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Beloved Community,
When I was in seminary, a friend and I bonded over our shared love of the liturgical seasons. And, because we also share a similar "irreverent reverence" (a true oxymoron), we played with a remake of Madonna's hit song, "Material Girl," which we aptly named "Liturgical Girls." It was a fun and lighthearted acknowledgement of a much deeper truth: We both found (and still find) ourselves moving deeper in our faith, drawn closer to God, in the rhythms of the Church year.
We are winding down the season of Epiphany, the time between Christmas - the 12 days, not December 25 - and Ash Wednesday. It is the season in which the Incarnation is made known to the world and a reminder that the Good News of Christmas is not a one-and-done, but rather the continual revelation of God's love for God's people in and across all time and place, all diversity and difference. And on February 22nd, we will observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
It seems a bit of a whirlwind, the pace of the seasons from Advent to Lent. In roughly three months, we prepare for the inbreaking of God's love into the world as the infant Jesus, celebrate the birth, share the Good News far and wide, and then Ash Wednesday and the reminder that God's love for us brought Jesus to the Cross and brings us into a season of solemn reflection and repentance. We'll talk more about Easter, Pentecost, and the Season after the Pentecost later. For now, I want to invite you to join me in observing the 40 days of Lent and then Holy Week.
We have a variety of opportunities for seasonal worship, adult formation, and a fun family activity. As we have the past couple of years, we are collaborating with the other parishes in the Evelyn Underhill Regional Ministry Network. I'm waiting for a colleague to send the list of who's doing what when and then we'll send a Special Edition of the newsletter to you. In the meantime, keep your eyes and ears, heart and mind, open to experience the presence of Christ in your daily lives and God's Spirit working in and through you.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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Financial Stewardship for 2023 | |
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Thank you to those who have pledged financial support of our ministries in 2023. This is a big help to the Finance Committee in building the budget.
A reminder to those who have not pledged yet: ALL of our ministries, both the visible and the behind the scenes ones, rely on your generosity in order to happen. We are at $110,836 in pledges, which is $9,164 shy of our barebones budget and $19,164 shy of what it will take to be live more fully into our identity as the Church on Main Street, where love begets love. Please prayerfully consider making a pledge to support our ministries AND to express your gratitude to God for all the blessings of this life.
We have terminated our relationship with Vanco for online giving. Going forward, please use Tithe.ly for online giving, or mail checks to the St. Stephen's Parish Office at 119 Main Street, Millburn, NJ 07041.
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Happening at St. Stephen's This Week... | |
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Join us on Sunday, February 12th 8:00am and 10:00am for the
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany.
ALL are welcome.
Masks are optional.
At Communion, you may receive the wine by sipping from the cup,
or you may choose Communion in one kind only (the bread).
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You are invited to Coffee Hour and Fellowship in the Parish Hall immediately following our
10:00am service.
Our Coffee Hour hosts for Sunday:
The Riedels
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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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UPDATE
DIOCESAN LISTENING SESSION AT ST. STEPHEN'S and BEYOND
A heartfelt thanks to all who participated in the listening session two weeks ago. It was a Spirit-filled conversation honoring all the good work we are doing and responding honestly to the questions about how we continue to grow in faith while discerning where God is calling us next.
At Diocesan Convention last weekend, the Strategic Visioning Team presented their findings from the fall listening sessions, held discussions on those findings, and identified four priority areas of focus for the next phase of the Strategic Visioning process:
- Children, Families, Youth and Young Adults – evangelism and formation.
- Congregational Collaboration–particularly to strengthen our smaller congregations.
- Communications and Technology – explaining who we are to the outside world and connecting better internally.
- Justice for People and Planet – working together on gospel-driven justice issues.
Next Steps in the Strategic Visioning process include:
- Forming working teams to meet over the next three months to articulate goals and develop initiatives.
- Recruiting people across the diocese to join us in this effort – 12-15 people for each new working team.
- Creating new Mission and Vision statements to guide the efforts of the diocese moving forward.
- Providing an opportunity for everyone to give feedback on the proposed statements later this winter.
If you would like to be a part of the next phase of this exciting conversation, please let Rev. Paula know ASAP. She'll be happy to connect you to the right person(s) to make that happen.
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READING WITH THE RECTOR
Sunday, February 12th
11:30am - 1:00pm
in the common room, or via Zoom
We will be discussing:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father—a crusading local lawyer—risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.
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SOUPER SUNDAY
Please bring cans of soup for our food barrel by Sunday, Feb 12th.
ALL kinds of soup are welcome and will be distributed by Apostles’ House, a non-profit devoted to providing comprehensive social services to homeless women and children and individuals or families at risk of homelessness in Newark and Essex Co.
Collection bins are available outside of the Narthex/Education Building doors in the parking lot for donations at any time.
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MONTHLY WOMEN'S LECTIONARY DISCUSSION
We are using the new lectionary, A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church by renowned Hebrew scholar and womanist theologian, Dr. Wilda Gafney this Sunday.
We will meet every month, on the second Tuesday from 7:00-8:00pm.
Our next meeting is Tues, February 14 at 7pm (in-person and via Zoom).
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84131953178?pwd=RkNMUWEyaXJQTjFoY0ZRbUxLd0hmUT09
Meeting ID: 841 3195 3178
Passcode: SSM119
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PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BECAUSE EVENTS MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED. | |
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FEBRUARY
FEB 12
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship Intergenerational Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
11:30am - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
FEB 13
7:30pm - MA Meeting
FEB 14
7pm - Monthly Women's Lectionary Discussion
FEB 15
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
FEB 16
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
FEB 19
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
FEB 20
7:30pm - MA Meeting
FEB 22
Ash Wednesday
6:30am - 8:30am
Ashes to Go at Train Sta.
12pm & 7:30pm
Service w/ Ashes
FEB 26
First Sunday in Lent
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
FEB 26 - MAR 4
Family Promise Week
FEB 27
7:30pm - MA Meeting
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MARCH
MAR 2
9am - Interfaith Bible Hour
MAR 5
Second Sunday in Lent
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship & Annual Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
MAR 6
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAR 12
Third Sunday in Lent
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship Intergenerational Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
11:30am - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
MAR 13
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAR 14
7pm - Monthly Women's Lectionary Discussion
MAR 15
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
MAR 16
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
MAR 19
Fourth Sunday in Lent
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
MAR 20
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAR 26
Fifth Sunday in Lent
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
MAR 27
7:30pm - MA Meeting
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APRIL
APR 2
Palm Sunday
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
APR 3
Monday in Holy Week
7:30pm - MA Meeting
APR 4
Tuesday in Holy Week
APR 5
Wednesday in Holy Week
7:30pm - Tenebrae Service
APR 6
Maundy Thursday
9am - Interfaith Bible Hour
6:30pm - Maundy Thursday Service
APR 7
Good Friday
12pm - Good Friday Svc
7:30pm - Solemn Collects with the Veneration of the Cross
APR 8
Holy Saturday
10am - Holy Saturday Service
APR 9
Easter Sunday
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
11:30am - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
APR 10
7:30pm - MA Meeting
APR 11
7pm - Monthly Women's Lectionary Discussion
APR 16
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
APR 17
7:30pm - MA Meeting
APR 19
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
APR 20
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
APR 23
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
APR 24
7:30pm - MA Meeting
APR 30
8am - Sunday Worship
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
APR 30 - MAY 6
Family Promise Week
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NEW: FAMILY PROMISE HOSTING WEEKS IN 2023
St. Stephen's has committed to supporting our hospitality ministry
to homeless families for the following weeks in 2023:
Week of February 26
Week of April 30
Week of September 10
We will be providing one meal for each of the families in the shelter,
as well as grocery items.
More details & opportunities to help will be provided soon.
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ECF FELLOWSHIP
Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) is pleased to announce that the application for the 2023 Fellowship is now open!
ECF has awarded over 225 Fellowships to individuals pursuing advanced academic studies and special ministries with the aim of educating and equipping future lay and clergy leaders.
Please note that only applications to the ministry track are being sought at this time.
Please visit the ECF website to learn more about the Fellowship Partners Program and the application process.
Applications are due on March 17.
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The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) scholarship program is open to all high school seniors who are actively engaged in the life, work and ministry of an Episcopal Congregation in the Episcopal
Diocese of Newark.
Application deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is April 8.
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Luna Stage, 555 Valley Road in West Orange, launches its 2023 season with Obie-winner and Pulitzer-nominee Nikkole Salter's Torn Asunder, a searing historical drama. Set in the years leading up to and immediately following emancipation, Torn Asunder is the story of a formerly enslaved woman's quest to reunite with her husband and son.
The play is inspired by Dr. Heather Andrea Williams' book Help Me Find My People, praised by the New York Times for its "revelation of the bonds forged by the collective grief and resilient love of a people finding themselves."
For details and tickets, click here.
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Masters of Hawaiian Music Benefit Concert
St. Paul’s
200 Main Street
Chatham
Saturday, Feb. 25th at 7pm
Doors open: 6:30pm
$25 / Advanced tickets at http://hawaii.brownpapertickets.com
$30 / General admission at the door
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North Porch Women & Infants' Centers 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.
Our collection bin is located outside the education building doors year-round. Donations can be dropped off at any time. Items of urgent need are:
- 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
If you would like to make a monetary donation to North Porch, please click here.
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FAMILY PROMISE
Family Promise of Essex County helps homeless and at-risk families achieve self-sufficiency by providing shelter, social services, and housing assistance through a community-based approach.
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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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 throughout 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 and 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
NEW: Going where God sends, together - 2/7/23
In her Friday evening address to the 149th Annual Convention, Bishop Hughes talks about three things God has been doing the last three years: Christ, collaboration, and courage. We've learned to experience Christ in new ways. We've learned to collaborate instead of working alone. And we have been, and continue to be, courageous.
NEW: The Voice Online Link - 2/8/23
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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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NEW: ANNUAL DIOCESAN CONVENTION
The 149th Annual Diocesan Convention was held last Friday and Saturday, February 3 and 4.
Summary of Convention is available here.
A number of videos are available for viewing, including "Building Regional Relationships" featuring Rev. Paula J. Toland and Rev. Grant Mansfield from St. George’s Maplewood on the intentional building of relationships and collaborations in the Evelyn Underhill Region.
All Convention videos are available on the diocesan YouTube channel: https://m.youtube.com/c/dionewark
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Episcopal Parish Network (EPN)
38th Annual Conference
The Episcopal Parish Network invites you to attend the EPN's 38th Annual Conference in Jacksonville, Florida on March 8 - 11.
Attend for the workshops, connection and/or networking with other lay and clergy leaders.
This is the largest and most anticipated annual conference in The Episcopal Church!
Click here to learn more.
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TRINITY RETREAT CENTER
Trinity Retreat Center, located in the Northeast in West Cornwall, CT, offers a place of spirituality and gracious, authentic hospitality—where you can slow down, connect deeply with nature, experience the rhythm of a community, enjoy farm-to-table meals, discern direction for your life, and go home ready to make an even greater impact on the world.
Trinity Retreat Center is an Episcopal mission of Trinity Church Wall Street and is open to everyone, regardless of denomination or faith.
For more information, go to the Trinity Retreat Center's Facebook page or click here.
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Cross Roads Camp & Diocesan Youth Ministries | |
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CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center is an inspiring and relaxing year-round retreat center offering comfortable facilities and professional programming for secular and spiritual groups of all ages. Located on 250 glorious acres atop the stunning mountain landscape of northwestern New Jersey, our cozy retreat centers and cabins house up to 300 people. Guests enjoy our beautiful hiking trails and an abundance of outdoor and indoor recreational areas including basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, and open space for field games.
To view Cross Roads' offerings,
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.
Follow popupym on Instagram
and Facebook.
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In this time of Crisis, there are many 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
AA meetings are presented in Big Book format.
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
Mary Ruth Stone
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Nancy Landers
Anne Grenda
Eugene Foley
Evie Larson
Sandra Swan
Ron Gadbois
The Roberson Family
Darla Shaw
Eve Anderson
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We give thanks for the life of Linda Moran. May she rest in peace and rise in 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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The Sixth Sunday
after the Epiphany
We are using the new lectionary,
Wilda Gafney's A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A.
Our bulletins are available here.
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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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PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday - Friday
9:00am to 5:00pm
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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 | |
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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