This Sunday: May 3, 2026

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Holy Eucharist: Rite II

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Large Print Bulletins

Did you enjoy the large print bulletins on Easter Sunday? Starting this 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 Boots, Blessings, & BBQ? You can download the photos onto St. E's Google drive. Have photos from other events? You can download those as well. Use the button below to access the Google drive.

Name Tags

Did you bring your magnetic name tag home after Boots, Blessings, & BBQ on Saturday, April 18? 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. sdoyle@stesridgewood.org

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

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.

Parish Life Committee Meeting

Looking for a way to learn more about, or get involved with fellowship activities here at St. E’s? Please join us for our Parish Life Committee meeting on Sunday, May 3rd at 11:30 am in the Conference Room. We will discuss plans for our upcoming parish picnic as well other opportunities to connect, serve and grow in faith together. New and long time parishioners welcome, no long term commitment necessary! Questions? contact Cathy Cardew at cvcardew@gmail.com

Before Lunch Book Talk & Author Zoom

Please join us on

Tuesday, May 5th at 12:00PM 

(Garden Room or via Zoom) 

We meet at 12:00PM for a one-hour book discussion. Afterward, those who can stay enjoy lunch brought from home and more conversation.

Join us to discuss A Change of Habit: Leaving Behind My Husband, Career, and Everything I Owned to Become a Nun by Sister Monica Clare moderated by Valerie Florstedt.

Author Sister Monica Clare will be joining our discussion via Zoom! She will talk about the book for 20 minutes to a half hour then will answer questions.

The soulful, hilarious memoir of a chronic people pleaser who surprised everyone in her life by abandoning an unfulfilling career and marriage to join a convent—and learned how much we stand to gain when we fully embrace our authentic selves.

In her twenties and thirties, Monica Clare was a talented but exhausted photo editor who spent her days getting yelled at by clients who were often strung out on cocaine and megalomania. For years, the voice calling her to a simpler, quieter life had been getting louder. As a little kid, she’d seen Audrey Hepburn in The Nun’s Story and thought: That’s me. That’s how she found herself straightening her habit nervously as she walked into a convent, preparing to live alongside eleven other sisters who’d taken the same vow of poverty and celibacy . . . indefinitely. Could a chronically fidgety, pop culture–obsessed woman of the world ever fit in? she wondered. And why did the other nuns seem so cold and disapproving?

As the months went on, she realized the other nuns were shy, not unfriendly—much like herself. The culture at the convent discouraged giving compliments or even saying “please” or “thank you,” since acts of generosity were to be freely given and received. But when Monica rose to the role of Sister Superior, she got the policy against compliments changed. Relationships started to blossom, first awkwardly and then more easily. Who would have predicted that Sister Christina, the one she thought had deeply disliked her from the start, would turn out to be a huge hugger? Or that they’d spend entire afternoons trying to keep a wild turkey from running amok in their community garden?

Equal parts tell-all and rallying cry, A Change of Habit reveals how much we can say yes to when we stop laboring to prove our worth to ourselves and others. In her role as a spiritual counselor, Sister Monica guides people from all walks of life toward resisting the false promises of capitalism, finding healing in small acts of nurture and connection, and ultimately, restoring themselves to a place of wholeness, all while living in this gorgeously messy world of ours.

Either use the button above to enter the Zoom call or use:

Meeting ID: 823 8050 3238

Passcode: Book

Midweek Holy Eucharist

Wednesday, May 6th at 12:00pm

(Chapel)

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.

Prepare The Way Capital Campaign

Update:

Just 24 Pledges Needed to Reach Our Goal

To date, we have received 76 pledges totaling a commitment of $2,533,859. Please pledge! There’s still time to help us complete the campaign goal of 100 pledges. 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.

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.

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!

Upcoming Events:

5/3/26 - Confirmation Class

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

5/17/26 - YPF

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

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 3 and under.

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+

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.

SCAM ALERT: The Rectors and Parish Staff will NEVER ask you to buy gift cards or money orders.

Community Thrift Shop

Accepting spring clothing, shoes, books, toys, linens, & beauty items. 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:

Bring Joy to Our Community

Volunteer for Coffee Hour

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! 

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.