Beloved Community,

Easter is the most important day in the Christian Church, the day in which we saw that the incarnation of God in the life of Jesus was more than the gift of the perfect model of God's love for us.  As people of the incarnation, we know that God loves us enough to show us that love up close and personal, living among us as one of us sharing our heartbreaks and celebrations, and everything in-between.  As Easter people, we know that there is literally nothing God would not do for us and that God's love for us is undefineable, unimagineable, unconditional, and inescapable.  We live with God's love and grace at all times and in all places, even when we are unsure or feel undeserving.

That, for me, is what makes Lent such a meaningful season, a season in which we get to take time apart from our usual routines to pray with that awareness, to acknowledge its impact, and to open our hearts and lives to experiencing Easter every year as if for the very first time.

Christians everywhere and of every denomination know Easter, and some observe a blessed and holy Lent, as do we Episcopalians.  This year in Millburn & Short Hills, a few of the Christian Churches are coming together to share offerings.  And, while not specific to Lent, our friends at St. Rose of Lima and Congregation B'nai Jeshurun are hosting an interfaith "Huddle for Compassion", the third in a series.  I encourage you to attend as many of these services and other offerings as you are able, as well as maintaining your regular weekly worship.  Marking Lent in these ways makes it and Easter all the more meaningful.

Peace & Blessings,

Paula+

The Calendar by Date includes the usual worship services at St. Stephen's.  This section describes the newer/new offerings.

Ashes-to-Go and Drive-thru Ashes 

St. Stephen's and Christ Church in Short Hills offer alternatives to the traditional imposition of ashes at a church service.  Though we encourage the fullness of experience that comes from participation in the Ash Wednesday liturgy, we know it is important to meet people where they are and, for us, that means the Millburn train station or the driveway at Christ Church.

Way Walkers Series: Stations of the Cross

Our friends at St. Rose of Lima invite us to join them in this weekly offering on Fridays during Lent.  Beginning at 6:30 with a simple soup supper, the evening includes a Stations of the Cross at 7:30.  Each week a reflection is offered.  This year Rev. Paula will be offering the reflection on March 20th.  Others sharing include the new pastor at St. Rose, Msgr. Bob Harahan, Rev. Bowie Snodgrass from Christ Church in Short Hills, and Pastor Caroline Inzaga from Wyoming Presbyterian Church.

Lenten Series - Signs of Life:Why Church Matters

The first four Sundays in Lent (3/1, 3/8, 3/15, & 3/22) we gather in the preschool library to explore shared symbols of our Christian worship and how they impact our lives.  Produced by the Society of St. John the Evangelist (an order of Episcopal monks) and Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary, this program is full of flexible opportunities to participate.  On Sundays, we will view a 15-minute video and then talk about what we've heard.  There also is the option to receive daily emails on the topic from the brothers.    If the thought of one more email in your inbox is too much, you can follow along by going directly to the website.  You can learn more here.

Huddle for Compassion

This is the third in a series of interfaith conversations facilitated by Alan Breindel, a member of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, and Sr. Donna Ciangio.  Each of these conversations is about an ethical value shared by Christians and Jews, as well as others.  You can read more about it and how to RSVP  here.

Tenebrae

Tenebrae, which means "darkness" or "shadows", is an ancient monastic observation in Holy Week.  We will hear the story of God at work in creation in word and song, with candles to accentuate the narrative.

The Great Vigil of Easter with Baptism

The Great Vigil is the ancient celebration of Easter and traditionally one of the times of baptism in the Christian Church.  Beginning in darkness broken by the new light, this may be one of the most beautiful liturgies in the whole Church. It is to be the first service of Easter day, which means between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter morning.  This year we join our friends at Christ Church in Short Hills, where Rev. Paula will preach.