Beloved Community,
This has been a very busy week here at St. Stephen's. There's lots of planning still to be done for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, and we've got Annual Meeting on Sunday at 11:00. To top it all off, I've been in a wonderful preaching conference on Zoom and am getting ready to go on the diocesan Lenten clergy retreat next week. The irony of being so much more busy during the solemn seasons (Lent and Advent) when we are reminded of our need to be focused on God is never lost on me. I think the only way I can make it make sense is that being Christian is something you do in community, with other people, not just as individuals. And sometimes that means some of us get busier so that the community has what it needs to be faithful to the call. And that is only good.
I do hope you join us for the Annual Meeting on Sunday, immediately following the 10:00 service. We will hear highlights from some of our ministries and talk a bit about what's next in our ministries. If you join us for worship via livestream on Facebook or YouTube, you will need to log onto Zoom for the meeting itself. The link to that is here. If you need the meeting ID it is 864 1664 1640. The passcode is SSM119.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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Annual Meeting 2022 will be held immediately following the 10:00am service on Sunday, March 27th.
Join us for a special presentation about this past year at St. Stephen's.
You will need to sign onto Zoom to join the meeting. We'll have at least one person monitoring the Zoom feed to ensure that everyone is admitted to the service and that we are aware when someone wants to speak.
Passcode: SSM119
Please print out the Annual Report so you can follow along.
You can find the Annual Report on our website in the "News & Events" tab. Click on "Events Calendar", then "Annual Meeting" and "copy to my calendar>>".
This will add the event onto your calendar and allow you to open the report file.
If you would like to have the report emailed to you, please email Maria at church@ststephensmillburn.org.
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We have many options to observe a holy Lent, including additional worship services here and with our sister parishes in the Evelyn Underhill Region; in-person, Zoomed, and online discussion group Adult Formation; a fun at-home activity for children, youth, and families; and more. A special edition of our newsletter has all of the details.
You will find the newsletter here.
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Covid Protocols for Common Worship - NEW
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New guidelines have been issued by Bishop Hughes and The Episcopal Diocese of Newark on March 10th. See the updated Journey Forward Guidelines below.
Your Vestry met on Sunday, March 20th to discuss how best to move forward given the ever-changing and now hopeful landscape of Covid.
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Beginning on Easter Sunday, we will bring back an 8:00am service. This service will be a masks optional, spoken service. For those familiar with the pre-pandemic 8:00am service, it will look a little different in that we can not gather in the chancel, but will be in the pews. I will be masked during the Eucharistic Prayer and administration of Communion.
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The 10:00am service, which is our principal service will remain masks required for the time being. We will sing, which continues to be a high-risk activity indoors and unmasked. I will be masked except when preaching. The Vestry will review this decision at its meeting on April 27th.
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For small groups, masks will be optional if everyone at the table agrees.
- We will no longer take temperatures but we will continue to ask for contact tracing information.
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Happening at St. Stephen's This Week... |
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Welcome!
It's wonderful to be with each other in church and celebrate the Holy Eucharist with congregational singing.
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 6am and 3pm.
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Please join us for our
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Worship Service on
Sunday, March 27th at 10:00am.
ALL are welcome!
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Rev. Paula will read from Lent for Everyone: A Daily Devotional by The Rt. Rev. N.T. Wright.
About the book:
"Popular biblical scholar and author N. T. Wright provides his own Scripture translation, brief reflection, and a prayer for each of the days of the season, helping readers ponder how the text is relevant to their own lives today. By the end of the book readers will have been through the entirety of Luke, along with Psalm readings for each Sunday... Wright's Lenten devotional will help you make Luke's gospel your own, thoughtfully and prayerfully, and your journey through Lent a period of rich discovery and growth."
These readings will be posted to our YouTube channel and Facebook before 6:00am each morning through the First Week of Easter.
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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, March 29.
We will meet on 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26 via Zoom from 5:00 to 6:00pm 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.
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CALLING ALL ANIMAL LOVERS
PLANNING COMMITTEE NEEDED FOR OUR
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS & PET FAIR IN OCTOBER
We're exploring the possibility of increasing the fun of the annual pet blessing with a pet-themed fair. Modeled after a hugely successful pet fair at Holy Spirit Verona, we would invite vendors, crafters, and other providers of pet-focused products and services to join us. We'd have animal-themed activities and music for the humans. If you are interested or think you might be interested in helping to plan and coordinate this fun, community-focused event, please let Maria know. Her email is church@ststephensmillburn.org. If you've got questions, ask Rev. Paula.
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PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BECAUSE EVENTS MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED. |
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MARCH
MAR 24
10:30am - Lenten Series
MAR 26
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAR 27
4th Sun in Lent
10am - Sunday Worship & Annual Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
MAR 28
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAR 29
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAR 30
8pm - AA Meeting
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APRIL
APR 1
9am - Interfaith Bible Hour
APR 2
7:30pm - AA Meeting
APR 3
5th Sun in Lent
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
1pm - AA Meeting
APR 4
7:30pm - MA Meeting
APR 5
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
APR 6
8pm - AA Meeting
APR 7
10:30am - Lenten Series
APR 9
7:30pm - AA Meeting
APR 10
Palm Sunday
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
Apr 11
7:30pm - MA Meeting
7:30pm - Evening Prayer Livestreamed
APR 12
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
7:30pm - Evening Prayer Livestreamed
APR 13
7:30pm - Tenebrae
8pm - AA Meeting
APR 14
Maundy Thursday
10:30am - Lenten Series
7:30pm - Eucharist with Foot Washing
APR 15
Good Friday
12pm - Noonday Service
7:30pm - Solemn Collects with the Veneration of the Cross
APR 16
Holy Saturday
10am - Liturgy Livestreamed
7:30pm - AA Meeting
APR 17
Easter Day
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
APR 18
7:30pm - MA Meeting
APR 19
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
APR 20
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
8pm - AA Meeting
APR 21
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
APR 23
7:30pm - AA Meeting
APR 24
2nd Sunday of Easter
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
APR 25
7:30pm - MA Meeting
APR 26
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
APR 27
8pm - AA Meeting
APR 30
7:30pm - AA Meeting
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MAY
MAY 1
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 2
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 3
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAY 4
8pm - AA Meeting
MAY 6
9am - Interfaith Bible Hour
MAY 7
Christine's Kitchen Lunch Bags
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAY 8
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 9
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 10
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
7pm - Worship Committee Mtg
MAY 11
8pm - AA Meeting
MAY 14
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAY 15
Communion for All
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 16
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 17
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAY 18
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
8pm - AA Meeting
MAY 19
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
MAY 21
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAY 22
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 23
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 24
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAY 25
8pm - AA Meeting
MAY 28
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAY 29
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 30
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 31
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
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INTERFAITH BIBLE HOUR
On Friday, April 1st at 9:00am, we will meet with our friends from Christ Church in Short Hills and Temple B'nai Jeshurun to talk about the Book of Genesis.
The password is SSM119.
The meeting ID is 865 4375 6895.
Please feel free to join us even if you haven't before.
If you'd like a copy of the text, please call or text Rev. Paula before 8am on Friday.
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READING WITH THE RECTOR
Sunday, April 3
11:30am - 1:00pm
This month we are discussing a short article about the fruits of the Spirit. The link is here.
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS
AT CALVARY IN SUMMIT
Sunday, March 27
5:00pm
The choirs of Calvary of Summit
and St. George's of Maplewood
will join together with chamber orchestra to offer a choral
Stations of the Cross service featuring Josef Rheinberger’s
Stabat Mater. Other pieces of
music will include John Stainer’s setting of God So Loved the World, John Tavener’s Mother of God, Here I Stand, and Jeanne Demessieux’s Stabat Mater for organ.
For more info about this service,
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AA/MA MEETINGS
Weekly AA meetings:
Sunday at 1:00pm
Contact: Rob H. (516) 860-9062
Wednesday at 8:00pm (TEMP CANCELLED)
Contact: Steve B. (201) 452-8375
Contact: Dave (908) 451-8919
Saturday at 7:30pm (TEMP CANCELLED)
Contact: Steve B. (201) 452-8375
Contact: Dave (908) 451-8919
For more information about
Alcohol Anonymous, click here.
Weekly MA meeting:
Monday at 7:30pm
Contact: Max T. (212) 203-2542
Contact: Deana L. (908) 499-8997
MA meetings are presented in a rotating format -- Step, Speaker, Story from Life with Hope, Topic.
For more information about
Marijuana Anonymous, click here.
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FAMILY PROMISE HOSTING WEEK
APRIL 10 - 17
Celebrate Holy Week 2022 with the opportunity to resume our hospitality ministry to homeless families.
St. Stephens has offered homeless families shelter, meals and a warm welcome a week at a time for over thirty years. Since the pandemic, Family Promise (formerly IHN) has housed families in extended stay hotels. With restrictions lifted, hosting congregations are providing meals and incidentals - food, paper goods, diapers and other supplies.
St. Stephens will deliver supplies and one meal for each of the families to the Family Promise office in Montclair on Tuesday, April 12th.
Next week, we will receive the family profiles; currently, there are six families. We will also receive a grocery list from each family with requested items which we may provide as well as gift cards. The families would like to receive milk, orange juice and eggs on a weekly basis.
During our host week, if a family has a material need (such as coat, socks, shoes, etc.) Family Promise will reach out to us to see we are able to meet the need.
Look for a coming sign up as soon as we confirm the number of families and have shopping requests. In the meantime, please reach to Linda Soughan with any questions or your willingness to help at lindasoughan@comcast.net.
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
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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.
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If you would like to make a monetary donation to Apostles' House, please click here.
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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.
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If you would like to make a monetary donation to North Porch, please click here.
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From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church |
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Bishop Hughes reminds us that we can pray for God to do the impossible – even if we don't feel worthy or don't have the words – whether that is in our family, in our church, across the street, across the state, or across the world in Ukraine. (Time: 4:01.)
DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS
Sign up to get e-newsletters and important announcements directly from diocesan headquarters. Find out more and subscribe here.
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EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT
This year, the Lenten Meditations will focus on those who were transformed. These Lenten Meditations are now delivered only via email and as a downloadable PDF.
Subscribe to receive your daily email meditations, or download a PDF of all of the 2022 Lenten Meditations here.
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HELP FOR UKRAINIAN FAMILIES
Your support will help Episcopal Relief & Development and other Anglican partners provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine.
Your gift will help provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other needed assistance to families from Ukraine. To help, click here.
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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.
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Cross Roads Camp & Diocesan Youth Ministries |
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OPENING DAY AT CROSS ROADS
Saturday, May 21
9:00am - 3:00pm
This fun work-day event is open to youth, families, and congregations. Come and volunteer for the day to help get camp ready for the summer season! The day will include begin at 9 am with a light breakfast followed by projects for all skill levels, a lunch, and a closing outdoor worship. It is a great opportunity for high-school students looking for volunteer hours, families looking to give back while spending quality time together, or congregations to help support Cross Roads.
Rev. Paula and Ron Toland will be there.
Pease come out to support of Cross Roads and represent St. Stephen's!
More information can be found here.
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CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center is a welcoming and inclusive community providing life changing and sacred adventures for renewal, growth, and joy.
Check out all the fun and interesting year-round programs for children, adults and families here.
For employment opportunities at Cross Roads, click here.
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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.
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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
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Please keep the following St. Stephen's family
members and friends in your prayers...
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Peggy Thompson
Felder Dorn
Donna Riggi
The Blanchard Family
The McManus Family
Bernard & Nathan
Lucille B.
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Jack Moreno
Mary Jo Zarance
Joseph G.
Jane Rossiter
Ningyu Liu & Family
KT Thalin
Mike Losito
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Evan D. & Family
Donna Stadler Hostetler
Liliane Khouri
Drew
Shirley
Theresa Scharff
Virginia Whatley
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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.
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March 27, 2022
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Psalm 32:1-7, Gafney Year W
If you'd like to read the full lectionary for the week, you may do so here.
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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, Maria T. Card
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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