St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL September 17th, 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: September 19th, 2021
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Dear Friends,
Yesterday I was reminded of and thankful for the surprises that come from doing a little digging. I have a vague memory of discovery what lies beneath a soggy layer of leaves or large rocks that have nestled their bottoms an inch or so into the dirt. Living creatures such as bugs and worms were busy doing whatever bugs and worms do. I remember being amazed. There were whole communities at work that I wouldn’t have been aware of unless I looked.
Today, Youtube can do the digging for us. I was looking into what Community Solutions, a non-profit organization in the South County, offers the communities of Gilroy and Morgan Hill. St. John’s regularly takes collections of various goods throughout the year to support them, but since being at St. John’s, I hadn’t really taken the time to dig deeper. I discovered that they have a TV station, Community Solutions STV ((Solutions to Violence) that showcases interviews with people who represent the underserved. The interviews I saw were interesting and revealed a whole community of very busy people doing good work that I was not aware of. I thanked God several times as I watched.
I’ve certainly had my share of times when it’s felt like nothing is happening – like the pandemic has squeezed the life out of us, even out of me. A little exploring from my desk has shown me that much is going on to help the greater good. God is still at work in wonderful ways, through wonderful people – and that includes the St. John’s and St. Stephen’s communities!
I encourage you to do a little digging on the internet this week. What good things are happening in your community that you weren’t aware of? What’s happening in our church communities? Ask someone to help you do the digging. Be surprised and inspired and give thanks to God that life goes on – and it’s quite busy at work building the kingdom God intends for all people.
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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10:00am indoors at St. Stephen’s
Our service will be indoors, with masks. We continue to alternate Sunday services between St. John’s and St. Stephen’s.
Everyone is welcome to attend all services!
They will also be live streamed so that if you are not physically at church, you can participate from home.
Click below for links to the service and bulletin.
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COFFEE HOUR
Following the service – please review the revised food sharing protocols HERE.
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O God, our refuge and strength,
our help in times of trouble.
Have mercy on the lands
damaged by fires.
Have mercy on the lands
where the weather has destroyed livelihoods. Protect those who evacuate houses, and strengthen those who rebuild hope so that entire communities may face the future without fear.
Amen.
(prayer from Episcopal Relief and Development)
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The Path; A Journey Through the Bible **Update**
We will be studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation one chapter at a time. This is your opportunity to learn more, dig deeper into scripture, and understand how the stories all tie together to tell the overarching story of God’s love for God’s people.
Classes will meet weekly on Wed at 11:00am and via zoom at 7pm. The classes will begin Sept 29th. The price of the book is $18.00. If you have notified Rev. Karen that you plan to participate, a book will be available to you next week. If you have not yet signed up but would like to participate, you can purchase the book on your own through Amazon or Forward Movement.
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GOODWILL is coming to St. Stephen’s again!
Save up your donations for the Goodwill truck that will be stationed in our parking lot on Sunday, Oct. 17th. A specific list of items that are not accepted will be provided but for now, remember that they do not accept furniture. More to come!
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Handbells for Christmas Eve
If you are interested in ringing in the handbell choir for Christmas Eve and have played handbells in the past, please contact Rev. Karen ASAP. Rehearsals will be on Saturday evening or Sunday, depending on ringers’ schedules, at St. Stephen’s.
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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
Ashley gave us a
passion fruit vine that
was too ambitious
for her San José
apartment, and it's
growing bright green and
madly curling up
and across the fence
with one, big, purple
and white, flourishing
blossom promising
future sweet-sour fruit.
One of the elders
saw it and knew her
son had one too; she
took a cutting from
her son's back garden
and grew it in an
old recycled pot,
and when May was in
the garden, and could
translate Mandarin
to English, she told
her to tell me to
plant her vine too. They
are growing green, strong
together now, up
and curling closer.
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Food for thought:
“We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that . . .what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires that we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.”
-Wendell Berry
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Kudos to:
-Vince for fixing the outside lights.
-The Calero students who are preparing to return to St. Stephen’s for their job training program.
-Jane, our office administrator extroardinare!
-Wanda, Dan, and Janet for assisting in the service this Sunday.
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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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