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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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This weekend marks the end of our sixth month of fasting from in-person gatherings. Sunday is our visitation from Bishop Hughes, all done virtually, of course. There is something bittersweet about marking this period of time with this reminder that we are living our faith here in this parish with others well beyond these walls. In one of those "God wink" moments my friend, Sue, was so fond of noticing, I just had a call from a man from the community, someone I've helped with rent and/or a listening ear a few times since I've been here. He called because he wanted to feel the connection with someone "who listens without judgement or a need to fix" him. I'm glad he thinks of me that way but that is not why I mention him and our conversation. He said something that resonated deeply with me, something I needed to hear now, in this time, when the changes in the way we live our life seem so burdensome and interminable. Talking about faith and paying attention to the rhythm of our shared life through the holidays and observances as a way of better understanding God at work in the world, God present with us in all that life presents, he said, "Christmas is the birth of hope." In that moment, I felt something inside me shift, something necessary to my own ability and capacity to take each day as it comes, while always remembering who and whose I am, which is the one true constant in life. Peace & Blessings, Paula+
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NEW: Freda Williams Obituary
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 Please continue to keep Kim and her family in your prayers. Her mother, Freda Williams, died suddenly and unexpectedly, not quite three weeks after the death of her beloved husband of 70 years, Roy.
Please visit here for the obituary. |
 St. Stephen's Pre-School reopened on Tuesday, September 1st. 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!
PLEASE NOTE: We have some openings at the preschool.
If you know of a family that may be interested, please have them contact our Director, Nancy Siracusa at sspsmillburn@gmail.com or call 973-376-3534 Ext. 20. The preschool has learning programs for Infants, Toddlers, Pre-K and Kindergarten.
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UPDATED: Connection and Common Worship
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 All of the information you need to remain actively connected to St. Stephen's can be found on the website under the "Living Our Faith in a Time of Pandemic" here.
Our Sunday worship service will be posted to Facebook every Sunday morning at 8:15 AM and will be available on our YouTube channel. This service is also broadcast on HTTV (Comcast TV 36 and Verizon TV 33) at 6 AM and 1 PM. Please be sure to spread the word to your friends and family who do not use the internet.
Bulletins for the Sunday services can be found here.
FYI - St. Stephen's is on Facebook EVERY DAY! Daily Prayer: M-W-F at 8:30 AM, T-TH-SAT at 7:45 PM
Most days, Rev. Paula will lead prayer live, though occasionally it will be a "Prayerful Interlude" or a recorded reflection. Videos of all the posts can easily be accessed from the Facebook video library here.
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UPDATED: From Bishop Hughes
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 BISHOP HUGHES' VLOGS can be viewed here. The Voice Online may be found here.
THE BISHOP'S VISITATION
Sunday, September 13, 10 AM
A special newsletter was emailed this week with all of the details and instructions on how to join the Zoom service and coffee hour with the Bishop this Sunday.
This will be the only Sunday service for September 13th. It will be Live-Streamed via Zoom with simultaneous viewing on the diocesan YouTube channel. We will not be broadcasting on HTTV.
 SHARE YOUR PRAYERSBishop Hughes invites all of us to write down our prayers during this pandemic and share them with the diocese, as a way to help each other. The prayers will be shared on the diocesan website in The VOICE and on social media. Prayers can be sent to Canon Wright at awright@dioceseofnewark.org for posting. Please include the name and town of your church.
DIOCESAN MEMORIAL WALL A holy place in virtual space for mourning and memory. This is a place to gather, grieve, reflect and honor the lives of those who have died during the time of the pandemic, whether or not it was due to the virus. To visit the wall and/or submit a name, click here.
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A LAY CONVERSATION WITH THE BISHOP
Thursday, September 17 at 6 PM
This 90 minute monthly Zoom meeting with Bishop Hughes is open to all members of the dicoese. An email invitation will be sent on Monday, September 15 to recipients of The VOICE Online with sign-in instructions for this meeting.
 INTERFAITH BIBLE HOURFriday, October 2, 9 AM
The Interfaith Bible Hour, formerly Bakery Bible Hour, will be resuming on the first Friday of each month, beginning, Friday, October 2 at 9 AM. We will continue gathering virtually with our friends from Christ Church in Short Hills and Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, and will be reading Genesis, focusing on the narrative arcs involving the children of Abraham and Sarah.
Information about how to join the Zoom discussion and which chapters to read will be coming soon.
 READING WITH THE RECTOR BOOK CLUB Sunday, October 4, 12 PM (after Coffee Hour)
Hello All,
We will be meeting, via Zoom, for our next Book Group on October 4th. Rev. Paula has recommended that we read the Book of Esther for our choice. We will talk about future book choices at the meeting, so think of any suggestions you may have.
Details and a Zoom link will be given as we get closer to the date. Thanks, Barbara
ST. STEPHEN'S COFFEE HOUR
Sundays at 11 AM
Watch the service at 10 AM, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, and join the fun. We'll be around from 11 AM to noon.
Meeting ID: 895 5857 6382
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NEW & UPDATED:
Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center Zoom Events
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 RALLY FOR CROSS ROADS - RUN / WALK 2020
Saturday, October 3
Lace up your running (or walking!) shoes to take part in the Rally for Cross Roads Virtual Run/Walk. All ages and abilities are invited to participate. All racing will take place on your own or with your family and friends. We're excited to see all of the routes people take! We encourage you to race on Saturday, October 3 between 9 AM and 9 PM. And be sure you follow Cross Roads on Facebook and Instagram to join in on the full weekend of virtual fun, including check-ins with participants around the state and a virtual campfire!
For details and to register, click here.
Rev. Paula and Ron will be walking a 5K to support the awesome Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center. If you'd like to help them achieve their team goal of $500, visit their team link here.
Better yet - Join the St. Stephen's Strollers team and do a physically distanced group walk with them! Contact Rev. Paula at rector@ststephensmillburn.org if you are interested.
 CROSS ROADS WEDNESDAYS AWAY One Wednesday a month, 10 AM - 12 PM These monthly retreats are open to all people interested in exploring new faith practices. Attend one or attend all-and be sure to invite friends to join you. Led by a spiritual director and focusing on a different spiritual practice or theme each month, the cost is $10 per gathering. Visit the Cross Roads link here for dates and to register.
 CROSS ROADS WOMEN'S VIRTUAL RETREAT
"The Way of Love"
A one-day virtual retreat led by Laurie Matarazzo and Dale Selover
Four dates to choose from: Saturday, 9/26; Sunday, 9/27; Saturday, 10/10; or Sunday, 10/11
The retreat program will begin at 10 AM and conclude by 4 PM, with a two-hour break for lunch and individual reflection time. Though we cannot gather in person, we hope you will join us on Zoom for a day of conversation, reflection, prayer, and laughter together. The cost for the day-long retreat is $40. Visit the link here for details and to register.
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NEW: Marist College LGBTQ+ Allyship Survey
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 Please consider sharing and/or participating in the Marist College study on LGBTQ+ allyship. They are still in need of participants for their survey on LGBTQ+ allyship development within religious and spiritual contexts.
Drs. Thomas Killian, Emma Fredrick, and Kristin Jay, are Professors of Psychology at Marist College and reached out to St. Stephen's regarding their study. Anyone, including those who identify as LGBTQ+, is free to participate, even if they are not an active member of our congregation.
The purpose of this study is to survey individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ allies, religious, and spiritual in order to uncover the complexity of this intersectional identity integration process and the effects of religion and spirituality on ally development. We define LGBTQ+ ally as any person (including those who are members of the LGBTQ+ community) who actively supports or advocates for those who hold similar or differing sexual/affectional or gender variant identities.
The survey is online, anonymous, and estimated to take about 20-30 minutes to complete. Visit here for a link to the study. Please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Killian with any questions or concerns to thomas.killian@marist.edu.
Thomas Killian, PhD, NCC
Assistant Professor of Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Marist College
Pronouns: He/Him/His
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 DIOCESE OF NEWARK PRISON MINISTRY
NEW! Gift Card Drive through September 13
Prison Ministry is collecting $25 Shop Rite gift cards or checks towards the purchase of them to distribute to PATCH families. Please make checks payable to "Prison Ministory Diocese of Newark" with ShopRite cards on the memo line. Mail to: Grace Church, 200 Highfield Lane, Nutley, NJ 07110. Thank you for your support!
 SOLES4SOULS
Unwanted shoes are turned into opportunity, by keeping them from going to landfills and putting them to good use - providing relief, creating jobs and empowering women to break the cycle of poverty. When you donate a pair of shoes, it's more than just cleaning out your closet - you're helping the planet AND changing someone's life!
Shoes in wearable condition can be donated at the Soles4Soles drop-off site located at the Foot Health Center, 1500 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange. The center is open M & TH 8-5, T 8-4, W & FR 8-2, Closed Sat & Sun. Please call first to confirm hours and that donations are still being accepted, (973) 731-1266. For more information about Soles4Soles, please visit their website here.
 APOSTLES' HOUSE & NORTH PORCHDuring a recent Sunday service we sang a hymn where God asks, "Whom Shall I send? and the people respond, "Here I am Lord. ... I will go, Lord, if you lead me, I will hold your people in my heart." Those words resounded for me as I made another food delivery to Apostle's House in Newark, the recipient of our Food Barrel. We are attending church via TV, Facebook or You Tube. We are not at 119 Main Street, and yet, the food donations keep coming. The people of St. Stephen's have answered again and now again, "Here I am Lord". - Barbara Riedel
Thank you to all who have dropped off donations already!
PLEASE KEEP THE CONTRIBUTIONS COMING - and remember to check the expiration dates before sending your items. Donation bins are located outside of the St. Stephen's Narthex parking lot entry doors.
Apostles' House - Items needed - Canned goods and non-perishable food items.
North Porch Women & Infants' Centers is in URGENT need of Enfamil Infant Formula 12.5 oz containers (yellow label), baby wipes, and diapers size 4, 5, and 6.
Online Donations - If you are unable to drop off items at the church, and would like to contribute, you can make purchases and/or donations directly to these organizations.
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The Apostles' House Campaign
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Help Newark Families on the Cusp of Becoming Homeless
 In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Newark residents are experiencing an enormous amount of stress as they fight over their heads and the lights on, despite their loss of income and reduced wages.
"Everyday, we receive dozens of calls from individuals asking for help. It is truly heartbreaking to hear their stories and not be able to provide help," says executive director, Nadege Duvernay.
 In response to the community's outcry for help, TAH Fundraising Committee has launched a campaign to raise funds to assist members of the Newark community with back rent, mortgage assistance and utilities. Please help them reach their goal. (As of today's date, they are at approximately $4,000 of their $200,000 goal.)
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UPDATED : Youth & Teen Resources and Events
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CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
Cross Roads offers programs and events year-round for kids in elementary and middle school, as well as young adults. Stay tuned for what's coming up in the fall! You can follow the Cross Roads Facebook page here and follow them on Instagram @crossroads.camp.
YOUTH MINISTRY POP UP September 20 at 4 PM.
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 us for our monthly events. Follow YM on Facebook and Instagram @popupym.
 We hope that you have enjoyed your summer and have had the chance to get off of your screens. However your school year is starting, it certainly is different. Whether you go with the flow or the flow is more stressful than your style, this is hard.
We can't wait until we can safely see each other in person once again, but until then we want to see you virtually! Join us on Zoom for some time together to decompress with friends and reconnect with God. Click here to register for our Zoom meeting on Sunday, September 20th at 4:00PM. See you then!
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UPDATED: Resources from the Diocese and Beyond
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There are many, many resources available to parishes and individuals to help sustain our faith practices during this unprecedented time. We have moved the list to our website, here. This is by no means a complete list, though it does cover many areas of need.
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St. Stephen's Prayer List
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Please keep the following St. Stephen's family members and friends in your prayers...
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Jeff Loggins
Jimmy Hasenkamp
Ian Janeczko
The McManus Family
The Blanchard Family
Donna Riggi
Eleanor Robinson
Grace Bitting |
Bernard & Nathan
The Fitzgerald Family
Jack Moreno
Stephanie Gubin
Sue Macbeth
Francis
Marcia Mein |
Christine Conti
Xander
Evan
Sara Ruth Dorn
Felder Dorn
James Tranberg
Debbie and Geoff Robarge
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Links to the Wider Church
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The Episcopal Diocese of Newark
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Giving with Tithe.ly is easy, with options for one-time or recurring donations. We encourage you to consider it at all times, but especially when you are away for any reason, like all of us now with the restrictions due to coronavirus.
There are two ways to do it: thru tithe.ly.com or the tithe.ly app on your smart phone. You'll want to search for St. Stephen's Church Millburn. Be sure to have the correct punctuation. You'll know you're there when you see: St. Stephen's Church Millburn and the address. Once you're at the church's page, follow the prompts.
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Office Hours and Contact Information
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Office hours:
Until we are through this public health emergency, there are NO office hours. Please call Rev. Paula to arrange for pastoral care or if you have any reason to come to the office. She'll work with you to figure out a safe way to manage this.
Website: ststephensmillburn.org
Main email: church@ststephensmillburn.org
Doreen Schindler, Parish Administrator can be reached at ext. 32 or church@ststephensmillburn.org.
The Rev. Paula J. Toland, Rector can be reached at ext. 21 or rector@ststephensmillburn.org. | |
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