June 12, 2024 Full Newsletter

June 12, 2024

A Message from Rev. Paula

Beloved Community,

I took this photo at the South Kingstown (RI) Town Beach at the end of October last year. We'd learned not too long before of my mother's cancer diagnosis and we were counting down the weeks until the birth of our first grandson. To state the obvious, it was a weirdly confusing and bittersweet time.

During one of my visits with my mother, we walked up the street to the beach and so much about this scene caught my eye. If I am to be honest, it touched my soul, speaking to my heart in a way I didn't quite know I needed. The clear blue of the sky, with the barest hint of sunset along the horizon, which, though actually quite similar, seems so different from the lively blue of the ocean, touched by hints of sunset at the horizon. The play of the shadows and light along the path. The wildness of the path itself, which is somehow made more alive by the fence meant to limit and contain. Those luscious rose hips on branches of deep green leaves juxtaposed against the dead branches of the lusciousness of the year before.

And then there is just enough uncertainty about what will come next when one steps out and around the beach roses. Is there really a walkable path? Or is it one that will require caution to avoid the thorns? Is it a level walk to the shore line or is there a drop off at the end of the path? At the merger of the beach with the sea?

All of what I see and don't see in this photo reminds me of who and whose I am. It captures for me the essence of a life of faith. In all of life there are glimpses of hope and dreams. Shadows of grief and despair. Opportunities to look deeply and cherish a depth of perspective. The uncertain and uncontrollable. Limits and structure. Life where there was death.

We've been talking for a while and will continue to talk for quite a while more about our Year of Renewal. We will journey together as pilgrims, seeking to journey deeper into the heart of God, as individuals and as a community of faith. As we continue preparations to kick off the year in September, when we will bid farewell to Sr. Monica and welcome Rev. Jane to journey with us, I invite you to think and pray about how you imagine a life of faith. It will not be the same for all of us and that is better than okay. That is wonderful and as it should be.

Shalom,

Paula+

Happening at St. Stephen's This Week...

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

June 16 at 10:00am

ALL are welcome.

At Communion, you may receive the wine by sipping from the cup, reverently touching the base of the chalice, or you may choose Communion in one kind only (the bread).

Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall

after the service.

Our Coffee Hour Host is:

Maryalice Chech

Live-streamed to YouTube and Facebook. Bulletins are available on the St. Stephen's website. All links can be found at the bottom of the newsletter.

The Sunday service will also be broadcast on HTTV (Comcast TV 36 and

Verizon TV 33) on Tuesday at 6am and 3pm.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Peter P. Soltys

The Family invites you to remember and celebrate the life of Peter P. Soltys

on Saturday, June 15 at 11:00am.

All guests are invited to a reception in the

Parish Hall immediately following the service. Light refreshments will be served.

Looking Ahead

ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH POTLUCK PICNIC

Sunday, June 23rd

Please use our SignUp and let us know which dish/items you are bringing!

Weather permitting, we will gather outdoors on our beautiful campus grounds after Sunday service. Otherwise, we will take the picnic and celebrate indoors.

PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BECAUSE EVENTS MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED.

JUNE

JUN 15

11:00am - Pete Soltys Memorial

JUN 16

Last day of Children's Chapel

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Vestry Meeting

1pm - AA Meeting

JUN 17

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JUN 19

7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting

JUN 23

10am - Sunday Worship

11:00am - Parish Potluck Picnic

11:30am - Youth Group

1pm - AA Meeting

JUN 24

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JUN 30

10am - Sunday Service

1pm - AA Meeting

JULY

JUN 2

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30pm - Reading with the Rector

1pm - AA Meeting

JUL 1

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JUL 4 & 5

Independence Day observ.

Preschool & Parish Office are closed.

JUL 7

10am - Sunday Worship

1pm - AA Meeting

JUL 8

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JUN 14

10am - Intergenerational Sunday Worship & Baptism

11:30am - Youth Group

1pm - AA Meeting

JUL 15

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JUL 17

7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting

JUL 21

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Vestry Meeting

1pm - AA Meeting

JUL 22

7:30pm - MA Meeting

JUL 28

10am - Sunday Worship

11:30am - Youth Group

1pm - AA Meeting

JUL 29

7:30pm - MA Meeting

YEAR OF RENEWAL

A summary of information and the known dates of Rev. Paula’s sabbatical can be found on the St. Stephen’s website. Updates will be posted periodically.

Other Happenings...

CHOIR APPRECIATION DAY

For our Minister of Music, Kim,

our Organist, John, and all of the members of our Senior and Children's Choirs.

PRIDE FESTIVAL 2024

Thank you to everyone who organized, came out, helped out and supported our LGBTQ+ community, friends and allies at the 12th Annual North Jersey Pride Festival in Maplewood on Sunday. St. Stephen's was a Dignity Sponsor this year. We hosted a booth for the 3rd year in a row sharing God's love with ALL of God's people.

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED

Please consider hosting!

Host(s) provide milk and food

for Coffee Hour on Sunday.

Sweet -or- savory.

Bought -or- made.

The hosting sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex.

COUNTING MINISTRY

The Counting Ministry is required

for compliance with best business

practices and our audit process.

Please consider joining this team, which works in pairs immediately after the service. It’s actually one of the least time-consuming and most straightforward ways you can participate in the vital ministries of this parish.

Email Maria for the 2024 signup.

Faithful Outreach

FAMILY PROMISE HOSTING DAY

DUE: SUNDAY, JUNE 16th

We are continuing our hospitality ministry with Family Promise and will be "hosting" the week of June 16th, however, with a little change in format.

As you know, the families are sheltering in long-term stay hotels and we have been providing meals and groceries. Due to some recent drop-off related challenges, Family Promise has determined that the safest way for them to continue to provide essential services in a way that meets the needs of the families and respects their dignity is by the host congregations donating gift cards. This commitment to the mission of their ministry is one of the reasons Family Promise is one of our designated ministry partners.

So, to live our faith and in support of Family Promise and its truly life-changing mission, we ask that you show your support by donating ShopRite or DoorDash/Grubhub gift cards so that the families in shelter continue to be able to focus on their goals. You may bring the gift cards to Church services June 16th or drop them off at the Church office by Friday, June 14th. If you have any questions, please talk with Linda Soughan or email her at lindasoughan@comcast.com.

Thank you for your continuing and enthusiastic support of this long time St. Stephen's ministry!

NORTH PORCH

North Porch Women & Infants' Centers provides emergency aid, in the form of baby supplies, to mothers and infants in northern New Jersey, to help them stabilize and improve the quality of their lives.

Our collection bin is located outside the education building doors year-round. Donations can be dropped off at any time. Items of urgent need are:

Enfamil 12.5 oz powdered baby formula and soy formula
Diapers sized 1 through 6 and Pull-ups of all sizes
Baby wipes
Jars of baby food all ages-fruit, veggie and 1st foods
Baby Cereal

If you would like to make a monetary donation to North Porch, please click here.

THE APOSTLES' HOUSE

The Apostles' House Turns 40

this Year!!

Apostles' House provides compassionate care for homeless women, fostering healing and empowerment. They plan new programs focusing on trauma-informed care and crisis intervention, addressing immediate needs and long-term healing. They aim to create a space

where every woman feels heard, breaking the cycle of homelessness.

Help Apostles' House celebrate their four decades of unwavering commitment by contributing to their goal of raising $400,000 this year!

Learn more here.

Collection bins for non-perishable food and hygiene product donations are available year-round outside our education building doors.

From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church

MESSAGE FROM BISHOP HUGHES

NEW: What does summer Sabbath look like for you? - 6/12/24

It’s been a busy program year, says Bishop Hughes, and as she did last year, she reminds us to take some Sabbath time this summer to rest, nourish ourselves, and allow God to restore us.

NEW: The Voice Online Link - 6/12/24

DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS

Find out more and subscribe here.

During the Summer, the VOICE Online and The VOICE Digest will be published monthly on the second Wednesday of each month:

Wednesday, June 12
Wednesday, July 10
Wednesday, August 14

Publication will return to its regular schedule after Labor Day.

TRINITY RETREAT CENTER

Trinity Retreat Center, located in the Northeast in West Cornwall, CT, offers a place of spirituality and gracious, authentic hospitality—where you can slow down, connect deeply with nature, experience the rhythm of a community, enjoy farm-to-table meals, discern direction for your life, and go home ready to make an even greater impact on the world.

Trinity Retreat Center is an Episcopal mission of Trinity Church Wall Street and is open to everyone, regardless of denomination or faith.

For more information, go to the Trinity Retreat Center's

Facebook page or website.

Cross Roads Camp & Diocesan Youth Ministries

BISHOPS' CUP

A CROSS ROADS FUNDRAISER

Copper Hill Country Club

June 24

Can you believe it's been over two decades since Cross Roads started bringing joy and transformation to kids and families from all corners of New Jersey and beyond? It's been an incredible journey, and we owe it all to the amazing support of folks like you!

The life-changing impact of Cross Roads isn't just a stroke of luck – it's made possible by the generosity of countless individuals who support Cross Roads by giving their time and money to make our ministry possible and the Bishops' Cup is just that, an opportunity for you to invest in our ministry.

Bishops' Cup is a golf fundraiser hosted at the Copper Hill Country Club. You can participate by becoming a sponsor or registering as a golfer.

Thank you for being a part of our journey and for helping us continue to spread love, faith, and joy to all who walk onto our campus. Continue your support by joining us at this amazing event.

Learn more.

CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER

Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center is a joint ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark and the New Jersey Synod. Cross Roads is a welcoming and inclusive community providing life-changing and sacred adventures for renewal, growth, and joy.

Cross Roads is an inspiring and relaxing year-round retreat center offering comfortable facilities and professional programming for secular and spiritual groups of all ages. Located on 250 glorious acres atop the stunning mountain landscape of northwestern New Jersey, our cozy retreat centers and cabins house up to 300 people. Guests enjoy our beautiful hiking trails and an abundance of outdoor and indoor recreational areas including basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, and open space for field games.

To learn more about Cross Roads' offerings, click here.

POP UP YOUTH MINISTRY

Pop Up is a welcoming ministry of the Diocese of Newark bringing together youth for fun activities, community, and faith formation. All youth grades 6-12 are encouraged to join the monthly events.

Follow popupym on Instagram

and Facebook.

Resources

In this time of Crisis, there are many resources that can help if you or someone you know needs assistance. Please contact NJ Mental Health Cares for free helpline telephone counseling or assistance. Call 866-202-4357.

TTY: 1-877-294-4356.

E-mail: help@njmentalhealthcares.org

Other resources are:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line, 741741

NJ Hope Line (suicide prevention)

855-654-6735

A/MA MEETINGS

Weekly AA meetings:

Sunday at 1:00pm

Contact: Rob H. (516) 860-9062

AA meetings are presented in Big Book format.

For more information about Alcohol Anonymous, click here.

Weekly MA meeting:

Monday at 7:30pm

Contact: Max T. (212) 203-2542

Contact: Deana L. (908) 499-8997

MA meetings are presented in a rotating format:

Step - Speaker - Story from Life with Hope - Topic

For more information about Marijuana Anonymous, click here.

Prayer List

Please keep the following St. Stephen's family

members and friends in your prayers...

Harold Williams

Ken Duge

Donna Bogardus

Ruth and Ron Gadbois

Lucy and Habib Faris

Jody Caldwell

Gina del Russo

Dan Brown

Karen McCarthy

Victor

Lucy Bingham

Linda Petrillo

Jennifer Reilly

David Losito

Jack Moreno

Melissa Guerrero

Pat

Kevin Young

Luther and Leon

Muriel Cruikshank

Jimmy Holl

Lillian Sutich

David Schnurrenberger

Mary Loucas

Sean Fitzgerald

Evie Larson

Donna Riggi

If you would like to add someone to our prayer list, please email us at church@ststephensmillburn.org, or call (973) 376-0688 Ext. 32.

Anyone for whom we are praying will be on our prayer list for six weeks. If prayers are still needed beyond that time period, please let us know. Thank you.

Sunday Lectionary

The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

June 16, 2024

We are using the new lectionary,

Wilda Gafney's A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year B.

Numbers 11:4–15
Psalm 147:7–14
1 Timothy 6:6–16
Mark 6:30–44

Our bulletins are available here.

Giving with Tithe.ly

TITHE.LY

Giving with Tithe.ly is easy with options for recurring donations or one-time use for when you are away or not able to be in church.

You can access Tithe.ly giving here.

Office Notes

Only teachers and staff are allowed to be in the building during school hours. If you need to visit the parish office/building for any reason, please contact us for an appointment. Thank you.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday - Friday

9:00am to 5:00pm

Important Links

Zoom Links

Sunday Worship

Meeting ID: 864 1664 1640

Passcode: SSM119

To call in, dial by your location:

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

Adult Formation

Meeting ID: 878 3014 4448