Beloved Community,
The photo on the left is one I took in Los Cerillos, New Mexico last week. It is the view of the Ortiz Mountains from a hacienda on Placer Mountain. It is where my son, Kevin, and his (now) wife, Alex, were married. It is also where both families stayed for three nights. Kevin and Alex were literally the only two of the 30+ people there who had spent time with both families. The rest of us were meeting for the very first time. We celebrated Kevin and Alex. We shared meals. We played board games and cards. We talked. We laughed. We cried (happy tears, of course). It felt easy and a bit intimidating at the same time.
When I stood looking out these windows at this vista, two things happened. The first was my awareness that I was holding my breath - it was that beautiful and I was filled with gratitude and wonder for God's creation. The second was that it occurred to me that it is an apt visual metaphor for this time of preparation to re-open the building to gather in-person for our Sunday worship service and outdoor coffee hour.
For more than 15 months, so much of the time it has felt like we have been stuck inside watching life as we know it go right on by. Now, I know that is not true exactly. We've done our best to continue to live our lives despite the challenges and losses we've faced. I, for one, am grateful that we have done what we've done as well as we've done it. That said, there has been a barrier - one at least as imposing as the stucco wall with immense windows in this photograph - between us and life as we knew it before Covid. Our vision of that life has, in many ways, seemed as beautifully breathtaking as the view of these mountains from inside the paradoxically immense coziness of the hacienda. We've been secluded with the people we love the most, or at least some of them for most of us. We've had the opportunity to get to know ourselves and each other differently, sometimes with the ease of laughter and happy tears, other times with a discomfort about ourselves or even those we love as these particular circumstances raise our awareness of differences of opinion or the now annoying traits/behaviors of people we do love. I'd be surprised if any one of us said it felt just like it did before Covid, without the sense of both inhabiting our lives and looking out or back or ahead to the life we no longer have.
This week we make a momentous move as we return to in-person gathering. It is a day we have longed for for what seems like forever. It is a day full of hopes and expectations. I wouldn't be surprised if there are laughter, tears, and a bit of anxiety or trepidation as we venture forward into life post-acute Covid. I won't be surprised if this feels both easy and a bit initimidation. Just as looking out the window at a beautiful view of God's creation cannot fully prepare us for what it means to venture out into that world, we cannot know exactly how we will feel or what we will encounter as we take these next steps together. So, please be patient. Be gentle with yourselves and each other. Try to be in the moment - whatever moment that is - rather than trying to return to moments that can never be again. Trust God to be present with you and with all of us. Trust the Holy Spirit to help us discern together each step of this amazing journey that we are on, no matter how similar or not to our memories of what it was like before.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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Connection & Common Worship |
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We will be regathering for
in-person church on June 20th!
As Bishop Hughes stated, "What a relief and great joy to reach a turning point that brings long-awaited change. The dramatic lowering of infection rates and the resultant return to in-person gatherings in many places has given us new hope and much-needed respite from a turbulent time."
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.
The service will continue to be broadcast as 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.
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From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church |
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Bishop Hughes reflects that during the Pandemic there have been people who have been blessings in our lives. She asks us to consider, in the next phase, "What is it that we want to hold onto?
DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS
Sign up to get e-newsletters and important announcements directly from diocesan headquarters. Find out more and subscribe here.
JUNETEENTH RALLY
JUNE 19th, NEWARK, NJ.
Join in urging New Jersey to pass S322/A711 to establish a Reparations Task Force.
12 p.m. - March from Lincoln Memorial (50 West Market Street)
1:30 p.m. - Rally at Newark City Hall
Masks and Social Distancing protocals.
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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 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.
To sign up, please contact Deryck Rugbeer at deryck.rugbeer@ubs.com.
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
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June 20, 2021
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
Mark 4:35-41
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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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