March 10, 2021 Newsletter

March 10, 2021

Upcoming Highlights

3/13 - 10 AM - Service of Remembrance & Gratitude

3/13 - 10 AM - YM & Cross Roads Winter Retreat for Grades 6-8

3/14 - Spring Ahead 1 Hour!

3/14 - 10 AM - Sunday Worship - Fourth Sunday in Lent

3/14 - 12 PM - Coffee Hour

3/14 - 1 PM - Ways to Pray Lenten Series: Praying w/ Anglican Prayer Beads

3/16 - 7:30 PM - Finance Committee Meeting

3/18 - 6 PM - Lay Conversation with the Bishop via Zoom

PLEASE NOTE: A Special Edition Newsletter was emailed on Sunday, March 7th. Please refer to this newsletter for all of the details regarding Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter services and events.

PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION: Don't forget to send us your short 10-15 sec video of your neighborhood or favorite place to walk! We will be using them as a virtual procession at the beginning of our Palm Sunday service. Details are in the Special Edition newsletter. Please send your video to Rev. Paula by Thursday, March 25. If you cannot take a video, a still photo will work too.

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. Zoom passcode is 225839.

To call in, dial by your location:

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 864 1664 1640

Passcode: 225839

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

Faithful Outreach - Family Promise (IHN)

HOSPITALITY IS WHO WE ARE!

Join us in our 32nd year fulfilling our Easter commitment

by offering hospitality to homeless families.

Many of us have volunteered over the years with the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which recently changed its name to Family Promise of Essex County (FPE). We relished the model, a partnership with dozens of area congregations, each housing families a week at a time, providing meals, support and a safe place to sleep in parish halls and classrooms across the county. FPE provided transportation, case management, and afterschool care. Parishioners prepared and served meals, entertained children, helped with homework, drove parents to the laundromat and served as overnight hosts. There was a time when we did this three times a year, grateful for an opportunity to act out our parish mantra, love begetting love. With our Preschool now open year round, we typically host over the spring break, loving and welcoming children and their parents one by one.

This year we must open our arms remotely. The pandemic and its economic consequences fell hard on Newark area families at higher risk of infection, loss of employment and housing. With local congregations no longer able to host families, Family Promise pivoted, continuing case management but housing families at extended-stay hotels with cooking facilities and providing grocery store gift cards. These unanticipated costs limited the numbers of families they could serve at a time when more families are homeless and more children hungry.

This year we cannot make beds, prepare and serve warm meals and cookies, or welcome children home from school. Instead we will offer a contribution towards the hotel costs and gift cards allowing the parents to feed their families as they know best. If you’d like to join us, please send your contribution by March 31st:

By check, mailed or dropped off at the church office, with “gift card” noted in the memo line (119 Main St, Millburn 07041) or
Electronically through Tithe.ly, or through our website
Please note that contributions in increments of $10 and $20 best allow for distribution according to family needs.

Please email Rev. Paula to let her know to look out for your gift whether you are sending it electronically, by mail or dropping it off.

Thank you, Margo Greenfield

From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church

Bishop Hughes Vlog Link

Why you should pray for the nation

The VOICE Online Link

SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE & GRATITUDE

Saturday, March 13, 10 AM

This diocesan-wide online prayer service will honor the memories of those we lost to death and celebrate the many ways the parishes and people of our diocese have rallied to care for each other and our neighbors.

This past year has been marked by tragedy and blessing, sorrow and joy, fear and hope. We will join together in worship to offer our prayers, praises, laments, and longing for an end to pandemic. Please join us for this special service that will be broadcast on the diocesan YouTube channel 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!

Please note: Spanish language interpretation will be provided in real time for the meetings held on 3/13 and 4/15. It does not matter what region you are in. If you need this service, please let us know so you can register for one of these dates.

Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center

WEDNESDAYS AWAY

A time of spiritual renewal one Wednesday a month from 10 AM - 12 PM. Upcoming dates: April 7, May 5 and 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 the YM on Instagram and FB at @popupym.

Next Event: Among Us Game Night, Wednesday, March 24 at 7:30 PM. Register here.

Pop UP YM & Cross Roads will be teaming up for a Winter Retreat for Grades 6-8! Come join the fun on Saturday, March 13, 10 AM - 12 PM.

For details and to register, click here.

CROSS ROADS SUMMER CAMP

Registration is now open!

Click here to read the current Cross Roads Summer Camp newsletter.

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...

Jimmy Hasenkamp, 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

Weekly Lectionary

FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

March 14, 2021

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

John 3:14-21

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

Office Hours

Until we are through this public health emergency, there are NO office hours. Please call Rev. Paula to arrange for pastoral care.

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.