Beloved Community,
This is a highlights newsletter so not typically an edition with a message from me. This week, however, is significant enough that a message makes great sense because...
...on Sunday, we returned to in-person gathering for worship, complete with an outdoor coffee hour!!!! It was so good to see those of you who were able to be here- so incredibly good that my heart is still singing and my eyes are tearing up just thinking about it. It is another sign that we are moving through the time of pandemic toward a time when we will live in ways that feel more familiar, more like us. Nothing will go back to exactly the way it was, because that is never possible, AND we will live our faith together in ways that enable us to journey into the future, following Jesus and inviting God's Holy Spirit to guide us.
For now, we are exercising an abundance of caution: taking temperatures at the door, limiting physical contact, maintaining physical distance between households during worship, Communion in one kind only (still a full measure of grace and the presence of Christ though the wonders of the holy mystery), and wearing masks while in-doors. We plan to keep these precautions in place until Essex and surrounding counties are solidly in the green zone of Covid risk and Essex County's "vulnerability" level is low. (As of today we are in the yellow zone and the vulnerability measure is very high.)
You may wonder why it is that we are more cautious in our approach to re-gathering than the rest of the world seems to be. The answer is simple: we are a community of faith committed to showing our love for our neighbors in big ways and small. These precautions, including the wearing of masks, are about caring for those who remain at higher risk of Covid infection, complications, and, potentially, death. Not everyone is able to be vaccinated. Not all vaccines are as effective against the various strains of the virus. Some people choose not to get vaccinated. As a church we will not be checking vaccine cards, nor will we deny entry to anyone unless they are demonstably ill (fever, as a first sign) and then only because we love them enough to say they need to contact a doctor. We will continue to live proudly our identity as "The Church on Main Street...where love begets love." And our doors will remain open to all who choose to enter in.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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Connection & Common Worship |
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Welcome to St. Stephen's Church!
WE ARE BACK IN PERSON!!!
Here are a few precautions to follow:
Please wear a mask and keep social distancing. Enter at the Narthex door (Christian Education building). Someone will welcome you and take your temperature. An usher will assist you with seating in the church.
Welcome to everyone, whether in person or participating via broadcast. The details for the virtual service are noted below.
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 11:00 in person
Please join us for Coffee Hour on the lawn after church. All food and drinks are individually packaged.
CROSSROADS IS COMING TO CHURCH!!!
On July 11th members of the Crossroads staff will here during the Sunday Service.
--- Hear more about this amazing Ministry!
--- Talk to the staff
--- Learn some camp songs
---and just have fun!
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From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church |
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NEW! Grateful? Say so!
Bishop Hughes reflects that, in this time of transition, one of the ways we can make a complicated time more joyful is to thank those who have helped us so much along this way." Continue to read the June 23rd Vlog by clicking on the link.
DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS
Sign up to get e-newsletters and important announcements directly from diocesan headquarters. Find out more and subscribe here.
147TH DIOCESAN CONVENTION
The Diocesan Convention will be held Saturday, June 26 and it will be held outdoors on the grounds of Christ Church, Short Hills, under a tent. Only registered deputies representing 35 churches, Bishop's staff and live stream technicians may attend. The Conventin will be live streamed on the YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/dionewark. For further information click here.
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TAKE THIS BREAD
This summer, the Engaging Team of Diocesan Council invites you to join us in reading Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion by Sara Miles. This book is a beautifully written story of meeting God in the midst of an ordinary, non-religious life and embracing that grace in ways that are truly transformative.
Read the book and then join us for one or more Zoom discussions to talk about it. Choose one of the seven (7) dates in June or July. For more information and to register, click here.
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FAMILY PROMISE
April 21, 2021
Family Promise of Essex County is participating together with Family Promise affiliates across the country with a online Giving Day to raise awareness and funds to support families experiencing homelessness or at-risk of losing their housing.
Those who wish to help us fight family homelessness by participating in Family Promise Giving Day can donate or spread the word on social media by sharing content from Family Promise of Essex County’s accounts.
To read the Family Promise April Newsletter, please click here.
To read Shakira's story, please click here.
SAVE THE DATE!
CHRISTINE'S KITCHEN
Next date: August 7
Thank you to all who donated to the June 19th donation of 150 lunches to Christine's Kitchen. Deryck Rugbeer's remarkable leadership coordinating Christine's Kitchen, made it a success.
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:
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Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center |
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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.
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Teen and Youth Ministries |
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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.
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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.
In this time of Crisis, there are resources that can help you or someone you know needs assistance. Please contact NJ Mental Health Cares for free helpline telephone counseling or assistance. Call 866-202-4357.
TTY: 1-877-294-4356.
E-mail: help@njmentalhealthcares.org
Other resources are:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line, 741741
NJ Hope Line (suicide prevention)
855-654-6735
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Please keep the following St. Stephen's family members and friends in your prayers...
Ian Janeczko, Peggy Thompson, Felder Dorn, Donna Riggi, Blanchard Family, McManus Family, Bernard & Nathan, Fitzgerald Family, Lucille B., Jack Moreno, Jim Freeman, The May Family, Mary Jo Zarance, Ron Best, Joseph G., Kelly Olson, Ruth Pitts
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June 27, 2021
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
Psalm 130
2 Corinithians 8:7-15
Mark 5:21-43
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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.
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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. |
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Zoom passcode: SSM119
To call in, dial by your location:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 864 1664 1640
Passcode: SSM119
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Links for Sunday Worship Live-Stream & Social Media |
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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
119 Main Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
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Church
Parish Administrator
973.376.0688, Ext. 32
church@ststephensmillburn.org
Rector, The Rev. Paula J. Toland
973.376.0688, Ext. 21
rector@ststephensmillburn.org
Fax: 973.376.4002
Website: ststephensmillburn.org
Preschool
Director: Nancy Siracusa
Phone: 973.376.3534, Ext. 20
Email: sspsmillburn@gmail.com
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