Message from Rev. Paula and Maryalice Chech | |
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Beloved Community,
While I was on retreat in August, I spent some time thinking about my sabbatical, which is tentatively scheduled for fall 2014. Though that sounds like it is a long way off, there is so much that goes into planning a sabbatical, both for the clergy and the congregation, that two years is the right amount of time. In September, we convened a small group as the Sabbatical Planning Team. Deacon Karen, Nancy Sieffert, and John Soughan joined us in this ministry and we’ve had two meetings. We are so early in this process that we have far more questions and curiosity than we do answers and details. What we do know is that we want to keep you in the loop and we are committed to regular, though as yet undefined, communication with you. We also know that we need your prayers and support as we continue along this path.
Here are a couple of more specific bits of information about what we know now:
- We intend to honor the intent of sabbatical as a time of spiritual renewal and refreshment for both clergy and congregation.
- We will be spending the next few months developing the sabbatical plan, with a goal of a formal presentation at our Annual Meeting in February 2023.
- We will be working with the Finance Committee and Vestry on the administrative and financial details, which includes applying for grant funding.
- We are excited about the possibilities, especially the ways in which the sabbatical time will connect with the 2024 Holy Land pilgrimage.
- We look forward to the conversations we will be having with you about the plans and the ways you can be an active part of this grace- and faith-filled journey.
We know you may have questions about sabbaticals in general and this one in particular. Please do talk to one of us if you do. You may also talk to Roger Riedel, who is the Warden for Property and Preschool, or the Vestry: Eugene Foley, Kira Hanson, Steve Moran, and Fran Taber.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+ and Maryalice
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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. Masks are optional at both services.
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 Sunday Worship at 8:00am and 10:00am
on October 23rd for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.
ALL are welcome!
Coffee Hour to follow the 10:00am service.
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PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BECAUSE EVENTS MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED. | |
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OCTOBER
OCT 19
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
OCT 20
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
OCT 23
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
OCT 24
7:30pm - MA Meeting
OCT 25
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
OCT 30
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
OCT 31
7:30pm - MA Meeting
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PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday - Friday
9:00am to 5:00pm
OFFICE CLOSED
October 25 - 28
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NOVEMBER
NOV 1
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
NOV 4
9am - Interfaith Bible Hour
NOV 6
First Sunday of Advent
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
4pm - Friends of Music 50th Anniversary Organ Recital
NOV 7
7pm - Small Group Summit
7:30pm - MA Meeting
NOV 13
Second Sunday of Advent
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Second Sunday Intergenerational Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
12pm - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
NOV 14
7:30pm - MA Meeting
NOV 16
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
NOV 17
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
NOV 20
Third Sunday of Advent
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
NOV 21
7:30pm - MA Meeting
NOV 27
Fourth Sunday of Advent
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
NOV 28
7:30pm - MA Meeting
NOV 29
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
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DECEMBER
DEC 2
9am - Interfaith Bible Hour
DEC 4
Fifth Sunday of Advent
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
DEC 5
7pm - Small Group Summit
7:30pm - MA Meeting
DEC 11
Sixth Sunday of Advent
Bishop Hughes visit
10am - Second Sunday Intergenerational Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
12pm - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
DEC 12
7:30pm - MA Meeting
DEC 13
7pm - Monthly Women's Lectionary Discussion
DEC 15
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
DEC 18
Seventh Sunday of Advent
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
DEC 19
7:30pm - MA Meeting
DEC 21
7pm - Finance Committee Meeting
7:30pm - Longest Night Service
DEC 24
Christmas Eve
5pm - Family Service
9pm - Candlelight Service
DEC 25
Christmas Day
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
DEC 26
7:30pm - MA Meeting
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ALL SAINT'S DAY SERVICE
On Sunday, November 6th we will remember those who have departed and reside fully in the perfect love and glory of God.
To be included in our prayers, please let us know the name(s) of your loved one(s) who have
departed in the past year.
Please email church@ststephensmillburn.org by November 3.
You may also include the names of loved ones who have departed in years past. Please note in your email message.
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50th ANNIVERSARY
BECKERATH ORGAN RECITAL
Sunday, November 6 at 4:00pm
at St. Stephen's Church
119 Main Street, Millburn
Join us as we celebrate over 50 years of our beautiful Beckerath organ with special guest artist, French organist Johann Vexo, Organist of the Choir at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, followed by a reception and an opportunity to meet the artist.
Originally scheduled for April 19, 2020, this long-awaited final performance of our 50th Anniversary Beckerath Organ Recital Series marks over 50 years of sharing an exceptionally fine instrument with the greater community through outstanding performances by renown organists.
Designed and built for the interior of St. Stephen's Church by the celebrated German organ builder Rudolf von Beckerath, the 1970 tracker organ has
become a major cultural resource.
Suggested $15 cash donation at the door.
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This recital series relies heavily on the financial support of the Friends of Music. The St. Stephen’s Friends of Music group is dedicated to sharing the gift of beautiful music with the wider community. As you are able, please consider supporting the series as a Friend of Music with a tax deductible donation, entitling you to admission to the recital and acknowledgment in the program.
Please make checks payable to:
St. Stephen's Church - Friends of Music
(Please include your name as it should appear in the program.)
PHILANTHROPISTS $300+
BENEFACTORS $200 - $299
PATRONS $100 - $199
SPONSORS (as able)
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INTERAITH BIBLE HOUR
On Friday, November 4th at 9:00am, we will meet with our friends from Christ Church in Short Hills and Temple B'nai Jeshurun.
Join us via Zoom here.
The password is SSM119.
The meeting ID is 865 4375 6895.
Please feel free to join us even if you haven't before.
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READING WITH THE RECTOR
Sunday, November 13th
11:30am - 1:00pm
We will be discussing:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
Narnia… the land beyond the wardrobe door, a secret place frozen in eternal winter, a magical country waiting to be set free.
Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house. At first her brothers and sister don't believe her when she tells of her visit to the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund, then Peter and Susan step through the wardrobe themselves. In Narnia they find a country buried under the evil enchantment of the White Witch. When they meet the Lion Aslan, they realize they've been called to a great adventure and bravely join the battle to free Narnia from the Witch's sinister spell.
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You're invited:
"Learn What Preplanning a Funeral is All About" on
Wednesday, Oct 26 at 11:30am
held at the Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main St. in Chatham.
All guests will enjoy a complimentary lunch, receive resource materials, and more!
For more information, call (973) 635-2428 ext. 140
Seating is limited!
RSVP here by October 25.
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"Common Mistakes People Make When Planning For Long Term Care" presented by New Jersey Elder Law Center at Goldberg Law Group and sponsored by Gratitude Homecare NJ on Wednesday,
November 2 at 11:30am at
Bradley, Brough & Dangler Funeral Home located at 299 Morris Ave. in Summit.
Seating is limited!
RSVP here by November 1.
For more information,
call (973) 635-2428 Ext. 140.
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YOUNG MUSICIANS SHOWCASE
Friday, November 18 at 7:00pm
at St. Paul's Episcopal Church
200 Main Street, Chatham
St. Paul's will host their first Young Musicians Showcase, a performance opportunity for local, talented youth.
If you know of any young performance ready musicians, vocal, choral or instrument, or any local private teachers who might have students ready to perform, please email St. Paul's Parish Administrator,
Laurie DeBiasse, at office@stpaulschatham.org
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Everyone loves babies. People stop and say ‘hi’ to babies, can’t help but smile at them and share warm feelings. Another scenario – you are a parent who can’t feed your child. How must that feel? We had a glimpse of that when there was a baby formula shortage due to supply chains with Covid-19. We have a way of meeting some of these needs.
North Porch Women & Infants' Centers is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides emergency aid, of baby supplies, to mothers and infants in northern New Jersey, help them stabilize and improve the quality of lives.
We're having a Baby Shower!!!! Please bring baby supplies to church on November 13. Donations can be dropped off at any time. Please leave your donations in the bin outside the education building.
The urgent need is:
- Enfamil 12.5 oz powdered baby formula and soy formula
- Diapers especially Large size diapers - 4, 5, 6 and Pull-ups of all sizes
- Baby wipes
- Jars of baby food all ages-fruit, veggie and 1st foods
It’s a wonderful way to start our Thanksgiving celebration with donations and gratitude.
-Barbara Riedel
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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.
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FAMILY PROMISE
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Are you looking for meaningful work? Are you passionate about making a difference in the community? Do you have marketing or fundraising skills?
Family Promise of Essex County (FPE) is interviewing applicants for the position of Development Manager. A copy of the job description and instructions on how to apply can be found on FPE’s website: https://www.fpessexnj.org/job-opportunities/
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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.
Collection bins are located outside the Narthex/ Education building 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.
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From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church | |
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THE BISHOP'S VLOG
Beginning anew - 9/14
We are socialized that when September comes, we feel we should start thinking about beginning anew, says Bishop Hughes. And this year in particular the whole world is trying to figure out how to begin anew, due to the changes brought by the pandemic. Given all that, she encourages us to talk to one another about this time that we're in, and how we want it to reflect the priorities that, individually and collectively, we have come to know and value.
Bishop’s Office announcement - 9/29
31 Mulberry Street to be sold in 2024.
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by Canon Margo Peckham Clark - 10/12
Sometimes it's hard to know what we're supposed to do to follow Jesus, says Canon Clark. She commends to you two programs coming up this fall that are all about developing the "how" of following Jesus. Details about these programs are below.
The Voice Online Link - 10/12/22
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DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS
Sign up to receive important news, events and seasonal meditations from the Diocese of Newark. Find out more and subscribe here.
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Cross Roads Camp & Diocesan Youth Ministries | |
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.
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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.
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There are many, many resources available to parishes and individuals to help sustain our faith practices during this unprecedented time.
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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
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A/MA MEETINGS
Weekly AA meetings:
Sunday at 1:00pm
Contact: Rob H. (516) 860-9062
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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Please keep the following St. Stephen's family
members and friends in your prayers...
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Peggy Thompson
Donna Riggi
The Blanchard Family
The McManus Family
Bernard & Nathan
Lucille B.
Jack Moreno
Joseph G.
Jane Rossiter
Mike Losito
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Evan D. & Family
Donna Stadler Hostetler
Ed Roman
Emma Simonich
Inge Bass Mills
Jessica Rana
Cathy Zimmerman
Juliet Tranberg
Lind Hostetler
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Mary Ruth Stone
Nancy Landers
Sandy Prince
Anne Grenda
Drew Johnson
Imani Nia
Eugene Foley
Evie
Sandra Swan
Cherie Donze
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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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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. | | | |
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 | |
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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