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.

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, October 1st,

10:00am - Holy Eucharist

BULLETIN

LIVE STREAM

 St. Stephen’s has an in-person worship service every Sunday at 10am. We alternate between Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist. We are not live-streaming Morning Prayer services at this time. All Holy Eucharist services are live streamed. Links to the bulletin and Youtube video are provided for all Holy Eucharist services.

From the Rector

Dear Friends,

Today is my second baby’s 36^th birthday. Many folks from St. Stephen’s will remember Jordan as an acolyte, a handbell ringer, an artist, and overall nice kid (I hope so anyway). He’s now a husband and dad to my granddaughters. Where has the time gone?

Though autumn doesn’t officially start for a while, Jordan’s birthday marks the beginning of my favorite season. There’s just something special about autumn for me. I think it’s the falling leaves, the pumpkins, the smells, the cooler temperatures, the colors . . . and pumpkin spice lattes of course!

It’s no surprise then that I’m excited for the St. Stephen’s Harvest Festival tomorrow night. I can’t wait to have fun, eat good food under the hanging lights on the labyrinth with good people, good music, and did I mention... food? I do hope that you will come – the more the merrier!

The fallen leaves from the oak tree, hanging grapes on the vines, and cooler temps shout Fall. They remind me of the cycle of life that keeps going without any help from me. I don’t have to do a thing. The earth that God created so beautifully for us is a gift to marvel. Lucky us!

Blessings,

Karen+

COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UP SHEET

Diocesan Newsletter



Read about what’s going on in the diocese! Click below to subscribe to the diocesan newsletter that is emailed every two weeks.



Pray for the people of Maui and the destruction and loss caused by the fires.

Donations for relief efforts in Maui and the Diocese of Hawaii can be made to:

https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/donate-now/individual-donation/

https://www.episcopalhawaii.org/

https://www.episcopalhawaii.org/a-cup-of-cold-water.html

The Feast of St. Francis is this Wednesday!

Rev. Karen will be blessing pets after the service this Sunday. All animals are welcome – including cuddly stuffed animals too! Bring your pet to the 10:00am service and we’ll go out to the labyrinth after the service.

There will be a Blessing of Pets service on St. Francis Day, Wednesday, Oct 4^th, 4pm at St. John’s in Morgan Hill. 

Join Education For Ministry - EfM

Please consider joining EfM! Education for Ministry (EfM) is a life-changing and unique college-level program in theological education based on small-group study and practice. Weekly seminars are designed to prepare lay persons to live out by word and deed the promises made at baptism: to love God, serve Christ, and proclaim the Gospel. EfM seminars take place online during the pandemic. 

More about EfM:https://theology.sewanee.edu/education-for-ministry/

If you are interested in joining EfM, please contact the ECR Diocesan Coordinator, Katy Dickinson: katy.dickinson@gmail.com

Wednesday Book Group

 Weekly Wednesday Bible Study

 11:00am, at St. John’s 

Learn about the Book of Revelation!

The last book of the Bible is more than a foretelling of doom. Come and explore what it's all about! Books are $20 ea. See Rev. Karen if you're interested.

Pride Potluck Cookbooks for Sale at Harvest Fundraiser Dinner

Thank you to everyone who brought dishes to our Pride Potluck last summer! I put together a draft cookbook with pictures from the event and recipes, formatted in 2 different sizes to see what folks like. I'll bring them to service on Sunday for everyone to give any edits during coffee hour, then at the Harvest Fundraiser you can sign-up to buy a copy of the edited version, then I'll get them printed and hand-deliver them.

Updates and opportunities!

We have space available to rent. If you know of any non-profit agencies or schools that need a space, let them know that St. Stephen’s has space. 



While it’s nice to have the flexibility to use the space ourselves, we need the income and so hope to find a new renter. 

Our church, parish hall, and our beautiful grounds, including the labyrinth are all great venues like for a variety of special events like receptions, birthday parties, quinceaneras, etc. Please encourage friends to consider St. Stephen’s as a venue for their special event!  

To reserve a space or ask question, contact the office, office@ssitf.org or click on the link on our website https://www.ssitf.org/facility-rentals. 

Spread the word and pray for St. Stephen’s!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• Sunday, October 1st, Holy Eucharist, 10:00am
• Sunday, October 8th, Morning Prayer, 10:00am
• Sunday, October 15th, Holy Eucharist, 10:00am
• Sunday, October 22nd, Morning Prayer, 10:00am

Poem from the Garden

Two stanchions in and

it began to feel

like a room. It’s odd 

what the heart does to

make a space where there

was none. Three strands of

hanging lights, and it

feels like someplace that

wasn’t there before. 

I wonder what it

will look like on the

weekend with all of us

us dining out there

what wasn’t a shared 

room, but is ours now.



— Jessica Dickinson Goodman 

“For it is giving that we receive.”

                  -St. Francis of Assisi

Kudos:

-Kristen for officiating Morning Prayer last Sunday               

-Janet and Trig for transporting extra tables and chairs for Saturday.

-All who have made baskets and donated silent auction items.

-Janet and Jessica organizing our Annual Harvest Dinner!

Contact Information for Rev. Karen.

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

408-781-1826

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.

Editor's Note  

Have an announcement?

Please send any announcements or articles you want to have included, to: kristenvdm@yahoo.com, by Thursday, 10am each week. 

Kristen van der Molen