February 16, 2022
Important Changes to our Common Worship
  • Do what is right for you, while remembering that your decisions impact other people, too. Please worship from home if you are unvaccinated/unboosted, at higher risk for any reason, have been exposed to Covid within the past week, have had a positive test without a subsequent negative test, or have any symptoms of illness.
  • We will forego Communion for the time being, sharing in the Liturgy of the Word.
  • We will take temperatures and maintain the contact tracing information in the foyer. If you arrive with a temperature and/or have signs of illness, we will lovingly and gently ask you to take care of yourself and others by returning home and joining in the worship on Facebook or YouTube.
  • Remain fully masked at all times while in the building.
  • Maintain physical distance of at least three feet by household/pod. We've made that easier by removing the cushions from some of the pews.
  • Refrain from any up close contact with anyone outside of your household/pod, including hugging, hand shaking, fist or elbow bumps.
  • Enjoy listening to our wonderfully talented vocalists, while refraining from singing yourself.
  • Don't hang around inside after the service to catch up with people. Weather permitting, do spend a few minutes chatting outside, preferably while following the masking and physical distancing protocols.
Financial Stewardship Pledge Campaign
As of today, we have received 34 pledges totaling $116,905! Thank you to all who have made this commitment to give in faith. This means we have only $3,095 to meet our 2022 pledge goal, though it would be great if we could meet our 2020 goal of $132,000. This year, in addition to regular pledges, we have about $10,000 in gifts to help offset flood recovery costs. The generosity of this parish is beautiful and faithful and is a major reason we are able to live our faith in the ways that we do.

We cannot be the faithful, vibrant community we are without all of us doing our part, including financially. Pledging so that we have an idea of how to build our budget for next year, is essential. If you have not received this year's pledge campaign letter, please let us know and we'll be sure to get a copy to you. The easiest way if you have a computer and access to the internet is to pledge online here. You can also give online, using Tithe.ly. If you'd rather submit a pledge by mail or in the offering plate, please let us know.
Happening at St. Stephen's This Week...
Please join us for our
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany Worship Service on
Sunday, Feb. 20th at 10:00am.

ALL are welcome!
REMINDERS: We are celebrating The Liturgy of the Word with Music and have reinstated Congregational Singing for our Sunday services.

We continue to follow safety precautions and lovingly require that you wear a mask over your nose and mouth at all times while in the building and maintain physical distance. Enter at the Narthex door (Christian Education building). Someone will welcome you and take your temperature. An usher will assist you with seating in the church.

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.
EVELYN UNDERHILL REGIONAL MINISTRY NETWORK FOR PRAYER AND CONVERSATION

Bishop Hughes has grouped all congregations into eight different regions, based on geographic area, with a goal to support and care for one another in our ministry. You are invited to join a meeting of the Evelyn Underhill Regional Ministry Network to connect with each other, share information, and get an update from the Diocese on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 7- 8pm. Zoom details are below. Please save the date and make plans to attend.

Topic: Evelyn Underhill Regional Ministry Network Meeting
Time: Feb 17, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 977 4282 6303
Passcode: 143030
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,97742826303#,,,,*143030# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,97742826303#,,,,*143030# US (Chicago)

February is Black History Month and the diocesan staff have an exciting list of (16) recommended movies. You are invited to join Rev. Paula in watching as many as possible and then posting your thoughts and questions in our NEW Facebook Group: Black History Month Movie Connection.

We've made this group private, which means only group members will see who is participating and what they post. Rev. Paula will act as administrator, approving requests to join the discussion. Please join us in watching and discussing:

  • 12 Years a Slave (2013)
  • 13th (2016)
  • 42 (2012)
  • The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974)
  • BlacKkKlansman (2018)
  • Black Panther (2018)
  • Daughters of the Dust (1991)
  • Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
  • Harriet (2019) • Hidden Figures (2016)
  • In the Heat of the Night (1967)
  • Lilies of the Field (1963)
  • Marshall (2017)
  • Mississippi Burning (1988)
  • A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
  • Sylvie's Love (2020)

We look forward to connecting with you in this fun and entertaining way!
Children & Youth Ministry
Our Children's Chapel Room is coming along. We've cleared out the bulk and are ready for paint. Grace, accompanied by Domeneque and Sherry, will be here this weekend to paint the walls a bright, purply blue color.
"It might not look like much but just a tad longer and Children's Chapel will finally be ready to welcome you back! Get ready to see the after pictures sometime next week!" - Grace Savoia-Di Gregorio

More details to come!
Looking Ahead
PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BECAUSE EVENTS MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED.
FEBRUARY

FEB 16
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting

FEB 17
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting

FEB 20
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting

FEB 21
7:30pm - MA Meeting

FEB 22
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

FEB 27
10am - Sunday Worship

FEB 28
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MARCH

MAR 1
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAR 2
Ash Wednesday
6:30am - 8:30am
Ashes to go @ Train Sta.
12pm - Service w/ Ashes
7:30pm - Service w/ Ashes
8pm - AA Meeting

MAR 4
9am - Interfaith Bible Hour

MAR 5
7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAR 6
1st Sun in Lent
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting

MAR 7
7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAR 8
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAR 12
7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAR 13
2nd Sun in Lent
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
1pm - AA Meeting

MAR 14
7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAR 15
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAR 16
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
8pm - AA Meeting

MAR 17
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting

MAR 19
7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAR 20
3rd Sun in Lent
Communion for All
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting

MAR 21
7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAR 22
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAR 23
8pm - AA Meeting

MAR 26
7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAR 27
4th Sun in Lent
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting

MAR 28
7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAR 29
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAR 30
8pm - AA Meeting
APRIL

APR 1
9am - Interfaith Bible Hour

APR 2
7:30pm - AA Meeting

APR 3
5th Sun in Lent
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
1pm - AA Meeting

APR 4
7:30pm - MA Meeting

APR 5
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

APR 6
8pm - AA Meeting

APR 9
7:30pm - AA Meeting

APR 10
Palm Sunday
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting

Apr 11
7:30pm - MA Meeting
7:30pm - Evening Prayer Livestreamed

APR 12
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
7:30pm - Evening Prayer Livestreamed

APR 13
7:30pm - Tenebrae
8pm - AA Meeting

APR 14
Maundy Thursday
7:30pm - Eucharist with Foot Washing

APR 15
Good Friday
12pm - Noonday Service
7:30pm - Solemn Collects with the Veneration of the Cross

APR 16
Holy Saturday
10am - Liturgy Livestreamed
7:30pm - AA Meeting

APR 17
Easter Day
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting

APR 18
7:30pm - MA Meeting

APR 19
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

APR 20
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
8pm - AA Meeting

APR 21
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting

APR 23
7:30pm - AA Meeting

APR 24
2nd Sunday of Easter
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting

APR 25
7:30pm - MA Meeting

APR 26
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

APR 27
8pm - AA Meeting

APR 30
7:30pm - AA Meeting
Other Happenings...
WEEKLY WOMEN'S LECTIONARY STUDY

Please join us for a weekly study of a new lectionary available to the Episcopal Church and approved by Bishop Hughes. Our next session is on Tuesday, February 22nd. We will meet via Zoom from 5:00 to 6:00 pm to study A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year W by Wilda Gafney.

This thought-provoking lectionary invites and challenges us to explore differently the familiar stories of Scripture and how they shape and inform our faith today, 
while also expanding our understanding of what it means to be made in the image of God through the use of non-gendered language for God.
AA/MA MEETINGS

Weekly AA meetings have been suspended

Weekly MA meetings:
Monday at 7:30pm

These are open meetings presented in a rotating format:

Week 1 - Speaker
Week 2 - Literature
Week 3 - Step
Week 4 - Topic Discussion
Week 5 - Literature (if needed)

AA/MA Meeting Contacts:

Max Turpin
212-203-2542

Deana Loria
908-499-8997

For more information on the newly offered MA meetings, click below:
From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church
The Panelists include:
The Reverend Glenna J. Huber
The Right Reverend Dr. Nathan Baxter
The Very Reverend Sandye Wilson
The Honorable Byron Rushing
Patricia Favreau
THE BISHOP'S VLOG Week of 2/16/22

Bishop Hughes describes how, when she has met with congregations during these years of pandemic, despite all the challenges people face, the word she hears most often is "blessed." She hears stories of gratitude and hope – and she urges us to share those stories. 
 


DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS
Sign up to get e-newsletters and important announcements directly from diocesan headquarters. Find out more and subscribe here.
EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT

This year, the Lenten Meditations will focus on those who were transformed. These Lenten Meditations are now delivered only via email and as a downloadable PDF.

Subscribe to receive your daily email meditations, or download a PDF of all of the 2022 Lenten Meditations here.

CELEBRATING BLACK VOICES IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Monday, February 28, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

In celebration of Black History Month, The Church Pension Group (CPG) invites you to join them for an honest conversation with five Black leaders who serve The Episcopal Church. Collectively, their service to the Church spans more than 150 years and each of them continues to serve in ways that make a difference.

Hosted by CPG's People of African Descent affinity group, we will explore the panel’s experiences and thoughts around Becoming Beloved Community; examine themes around social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and discuss the challenges and opportunities they see in a predominantly white Church.

Register for the webinar here.
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.
Kelly Olson
Linda Moran
Jane Rossiter
Nicole & Emma
Ningyu Liu
KT Thalin
Mike Losito
Evan D. & Family
Alexandra Shuss
Donna Stadler Hostetler
Brian Roland
Renee Kleppinger
Therese Card
Colleen Shaughnessy
Liliane Khouri
Drew
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
February 20, 2022
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany



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.
Important Links
Zoom Links
Links for Sunday Worship Live-Stream & Social Media
Website Links
Other Social Media Links
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
119 Main Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
Church

Parish Administrator, Maria T. Card
973.376.0688, Ext. 32
church@ststephensmillburn.org

Rector, The Rev. Paula J. Toland
973.376.0688, Ext. 21
rector@ststephensmillburn.org

Fax: 973.376.4002
Website: ststephensmillburn.org

Preschool

Director: Nancy Siracusa
Phone: 973.376.3534, Ext. 20
Email: sspsmillburn@gmail.com