St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL March 11th, 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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10:00 AM Holy Eucharist
at St. Stephen's
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Dear friends,
If you are familiar with the story of Alice in Wonderland, you might remember a certain rabbit who carries a pocket watch. As he’s strolling down a path, he looks at his watch and suddenly realizes that he’s going to be late. In a bit of a frenzy he spouts out more than once, “I’m late, I’m late - for a very important date! I hope you won’t be like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland this Sunday, but I do hope that you count Sunday morning worship as very important date!
This weekend we make the change to Daylight Savings Time. Some don’t like it because they feel like they’re being robbed of an hour of sleep. And some like it for the longer days – more time to enjoy the sunlight. There’s a comical song that goes around every year at this time. The words are by Dean McIntyre and, if you’re a hymnal geek, they’re sung to the tune of “Guide me O though great Jehovah.” Even if you don’t know the tune, the words can stand on their own:
Time Change Song
God of sleep, and God of slumber, help us not be late we ask:
changing clocks one forward number, may we not forget the task.
Choir directors, preachers, teachers, all will bless your holy name,
if to Sunday church on time we came.
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead before you go to bed Saturday night – like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, we do have a very important date. It’s at 10:00 at St. Stephen’s this week!
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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Sunday, March 13th, 10:00am, indoors at St. Stephen’s
Holy Eucharist
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Since we’re indoors, don’t forget your mask!
(Next week’s service will be at St. John’s)
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Episcopal Relief & Development supports families in Ukraine.
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You can also make a donation to help families in Ukraine through Episcopal Relief and Development here or the picture above.
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March is Women’s History Month
Each week one person has been highlighted in our Friday newsletter. Today’s notable woman is The Rt. Rev. Barbara C.Harris (June 12,1930-March13, 2020).
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Bishop Barbara Harris was the first woman to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. She became a priest at the age of 50, after working in public relations for decades. She was a civil rights advocate who spoke out against racism, sexism, and homophobia proclaiming that there should be full inclusion of all people in the life and sacraments of the church.
“Harris was active in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, through the Episcopal Society for Cultural and Racial Unity (ESCRU) and the National Council of Churches’ Delta ministry, traveling in 1965 to Greenville, Mississippi, to help register black voters and taking part in the Selma to Montgomery march. . . .”Despite all the honors and the high-profile events of her ministry, Harris would always say that the best moments of her years as bishop were those spent baptizing, confirming and receiving people into the church.”*
* https://www.npr.org/2020/03/14/815892227/barbara-c-harris-first-female-bishop-in-anglican-communion-dies-at-89
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Bible Study
The Path; A Journey Through the Bible
Our next session will meet
Wednesday, Mar 16th.
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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Support Community Garden Tool Fundraiser |
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For the next 4 days, donations of $1 to $50 are matched dollar for dollar. So $50 is $100 toward this fundraiser when the donor puts the code LIFTOFF in the giving page.
Of course, if you happen to have any of these tools gathering dust in your garage, used tools are welcome too!
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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
Last year, some swoop-tailed
cliff swallows built their
nest above the front
door to the parish.
Their babies learned to
fly in our parking
lot, buzzing the
gardeners with sheer
delight. But they were
messy, so once they
were gone, I removed
their nest, hoping they'd
pick someplace new the
next Spring. They did, but
now a family of
Black phoebes are trying
to move in. I'll try
to convince them to
nest elsewhere, since there's
no eggs in play yet,
and they still have time
to make a new nest
in time, literally
anywhere else. I'll
try some bird netting
but nature finds a
way, so we may have
another messy Easter.
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Gift Card Orders
This Sunday the 13th is when
Both Safeway and Lucky have
increased from 4% to 5% this month to give back to the church.
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Food for thought:
I think you have to have the courage of your convictions and be willing to speak them, both in preaching and in your interactions with people. I have tried to make that a hallmark of my ministry, speaking the truth in love.
-The Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris
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Kudos to:
-Janet for always looking ahead.
-A hard working, thoughtful and caring vestry.
-Janet, Susan, and Nancy for their work on the Altar Guild in these ever changing times.
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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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