A Message from Rev. Paula | |
Beloved Community,
This has got to be one of the most beautiful times to be in Northern New Jersey! The sun is shining, the sky has those beautiful fluffy white clouds, and the warm air seems to be perfectly and balanced - not too humid and not too dry. The campus is budding and blooming all over the place, with birds and bees flying hither and yon and the most adorable bunnies sighted from time-to-time. I'll confess, it makes it hard to be sitting indoors at a desk.
It's also that time of year when we get together to weed and lay mulch, and to plant veggies and annuals (for the altar flowers) in our Good News Garden. So mark your calendar for Saturday, May 18th. It's on the church calendar from 8:30am to 2:30pm. Come for a few hours or the whole day. Bring your gardening gloves and any gardening tools you may have. We'll supply the drinks, snacks, and a quick lunch for those who are here at lunch time. You may not believe it but doing this together is not only worthwhile, it's a lot of fun!
We've created a SignUp Genius for those who would like to donate plants for the Good News Garden. You'll find it here. Though it's not a requirement, if you think you'll be coming, shoot us an email so we know how to plan for food. And, as always, don't hesitate to join us if you have a last minute change of plans. We always have enough.
Shalom,
Paula+
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Afternoon Tea for Cross Roads | |
Last Saturday, Maria and Rev. Paula, shown here with Program Director Helen Payanzo, enjoyed themselves at a fundraiser for our ministry partner, Cross Roads. St. John's Lutheran Church in Summit hosted this annual event and they do it up well! | |
At St. Stephen's, we believe that love begets love, and we strive to live out this belief through our various outreach and social justice ministries. By purchasing a t-shirt, not only will you be supporting our efforts to share God's love with all of God's people, but you'll also be promoting our beautiful Church on Main Street where love truly begets love!
Our t-shirts are available in a wide range of sizes, from Youth extra small to Adult 4x, and in standard and women's cut for adults. Our fundraiser ends on May 9th at 11:59PM, and we're only (20) t-shirts away from meeting our minimum requirement for printing.
So, we urge you to purchase a t-shirt today! Your support will make a difference!
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Happening at St. Stephen's This Week... | |
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 5 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 hosts are:
Fran Taber and Kira Hanson
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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.
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READING WITH THE RECTOR
Sunday, May 5th
11:30am - 1:00pm
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We will be discussing:
Beyond Magenta: Transgender and Nonbinary Teens Speak Out
by Susan Kuklin
Author and photographer Susan Kuklin met and interviewed six transgender or gender-neutral young adults and used her considerable skills to represent them thoughtfully and respectfully before, during, and after their personal acknowledgment of gender preference. Portraits, family photographs, and candid images grace the pages, augmenting the emotional and physical journey each youth has taken. Each honest discussion and disclosure, whether joyful or heartbreaking, is completely different from the other because of family dynamics, living situations, gender, and the transition these teens make in recognition of their true selves.
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PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BECAUSE EVENTS MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED. | |
MAY
MAY 5
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30pm - Reading with the Rector
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 6
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 12
10am - Intergenerational Sunday Worship
11:30am - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 13
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 15
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
MAY 16
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
MAY 19
Day of Pentecost
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 21
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 26
10am - Sunday Service
11:30am - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 27
7:30pm - MA Meeting
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JUNE
JUN 2
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30pm - Reading with the Rector
1pm - AA Meeting
JUN 4
7:30pm - MA Meeting
JUN 9
10am - Intergenerational Sunday Worship
11:30am - Youth Group
12pm - North Jersey Pride Festival
1pm - AA Meeting
JUN 10
7:30pm - MA Meeting
JUN 16
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
11:30am - Youth Group
1pm - AA Meeting
JUN 24
7:30pm - MA Meeting
JUN 30
10am - Sunday Service
1pm - AA Meeting
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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.
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NORTH JERSEY PRIDE FESTIVAL
Sunday, June 9
12:00 to 6:00pm
Memorial Park Amphitheatre
580 Valley Street, Maplewood
There will be live musical performances, 120+ vendors, a food court, a kid's zone and much more!
Stop by our booth, take a giveaway or
two, and help promote St. Stephen's,
The Church on Main Street where
LOVE begets LOVE!
For more info about the festival:
northjerseypride.org
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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.
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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.
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FAMILY PROMISE RUN/WALK
The Family Promise of Essex County 5K Run/Walk and Team Stroll is scheduled for Sunday, May 5th at Brookdale Park in Montclair/Bloomfield. Family Promise is incorporating a Kids Fun Run this year, for those little feet that would like to run, but aren’t quite ready for a 5K.
Here is the Run/Walk registration website.
Please share the link with friends and family and encourage them to register.
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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.
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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.
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The Evelyn Underhill Region.. and beyond | |
St. Paul's Chatham will be having a church rummage sale on the same date as the Chatham + Madison townwide yard sale, Saturday,
May 4 at 9am-2pm.
200 Main Street, Chatham
Raindate: May 5th.
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Spring cleaning? St. Paul's is accepting donations of New-in-Box, clean, gently used items in working order. Donations can dropped off during these times:
- May 1: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- May 2: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- May 3: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
These items will NOT be accepted:
- Clothing
- Broken, non-working items
- Car Seats
- Cribs
- Mattresses
- Tires
- VHS tapes
- Cassette Tapes
- Tube TVs or Monitors
- Printers
- Books
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Large Furniture
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Creativity Time
First Fridays of the Month
9-10:30am
Christ Church in Short Hills
66 Highland Avenue
This spring, set aside time to be creative in community. We’ll gather with coffee provided, get set up, and then spend 30-45 minutes being creative in silence together. You can write, knit, scrapbook, watercolor, or be creative in any way that feeds your soul and can be easily done in a group setting. Then we’ll share our hopes and projects, intentions for the coming month, and encourage one another.
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Creativity Time is open to anyone from the community.
May 3 and June 7 in the
St. Mark’s Room.
Contact Rev. Bowie
with any questions or if you are interested. Drop-ins welcome!
“Art is an act of the soul” – Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
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St. George's Episcopal Church in Maplewood and Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit are pleased to offer a service of worship for the community on Sunday, May 5, at 5:00 p.m. at St. George's. The service traces salvation history - the history of God’s faithfulness - through a series of readings, poetry, and music. All music, prayers, and poetry featured in this service is written by African American composers and poets. The choirs are joined by singers from the Episcopal Church of St. Andrew and Holy Communion in South Orange, soloists, organ, and a gospel combo.
The event will be live-streamed on the church's Facebook and YouTube accounts. You are invited to join either in person or online. Masks are optional for all in attendance. A freewill offering goes to benefit the music ministries at Calvary and St. George’s, which supports programs like this one. A festive reception will follow the service, sponsored by the Justice and Advocacy Ministry and the Absalom Jones Ministry for Black History and Culture.
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New York Landmarks Conservancy's
2024 Sacred Sites Open House
May 18-19th
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Participating religious institutions in New York will open their doors to the public to showcase their buildings and histories through guided tours, lectures, and musical performances.
Click here for details:
https://nylandmarks.org/sacred-sites-open-house/
Your parish admin previously worked at NYLC and on several of their annual Sacred Sites events. She recommends that you save the date and get ready for this special event!
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From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church | |
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MESSAGE FROM BISHOP HUGHES
NEW: Introducing the School for Ministry
-5/1/24
If you want to grow the church, says Bishop Hughes, start by growing your own faith in fellowship with other faithful Christians, which will empower you to talk about faith with others who need to hear the good news that they are loved by God.
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NEW: The Voice Online Link - 5/1/24
DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS
Sign up to receive important news, events and seasonal meditations from the Diocese of Newark.
Find out more and subscribe here.
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Racial Justice & Equity Pilgrimage
Saturday, June 8 at 8:45am
Grace Church, Madison
Join Bishop Hughes for a walking tour through the racial history of Madison, NJ.
The itinerary for this day-long pilgrimage has been developed by the Rev. George Dredden of the diocesan Racial Justice and Healing Commission, in conjunction with
Professor Jonathan Golden, Ph.D., Director of Drew University's Center on Religion, Culture and Conflict.
The pilgrimage will conclude no later than 4 PM. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Cost: $20 per person.
For more info.
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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.
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Cross Roads Camp & Diocesan Youth Ministries | |
CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
OPENING DAY
Saturday, May 18
Calling on all individuals, youth groups, families, and congregational groups to join us for a day of fun and giving back to our beloved camp. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a newbie to the scene, we need your help to get camp ready for summer.
We've got a lot of work to do to make sure everything is ready for campers. Come on out and lend a hand. It'll be a day filled with laughter, teamwork, and making memories as we roll up our sleeves and dive into some exciting projects. From sprucing up the cabins to clearing trails, there's no shortage of ways you can pitch in.
But it won't just be a day of work—it'll be full of friends and fellowship too! So, come on out and connect with old friends or make some new ones as we bond over shared experiences and a shared love for camp life.
Got some special skills or tools up your sleeve? Awesome! Bring along your chainsaws, leaf blowers, or any other handy tools you've got. We'll put 'em to good use.
Learn more
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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.
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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
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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.
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Please keep the following St. Stephen's family
members and friends in your prayers...
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Harold Williams
Ken Duge
Donna Bogardus
Ruth and Ron Gadbois
Lucy and Habib Faris
Jody Caldwell
Gina del Russo
Dan Brown
Karen McCarthy
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Victor
Lucy Bingham
Linda Petrillo
Jennifer Reilly
David Losito
Jack Moreno
Melissa Guerrero
Pat
Kevin Young
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Luther and Leon
Muriel Cruikshank
Jimmy Holl
Lillian Sutich
David Schnurrenberger
Mary Loucas
Sean Fitzgerald
Evie Larson
Pete Soltys
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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.
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The Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 5, 2024
We are using the new lectionary,
Wilda Gafney's A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year B.
Our bulletins are available here.
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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.
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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
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Sunday Worship
Meeting ID: 864 1664 1640
Passcode: SSM119
To call in, dial by your location:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
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Adult Formation
Meeting ID: 878 3014 4448
Passcode: SSM119
To call in, dial by your location:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
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Links for Sunday Worship Live-Stream & Social Media | |
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
119 Main Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
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Church
Parish Administrator, Maria T. Card
973.376.0688, Ext. 2
church@ststephensmillburn.org
Rector, The Rev. Paula J. Toland
973.376.0688, Ext. 4
rector@ststephensmillburn.org
Fax: 973.376.4002
Website: ststephensmillburn.org
Preschool
Director: Nancy Siracusa
973.376.0688, Ext. 1
Email: sspsmillburn@gmail.com
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