A Message from Rev. Paula+
Beloved Community,

Sunday is the Day of Pentecost, one of the major feasts in the Episcopal Church, celebrated on the 50th day after Easter.  It is a day of much joy, the day we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit being shared with the disciples and all who gathered in Jerusalem for the Jewish Pentecost, Shavuot,  (celebrated seven weeks after Passover), the day commemorating the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses.  The Christian Pentecost often is called "the birthday of the Church," because it is after the Spirit's visitation that the disciples understood how it was they were to spread the amazingly awesome and life-giving news of God's love through Jesus the Christ.   Our service will be like our usual Sunday services, though with a change of color and doves!  (Not real doves - the doves pictured above.)  The children are invited to process with me at the beginning and end of the service, flying the doves to remind us that God's Holy Spirit is present to us, too.  We'll have Sunday School, though it will start just after the gathering procession.  If you're so inclined, remember to wear your red.

Pentecost offers a bit of joy-filled challenge to the Church.  We are reminded of the call to share the Good News near and far.  As we wind down the program year - looking forward to our journey around the Anglican Communion this summer! - I invite you to join me and your elected leadership as we think and pray about our future ministry.  Please spend some time this summer praying and thinking about the ways you can be part of sharing the love of God in this community and beyond.  And don't forget: we'll be here every Sunday at 8:00 and 10:00 am because God's love doesn't take a vacation. 

Peace & Blessings,
Paula+



In Memory of Rev. Cork Tarplee
A New Way to Give to St. Stephen's!
Rev. Cork Tarplee was a gift to all of us who knew him, for as long as we had him.  If you would like to make a donation in memory of Rev. Cork Tarplee, please make checks out to St. Stephen's Church and on the memo line, write Cork.  The money collected will be sent to RAIN, an Essex County non-profit, to help gay teenagers.  RAIN stands for Reaching Adolescents In Need and they provide emergency shelter for them.  If you would like to know more,  click here.  Any questions, please see or call Maryalice Chech, 973-951-7154.

We know that for many of us the days of writing checks and carrying cash are over.  And still we rely on your financial stewardship to support the mission and ministries of the parish.  To make it easier for you to fulfill your pledge or to make additional gifts to St. Stephen's, we have added Tithe.ly to the ways you can give.  

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.
News

Thank you to ALL who donated items, made pick-ups and deliveries, cooked and/or helped to serve lunch this past Sunday at Christine's Kitchen. You not only provided a nutritious meal, but the much needed fellowship to the guests as well!   Such a good time supporting a much needed and appreciated ministry. 


It's beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Summer! As the pace of life slows a bit, you are invited to take time for prayer together beyond Sunday service.  Once a week - on Wednesday morning if those who  interested concur - we will gather for Morning Prayer.  The suggested time is 8:00 -8: 30 am.  Again if you are interested, your thoughts for a different time are welcome.

Morning Prayer is one of the traditional five times throughout the day when the Angelican communion gathers for prayer. Let us begin a new tradition at St. Stephen's this summer!  Please let Rev. Paula know if you are interested as well as any suggestions you may have.


Third Thursday Theater
June's movie screening and 
 

discussion will take place on June 20 at 7:00pm in the Common Room
and will feature the documentary Under the Bridge: The Criminalization of Homelessness. 

"Raw, emotionally charged and heartbreaking are just a few words to describe a documentary showing what happens when a Midwest city sweeps a homeless camp. "Under the Bridge: The Criminalization of Homelessness" takes viewers to Davidson Street Bridge homeless camp in Indianapolis, Indiana, where the relationship between city leaders, law enforcement and people living on the street was tense. According to the filmmakers, the camp was organized, well-maintained and had a loyal community of supporters. But campers were pressured to leave when developers beco me interested in the property." (realchangenews.org)

According to Director Don Sawyer, this film tells all sides of the story without being biased. It plays out and people make their own conclusions.

SAVE THE DATE: July 18 is FAMILY Theater Night!  We will begin at 6:00 pm with a picnic and screening of He Named Me Malala.
Reading with the Rector 
Join Rev. Paula on the first Sunday of each month for this new book club series. All selections are available from Cokesbury, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. The group will meet after coffee hour in the Common Room. Visit our website calendar for meeting dates and book selections. 

Next month's book is Welcome to the Wisdom of the World and Its Meaning for You by Joan Chittister and will meet Sunday, July 7 at 11:30 am.

Events
Drumming Workshop

Vestry Meeting

Finance Committee Meeting

Third Thursday Theater

Reading with the Rector

Drumming Workshop

Third Thursday Theater - Family Night
Tuesday, June 11, 7:00 pm

Sunday, June 16, 11:30 am

Wednesday, June 19, 7:30 pm

Thursday, June 20, 7:00 pm

Sunday, July 7, 11:30 am

Tuesday, July 9, 7:00 pm

Thursday, July 18, 6:00 pm

Schedule

   This Week: June 9, 8:00 am

   Reader & Chalicer:  Allison Walker
   Altar Guild: Carole Francis

  

       This Week: June 9, 10:00 am

Readers:  Fran Taber, Barbara Riedel,  Barbara Churchill
       Chalicist: Sheelagh Clarke
       Ushers:  Barbara and Roger Riedel
       Altar Guild: Julia Dorn
       Coffee Hour:  Heloisa, Steve, Dan
and Fran

Next Week: June 16, 8:00 am

Reader & Chalicer:  Nancy Sieffert
Altar Guild:  Nancy Sieffert




Next Week: June 16, 10:00 am

Readers:  Jean James, Kathy Conway, Barbara Riedel
Chalicist:  John Soughan
Ushers:  Kathy and Tim Conway 
Altar Guild:  Jean James
Coffee Hour:  Open
Lectionary

This Week:  June 9th


Next Week:  June 16th
Links to the Wider Church

The Episcopal Diocese of Newark







The Episcopal Church









The Presiding Bishop








Office Hours and Contact Information

Office hours are Tuesday thru Friday, 10:00 am to 1:30 pm or by appointment.
Phone: 973.376.0668  
Fax: 973.376.4002
Website: ststephensmillburn.org
Main email: church@ststephensmillburn.org
Follow us on:  Facebook and Instagram

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.
She is an occasional blogger at fromthestillness.