St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL June 12th, 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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From the Rector
Dear Friends,
We Episcopalians call the new liturgical season we are in now ‘Ordinary Time’. However, the lessons we will read in these next few months are anything but ordinary! Outside the liturgical context, ordinary is something else. We sometimes think of it as bland, or boring, or nothing special. This quote by William Martin reminded me that there’s a different lens in which to see the ordinary – that ordinary is a gift:
“Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such striving may seem admirable, but it is a way of foolishness. Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life. Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples, and pears. Show them how to cry when pets and people die. Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand. And make the ordinary come alive for them. The extraordinary will take care of itself.”
-William Martin, “The Parent’s Toa Te Ching: Ancient Advice for Modern Parent”
This advice is written for parents but I think everyone can benefit from heeding this wisdom, don’t you?
May we all relish the ordinary in our lives!
Blessings and peace,
Karen+
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10:00am at St. Stephen’s
All of our services are being 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
Coffee Hour is Coffee-less, in-person, after the service
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HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!
In celebration of the LGBTQ community and Pride Month, we raised the Pride and Transgender flags in the Community Garden. Thanks to Jessica and all the gardeners!
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Congratulations to our Grads!
Blessings and prayers to all graduates of all ages, grades, and programs!
You've made it through a remarkable year!
May God give you courage, strength, and joy for all that comes next!
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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.
We are continuing our discussion on chapters 6 & 7 this week.
Join the zoom meeting at 2:15:
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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
When I planted the
purple Bollander's
Phacelia in
seed pots in my small
backyard nursery, I
did not know that the
flowers would
rise up in a cloud
not just violet
but lilac, periwinkle,
and white. The same seeds
in the same earth yield
such a heavenly
true diversity.
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Food for thought:
Before religion made it all about what we believe, Jesus was all about how we love.” -Susan Cottrell
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Vestry News
The vestry held its regularly scheduled meeting this week. The gardeners continue to work in the garden and volunteers are doing work on our campus outside the garden. There's lots to do so if you enjoy getting outside in the cool mornings, come by the church and lend a hand.
The vestry approved to have the trees in the back of our parking lot removed. They are a significant safety hazard.
Iglesia ni Cristo is back on campus. They will be using the church on Tuesday evenings and Saturday.
Next Sunday, 6/20, will also be at St. Stephen's because Joseph and Kaylyn are being baptized! Please plan to attend!
With the Eswines moving, we are looking for a new Clerk of the Vestry. The clerk is there to take minutes of the meeting. Please consider offering your time and talent once a month to support a very dedicated vestry that serves the St. Stephen's community. Contact Rev. Karen for questions.
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Kudos to:
-The vestry for a good and thoughtful meeting.
-The Labyrinth Guild
-Our lectors and lay assistants
-all who help set up for our services
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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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