October 5, 2022 Full Newsletter

October 5, 2022

Message from Rev. Paula

Beloved Community,

This is a much longer than usual message from me. I ask that you take the time to read it through because it explains a change to the Sunday services that likely will be noticed by all of you. I ask, too, that you talk to me about it or join the monthly conversation that is planned if you have questions, concerns, gratitude, or other reactions about your observations.

It is hard to believe but we are planning for Advent, the start of the new year in the Church. You may remember that we have been observing an extended seven-week Advent for the past few years, in keeping with the earliest traditions of the Church and some of our Orthodox siblings all along. This year Advent begins on November 6th. As I have the past few years, I encourage you to pay attention to the rhythm and pace of life during this time as more than a preparation for Christmas. We are liturgical people, observers of various liturgical seasons, each with meaning of its own. Our lectionary, i.e. the stories we hear from Scripture each week, lend meaning to these seasons.

The lectionary also shapes our understanding of God and what it means to live as people of faith. Although we tend to think of the Bible as a unified unchanging entity, the reality is that the Bible is a collection of stories told by people with different experiences and perspectives over time. The Bible has we know it today evolved over many years and was deemed the legitimate narrative of God's work in and through creation, i.e. the Holy Scriptures, by numerous councils in the first several centuries since Jesus's birth, death, and resurrection. Since then, it has been translated more times than I can count, with each translation influenced by the context and intention of the those doing the translating. It is impossible to claim that any one translation is "the" correct translation, though there are some that were written with an intention to be as consistent as possible with the Hebrew and Greek of the original texts. The translation we use, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is the commonly used by biblical scholars because of its adherence to original language and its use of the oldest and most reliable manuscripts.

That said, the NRSV is not a perfect translation and there are signs of the impact of the culture of the times in which it has been translated. Many of the ways in which God is described, e.g. "he" and "Lord", were choices made by the early translators, primarily men of certain standing in their respective communities, which have been carried through over generation upon generation and which have now become woven into our theology and understanding of who God is and through whom God works, giving us a much narrower view of God and what it means to be created in the image of God than is accurate.

A consequence of that reality is that there are voices that are never heard in Scripture and people who are overlooked, which means that none of us gets as full an understanding as possible of who God is and what it means to be made in the divine image. SPOILER ALERTS: God is not a person like human beings are persons. Jesus was not a fair-skinned, blue-eyed man with light brown hair. Women were actively involved in Jesus' ministry and in the development of the Christian Church.

Why is it important to talk about this and why now?

The answer is simple and profound: As people of faith, our understanding of who God is and what it means to be created in God's image shapes our understanding beyond the obvious. In ways we recognize and acknowledge, and in ways we don't, the language used to tell these stories influences how we related to each other and how we build our common lives inside and outside the Church. Challenging ourselves to hear the biblical stories in new ways expands our understanding of who God is and how she works in the world. So...

Beginning this Advent, we will be accepting Bishop Hughes invitation to use a new lectionary, A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church by renowned Hebrew scholar and womanist theologian, Dr. Wilda Gafney.

A group of us began meeting weekly to read and discuss Dr. Gafney's work at the beginning of Advent last November. This process has been eye-opening and given us much to pray with and to ponder. Though I do not want to speak for the whole group with any specificity, I can say that none of us is in the same place we started in our understanding of what it means to try to comprehend who God is and what it means to be beloved of God and followers of Jesus. Though we continue to have questions as we notice the impact the new translation has on us, we look at Scripture a bit differently.

This weekly conversation is winding down. In its place we will have a monthly conversation that will be open to all of you. Come each month. Come occasionally. Come once. We'll be meeting in-person and via Zoom on the second Tuesday of the month from 7:00-8:00 pm.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84131953178?pwd=RkNMUWEyaXJQTjFoY0ZRbUxLd0hmUT09

Meeting ID: 841 3195 3178

Passcode: SSM119

And as always, I am available to talk at other times, if that works best for you. I have no doubt that this change will "land" differently for each of you. And that's okay. The important thing is for us to keep the conversation going, which is one of the best ways I know to grow deeper in faith and understanding.

Peace & Blessings,

Paula+

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. Masks are now optional at both services. The Community Risk Level for Essex County is green/low. We'll revisit this if the risk level changes.

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 Sunday Worship at 8:00am and 10:00am

on October 9th for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

ALL are welcome!

Coffee Hour to follow the 10:00am service.

READING WITH THE RECTOR

Sunday, October 9th

11:30am - 1:00pm

We will be discussing:

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

A Wrinkle in Time tells the story of Meg Murry, a girl who travels through time and space to save her father from evil forces. L’Engle, an Episcopalian, imbued her novel with religious elements and ideas.

We will meet in the Common Room, or you may join via Zoom.

Looking Ahead

PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BECAUSE EVENTS MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED.

OCTOBER

OCT 9

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Second Sunday Intergenerational Worship/Finnerty baptism

11:30am - Youth Group

11:30am - Reading with the Rector

1pm - AA Meeting

OCT 10

7:30pm - MA Meeting

OCT 11

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

OCT 16

8am - Sunday Worship

9am - Family Promise Walk for Change

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Vestry Meeting

1pm - AA Meeting

OCT 17

7:30pm - MA Meeting

OCT 18

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

OCT 19

7:30pm - Joint Vestry & 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

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 - Organ Recital

NOV 7

7pm - Small Group Summit

7:30pm - MA Meeting

NOV 8

7pm - Monthly Women's Lectionary Discussion

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

8am - Sunday Worship

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Youth Group

1pm - AA Meeting

NOV 28

7:30pm - MA Meeting

NOV 29

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

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

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday through Friday

9:00am to 5:00pm

THE PARISH OFFICE IS CLOSED:

October 11

October 25 - 28

November 24 & 25 - Thanksgiving

November 29

December 13 - 16

December 27

Other Happenings...

FAMILY PROMISE

WALK FOR CHANGE 2022

Sunday, October 16th

in Verona Park, New Jersey

Family Promise of Essex County’s

WALK FOR CHANGE (WFC) is an annual fundraising event where volunteers from all over come together for a day of fun, good cheer and exercise, all in support of raising money for families experiencing or at-risk for homelessness.

This year the main event for the walk will take place at 9am on Sunday, October 16th, at Verona Park in Verona, New Jersey.

For details, click here.

COMMUNITY HYMN SING

for Ralph Vaughan Williams' 150th birthday

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

7:00pm TO 8:00pm

at Grace Church, Madison

Grace Community Music at Grace, Madison opens its season with a community sing in honor of the 150th birthday of the great English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The event is free, mask optional, and people are welcome to sing or listen. A birthday cake reception follows!

See the flyer here.

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

You're invited to a complimentary lunch to "Learn What Preplanning a Funeral is All About" on Wednesday, October 26 at 11:30am held at the Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home located at 345 Main St. in Chatham.

Presented by special guest speaker and Certified Preplanning Consultant, Jill A. Lazar. 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.

Faithful Outreach

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/

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.

Our 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

Our 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

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.

The Voice Online Link - 9/28

DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS

Sign up to receive important news, events and seasonal meditations from the Diocese of Newark. Find out more and subscribe here.

WARDENS & TREASURERS'

ZOOM MEETING WITH

THE BISHOP

Thursday, October 13, 2022

7:00pm - 8:30pm

An email will be sent to all Church Wardens and Treasurers with sign-in instructions for this Zoom meeting.

Living Room Conversations: Healthy conversations in conflicted times

Saturday, October 22, 2022

8:30am - 1:15pm

St. Michael's, Wayne

Knowing how to have a healthy conversation in an environment of conflict is a skill that is useful in every aspect of life.

Becca Kearl, Executive Director of Living Room Conversations, will lead this half-day, in-person workshop. ALL are welcome to attend. Parishes are encouraged to send a group.

Find out more & register here.

Registration deadline:

10/17 at 5:00pm

Cross Roads Camp & Diocesan Youth Ministries

CROSS ROADS

FALL WOMEN'S RETREAT

“Who Do You Say That I Am?”

Led by Laurie Matarazzo and

Dale Selover

October 21-23, 2022

To register and learn more visit:

https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/womens-retreat/

VIRTUAL RETREAT:

Friday, October 21, 2022

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

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

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.

Prayer List

Please keep the following St. Stephen's family

members and friends in your prayers...

Peggy Thompson

Donna Riggi

The Blanchard Family

The McManus Family

Bernard & Nathan

Lucille B.

Jack Moreno

Joseph G.

Jane Rossiter

Mike Losito

Evan D. & Family

Donna Stadler Hostetler

Ed Roman

Emma Simonich

Inge Bass Mills

Jessica Rana

Cathy Zimmerman

Catherine Phan

Juliet Tranberg

Lind Hostetler

Mary Ruth Stone

Nancy Landers

Sandy Prince

Anne Grenda

Drew Johnson

Imani Nia

Eugene Foley

Roger Riedel

Evie

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

October 9, 2022

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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.