Beloved Community,
The other night I had a dream that I was on the longest roller coaster ever built. Once on, you are committed to the ride and no one can tell you how long a ride it will be, nor where exactly you will disembark and whether you will be the same. And all along the way, you can only guess what is coming next. Should you prepare to scream? Hold your arms up over your head and whoop it up? Close your eyes and clench the crash bar tightly? Sit back and enjoy this leg of the ride? And when you finally arrive at your destination, the staff at the gate seem surprised to see you, scrambling around to greet you and show you how to exit the platform.
Now, I don't think it takes a dream interpreter to explain this one: COVID committed us to one of the longest, scariest, and most uncertain ride many of us have ever experienced. There have been longish periods when we just muddle along, punctuated by sudden, seemingly breath-taking changes. We know there will be an end, though where and how it ends remains to be seen. We also know, though perhaps this is the kind of knowing that is most unsettling, that we will not be the same, though we can't know yet how we will be different. And just as we think we know enough about where we're headed and how to plan for it.
I think it is okay for me to say that this is how it has felt to be your elected leadership, the Vestry, just as I know this is how it has felt for me. (Dreams always speak some truth, even if not this clearly.) We've discussed our plans to re-gather more times than I can count and finally decided June 20th would THE DAY. And then, in what feels both like lightening speed and a long time coming, Essex County and most of the state moved into the yellow level COVID risk and the Journey Forward Team scambled to update the diocesan guidelines. The welcome news is that the guidelines are updated. (You'll find the link in the "Covid Resources" section of this newsletter.)
The not-as-welcome news? The timing of this change doesn't allow us to move ahead with our plans to gather in person any sooner than June 20th. For all of the reasons we outlined in the newsletter two weeks ago, it is best for us to stay the course.
The best news? If things COVID remain as they are or improve between now and the second week in June, we may be able to re-open the building with even fewer restrictions than we have planned now. We'll keep you posted...
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
READING WITH THE RECTOR
TODAY:Sunday, May 23, 1 PM
Join us today in discussing "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.
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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.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Bishop Curry responds to the violence in the Land of the Holy One. He urges the Episcopal Church to encourage the United States government and others to be partners in peacemaking to bring about a negotiated settlement to the conflict with the Israelis and Palestinians.
Read his full remarks here
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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. 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:
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Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center |
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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.
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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.
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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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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May 23, 2021
Pentecost
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:25-35, 37
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
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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, 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
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