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October 1, 2020 Newsletter
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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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This morning, in a conversation completely unrelated to this newsletter, I was reminded of the wisdom of the late Maya Angelou: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."
I'm thinking about that now in a way unlike the way I was just a few hours ago. I'm thinking about what these words mean in terms of relationship with God. How can Maya Angelou's wisdom, born of common sense, shape our faith and trust in God?
My gut tells me there is no one answer to that question. It tells me, too, that the answers are as many and as varied as there are people who might ask this question. Though we respond to God's call to live our faith in community, we answer the call as the unique person God created each of us to be. It is part of how together we fulfill God's dream for the world as the Body created to express the fullness of God's image.
The question I have been pondering this morning and now ask you:
Where or how has God shown you who God is?
I could recite a litany of experiences to answer this question, from the beautiful fall weather we have today to the embodied memory of holding each of my babies for the very first time to the unexpected moment of grace in a conversation with a stranger. But I won't. Instead, I invite you, encourage you, to consider this question for yourself and to ask God's grace that you believe it.
Peace & Blessings, Paula+
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  St. Stephen's Pre-School reopened on Tuesday, September 1st. Due to COVID restrictions, only teachers and staff are allowed to be in the building during school hours. If you need to visit the parish office/building for any reason, please contact us for an appointment. THANK YOU!
PLEASE NOTE: We have some openings at the preschool.
If you know of a family that may be interested, please have them contact our Director, Nancy Siracusa at sspsmillburn@gmail.com or call 973-376-3534 Ext. 20. The preschool has learning programs for Infants, Toddlers, Pre-K and Kindergarten.
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Connection and Common Worship
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
- Broadcast on HTTV (Comcast TV 36 and Verizon TV 33) at
6 AM and 1 PM
- Bulletins can be found here.COFFEE HOUR - 11 AM Sunday Morning on Zoom- To call in, dial by your location
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York) Meeting ID: 895 5857 6382
DAILY PRAYER - M-W-F at 8:30 AM - T-TH-SAT at 7:45 PM Most days, Rev. Paula will lead prayer live on Facebook, though occasionally it will be a "Prayerful Interlude" or a recorded reflection. Videos of all the posts can easily be accessed from the Facebook video library here. All of the information you need to remain actively connected to St. Stephen's can be found on the website under the "Living Our Faith in a Time of Pandemic" here.
WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER
A full newsletter will be emailed the first and third weeks of the month (usually on Thursday). An abbreviated newsletter with highlights for the week will be emailed on the second and fourth (and sometimes fifth) weeks of the month. Newsletters are also posted to our website here.
If you or someone you know is having issues receiving the newsletters, please contact the parish office at church@ststephensmillburn.org or call 973.376.0688.
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BISHOP HUGHES' VLOGS can be viewed here. The Voice Online may be found here.
SHARE YOUR PRAYERS
Bishop Hughes invites all of us to write down our prayers during this pandemic and share them with the diocese, as a way to help each other. The prayers will be shared on the diocesan website in The VOICE and on social media. Prayers can be sent to Canon Wright at awright@dioceseofnewark.org for posting. Please include the name and town of your church.
DIOCESAN MEMORIAL WALL
A holy place in virtual space for mourning and memory. This is a place to gather, grieve, reflect and honor the lives of those who have died during the time of the pandemic, whether or not it was due to the virus. To visit the wall and/or submit a name, click here.
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INTERFAITH BIBLE HOUR
Friday, October 2, 9 AM
Interfaith Bible Hour, formerly Bakery Bible Hour, resumes this week and will meet on the first Friday of each month.
We will continue gathering virtually with our friends from Christ Church in Short Hills and Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, reading Genesis, focusing on the narrative arcs involving the children of Abraham and Sarah.
Join the Zoom discussion here.
Dial by your location:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 883 6207 1069; Passcode: 647900
 CHURCH LEADER UNIVERSITY
Saturday, October 3, 9 AM - 12 PM
Workshops relevant to this extraordinary time for ALL congregational leaders! Stay at home and join us online via computer, tablet or smart phone.
Click here to register online by 5pm TODAY Wednesday, September 30. There is no cost for this event but we do need you to register in order to participate.
 READING WITH THE RECTOR BOOK CLUB Sunday, October 4, 12:15 PM (after Coffee Hour)
Join us as we discuss the Book of Esther. You'll find the Zoom link here.Meeting ID: 858 8331 1463; Passcode: 998901
ST. STEPHEN'S COFFEE HOUR
Sundays at 11 AM
Watch the service at 10 AM, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, and join the fun. We'll be around from 11 AM to noon.
Join the Zoom coffee hour here.
Dial by your location:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 895 5857 6382
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Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center Zoom Events
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RALLY FOR CROSS ROADS - RUN / WALK 2020
Saturday, October 3
Lace up your running (or walking!) shoes to take part in the Rally for Cross Roads Virtual Run/Walk. All ages and abilities are invited to participate. All racing will take place on your own or with your family and friends an we're excited to see all of the routes people take! We encourage you to race on Saturday, October 3 between 9 AM and 9 PM. And be sure you follow Cross Roads on Facebook and Instagram to join in on the full weekend of virtual fun, including check-ins with participants around the state and a virtual campfire!
For details and to register, click here.
Rev. Paula and Ron will be walking a 5K to support the awesome Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center. If you'd like to help them achieve their team goal of $500, visit their team link
Better yet - Join the St. Stephen's Strollers team and do a physically distanced group walk with them! Contact Rev. Paula at rector@ststephensmillburn.org if you are interested.
 CROSS ROADS WEDNESDAYS AWAY One Wednesday a month, 10 AM - 12 PM These monthly retreats are open to all people interested in exploring new faith practices. Attend one or attend all-and be sure to invite friends to join you. Led by a spiritual director and focusing on a different spiritual practice or theme each month, the cost is $10 per gathering. Visit the Cross Roads link here for dates and to register.
 CROSS ROADS WOMEN'S VIRTUAL RETREAT
"The Way of Love"
A one-day virtual retreat led by Laurie Matarazzo and Dale Selover
Upcoming dates: Saturday, 10/10 or Sunday, 10/11, 10 AM - 4PM with a 2-hour break for lunch and reflection time.
Though we cannot gather in person, we hope you will join us on Zoom for a day of conversation, reflection, prayer, and laughter together. The cost for the day-long retreat is $40. Visit the link here for details and to register.
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 APOSTLES' HOUSE & NORTH PORCH
Thank you to all who have dropped off donations already!
PLEASE KEEP THE CONTRIBUTIONS COMING - and remember to check the expiration dates before sending your items. Donation bins are located outside of the St. Stephen's Narthex parking lot entry doors.
Apostles' House - Items needed - Canned goods and non-perishable food items.
North Porch Women & Infants' Centers is in URGENT need of Enfamil Infant Formula 12.5 oz containers (yellow label), baby wipes, and diapers size 4, 5, and 6.
Online Donations - If you are unable to drop off items at the church, and would like to contribute, you can make purchases and/or donations directly to these organizations.
SOLES4SOULS
Shoes in wearable condition can be donated at the Soles4Soles drop-off site located at the Foot Health Center, 1500 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange. The center is open M & TH 8-5, T 8-4, W & FR 8-2, Closed Sat & Sun. Please call first to confirm hours and that donations are still being accepted, (973) 731-1266. For more information about Soles4Soles, please visit their website here.
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Resources from the Diocese and Beyond
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There are many, many resources available to parishes and individuals to help sustain our faith practices during this unprecedented time. We have moved the list to our website, here. This is by no means a complete list, though it does cover many areas of need.
The Teen & Youth Groups can be found here:
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St. Stephen's Prayer List
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Please keep the following St. Stephen's family members and friends in your prayers...
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Jeff Loggins
Jimmy Hasenkamp
Ian Janeczko
The McManus Family
The Blanchard Family
Donna Riggi
Eleanor Robinson |
Bernard & Nathan
The Fitzgerald Family
Jack Moreno
Stephanie Gubin
Sue Macbeth
Francis
Marcia Mein |
Christine Conti
Xander
Evan
Felder Dorn
James Tranberg
Debbie and Geoff Robarge
Peggy Thompson
Alex Cole
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Links to the Wider Church
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The Episcopal Diocese of Newark
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Giving with Tithe.ly is easy, with options for one-time or recurring donations. We encourage you to consider it at all times, but especially when you are away for any reason, like all of us now with the restrictions due to coronavirus.
There are two ways to do it: thru tithe.ly.com or the tithe.ly app on your smart phone. You'll want to search for St. Stephen's Church Millburn. Be sure to have the correct punctuation. You'll know you're there when you see: St. Stephen's Church Millburn and the address. Once you're at the church's page, follow the prompts.
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Office Hours and Contact Information
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Office hours:
Until we are through this public health emergency, there are NO office hours. Please call Rev. Paula to arrange for pastoral care or if you have any reason to come to the office. She'll work with you to figure out a safe way to manage this.
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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