May 12, 2021 Newsletter

May 12, 2021

Highlights

5/13 - 6:30 PM - Regional Zoom Meeting with Bishop Hughes

5/16 - 10 AM - Sunday Worship

5/16 - 11:00 -11:45 Communion Station for Pick-up

5/16 - 12 PM - Coffee Hour

5/5 - 10 AM - Wednesdays Away with Cross Roads

5/19 - 7:30 PM - Finance Committee

5/20 - 7:00 PM - Preschool Meeting

5/23 - 10 AM - Sunday Worship, Pentecost and Baptism

5/23 - 12 PM - Coffee Hour

5/23 - 1 PM - Reading with the Rector

Looking ahead

This is a quick word about where we are in terms of celebrating the Eucharist and thinking about a return of some kind to in-person worship:

Beginning May 16th and then on the third Sunday of the month, we will celebrate the Eucharist. For now, while we are limiting the number of people in the nave to those who have a specific role that morning, we will have a "Communion Station" from 11:00 to 11:45 for those who want to come and receive the Sacrament, which will be bread only. For those who want Communion but cannot get to the campus, we will deliver later in the day or on Monday. More on the logistics next week. Please call Barbara Riedel at 973-376-0688, ext. 32 or email her at church@ststephensmillburn.org if you would like to pick up Communion or have it delivered. Please let us know by Friday, May 14.

As we announced in last week's newsletter, our tentative re-gathering date is June 20th.

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

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 Vlog: Justice

Bishop Hughes' message, "A Taste of Justice" shares with us the aftermath of Derek Chauvin's conviction and looking at this complex issue. Bishop Hughes leads us in Prayer for our Beloved Community.

The VOICE Online Link Week of 5/12

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.

REGIONAL MEETING

WITH THE BISHOP

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.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85490814160?pwd=Q3ZrMEYxcUdkM2tHLzNXS21EMEZLUT09

Meeting ID: 854 9081 4160

Passcode: 031310

Faithful Outreach

FAMILY PROMISE

FPE focuses on three service areas to assist families experiencing or at risk of homelessness: emergency shelter, prevention & stabilization, youth & family programming.

The Family Promise April Newsletter, can be found 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:

North Porch Donation Link

The Apostles' House Donation Link

Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center

WEDNESDAYS AWAY

A time of spiritual renewal one Wednesday a month from 10 AM - 12 PM. Upcoming dates: 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

Paint Party Happening! Sunday June 6 at 3:00 PM! We will meet over Zoom and follow along with paint master, Bob Ross. All you need is a brush or two, a few colors of paint with, and something to paint on. With that, we can make a masterpiece!

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.

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.

Ride United Transportation Access

Free or Discounted rates to Vaccination Sights where Lyft services are available. This service is available for everyone. Bring wheelchairs, walkers and Personal Aides.

Call 2-1-1 and schedule your ride.

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

Sunday Lectionary

May 16, 2021

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26

Psalm 1

John 17: 6-19

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.