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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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Beloved Community,
At Diocesan Convention last weekend, Bishop Hughes talked about "behold moments," those times when God is able to get our attention, to show us divine gifts and grace and blessing. She said, "those behold moments come all throughout our life and it is God's way of showing us God's love for us individually. And when we are feeling God's love, when we were experiencing God's love, when we see God's love, when we know God's love, it cannot help but change who we are. That we become somebody different, we become more like the people that God has created us to be. And that happens over a lifetime. I mean there are those people who have a thunderbolt moment where it changes them dramatically, but most of us, it happens over a lifetime. Behold after behold after behold we see God's gifts, we know God's gifts, we see God's love, we know God's love, and it changes who we are."
Bishop Hughes went on to define stewardship as "what happens when God gives us something... All these gifts....as stewards of those gifts God has given us as we behold and behold and behold, we give the whole thing back to God. And what's so wonderful about God, we give the whole thing back to God and then God gives us - guess what - more. More faith. More ability to intercede. More ability to teach. More ability to lead. Makes us better administrators. God takes all those gifts and increases them in us."
This Sunday at Annual Meeting we will continue the conversation we began last year, when we talked about the gifts of this community of the faithful. We will dig a little deeper into identifying our individual gifts and then offering them as faithful stewards in the ministries of this parish. I know, because I have come to know you, that we are a people and place with remarkable "behold moments," both one-by-each and as a community. I know, too, that we desire to live our faith deeply, intentionally, and actively as good and faithful stewards of all that we have been given. I look forward to this conversation, just as I look forward to continuing the journey deeper into the heart of God with all of you.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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Thank you to the 33 families/individuals who pledged their financial support of the parish. We have a total commitment of $132,650, which is an increase of over $17,000 from last year. This is
good news because it means we can plan a balanced budget for 2020 that enables us to continue to do the work we have been doing. This is
great news because it means more people, including some folks who have not pledged recently, are expressing thanks to God for all the blessings of this life by committing to give in faith as we live our faith.
If you have pledged and would like envelopes, please let Doreen know if you did not note this on your pledge form. If you haven't pledged but would like to do so, let us know.
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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BAKERY BIBLE HOUR
NOTE: Bakery Bible Hour has outgrown its first home at Splurge Bakery. Beginning in February 2020, we will be meeting at one of the three congregations.
This Friday, February 7 at 9am we will meet at Temple B'nai Jeshurun, 1025
S. Orange Ave, Short Hills.
We provide the text and the coffee. You bring an open mind and curious heart.
With our friends at Christ Church in Short Hills and Congregation B'Nai Jeshurun, we will read and discuss Chapters 1-23 of the Book of Genesis. The translation we will use,
The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary
by Robert Alter. It is not necessary to purchase this translation but please do familiarize yourself with this portion of Genesis.
If you would like to purchase the Alter translation, it is available on Amazon/Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble/NOOK.
SHALL WE DANCE?...
SPECIAL GUEST!
We are pleased to have Carolina Zokalski, co-founder and instructor of the Authentic Argentine Tango School in Summit, NJ (since 2001) teach this introductory lesson this Sunday, February 9 from 3-4:30pm.
She is an original cast member of the Broadway Hit, Forever Tango. She was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Choreography. Carolina was a dancer in the Argentine Folkloric National Ballet in Buenos Aires, and she is passionate about culture, movement, spirituality, connection, nutrition and human behavior.
This special free presentation and lesson is for EVERYONE, regardless of your dance experience. You will learn about this classy, beautiful, emotional, expressive, sophisticated art form not scene in any other dance, and about what Tango is, and what it is not.
Thank you, Michael and Fangjie for organizing this Introductory Tango Workshop.
All ages are welcome and it's FREE! The club meets most Sundays. Please check the
St. Stephen's Calendar
for exact dates.
ANNUAL MEETING
Join us this
Sunday, February 9 at 10am for our Annual Meeting.
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Together we will discuss our DREAMS for St. Stephen's and celebrate the Eucharist.
Reminder: There will be no 8am service.
CHRISTINE'S KITCHEN
St. Stephen's will be hosting Christine's Kitchen (Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 315 Main Street, West Orange, NJ) on
Saturday, February 15
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We are requesting 12-15 volunteers for serving and providing food. If you are unable to come, you have the option to donate food only (we will make arrangements to pick up the food if you can't drop it off). If you know of any college or high school kids looking for volunteer hours, please invite them to volunteer!
Suggested food donations: Protein dishes are a premium if possible, mac and cheese, veggies, chicken and pork dishes, pasta and meatballs, pizza, dessert, fruits (bananas, tangerines, grapes or other soft fruits; hard fruits are not recommended as we have guests with denture challenges). The guests look forward to a wide variety of dishes!
2-3 volunteers are needed at 9:45am to help set up, and the rest can trickle in between 11/11:30am. Lunch is served from 12-1pm. Please let Deryck Rugbeer know if you can volunteer and/or provide a meal. Please list your dish if possible, or indicate entrée or dessert, etc. Please contact Deryck at
[email protected] or 201-452-9068.
FRIENDS OF MUSIC
Save the date for our upcoming
50th Anniversary Beckerath Organ Recital featuring our very own
John Charles Schucker. This is the second in a series of three celebratory recitals as our Beckerath Organ turns 50 this year!
Join us on
Sunday, February 23 at 4pm for this special performance. $10 suggested donation at the door; children accompanied by an adult are welcome as guests; an artist's reception will follow this performance.
This recital series relies heavily on the financial support of its Friends of Music. As you are able, please consider making a tax deductible donation entitiling you to admission to each concert and acknowledgement in the program.
Philanthropists $300+
Benefactors $200 - $299
Patrons $100 - $199
Sponsors (as able)
Please make chekcs payable to St. Stephen's Church - Friends of Music.
Thank you!
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HOSPITALITY IS WHO WE ARE
St. Stephen's opens its doors to IHN again from April 5 to April 11.
We have served as a host congregation for the Interfaith Hospitality Network for the Homeless since 1987, part of a network of Essex County congregations offering homeless families a week
's hospitality
while the case management team helps them move toward permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
We will be on hand on Sunday, March 19, to talk about how
simple things like cooking a lasagna, reading to a three year-old and sleeping in the parish hall overnight, help families stay together at a time of crisis - changing the course of their, and their children's lives.
Signup online using this signup genius link or at coffee hour with Sara Ruth Dorn for food preparation.
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 Local portrait artist, Oscar Peterson, would like to invite St. Stephen's congregation to the following exhibitions. You may know Oscar as the artist who painted the portrait of Rev. Cork.
He shared the following information with us:
Solo Show at 1978 Gallery - 1978 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ
January 20 - March 8, 2020;
Artist's reception Sunday, February 9, 2-5pm
This is the Gallery's Black History Month Exhibit which focuses on exhibiting art by nationally and internationally acclaimed African-American artists and this year they chose me!
Curator's Lens, Group Show at SOPAC - 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ
January 30 - March 22, 2020;
Artist's reception Thursday, January 30, 6-9pm
10 Year Retrospective Solo Show - Millburn Public Library, 200 Glen Avenue
This show runs the
entire month of April 2020 and I would like to include the portrait of Rev. Cork.
Thank you for letting me share this information, and I hope to see you there!
OscarPetersonPortraits.com.
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Diocesan News - Lent Meditations
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Dear Friends in the Diocese of Newark
It is time to think about Lent and the opportunity for us all to read daily meditations written by members of our diocese.
This year we will focus on the BCP, our beloved book of prayer and worship.
I invite you to offer to write a meditation.
If you wish a specific date please let me know otherwise I will assign one to you.
I will then send you the specific canticle, collect or other passage upon which to base your mediation.
All are invited to participate (the laity and the clergy).
Please respond as soon as you can. I hope to complete the assignments for March dates before January 31 and
April dates before February 29.
Thank you in advance.
Blessings
Margaret+
The Rev. Margaret Otterburn, member of the Empowering Team of Diocesan Council
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FEBRUARY
2/7 9 am Bakery Bible Hour
at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun
2/9 10 am Annual Meeting in Parish Hall (No 8am service)
2/9 3 pm Shall We Dance? Ballroom Dance Club - SPECIAL GUEST!
2/15 12 pm Christine's Kitchen
at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
2/23 10 am Youth Sunday (Camp Sunday, Special Guest)
2/23 4 pm 50th Anniversary Beckerath Organ Recital
2/25 6 pm Shrove Tuesday Dinner
at Christ Church in Short Hills
2/26 6-8:15 am Ashes-to-Go
at the Millburn Train Station
2/26 12 pm Ash Wednesday Service
2/26 7:30 pm Ash Wednesday Service
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Liturgical Stewardship Schedule
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FEBRUARY 9 - Annual Meeting in Parish Hall
No 8 AM service
10 AM
Readers: Barbara Churchill, Ladi Owolabi
Ushers: Maryalice Chech, Steve Moran
Counters:
Barbara Churchill, Felder Dorn
Altar Guild: Julia Dorn
Coffee Hour: The Dorn Family
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FEBRUARY 16
8 AM
Reader & Chalicer: Nancy Sieffert
Altar Guild:
Nancy Sieffert
10 AM
Readers: Fran Young, Kira Hanson
Chalicist: John Soughan
Ushers: TBD
Counters: Steve Moran, Nancy Sieffert
Altar Guild: Jean James
Coffee Hour: The Church Ladies
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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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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
Doreen Schindler, Parish Administrator
can be reached at ext. 32 or
The Rev. Paula J. Toland, Rector can be reached at ext. 21 or
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