May 2015 – Saint Stephen's Millburn

29 May

Newsletter May 27, 2015

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: May 27, 2015

And now for the Trinity! I actually like the idea of the Trinity, even though it is not well defined in Scripture. Perichoresis is the Greek term used to express the co-existence of the three persons of the Holy Trinity – God, Son and Spirit. The word suggests perpetual movement, a dance of the three iterations, in and of one another. The pretzel-like Trinitarian symbol also evokes the idea that there is no beginning and no end; that all are equal and all are in tension with one another. In Jesus, we have witnessed one part descend into human form, and then return to be assumed into the Perichoresis; The Holy Spirit’s descent is another form of that action. OK, enough! Don’t worry about it, just notice when the Spirit of God is at work in you and around you.

Sad News

Sadly we announce to our parish family and friends that Trina Debevoise passed away on Pentecost Sunday 24, 2015.

The funeral will be held at St Stephen’s on Saturday June 6, at 11:00am. A reception will follow. All are invited to attend. Please keep Dickinson and the family in your prayers.

May light perpetual shine upon her +

Reminders

Date	Time	Event
MMay 31, Sunday	3:00 pm	David Hegg Lifetime Achievement Awards
June 6, Saturday	11:00 am	Trina Debevoise’s funeral

Serving at the Altar Sunday 5/31 & 6/7

Sunday May 31st	Saturday June 6th
8 am Reader: Carol Francis	Readers at the 11:00 am service
1. Kathleen Wade 2. Sam Polanco 3. Peter Wick	1. Jean James 2. Barbara Churchill 3. Ellen Pluta
Chalicist: John Scharff	Chalicist: Janet Hager
Ushers: Paul Boegershausen and Eric Maurer	Ushers: Owen and Patti Moore
Coffee Hour Host: Margo Greenfield Flowers are given by: Jane Rossiter	Flowers are given by: Rev. Sheelagh & St Stephen’s Choir

Coffee hosting and flowers

Please let Eugene or Claire in the office know if you want to donate flowers. Please sign up for coffee with Susan Dinan. No one has signed up for the coffee hour for June 7.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Celebrating Sara Ruth

Please join us Sunday May 31 at St. Peter’s, Morristown, to celebrate the love and faithful witness of Sara Ruth Dorn and other Diocese of Newark seniors. Bishop Beckwith will preach at an Evensong service to honor their many significant contributions of time and talent to the church and the community, with the presentation of the David Hegg Lifetime Achievement Awards.
This time, Sara Ruth doesn’t have to cook!
Reception at 3
Evensong at 4
St. Peter’s Church, 70 Maple Avenue, Morristown, NJ

IHN Meals Needed

Due to unforeseen circumstances, IHN families will have to stay in a hotel next week. I know this is short notice and a busy time for everyone, but I am hoping that some of you might be able to help and prepare dinners for our families. We need dinners starting Monday, June 1st to Friday, June 5th to be delivered by 5:30pm to IHN headquarters. Your home cooked meals will be most appreciated.
Family breakdown: 4 Adults, 3 teenagers, 2 children and 2, 1 year olds
Allergies: No pork, nuts, mangoes, pineapple, strawberries or shellfish
As always thank you for your time and help.
If you can help, please contact Margo Greenfield.
Greenfieldmargo@gmail.com.

FOOD BARREL

Contributions to the St. Stephen’s food barrel are delivered to food pantry at Apostles’ House in Newark to help alleviate the problem of hunger in Essex County. Please heed the announcement made to the tune of “Roll Out the Barrel” by our choir.

Fill up the barrel
Elijah is counting on you!
Fill up the barrel!
There’s so much good you can do!
Shop for the barrel,
Tuna and Wheaties and stew,
Now’s the time to fill the barrel,
It’s the right thing to do!

Our food barrel is located in the Narthex by the rear door to the Church, ready to be packed with nonperishable items such as: CANNED MEAT, CANNED BEEF STEW, CANNED TUNA, PEANUT BUTTER, JELLY, CANNED FRUIT, RICE, DRIED BEANS, 100% FRUIT JUICE, CANNED VEGETABLES, POWDERED MILK or PARMALAT, COLD and HOT CEREALS, CANNED SOUPS, MACARONI and CHEESE, CANNED OR INSTANT POTATOES, COFFEE and TEA.

Summer Music

Soon the Senior Choir will be taking their well-deserved summer vacation. If you would like to make a musical contribution to our 10:00 a.m. services during the summer months, please contact Kim Williams at kkawe@optonline.net or see her at Coffee Hour. Solos or small ensembles are welcome, vocal or instrumental.

Shakespeare in the Summer?

All those interested in Shakespeare, outdoor picnics by the Hudson River, and warm summer nights you might like a parish trip to Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival to experience “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” on a Saturday in July. Let me know 908 686 5489 and we can begin a plan. The date is July 19 at 7:30. The grounds of Boscobel open around 5:30 for picnicking. There is a group discount available for 12 more.

Notice:

In the interest of Rev. Derek Darves we are currently relocating the entrance from the back door at the Rectory to the side door on the porch.

08 May

Newsletter May 6, 2015

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: May 6, 2015

The believing Jews who had come with Peter, couldn’t believe…that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on “outsider” Gentiles. Acts 10:45.

This moment marks a significant shift in the early church, which was initially focused on trying to persuade the Hebrew people that the Risen Christ was the Messiah, and held fast to Jewish religious traditions. Peter, Jesus’ appointed leader, is beginning to realize that the good news is not exclusive and needs to include all people. Here we see the boundaries start to shift, and a spirit of inclusivity start to emerge. It is a pivotal moment that prepares the early church to be more flexible and dare to go outside their comfort zone. It is a message we still need to hear. Where are our boundaries? Who are the “outsiders”? And where do we need to go outside our comfort zone to do God’s work?

Reminders

Date	Time	Event
May 7, Thursday	7:30pm	Preschool Committee
May 12, Tuesday	7:30pm	Finance Committee
May 16, Saturday	6:00pm	Spring Auction Fundraiser
May 17, Sunday	11:30am	Vestry

Serving at the Altar this Sunday 5/10

8am reader: Marvin Walker
10am readers: L. Owolabi, K. Hanson, F. Dorn
Chalicist: Sheelagh C. Clarke
Ushers: Claas Ehlers and Ellen Pluta
Coffee Hour hosts: Barbara Riedel
Flowers are given by: – Peter Wick for Kira’s birthday

Coffee hosting and flowers

No one has signed up for the coffee hour for May 24, or for flowers. Please let Eugene or Claire in the office know if you want to donate flowers. Please sign up for coffee with Susan Dinan.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ST STEPHEN’S AUCTION WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, MAY 16 FROM 6 PM TO 9 PM.

We hope you are planning to attend with a group of family or friends. We promise not only an enjoyable evening but an opportunity to show your support for the needs of our church.
The following is a list of a few of the items up for Auction.

A life size Santa
Collectible dolls
Antique flow blue pitcher and bowl set
A stay at the historic B&B, The Red Hook Inn, in Red Hook NYA week in a lovely vacation home in Rhode Island
A Seth Thomas Helmsman’s Ship Clock and Barometer circa 1970
Tickets to Papermill Playhouse
Gift certificates to local restaurants
Genuine Fox fur scarf
Wooden tray/table top UK
Pair of metal wall sconces
New Vera Bradley backpack and purse
SPA facial
Pair of Lily Pulitzer shoes
Eddie Bauer New leather jacket XXL Ladies
$200.00 gift certificate for Darren Michael’s Jewelers
Lessons at Arthur Murray Dance Studio
$20.00 towards shoes at Happy Feet, children’s footwear
$50.00 Gift certificate for Charlie Browns
Tickets for Cape May Stage
$100.00 gift certificate from Shoprite
Lenox vase
Ladies Dolce & Gabanna watch
Ladies Swiss Army Watch

Christine’s Kitchen

Each Saturday 70 to 80 people in need enjoy a hot lunch. They come from all over the area, and include families, single people and seniors. The soup kitchen is located at Holy Trinity Church in West Orange, but is served by faith communities which take turns hosting.

What can St. Stephen’s do?

St. Stephens will host the May 16, 2015 soup kitchen. We are responsible for providing meals and volunteers. We also have the opportunity to spend a few hours with our brothers and sisters, enjoy a meal together and share the blessings of our lives.

What can you do?

Sign up. We need volunteers and we need about 12 meals made (serving 10-12 people) as well as donations of staples like coffee, napkins, paper plates. Let us know which (you can do both) you want to do. If you are volunteering, it will be between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm and involves warming food, setting tables, serving meals, dining and cleaning up. Contact Claas cehlers@familypromise.org or 908 789-2356 if you will be attending.

Where is it?

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 315 Main Street at the intersection of Main and Franklin streets in West Orange, opposite the Washington Elementary School. There is no parking lot. You can park along Franklin Street.

Shakespeare in the Summer?

All those interested in Shakespeare, outdoor picnics by the Hudson River, and warm summer nights- you might like a parish trip to Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival to experience ” A Midsummer’s Night Dream” on a Saturday in July. Let me know 908 686 5489 and we can begin a plan. The date is July 19 at 7:30. The grounds of Boscobel open around 5:30 for picnicking. There is a group discount available for 12 more.

Can You Help?

May 24 we are scheduled to serve at St John’s in Elizabeth. Sam and Soraya are unable to be there this time and Rev Sheelagh will be in the UK. Is there anyone who is willing to take food down to the Church and organize service? Please contact us immediately.

Notice:

In the interest of Rev. Derek Darves we are currently relocating the entrance from the back door at the Rectory to the side door on the porch.

01 May

Newsletter April 29, 2015

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: April 29, 2015

“Abide in me as I abide in you.” John 15:5

“Abide” is a recurring word in all our scripture passages right now. The dictionary offers definitions like live, shelter, spend time with; but the word in our context has a much deeper meaning. The word abide comes from the Middle English word “biden” that we recognize from bide your time. There is also a connotation of faithfulness within it from the Latin fidere to trust. For me, abiding in God’s love has always meant being at peace with, or suffused with the presence of God. It is certainly a mutual action, “Abide in me, as I abide in you,” suggesting that God is the primary mover here. Therefore, if God is already resting within us, it really does not take much effort to allow ourselves to be “suffused” with God’s presence, which is Love. It’s hard to think of anything more complete. +

Benefit Performance Raises $1500!

The Paper Mill Playhouse Broadway Show Choir is one of the many educational opportunities that the theater makes available to children and young adults interested in the performing arts. The Show Choir is distinct in that it does not charge a fee to the participants, and therefore can reach a more economically diverse group of students. The Show Choir does not have a sufficient budget to rent practice space, and therefore it uses Saint Stephen’s church every Sundaynight to practice, and the church provides the space free of charge. The benefit concert is the way by which the Paper Mill and the Show Choir thank the church for supporting education and the arts.

The Show Choir has performed at Lincoln Center, South Orange PAC, the Mayo Center, and the Sun Arena in Trenton. The choir has toured with the New Jersey Ballet when it performed its Ballet on Broadway program, and this year it is touring with Vocal Ovation, a Show Choir Extravaganza with two other elite choirs.

Reminders

Date	Time	Event
May 7, Thursday	7:30pm	Preschool Committee
May 12, Tuesday	7:30pm	Finance Committee
May 16, Saturday	6:00pm	Spring Auction Fundraiser
May 17, Sunday	11:30am	Vestry

Serving at the Altar this Sunday 5/3

8am reader: Carole Francis
10am readers: Jadyn Herry, Fran Taber, Sam Polanco
Chalicist: Janet Hager
Ushers: Jeff and Blair Majtyka
Coffee Hour hosts: Majtka Family
Flowers are given by: – call the church if interested in donating flowers

UPCOMING EVENTS

Annual Auction on May 16^th with a Wine & Cheese from 6pm-7pm and a live Auction from 7pm-9:30pm! Our auctioneer is very experienced and highly sought after, so we are certain you will have a wonderful time! Beautiful items have been donated by the community and local merchants in the Millburn/Short Hills area like restaurants, boutiques, salons, gift shops, and florists!

Tickets are $20/per person. Tickets sold at the door or you can call #973 376 0688 ext 10

Christine’s Kitchen

Each Saturday 70 to 80 people in need enjoy a hot lunch. They come from all over the area, and include families, single people and seniors. The soup kitchen is located at Holy Trinity Church in West Orange, but is served by faith communities which take turns hosting.

What can St. Stephen’s do?

St. Stephens will host the May 16, 2015 soup kitchen. We are responsible for providing meals and volunteers. We also have the opportunity to spend a few hours with our brothers and sisters, enjoy a meal together and share the blessings of our lives.

What can you do?

Sign up. We need volunteers and we need about 12 meals made (serving 10-12 people) as well as donations of staples like coffee, napkins, paper plates. Let us know which (you can do both) you want to do. If you are volunteering, it will be between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm and involves warming food, setting tables, serving meals, dining and cleaning up. Contact Claas cehlers@familypromise.org or 908 789-2356 if you will be attending.

Where is it?

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 315 Main Street at the intersection of Main and Franklin streets in West Orange, opposite the Washington Elementary School. There is no parking lot. You can park along Franklin Street.

2015 MISSION TRIP

Wednesday, July 8 – Saturday July 11, 2015

OPEN TO RISING 9TH GRADERS THROUGH NEW HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

Shakespeare in the Summer?

All those interested in Shakespeare, outdoor picnics by the Hudson River, and warm summer nights- you might like a parish trip to Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival to experience ” A Midsummer’s Night Dream” on a Saturday in July. Let me know 908 686 5489 and we can begin a plan. The date is July 19 at 7:30. The grounds of Boscobel open around 5:30 for picnicking. There is a group discount available for 12 more.