From the Rector

Dear friends, 

There are big furry spiders everywhere – some as big as 6ft in diameter!  It’s a sign of Halloween, which is a subject I’ve already written about, I know.  Maybe because it’s only a couple of days away now, spiders are on my mind – particularly a wise one that has something to offer most everyone.  You are probably familiar with the children’s book Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White.  One of the lines from the book reads,

 “In good time he was to discover that he was mistaken about Charlotte. Underneath her rather bold and cruel exterior, she had a kind heart, and she was to prove loyal and true to the very end.”

He being Wilbur, the sweet pig who learns something very important about Charlotte.  I can imagine Jesus might also encourage us to consider the same about people.

Happy Halloween!

Peace,

Karen+

p.s.  We will be celebrating All Saints’ Day next Sunday, Nov. 6th.  Is there a saint in your life that fits the same description of Charlotte?  

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, Oct 30th, 10:00am – Holy Eucharist

 at St. John's

LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SERVICE

  BULLETIN

We continue to wear masks for our indoor services. 

  St. Stephen’s church doors will be open every Sunday for worship. In-person services will continue to alternate with St. John’s but the live-stream from services at St. John’s will be projected at St. Stephen’s. Come to St. Stephen’s every Sunday!

Centering Prayer Retreat

The Rev. Amber Sturgess is leading a Centering Prayer retreat at All Saint's Carmel, Nov. 11-13. This is a beautiful and rewarding opportunity to learn more about and practice Centering Prayer! For more information click on the flyer below. 

Centering Prayer Retreat

New Bible Study

Acts: Catching up with the Spirit 

We are doing a six-week study on the book of Acts with Biblical scholar, Matt Skinner.

Tuesday evenings via Zoom at 7pm.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87517609914

Wednesday mornings at 11:00am, in person at St. John’s

Volunteers Needed!

Santa Maria needs pantry volunteers to box groceries between 9:00am and 11:30am on weekdays. It’s a gratifying way to make a big difference in the lives of others. Call Santa Maria Urban Ministry at 408-292-3314. You must be at least twelve years old to volunteer. 

Poem from the Garden

Tomorrow we'll be

finishing the grape

arbor. This is the

third try we've made to

design something that

can bear the weight of

plenty that these old

grapes bring, let them drip

dark purple down where we

can pluck and eat them

each September. This

time we'll use cattle

fencing and conduit

pipe. Wish us good luck!

Jessica

Finish each day and 

be done with it,

You have done what you 

could.  Some blunders

and absurdities no doubt

crept in; forget them 

as soon as you can. 

Tomorrow shall begin it

serenely and with too hish

a spirit to be encumbered 

with your old nonsense.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kudos to:

-Andy for exploring new opportunities. 

-Janet for working on future fellowship activities in the coming months. 

-Wanda, our diocesan delegate to convention.