the community of Westerville, Ohio. He has served congregations in Wisconsin, New York, Alaska, and California. Roger also served as the coordinator for youth ministries for fifty-six congregations in New York.
To learn more go to: ecospirit.org or visit his Facebook page, EcoSpirit
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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.
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WEDNESDAY EVENING COMPLINE
Begins at 7pm
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!
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Keeping the conversations going . . .
Pastoral Conversation About Race Thursdays @ 4:30pm
The Revs Karen Cuffie and Jani Wild will lead pastoral conversations on racism. There will be a brief introduction to the focus of the session followed by a video, discussion, and prayers. Please join us, there is no better way to learn, process and share together than in a faith community. Come join us next week by clicking on the following Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 835 7594 8022
Password: 748467
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,83575948022#,,1#,748467# US (San Jose
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Thanks to last week’s liturgy assistants! |
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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!
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How to help those impacted by wildfires and COVID-19 |
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The Bishop’s COVID-19 Fund has been expanded in response to the needs of communities impacted by the River, Carmel, Dolan, and Lightning Complex fires in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties. Gifts made to the "Bishop's COVID-19 and Disaster Relief Fund" will be distributed to those impacted by either the fires or by the COVID-19 virus, based on urgency of need.
To make a gift online, visit the “Donate” page at the diocesan website (click here) and choose "Bishop's COVID-19 and Disaster Relief Fund."
Or mail a check to:
Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real
PO Box 689
Salinas, CA 93902
Please state “Bishop’s COVID-19 and Disaster Relief Fund” in the memo area of checks. Thank you! Bishop Lucinda and diocesan staff are also working with Episcopal Relief & Development to secure financial assistance for those in need.
Santa Maria Urban Ministry is re-opening their clothes closet. St. Jude’s in Cupertino will have a parking lot collection day soon. Go ahead and get a head start on your Fall cleaning. More details will follow. Donated clothes should be laundered and in good condition. Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing are all accepted. Santa Maria has received a matching grant from the Valley Foundation of $50.000 through December 31, 2020. Anything you donate will have double the impact. We’ll keep you posted!
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Poem from the Garden
We have 10 new beds
ready for planting
with donated dirt
and fresh mulch covers.
If you would like a
bed, please email Jane;
if you have a friend
a cousin, a child
who needs some growing
time and sunshine in
their lives, forward this
on Facebook or on
IG: spread the word!
The flyer linked to above has instructions about how to reserve a bed in the garden in English, Mandarin, Spanish, and Assyrian (the major languages of the garden). The volunteers will be out again this weekend, working in the garden -- text Jessica for a time to come on by!
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“Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
St. Francis of Assisi
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Kudos to:
-Jessica for creating our pre-recorded service this week.
-All musicians who give of their gifts in our worship services.
-The Eswine family for helping Rev. Karen move
-Margo, the Eswines, Jessica, and community gardeners for helping move dirt
-Maria for getting a wheelbarrow for the garden
-all who have given generously of their time, talent, and treasure – that’s YOU!
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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: 408-781-1826
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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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