 |
|
A Message from Rev. Paula+
|
Beloved Community,
This photo from Drumming Camp 2020 is "Uplifting!" as the photographer, Susan Dinan, said in the subject line of the email when she sent it to me. Drumming Camp Day 1 was yesterday and we had such a great time! We did everything we usually do, though on a much smaller scale. The exception to the smaller scale was dance and drumming with Yah'Ya Kamate, which was over two hours of the six-hour day. The day started with health screening and then this impromptu obstacle course while we were getting ready for lunch. The photo captures so well the spirit and energy of the day. Campers having fun in truly creative ways. Staff encouraging and cheering them on. And everyone abiding (with no complaints!!!) the mask wearing and physical distancing requirements. Even the weather cooperated, which means we spent all of our time except for drumming outdoors under the tents we own and the tents our wonderful Parish Administrator, Doreen, arranged for us to borrow. I am very much looking forward to Day 2, which is tomorrow. Though a part of me is quite sad that we have about half as many campers, could not invite back our younger counselors and so many of our older volunteers, and abbreviated the week, most of me can still feel the excitement and joy of yesterday and hear the sounds of happy campers and staff as they danced and drummed and played safe outdoor games. We are truly blessed to have this ministry. Peace & Blessings, Paula+
P.S. (from last week but still true today) - If you are one of the families with young children, please complete the Children's Chapel survey. It will make a world of difference in our planning for the program year.
|
|
A Death in Our Parish Family
|
 Kim Williams' father, Roy Williams, died peacefully on Sunday morning. Kim and Karen are in Ohio with her mother, brother, and aunt. Please join us in praying for Freda, Roy's beloved wife of 70 years, Kim and Karen, Mike and his partner, and Paula. |
|
Connection and Common Worship
|
All of the information you need to remain actively connected to St. Stephen's can be found on the website under the "Living Our Faith in a Time of Pandemic" tab on the top left. In addition, the ways to join in worship and other activities is also available on the Events Calendar on the website, under News & Events. Our worship services will be posted to Facebook every Sunday morning at 8 AM and will be available on our YouTube channel. The services can be watched at any time.
Our Sunday worship service is also broadcast on HTTV (Comcast TV 36 and Verizon TV 33) at 6 AM and 1 PM. Please be sure to spread the word to your friends and family who do not use the internet.
Audio recordings of the homilies are found here. The bulletins can be found here.
FYI - St. Stephen's is on Facebook EVERY DAY! Join us, and tell your friends and family! Posts include daily prayer, Sunday worship, Children's Chapel on Saturday, and Children's Storytime with Rev. Paula.
Beginning July 29th, daily prayer is at 8:30 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, it is at 7:45 pm. Most days, Rev. Paula will lead prayer live, though occasionally it will be a "Prayerful Interlude" or a recorded reflection.
Videos of all the posts can easily be accessed from the Facebook video library right here.
|
 BISHOP HUGHE'S AUGUST 19th VLOG can be seen here. The Voice Online may be found here.
Bishop Hughes' pastoral letter on the guidelines for in-person worship in the Diocese of Newark can be found here. To read Bishop Hughes' Covid-19 guidelines, as well as other news from around the diocese, look here.
SHARE YOUR PRAYERS Bishop Hughes invites all of us to do something that might be a first for us - to write down our prayers during this pandemic and share them with the diocese, as a way to help each other. The prayers will be shared on the diocesan website in The VOICE and on social media. Prayers can be sent to Canon Wright at [email protected] for posting. Please include the name and town of your church.
DIOCESAN MEMORIAL WALL
A holy place in virtual space for mourning and memory.
This is a place to gather, grieve, reflect and honor the lives of those who have died during the time of the Pandemic, whether or not it was due to the virus. Because we have been isolated, and unable to be with each other to provide comfort, care and support during this time, we offer this site as an ongoing memorial, gathering the names of the dead so that they are not forgotten.
Here, we who mourn can cast our tears into God's almighty and loving hands, whose own tears join ours, bringing us consolation, peace and hope. To visit the wall and/or submit a name, click here.
|
 REGIONAL SUMMER DIOCESAN ZOOM MEETING
Thursday, August 20, 6 PM
In May and early June, Bishop Hughes hosted Zoom gatherings with all diocesan congregations, grouped into eight Regional Ministry Networks (RMN's). For the Summer Regional Zoom meetings, the Bishop has asked Canon Margo Clark to engage an expert on mental health topics, depression in particular, so prevalent during this time of sustained trauma due to the pandemic.
About our featured guest - Dr. Dan Hale
This Thursday's Regional Zoom meeting will feature Dr. Dan Hale, Special Advisor to the President of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Dr. Hale will take a personal and professional look at mental health topics, depression in particular, and offer insight for those who "...suffer from depression themselves, deal with it as health professionals or faith leaders, live with others who have it, or know others who do ..." As a result, these gatherings will help us all "... (become) well informed, inspired to seek help, engage in self-care, remain hopeful, and reach out to those who have suffered in the shadows for so long from this crippling illness."
PLEASE NOTE: The link to log into this meeting will be forwarded by the diocese on Wednesday and we will send it in an additional e-Newsletter. ALL members are encouraged to attend! if you are unable to attend Thursday's call for your Region, please email Kay Lark (klark@dioceseofnewark.org) for the Zoom info for another meeting.
 JOIN IN PRAYER WITH CSJB
Friday, August 21, 10:30 - 11 AM
ALL are welcome to join The Community of St. John Baptist for a half-hour of prayers for renewal and strength in these challenging times, organized by our Associates and Oblates. Please contact [email protected] if you'd like more information.
Meeting ID: 839 8990 5075
Dial by your location +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
CROSS ROADS WOMEN'S VIRTUAL RETREAT
"The Way of Love"
A one-day virtual retreat led by Laurie Matarazzo and Dale Selover
Four dates to choose from: Saturday, September 26, Sunday, September 27, Saturday, October 10, or Sunday, October 11
The retreat program will begin at 10 AM and conclude by 4 PM, with a two-hour break for lunch and individual reflection time. Though we cannot gather in person, we hope you will join us on Zoom for a day of conversation, reflection, prayer, and laughter together. The cost for the day-long retreat is $40. Visit the link here for details and to register.
 BISHOP HUGHES' VISITATION Sunday, September 13, 10 AM
Bishop Hughes will be visiting us on September 13th at 10 AM. This will be a service streamed via Zoom, using the format she is using for all visitations. The service will be followed by a Coffee Hour and then time for the Bishop to talk with the Vestry. There will be more information to come but, for now, mark your calendars!
ST. STEPHEN'S COFFEE HOUR
Sundays at 11 AM
Watch the service at 10 AM, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, and join the fun. We'll be around from 11 to noon.
by 10:45 AM that morning to request the login information. Don't be surprised to find yourself in a waiting room. Barbara Riedel or Rev. Paula will let you in.
|
|
Youth & Teen Resources and Events
|
|
CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
Our friends at Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center are providing activities for kids and teens including art projects, virtual camp-fires and more!
For all the details, follow the Cross Roads Facebook page here and follow them on Instagram @crossroads.camp.
SUMMER CAMP BOXES
As the week-long camp programs come to an end, Cross Roads is excited to announce that CAMP BOXES are now for sale through August 30th! Each camp box comes with materials to do multiple camp activities at home, as well as exclusive access to additional videos, some camp swag, and Bible study resources. You can get details and purchase a Cross Roads camp box here.
GAP YEAR PROGRAM
Young adults ages 18+ are invited to apply for the Cross Roads Gap Year Program for 2020 - 2021. Selected participants will live on-site as part of an intentional community, while taking classes online, working, and/or spending the year doing service in the community. For details, please visit the Cross Roads website here.
YOUTH MINISTRY POP UP
Events will be back in September!
|
Thank you to all who have dropped off donations already!
PLEASE KEEP THE CONTRIBUTIONS COMING - and remember to check the expiration dates before sending your items. Donation bins are located outside at St. Stephen's under the roof of the Narthex parking lot entry doors.
1. Apostles' House Food Barrel - Items needed - Canned goods and non-perishable food items.
2. North Porch Women & Infants' Centers - They are in urgent need of the following:
- Enfamil 12.5 oz powdered baby formula and soy formula, and Enfamil infant (yellow label) 21.1 oz
- Diapers especially Large sizes - 4, 5, 6, and Pull-ups of all sizes
- Baby wipes
- Jars of baby food - all ages- fruit, veggie and 1st foods
3. Online Ordering/Donations - If you are unable to drop off items at the church, and would like to contribute, you can make purchases and/or donations online directly to these organizations. PLEASE NOTE: North Porch prefers you use their AmazonSmile link for direct product donations.
North Porch Women and Infant Centers
North Porch Amazon Smile direct link:
The Apostles' House Food Pantry link:
|
|
Christine's Kitchen - THANK YOU!
|
 THANK YOU to all who donated lunches for Christine's Kitchen grab-n-go
lunch on Saturday, August 15th and to Deryck Rugbeer for coordinating!
We had 130 lunches and a local donor also brought some additional sandwiches. This was enough to serve all the guests freely, give seconds to the guests who waited for them, and provide lunches for Father Miguel to bring to homebound parishioners. |
|
Resources from the Diocese and Beyond
|
|
There are many, many resources available to parishes and individuals to help sustain our faith practices during this unprecedented time. This is by no means a complete list, though it does cover many areas of need.
NEW!!! Faith@Home, a ministry of Forward Movement Publications and Forma, a ministry of the Episcopal Church Foundation, offers weekly lectionary-based readings and reflections for all age groups, here. The Diocese of Newark has a page dedicated to pastoral messages, informational updates and directives, and resources for use by parishes and people of faith, here.
The Episcopal Church, nationally and internationally, has information on its website, including pastoral messages from Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, here. The National Cathedral livestreams worship and hosts podcasts, all of which can be accessed here.
The Church Publishing Group has made available a free downloadable copy of The Book of Common Prayer. This is a wonderful way to encourage both a personal prayer discipline and as a support to online worship in which the liturgy is from the BCP.
Now might be the right time to sign up for a daily, weekly, or monthly devotion. Some favorites are: - The Society of St. John the Evangelist. The brothers offer wisdom in many ways so please do explore their website.
- The Center for Action and Contemplation, home of Richard Rohr. As with SSJE, this is a rich offering of resources so it is best to explore the website.
Racial Justice
In this time of national upheaval, outrage, and fear, The Episcopal Church's Department of Reconciliation, Justice and Creation Care and the Office of Government Relations have assembled resources to assist individuals, congregations and communities seeking to LEARN, PRAY and ACT.
Please use and share these resources, and send your own resources and stories to [email protected].You can find the link to current resources here. Read Presiding Bishop Curry's Word to the Church here.
|
|
St. Stephen's Prayer List
|
Please keep the following St. Stephen's family members and friends in your prayers...
|
Jeff Loggins
Jimmy Hasenkamp
Ian Janeczko
The McManus Family
The Blanchard Family
Donna Riggi
|
Bernard & Nathan
The Fitzgerald Family
Jack Moreno
Stephanie Gubin
Sue Macbeth
Francis
|
Christine Conti
Xander
Evan
Sara Ruth
Felder Dorn
James Tranberg
|
|
|
Links to the Wider Church
|
 |
|
The Episcopal Diocese of Newark
|
| |
|
|
| |
Giving with Tithe.ly is easy, with options for one-time or recurring donations. We encourage you to consider it at all times, but especially when you are away for any reason, like all of us now with the restrictions due to coronavirus.
There are two ways to do it: thru tithe.ly.com or the tithe.ly app on your smart phone. You'll want to search for St. Stephen's Church Millburn. Be sure to have the correct punctuation. You'll know you're there when you see: St. Stephen's Church Millburn and the address. Once you're at the church's page, follow the prompts.
|
|
Office Hours and Contact Information
|
|
Office hours:
Until we are through this public health emergency, there are NO office hours. Please call Rev. Paula to arrange for pastoral care or if you have any reason to come to the office. She'll work with you to figure out a safe way to manage this.
Website: ststephensmillburn.org
Doreen Schindler, Parish Administrator can be reached at ext. 32 or
The Rev. Paula J. Toland, Rector can be reached at ext. 21 or | |
|
|
|
|
|
