Beloved Community,
Annual Meeting 2022 will be held immediately following the 10:00 service on March 27th. Given the ongoing reality of Covid and our deep desire to include as many people as possible in our worship and our meeting, we will hold the meeting in the nave, rather than the parish hall. We'll share highlights of the past year, have conversation about the reports that will be included in the Annual Report, and have a bit of time for sharing of hopes for the coming year.
Those of us here in the building will have a couple of minutes (Truly only a couple!) between the end of the service and the start of the meeting. Those who are worshipping via livestream on Facebook or YouTube will need to sign onto Zoom to join the meeting. We'll have at least one person monitoring the Zoom feed to ensure that everyone is admitted to the service and that we are aware of when someone wants to speak. To keep this as simple as possible, we will use the Zoom link for worship. This is the link. The passcode is SSM119.
The Annual Report will be posted on the website by end of day next Wednesday. The link will be included in next week's newsletter.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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We have many options to observe a holy Lent, including additional worship services here and with our sister parishes in the Evelyn Underhill Region; in-person, Zoomed, and online discussion group Adult Formation; a fun at-home activity for children, youth, and families; and more. A special edition of our newsletter has all of the details.
You will find the newsletter here.
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Covid Protocols for Common Worship - NEW
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New guidelines have been issued by Bishop Hughes and The Episcopal Diocese of Newark on March 10th. See the updated Journey Forward Guidelines below.
The Vestry, staff, and Rev. Paula are in conversation about how we will move forward given the new CDC, state, and diocesan guidelines. We strongly encourage you to complete the parish survey so that your input is included in this decision. We expect to make our plans public after we have a chance to review the next guidance from Bishop Hughes, which we anticipate receiving on or around March 23rd.
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Happening at St. Stephen's This Week... |
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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.
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Please join us for our
Third Sunday in Lent
Worship Service on
Sunday, March 20th at 10:00am.
ALL are welcome!
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Rev. Paula will read from Lent for Everyone: A Daily Devotional by The Rt. Rev. N.T. Wright.
About the book:
"Popular biblical scholar and author N. T. Wright provides his own Scripture translation, brief reflection, and a prayer for each of the days of the season, helping readers ponder how the text is relevant to their own lives today. By the end of the book readers will have been through the entirety of Luke, along with Psalm readings for each Sunday... Wright's Lenten devotional will help you make Luke's gospel your own, thoughtfully and prayerfully, and your journey through Lent a period of rich discovery and growth."
These readings will be posted to our YouTube channel and Facebook before 6:00am each morning through the First Week of Easter.
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PAINT FOR UKRAINE
Grace Church, Nutley
Saturday, March 19
10am-12pm, 1-3pm or 4-6pm
Sunday, March 20
12-2pm or 3-5pm
Five painting sessions are available for $50 per person/session.
Canvas, easels, smocks, palettes, paint, brushes, sunflower stencils, and guided instruction will be provided.
No skills are required!
Each participant will take home a beautiful sunflower painting!
To reserve your spot, please call Grace Church at 973-235-1177.
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COMMUNION FOR ALL
Sunday, March 20
Communion for All is available on the third Sunday of each month.
If you would like Communion to be delivered to you or to be provided to you after church service on Sunday, March 20, please call or email the Church Office by 11am on Friday 3/18.
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PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BECAUSE EVENTS MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED. |
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MARCH
MAR 16
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
8pm - AA Meeting
MAR 17
10:30am - Lenten Series
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 24
10:30am - Lenten Series
MAR 26
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAR 27
4th Sun in Lent
10am - Sunday Worship & Annual Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
MAR 28
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAR 29
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAR 30
8pm - AA Meeting
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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 7
10:30am - Lenten Series
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
10:30am - Lenten Series
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
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MAY
MAY 1
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
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAY 8
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
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
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
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 30
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 31
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
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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, March 22 from 5:00 to 6:00pm 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.
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ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, March 27th
Our annual meeting and Sunday worship will be held on March 27. Join us for a special presentation about this past year at St. Stephen's.
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READING WITH THE RECTOR
Sunday, April 3
11:30am - 1:00pm
April book selection TBD.
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AA/MA MEETINGS
Weekly AA meetings:
Sunday at 1:00pm
Contact: Rob H. (516) 860-9062
Wednesday at 8:00pm
Contact: Steve B. (201) 452-8375
Contact: Dave (908) 451-8919
Saturday at 7:30pm
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.
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FAMILY PROMISE HOSTING WEEK
APRIL 10 - 17
Celebrate Holy Week 2022 with the opportunity to resume our hospitality ministry to homeless families.
St. Stephens has offered homeless families shelter, meals and a warm welcome a week at a time for over thirty years. Since the pandemic, Family Promise (formerly IHN) has housed families in extended stay hotels. With restrictions lifted, hosting congregations are providing meals and incidentals - food, paper goods, diapers and other supplies.
St. Stephens will deliver supplies and one meal for each of the families to the Family Promise office in Montclair on Tuesday, April 12th.
Next week, we will receive the family profiles; currently, there are six families. We will also receive a grocery list from each family with requested items which we may provide as well as gift cards. The families would like to receive milk, orange juice and eggs on a weekly basis.
During our host week, if a family has a material need (such as coat, socks, shoes, etc.) Family Promise will reach out to us to see we are able to meet the need.
Look for a coming sign up as soon as we confirm the number of families and have shopping requests. In the meantime, please reach to Linda Soughan with any questions or your willingness to help at lindasoughan@comcast.net.
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
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From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church |
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Bishop Hughes reminds us that we can pray for God to do the impossible – even if we don't feel worthy or don't have the words – whether that is in our family, in our church, across the street, across the state, or across the world in Ukraine. (Time: 4:01.)
DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS
Sign up to get e-newsletters and important announcements directly from diocesan headquarters. Find out more and subscribe here.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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NEW: From Bishop Hughes
There are many, many resources available to parishes and individuals to help sustain our faith practices during this unprecedented time. See resources here. This is by no means a complete list, though it does cover many areas of need.
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Please keep the following St. Stephen's family
members and friends in your prayers...
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Peggy Thompson
Felder Dorn
Donna Riggi
The Blanchard Family
The McManus Family
Bernard & Nathan
Lucille B.
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Jack Moreno
Mary Jo Zarance
Joseph G.
Jane Rossiter
Ningyu Liu & Family
KT Thalin
Mike Losito
Evan D. & Family
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Donna Stadler Hostetler
Liliane Khouri
Alma Greenfield
Drew
Shirley
Theresa Scharff
Virginia Whatley
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We give thanks for the life of Edora Pickering who entered into greater glory. |
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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.
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March 20, 2022
Third Sunday in Lent
Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 63:1-8, Gafney Year A
Luke 13:1-9
If you'd like to read the full lectionary for the week, you may do so here.
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Financial Stewardship Pledge Campaign |
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As of 3/1/22, our pledge total is $118,405, which is $1595 short of our goal of $120,000. If you have not made a pledge, you may do so at any time. The easiest way is via the website using the "Give" tab. |
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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.
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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. |
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Zoom passcode: SSM119
To call in, dial by your location:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 864 1664 1640
Passcode: SSM119
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Links for Sunday Worship Live-Stream & Social Media |
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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
119 Main Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
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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
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