April 20, 2022 Full Newsletter

April 20, 2022

Message from Rev. Paula

Beloved Community,

Happy Easter! And, yes, it is still Easter and will be until the Day of Pentecost on June 5th. So, shout those “Alleluias” from the rooftops!

I ended my Easter sermon with these words:

And the steps she [Mary Magdalen] is taking to tell the people what Jesus said,

are the steps we are invited to take as we figure out what it is we do, how we

are to be, as people who share the good news of God's perfect love through the

resurrection of Jesus Christ and who follow in his footsteps to wherever the Holy

Spirit will take us. Amen.

I write today to ask you to pray and reflect with me about how we might accept that invitation as we continue to move on from the flood and some of the worst of the pandemic.

We know that we are not the same people or the same church we were on the morning of March 13, 2020, hours before we began our fast from in-person gatherings. Too much has changed. Much has been lost and much has been gained. The rhythms of our life are different, including in ways we appreciate. “They” say that it takes 21 days to develop a habit so imagine how ingrained are some of the habits of the past 707 days?

There are some things that haven’t changed. We are Easter people. We believe in new life each and every day. We are people of faith. We believe in the power of prayerful discernment. We are people of the Word. We believe in the wisdom of our holy Scriptures. We are Episcopalians. We believe in the ministry of the baptized. We are the community of St. Stephen’s. We believe in the power of love to transform us and the world.

The first promise we make in the Baptismal Covenant (found on pages 304-305 in The Book of Common Prayer, bcponline.org) which we renew each and every time we have a baptism) is based on Acts 2:42:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,

to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

We say that we will do this “with God’s help.” The four promises that follow flow beautifully and naturally from this first promise. A case can be made that what follows in the rest of Acts – technically “The Acts of the Apostles” – is the story of how the Church was formed as the Good News of Easter was shared by some of the early followers of Jesus throughout the Roman Empire.

Every Easter Season, our lectionary replaces the readings from the Hebrew Scriptures with readings from Acts. This year, we will explore what it means to be church with a preaching series on these readings. We’ll hear about Peter, Paul, and Silas, Tabitha and Lydia, as well as some unnamed people. We’ll ask ourselves how their stories, which we know are part of our stories, can help us to better understand what it is God is calling us to do now. In other words, what does it look like for us to accept the invitation to walk in Mary Magdalen’s footsteps?

Peace & Blessings,

Paula+

Covid Protocols for Common Worship - UPDATED

CovidActNow, the website we use to determine our Covid practices, has been updated to reflect the current CDC guidelines. As long as Essex County has a low/green level of community risk and children under age five cannot be vaccinated, these guidelines will remain in effect.

Congregational singing is approved with reasonable precautions.

We are now sharing the Common Cup. Nobody is obligated to take from the cup. You can receive just the bread, or a blessing.

The 8:00 service is back! This service will be a masks optional, spoken service. For those familiar with the pre-pandemic 8:00am service, it will look a little different in that we can not gather in the chancel, but will be in the pews. I will be masked during the Eucharistic Prayer and administration of Communion.

The 10:00am service, which is our principal service will remain masks required for the time being. We will sing, which continues to be a high-risk activity indoors and unmasked. I will be masked except when preaching. The Vestry will review this decision periodically.

For small groups, masks will be optional if everyone at the table agrees.

We will no longer take temperatures, but we will continue to ask for contact tracing information.

Happening at St. Stephen's This Week...

Welcome!

It's wonderful to be with each other in church and celebrate the Holy Eucharist with congregational singing.

Live-streamed to YouTube, Facebook, and via Zoom. Bulletins are available on the St. Stephen's website. All links can be found at the bottom of the newsletter.

Zoom passcode is SSM119.

The Sunday service will also be broadcast on HTTV (Comcast TV 36 and Verizon TV 33) on Tuesday at 6am and 3pm.

Please join us for our Second Sunday of Easter Service

on Sunday, April 24th at 8:00am and 10:00am.

ALL are welcome!

Children & Youth Ministry

A fun and joyous time was had by all at St. Stepen's on Easter Sunday. Following our 10am service, our littlest parishioners and friends engaged in an Easter Egg Hunt and all had an opportunity to apply painted handprints on our Good News Garden sign.

Details about our Good News Garden will be coming soon!

Looking Ahead

PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BECAUSE EVENTS MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED.

APRIL

APR 20

7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting

APR 21

7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting

APR 24

2nd Sunday of Easter

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Vestry Meeting

1pm - AA Meeting

APR 25

7:30pm - MA Meeting

APR 26

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAY

MAY 1

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Sunday Worship

1pm - AA Meeting

MAY 2

7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAY 3

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAY 4

8pm - AA Meeting

MAY 6

9am - Interfaith Bible Hour

MAY 7

Christine's Kitchen Lunch Bags due

7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAY 8

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Reading with the Rector

1pm - AA Meeting

MAY 9

7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAY 10

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

7pm - Worship Committee Mtg

MAY 11

8pm - AA Meeting

MAY 14

7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAY 15

Communion for All

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Vestry Meeting

1pm - AA Meeting

MAY 16

7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAY 17

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAY 18

7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting

8pm - AA Meeting

MAY 19

7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting

MAY 21

7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAY 22

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Sunday Worship

1pm - AA Meeting

MAY 23

7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAY 24

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAY 25

8pm - AA Meeting

MAY 28

7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAY 29

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Sunday Worship

1pm - AA Meeting

MAY 30

7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAY 31

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

JUNE

JUN 1

8pm - AA Meeting

JUN 3

9am - Interfaith Bible Hour

JUN 4

7:30pm - AA Meeting

JUN 5

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Sunday Worship

1pm - AA Meeting

JUN 6

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JUN 7

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

JUN 8

8pm - AA Meeting

JUN 11

7:30pm - AA Meeting

JUN 12

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Sunday Worship

11pm - North Jersey PRIDE Festival

1pm - AA Meeting

JUN 13

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JUN 14

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

JUN 15

7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting

8pm - AA Meeting

JUN 16

7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting

JUN 18

7:30pm - AA Meeting

JUN 19

Communion for All

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Vestry Meeting

1pm - AA Meeting

JUN 20

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JUN 21

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

JUN 22

8pm - AA Meeting

JUN 25

7:30pm - AA Meeting

JUN 26

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Sunday Worship

1pm - AA Meeting

JUN 27

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JUN 28

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

JUN 29

8pm - AA Meeting

Other Happenings...

HARMONIUM CHOIR CHORUS

April 24, 2022 at 3pm

The Harmonium Outreach Chorus presents a one-hour family-friendly concert at Christ Church Short Hills at 3pm on Sunday afternoon April 24, 2022 with works ranging from medieval to modern, rounds, Yiddish sing-alongs for peace, and a sea shanty! Composers include Alice Parker, Sarah Quartel, Andrea Ramsey, Mari Valverde and more.

The Harmonium Outreach Chorus is a subset of the 100-voice Harmonium Choral Society, with a mission to perform a diverse repertoire of both standard and uncommon choral music at a high artistic level. Through concerts, education and outreach, the society seeks to increase appreciation of the choral art in the community. Our Kim Williams will be singing!

The concert is appropriate for all ages. Singers are vaccinated and masked and the audience will be required to mask. Donations accepted at the door.

Click here for more info.

CHRISTINE'S KITCHEN HOSTING

Saturday, May 7th

It is time again to prepare for our semi-annual Christine's Kitchen hosting! Full service at the kitchen is still on hold, so it remains "lunch to go". Perhaps in the fall if covid cases continue to decline, full service may return.

Our target is 150 bagged lunches and as of today, we have 105. If we can each give 10 to 15 lunches each (see guidelines below), we can make the 150 that is the current ask from the soup kitchen director. The reason for the increased amount is now they have expanded the program to a home delivery program for the folks who are shut in or those with underlying health issues who don’t want to risk exposure to covid by standing in line.

Flexibility: No need to commit to all items below if for instance you can only do drinks and not sandwiches, we can fill in the gaps and take care of the bagging too if needed.

Please reach out to Deryck Rugbeer at 201-452-9068, or turkeyen@gmail.com if you would like to provide lunches.

If you are unable to contribute to this spring event, our next hosting is in the fall - September 10.

+++

SOUP KITCHEN GUIDELINES FOR LUNCHES TO GO

Sandwich lunches to go

In each lunch, there should be at least a sandwich, a fruit, a snack, a dessert, and a drink.
There should be at least three types of sandwiches (e.g. roast beef, turkey, ham, Italian, corned beef, tuna, chicken salad, salami – you decide).
Label each bag with the type of sandwich. Group the sandwiches by type.
Include plasticware (fork, spoon, napkin) in each lunch, even if your menu doesn’t require utensils.
Lunches can be dropped off at Deryck's home before 10:30am on May 7th, or the night before.

Monetary Donations

Monetary donations are gratefully accepted. Make checks out to Holy Trinity Church or donate online on our website: http://www.holytrinitywo.org/. General Fund (unrestricted) gifts are the most powerful, since they can be used where the need is greatest.

P.S. Patsy’s restaurant has been providing Christine’s Kitchen with generous and frequent donations. Please consider patronizing this restaurant if your family chooses to eat out or buy take-out. Patsy's Seafood and Pizza House (patsysseafoodhouse.com)

CALLING ALL ANIMAL LOVERS

PLANNING COMMITTEE NEEDED FOR OUR

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

& PET FAIR IN OCTOBER

We're exploring the possibility of increasing the fun of the annual pet blessing with a pet-themed fair. Modeled after a hugely successful pet fair at Holy Spirit Verona, we would invite vendors, crafters, and other providers of pet-focused products and services to join us. We'd have animal-themed activities and music for the humans.

If you are interested or think you might be interested in helping to plan and coordinate this fun, community-focused event, please email Maria -church@ststephensmillburn.org.

Have questions?

Please ask Rev. Paula.

AA/MA MEETINGS

Weekly AA meetings:

Sunday at 1:00pm

Contact: Rob H. (516) 860-9062

Wednesday at 8:00pm (TEMP CANCELLED)

Contact: Steve B. (201) 452-8375

Contact: Dave (908) 451-8919

Saturday at 7:30pm (TEMP CANCELLED)

Contact: Steve B. (201) 452-8375

Contact: Dave (908) 451-8919

For more information about

Alcohol Anonymous, click here.

Weekly MA meeting:

Monday at 7:30pm

Contact: Max T. (212) 203-2542

Contact: Deana L. (908) 499-8997

MA meetings are presented in a rotating format -- Step, Speaker, Story from Life with Hope, Topic.

For more information about

Marijuana Anonymous, click here.

Faithful Outreach

FAMILY PROMISE

Low-income families in this country are facing unprecedented social and economic challenges from the pandemic. Job losses, health care expenses, and child-care have all combined to raise the number of evictions. A donation can help Family Promise of Essex County to remain responsive to families’ emerging needs and its impact in our communities.

To read the Family Promise Newsletter, please click here.

APOSTLES' HOUSE

Apostles' House is devoted to providing comprehensive social services to homeless women with children and families at risk of homelessness in Newark and

Essex County.

Apostles' House is in need of canned goods and non-perishable food items.

A collection bin is located outside

the Narthex doors in the parking lot. Donations can be dropped off at any time.

If you would like to make a monetary donation to Apostles' House, please click here.

NORTH PORCH

North Porch provides emergency aid, in the form of baby supplies, to mothers and infants in northern New Jersey, to help them stabilize and improve the quality of their lives.

North Porch URGENTLY needs:

Enfamil Infant Formula 12.5 oz containers (yellow label)
Baby wipes
Diapers size 4, 5, and 6
Jars of baby food – all ages – fruit, veggie and 1st foods

A collection bin is located outside

the Narthex doors in the parking lot. Donations can be dropped off at any time.

If you would like to make a monetary donation to North Porch, please click here.

From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church

A Message from Bishop Hughes for Easter 2022

Dear Companions on the Journey,

Suddenly it is Holy Week! What a gift and blessing to observe Holy Week services in person this year. As importantly, we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a changed people. God has been generous, and we are grateful. Read more here.

The VOICE Online Link - 4/13/22

THE BISHOP'S VLOG - Week of 3/30/22

DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS

Sign up to get e-newsletters and important announcements directly from diocesan headquarters. Find out more and subscribe here.

HELP FOR UKRAINIAN FAMILIES

Your support will help Episcopal Relief & Development and other Anglican partners provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine.

Your gift will help provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other needed assistance to families from Ukraine. To help, click here.

HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS

Saturday, April 30,2022

10:00am to 4:00pm

Saviour, Denville

We all have noticed that in the times we live in, people and groups seem more polarized and separated than ever. Our churches are not an exception to this reality, and many churches experience conflict over specific issues and find it difficult to navigate that conflict in a world where civility seems to no longer exist.

Bishop Hughes has made arrangements for this in-person program by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, open to all members of the diocese and free of charge.

Cross Roads Camp & Diocesan Youth Ministries

OPENING DAY AT CROSS ROADS

Saturday, May 21

9:00am - 3:00pm

This fun work-day event is open to youth, families, and congregations. Come and volunteer for the day to help get camp ready for the summer season! The day will include begin at 9 am with a light breakfast followed by projects for all skill levels, a lunch, and a closing outdoor worship. It is a great opportunity for high-school students looking for volunteer hours, families looking to give back while spending quality time together, or congregations to help support Cross Roads.

Rev. Paula and Ron Toland will be there.

Pease come out to support of Cross Roads and represent St. Stephen's!

More information can be found here.

CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER

Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center is a welcoming and inclusive community providing life changing and sacred adventures for renewal, growth, and joy.

Check out all the fun and interesting year-round programs for children, adults and families here.

For employment opportunities at Cross Roads, click here.

POP UP YOUTH MINISTRY

Pop Up is a welcoming ministry of the Diocese of Newark bringing together youth for fun activities, community, and faith formation. All youth grades 6-12 are encouraged

to join the monthly events.

Follow popupym on Instagram and Facebook.

Resources During Covid

NEW: Journey Forward Guidelines

There are many, many resources available to parishes and individuals to help sustain our faith practices during this unprecedented time.

In this time of Crisis, there are resources that can help if you or someone you know needs assistance. Please contact NJ Mental Health Cares for free helpline telephone counseling or assistance. Call 866-202-4357.

TTY: 1-877-294-4356.

E-mail: help@njmentalhealthcares.org

Other resources are:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line, 741741

NJ Hope Line (suicide prevention)

855-654-6735

Prayer List

Please keep the following St. Stephen's family

members and friends in your prayers...

Peggy Thompson

Felder Dorn

Donna Riggi

The Blanchard Family

The McManus Family

Bernard & Nathan

Lucille B.

Jack Moreno

Mary Jo Zarance

Joseph G.

Jane Rossiter

Ningyu Liu & Family

Mike Losito

Evan D. & Family

Donna Stadler Hostetler

Liliane Khouri

Drew

Shirley

Theresa Scharff

Virginia Whatley

Lance Hochmuth

Nicole Salvetti

Marianne Jacobs & Family

Ed Roman

If you would like to add someone to our prayer list, please email us at church@ststephensmillburn.org, or call (973) 376-0688 Ext. 32.

Anyone for whom we are praying will be on our prayer list for six weeks. If prayers are still needed beyond that time period, please let us know. Thank you.

Sunday Lectionary

April 24, 2022

Second Sunday of Easter

If you'd like to read the full lectionary for the week, you may do so here.

Giving with Tithe.ly

TITHE.LY

Giving with Tithe.ly is easy with options for recurring donations or one-time use for when you are away or not able to be in church (like all of us now due to COVID restrictions).

You can access Tithe.ly via their website or their app on your smart phone. Be sure to search for the correct account - "St. Stephen's Church Millburn." Once you have accessed the account page with our address, you will be instructed to follow the prompts.

Office Notes

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.