This Sunday: August 2, 2026

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Holy Eucharist: Rite II

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Cooling Station Available During the Worship Service

If the church is too hot for your comfort, you may sit in the Chapel where there is A/C and watch the live-streamed service on the large wall-mounted TV. 

Don't forget to bring a water bottle on Sunday!

With warmer temperatures, it's important to stay hydrated. There is a water dispenser outside the Narthex by the Chapel and a water fountain by the bathrooms.

News from the Diocese of Newark

The Episcopal Church in Northern New Jersey

Summer at St. E's features family dinner nights!

Bring the whole family and join us for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship on Friday, July 31 at 6 p.m.! Enjoy a delicious casual dinner, connect with friends old and new, and challenge each other with games for all ages. Whether you're a longtime member or visiting for the first time, all families are welcome!

Come make memories, share some laughs, and enjoy a great night together. We can't wait to see you there! Signing up and bringing a side dish is encouraged so we'll have enough food for everyone!

The Blessing Shelf

School’s out, hunger isn’t. Let’s fill the shelves this summer!🥫☀️ No child should spend summer hungry. Help us to fill empty plates and fill hearts! 💕 Donate non-perishable food items along with items listed that are in high demand.💕 Every donation makes a difference no matter how big or small. The collection period is from June 10 to August 2.

Emmanuel Cancer has let Teen Outreach know they have bare shelves and are in need of groceries!

Please visit Emmanuel Cancer Foundation or The Blessing Shelf for more information or contact Emily Olkowski.

An urgent request from our ministry partners at North Porch Women and Infants Centers:


Dear Diocesan Friends,

The Triangle Park Center was broken into recently. Our North Porch Jersey City Center is housed there. Supplies were stolen from us as well as items from the center itself. Our complete supply of size 4, 5, and 6 diapers and wipes were taken as well as some formula. We are doing a donation drive to replace these items. We appreciate any help your parishes can provide to us. If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia MoriczdeTecso, Program Director at 973-970-5215 or northporch.director@gmail.com

Blessings,

Rev. Ellen and The North Porch Board of Trustees

How to Donate

Online Supply Donations

Supplies can be purchased online at Amazon, Walmart, Target and other stores and shipped directly to North Porch. Please use the NEW shipping address below for all online orders. 

NEW Shipping Address: 

North Porch Women and Infants Center

179 Route 46 West Suite 15-182

Rockaway, NJ 07866

Phone 973-586-1100

Note: MUST reference Suite 15-182 to get to us.

Drop Off Donations

Donation drop offs can be made at our Dover and Newark Centers. Please contact our Program Director, Cynthia Moricz deTecso at northporch.director@gmail.com or call us at 973 970 5215 prior to drop offs to arrange delivery times.

Note: Diapers, wipes and formula dropped off in the Blessing Shelf donation center at St. Elizabeth's will be delivered to North Porch.

Monetary Donations

By Check: 

Checks can be mailed to the following address.

North Porch Women and Infants’ Center

11 South Bergen St. Dover, NJ 07801

Attention: Treasurer

Online Donations: 

Monetary donations can be made through our website .

We accept credit cards, PayPal and (NEW)Venmo. 

Work Has Begun!

Thanks to your generosity through the capital campaign, the replacement of the Parish House roof began on Thursday, July 23 and continued this past week. It's exciting to know these long-awaited improvements are finally beginning. Thank you for helping make them possible!

Please Contribute!

Pledge online using the link below. 

Campaign Prayer

Almighty and everliving God, just as your prophet John the Baptist came as a messenger to prepare the way of the Lord, you call us to that very same ministry. May all your faithful people who gather here to worship your Son be devoted caretakers of this sacred space so that we and future generations may know the Good News of Jesus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit be honor, praise, and glory, now and forever. Amen.

St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation (CDC), Paterson, NJ

Volunteers needed–Men’s Shelter

This is a great opportunity for a student needing service hours to donate time cooking and serving or to serve prepared food from a restaurant or deli. Food expenses will be reimbursed upon submission of a receipt to the office. The St. Elizabeth’s tax exempt form is available in the office. Students, put your school holiday to good use and serve these men who are trying to right their lives!

One way you can give thanks for Rev. Melina’s ministry is by contributing to a purse that we will give to her. This gift will be just one tangible way for us to say “thank you” for her good work here. You can give your gifts securely on our parish website using the button below, drop them in the parish office during the week, or mail them to the church. Please put “Melina’s purse” in the memo line of any checks. We will present the purse and other gifts to Rev. Melina on August 30.

Summer Reading

Below is the list of books that Before Lunch Book Talk will be reading and discussing from September 2026 - May 2027. If you are looking for summer reading material, you can get ahead on this list and then join the discussion accordingly. Enjoy! 

American Princess: Historical Novel

First Daughter Alice Roosevelt

by Stephanie Marie Thornton

9/1/26

The Girl Who Wrote in Silk

by Kelli Estes

10/6/26

Death Comes for the Archbishop

by Willa Cather

11/3/26

Theo of Golden

by Alan Levi

12/1/26

The Paris Library

by Janet Skeslien Charles

2/2/27

People of the Book

by Geraldine Brooks

3/2/27

The Correspondent

by Virginia Evans

4/6/27

The Reef

by Edith Wharton

5/4/27

Progressive Dinner

Saturday, October 3

Save the date!

If you would like to receive our Christian Education Weekly email (CEW) directly for all things Children's Ministry-related, please Sign Up HERE.

Upcoming Events:

7/31/26 - July Family Dinner & Games

8/3-8/7 - Vacation Bible School with Church of the Redeemer (Ramsey)

8/11/26 - Summer Storytime 10 a.m.

We welcome the joyous noise of our youngest worshipers! For those that need a little more wiggle room, our second floor nursery is open for ages 5 and under.

Our attendant this week is Emily O.

Giant Church Picnic

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Join the Cross Roads community for our annual Giant Church Picnic on Sunday, August 16, 2026. This end-of-summer celebration is a chance for campers, families, churches, alumni, and friends to come together for an afternoon filled with camp activities, laughter, food, and community.

Whether you’ve spent years at Cross Roads or this is your very first visit, everyone is welcome.

There is no registration fee to attend this year’s Giant Church Picnic!

Back to Camp: Alumni Weekend

October 2-4, 2026

Whether you knew it as Beisler, Eagle’s Nest, or Cross Roads, camp has always been a place where memories are made, friendships are forged, and faith is strengthened. Now, it's time to come back.

Join us for Back to Camp: A Beisler–Eagle's Nest–Cross Roads Alumni Weekend, where generations of campers, counselors, and friends will gather for a classic weekend of campfires, songs, laughter, and reconnection. This is your chance to relive the magic and make new memories—together.

Annual Rally for Cross Roads

Saturday, October 3, 2026

Calling all walkers and runners. Join us for a day of movement, community, and impact at the Rally for Cross Roads.

Whether you walk or take on the 2/5K, this event is for everyone. Bring your friends and family, choose your pace, and enjoy the day together.

Every step makes a difference, supporting camp scholarships, strengthening our facilities, and expanding programs for young campers.

Women's Retreat

October 9-11, 2026

2026 Theme:

Women, Water, and Oil

Led by Laurie Matarazzo and Dale Selover

Washing with water and anointing with oil, women’s hands have blessed human bodies with their touch for centuries. So did Mary when she anointed Jesus for his burial. So did Jesus when he washed his friends’ feet in the Upper Room. What are our own experiences with water and oil, with cleansing and consecrating bodies? How has our touch conveyed the love and life of the Spirit?

Attend an Open House

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer is on Zoom only, Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Meeting ID: 858 4728 7483 Password: Morning

Questions? Contact Jim Alimena at jim.alimena@gmail.com

At St. Elizabeth’s, Morning Prayer follows the Rite I order in The Book of Common Prayer. People participate in the twenty minute service in many ways. Some listen while commuting on public transportation or eating breakfast with their audio on mute and video off. Others participate by saying the responses of the people or reading one of the lessons. Parishioners Jim Alimena, Peter Angelica, Mary Hayes, Don Taylor and Denise Vollkommer rotate leading the liturgy. Prayers and thanksgivings focus on families, children, education, the parish, the sick and the nation. All are welcome.

Experienced childcare attendants aged 16 and older are needed for our Church Nursery program for 2026-2027.

The paid attendant provides for the physical, emotional, and intellectual safety and needs of children ages 0-3 years while working in the church's nursery. Ideally, applicants should have 1-2 years of experience with infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children and have First Aid Training/CPR Training. Attendant is required to be at church primarily on Sunday mornings from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., but may involve other days and times as needed. Online Safe Church training will be required. Candidate will start September 13. Please contact Beth Van Emburgh with questions.

Bring Joy to Our Community

Volunteer for LEMONADE & ICED TEA Hour

To continue this cherished time of fellowship, we need your help!

Each Sunday after our 10 a.m. worship service, we gather in Parish Hall to connect with fellow parishioners over lemonade, iced tea, and light refreshments. Volunteers provide food and clean up. Please check the sign-up for the dates in which we need hosts.

For simple Lemonade & Iced Tea Hour instructions and how to get started, please click HERE.

If you are new to hosting Lemonade & Iced Tea Hour we have experienced hosts who are happy to partner with you. Please contact Sandy Sullivan (sullivansandy6@gmail.com) and we will match you with an experienced guide! 

Forward Day by Day: Daily Devotions for Disciples:

August / September / October 2026

Copies of the August / September / October 2026 issue are available on the table outside Rev. Melina's office in the foyer leading to the Parish Hall. Please be sure to leave a donation to cover the cost of print copies.

You can download the free app to Apple Devices. Forward Day by Day offers prayer on the go—daily spiritual practices for busy people. In English and Spanish. The app includes the daily meditation from Forward Day by Day, as well as all daily prayers from The Book of Common Prayer, and the daily scripture readings from the lectionary. Integrated podcasts allow users to listen within the app as they read. Display preferences provide various fonts and text sizing options. Forward Day by Day is an offering of Forward Movement, a ministry of the Episcopal Church.

You can also visit their website:

St. E's now has a LinkedIn Page

A LinkedIn page was created for St. Elizabeth's. You can now link your volunteer work at St. E's on your personal LinkedIn page. You can also Follow St. E's page.

Large Print Bulletins

Did you enjoy the large print bulletins on Easter Sunday? The ushers will have a few large print bulletins for use during the worship service. Feel free to ask for a copy.

Google Drive for Photos

Do you have photos from St. E's events? You can download the photos onto St. E's Google Drive. Use the button below to access the Google Drive.

Name Tags

Did you bring your magnetic name tag home? Please return it to the white boards by the elevator.

Have you lost your name tag? Is it broken in some way? Do you have two?

Email Stephanie to replace lost name tags or create new ones. sdoyle@stesridgewood.org

Leave broken parts or extras on Stephanie's desk with a note. Thanks!

SCAM ALERT: The Rectors and the staff will never ask for money, gift cards, or crypto. If a message claims to be us and feels urgent, please verify with the parish office before acting.

Community Thrift Shop

Accepting IN-SEASON clothing, shoes, linens, small electronics, kitchenware, toys, books, CDs, DVDs, party supplies, greeting cards, magazines, jewelry, bric a brac, paintings, frames, lamps, unused cosmetics, craft supplies.  Donation hours: Mondays, 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m.. Limit: two kitchen-size bags. Please label all donations with account #4—St. E’s receives a percentage of sales. Shopping hours: Tues, Thurs & Sat, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Cash only. 85 Godwin Ave., Midland Park.

Lost & Found

There is a box on the desk outside the Parish office containing small items. If you are missing anything, please look there.

Meals Ministry

Our St. Elizabeth's community inreach includes a meals ministry. Food can be a source of comfort and support for you or your family during challenging times such as stressful situations, illness, after surgery, or following the birth of a child. Our team of volunteers will deliver meals to your residence so that you and your family can focus on healing and togetherness without the added time demands of meal prep.

After years of faithful and gracious efforts by Mary Wynn Seiter, stewardship of our meals ministry has transitioned to Gaye Thurston and Karla Tombaugh.

Need help?  If you are in need of support, please reach out to Andy and Melina to initiate the process. Gaye or Karla will then connect with you to obtain information that will help them set up a meal schedule for you (e.g., dietary restrictions, likes/dislikes, # days/week and the length of time that support is needed). Delivery can be coordinated to accommodate your preferences: for example, you might enjoy a short social visit with the food delivery, or if you prefer more privacy, food can be dropped off with no contact.  

Want to help?   If you would like to provide meals to people in need within our community (either by cooking yourself or arranging delivery of take-out), please provide your email address to Gaye (gaye.thurston@gmail.com) and Karla (ktomb833@outlook.com). You will be notified by email when meals are needed (via our management platform "Take Them a Meal"), and can sign up for one or more dates that work for you.

Hearts, Hands, and Hours @ Philip's

❤️ 👐 🕰️ 🏫

There are continuous / ongoing volunteer opportunities.

Please use the button below to sign up.

Get Involved in our Baptismal Blanket Ministry

The Needlecrafter group handcrafts blankets for every child baptized at St. Elizabeth's. This Ministry is a group of caring hands and prayerful hearts, coming together to knit and crochet cozy blankets for those being welcomed into the family of faith. Each blanket is lovingly handmade as a symbol of warmth, comfort, and God’s embrace, and is gifted to families during their child’s baptism. And we have several baptisms on the horizon!

Whether you're a seasoned knitter or just learning, all are welcome to join this meaningful ministry of love and stitches. Our experienced needlecrafters provide the yarn and lessons, if needed. You can join the regular group at 10 a.m. on Thursdays, or join the multi-generational evening group, meeting Wednesday evenings at 7:00-8:30 p.m. Contact Beth Van Emburgh with questions about the Wednesday evening stitching group and Sherry Kock about the Thursday morning group.

St. E's Card Ministry

We are offering parishioners the opportunity to request cards of celebration, sympathy and thinking of you. The handwritten notes to family and friends are a connection to our caring church family at St. Elizabeth's. Your request may be given to members of our committee, clergy, vestry or staff any time throughout the year.



We look forward to hearing from you with your requests or questions.

Cathy Cardew, Sherry Kock, Valerie Florstedt, Chairperson

Interested in receiving communion at home? 



The Rectors are available to bring you Eucharist and to pray with you. If you’d like to arrange a time, please reach out to them directly at aolivo@stesridgewood.org or mdezhbod@stesridgewood.org.

You can also call the Parish Office at (201) 444-2299 to request a visit.

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” 

Proverbs 19:17

Join us on Sundays!

Holy Eucharist Service

Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Can't make it in person? We live stream our services on YouTube

St. Elizabeth's has a media opt-out policy. Anyone who does not wish to allow the church to use their names or images, or those of their children, on social media must fill out a form. The policy and the opt-out form may be found HERE. Please contact the Parish Office for more information (201) 444-2299.

Summer Office Hours The Parish Office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. The outer doors are locked, to enter, press the button on the building wall near the California Street door and you will be buzzed in. If you need assistance, please call the parish office at (201) 444-2299.