New 2012 Vestry

Karen Cuffie (1/13)            Sr. Warden

Lenten Series & Soup Suppers

is a six-week study focusing on six signposts that will guide us into a deeper understand of God’s Truth. The six weekly topics include defining truth; evidence for God and creation; the Bible; the existence of evil; Jesus; Christianity; and other religions. The course will coordinate with weekly Sunday sermons. As we explore the truth of Christianity, we will also learn that what we believe about God and truth will affect our daily choices, the path we take in life, and our final destination—for eternity. Six short video lessons in home small groups will feature appearances by leading scholars, personal testimonies, historic sites in Israel, and dramatic scientific evidence.

We are asking that Lenten season home study groups be formed to meet weekly for six sessions starting the week of February 26th. Each meeting will include time for a soup supper or snack (supplied by the group), a five-to-eight minute video, 20 minutes of discussion led by a group facilitator, and prayers. Maximum meeting time will be limited to 90 minutes.

Course cost is $35 per small group (for leader supplies). There is no book to buy, and there are no reading assignments. This series will provide a time of fellowship, discussion, and prayer during the season of Lent this year.

Be a host home or decide to attend a small group in your neighborhood - CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.

Annual Meeting this Sunday

This is a reminder that this coming Sunday, January 29 is the date for our annual general meeting, following the 10 am service. We will have a short coffee time before we call the meeting to order.

The meeting includes election of vestry, diocesan delegates, and alternates. It includes a review by our Treasurer Julie Zintsmaster of the 2011 year end finances and the approved 2012 budget. It includes a State of the Parish address by me, an address by Sr. Warden Karen Cuffie, and naming of the 2012 Sr. Warden.

January 14 Diocesan Conference – Stewardship of our Story

What are our stories? How do they hold our experiences, identities and values? How do they hold or relationships with Jesus? How can our stories help us look outward to those around us?

You are invited to explore these questions in an all-day conference with the Rev. Eric Law, Founder and Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Institute for Competent Leadership in a Diverse Changing World.

We encourage everyone to attend this conference, presented by the Conference Education Resource Team (CERT) at St. Paul’s in Salinas. The conference will run from 9:30 AM – 3 PM. The registration fee will be $25 until January 13 and $30 at the door.

Our conference leader, the Rev. Eric Law has been a consultant and trainer for building inclusive community for over 20 years working with all denominations in the US, Canada, Asia, Australia and Europe. He is an Episcopal priest, a composer of church music, a photographer and playwright. He is the author of 6 books.

For more information please contact Ann Wright at annwright6@comcast.net or send your registration to JoAnn McClain at Mission House: joann@edecr.org or 831-394-4465
Click here for more information.

Sharing News in the Diocese of El Camino Real

The Good News along the King’s Highway Sharing News in the Diocese of El Camino Real

Read the  January 6 Diocese newsletter.

Advent Reflection Event

Don’t miss the last two Silent Reflections. Renee has offered to continue providing her Reflections up to Epiphany. The last Friday Event is this Friday, 12/30. A sixth Reflection will be offered for your private devotionals, leading up to our Epiphany Event on January 6th.

___________________________________

Weekly Themes for Reflection:

1. Week of Nov 27: ‘What do You Desire?’  Advent Reflections week one
2. Week of Dec 4: ‘The Visitation’ Advent Reflections week two
3. Week of Dec 11: ‘The Journey to Bethlehem’ Advent Reflections week three
4. Week of Dec 18: ‘The Birth, Shepherds, and Angels’ Advent Reflections week four
5. Week of Dec 25: ‘Simeon’s Canticle’ Advent Reflections week five
6. Week of Jan 1: ‘The Magi’ Advent Reflections week six

Advent is a time of waiting. Although we know the coming Gift on Christmas, this part of the season is a pregnant, expectant time, a looking forward to the True Miracle from God.

During the weeks of Advent there will be an opportunity to reflect on a particular theme for the week. The theme of the week allows us to ponder, reflect, meditate, pray and ‘wait’ together as a community. These selections, out of many, are meant to draw us deeper into the Story of Advent.

Each Sunday there will be an insert in the bulletin, on the website, as well as in the Friday Journal, that will give you a guide for reflections for the week. On the reverse of this flyer are some suggestions on how to ponder the mysteries individually, as a family, and with your children.

On Friday night, the sanctuary will be open from 7-8pm for a time of sacred silence. This is a time out of the busy, sometimes noisy, season our culture has created. Use some, or all, of this silent time to pray, ponder the weekly theme, and simply ‘BE’ with the Lord as you need.

2011 Advent Reflections Overview

Christmas Eve & Christmas Morning Services

This Saturday is Christmas Eve, and as the sun goes down we have two fantastic services for your Christmas celebration.

Saturday at 4:30 pm: Children’s Pageant

This service includes plenty of joyful Christmas hymns and carols, including several songs by the Children’s Choir. There will also be a presentation of posters by parish families as well as Sunday School and Pre-school children and youth.These posters have been created to illustrate the children’s book, “A Shepherd’s Gift’. This is a very popular service. Be sure to arrive on time, and be sure to bring your camera. (For those of you with posters, or in the choirs, please arrive around 3:30 pm.)

Saturday at 11:00 pm: The Christmas Mass

This service is chanted, with music leadership by our voice and bell choirs, and ending with a moving rendition of Silent Night at the close of the service. The Worship Hall will be filled with candlelight and poinsettias,  This service will include the light use of incense.

Sunday at 10:00 am: Christmas Morning

We have had fun designing a very special Christmas morning service. The guitars and voices of Genie Lee and Rod Sato will be leading our service music (Christmas hymns). There will not be Sunday School or nursery care provided, so we ask everyone to join us for this soft and warm celebration of Christmas morning. Following the service, Fr. Ken is bringing some fresh-brewed coffee, and Rev Judi is providing a special coffee cake. We look forward to your staying for a few minutes to share in fellowship, before heading home.

Come and celebrate Christmas in these beautiful services… and invite your friends.

2011 ADVENT CALENDAR

Printable Flyer

The four weeks of Advent begin on November 27th:  a time filled with special liturgy and music as we prepare for Christmas Day.  Mark your calendars and plan your participation in these great opportunities for worship together.

Sunday Dec 11th 3rd Advent
8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am Holy Eucharist – 3rd Advent Wreath Lighting. Music by Players For Christ

Saturday Dec 17th
6—10 pm  A CHRISTMAS PARTY for all ages Fun, food, fellowship, games, maybe dancing, maybe carols… Dress—Party Clothes Cost—around $5-10 per person shared cost for food. Bring your own beverages RSVP by Dec 14 to Susie Good susiegood@thegoodconnection.com or 365-8380

Sunday  Dec 18th 4th Advent
8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am Holy Eucharist – Lessons and Carols  &4th Advent Wreath Lighting.   Lots of beautiful Christmas Carols and special Christmas music. Sunday School is available for nursery only; Children are invited to stay in church for the entire service

Saturday Dec 24thChristmas Eve
4:30 pm Children’s Christmas Pageant    Music by Children’s Choir and Junior Bell Choir
11 pm Candlelight Service; Holy Eucharist with lite incense; with special Bell & Voice Choir music

Sunday Dec 25th Christmas Day
Yes! Christmas is on Sunday. No 8 am service  No Sunday School, no Coffee Hour
10 am Holy Eucharist, Christmas Hymns and Carols

Sunday Jan 1
8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am Holy Eucharist – No Sunday School

Friday Jan 6th
6 pm Salad and Spaghetti dinner
7 pm  Feast of the Epiphany service,  followed by an Epiphany Party with cake.

Printable Flyer

La Posada – Sat. Dec. 3 at 5:30 pm

When: Saturday, December 3, 2011 at5:30 PM
Where: St Stephen’s Church
Beginning in the Parish Hall
What: Traditional Posada with Mary and Joseph searching for lodging in Bethlehem, a potluck Mexican theme dinner and a visit for the children from St. Nicholas, followed by Carol singing.

“La Posada” is a wonderful Advent event that comes to us from Latin American tradition. We process to each door around the outside of our church building. The story we enact along the way represents the difficulties Mary and Joseph faced in finding lodging when traveling to Bethlehem. Children and adults go from house to house (door to door) singing a traditional song requesting lodging (posada). In each house, the owner responds with a refusal, until they reach the last door, where the owner recognizes Mary and Joseph, and allows them to come in. Their finding lodging is followed with a celebration–a Mexican potluck dinner!

Bring warm clothing and a Mexican dish to share.
Come share in the fun of La Posada.

Advent Reflections – Week One

Amidst the noise and busy-ness of this time of year, Renee Brown is inviting us into a quiet space each week during this Advent Season. She has prepared a different flyer of reflection topics for each week of Advent. The opportunities for response are varied, depending on what meets your spiritual needs and your scheduling.

The flyer for Week One is attached.

• You are invited to read the flyer during this week, and ponder the thoughts Renee has offered as you begin each day.
• You are invited to come to St. Stephen’s on Fridays at 7:00 pm, for (up to) one hour of quiet reflection with other people travelling on this journey. The St. Stephen’s Worship Hall provides the space for this thoughtful reflection: no sermon, nor a Mass; Renee is creating the space for you to escape the bustle of the world for an hour, and to reflect on the real content of this season.
• You can comment on this message, and enter into conversations with others about these reflection topics.

We hope you participate, find refreshment, and feel closer to the One God who sent us His Son.

Grace and Peace,

Fr. Ken and Renee Brown

Steve Meikle Memorial Fund

Bob and Rev Jan Meikle have requested that in lieu of flowers, a Memorial Fund be established at St. Stephen’s in-the-Field in memory of their son Steve, who passed away on November 13, 2011.  Donations to this Fund are designated for Youth activities and ministry at St. Stephen’s. Please click below if you wish to make a donation using PayPal. Donations may also be made by sending a check to St. Stephen’s, Memo: Steve Meikle Memorial Fund.

Invitation to ‘under 35 crowd’

Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to gather the “Under 35 Crowd” in our diocese; that is, those who are aged between 18 and 35, for an initial gathering to get to know one another.  As with other minority groups in our church, it sometimes helps to get people within a particular demographic “in the room” together to meet and organize.  I hope you will join me (and yes, I am too old, but I am the bishop, and therefore, the chief gatherer!) for a hike, Bible Study, lunch and planning conversation on:

December 17^th, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm., meeting at St. Luke’s in Hollister, carpooling to Pinnacles National Monument for a five mile hike, midway through which, we will have Bible Study using the Lectio Divina process.  Our hike will be easy to moderate at a pace which will allow all of us to stay together as a group.  Tennis shoes or hiking boots will be OK to walk in with layered clothing.

After the hike, we will return to St. Luke’s for lunch and conversation.  If you wish to just come to lunch and not come on the hike, you are welcome to do that, too.

Please RSVP to Mary Beth Powell at marybeth@edecr.org until November 27.  From November 28 forward, please RSVP Jo Ann McClain at joann@edecr.org or 831-394-4465 by Wednesday December 14^th so we know how much food to prepare for lunch.

Please join us!

Blessings,

+Mary

PS:  To view the invitation on Facebook click HERE.   Go to the new Facebook Group: Young Adults in the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real for information and conversation about the event!

Celebrating Thanksgiving: In-Gathering of foods for the needy in our community

View our photo gallery.

Jims Closet Outreach

We are planning a “Jim’s Closet” Outreach trip to an area homeless shelter on Sunday to distribute clothing and coats to those in need.

After the service and brunch on this Sunday we are planning to sort and load clothing and coats, then we will re-assemble at the church later in the day (around 4:30) to depart for the homeless shelter to distribute the clothing.

We are asking for volunteers to help with either activity or both.

This is the perfect time to help your fellow man by providing clean clothing and coats to those without a roof over their heads or adequate food and clothing.

Please come help this Sunday after the brunch or later at the shelter or both!!  It will change your life!

We will also make an announcement at the Sunday service as well.

Many Thanks,

Tony Pecora & Larry Lee

View photos from January 2011 clothing drive.

Indaba Informational Brochure

Greetings ECR Faithful,

We are on the verge of an exciting couple weeks in ECR! We will welcome our Partner Dioceses, the Diocese of Western Tanganyika and the Diocese of Gloucester, whose delegations are visiting us as part of the ongoing Indaba process. The Indaba teams will visit parishes and people of the diocese beginning with a kick-off at convention to welcome our friends from the UK and from Tanzania! We have attached an informational brochure explaining the Indaba process so everyone can understand this very important work.

Click here to view the informational Indaba brochure.

Blessings,

Mary Beth Powell

Administrative & Communications Asst.

Diocese of El Camino Real

Register Now For Preschool Fall Classes

St. Stephen’s in-the-Field is proud to offer to our south San Jose neighborhood a premier preschool and day care experience for children 2 ½ through 4 year olds, beginning on August 29, 2011. A rich tradition of fine academics and a caring, nurturing environment, which embraces the cultural diversity of our valley and city, were perfected here over 30 years ago.

Visit our St. Stephen’s Preschool webpage.

Assistant Priest’s Journal – Family Ministry on the Move

Assistant Priest's Journal

Greetings!

One of the things I really like to do is create new ways to worship. I also have a passion for helping families stay connected with God in the midst of their busy lives. So to combine both of my passions I am hosting a new event and I’m calling it:

Create Our Own Eucharist!

I have found that the more input we have in our worship experience, the more important it becomes. Here is our opportunity to create something really special. We will combine food, fellowship and creativity for a fun and meaningful evening. I don’t want to wait until after the holidays, so we need to get going soon. Here are the particulars:

When: Saturday, November 12th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm

What: Dinner, fellowship, and creating our own Eucharist

Who: Parents and children of any age.

Where: Let’s meet away from our familiar setting so we can think outside of the box. We will meet in the Community Room in the Mobile Park where Rod & I live- 5680 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose

After we gather, the children and youth will split up into four stations (parents can help):

1. Break Making – help make the bread for communion. We will also be making the bread for the Family Sunday Service in November.
2. Music – we will select the music we would like to sing for our service. Bring your instruments and also play with the “band”
3. Bible – we will select the scripture we would like to focus on. Then we will create some questions that everyone will discuss during dinner (this will be our “sermon”).
4. Worship space – we will decorate our own altar and seating space

Some of what we do this night will also be carried over to our Family Sunday Service later in the month. I’m hoping to do this at least quarterly so that the children and youth will get to rotate through all four stations, but if there is interest we can do it more often.

For dinner – I will provide some chicken (I’m tired of pizza) and we can potluck the salad and desserts. Next week I will send out Evites to the families with children and youth – so be on the lookout for them.

Let me know if you have any ideas or questions! I’m really excited about this new opportunity!!

God Bless,

Rev. Judi +

Fall Festival – Saturday, Oct. 8

10am—4pm

Get your Christmas shopping done early!

Decorate your home for the holidays!

Enjoy owning beautifully hand crafted items!

Food Available

Music

Raffle Prizes

VENDORS:

African Artifacts – Sales support Orphanage in Kenya
Clever Container
Crocheted Items
Dove Chocolate
Handcrafted Jewelry
Hey Hey Gourmet – spice blends
Miche Bags
Pampered Chef
PartyLite
Premier Designs Jewelry
Princess House
Scentsy candles
Scrapbooking
Tastefully Simple
Thirty One gifts
Tupperware
Various Handcrafted Items

Bring friends and neighbors  Printable Flyer
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95139
408-629-1836

Thank You from Sudanese Youth Opportunity

Photo taken Sept. 25 & emailed to us by school director.

Dear Members of Saint Stephen’s in-the-Field;

Thank you so much for your gift of $112 (check #705 received 09/19/2011) to Sudanese Youth Opportunity. This money you raised in your annual Fund Raiser will provide Polio Serum for each of the students we have attending boarding schools in Kenya. We are truly grateful for your support in many ways, but particularly in this effort to provide Polio Serum to these students. We want to be proactive when it comes to our students’ health, and you have helped us do just that.

All the students are growing and we want to keep up with that process. We have asked Dr. Nilsson to take photos of our students and send them to us. When and if that happens we will share them with all of you. Meanwhile, we applaud your enthusiasm and your belief in our mission to educate today’s Sudanese students to become tomorrow’s leaders in building their country.

Best regards,

Sandra Mueller
Scholarship Director
www.SudaneseYouthOpportunity.org

Sudanese Youth Opportunity is a project operating under Hope With Sudan, a non-profit corporation recognized as tax exempt by the State of California. 501(c)3 non-profit Tax ID #26-1713611

St Francis Day Pet Blessing – Saturday, Oct. 1

Our annual outdoor pet blessing is this Saturday, October 1 at 4:00 PM, under the Oak Tree.

• This short liturgy (about 15 minutes) includes a blessing on each animal brought to the service.
• A Certificate of Blessing is provided for each pet.
• The service is followed by fellowship with juices and animal cookies for humans, and treats for the animals.

This is a very fun event. In recent years we have had 15-20 humans and 10-15 animals attend. Everyone has a great time!! Please come share in the love that St Francis had for animals and for all of God’s creation.

Blessings,

Ken +

Family Sunday Announcement

Here at St. Stephen’s, we have enjoyed the opportunity to invite our parishioners to be a part of leading the service. Most months, Family Sunday is the third Sunday of the month. This is a day where one family signs up to help out with the service. They help by assisting the greeters, doing the readings, and taking up the oblations before Communion. This opportunity is open to all families at St. Stephens. If this is something you think you would like to be a part of, please visit the link below to sign up for the Sunday of your choice. Once you open the link, you will need to scroll over to the right. The Family Sunday dates are in the green column. Just type your family’s name in the box next to the date you would like. This is an automatically saving calendar, so that is all you need to do. Thank you for your consideration of this opportunity!

CLICK HERE  to view the schedule.

If you have any questions, please contact Heather.

Prayer Service Against Cancer – Friday, September 23, 2011 – 7:30 pm

Click here to print the flyer.

The greatest tool we have as a church is prayer. Come join us for the evening as we pray for everyone who has a relationship with this disease – patient, spouse, family, friend, care-giver, and medical personnel. We will also pray to stamp out this disease.

We will also provide the Sacrament of Unction: the anointing with oil and the laying on of hands for healing. And at the end of the service, we will offer our praises to God because even Job spoke well of God during his ordeal.

Invite your friends and your family and let’s join the battle the best way we as a church can – in prayer. You will leave this evening knowing you are a beloved child of God who wants you well.

Friday, September 23, 2011 – 7:30 pm

For more information contact the Rev. Judi Sato at:

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

7269 Santa Teresa Blvd.

San Jose, CA 95139

Map

408-629-1836

ssitf@sbcglobal.net

The Bible, Science, and Healing

Assistant Priest's Journal

During his earthly ministry Jesus went about from town to town healing all that were brought to him. Check out the first chapter in the Gospel of Mark. After his temptations, the first day he went about with his disciples he healed Peter’s mother-in-law and everyone that was brought to him for prayer. Over one-third of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke) deals with some form of miracle. When John the Baptist asked Jesus if he was the Messiah, Jesus responded “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.” Matt 11:4-5 NRSV

God wills the complete healing of all spiritual, psychological and physical sickness. We will receive this total healing at the final resurrection from the dead. As a sign and seal of this future promise, God often sends healing today. God upholds us in our fight against sickness, giving us the grace to endure when healing is delayed. God wants us well.

Our 21st century sensibilities very often keep us from believing in the power of prayer to heal. Many of us believe it is not God who heals today, but medical science. The human body is seen as matter in motion. Since we are doubtful about the reality and relevance of the spiritual world, we have difficulty praying for the sick. When we do pray, we do so with little confidence. Healing through prayer is seldom recognized. However, there are signs of change. More and more doctors and psychiatrists are beginning to take their belief in the Bible as seriously as their medical training. The combination of loving prayer with medical expertise creates the optimum conditions for healing to occur. Medical science is a gift from God to his creatures. I have a very dear friend who was healed of breast cancer through medical science and prayer. Miracles of healing are happening all over the world.

Come join us on Friday, September 23rd at 7:30 pm for a night of healing prayer. Come and be prepared to see God at work in our lives.

God Bless, Judi +

[Portions adapted from Authority to Heal by Ken Blue]

2011 Family Fun Day Sign Up

Water Slide-Field Games-Face Painting

Cotton Candy-Sno Cones

BBQ Hot Dogs-Burgers-Soda

Live Music

Y’All Come!  ●  Bring a Friend

Great Food ● Great Friends ● Great Time

Sept 11^th 12pm – 4pm

Suggested donation $5 per person; Maximum $15 per family, under 2 free

And if you can help, Click here for the Sign Up Sheet

Facebook: The Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real

Greetings ECR Faithful!

Catch the Wave! Dive right in to the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real’s new Facebook Page! All are invited to post news and events. We can expand our faith and our community on our page. Please spread the word! We have 121 people or organizations who “Like” the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real right now. Our goal is to reach 1000 by the end of the year!

See you there!

Click here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Episcopal-Diocese-of-El-Camino-Real/204544119582212

Mary Beth Powell
Administrative & Communications Asst.
Diocese of El Camino Real

A Service of Prayer Against Cancer

Assistant Priest's Journal

Next month St. Stephen’s will be hosting a prayer service against cancer. This is something the Holy Spirit has been encouraging me to do since Maundy Thursday. I think we all know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer in the recent months. This is a wicked disease and it’s time the church does something about it. There are many wonderful opportunities to raise money to work towards a cure: walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons, television marathons and recently I heard of a boat-a-thon to fight leukemia. In fact, many members of our parish have participated in these events and we have supported them.

As a church we have a more valuable asset we can contribute in the fight against cancer: prayer. On Friday, September 23rd at 7:30 pm we will hold a service of prayer at St. Stephen’s. We will pray for those who need healing. We will pray for family members and those who are caregivers. We will pray for medical personnel who treat the patients. And we will pray to stomp out the disease.

I invite everyone to come and offer your prayers on this most holy night. We will also provide the Sacrament of Unction: the anointing with oil and the laying on of hands for healing. And at the end of the service, we will offer our praises to God because even Job spoke well of God during his ordeal.

This service is for anyone who has any relationship with this disease: patient, spouse, family member, friend, caregiver, and medical personnel. Invite your friends and your family and let’s join the battle the best way we as a church can – in prayer.

God Bless,

Judi +

Preschool – Back to School Night

Tuesday, September 7th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

This evening is for the parents of current students.

Come and learn more about our curriculum and what we have planned for your child during the year.

Preschool – Meet The Teacher Day

Friday, August 26 from 10:00 am to 12 noon

Invitation to Parents, Students, and Siblings

Come meet your teachers, see your classroom and playground, and get to know your fellow students!

We look forward to seeing you there!

2011-2012 Preschool Session Begins

The 2011 -2012 School Year begins on Monday, August 29th.  We have openings in each of our classes. Classes are from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.  We offer Extended Care before and after school starting at 7:00am and ending at 6:00 pm.

Classes are held on:  Monday, Wednesday & Friday; Tuesday & Thursday, or Monday through Friday.  To secure a place for your child please submit an  Application Form and $100 non-refundable deposit.  If you have any questions – please call Rev Judi in the preschool office at 408-629-1843.

8th Annual Golf Tournament – Monday Aug. 8

DATE: Monday, August 8, 201

PLACE: ALMADEN COUNTRY CLUB

6663 Hampton Drive
San Jose, CA 95120

TIME:

11:00 am Registration
1:00 pm Shotgun Start
5:30 pm No Host Cocktails
6:30 pm Dinner

DETAILS:
The fun and entertainment will include:

• Golf at the prestigious Almaden Golf and Country Club
• Contests
• Closest to the Hole Prizes
• Dinner
• Live Music
• Awards
• Raffles
• Silent Auction
• and much more…

Fund-Raising Dining at Chevy’s Aug. 1st, Monday

Reminder: Our Next Fundraising Dinner at Chevy’s is Monday, Aug. 1st

Our last fundraising dinner at Chevy’s raised $344!

Please distribute copies of the flyer to neighbors and friends. They are all invited, and all count toward earning money for St. Stephen’s while enjoying some great Mexican food.

Place: Chevy’s on Almaden Expressway

Date: Monday, August 1st

Time: 5 pm to 9 pm

IMPORTANT NOTE:

You need to bring this flyer with you, and include with your bill.

Click here to view & print the flyer.

Please distribute copies of the flyer to neighbors and friends. They are all invited, and all count toward earning money for St. Stephen’s while enjoying some great Mexican food.

See you there…

Janet Thorsrud & Father Ken

T-shirt collection for Sudanese Students

Hope With Sudan is sending Bol, program coordinator, to Kenya on August 3. He will be visiting Hope With Suda’s 55 Sudanese students living in exile in Kenya. In order to prepare for his leaving we would like to collect both boys and girls T-shirts (just for play time, not uniforms), especially grade school and high school.  The T-shirts don’t have to be new, just in good condition. Bol will return to the USA on Aug. 20.

Please bring donated shirts to church by Sunday July 31.

Contact Carol Pecora if you have any questions.

Indaba Journey, by The Rev. Ken Wratten

The Good News along the King’s Highway, Sharing News in the Diocese of El Camino Real

Friday, July 29, 2011

Chapter 5: Indaba Journey

By: The Rev. Ken Wratten

When I was invited to be a member of our eight person diocesan team to the Diocese of Western Tanganyika (referred to always as DWT), the ten day trip to Tanzania sounded like a long journey to a far away land. It was a long journey, taking about 22 hours to get there, and about 55 hours to get home. And it was far away from the life I am used to. Even though I have travelled to South America a number of times, and visited the ‘interior’ of Brazil and Venezuela, I had not experienced living without electricity, without running water, travelling on only red clay roads, and carefully tucking in my mosquito net around the edges of my mattress every night. READ MORE

Jim & Chris Poem, by Ann Tyler

Through the years with Chris and Jim
By Ann Tyler 5/24/2011

Just about sixty years ago
Sixty-two to be precise
A love affair began to bloom
It turned out rather nice

Before we travel down that road
Of love and wedded bliss
We’ll look at life before the match
Of James and lovely Chris

When Chris was small she loved her dad
Their bond was very sweet
She’d wait for his return from work
He’d bring a special treat

The treat was dad’s leftover lunch
The food he never ate
It smelled like where he worked all day
Chris thought it tasted great

When Jim was just a little boy
Age eight or thereabouts
He became a businessman
To help his family out

He started selling sandwiches
To workmen on the streets
They liked them so they asked for more
Jim added drink and sweets

These two stories tell the tale
Of hard work and family love
Chris and Jim have both these traits
And they love their Father above

God brought them together at a wedding one day
And Jim had nary a chance
Christine took one look and made up her mind
He was hers after only a glance

A date to the circus on hot summer day
Was hard with so little dough
Jim paid more for the only seats left
To see that wonderful show

Jim had no more money to spend on his date
To buy her some food and drink
So she watched the whole show hungry and dry
Chris never did know what to think

She’s a sweetheart; not complaining at all
She’s a positive thinker, we know
Jim realized he loved this wonderful girl
Wedding plans were definitely a “go”

The special day came, an exciting one
It was truly a wonderful thing
It would have been perfect; only one minor flaw
Jim neglected to bring Chris’ ring

When their children came, they settled out west
In a trailer of sixteen feet
It was very small, not for dwelling too long
But the price just could not be beat

One day, Jim got a bug in his ear
He just had to have a cello
With so little room in that very small place
He seemed like a crazy fellow

Jim had to use the bathroom one day
He opened the door with much care
He said, “Oh, excuse me” to the form he saw
It was his cello standing in there

“Shell’s Hidden Cameras” rolled again
One day when Jim “filled up”
He had to join Screen Actors guild
The “gig” filled up his cup

Civil war reenactments were so much fun
Chris and Jim just loved this time
Her dresses were always lovely to see
And he just looked so sublime

The Glanceys took twenty-six cruises in all
They have traveled all over the world
On one of them Chris swung herself on a rope
And into the water was hurled

There are lots more stories, funny and sad
That’s the way for everyone’s life
But Jim and Chris are a perfect match
As we know them as husband and wife

“Through the Years” is their favorite song
And the words are so aptly true
They’ve been through everything there is
There is nothing they can’t do

Whenever anything went wrong
They always made it through
They love the life they’ve made as one
And we have shared it too

They always work their problems out
They kiss away the tears
That’s why they’ve been so happy
Throughout these sixty years

Chris and Jim are honored well
By the community they love so much
All of us here are proud of them
They have the volunteer’s magic touch

You have raised an exceptional family
They love you more than life
Your stamp’s indelible on everyone’s heart
You are the consummate husband and wife

Half and more of your married life
You have worshiped at the church in the Field
Your love and compassion for all of us here
Have brought an incredible yield

You’ll never know the lives you’ve inspired
Or the ones that your love has healed
But our wonderful God has it all in His heart
Your place in His heaven is sealed

Let our precious God rock you gently each day
Let his arms wrap around you so strong
He loves you more than you’ll ever know
“Through the Years” is a sanctified song

Commemorative Brick Project

We are receiving orders for In Memoriam or Dedication bricks for the narthex area of our church, through early July. At that time all new brick orders will be scheduled for installation. We will then close this program for future orders. Please click the brick icon below for the Bricks Order Form.

Click here for the Bricks Order Form

This Sunday – Annual Sunday School Picnic

Sunday, June 12, 2011
(following our 10 am service)

The 10 AM service is our last Family Sunday until Fall;
Student / Teacher Recognitions;
Pentecost Day (WEAR SOMETHING RED!)
Baptisms & Renewal of Baptismal Vows

Come celebrate the beginning of summer and the completion of Sunday School for 2010-2011.
Hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, salad, chips, cake, plenty of drinks!!
Live music by guest vocalists; Dick and Charlotte House

Enjoy FOOD, FUN & GAMES for all.

This is NOT a pot-luck: No need to bring your own food to this picnic.

$5 per adult; $3 per child; children under 5 yrs old are free.

Dick and Charlotte House Music at our 10 am service & their concert at 3 pm this Sunday, June 5

• Songs of Inspiration
• Two Guitars
• Two Unique Voices

Let their soft gospel melodies refresh your spirit and soul in this afternoon concert.

Don’t miss this very beautiful hour of grace-filled song.

June 5, 2011 3-4 pm

St. Stephen’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd.

• Invite your friends and neighbors
• Free will offering
• Fellowship with lite refreshments follow the concert

Celebration Coffee Hour

Dear Members and Friends;

Please join us at the Coffee Hour this Sunday, May 28 following the 10:00 AM service, for a Tea to honor Jim and Chris Glancey as we join them in celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary and Chris’s 80th birthday.

ECW Honored Women’s Day

Dear Members and Friends;

It is my delight to announce Julie Zintsmaster as my nominee for this year’s Honored Woman from St. Stephen’s, San Jose. She will be recognized by the ECW at their luncheon to be held on May 21^st.

Julie always makes time from her busy schedule to provide many hours of service to the church, with boundless energy and always with a cheerful spirit, anywhere she sees a need. Among our many gifted women at St. Stephen’s, I am happy to acknowledge the special gifts Julie generously shares with this faith family.

Here is information on the ECW luncheon. I encourage the ladies of our parish to attend!

Ken +

Saturday, May 21^st

St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church

125 Canterbury Drive, Aptos

Early bird discount by April 29th. Registration deadline by May 13th. The registration form is HERE. For more information: contact ECW President Wanda Bryan at Wandadon@earthlink.net or (408) 226-5593.

Conference with Diana Butler Bass – May 14

Dear Members and Friends;

The Diocese is sponsoring a wonderful conference entitled Shaping a New Spiritual Awakening with Diana Butler Bass on Saturday, May 14, 2011, from 9am to 3pm at St. Paul’s, in Salinas. This conference will look at the shape of the emerging reformation of faith in North America. If we get a group of five or more from St. Stephen’s, the cost is only $10 each instead of $20. Fr. Ken and Rev. Judi are planning on attending.

If you are interested in going please contact Karen Cuffie as soon as possible as the group rate is only good until May 9th. Checks should be made payable to St. Stephen’s and then we will pay the Diocese. For further information you can check out the flyer or visit http://www.edecr.org/event_detail.php?i=411.

God Bless,
Rev Judi

Sharing News in the Diocese of El Camino Real

The Good News along the King’s Highway Sharing News in the Diocese of El Camino Real

Read the April 29 Diocese newsletter.

Easter Sunday Service and Brunch

This coming Sunday at 10 am is the main Easter Day Service. 

Please remember to bring flowers for the Flowering of the Crosses, and a dish to share for Sunday Brunch following the service.  There will be an Easter Egg Hunt
after the service, so bring children’s Easter baskets. If it is raining, there will be weather-appropriate hiding places…

Please bring a dish to share as follows;

Last name A-I:        Salad or hors d’oeuvres
Last name J-R:       Main dish
Last name S-Z:       Dessert

We need assistance setting up for the Brunch. We had 131 people last year attending the service and brunch. If you can help for a few hours on Saturday, or on Sunday morning, or with clean-up following the Brunch, please click on
this link and sign up! We would love your help!
Volunteer Sign-Up List

Holy Week Services

View & print the Holy Week Services flyer.

CLICK on the image below.

Sharing News in the Diocese of El Camino Real

The Good News along the King’s Highway
Sharing News in the Diocese of El Camino Real
Read the  April 8 Diocese newsletter.

Sr. Warden Journal 4/8/11

Spring is finally in the air (sort of)! It comes just in time for our Parish Work Day tomorrow. There’s plenty to do and many hands make for light work. Please try to make it out, even if only for a little while. Wouldn’t it be nice for the outside of our church to be as beautiful as the people inside?

I would also like to remind everyone of the Brick Project that has been reopened for orders. When you walk into the church, you can’t miss the names that are permanently installed on the aisle and in the Narthex. This is rather unique to St. Stephens, full of names that are near and dear to someone’s heart. You can have any name engraved on a brick (s) that you purchase, and you can even decide how the wording will look when it’s engraved. Because of the kind of work that is required for this project, it is not something that is ongoing. The opportunity to purchase a brick is limited to sixty days. The next time we will reopen the project will likely be in 4-5 years. The bricks are $100.00 each and order forms will be available at church tomorrow. If you have any questions about placing an order, please see Emil Baggs or me.

Lastly, I would encourage everyone to find a few minutes during the week to listen to a sermon, any sermon, that is posted on our website. I recently missed two Sunday services because I was out of town. Thankfully, it was very easy to click on the link to the sermons that I missed and, admittedly, I listened to them while doing e-mail, etc… it was uplifting! You can hear comments, laughter and even babbling babies in the background. It almost felt like being there – what a great feeling!

Deep peace to you all,

Karen

Parish Work Day: April 9th: This Saturday

THIS IS A REMINDER OF OUR PARISH WORK DAY. WE NEED YOU!!

Come and Join In this Site Clean-Up Before the Holy Week Activities

This Saturday April 9^th at 1:00 pm

Drinks provided

Projects:

• Clean and trim along the chain link fence
• Trim juniper around large oak tree
• Trim hedges around parking lot
• Spray weeds under oak tree and planter box areas

Tools to Bring:

• Gloves
• Hedge trimmers
• String trimmers
• Pruning shears

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Lars Samson

Pre-school Spring Events

Please click on this link to open a listing of exciting events that Mrs. Horn has planned for our pre-school children throughout springtime. Click Here

Plant Sale – Saturday April 9

It’s that time of year again. Everything is growing and maybe needs to be divided. What do you do with the extras? You can share with your friends and neighbors at the St. Stephen’s plant swap. Start potting up any extras so they have time to take root. Even if you don’t have plants to share you can still participate. There will also be a chance drawing for an orchid. Hope to see you there on April 9th from 8 till 10.

WHAT: Plant Sale / Swap

WHEN: Saturday April 9 from 8am – 10 am

WHERE: St. Stephen’s in-the-Field

If you need more information, please contact Janet Thorsrud.

Treasury Notes

Treasurer's Journal

Dear St. Stephen’s Family –

It’s the end of March. We are half way through Lent and a quarter of the way through the pledge year. I thought it was a good time for a friendly reminder about the importance of staying current with your pledge.

We are counting on every pledge to help us pay the bills and cover monthly expenses. Currently, we are just over one week behind in pledge receipts. I encourage you to look at your annual pledge, divide by 4 and see if you are up to date. Or watch for your first quarter pledge statements which will be mailed the first week of April. I know how busy life gets and how fast the weeks fly by. Anything you can do to help yourself remember to send in your pledge on a regular basis will be helpful. You can mail it to the church during the week, drop it by the church office or put it in the collection plate on Sunday. They all work. And they all help us stay current with our payroll and our bills.

May God bless you abundantly – and many thanks to those who are staying current with their commitment. Thank you for the honor of serving as parish treasurer. Do not hesitate to call if you have questions.

Julie Zintsmaster

Your laptop & digital camera donations are off to Sudan today!

4/1/11

Thank you for your response to last week’s donation request for operational laptops and digital cameras.

Samuel is flying to Sudan today with 3 laptops, 3 digital cameras & 1 photo printer all donated by St. Stephen’s Church and Almaden Episcopal Church members.

When I delivered these items to him on Wednesday, he exclaimed, “WOW….I won’t pack extra clothes and I’ll hand carry these items!”

Samuel’s New Scholar’s website & Facebook information:

(His full name is Garang (Samuel) Akou.)

http://newscholars.net/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Scholars-Empowering-An-Entrepreneurial-Africa/154123597936319