From the Rector

Dear friends, 

I admit that, for years, Halloween was my least favorite ‘holiday’. When my kids were small it was okay.  Sure, I made them costumes and we carved pumpkins together, but that was the only part I liked. All that scary stuff – gory masks, ghosts in trees, spiders and webs, tombstones, and cackling witches – I could never figure it out. What’s fun about that? 

Now that I live in a neighborhood with young children, I’ve realized that I’m actually looking forward to Halloween this year. I’ve already bought candy for the trick-or-treaters (though I probably should have waited a little longer because one bag has mysteriously been opened and some candy appears to be missing . . .hmm)!  The people who live across the street on the corner have spent the better part of two weekends decorating their house and yard. There are tombstones and skeletons and ghosts and purple lights and all sorts of stuff. It’s pretty cool! The best thing about it is that it has become a place for people to gather. Kids on their scooter, babies in strollers, and friendly parents stop to gaze and chat. That warms my heart.

The crazy house on the corner, dressed up for Halloween, is actually bringing me joy – not so much because of the decorations (though I do look forward to the sun going down to get the full show) but because of witnessing the gathering of community.  

Where have you found unexpected joy lately?

Peace,

Karen+

Worship This Sunday:

Sunday, Oct 9th, 10:00am – Holy Eucharist

 at St. Stephen's

LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SERVICE

   BULLETIN

Labyrinth Blessing on the labyrinth

immediately following the service! 

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!

Donations for Hurricane Ian relief 

If you would like to contribute funds directly to Episcopal Relief and Development for preparing and providing emergency funds for hurricane relief, click below:

https://support.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-relief/

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 at 7pm via Zoom. 

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

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

Books are available for purchase for $14 each. Contact Rev. Karen if you need to purchase a copy of the book.

Join us for our first annual harvest dinner fundraiser! Come join with your friends, family, and our beloved community for an evening of fun, food, and fellowship.

• When: 5 – 8:30pm | Sunday October 9, 2022
• 5-6pm: Reception, pumpkin decorating, and silent auction
• 6-7pm: Dinner
• 7-8pm: Dancing, pie auction, last chance at silent auction.
• 8-8:30pm: Announcing winners.

• Where: The New Labyrinth at 7269 Santa Teresa Blvd., San José, CA 95139

• How: Tickets are $25/adult and $5/child — buy them through our PayPal page here using your debit or credit card, or drop off a check at the office.

• What:
• Kegs and drinks donated by Rob van der Molen
• Grilling by Andy Lief and Trygve Thorsrud
• Harvest centerpieces from the community garden
• Pie auction with pies by Rowena Dizon-Burger, Jessica Dickinson Goodman, Janet Thorsrud, and more. Bidding starts at just $25!
• Basket auction with goodies from baker Akiko Mizhashi; delicacies from baker Kristen van der Molen; a bird basket from Janet Thorsrud; and more.
• Silent auction with kayaking lesson with Paula Scotney-Castle; website support Jessica Dickinson Goodman; a small project from Andy Lief and Vaquero Construction; original from artist Debbie Wolf; electrical work (hanging lights, etc) and computer upgrades from Trygve Thorsrud; a beautiful quilt from Terre; training and installation support from beekeeper Gavin; a baking lesson from Janet Thorsrud; a lovely watercolor from artists Susan Zaballos; and more!

If you’d like to donate an item to the silent auction or help to set-up or take-down the event, please reach out to the event co-chairs Janet (thorsrud@sbcglobal.net) and Jessica (jessica.dickinson.goodman@gmail.com).

Harvest Festival Pie Raffle Sign-Up Sheet

***We need more pies and baskets!***

Also if you have questions about volunteering, Ideas, or donations please contact Janet using the information above

Poem from the Garden

The Harvest Dinner

is this Sunday, with

jellies from the ripe

garden grapes and blue

corn centerpieces

from the shared garden

beds, freshly pruned white

sage, celestia,

salvia gracias

and low, slow growing

manzanitas

ringing the twinkle-

lit labyrinth. I

hope you come ready

to fill and be filled.

My very best,

Jessica

“The peace God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

                                                           -Frederick Buechner

Kudos to:

-all pie-bakers, basket makers, donors of auction items, sweepers, mowers, musicians,  food and beverage donors, and all who are helping with the Harvest Festival.

-The Calero students for all their work in the garden and landscaping management on our campus.