Beloved Community,
I saw this photo and laughed. It reminds me of a phrase on all ordination invitations in the Episcopal Church: "God willing and the people consenting." I realized it is exactly how I picture myself in this moment. I see a beloved child of God, hoping, and praying that the plans she is going to lay out for you now become more than plans. The change I would make is "God willing and COVID consenting."
So what are we hoping and praying for exactly? That's easy to answer: that we are able to re-gather for worship beginning June 20th! Why wait until June 20th? That's also easy to answer, though not without some explanation of why this is a complicated decision.
We've talked about the Journey Forward Team and the decision to make COVID-related decisions based on the county risk levels published on the covidactnow.org website, so I don't need to reiterate that. We've talked about how the decisions we have made are rooted in our call to love our neighbor and showing that in real ways, even when that means we have to change how we live and worship. This has been made more challenging because not everyone has been as cautious as we have in the Diocese of Newark. As frustrating as it has been for all of us, this cautious approach has meant that no church in the diocese has had to close since we entered into our fast last March. No church in the diocese has had a cluster since we implemented the first Journey Forward Guidelines. Here at St. Stephen's, we've had fewer than 10 members contract COVID (at least to my knowledge), none of whom were seriously ill, all of whom recovered. And this in Essex County, which for months was one of the most impacted places in the country.
What we haven't talked about as often is how complicated it is to prepare to re-gather in ways that are as safe as possible for all of us and, because this virus is spread in community, with others we may come in contact with in our daily lives. It isn't as easy as winding back the clock and opening our doors in the same ways we did until March 8th, 2020. It takes literally many hours and more people to prepare. It means Survey Monkey and contact tracing and thinking ahead to all sorts of scenarios that never would have crossed our minds before. Who would have thought that we would have to have designated Medical Responders in order to open our doors on a Sunday morning?
Even with infection and hospitalization rates decreasing and vaccination rates increasing, we are still not out of the woods. However, we are doing well enough that we are phasing into re-gathering, beginning June 20th. You may be wondering why June 20th and not sooner now that Essex County is at orange-level risk, and that's a great question. The simple answer is that we cannot be as ready as we need to be before then.
We'd already started thinking about June 20th and had put some things in place to get us there. It isn't possible to move those up and do it safely. The other main reason is timing: Doreen is gone and Barbara Riedel is filling the position a couple days a week to keep us going. (She's doing a fantastic job!) But the learning curve on the parish administrator position is steep and trying to learn the basics and manage a re-gathering is not feasible. We're having our first Eucharistic celebration on May 16th (more on that in a bit) and a baptism on the 23rd. It would be foolish to attempt to re-gather on either of those days because it would be too much new and/or different to manage at one time. I'm away for our son's wedding and a silent retreat from June 5th-14th and it is not reasonable to expect a new (and volunteer) parish administrator and supply clergy to coordinate and troubleshoot.
So... onJune 20th, we will begin the next phase of this journey together. We will do it as safely as we know because we will have had the time to put into place all those things that must now be done. God willing and COVID consenting, we will see each other soon.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
|
|
|
|
Bishop Hughes has asked that all parishes celebrate the Eucharist once a month, with options for people who cannot be present to come after the service to a Communion Station to receive or to have the sacrament delivered to them. In accordance with the Journey Forward Guidelines, this will be Communion in one kind only - the bread. Delivery will not at this time be a pastoral visit but a short prayer at the door.
Beginning May 16th, we are designating the third Sunday of the month as "Communion Sunday". Even though we are planning to begin re-gathering on June 20th, Communion Sunday will be our practice for the time being because we know that will continue to live our faith a bit differently because of COVID for many months to come.
It would be helpful, but not required, to know who would like to come pick up Communion and who would like it delivered. So please, email Barbara at church@ststephensmillburn.org or call her at 973.376.0688 by Friday, May 14th if you would like either.
|
|
|
|
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. 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 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
READING WITH THE RECTOR
NEW DATE:Sunday, May 23, 1 PM
Our next book selection is Love Is The Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times by Bishop Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church with Sara Grace.
The book is available in the Morris, Essex, and Union County Library Systems, as well as the Mahwah Library, or can be purchased through Amazon, Target and Cokesbury, as well as other book outlets.
|
|
|
|
From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church |
|
|
|
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.
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. Details and any updates will be forthcoming as we get closer. In the meantime please mark your calendar to save the dates. Thank you!
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:
|
|
|
|
Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center |
|
|
|
WEDNESDAYS AWAY
A time of spiritual renewal one Wednesday a month from 10 AM - 12 PM. Upcoming dates: May 5 & 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 YM on Instagram and Facebook at @popupym.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Get a COVID vaccination!
Moderna
SATURDAY, MAY 15th.
18 years old and have some form of ID.
Place:
St. Andrew & Holy Communion
160 W. So. Orange Ave., South Orange
(entrance off Church Street
Call or email the Church at: 973-763-2355
SAHCoffice@gmail.com
Call on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
from 9:30-2:30 p.m
|
|
|
|
St. Stephen's Prayer List |
|
|
|
Please keep the following St. Stephen's family members and friends in your prayers...
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, The May Family, Mary Jo Zarance
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 25, 2021
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
John 10:11-18
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
Zoom passcode: SSM119
To call in, dial by your location:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 864 1664 1640
Passcode: SSM119
|
|
|
Links for Sunday Worship Live-Stream & Social Media |
|
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
119 Main Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
|
|
|
|
Church
Parish Administrator, Doreen Schindler
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
