April 14, 2021 Newsletter

April 14, 2021

IMPORTANT Message from Rev. Paula

Beloved Community,

It appears my contact list has been hacked. Yesterday a couple of staff members received emails using my name and asking for a favor. If you've ever received an email from me you'll quickly see that these don't even look like emails from me, never mind coming from an email address that is not mine.

A few things to know about this:

If I am sending an email as your rector, the email address I use is the official [email protected]. This is the ONLY email address I use for parish ministry.
If there is something I would like you to do, I will ALWAYS include at least some detail in the body of the message and this will NEVER be a vague request for a favor or money.
If an email I send to you involves any request for money, it will be about an established ministry, such as our annual pledge campaign or a request for either gift cards or a check made payable to the church to support one of our ministries or ministry partners (Drumming Camp, Rector's Discretionary Account, North Porch, Apostles House, Cross Roads, First Friends, Family Promise). It will NEVER be a vague request that you send money (either check or cash) to me. It will ALWAYS include the information about how to contribute to the ministry, such as sending gift cards to the church or what to put on the memo line of a check made payable to St. Stephen's.

Please know that if you ever receive an email from me, including from the rector@... address, and have any questions or concerns, I want you to call me or respond by writing a new email (DON"T reply to the suspicious email). Not only will that help to ease your concerns and clarify the situation, it will give us a chance to chat or correspond.

Peace & Blessings,

Paula+

Annual Meeting

St. Stephen's will host its annual meeting and Sunday worship on April 25th. Join us at 10:00 for worship and a special presentation about this past year.

If you come to church via Facebook or YouTube, be sure to sign onto Zoom at 10:45 for the business portion of this meeting. This is when you'll hear the latest about our financial stewardship and get the update on plans to return to in-person gathering. The Sunday Worship Zoom information is in the "Important Links" section of this newsletter.

All vestry members and/or ministry coordinators should provide Doreen with a report/yearly summary for 2020. Please email the report by Thursday, April 15th. Thank you!

Highlights

4/16 - 4 - 8 PM - Panera Fundraiser

4/18 - 10 AM - Sunday Worship

4/18 - 12 PM - Coffee Hour

4/18 - 1 PM - Vestry Meeting

4/20 - 7:30 PM - Sacred Ground

4/21 - 7:30 PM - Finance Committee Meeting

4/25 - 10 AM - Sunday Service and Annual Meeting

PANERA FUNDRAISER

Our fundraiser is this Friday, April 16th. Bring the St. Stephen's Flyer to Panera in Millburn (722 Morris Turnpike) between 4 and 8 PM and 20% of your meal purchase will be donated back to St. Stephen's. You can find the flyer on our website here. If you prefer to order online, use code PRFUND.

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY

Many, many thanks to Alex Cole, Karen Eberhardt, and Steve Moran for joining with the Vestry and Rev. Paula in this Spirit-filled ministry. One of the most beautiful aspects of being part of an Episcopal parish is understanding that taking care of each other is a ministry we share, not one that is for the assigned clergy. (Though Karen is clergy - The Rev. Deacon Karen Eberhardt - she is not assigned to St. Stephen's.)

We're still fasting from in-person gathering and are not sure exactly what a return will look like. Because it's so important that we stay connected, especially as the pandemic fatigue and frustration worsen, the first thing the ministry team will be doing is to make calls to all of you. So, if you receive a call from Alex, Karen, Steve (who is now a vestry member, too!) or one of the other vestry members: Maryalice, Roger, Kira, Fran, Eugene, Barbara (technically not vestry but clerk/recording secretary) please take it. Let them know how you're doing and if there's anything we can do to help.

Connection & Common Worship

WORSHIP, Sundays, 10 AM

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. NEW Zoom passcode is SSM119.

To call in, dial by your location:

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 864 1664 1640

Passcode: SSM119

The Sunday service will also be broadcast on HTTV (Comcast TV 36 and Verizon TV 33) on Tuesday at 6 AM and 3 PM.

COFFEE HOUR

Sundays at 12 PM via Zoom

Link is at the bottom of this newsletter.

To call in, dial by your location:

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 895 5857 6382

READING WITH THE RECTOR

Sunday, May 9, 1 PM

Our next book selection is Love Is The Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times by Bishop Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church with Sara Grace.

The book is available in the Morris, Essex, and Union County Library Systems, as well as the Mahwah Library, or can be purchased through Amazon, Target and Cokesbury, as well as other book outlets.

From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church

Bishop Hughes Vlog Link

NEW! Easter resurrection and transformation in a time of pandemic

Bishop Hughes reminds us that as an Easter people, we know that God uses everything around us for resurrection, including the change we are going through during this time of pandemic.

The VOICE Online Link Week of 4/14

Upcoming Diocesan Events Link

DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS

Sign up to get e-newsletters and important announcements directly from diocesan headquarters. Find out more and subscribe here.

REGIONAL MEETING WITH THE BISHOP - Save the Date!

May 13, 6:30-8:30 PM

Bishop Hughes is inviting our congregation to join her on May 13th to reflect on what we, our churches, and our communities have learned and experienced as we have adjusted to the changes this time has demanded of us. Please mark your calendar to save this date!

Faithful Outreach

SAVE THE DATES!

CHRISTINE'S KITCHEN

June 19 & August 7

St. Stephen's has confirmed these dates to provide 150 lunches-to-go for Christine's Kitchen. Details and any updates will be forthcoming as we get closer. In the meantime please mark your calendar to save the dates. Thank you!

APOSTLES' HOUSE & NORTH PORCH

Collection bins are located outside the Narthex doors in the parking lot. Donations can be dropped off at any time.

Apostles' House needs: canned goods and non-perishable food items.

North Porch 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 at the following links:

North Porch Donation Link

The Apostles' House Donation Link

Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center

WEDNESDAYS AWAY

A time of spiritual renewal one Wednesday a month from 10 AM - 12 PM. Upcoming dates: May 5 & June 2.

For details and to register, visit the Cross Roads link at the bottom of the newsletter.

Teen and Youth Ministries

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 YM on Instagram and Facebook at @popupym.

CROSS ROADS SUMMER CAMP

Registration is now open!

Children encounter God in nature, in worship, and in relationships during youth camp. Cross Roads certified staff members provide a safe and loving space for each camper.

Click here for the summer schedule, all the details, and to register.

Resources During Covid

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.

St. Stephen's Prayer List

Please keep the following St. Stephen's family members and friends in your prayers...

Ian Janeczko, Peggy Thompson, Felder Dorn, Hailey Rose Fout, Donna Riggi, Blanchard Family, McManus Family, Bernard & Nathan, Fitzgerald Family, Lucille B., Jack Moreno, Jim Freeman, Grisette B., The May Family, Sue K., Walter Fields, Alexandra Shuss, Addie Cassar, Mary Jo Zarance

Sunday Lectionary

April 18, 2021

Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 3:12-19

Psalm 4

Luke 24:36b-48

Giving with Tithe.ly

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.

Office Notes

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.