A Message from Rev. Paula+
Beloved Community,

Today is World Kindness Day and a friend posted this photo of Mr. Rogers, which she'd happened across from Mindful Christianity.  I'd hazard a guess that there is little disagreement that Fred Rogers was and is a beacon of kindness in this broken world.  Though the quote on the picture does not speak to kindness specifically, it speaks to the roots of the call to people of faith to  " to do justice, and to love kindness,  and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8).  

Kindness is one of the ways we show that we appreciate our neighbor, that we love our neighbors as ourselves.  I love that Mr. Rogers considers this holy, sacred.  I love that he reminds us that God is not asking us to do anything other than what God does for each and every one of us all of the time - no exceptions.  God looks for what's best in each of us and speaks directly to that part of us, even when we have trouble seeing it, even when we have trouble imagining that part of us exists.

Today and every day, I invite and encourage you to be kind to others and to yourself.  I invite and encourage you to make appreciation that what's best in others and yourself is of God.  I invite and encourage  you to make this sacred and holy appreciation part of your spiritual discipline, one of the ways you journey deeper and deeper into the heart of God.

Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
THIS SUNDAY!  Interfaith Thanksgiving Service




 Annual Turkey Dinner Drive


Giving in Faith
Thanks to all who submitted their pledge forms by Commitment Sunday.  We are off to a good start.  That said, we need commitments from everyone in order to plan the ways we will live our faith in 2020.  If you haven't submitted your pledge, please do so as soon as possible.  If you need a form, there are some on the table in the church or we can email one to you.  If you'd like to talk to Rev. Paula+ about how pledging and giving is an expression of relationship with God, let her know.  
News




THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED WITH THE BECKERATH ORGAN RECITAL LAST WEEK, especially Peggy Thompson and John Schucker.  It was an enjoyable way to spend the time and a great way to kick-off the 50th anniversary year.


THIRD THURSDAY THEATER
Our next film screening and discussion will be on November 21 at 7pm featuring  Inequality for All.

Starring Robert Reich, Lily Tomlin, and Candice Bergen and directed by Jason Kornbluth, this documentary film examines the grave economic and social consequences that may result if the gap between rich and poor continues to widen in the United States.


COFFEE HOUR
Hospitality is at the core of who we are at St. Stephen's!  If you would like to host coffee hour in the coming weeks, please sign up on the narthex bulletin board.  All December weeks are open.

Not sure what you need to do - click this  link for all the details.  And thank you for hosting!
 


TAYLOR PARK WINTER WALK & CAROLING
Join us on Saturday, November 30th at 5pm as we add some cheerful music to this annual Millburn event. We'll gather on our lawn following the parade and lighting of the tree, which begin at 3pm. Please contact the church office if you are interested in caroling with us.  The more the merrier! 

ADULT FORMATION ADVENT SERIES
On December 1, 8, 15 & 22, join us after church ( 11:30am - 12:45pm) as we explore the nativity stories in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke with Dr. Amy-Jill Levine.

As we did for our Lenten Series, we will read her book, The Light of the World: A Beginner's Guide to Advent and view a short video as the basis for our discussion.   Don't let the book title fool you - there is much wisdom to be gleaned even for those of us familiar with the stories. ( Please note: we may adjust the time on 12/22 to avoid a conflict with another Advent activity.)

Events
Vestry Meeting
Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service at B'nai Jeshurun, Short Hills
Wednesday Prayer
Third Thursday Theater
Taylor Park Winter Walk & Caroling
Advent Festival of Lessons & Music
Adult Formation Advent Series
Wednesday Prayer
Bakery Bible Hour at Splurge Bakery
Advent Retreat at St. John Baptist
Blue Christmas
Greening of the Church

SAVE THESE 2020 DATES 
Beckerath Organ 50th Anniversary 2019-2020 Recital Series
John Charles Schucker
Johann Vexo
November 17, 11:30am
November 17, 4pm

November 20 & 27 at 12 Noon
November 21, 7pm
November 30,  parade at 3 pm; caroling at 5pm
December 1, 10am
December 1, 8, 15 & 22 at 11:30am
December 4, 11, 18 at 12 Noon
December 6, 9am
December 7, 10am-5pm
December 19, 7:30pm
December 22, after the 10am service




Sunday, February 23, 4pm
Sunday, April 19, 4pm

Liturgical Stewardship Schedule

November 17, 8:00 am

Reader & Chalicer:   Nancy Sieffert
Altar Guild:  Nancy Sieffert



 

November 17, 10:00 am

Readers:  Shaun Landers, Barbara Churchill
Chalicist:  John Soughan
Ushers:  Shaun and Lisa Landers
Altar Guild:  Alex Cole
Coffee Hour:  Jean James


   November 24, 8:00 am

   Reader & Chalicer:  Allison Walker
   Altar Guild:  Maria Nazareth

  
 

November 24, 10:00 am

Readers:  Jean James, Fran Young
Chalicist:   Roger Riedel
Ushers:   Steve Moran, Ladi Owolabi
Altar Guild:  Julia Dorn/Jean James
Coffee Hour:  Barbara Riedel
Lectionary
Links to the Wider Church

The Episcopal Diocese of Newark







The Episcopal Church









The Presiding Bishop








Giving with Tithe.ly
Tithe.ly is a mobile-friendly app designed by a clergy person and used by thousands of congregations across the country.  With Tithe.ly, you can do one-time or recurring payments, as well as help with the nominal fee of using the service.  You can download the app from the App Store or Play Store, or you can do it online at tithe.ly/give. Enter St. Stephen's Church in the search menu and we should pop up.  You'll know it's  us if it says "St. Stephen's Church, Millburn, NJ 07041."

It's also possible to access Tithe.ly through our website - click on the "Give" button in the menu and you will be given the option to use Tithe.ly. 

Don't worry.  If you prefer to use a check or cash, that's fine.  If you are a Vanco user and want to keep it that way, that is good, too.
Office Hours and Contact Information

Office hours are Tuesday thru Friday, 10:00 am to 1:30 pm or by appointment.
Phone: 973.376.0668  
Fax: 973.376.4002
Website: ststephensmillburn.org
Main email: church@ststephensmillburn.org
Follow us on:  FacebookInstagram and  Pinterest

Doreen Schindler, Parish Administrator can be reached at ext. 32 or
church@ststephensmillburn.org.

The Rev. Paula J. Toland, Rector can be reached at ext. 21 or 
rector@ststephensmillburn.org.
She is an occasional blogger at fromthestillness.