Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:18-19a)
Beloved Community,
It may sound odd, but I think the thing I miss most about leaving our home in Massachusetts is the perennial gardens. The people who owned the house before us had some plantings. In the 28 years we lived there, I spent a lot of time expanding beds, adding new plantings, and pruning some of the old. It seems like I finally got the gardens to where I like them best: lush and colorful, with varied plants and just enough planning and structure that together everything worked, while also allowing specific colors or shapes to "pop", to have their moment in the sun (bad pun intended), and then we moved.
No garden was ever the same from year to year. There were always surprises, some celebrated and some accepted with sadness. There were triumphs and failures. (I'm not necessarily the most disciplined or exacting gardner, choosing plants mostly because they make me smile and will do okay in the conditions.) And yet, when I think about our little house in Swansea, what comes to mind first are the gardens. I miss them, just as I look forward to seeing how the fledgling gardens around the rectory will grow in our time here.
It occurs to me that our common life, our shared journey deeper into the heart of God as we live into our call to be "The Church on Main Street, where love begets love" is remarkably like those gardens. As much as we plan, as much as we hope or depend upon our experience in days gone by to be the exact shape of our present and our future, that is never the case. Our faith, our lived experience, and the amazing grace of God's Holy Spirit come together in a process of continual renewal and reshaping of who we are and how we live into our faith. And when we are open to that, we can't helped but be surprised by how we are transformed. When we embrace the transformation and all that is a part of it - good, bad, and indifferent, expected and surprising, obvious opportunities and those disguised as challenges - we grow more and more into the people and the community God calls us to be.
As we prepare to re-open our building and gather together again, we are like my beloved gardens. We will have the same basic structure, with some of the familiar plantings we had before Covid, though they may not look exactly as they did then. There will be changes that feel exciting and welcomed, and others that we will mourn and wish had not happened. My hope (prayer, actually) is that we will not try to force a return to the familiar patterns of our former life together, but will trust God enough to let things unfold, seeing the beauty of living our faith in this new time in a world that will never be the same.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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Connection & Common Worship |
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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
REV. PAULA AWAY
Rev. Paula will be away from June 5th through June 14th. If you need any assistance, please call:
Maryalice Chech: 973-951-7154
Roger Riederl, 908-403-6535
Barbara Riedel, 201-906-2712
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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.
Rev. Paula and the Vestry would like to announce that Roger and Barbara Riedel, who have served diligently and faithfully over the years, to receive the David P. Hegg II Lifetime Achievement Award for their contributions to our Parish and the Diocese. Please join us at the 24th Annual Evensong and award ceremony (virtually) on Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, Preacher. This years service will be held 'online' and broadcast on the Diocesan You Tube channel - youtube.com/c/dionewark
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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
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June 6, 2021
Second Sunday after Pentecost
1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15)
Psalm 138
Mark 3:20-25
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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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