January 12, 2022 Full Newsletter

January 12, 2022

Message from Rev. Paula

Beloved Community,

For the past few months, beginning with our 2021 Advent Series and in a small group lectionary study, we've been exploring images of and language used to describe God. I've always been fascinated by how our theology and our faith is influenced and shaped by language and music and prayer and poetry and art, often in ways we do not realize in the moment, ways big and small. It often surprises me, in ways that themselves are surprising, how our well-intentioned and faithful attempts to expand our understanding and relationship with the define can thwart that effort. You will be hearing more about this in the weeks and months to come, with invitations to enter into exploration and discernment about how images of God influence and shape your faith and your theology. This is a timely topic as we journey through the season of Epiphany, the celebration of the manifestation of Christ to the magi, his baptism in the Jordan River, and into his public ministry.

For now, I leave you with a poem by one of my very favorite poets/authors/theologians (and an Episcopalian!), Madeline L'Engle:

Epiphany

Unclench your fists

Hold out your hands.

Take mine.

Let us hold each other.

Thus is his Glory Manifest.

Peace & Blessings,

Paula+

Celebration of Life for Jimmy Harvey

This Saturday, we will have a Celebration of Life for Jimmy Harvey, Kathy Conway's grandson, who died in early December. The service will be a hybrid gathering, with some in-person seating and live streamed on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. The family is large and Jimmy was a young man with a huge circle of friends across at least three states. And we know that your heart goes out to Kathy, her daughter Kathy Harvey, and all who love Jimmy and that you want to support them with your presence.

Though we have not set firm limits on the number of people who can intend in person, we want to do this as safely as possible and we know that we cannot fill every seat in the nave. We'd like to prioritize seating in the nave for Jimmy's family and friends. So, if you are able to feel present by joining us from home, knowing that you will be able to offer more personal in-person condolences to Kathy in the coming weeks, we encourage you to do just that. If coming to the building on Saturday is what you need to do, we will welcome you. We will have additional seating with video feed in the parish hall, just in case it is needed.

Financial Stewardship Pledge Campaign

As of today, we have received 28 pledges totaling $106,804, including an increase in an existing pledge! Thank you to all who have made this commitment to give in faith. This means we have only $13,196 to meet our 2022 pledge goal, though it would be great if we could meet our 2020 goal of $132,000. This year, in addition to regular pledges, we have about $10,000 in gifts to help offset flood recovery costs. The generosity of this parish is beautiful and faithful and is a major reason we are able to live our faith in the ways that we do.

We cannot be the faithful, vibrant community we are without all of us doing our part, including financially. Pledging so that we have an idea of how to build our budget for next year, is essential. If you have not received this year's pledge campaign letter, please let us know and we'll be sure to get a copy to you. The easiest way if you have a computer and access to the internet is to pledge online here. You can also give online, using Tithe.ly. If you'd rather submit a pledge by mail or in the offering plate, please let us know.

Important Changes to our Common Worship

Effective Sunday, January 9th. We expect these changes to remain in effect for the rest of the month.

Do what is right for you, while remembering that your decisions impact other people, too. Please worship from home if you are unvaccinated/unboosted, at higher risk for any reason, have been exposed to Covid within the past week, have had a positive test without a subsequent negative test, or have any symptoms of illness.
We will forego Communion for the time being, sharing in the Liturgy of the Word.
In-person attendance will be limited to 25, including all of the liturgical and hospitality ministers.
Please register online, no later than noon on Friday. The weekly link will be in the newsletter and posted on the website. We'll post that information on our social media each week. The link for January 16th is here.
We will take temperatures and maintain the contact tracing information in the foyer. If you arrive with a temperature and/or have signs of illness, we will lovingly and gently ask you to take care of yourself and others by returning home and joining in the worship on Facebook or YouTube.
Remain fully masked at all times while in the building.
Maintain physical distance of at least three feet by household/pod. We've made that easier by removing the cushions from some of the pews.
Refrain from any up close contact with anyone outside of your household/pod, including hugging, hand shaking, fist or elbow bumps.
Enjoy listening to our wonderfully talented vocalists, while refraining from singing yourself.
Don't hang around inside after the service to catch up with people. Weather permitting, do spend a few minutes chatting outside, preferably while following the masking and physical distancing protocols.

Happening at St. Stephen's This Week...

REMINDERS: Because of the HUGE increase in the rate of infection, we have moved to The Liturgy of the Word with Music for our Sunday services. The music will be offered by a soloist (or in the case of Peter and Kira, a married couple). We will be limiting in-person attendance to 25 and asking you to register by noon on Friday. The weekly registration link is found here.

We continue to follow safety precautions and lovingly require that you wear a mask over your nose and mouth at all times while in the building and maintain physical distance. 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.

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 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.

WEEKLY WOMEN'S LECTIONARY STUDY

Please join us for a weekly study of a new lectionary available to the Episcopal Church and approved by Bishop Hughes. Our next session is on Tuesday, January 18th. We will meet via Zoom from 5:00 to 6:00 pm to study A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year W by Wilda Gafney.

This thought-provoking lectionary invites and challenges us to explore

differently the familiar stories of Scripture and how they shape and inform our faith today, while also expanding our understanding of what it means to be made in the image of God through the use of non-gendered language for God.

Looking Ahead

PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BECAUSE EVENTS MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED.

JANUARY

JAN 12

8pm - AA Meeting

JAN 15

11am - Celebration of Life: Jimmy Harvey

7:30pm - AA Meeting

JAN 16

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Vestry Meeting

1pm - AA Meeting

JAN 17

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JAN 18

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

JAN 19

7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting

8pm - AA Meeting

JAN 20

7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting

JAN 22

7:30pm - AA Meeting

JAN 23

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Reading with the Rector

1pm - AA Meeting

JAN 24

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JAN 25

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

JAN 26

8pm - AA Meeting

JAN 29

7:30pm - AA Meeting

JAN 30

10am - Sunday Worship

1pm - AA Meeting

JAN 31

7:30pm - MA Meeting

FEBRUARY

FEB 1

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

FEB 2

8pm - AA Meeting

FEB 4

9am - Interfaith Bible Hour

FEB 5

7:30pm - AA Meeting

FEB 6

10am - Sunday Worship

1pm - AA Meeting

FEB 7

7:30pm - MA Meeting

FEB 8

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

FEB 9

8pm - AA Meeting

FEB 12

7:30pm - AA Meeting

FEB 13

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Reading with the Rector

1pm - AA Meeting

FEB 14

7:30pm - MA Meeting

FEB 15

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

FEB 16

7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting

8pm - AA Meeting

FEB 17

7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting

FEB 19

7:30pm - AA Meeting

FEB 20

Communion for All

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Vestry Meeting

1pm - AA Meeting

FEB 21

7:30pm - MA Meeting

FEB 22

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

FEB 23

8pm - AA Meeting

FEB 26

7:30pm - AA Meeting

FEB 27

10am - Sunday Worship

1pm - AA Meeting

FEB 28

7:30pm - MA Meeting

MARCH

MAR 1

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAR 2

Ash Wednesday

8pm - AA Meeting

MAR 4

9am - Interfaith Bible Hour

MAR 5

7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAR 6

1st Sun in Lent

10am - Sunday Worship

1pm - AA Meeting

MAR 7

7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAR 8

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAR 12

7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAR 13

2nd Sun in Lent

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Reading with the Rector

1pm - AA Meeting

MAR 14

7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAR 15

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAR 16

7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting

8pm - AA Meeting

MAR 17

7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting

MAR 19

7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAR 20

3rd Sun in Lent

Communion for All

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Vestry Meeting

1pm - AA Meeting

MAR 21

7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAR 22

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAR 23

8pm - AA Meeting

MAR 26

7:30pm - AA Meeting

MAR 27

4th Sun in Lent

10am - Sunday Worship

1pm - AA Meeting

MAR 28

7:30pm - MA Meeting

MAR 29

5pm - Women's Lectionary Study

MAR 30

8pm - AA Meeting

Other Happenings...

AA/MA MEETINGS

Weekly AA meetings times

Sunday at 1:00pm

Wednesday at 8:00pm

Saturday at 7:30pm

Weekly MA meetings times

Monday at 7:30pm

These are open meetings presented in a rotating format:

Week 1 - Speaker

Week 2 - Literature

Week 3 - Step

Week 4 - Topic Discussion

Week 5 - Literature (if needed)

AA/MA Meeting Contacts:

Max Turpin

212-203-2542

Deana Loria

908-499-8997

For more information on the newly offered MA meetings, click below:

Marijuana Anonymous District 8

READING WITH THE RECTOR

JANUARY 23

11:30am - 1:00pm

This month we are discussing:

Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo

When his sister tricks him into taking her guru on a trip to their childhood home, Otto Ringling, a confirmed skeptic, is not amused. Six days on the road with an enigmatic holy man who answers every question with a riddle is not what he'd planned. But in an effort to westernize his passenger—and amuse himself—he decides to show the monk some "American fun" along the way. From a chocolate factory in Hershey to a bowling alley in South Bend, from a Cubs game at Wrigley field to his family farm near Bismarck, Otto is given the remarkable opportunity to see his world—and more important, his life—through someone else's eyes. Gradually, skepticism yields to amazement as he realizes that his companion might just be the real thing.

Faithful Outreach

FAMILY PROMISE

Low-income families in this country are facing unprecedented social and economic challenges from the pandemic. Job losses, health care expenses, and child-care have all combined to raise the number of evictions. A donation can help Family Promise of Essex County to remain responsive to families’ emerging needs and its impact in our communities.

To read the Family Promise Newsletter, please click here.

APOSTLES' HOUSE

Apostles' House is devoted to providing comprehensive social services to homeless women with children and families at risk of homelessness in Newark and

Essex County.

Apostles' House is in need of canned goods and non-perishable food items.

A collection bin is located outside

the Narthex doors in the parking lot. Donations can be dropped off at any time.

If you would like to make a monetary donation to Apostles' House, please click here.

NORTH PORCH

North Porch provides emergency aid, in the form of baby supplies, to mothers and infants in northern New Jersey, to help them stabilize and improve the quality of their lives.

North Porch URGENTLY needs:

Enfamil Infant Formula 12.5 oz containers (yellow label)
Baby wipes
Diapers size 4, 5, and 6
Jars of baby food – all ages – fruit, veggie and 1st foods

A collection bin is located outside

the Narthex doors in the parking lot. Donations can be dropped off at any time.

If you would like to make a monetary donation to North Porch, please click here.

From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church

THE BISHOP'S VLOG - Week of 1/5/22

Sharing God's love when people are angry

"It doesn't take much effort to see that if there's a thing that defines this time right now, it seems to be anger," says Bishop Hughes. "Who are we to be in the midst of that? How are we to be God's emissaries? How are we to be the witnesses of God's love in this time that we're in?"

The VOICE Online Link - 1/2/22

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.

OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

January 6, 2022

NEW: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry highlights ‘moment of peril and promise’ on the one-year anniversary of the January 6th attack.

Watch the videotaped message from the Lincoln Memorial here.

TRINITY RETREAT CENTER

Trinity Retreat Center is an Episcopal mission of Trinity Church Wall Street. The Retreat Center offers in-person and online retreats for individuals and groups to pray, reflect, make space for grace and God.

For further information, go to the Trinity Retreat Center's Facebook page or click here.

Cross Roads Camp & Diocesan Youth Ministries

CROSS ROADS

CAMP & RETREAT CENTER

Check out all the fun and interesting year-round programs for children, adults and families.

Click here for more information.

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

Journey Forward Guidelines

There are many, many resources available to parishes and individuals to help sustain our faith practices during this unprecedented time. See resources 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 if 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

Prayer List

Please keep the following St. Stephen's family

members and friends in your prayers...

Peggy Thompson

Felder Dorn

Donna Riggi

The Blanchard Family

The McManus Family

Bernard & Nathan

The Fitzgerald Family

Lucille B.

Jack Moreno

Mary Jo Zarance

Joseph G.

Kelly Olson

Jane Rossiter

Linda Moran

Nicole & Emma

Ningyu Liu

Jamie Stack

KT Thalin

Mike Losito

Cara Lynn Cavin

Evan D. & Family

Alexandra Shuss

Donna Stadler Hostetler

Brian Roland

Renee Kleppinger

The Freeman/Sullivan Family

Therese Card

If you would like to add someone to our prayer list, please email us at church@ststephensmillburn.org, or call (973) 376-0688 Ext. 32.

Anyone for whom we are praying will be on our prayer list for six weeks. If prayers are still needed beyond that time period, please let us know. Thank you.

Sunday Lectionary

January 16, 2022

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Isaiah 62:1-5

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

John 2:1-11

Psalm 36:5-10

If you'd like to read the full lectionary for the week, you may do so here.

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.