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October 15, 2020 Newsletter
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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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For surely I know the plans I have devised for you, said the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give a future and hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, Robert Alter translation)
This line of scripture has been a go to for me often in my life, but perhaps not ever as often as these past seven months. It is so hard, isn't it, to hang onto a sense of peace and a vision of hope when life is so very different and yet is beginning to feel so normal in so many odd ways. And yet, as people of faith, this promise of a life of peace with a future and hope is a place for us to rest, to feel grounded, and from which to move forward day-by-day. I am so glad of this reminder that what we see and do and experience in any particular moment is part of a much larger understanding of what life is.
Today I write to you with news of one of the ways we are moving forward into a future with hope. We signed a contract to have ethernet and wifi access installed in the nave, along with two cameras that will allow us to livestream our Sunday service, while recording it for broadcast on HTTV. Our hope is that we will be able to return to in-person gatherings in early November, though we cannot yet set a date because we also need to ensure that we have adequate ventilation to minimize the risk of transmitting Covid-19 when we are not able to open the doors and the windows, a time that is rapidly approaching. This transition back to in-person gathering feels like it has been a long time coming, for good reason - it has! And yet, our careful, patient approach to all things Covid has gotten us through the first wave with no deaths or long-term disabilities from the infection, something not all parishes can say. We will continue to be as careful and attentive as we have been, with limits on the numbers of people who can gather at one time, health screening protocols, and the like a part of our new normal for the foreseeable future.
And so we remain faithful, trusting that God will give us what we need to remain open to the ways the Spirit is moving within and among us as we discern the next steps of the future and hope we are promised.
Peace & Blessings, Paula+
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  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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Connection and Common Worship
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
- Broadcast on HTTV (Comcast TV 36 and Verizon TV 33) at
6 AM and 1 PM
- Bulletins can be found here.COFFEE HOUR - 11 AM Sunday Morning on Zoom- To call in, dial by your location
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York) Meeting ID: 895 5857 6382
DAILY PRAYER - M-W-F at 8:30 AM - T-TH-SAT at 7:45 PM Most days, Rev. Paula will lead prayer live on Facebook, 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. 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.
WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER
A full newsletter will be emailed the first and third weeks of the month (usually on Thursday). An abbreviated newsletter with highlights for the week will be emailed on the second and fourth (and sometimes fifth) weeks of the month. Newsletters are also posted to our website here.
If you or someone you know is having issues receiving the newsletters, please contact the parish office at church@ststephensmillburn.org or call 973.376.0688.
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UPDATED: From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church
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BISHOP HUGHES' VLOGS can be viewed here. The Voice Online may be found here.
NEW: LAY CONVERSATION WITH THE BISHOP
Thursday, October 15, 6 PM
Bishop Carlye Hughes is eager to once again spend time in conversation with the members of the diocese, to reflect and consider what we, our churches, and our communities have learned and experienced as we have adjusted to the changes this time has demanded of us. Scheduled for 90 minutes, this monthly Lay Zoom Conversation with Bishop Hughes is open to all members of the diocese. An email invitation with the Zoom link was sent to email subscribers of The VOICE Online and was shared in a Special Edition St. Stephen's Newsletter this week.
SHARE YOUR PRAYERS
Bishop 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.
 NEW: A SEASON OF PRAYER: FOR AN ELECTION
October 27 - November 4
Forward Movement and The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations are calling Episcopalians and all others to join in A Season of Prayer: For an Election, October 27 - November 4.
"We will come together, asking God for courage and wisdom, thanking God for love and joy. As we move toward the election of leaders for the United States, may we all join in a season of prayer, committing to offer to God our fears and frustrations, our hopes and dreams."
Starting October 27 and continuing through the day after the election, we invite you to pray for the election of leaders in the United States. To sign up for email updates and materials that can be printed out at home, click here. The prayers will also be posted daily on the Forward Movement Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. We will also share the daily prayers on the St. Stephen's Facebook page here.
 NEW: RACE SPEAKER SERIES
Mondays, November 2, 9, and 16, 6:30-8 PM
The Diocese of Newark is hosting a Speaker Series on Race co-hosted by Bishop Hughes and the Namaste Anti-Racism Commission. On three consecutive Mondays in November, three leaders from within The Episcopal Church will reflect on the question "How are we talking about race in The Episcopal Church?" Each speaker will provide a unique understanding for reflections on race. Zoom log-in information will be shared in diocesan communication the week before each date. Find out more here.
The speakers will be:
11/2 - Dr. Catherine Meeks, Diocese of Atlanta
11/9 - The Rev. Charles Wynder, Jr., Diocese of New Hampshire
11/16 - The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, Diocese of New York
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UPDATED: St. Stephen's Zoom Events
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INTERFAITH BIBLE HOUR
Friday, November 6, 9 AM
We will continue gathering virtually with our friends from Christ Church in Short Hills and Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, reading Genesis, focusing on the narrative arcs involving the children of Abraham and Sarah.
Join the Zoom discussion here.
Dial by your location:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 883 6207 1069; Passcode: 647900
 READING WITH THE RECTOR BOOK CLUB Sunday, November 8, 12:15 PM (after Coffee Hour)
We will be reading Living into God's Dream: Dismantling Race in America by Catherine Meeks. The book is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It is a bit pricey ($18), so please let Rev. Paula know if you need help with the cost. It's an important book to read and will be something that will help in The Episcopal Church Adult Formation program we will be starting called "Sacred Ground."
You'll find the Zoom link here. Meeting ID: 858 8331 1463; Passcode: 998901
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.
Join the Zoom coffee hour here.
Dial by your location:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 895 5857 6382
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UPDATED: Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center Zoom Events
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 CROSS ROADS WEDNESDAYS AWAYOne Wednesday a month, 10 AM - 12 PM
11/4, 12/2, 1/6, 2/17, 3/3, 4/7, 5/5, 6/2
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. Upcoming Session - November 4 - Give Thanks, with a Grateful Heart - Ruth Roemer Preparing for Thanksgiving, where have you experienced God's love and faithfulness during this year of uncertaintly, illness, and separation? What have been the stabilizing forces in your life that bring you to gratitude in the midst of all that has and perhaps still is changing and challenging you?
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 APOSTLES' HOUSE & NORTH PORCH
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.
SOLES4SOULS
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.
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UPDATED: Teen & Youth Ministry
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DIOCESE OF NEWARK 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 us for our monthly events. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@popupym). For more info, click here.
 NEW: POP UP YM meets via Zoom once a month on Sunday afternoons and has a new time - 3 PM! What's Next? Join their upcoming events on October 18, November 15 and December 13.
October's "SPOOK-TACULAR" Pop Up will be a "fang"tastic Zoom event - costumes encouraged! Register here.
CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
We'll keep you posted on any upcoming events. In the meantime, you can follow Cross Roads Camp on Facebook & Instagram
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Resources during COVID 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...
Jeff Loggins
Jimmy Hasenkamp
Ian Janeczko
The McManus Family
The Blanchard Family
Donna Riggi
Eleanor Robinson
David Lenson
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Bernard & Nathan
The Fitzgerald Family
Jack Moreno
Stephanie Gubin
Sue Macbeth
Francis
Marcia Mein
Alex Cole
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Christine Conti
Xander
Evan
Felder Dorn
James Tranberg
Debbie and Geoff Robarge
Peggy Thompson
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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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