St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL February 25th, 2022
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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: February 27th, 2022
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9:30 AM Holy Eucharist
at St. John's
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Dear friends,
No glazed donut for me this morning. It doesn’t feel right for some reason. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is so disturbingly tragic. I am angry and sad. Many people have posted thoughtful, sincere prayers on Facebook, so I don’t feel the need to try to write another, but I have been praying, as I’m sure you have been too.
I came across a video this morning of roughly 40 or so Ukrainian Christians worshiping in an underground shelter – they were singing. St. Augustine is credited with saying “He who sings prays twice.”. It was beautiful. Then I was reminded of that passage in the gospel of John: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
If you’re a singer, sing. If you’re a pray-er, pray. God is listening, and we hope that other leaders of nations are also listening.
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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A letter from Bishop Lucinda about Ukraine
Dear People of the Diocese:
Probably many of you, like me, find yourselves heartsick at the military escalation and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I am not an expert in geopolitics nor in Russia-Ukraine affairs. However, from a humanitarian and gospel perspective, this seems like a Herodian and Imperial measure to subdue and subject those who stand in the way of the acquisition of more power and more money. I see no good outcome from this long-predicted military action.
As Christian leaders, we must pray for peace, and we must preach it, proclaim it and live it. As Episcopalians, we work for reconciliation, which we know to be an ongoing way of living our lives. Too often I, and you, have seen simple disagreements escalate into community conflicts due to issues of money and power—yes, in the church. And too often, we have turned a blind eye to the machinations of bullies and the toxicity they bring.
The work of reconciliation, of living lives devoted to peace, is hard work. It is tough love. As leaders, we are called to protect those who depend on us communally, locally, and globally to shine light where there is shadow. If and when we do our work, some will pout, some will rattle sabers, others may find a new way toward the hope and love they crave.
The reconciliation we long for needs to have as its initial point our homes and churches. Only by undertaking this challenging work each and every day, do we, as leaders, bear witness to the light and raise up what is healthy, humble and loving in our world.
For those of you who know the story about the establishment of Christ the King Sunday, it came about as secularism and nationalism overtook the global conversation. As Mussolini rose to claim power in 1925, Pope Pius XI stepped forth and published an overlooked encyclical, claiming Christ the King, noting that people can posture and try to grab power and money, but it is Christ who rules over hearts, minds and souls.
Prayers are important, and I hope that this Sunday you will pray for peace in our time. Even more, I hope that you will preach with strength and conviction the good and challenging news of the Reign of God. May it be so.
Faithfully,
+Lucinda
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Sunday, Feb. 27th, 9:30am, indoors at St. John’s
Holy Eucharist
(if anyone would like to host a coffee hour – go for it!)
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Since we’re indoors, don’t forget your mask!
(Next week’s service will also be at St. John’s)
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Ash Wednesday, Mar 2nd, 7pm at St. John’s
Holy Eucharist
(A joint service with Advent Lutheran Church in Morgan Hill)
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February is Black History Month
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Each week one person has been highlighted in our Friday newsletter. Today we remember The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray (Nov. 20th,1910 – Jul 1st,1985).
Pauli Murray lived one of the most remarkable lives of the twentieth century. S/he was the first Black person to earn a JSD (Doctor of the Science of Law) degree from Yale Law School, a founder of the National Organization for Women and the first Black person perceived as a woman to be ordained an Episcopal priest.
Pauli Murray’s legal arguments and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution were winning strategies for public school desegregation, women’s rights in the workplace, and an extension of rights to LGBTQ+ people based on Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Pauli Murray crafted a broad vision of justice, equity, and human rights using words as her primary tool in the fight for liberation. Their vision for a just and equitable world is a beacon of hope during troubled times. Their social justice tactics, legal strategies, speeches, letters, books, sermons, and poetry are models for our ongoing activism aimed at dismantling the oppression s/he faced and we continue to face because of white supremacy.*
Read more about Pauli here:
*https://www.paulimurraycenter.com
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Bible Study
The Path; A Journey Through the Bible
***Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday.***
***There will be no Bible Study***
Our next session will meet
Wednesday, Mar 9th.
11:00am - in person at St. John’s.
7:00pm - via Zoom using the following link:
We will be discussing Chapter 17. Please join us!
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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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Poem from the Garden
It feels like the wrong time to be writing poetry about a garden, so this week, I will share a poem from Amanda Gorman, who read her poetry at the 2021 inauguration. Yesterday, on Twitter, she wrote:
There is no such thing as gentle war.
There is no peace
That can’t be flung aside.
Our only enemy is that which would
Make us enemies to each other.
We will be working tomorrow, from 11am - 3pm. Come and sit, shovel, build, and grow with us.
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Food for thought:
“True community is based on upon equality, mutuality, and reciprocity. It affirms the richness of individual diversity as well as the common human ties that bind us together.”
-Pauli Murray (2006). “Pauli Murray: Selected Sermons and Writings”
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Kudos to:
-Jessica, Andy, Dan, Rob for organizing a re-keying plan for our church in the aftermath of the break-in last Sunday.
-All who attended the service last week to welcome Bishop Lucinda and support Jill and Jessica in their confirmations. It was a beautiful service and a joy to spend time in fellowship with one another.
- the Vestry for a thoughtful conversation with the bishop after the service.
-Gregg for his work on the Parochial Report.
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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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