St. E-News

May 15, 2026

This Sunday: May 17, 2026


Seventh Sunday of Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day


Family Service & Holy Eucharist: Rite II

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Graduation Recognition


In the last few years, we have embarked on a tradition of recognizing our high school and college graduates in service. We read their names, have a little gift for them, and celebrate their achievements in Coffee Hour.  


To prepare for this service on Sunday, May 17, please send to Beth Van Emburgh:


  • Graduate Name
  • High School or College
  • School/Program they will be attending in the Fall, if applicable
  • Senior portrait for the slide show that will rotate during coffee hour


Please let us know if you will be in attendance on Sunday, May 17th.


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.

Bring Joy to Our Community

Volunteer for Coffee Hour


We need someone(s) to sign up for Sunday, May 24


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


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


For simple coffee hour instructions and how to get started, please click here.


If you are new to hosting coffee 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! 

This Week

Offering collected will support St. Elizabeth's Music Fund.

The Blessing Shelf


The first ever donations for St. Elizabeth's Blessing Shelf will start this Sunday, May 17 and run through Sunday June 7. This month the donations will go to Families for Families in Wyckoff, an organization dedicated to helping families transition out of homelessness.


Please visit Families for Families or The Blessing Shelf for more information or contact Emily Olkowski.

Moms Group is back for our spring session! Join us Thursdays at 10:30am to discuss the upcoming Sunday's Gospel against a backdrop of all the mom things that the end of the school year has to offer. We'll wrap up the year with a fun Moms Night Out. Questions? Email Catherine Olivo at catherineouttenolivo@gmail.com or Elena Croy at ebcroy@gmail.com.

Pledge Update

Just 23 Pledges Needed to Reach Our Goal

Check out the Campaign Pledge Center in the Chapel Hallway

Only five weeks to Celebration Sunday

June 21 @ 10 a.m.


To date we have received 77 pledges totaling a commitment of $2,543,859. The estimated cost of the projects is $2.6 million. Please pledge! There’s still time to help us complete the campaign goal of 100 pledges by June 30. Please fill out and return a pledge card today, or 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.

Update from the Vestry


Thanks to the generous pledging from our congregation, our Capital Campaign projects' planning is now underway. Although project estimates came in higher than expected, the giving spirit of this community has enabled the Vestry and Campaign Committee to move forward with funding for all of the original projects.


The Vestry has approved contracts with the following partners: Local Parti Architecture & Design and their engineering team; Patrick J. Murphy & Associates, Organbuilders; and Hughes Environmental Engineering.


Together, we are showing strong, faithful support for preserving the legacy of St. Elizabeth’s while building for its future. There is still time to be part of this inspiring project as the campaign continues through June 30th. Stay tuned for updates on project timelines and progress as this work on our beautiful sanctuary and parish house begins.

Upcoming Events

5 PM Contemplative Eucharist & Fire-pit


Our 5 PM Contemplative Eucharist will now be held monthly, followed by a potluck-style family dinner & fire-pit. Join us May 24 for prayer, worship & fellowship.

Gentlemen, this night’s for you. The Prime and Pour fundraiser will feature an evening of passed hors d’oeuvres, a 3 course dinner, wine, beer and live auction items (benefitting the SSA Food Pantry in Ridgewood). Sure to be a prime time event. Held at Roots Steakhouse in Ridgewood. Come, enjoy. Tell a friendPurchase tickets using this link or the QR code: https://ssaridgewood.org/prime

3rd Annual Whisky Night


Fella-ship: Missed a chance at the Outreach event to sign up for our 3rd annual Whiskey Night? There are still a few open spots available for this event on Friday, June 12th at 6:30pm at Steve Anderson's house. $100 per person to sample various whiskeys and share fella-ship! Contact Steve Anderson andersonstevenb@gmail.com to sign up.

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

Volunteers needed–Men’s Shelter


This is a great opportunity for a student needing volunteer 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!

Church School and Youth Programs


This Sunday


We have a Family Service at 10 am this Sunday. We will hear from our amazing Children and Youth Choirs!


There is no Church School on Family Sundays. We want our families to experience the entire service and enjoy coffee hour together. We will be recognizing our graduating seniors this Sunday - many of whom serve in the Church School and Nursery (Gabby: Nursery; Anna and Emily: PreK-1st; Hanna: 2nd-4th). Please plan to join us to wish them the best!

Upcoming Events:


5/17/26 - Graduate Recognition & Family Worship Service

5/24/26 - YPF Kickball Battle 4 pm followed by Evening Worship and Potluck BBQ Dinner

5/30/26 - Confirmation Service, St. Matthew's, Paramus

6/7/26 - Flower Sunday

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.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT NURSERY


Please note that we have age restrictions for our nursery. On Family Sundays when we do not have Church School or Children's Chapel, our nursery is for ages 5 and under. Older children, especially those who are Church School aged, are expected to join their parents in worship.


Our nursery strives to maintain a safe environment with appropriate staff to child ratios, and when older children arrive our attendant can not safely watch the toddlers. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Acolytes Needed!


Serving is worship is an active way to express faith and learn more about the Episcopal Church. We are always looking for 4th grades and up to serve as crucifers, torch bearers and lectors. We are in immediate need for many upcoming services.


Each time the youth serve, they earn two service hours for school. Also starting this year, the acolyte who serves the most will earn a gift card of their choice!


Sign up HERE for upcoming services.

Church School 2026-2027

Join our Leadership Team


In the fall, we will be in need of new members of our Church School Leadership team! We have several leaders graduating or moving at the end of this year.


All materials are provided, including lesson, reading, talking points, activities, and craft ideas. Teens in 9th and 10th grade who are Confirmed may volunteer with an adult. Teens in 11th and 12th grade who are Confirmed may volunteer in pairs. All volunteers must complete the required Safe Church training. Classes will start in mid-September. Contact Beth with any questions about helping with our Church School programs!

Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center

2026 Summer Camp Dates for Sleep Away Camp @ Cross Roads in Port Murray, NJ are Announced and Registration is Open


Early Bird & Bring a Friend Discounts currently available for registration


Theme: Wear Love

"So in Christ we, through many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." - Romans 12:5


Camps: Youth Camp, Confirmation Camp, Senior High Week, Mini Camp, Adventure Camp, Leadership Lab, Leaders-in-Training, SEEK, Family Camps


Camps begin July 5 through August 16.


Camps are available for those completing 1st grade through 12th grade.

Attend an Open House


Saturday, May 23, 2026

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Summer Employment Opportunities available for those Ages 16+

On-Going & Help Wanted

Morning Prayer


Morning Prayer is on Zoom only, Monday through Friday at 8:30am


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.

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 Parish Staff will NEVER ask you to buy gift cards or money orders.

Community Thrift Shop


Accepting IN SEASON clothing, shoes, linens, small electronics, kitchen ware, 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 AM–12 PM. 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 AM–4 PM. Cash only. 85 Godwin Ave., Midland Park.

Forward Day by Day: Daily Devotions for Disciples:

May / June / July 2026


Copies of the May / June / July 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 of the Episcopal Church, 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:

Prayer List


Our Prayer List has been refreshed for the beginning of Lent. It will be refreshed again at Pentecost.


To add names to the prayer list, please contact Stephanie at sdoyle@stesridgewood.org, or fill out the online form found below.


Need to submit a prayer request to the church? Not only can you do it on our website or by contacting the church office, you can now also fill out a prayer card and place it in the Prayer Request Box outside of the clergy offices. You can submit names for the Parish Prayer List, or ask for requests to be kept confidential and only be seen by the clergy.



Email and online requests are great, but sometimes you may want to go retro with your prayer requests and use pen and paper!


However you reach out, know that your clergy are here to pray for you.

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/your family during challenging times such as stressful situations, illness, post-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 am on Thursdays, or join the multi-generational evening group, meeting Wednesday evenings at 7:00-8:30 pm. 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 hand written 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.

Office Hours The Parish Office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 am–4:00 pm. 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.

Email  Facebook  GMB  Instagram  LinkedIn  Web  YouTube