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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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Beloved Community,
Every now and again we encounter what I like to call a "happiness problem," a time of challenge because there is so much good happening. This week is one of those times. There is so much happening at St. Stephen's that this newslet
ter runs the risk of being too long to
be easily digestible. So, rather than write a reflection, extending the length, I leave you with this reminder of God's covenant with us, taken when Ron and I were walking around Orange Reservoir yesterday. It captures with spectacular color and beauty how I experience the abundance of God's blessing in this place.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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In Memory of Rev. Cork Tarplee
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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.
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A New Way to Give to St. Stephen's!
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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.
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In our journey around the Anglican Communion...
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...We are in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem this week. This diocese is home to Anglicans in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. The land, the architecture, the food - all of it stimulates the senses and the sense of connection to our history as Christians, as well as to our Islamic and Jewish siblings. When I studied at St. George's College, Jerusalem in 2013, my sense of who and whose I am, as well as how I read Scripture and understand what it means to live my faith, was changed forever. I'm not sure it is possible to walk where Jesus walked and to be in the places all three Abrahamic faiths hold as holy and not be changed. And that is good.
This liturgy will feel familiar and not so familiar. It is similar in tone and word to what we now know as "Rite I" in The Episcopal Church. Although Anglicans around the world share a "common prayer," thus
The Book of Common Prayer, they are not exactly alike. Each reflects the context of the time and place in which it was written and the way the people understand Scripture and living one's faith. Therefore, it may feel comfortable or uncomfortable, or maybe a bit of both. In any case, we are blessed to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves and The Episcopal Church. I hope this stop on our journey does something to expand your understanding of what it means to be an Episcopalian.
If you'd like more information about The Diocese of Jerusalem, you'll find some
here.
Blessings,
Paula+
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Bring a Mug to Church Day!
This Sunday bring your favorite mug or a mug that tells us something about you. We'll have fun getting to know each other better as we talk about our mugs at Coffee Hour.
Turn your
Father's Day shopping into a force for good!
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.
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.
This must-see documentary film, shines a spotlight on the growing problem of visible homelessness.
The film tells the tales of several individuals, showing how physical disabilities, criminal convictions, and personal crises led many to homelessness which became difficult to escape in a city that lacks sufficient shelter and affordable housing opportunities.
To preview the film, you can watch the trailer at this link:
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Prison Ministry
We are exploring expanding our work with the diocesan Prison Ministry Team. In addition to our Drumming Camp, which is one of the highlights of the program, there are opportunities to be a part of these vital ministries in other ways.
We are hosting a Prison Ministry meeting on Wednesday, June 26th at 7:30 pm. If you are interested in learning more, please come.
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.
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-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.
Margo Greenfield is working up a preliminary list - so email her if you are likely to be free to make a meal, help with the kids or host overnight.
Contact her at greenfieldmargo@gmail.com
or 983-868-9085.
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Vestry Meeting
Finance Committee Meeting
Third Thursday Theater
Prison Ministry Meeting
Reading with the Rector
Drumming Workshop
Third Thursday Theater - Family Night
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Sunday, June 16, 11:30 am
Wednesday, June 19, 7:30 pm
Thursday, June 20, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, June 26, 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 7, 11:30 am
Tuesday, July 9, 7:00 pm
Thursday, July 18, 6:00 pm |
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This Week: June 16, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Nancy Sieffert
Altar Guild: Nancy Sieffert
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This 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: Nancy Sieffert
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Next Week: June 23, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Michelle Ellingham
Altar Guild: Maria Nazareth
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Next Week: June 23, 10:00 am
Readers: Kira Hanson, Ladi Owolabi
Chalicist: Roger Riedel
Ushers: Fangjie-Liu and Michael Priddy
Altar Guild: Julia Dorn
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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