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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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Beloved Community,
I'm sitting here in my office, window open, gentle breeze blowing, sun streaming in, wind chime tinkling softly. We've gone from hot and humid, and even more hot and humid, to soft comfy weather with nighttime temperatures simply perfect for sleeping.
It is glorious, even as it seems a clear transition of the seasons.
We are transitioning here, too, from the different pace of summer to the start of the program year. And we've entered the final quarter of our first year together. (Time sure does fly when you're having fun!). As I sit and think about where we've been and look with hopeful anticipation to where we're going, I find myself smiling. St. Stephen's is full of God's Spirit. We truly are "Living Our Faith."
In addition to being welcoming, we've become more inviting. You continue to surprise me in only the best ways with your willingness to move and grow, and to take some risks for the sake of living the gospel faithfully. At the same time, you have a healthy commitment to honoring the past with its customs and traditions, without expecting the church to be exactly as it was before. I'm not sure if you're aware, but these are the charisms and ways of being that make a clergy person's heart sing.
On September 8th, we complete our "Journey 'Round the Anglican Communion" and on September 15th we have our "Kick Off" Sunday. On that day we will have a baptism and a special blessing to remind us that we are members of the ministry of the baptized. We'll begin to talk about the next stages of our ongoing commitment to "Living Our Faith." To top it all off, we'
ll enjoy a meal together with a cookout to welcome everyone back from summer. We hope to see all of you here.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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In our journey around the Anglican Communion...
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...we are in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, not to be confused with the more conservative Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. The Episcopal Church and the ELCA are in full communion, which means, among other things, that clergy from either denomination can serve in the other. Though I've not come across it in the Diocese of Newark, it is not uncommon in other places, including New England, to see that happen, just as it is not rare that Episcopal and ELCA congregations collaborate closely or join together as one congregation.
If you'd like to learn more about the ELCA, you may do so
here.
Blessings,
Paula+
Our itinerary...
September 1st
September 8th |
Home again, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Lima, with the World Council of Churches |
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September 3 - The Parish Office will close at 12:30pm
September 4 - Beginning 9/4, Wednesday Prayer is moving to 12:00pm. The first Wednesday of the month we will celebrate the Eucharist. Other weeks we will use
The Book of Common Prayer and other resources to pray noonday prayer.
September 8 - No babysitting will be available
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MILLBURN MILLWHEEL DIVERISTY FESTIVAL
Join us in
Taylor Park on Saturday,
September 7, 2-4pm for the unveiling of the millwheels. This cultural fair and food festival will feature a community art project featuring millwheels designed by over 20 Millburn organizations, including St. Stephen's.
Come celebrate the town's incredible history and rich cultural diversity! Enjoy entertainment from Millburn's cultural groups and food from local vendors and businesses. Hope to see you there!
READING WITH THE RECTOR
Our next book
discussion will take place on the
second Sunday of
September 8 at 11:30am
(due to the Labor Day holiday weekend).
We will discuss
Marriage and Other Acts of Charity
by Kate Braestrup.
All are welcome!
CHRISTINE'S KITCHEN
We will be hosting lunch for Christine's Kitchen at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, West Orange on
12-15 volunteers are needed to prepare meals, 1 volunteer to pick-up bread/cake donation from Essex
Green ShopRite by 7:20am, 2-3 people to set-up at 9:45am and servers should arrive around 11/11:30am. Lunch is served from 12-1pm.
College and high school students are also welcome to volunteer!
Protein dishes are greatly appreciated. Some meal
suggestions include: mac & cheese,
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veggies,
chicken, pork, pasta & meatballs, pizza, dessert, and fruits,
such as bananas, tangerines, grapes, or other soft fruits. Hard foods are not recommended.
Please contact
Deryck Rugbeer at
deryck.rugbeer@ubs.com
to volunteer or if you have any questions.
KICK OFF SUNDAY
We will host a BBQ/extended coffee hour on the church lawn on Sunday,
September 15th following the 10am service.
SAVE THESE UPCOMING FALL DATES!
Saturday, September 7, 2-4pm
Millburn Millwheel Diversity Festival, Taylor Park
Saturday, September 14
Christine's Kitchen, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, West Orange
Sunday, September 15
Kick-Off Sunday BBQ
Thursday, September 19, 7pm
Third Thursday Theater: Not My Life, starring Glenn Close
Sunday, October 6, 3pm
Blessing of the Animals
Thursday, October 17, 7pm
Third Thursday Theater: Forbidden - Undocumented and Queer in Rural America; directed by Tiffany Rhynard
Sunday, October 20, 2-4pm
History Comes Alive at St. Stephen's Historic Cemetery Tour
Sunday, November 17, 4pm
Interfaith Coalition of Religious Leaders of Millburn & Short Hills Thanksgiving Service, Congregation B'nai Jeshurun
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Special Fundraiser - FINAL THURSDAY!
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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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Wednesday Morning Prayer
Pizza with a Purpose
Wednesday Midday Prayer
Millburn Millwheel Diversity Festival
Reading with the Rector
Christine's Kitchen
Kick-Off Sunday BBQ
Third Thursday Theater
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Every Wednesday, 8am, thru 8/28
Every Thursday in August
Every Wednesday, 12pm
September 7, 2-4pm
September 8, 11:30am
September 14
September 15
September 19, 7pm |
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Next Week: September 1, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Carole Francis
Altar Guild: Carole Francis
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Next Week: September 1, 10:00 am
Readers: Felder Dorn, Theresa Scharff
Chalicist: John Scharff
Ushers: Barbara and Roger Riedel
Altar Guild: John and Theresa Scharff
Coffee Hour: The Dorn Family
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This Week: Sept. 8, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Allison Walker
Altar Guild: Carole Francis
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This Week: Sept. 8, 10:00 am
Readers:
Jean James, Fran Young
Chalicist: Eric Maurer
Ushers:
Fangjie-Liu and Michael
Priddy
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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