St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL May 21st, 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 9:30am
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From the Rector
Dear Friends,
I guess May is my month for car troubles. Two weeks ago it was a flat tire that left me looking for a ride to church on Mother’s Day. Just this past Monday afternoon, I was headed out to get a much needed car wash but my car wouldn’t start. So of course I called AAA and about an hour later this big guy named Emile arrived in his tow truck. He noticed the sticker on my car right away. He cheerfully said, “Oh, I recognize that shield! You must be an Episcopalian!”
His gentle spirit and British accent immediately turned my frown upside. What are the chances – right? I learned that Emile grew up in the Episcopal church and that his family on the east coast are very active in the Episcopal church they’ve belonged for many years. Emile, however, told me that he was no longer an Episcopalian and then he told me why, but not immediately. He wanted to give me some background first. Knowing that I am a priest, he was sure that I was going to disagree with him.
We talked theology for some time and to be honest, I did disagree with him on some things, but also agreed with him on others. We never tried to convince the other that they were wrong. We both agreed that the Holy Spirit was at work and stirring things up right now and that the institutional church needs to make some changes if we mean what we say about loving God and neighbor.
Throughout our conversation, we laughed together. . .and held moments of silence together.
Our mutual respect was, for me, a rich experience and left me feeling hopeful.
I thanked God for the encounter and went back inside.
My poor car has a lovely new battery, but it’s still in need of a good wash. Maybe next week.
I hope that you too will meet someone like Emile soon, someone who can turn your frown upside down. When you do, remember that the Spirit is at work. Listen, laugh, and be silent as the Spirit leads you into something new, refreshing, and hopeful.
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.
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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9:30am at St. John’s
WEAR RED FOR PENTECOST!!
All of our services are now 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
There is a Zoom Coffee Hour this Sunday at 11:00. Click on the link below.
You can also come to the service at St. John’s and then enjoy a socially distanced in-person coffee-less hour after the service!
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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.
THERE IS NO DISCUSSION SESSION NEXT WEEK(5/26) We will resume the following week discussing chapters 4 & 5.
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Pentecost season opens with "Way of Love" Revival Weekend
The Episcopal Church greets Pentecost with One in the Spirit, a Way of Love Revival Weekend designed to fan the flames of hope, celebrate difference, honor creation, foster beloved community, and send people toward Jesus’s Way of Love. The weekend of events includes the following:
- Saturday, May 22, 6-7:30 p.m.: Concert for the Human Family and “From Many, One” Community Conversations
- Sunday, May 23, 4-5:30 p.m.: Churchwide Pentecost Revival Worship from Philadelphia, Navajoland, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington, D
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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
Last week, a green-feathered bird got stuck
in the black plastic bird-netting around the Alavi's
garden. The netting is to keep the birds out, but
the little man was frantically stuck in, yelling
in his language for help or just simply for freedom.
Arike and I tried to coax it out, untying wider and
wider gaps in the mesh, but he fluttered,
claws scratching and beak and eyes wide. We
were not helping, so we stopped, gave him
space. But an elder man and woman walked near
the caged bird, and Arike and I asked with gestures
for their help, knowing we did not speak enough of a
shared language to create a plan. But he wanted
to try, kept gesturing and declaiming and I've learned
to trust he knows what is true for living things, so
when the moment came and he waved for Arike and I
to herd the bird, we moved arms flapping, voices
raised in un-intersecting languages, none of us
speaking Bird, and we chased the him straight out
the smallest hole we'd made, right out to freedom.
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“Courage does not always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,
“I will try again tomorrow”.
-Mary Anne Radmacher
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Kudos to:
-All who pitch-in to help set up and take down chairs, etc. on Sundays
-Wanda and Susan for assisting in the service last Sunday.
-Our musicians
-Our tech assistants in worship.
-the Gardeners
-the Labyrinth Guild
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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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