June 30, 2021 Newsletter

June 30, 2021

Message from Rev. Paula

Beloved Community,

At Diocesan Convention on Saturday, Bishop Hughes preached using this hope-filled, forward--looking text:

Thus says the Lord, "Remember not the former things,

nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing.

Isaiah 43:18

As usual, her preaching was honest, forthright, faithful, and inspiring. I encourage you to read the transcript, using the link in the "From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church" section of this newsletter. She ended her sermon with the following words:

"God is doing a new thing. A new thing in the world. A new thing in our nation. A new thing in our communities. A new thing in our church. And a new thing with us."

Although it is summer - Can the heat and humidity this week be any better reminder? Wow! - and things are a bit slower now than they were even a month ago, there is a whole lot happening behind the scenes, so to speak. All of this aligns well with the conversations we've been having about living our faith in the newness of life with and after Covid. All of this aligns well with the wisdom of the prophet and our very own bishop. I thought I'd take this opportunity to update you on a couple of things.

We continue to be an inviting and welcoming community, as seen in the number of families requesting baptism for their children, the re-established connection with a few former members, and the arrival of a couple of new members.
Dave Van Houten, our loved and respected bookkeeper for the past several years resigned for health reasons. With nary a blink, we welcomed Steve Maico as our new bookkeeper. Steve is an Episcopalian and treasurer of his home parish. He has jumped right in to our very complicated financial system (parish, preschool, and cemetery/mausoleum), with a bit of ongoing support from Dave and their employers at Attardi Consulting.
Just yesterday, Nancy Siracusa and I offered the Parish Administrator position to Maria Card, a Millburn resident. Maria has a wealth of experience in office administration, IT, communications, and graphic design. She will be working 32 hours a week beginning June 20th. In this newly configured position, whe will split her time between the parish (which includes the cemetery/mausoleum) and the preschool. A HUGE thank you to Barbara Riedel for her cheerful offering of her time and talents as the Interim Parish Administrator.
We have an 8-hour per week Children's Chapel Coordinator position available. This position includes lead teaching in the one-room Sunday School for our pre-school and elementary school children and faciitating with me a new youth group for our middle and high school youth. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please let me know. If you are interested in volunteering as a teacher or youth group leader, please let me know.
Also as part of our ongoing, though Covid-interrupted, plans to improve our children and youth ministry, later in the summer we will be reconfiguring our classroom space. We'll be designing the space to be comfortable for our children and youth, as well as to be more intentional about its use for Christian formation.

Peace & Blessings,

Paula+

Connection & Common Worship

Welcome Back!!

It's wonderful to be with each other in church!

We continue to follow safety precautions and ask that you 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!

From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church

147th ANNUAL CONVENTION Link NEW!

Starting with the words from Isaiah, "Behold I am doing a new thing," Bishop Hughes reflects on the new things we have started learning and doing in the 15 months since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and what the path forward might look like.

The VOICE Online Link Week of 6/23.

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.

TAKE THIS BREAD

This summer, the Engaging Team of the 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 ordinary, non-religious life and embracing that grace in truly transformative ways. 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.

TRINITY RETREAT CENTER

The Retreat Center is offering free online courses. Join this summer to pray, reflect, make space for grace and listen to the voice of God. No registration required. Each retreat takes place over five half-hour sessions throughout the weekend noted. For further information,click here.

Faithful Outreach

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 DATES!

CHRISTINE'S KITCHEN

The next date that we provide food for Christin'e Kitchen is August 7.

Watch for information in future E-news.

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

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.

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.

Resources During Covid

NEW: Updated (May 19, 2021)

Journey Forward Guidelines

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

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

Sunday Lectionary

July 4, 2021

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10

Psalm 48

Mark 6:1-13

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.