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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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Beloved Community,
A couple of people have commented on the work done recently to the exterior of the building. The building has been power washed and then, because some wood rot was discovered, sections of the panel and batten were replaced. We also had the window trim scraped, filled, and caulked before being painted. The doors to the nave, sacristy, and narthex received a good sanding and fresh paint. There is still some work to be done on the roof and stained glass windows but, all-in-all, the building looks brighter and somehow more alive.
You may be wondering how we managed to get this work done now. Some of the expense was covered by our operating budget, the money we have available to cover day-to-day expenses. This is the money that comes from your regular giving, which is part of why your pledges are so very important. Some of the work was possible because of designated or restricted funds, money given by people for specific purposes, often as "legacy giving," i.e. in their wills. Although I've never met any of the legacy givers who made possible this much needed upkeep of our building, some of you have, and have shared a little bit of their stories.
The people who gave in this way are not extraordinary people or especially rich people or, really, any different than you and I. Like us they had faith in God and a love for this place. What
might set them apart is that this faith and love translated into a vision of St. Stephen's long after they were no longer here with us. They saw beyond what they could see in their time and knew their financial support would allow St. Stephen's to continue to be the life-giving sanctuary where seekers, doubters, and believers find a comfortable place where they are welcomed just as they are: beloved children of God.
When you look at St. Stephen's, what do you see? Do you see a beautiful American Carpenter Gothic church and rectory on a lovely campus in a bustling little town?
Perhaps you see the life it nourishes and sustains. Do you see the community of faithful people who share a love for the place they come to worship and give thanks to the God who loves us beyond all reason and comprehension? Do you see the gifts of that love shared both within our walls and beyond our borders?
Maybe you see it all. However and whatever you see, know that you are just as important to this place as those who made possible the work done and still to be done, whether by pledge or legacy gifts.
Inviting and welcoming people to this place now and strengthening it to welcome future generations is an opportunity we share with those who so generously shared with us. You are invited to love and be loved.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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Sunday School begins THIS Sunday, October 6th at 9:00 am. Rev. Paula will be teaching and the children will get their Bibles! We will have nursery care with Miss Linda at the 10:00 service for infants and toddlers.
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We will celebrate St. Francis Day
THIS SUNDAY, October 6 at
3pm with our annual
community Blessing of the Animals on the parish lawn (or inside if it
rains). Joining us will be our friends from Christ Church in Short Hills.
For the safety of the pets, please have them come in an appropriate carrier or on a secure lead.
All animals will be blessed individually and will received a blessing certificate.
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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ADVENT QUIET DAY
Members of St. Stephen's, Millburn, Christ Church, Short Hills and St. Paul's, Chatham have been invited to a retreat as the Advent season begins.
When: Saturday, December 7
Where:
Convent of St. John Baptist, Mendham
Time:
10am - 5pm
Donation: $35 cash or check
(payable to St. Stephen's Church)
RSVP: by November 1st to Doreen in the parish office; Please fill out a registration form and submit it with your donation. Forms are available in church or from the parsih office.
Once the participants have been confirmed, a schedule of the day will be provided. Generally, a retreat day includes quiet time, communal prayer, spiritual discussions, light refreshements and a delicious lunch.
This is a wonderful time of the year to pause and reflect - please consider giving yourself this gift!
SAVE THESE OTHER UPCOMING FALL DATES!
Thursday, October 17, 7pm
Third Thursday Theater: Forbidden - Undocumented and Queer in Rural America; directed by Tiffany Rhynard
Sunday, October 20, 2-4pm
St. Stephen's Historic Cemetery Tour
Sunday, November 10, 4pm
Bekerath Organ Recital
Sunday, November 17, 4pm
Interfaith Coalition of Religious Leaders of Millburn & Short Hills Thanksgiving Service, Congregation B'nai Jeshurun
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St. Stephen's Historic Cemetery Tour
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PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS, be sure you have on your calendar the tour of our historic cemetery that will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2019. Walking tours will leave the cemetery gate at 451 Millburn Avenue (across from Millburn High School) at approximately 15-minute intervals between 2 and 4 PM. Tours will stop at 12 burial sites, including one in the mausoleum. At each gravesite, an impersonator will speak for the person buried there. Included on the tour will be the resting places of a Union officer in the Civil War, a prominent arachnologist, a poet, and a Broadway actress. The tour will take a little over and hour, and th
ere is no admission charge. Tourists must be able to walk on uneven ground.
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.
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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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Sunday School Teacher Position Available !
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We are looking for a Lead Sunday School Teacher for the 2019-2020 school year. This is a paid position ($50/week) for up to three hours a week, including Sundays. There may be opportunities for additional hours throughout the year to accommodate special programming.
We are looking for someone who will use the Sparkhouse digital curriculum to bring Bible stories to life, lead children in prayer, help the children grow in their faith, and take the lead in managing a classroom. The Lead Teacher will work with Rev. Paula to plan the programming and with a group of volunteers who will share the responsibility as the Teaching Assistant.
If you or anyone you know may be interested, please have them contact Rev. Paula at rector@ststephensmillburn.org.
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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
Reading with the Rector
Blessing of the Animals
Finance Committee Meeting
Third Thursday Theater
Historic Cemetery Tour
Bakery Bible Hour
Beckerath Organ Recital
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Every Wednesday, 12 noon
October 6, 11:30am
October 6, 3pm
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 6, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Carole Francis
Altar Guild: Carole Francis
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This Week: October 6, 10:00 am
Readers: Peter Wick, Theresa Scharff
Chalicist: John Scharff
Ushers: Maryalice Chech, Barbara Riedel
Altar Guild: Julia Dorn
Coffee Hour: Maria Nazareth, Sue Macbeth, Heloisa Rooney
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Next Week: October 13, 8 am
Reader & Chalicer: Michelle Ellingham
Altar Guild: TBD
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Next Week: October 13, 10 am
Readers:
Fran Young, Ladi Owolabi
Chalicist: Eric Maurer
Ushers:
James & Katie Wade
Altar Guild: TBD
Coffee Hour: Kira Hanson, Barbara Riedel
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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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