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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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Beloved Community,
This past Sunday was a wonderful way to celebrate the Last Sunday after the Epiphany and begin the transition to the season of Lent. In the morning we welcomed Anthony Briggs, Executive Director of Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center. Anthony joined us for worship and talked about the ways Cross Roads builds community and helps children and others grow in faith. Anthony is both passionate about outdoor ministry and very creative in his presentation, so passionate and creative that he led us in song! During coffee hour, he spent time one-on-one and in smaller groups answering questions and providing more detailed information about this fun and vital ministry of the diocese.
Later in the day, at the Beckerath Organ Recital, our very own John Charles Schucker treated us and the larger community (about 100 people!) to an exciting and uplifting recital of German Romantic composers, highlighting the depth and versatility of our world-class organ. Listening and watching John play outside of our weekly worship was such a treat. I was reminded of our incredibly lucky we are to have a music ministry that belies our small size.
So what makes Anthony's visit and John's recital a wonderful way to celebrate the Last Sunday after the Epiphany and begin the transition to the season of Lent? With Anthony's visit we are reminded of the very many ways we are formed as disciples, as followers of Jesus. Camp and retreats are powerful spiritual and religious experiences, the kind that literally change lives. John's talent and skill in bringing to life the musical gifts of the various composers on an instrument designed by another artist and then shared with the community remind us of the opportunity we have to share our gifts with others.
Both are examples of ways to live our faith as "the Church on Main Street, where love begets love." As we continue the Lenten journey that began yesterday, complete with Ashes to Go at the train station and two services here in the church, let us hold the events of this past Sunday in our hearts as examples of the abundance of blessings we receive from God. Let us be reminded of why it is that together we do the solemn and penitential work of preparing to meet the risen Christ as if for the very first time.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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Lent, Holy Week, and Easter
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We have a lot going on in Lent, Holy Week, and Easter this year, so much that Rev. Paula will be sending a separate special edition of the newsletter with all the details.
Our Lenten series this year will be held on March 1, 8, 15 and 22. We are using a series from the Society of St. John the Evangelist.
More information will be in the special edition of the newsletter.
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HOSPITALITY IS WHO WE ARE
St. Stephen's opens its doors to IHN again from April 5 to April 11.
We have served as a host congregation for the Interfaith Hospitality Network for the Homeless since 1987, part of a network of Essex County congregations offering homeless families a week
's hospitality
while the case management team helps them move toward permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
We will be on hand on Sunday, March 8, to talk about how
simple things like cooking a lasagna, reading to a three year-old and sleeping in the parish hall overnight, help families stay together at a time of crisis - changing the course of their, and their children's lives.
Signup for overnight hosting and other (non-food) support online using this signup genius link
or at coffee hour with Sara Ruth Dorn for food preparation.
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SHALL WE DANCE?
The ballroom dancing club will return in March at 3 PM on the following Sundays:
March 15, 22 and 29
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Join Fangjie Liu and Michael Priddy for this fun and FREE dancing workshop. Open to all ages! (The club will NOT meet on Sunday 3/1/or 3/8.)
Because of Lent, we have some changes to the schedule. We will meet Sunday, March 29 at 11:30 AM to discuss this month's book selection, "Falling Upward" by Richard Rohr.
Our next meeting will be May 5. The book selection for this session is "Inspired" by Rachel Held Evans.
Please join us!
REMINDER
Next week,
March 8
, daylight savings time begins. Set your clock ahead one hour and be on time for church!
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CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
Thank you to all who welcomed Anthony Briggs, Executive Director of Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center last Sunday at our Youth Service.
If you would like more information about the upcoming summer camps and youth pop-up events/retreats, please visit their website
here.
Upcoming events:
Pop Up Youth: Middle School Retreats
Friday 3/13 - Sunday 3/15
Friday 4/24 - Sunday 4/26
SATURDAY, MARCH 21 AT 7:45 AM
A training day for ALL congregational lay leaders to learn, network and celebrate your ministry.
Registration is required and is due by 5 PM on Monday, March 16. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
The cost is $20 per person. Click here to register.
Questions?
Contact: Jane Jubilee, Coordinator of Diocesan Resources & Events
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Local portrait artist, Oscar Peterson, would like to invite St. Stephen's co
ngregation to the following exhibitions. You may know Oscar as the artist who painted the portrait of Rev. Cork.
He shared the following information with us:
Solo Show at 1978 Gallery - 1978 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ
January 20 - March 8, 2020;
Artist's reception Sunday, February 9, 2-5pm
This is the Gallery's Black History Month Exhibit which focuses on exhibiting art by nationally and internationally acclaimed African-American artists and this year they chose me!
Curator's Lens, Group Show at SOPAC - 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ
January 30 - March 22, 2020;
Artist's reception Thursday, January 30, 6-9pm
10 Year Retrospective Solo Show - Millburn Public Library, 200 Glen Avenue
This show runs the
entire month of April 2020 and I would like to include the portrait of Rev. Cork.
Thank you for letting me share this information, and I hope to see you there!
OscarPetersonPortraits.com.
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MARCH
3/1 11:30 AM Adult Formation Lenten Series, Week 1
3/4 12 PM First Wednesday Eucharist
3/6 9 AM Bakery Bible Hour at Christ Church in Short Hills
3/8 11:30 AM IHN Information Session
3/8 11:30 AM Adult Formation Lenten Series, Week 2
3/13-3/15 Pop Up Youth Event: Middle School Retreat at Cross Roads
3/15 11:30 AM Adult Formation Lenten Series, Week 3
3/15 TBD Vestry Meeting
3/15 3 PM Shall We Dance?
3/22 10 AM Youth Sunday
3/22 11:30 AM Adult Formation Lenten Series, Week 4
3/22 3 PM Shall We Dance?
3/29 11:30 AM Reading with the Rector
3/29 3 PM Shall We Dance?
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Liturgical Stewardship Schedule
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MARCH 1
8 AM
Reader & Chalicer: Carole Francis
Altar Guild:
Carole Francis
10 AM
Readers: Jean James, Ladi Owolabi
Chalicist: Sheelagh Clarke
Ushers: James and Katie Wade
Counters: Paul Boegershausen, Roger Riedel
Altar Guild: Julia Dorn
Coffee Hour: Open
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MARCH 8 (Daylight Savings Time)
8 AM
Reader & Chalicer: Nancy Sieffert
Altar Guild: Nancy Sieffert
10 AM
Readers: Kathy Conway, Barbara Churchill
Chalicist: Roger Riedel
Ushers: Tim and Kathy Conway
Counters: Roger Riedel, Nancy Sieffert
Altar Guild: Jean James
Coffee Hour: Open
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Links to the Wider Church
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The Episcopal Diocese of Newark
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Tithe.ly is a
mobile-friendly
app designed by a clergy person and used by thousands of congregations across the country. With Tithe.ly, you can do one-time or recurring payments, as well as help with the nominal fee of using the service. You can download the app from the App Store or Play Store, or you can do it online at tithe.ly/give. Enter St. Stephen's Church in the search menu and we should pop up. You'll know it's
us if it says "St. Stephen's Church, Millburn, NJ 07041."
It's also possible to access Tithe.ly through our website - click on the "Give" button in the menu and you will be given the option to use Tithe.ly.
Don't worry. If you prefer to use a check or cash, that's fine. If you are a Vanco user and want to keep it that way, that is good, too.
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Office Hours and Contact Information
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Office hours are Tuesday thru Friday, 10:00 am to 1:30 pm or by appointment.
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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