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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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Beloved Community,
Are you as weary as I am? Weary of the constant influx of news that reminds you of how broken the world is? With the seemingly never ending tide of news about war, about conflict? About an almost unimaginable array of ways we fail to love one another as Jesus calls us to do? About our apparent creative genius in finding new ways to ignore the call to respect the dignity and worth of every human being and the world?
Even in the midst of a life that is full and rich and good, on this journey deeper into the heart of God with all of you in this amazing community, this week I have been feeling weary. I have found myself wondering why it is I think I can make any difference at all to address problems that are far beyond my resources and capacity.
And then, as she so often does, the Holy Spirit ("wild and free" as my former bishop says) reminded me that the call to me simply is to be a faithful disciple, to live my life in such a way that whatever I do, small or not, is done with love for God's people and creation. It is not up to me to solve the problems, but it is up to me to be a part of the solution. And that shifted my thinking, lifting the burden of weariness, at least for now.
I hope this message, from the
Talmud, speaks to you as it does to me:
Do no be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief.
"Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now."
You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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Our financial pledge campaign is underway. Letters are going out this week. If you do not receive a letter, please let Doreen or Rev. Paula know. In the coming weeks we will provide information about how your financial support of St. Stephen's helps to enable us to do all the good work that we do. "Commitment Sunday," the day we bless the pledges we receive, will be Sunday, November 10th.
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We have a solid candidate for lead teacher. Rev. Paula will be checking references this week. Assuming it all works out, we can plan to move Sunday School to 9:45 on the First Sunday of Advent, December 1st. In the meantime, we ask your patience and cooperation in making the 9:00 work. We have a dedicated team ready to share teaching responsibility and really need a class in order to get a new lead teacher oriented.
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THIRD THURSDAY THEATER
Join us on
Thursday, October 17 at 7pm for the documentary Forbidden: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America.
Growing up in rural North Carolina, Moises Serrano fell in love with a country that refused to recognize his full humanity - both as an undocumented immigrant and as a gay man. The documentary Forbidden follows Moises' personal journey as an activist fighting for the American Dream.
BAKERY BIBLE HOUR
Please join us the first Friday of each month, from 9 to 10 am at Splurge Bakery in Millburn for this monthly adult Bible Study group together with our friends from Christ Church in Short Hills and Congregation B'Nai Jeshurun. Our next gathering will take place November 1st. All are welcome!
READING WITH THE RECTOR
Our next book discussion will be
Sunday, November 3 at 11:30am. November's book selection is
Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Greg Boyle.
Join us!
WEDNESDAY PRAYER
Reminder...Wednesday prayer has moved to 12 noon. We hope you can join us!
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HISTORIC CEMETERY TOUR
Over 30 parishioners of St. Stephen's and several members of the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society will be involved in the production of the tour of the historic cemetery of St. Stephen's Church that is being offered on Sunday afternoon, October 20.
You certainly will want to be there to witness and appreciate their hard work and creativity. Invite - or BRING - your friends, neighbors, and family. Tours will leave the cemetery gate (451 Millburn Avenue, across from Millburn High School) at intervals between 2 and 4 pm on October 20th.
St. Stephen's Cemetery opened in 1858 and is located on eight acres of land donated by Israel D. Condit, one of the founders of Millburn. It has been a community cemetery from its beginning, open to members of all faiths.
FRIENDS OF MUSIC
Our Beckerath Organ is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this recital season! Please save these Sunday dates for the upcoming 2019-2020 recital series: November 10, February 23, and April 19.
SAVE THE DATE!
Sunday, November 17, 4pm
Interfaith Coalition of Religious Leaders of Millburn & Short Hills Thanksgiving Service, Congregation B'nai Jeshurun
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Registration forms are available in church or from the parish office. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Rev. Paula at rector@ststephensmillburn.org.
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Coffee hour is one of our favorite times of the week and it is an important part of our Hospitality Ministry! Following our 10am service, it is the perfect time to meet and greet visitors, as well as catch up with current parishioners and friends. We rely on volunteers each week to sign up and host coffee hour.
What does it mean to host coffee hour? Click here to visit our website for the coffee hour guidelines.
To find out more about our other hospitality ministries, click here.
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St. Stephen's has a long history of offering our children the opportunity to sing and make music with a worship context. This year, the children's choir will rehearse most Sundays from 11:30am-12noon and is open to children ages 5+.
Throughout the year there will be opportunities to sing during the 10am service, as well as other special occasions such as the Family Christmas Eve service.
If you would like your child(ren) to join this group, or you have any questions, please contact St. Stephen's Music Director, Kim Williams, a.k.a. "Miss Kim" at kimwilliams59@mac.com.
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Tithe.ly is a
mobile-friendly
app designed by a clergy person and used by thousands of congregations across the country. With Tithe.ly, you can do one-time or recurring payments, as well as help with the nominal fee of using the service. You can download the app from the App Store or Play Store, or you can do it online at tithe.ly/give. Enter St. Stephen's Church in the search menu and we should pop up. You'll know it's
us if you see:
It's also possible to access Tithe.ly through our website - click on the "Give" button in the menu and you will be given the option to use Tithe.ly.
Don't worry. If you prefer to use a check or cash, that's fine. If you are a Vanco user and want to keep it that way, that is good, too.
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Wednesday Midday Prayer
Finance Committee Meeting
Third Thursday Theater
Historic Cemetery Tour
Bakery Bible Hour
Beckerath Organ Recital
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Every Wednesday, 12 noon
October 16, 7:30pm
October 17, 7pm
October 20, 2-4pm
November 1, 9-10am
November 10, 4pm |
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This Week: October 13, 8 am
Reader & Chalicer: Michelle
Ellingham
Altar Guild: Maria Nazareth
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This Week: October 13, 10 am
Readers:
Fran Young, Ladi Owolabi
Chalicist: Eric Maurer
Ushers:
James & Katie Wade
Altar Guild: Alex Cole
Coffee Hour: Kira Hanson, Barbara Riedel
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This Week: October 20, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Allison Walker
Altar Guild: Maria Nazareth
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This Week: October 20, 10:00 am
Readers: Kathy Conway, Barbara Riedel
Chalicist: Roger Riedel
Ushers: Tim and Kathy Conway
Altar Guild: John & Theresa Scharff
Coffee Hour: Open
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Links to the Wider Church
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The Episcopal Diocese of Newark
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Office Hours and Contact Information
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Office hours are Tuesday thru Friday, 10:00 am to 1:30 pm or by appointment.
Website: ststephensmillburn.org
Main email: church@ststephensmillburn.org
Doreen Schindler, Parish Administrator
can be reached at ext. 32 or
church@ststephensmillburn.org.
The Rev. Paula J. Toland, Rector can be reached at ext. 21 or
rector@ststephensmillburn.org.
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