April 28, 2021 Newsletter

April 28, 2021

Highlights

5/2 - 10 AM - Sunday Worship

5/2 - 12 PM - Coffee Hour

5/5 - 10 AM - Wednesdays Away with Cross Roads

5/6 - National Day of Prayer

5/7 - 9 AM - Interfaith Bible Hour

5/9 - 10 AM Sunday Worship - Mother's Day

5/9 - 12 PM - Coffee Hour

5/9 - 1 PM - Reading with the Rector

A HUGE Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to Doreen's gift. We honored her well with $725 in various gift certificates on Long Beach Island and $100 mad money. I spoke to Doreen, who told me that she has never received such generosity from any workplace and that her daughters are over the moon about their vacation. They're even tryign to talk Doreen into a day trip so they can enjoy a meal on LBI before their vacation.

Looking ahead

This is a quick word about where we are in terms of celebrating the Eucharist and thinking about a return of some kind to in-person worship:

Beginning May 16th and then on the third Sunday of the month, we will celebrate the Eucharist. For now, while we are limiting the number of people in the nave to those who have a specific role that morning, we will have a "Communion Station" from 11:00 to 11:45 for those who want to come and receive the Sacrament, which will be bread only. For those who want Communion but cannot get to the campus, we will deliver later in the day or on Monday. More on the logistics next week...

The conversation about re-opening is ongoing and we are getting closer to a tentative date as rates in Essex, Union, and Morris counties decline. Morris is in the "orange zone," which bodes well for us. There also are a lot of "moving parts" as my mentor says, which include the fact that I will be away for two Sundays (Kevin is getting married!!!) and Doreen is no longer here. She had a huge role in the preparation for in-person gathering in the fall so we have to work around her absence.Next week the diocesan Journey Foward Team is meeting so there is bound to be new information. Lots more to come on this...It's going to happen soonish.

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

INTERFAITH BIBLE HOUR

Friday, May 7, 9 AM

We will be meeting via Zoom with our friends from Christ Church Short Hills and Congregation B'nai Jeshurun to continue our reading and discussion of the Robert Alter translation of Genesis. Please email Rev. Paula to let her know if you will be attending. Zoom link is at the bottom of the newsletter.

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: Justice

Bishop Hughes' message, "A Taste of Justice" shares with us the aftermath of Derek Chauvin's conviction and looking at this complex issue. Bishop Hughes leads us in Prayer for our Beloved Community.

The VOICE Online Link Week of 4/28

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

FAMILY PROMISE

FPE focuses on three service areas to assist families experiencing or at risk of homelessness: emergency shelter, prevention & stabilization, youth & family programming.

The Family Promise April Newsletter, can be found here.

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, The May Family, Mary Jo Zarance

Sunday Lectionary

May 2, 2021

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 8:26-40

Psalm 22:24-30

John 15:1-8

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.