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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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Beloved Community,
You may be wondering why these two photos appear together in this week's newsletter. The photo on the left is of the three beautiful children, who, with their parents, recently joined St. Stephen's. The photo on the left is of the group of clergy and lay people who visited the Essex County Jail with First Friends of NJ & NY on Tuesday. What they have in common is that both speak to the grace of baptism.
The girls' baptism, which was a joy-filled celebration of official welcome into the household of God and this community, was, to quote the
Book of Common Prayer (p. 857)
, "an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace." We acknowledged a truth that exists simply because God is God: that the girls are beloved children of God.
When we affirmed our baptismal vows during the service, we were reminded that being beloved of God, created in the image of God, is a truth for
all people and that in our baptisms we commit to loving all people in ways that honor and celebrate this truth. That is why I joined First Friends at the jail, which has a contract to house up to 800 ICE detainees, in addition to the county, state, and federal prisoners incarcerated there. It is critically important that people of faith give witness to the truths that our criminal justice and immigration systems do not recognize: that all people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and that the criminalization of race, poverty, mental illness, and the need for asylum runs counter to the reality of God's love for all people.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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In our journey around the Anglican Communion...
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...we are in the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, a.k.a. The Anglican Episcopal Church in Japan and The Anglican Communion in Japan. In the mid-1800's, missionaries from The Episcopal Church went to Japan to begin the work that ultimately culminated in the founding of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai. The Nippon Sei Ko Kai is the national Christian church in Japan, with a history including the need to go underground during World War II.
For more information about the church, you might check this Wikipedia
link. There is little other easily accessible information in English.
Blessings,
Paula+
Our itinerary...
July 14th
July 21st
July 28th
August 4th
August 11th
August 18th
August 25th
September 1st
September 8th |
Nippon Sei Ko Kai (The Anglican Episcopal Church in Japan)
Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
We're back home, using Enriching Our Worship
Anglican Church of Australia
Africa (liturgy from North, East, and South African churches)
Church of Nigeria (West Africa)
Anglican Church of Canada
Home again, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Lima, with the World Council of Churches
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If you are in need of a few minutes of sabbath or respite in the midst of your busy week, know that you are invited to join us for Morning Prayer on Wednesday mornings at 8:00. This summer we are using a lovely liturgy from
Daily Prayer for All Seasons, spending no more than 20 minutes in prayer and reflection.
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Prison Ministry Update
Diocesan Prison Ministry is undergoing some changes, mostly behind the scenes. At its meeting on July 1st, OAR (Offender Aid and Restoration of Essex County) voted to dissolve the corporation. This means that the programs of the diocese, including our Drumming Camp, which historically have fallen under the umbrella of PATCH (Parents and Their Children) will no longer use "PATCH" in their name or statements of affiliation. This is strictly a legal strategy to ensure that none of the programs are held liable for anything that could be attached to OAR/PATCH.
So, what does this mean for us? It means we will update our Drumming Camp and Saturday Arts and Science Enrichment program information, bulletin boards, etc. to remove "PATCH" from the lingo. It has absolutely no effect on what we do, when we do it, with whom we do it.
NEW one-time opportunity to volunteer - Time-sensitive:
Who
: You!
What:
The Saturday Arts and Science Enrichment Program picnic for children and their families.
Where:
Lewis Morris County Park, 270 Mendham Rd, Morristown
When:
Saturday, July 20th from noon to 6:00 pm
Why: Help is needed to provide/grill food and to chaperone the kids in their activities and it will be fun!
How: It's simple.
Just let Rev. Paula know by this Sunday, July 14th that you are available and what you would prefer to do. She'll let Rev. Sharon (coordinator of the program) know that you are willing, ready, and able to help out and have a good time.
I'm loud, I'm proud, I'm a...Drumming Camp Volunteer!
It's not too late to sign up. Camp is the week of August 18th. We set up on the 18th and then greet the campers at 3:00 pm on the 19th and bid them goodbye at 7:30 pm, which we will do the 20th-23rd, as well. There are lots of ways to help, no special skills needed, just a loving heart and a desire to welcome these children again this year. There are opportunities for an evening or two, or the full-week.
Please talk to Fran Taber, Kim Williams, or Rev. Paula if you know you want to help or if you need encouragement to join the team.
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FAMILY THEATER NIGHT & PICNIC
Join us on
Thursday, July 18 at 6:00 pm
for a picnic and screening of the film
He Named Me Malala
. Bring your picnic, blanket, and the whole family. Hope to see you there!
CHRISTMAS IN JULY FOR NORTH PORCH
Once again, St. Stephen's is invited to participate in the Christmas in July collection for North Porch. You may donate emergency items such as
Enfamil powdered formula, diapers, jars of veggie baby food, and baby wipes.
Boxes will be available in the Narthex and the collection will culminate on
Sunday, July 28
.
More specifics will follow in regards to the emergency items. You can also donate online through the North Porch website.
IHN
Mark your calendar for
the week of August 11
. While we were unable to host this year, we have a second
chance to continue our long-
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standing commitment to the Interfaith Hospitality Network for the
Homeless. Our neighbor, Wyoming Presbyterian, has offered to take up one of the (many) open weeks, but it's prime vacation time and they're challenged for volunteers.
If you are likely to be free to make a meal, help with the kids or host overnight, please sign-up on the volunteer sheets located on the bulletin board in the Narthex.
If you have any questions, please contact
Margo Greenfield at greenfieldmargo@gmail.com
or 973-868-9085.
READING WITH THE RECTOR
Please note:
Reading with the Rector will
not
meet in August and the next book discussion will be held on the
second Sunday of September
due to the Labor Day holiday weekend. We will discuss the book
Marriage and Other Acts of Charity
by Kate Braestrup and will meet
Sunday, September 8 at 11:30 am.
All selections are available from Cokesbury, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. The group will meet after coffee hour in the upstairs library/music room. Visit our website calendar for meeting dates and book selections.
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California Pizza Kitchen will be hosting a fundraiser for St. Stephen's Church!
Please see the flyer below for details. Print the flyer from here, our website or Facebook page and bring it to California Pizza Kitchen on the dates stated and 20% of your bill will be donated to St. Stephen's. ENJOY and THANK YOU!
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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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Vestry Meeting
Third Thursday Theater - Family Night
Drumming Camp Meeting
Christmas in July for North Porch
IHN Week (Wyoming Presbyterian)
Drumming Camp!
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Sunday, July 14, 11:30 am
Thursday, July 18, 6:00 pm
Sunday, July 21, 11:30 am
Sunday, July 28, 10:30am (final day for donations)
Week of August 11
Week of August 19 |
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This Week: July 14, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Michelle
Ellingham
Altar Guild: Carole Francis
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This Week: July 14, 10:00 am
Readers:
Felder Dorn, Barbara Riedel
Chalicist: Roger Riedel
Ushers:
Katie and James Wade
Altar Guild: Julia Dorn
Coffee Hour: Eugene Foley
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Next Week: July 21, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Allison Walker
Altar Guild: Maria Nazareth
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Next Week: July 21, 10:00 am
Readers: Shaun Landers, Fran Taber
Chalicist: Eric Maurer
Ushers: Lisa and Shaun Landers
Altar Guild: Jean James
Coffee Hour: Heloisa Rooney
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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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