St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL May 14th, 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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Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 10:00am
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From the Rector
Dear Friends,
Let’s face it, sometimes the world, or our lives, or our beloved church seems like it’s falling apart. Things are broken and we want so much to put them back together. It’s been a year like that. Some would argue, years. And I might argue, it’s always been like that. It is the history of God’s people, and that includes us. What we know is true, because it always has been and always will be, is that from death comes new life – that’s the hope of Easter. When something is so broken that it seems beyond repair, broken bits can be used to make something new.
We opened our book discussion this week with a poem by Jan Richardson from her book Circle of Grace. We could all use a blessing like this now and then – again and again.
“Blessing for a Broken Vessel”
Do not despair.
You hold the memory
of what it was
to be whole.
It lives deep
in your bones.
It abides
in your heart
that has been torn
and mended
a hundred times.
It persists in your lungs
that know the mystery
of what it means
to be full,
to be empty,
to be full again.
I am not asking you
to give up your grip
on the shards you clasp
so close to you
but to wonder
what it would be like
for those jagged edges
to meet each other
in some new pattern
that you have never imagined,
that you have never dared
to dream.
May our wondering never cease!
Easter blessings,
Karen+
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A Prayer for violence in the Middle East
God of mercy and compassion,
of grace and reconciliation,
pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East:
Jews, Muslims and Christians,
Palestinians and Israelis.
Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to
hope,
oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation,
that violent encounters may be replaced by loving
embraces,
and peace and justice could be experienced by all. Amen.
by Reverend Said (jesuitsource.org)
I also invite you to read Presiding Bishop Curry’s statement on the violence in the land of the Holy One:
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Worship This Sunday:
10:00am at St. Stephen’s
All of our services will now be held in person and outdoors. We will continue to alternate Sunday services between St. John’s and St. Stephen’s. Everyone from either St. Stephen’s and St. John’s – and VISITORS TOO of course - are 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 with the rest of the congregation gathered at the church.
Click below for links to the service and bulletin.
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COFFEE HOUR
There will be no Zoom Coffee Hour this Sunday. Come to the service at St. Stephen’s and enjoy a socially distanced in-person coffee-less hour after the service!
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Join Rev. Karen for lunch on the lawn on the 3rd Thursday every month from 11:30-12:30. This month it is on May 20th. Bring your lunch, catch-up with friends, ask some questions, or just enjoy some time outside. Children are welcome!
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The Church Cracked Open; Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community by Stephanie Spellers, the Presiding Bishop’s Canon for Evangelism. Next week we will be discussing Chapters 2 & 3. Join the meeting next Wednesday (5/19) at 2:15. Bring a friend!
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GIFT CARD ORDERS DUE
Hello my friends!
This Sunday the 16th I need your gift card orders turned into me so that
they can be received in time to give to teachers and graduates and any
you might need for yourselves. If you can’t make it to the Sunday
service, you can send me an email or give me a call.
Thanks,
Janet
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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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THE LABYRINTH IS COMING!
And the work continues . . .
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Poem from the Garden
The Embassy staff in Jerusalem
canceled last Tuesday's online briefing for
my digital TechWomen delegation
to Palestine. The next day, I went to
the garden to pluck off the blossoms of
the pomegranates, help them focus on roots
as they grow in a new place. Other than
work and pray hard, there's nothing I can do
to stop my friends from being bombed, just tell
them that I love them and I want them to be
free and safe. The figs grow dark, ripe over the
shed, two of seven species that grow in
Israel and the broader Middle East.
It's as close as I can get to my friends now.
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“The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity,
but its sending capacity.”
-Mike Stachura
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Kudos to:
-the Altar Guild
-Our vestry
-Our re-entry team
-Our musicians
-Our tech assistants in worship.
-Gardening Team
-Maria for taking minutes at our vestry meetings for the last time this month.
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New 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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