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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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Beloved Community,
This is the view from my desk this week. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to see the art work from the children in our preschool or to hear their happy (ok, and occasionally not-so-happy) voices when I am in the office. There is nothing quite like the presence and energy of children to remind me of what is most important in life. As I said in the first edition of the new monthly "Sunday School Newsletter," I learn at least as much from children about life and faith as I hope to teach them. And for this I am immensely grateful.
As I prepare to leave on our family vacation to Santa Fe less than a week after I celebrated the sixth anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood, I have been thinking a lot about what's important and those things for which I am most grateful. Not surprisingly, I'm sure, God, faith, and family are at the top of the list, a list that seems to grow longer every year. I am so grateful, too, for this community of faithful, Spirit-enlivened people. You remind me each and every day of why the long and sometimes arduous journey to ordained ministry was so worth it (though, to be honest, I wouldn't change much, if anything, about that journey because each and every bit of it taught me more about myself and relationship with God). Being here in ministry with you, discerning together God's dream for us as we live more fully into our identity as "the Church on Main Street, where love begets love," is a blessing and a joy.
Now seems like a good time to tell you, too, how extraordinarily grateful to and proud of you I am for your loving, generous response to the "Giving in Faith" campaign. I've said before that you have a way of caring for each other and our neighbors that is truly special, as well as a unique ability to take risks for the sake of the Gospel and living your faith. Your financial commitment to St. Stephen's will enable us to grow more deeply in faith as we journey deeper and deeper into the heart of God, becoming more and more the people and the community God dreams for us.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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As of December 30th, we have 33 pledges totaling $132,650! Thank you to everyone who has made this commitment to the life of the parish. Your choice to give in faith means we can begin the year with a balanced budget.
It's not to late to pledge. Not only will your pledge help us to live our faith more fully and deeply, giving us the opportunity to grow our ministries, you will be amazed at how intentional, proportional giving enlivens your relationship with God.
If you have pledged and would like envelopes, please let Doreen know if you did not note this on your pledge form.
We are grateful that some of you include year-end stock giving as part of your financial commitment to St. Stephen's. Because of the way these gifts are received and managed, please alert Dave Van Houten (
bookkeeper@ststephensmillburn.org
or (973) 376-0699, ext. 33) to expect your gift. This will ensure that it is accounted for properly.
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Our first Sunday School Newsletter went out last week for the month of January. It includes information about upcoming events, as well as links to the "Family Page" from the weekly January lessons. If you'd like to receive this newsletter and didn't, please let Doreen or Rev. Paula know. They'll be happy to add you to the list.
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Please join us at noon on February 5th as we resume a regular, albeit adjusted, Wednesday worship schedule. We will hold Wednesday worship ONCE A MONTH, on the FIRST WEDNESDAY AT NOON. We will share in the Eucharistic celebration.
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SHALL WE DANCE?
Start your year off on the right foot! Join Michael and Fangjie this Sunday, January 12 from 3-5 pm
for some dancing fun! All ages are welcome and it's FREE! The club will meet most Sundays. Please check the St. Stephen's Calendar for exact dates.
THIRD THURSDAY THEATER
Our November screening was rescheduled for January and is coming
up soon! Don't miss the documentary
and discussion of Inequality for All, January 16th at 7pm. This film follows former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich as he looks to raise awareness of the country's widening economic gap.
READING WITH THE RECTOR
Our first meeting of the new year has been moved to
Sunday, January 26th
at 11:30am
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We will be discussing
The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity
by William P. Young. This book is available from Cokesbury, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon, as well as through the Millburn Public Library.
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YOUTH SUNDAYS
One Sunday a month is
designated Youth Sunday at our 10 am
service
- usually the fourth Sunday. So d
on't forget to add these dates to your 2020 calendar:
January 26
February 23 (Camp Sunday - Special Guest)
March 22
April 26
May 31
June 21 (Celebration Sunday)
ANNUAL MEETING
Join us for our Annual Meeting on
Sunday, February 9 at 10am.
(There will be no 8am service.) Together we will discuss our DREAMS for St. Stephen's and celebrate the Eucharist.
All vestry and ministry organizers should submit their annual reports to Doreen via
email by January 23rd.
THANK YOU
to Rev. Paula and the Toland Family for their generous hospitality in hosting our special
Epiphany Open House at the Rectory!
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Martin Luther King Day of Remembrance
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Shall We Dance? Ballroom Dance Club
Finance Committee Meeting
Third Thursday Theater
Vestry Meeting
Shall We Dance? Ballroom Dance Club
MLK Day of Remembrance
Youth Sunday
Reading with the Rector
Sahll We Dance? Ballroom Dance Club
Diocesan Convention
St. Stephen's Annual Meeting
COMING SOON!
Beckerath Organ 50th Anniversary 2019-2020 Recital Series
John Charles Schucker
Johann Vexo
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January 12, 3-5 pm
January 15, 7:30 pm
January 16, 7 pm
January 19, 11:30am
January 19, 3pm
January 20 (see attached flyer for details)
January 26, 10 am
January 26, 11:30 am
January 26, 3pm
January 31 - February 1
February 9, 10 am
NO 8:00 am service
Sunday, February 23, 4 pm
Sunday, April 19, 4 pm |
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Liturgical Stewardship Schedule
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January 12, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Allison Walker
Altar Guild: Maria Nazareth
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January 12, 10:00 am
Readers: Peter Wick, Shaun Landers
Chalicer: Roger Riedel
Ushers:
Shaun and Lisa Landers
Altar Guild: Julia Dorn
Coffee Hour: The Landers Family
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January 19, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Michelle
Ellingham
Altar Guild: Nancy Sieffert
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January 19, 10:00 am
Readers: Barbara Churchill, Kira Hanson
Chalicist: Eric Maurer
Ushers: Steve Moran, Roger Riedel
Altar Guild: Jean James
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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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 it says "St. Stephen's Church, Millburn, NJ 07041."
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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If anyone lost a set of keys during the holidays, please contact the parish office.
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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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