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.

From the Rector

Dear friends, 

The subject of flags came up at lunch.  Flags are hung in all sorts of places, often times as a sign of what we strongly believe in, what matters to us, and our values.  We can do that on our own private property pretty much without restriction because we enjoy the freedom of free speech in our country.  It goes without saying that we don’t all like the same flags for a variety of reasons.  

The lunch discussion focused on a particular flag in our neighborhood.  It is highly offensive because of one four-letter word in large print that most parents would forbid their children from saying, and there are a lot of children in our neighborhood.  Frustration, disgust, and even anger were expressed over the person’s choice to display such a flag, myself included.  

I realized, later after lunch, that maybe I focus more on the flags that I don’t like, and less on the ones that I do. My star word, SEE, came to mind again.  What am I seeing?  What am I not seeing?

Flags fade over time and need to be replaced if the message they convey is still important to the ones displaying them.  That being said, the Philly Pride and Transgender flags will replace the faded flags at St. Stephen’s next week.  The message of inclusion for all God’s people is important to us.  No offensive words, just vibrant colors that represent a strong message of inclusion for all God’s people.  

Blessings and peace

 Karen+

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, Feb 12th, 10:00am – Holy Eucharist 

at St. John's

LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SERVICE

BULLETIN

  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!

COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UP SHEET

Disaster Relief for the devastation caused by the earthquake in Turkey-Syria.

Earlier this week, a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck along the border between Turkey and Syria. Although this disaster just happened, Episcopal Relief & Development is already working with partners to provide support. Please join Episcopal Relief & Development in this relief effort by making a donation at episcopalrelief.org.

Episcopal Relief and Development at 

https://support.episcopalrelief.org/syria-turkey-earthquake?_gl=1*1ybrxoe*_ga*MTE0NzA0NjQ1OS4xNjYzNzA5NTM4*_ga_5J3W6B8WL4*MTY3NTk3NjYzMi42LjAuMTY3NTk3NjYzMi4wLjAuMA  

Archbishop’s Earthquake Donation Relief Fund at

https://afedj.org/give/give-online/

Donations for people impacted by the severe weather:

Santa Marie Urban Ministry (SMUM) takes food, clothing, essential items like toiletries, new underwear, etc. . . year round.   

Compassion Center in the South Valley is in need of:

-men’s boxer briefs

-women’s underwear 

-women’s and men’s socks

-travel size shampoo

-plastic grocery bags (can be used by must be clean and not torn).

You can leave your donations at St. Stephen’s (Tues. or Thurs. morning) and someone from St. John’s will deliver them to Compassion Center.

Pot luck

Hey party people!

 The plan for the pot luck has evolved a little.

In the hopes that we don't have too much food,

I am making spaghetti with a vegetarian sauce

with meatballs on the side to add if you want.

That leaves salads, bread, dessert and beverages

to bring. Not everyone needs to bring something

as we always have plenty.

 A head count is needed so have people rsvp to

me. This is just to make sure I have enough plates

and glasses. My address is:198 Giddings Ct, SJ 95139.

 We will gather at 5:30. This is for women only.

 This event is on March 6th.

 If people want to donate money instead of

shopping, that will be great. I am buying 50

kits from www.cleantheworld.com at the cost

of $200, only $4 per person which includes,

soap, toothpaste, tooth brush, 2-in-1 shampoo/

conditioner, socks or lotion. I hope we can raise

another $200 to buy 50 more kits to fill 100 bags.

 Items we can still use include:

socks

beanies

emergency blankets

combs

floss

deodorant  

female hygiene products

 Checks or cash can be given to either myself

 or Susan.

 Hope to see you on the 6th.

Mark your calendars . . .

Tues, Feb 21, 5:30pm

- Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper at St. John’s.

Wed, Feb 22

-Ash Wednesday Evening Service at Advent Lutheran Church in Morgan Hill.

- Ashes to go at St. Stephen’s11:00am-2:00pm

Mon, Mar 6, 6:00pm

- Assembling Manna Bags at Janet’s house.  

Wed, Mar 1, 5:30pm

-Lent Soup Supper at St. John’s

Commemorative Wine Glasses!

This beautiful commemorative glass marks the year St. Stephen’s made Parish Status and you can have one for just $2!  There are only 6 dozen left so get them while you can!  Your purchase helps St. Stephen’s so buy a few if you can.

Poem from the Garden

Lauren and Catherine

spent Saturday with

their hands in the soil

planting alliums

garlic and onions,

plus purple flowering

amaranth, in a

sequential planting

following the bright

green garlic Kat planted

back in December.

We hope that these plants

will be tasty to

humans and not squirrels,

-- Jessica Dickinson Goodman. As a reminder, we have a crafts fair March 17-19.

February is Black History Month.  Our quotes will come from African Americans in our nation’s history.

“Won’t it be wonderful when black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history.” —Maya Angelou

Kudos to :

-Jill, Dan, and Trip for taking away more Oleander trimmings.

-Andy, our Treasurer, now also serving on the Vestry.

Contact Information for Rev. Karen.

Please use this new number to contact Rev. Karen for calls or texts:

(669)270-7479