18
Jan
16
Jan
12
Dec
Newsletter, December 12
A Word from Paula+
So, I’m going to name the irony of this newsletter right at the top: Yes, the pastor who preaches taking time to slow down and experience the blessings of a prayerful and reflective Advent today is offering a newsletter full of things to do. While none of this changes anything about the essence of this season or the one whom we await, it is true that these are things that will make our waiting in community go a bit more smoothly (one hopes).
Because there is so much in this edition of the newsletter, I am going to leave you with a brief Advent blessing from the Book of Occasional Services:
May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen .
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
Christmas is Coming!
Though we are still in Advent, we are doing lots to plan for Christmas at St. Stephen’s. These events are listed in the “Events” section below, but we thought you might like to know a bit more than can be shared in a simple table.
Blue Christmas – Friday, December 21st at 7:00pm
This simple, contemplative liturgy provides a prayerful and reflective space for those for whom the holidays do not bring joy or feel emotionally and spiritually complicated. Come if you feel a need or desire to honor the part of you that does not feel quite like celebrating this season.
Greening of the Church – Sunday, December 23rd after the 10:00 Service
You are invited to join members of the Altar Guild in the “Greening of the Church,” church-speak for marking the transition from Advent to Christmas with beautiful, lush greens and other traditional Christmas colors. You’ll have fun and food! because we’ll bring bagels and other light brunch foods.
Christmas Eve Family Service – 5:00pm
A full Eucharistic celebration of the birth of the incarnate God, with joyful music and a “child-friendly” homily. A bit shorter than the Festival Eucharist, great for kids of all ages (including adults).
Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist – 10:00pm
The traditional “midnight service”, though at a friendlier hour. Joyful music, including trumpet and descants. This is the service for you if singing “Silent Night” as midnight nears means Christmas is here.
Christmas Day Spoken Eucharist – 10:00am
Sometimes Christmas Day is best with a quietly joy-filled liturgy. This would be that.
Lessons & Carols – Sunday, December 30th at 10:00am
A lovely tradition in the Episcopal Church, Lessons & Carols is just what the name implies: a service of Bible readings and singing. Join us as we relive the story of God at work in the world from the dawn of creation to the inbreaking of God into the world. We will have our regular 8:00 service for those who would prefer a Eucharistic celebration.
Good News!
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ)has donated $2500 to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. This is money that is used ” to assist the poor of the congregation and the larger community” (from the diocesan website) and is distributed at the discretion of the clergy. We are grateful for the donor and for the CFNJ’s willingness to help make this happen.
The website has been updated and now includes our Christmas Services, Rev. Paula’s bio, and current information about the vestry and location of the parish office.
Just News
The Coffee Hour sign-up sheet is posted. Please join in this ministry of hospitality and fellowship by signing up to host a Sunday or two. We take care of the setting up and the making of the coffee. You prepare and lay out the delicious treats.
We will be posting a calendar on the bulletin board and invite you to add your name(s) on the dates of your birthday and anniversary. Please write “B” or “A” after it so we know which is which. We want to be able to pray for you on those special occasions. Rev. Paula will NOT use this info to cajole you into receiving a special blessing, though, of course, she hopes you will come forward to get one.
The phone extensions have changed now that the parish office and rector’s study are in the Education Building. We are in the process of updating the phone message system, which still has the old extension numbers in the outgoing message. Please ignore the message saying “ext 11” for Rev. Paula and use her actual extension: 21 if you call her. Until we establish the new office extension, it is okay to use ext. 10 for the parish office.
Rev. Paula’s business cards are in and there are some on the ushers’ table in the church (the table near the side entrance). Please take one or two (or as many as you need) so that you have her contact information whenever you need it.
We need your help…
– to get ready to welcome Doreen, our new parish administrator (announced in last week’s newsletter). If you have a bit of time this Sunday after church to help with moving a couple of file cabinets and bookcases, please let Rev. Paula know at 973-376-0688, ext 21 or rector@ststephensmillburn.org.
– to update our Facebook and Twitter accounts. If you are the administrator of either of these accounts (or know who is), please call or email Rev. Paula: 973-376-0688, ext. 21 or rector@ststephensmillburn.org.
Events
|
Date
|
Time
|
Event
|
| December 19, Wednesday | 7:30pm-10pm | Finance Committee Meeting |
| December 21, Friday | 7:00 pm | Blue Christmas Service |
| December 23, Sunday | 11:00am – ??? | Greening of the Church with Brunch |
| December 23, Sunday | 11:30am – 1pm | Vestry Meeting |
|
Christmas Eve
|
5:00pm | Family Service |
| Christmas Eve | 10:00pm | Festival Eucharist |
| Christmas Day | 10:00am | Spoken Eucharist |
| December 30, Sunday | 8:00am | Spoken Eucharist |
|
December 30, Sunday
|
10:00am
|
Lessons & Carols
|
Serving at the Altar 12/16 & 12/23
|
December 16
8am Reader: N. Sieffert
|
December 23
8am Reader: M. Ellingham
|
| Altar Guild: N. Sieffert | Altar Guild: M. Nazareth |
| 10am Readers: F. Dorn P. Wick K. Wade |
10am Readers: F. Taber K. Hanson T. Scharff |
| Chalicist: J. Soughan | Chalicist: J. Scharff |
| Ushers: J. & K. Wade | Ushers: E. Mauer and S. Moran |
| Altar Guild: J. & T. Scharff | Altar Guild: J. Dorn |
| Coffee Hour: J. & L. Soughan | Coffee Hour: J. & L. Scharff |
| Altar Flowers: N/A | Altar Flowers: N/A |
Parish Office Hours
Rev. Paula’s regular schedule is Sunday thru Thursday, though that may change depending upon what’s happening in the parish or diocese in any given week.
She isn’t always working in the office, so please call or email to schedule to see her. She can be reached at 973-376-0688, ext. 21, though for pastoral emergencies you may try her on her cell: 508-542-1327. Her email is rector@ststephensmillburn.org
The new parish administrator’s office hours and phone extension will be published just after the first of the year.
06
Dec
Newsletter, December 6
A Word about Advent from Paula+
If you were here either of my first two Sundays, you’ve heard my take on Advent: contrary to popular culture, it is not about getting ready for Christmas, not about gifts and wrapping, cookies and ham, lights and trees. Those things, which can be fun, can also shift our focus from the meaning of Advent – taking the time we need to prepare to meet the incarnate God as if for the very first time, all while preparing to meet the risen Christ at the end of time. Yeah…it’s a lot and it doesn’t sound anywhere near as fun as gifts and wrapping, cookies and ham, lights and trees.
And still, I hope you do take some time every day to nourish your hearts and your souls (actually, I hope that for you all the time) so that you are able to experience the inbreaking of God into the world in new and different ways, in deeper ways, this year. And I’ll tell ya, if you welcome that beautiful baby anywhere near as well as you have welcomed me and my family, your lives cannot help but be transformed.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
Events
|
Date
|
Time
|
Event
|
| December 19, Wednesday | 7:30pm-10pm | Finance Committee Meeting |
| December 21, Friday | 7:00 pm | Blue Christmas Service |
| December 23, Sunday | 11:00am – ??? | Greening of the Church with Brunch |
| December 23, Sunday | 11:30am – 1pm | Vestry Meeting |
|
Christmas Eve
|
5:00pm | Family Service |
| Christmas Eve | 10:00pm | Festival Eucharist |
| Christmas Day | 10:00am | Spoken Eucharist |
| December 30, Sunday | 8:00am | Spoken Eucharist |
|
December 30, Sunday
|
10:00am
|
Lessons & Carols
|
Serving at the Altar 12/9 & 12/16
|
December 9
8am Reader: C. Francis
|
December 16
8am Reader: N. Sieffert
|
| Altar Guild: C. Francis | Altar Guild: N. Sieffert |
| 10am Readers: S. Landers B. Churchill |
10am Readers: F. Dorn P. Wick K. Wade |
| Chalicist: R. Riedel | Chalicist: J. Soughan |
| Ushers: S. & L. Landers | Ushers: J. & K. Wade |
| Altar Guild: A. Cole | Altar Guild: J. & T. Scharff |
| Coffee Hour: The “Church Ladies” | Coffee Hour: The Soughan Family |
| Altar Flowers: N/A | Altar Flowers: N/A |
Good News!
We have hired a new parish administrator, Doreen Schindler. She comes to us with lots of experience in office administration, marketing, and social media. She will be working some the week of December 17th (because that is such a busy week for us!) and will begin her regular schedule January 2nd. Her office will be in the Education Building right next to Rev. Paula’s. When you see her, please join us in welcoming her!
Parish Office Hours:
Rev. Paula’s regular schedule is Sunday thru Thursday.
She isn’t always in the office, so please call or email her to schedule to see her.
She can be reached at 973-376-0688, though for pastoral emergencies you may try her on her cell: 508-542-1327. Her email is rector@ststephensmillburn.org
The new parish administrator’s office hours will be published just after the first of the year.
08
Nov
Newsletter, November 7
EVENTS
|
Date
|
Time
|
Event
|
| November 11, Sunday | 11:15am | Coffee Hour in honor and gratitude for Rev. Jane |
| November 13, Tuesday | 7pm | Drumming Class with Norma |
| November 14, Wednesday | 7:30pm-10pm | Finance Committee Meeting |
| November 18, Sunday | 11am | Turkey Box Dinner Drive |
| November 18, Sunday | 11:30am-1pm | Vestry Meeting |
Serving at the Altar 11/11 & 11/18
|
November 11
No 8am Service
|
November 18
No 8am Service
|
| 10am Readers: B. Churchill K. Conway K. Wade |
10am Readers: J. James F. Young L. Owolabi |
| Chalicist: J. Soughan | Chalicist: R. Riedel |
| Ushers: J. & K. Wade | Ushers: B. Riedel & M.A. Chech |
| Altar Guild: N. Sieffert & N. Cole | Altar Guild: J. Dorn |
| Coffee Hour: The Vestry | Coffee Hour: J. Spressert |
| Altar Flowers: The Landers Family | Altar Flowers: Open |
NOTICES
Farewell
Friday November 9, will be my last day here at St. Stephen’s and I would just like to thank you all for an amazing journey here. I wish St. Stephen’s family all the very best for the future, I will truly miss you all. Until we meet again God Bless!
Claire Temple-Jones
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday November 11, 2018
Coffee hour in honor of Rev. Jane
November 11th – Vestry sponsoring coffee hour in honor and gratitude of Rev. Jane. Additional “Baked goods” welcomed!
Drumming Class
Tuesday, November 13 at 7pm
Parents, teachers and friends, Treat yourself to an hour of relaxation!
ADULTS come along and have some fun drumming at: St Stephen’s Episcopal Church Between: 7pm-8pm. RSVP: Norma at: Norma.cook@outlook.com. Or leave a message: 862 485 1573.
Annual Turkey Box Dinner Drive
Sunday November 18, 2018
Boxes need to be at church by 11am for pick up!
Thanks to our wonderful parish, we now have enough Turkey boxes to give to our drumming camp families. The sign-up was very successful!
Box Dinner Menu-The following items are recommended for inclusion in each donated box:
- 1 sturdy box
- 1 10 – 15 lb. FROZEN TURKEY
- 1 disposable aluminum foil roasting pan
- 2 boxes of stuffing
- 1 5lb bag of potatoes OR two cans sweet potatoes
- 2 cans of vegetables (corn, green beans, peas,)
- 2 cans of turkey gravy
- 2 cans cranberry sauce
- 1 package rolls or corn muffins
- ½ gallon of apple or cranberry juice
- Dessert-cookies, brownies, pies (no frozen pies)
Parish Office Hours:
Monday & Wednesday Closed
Tuesday & Thursday 9am-5pm
Friday 9am-12pm
31
Oct
Newsletter, October 31
Events
|
Date
|
Time
|
Event
|
| November 4, Sunday |
4pm
|
Beckerath Organ Recital |
| November 11, Sunday | 11:15am | Coffee Hour in honor and gratitude for Rev. Jane |
| November 13, Tuesday | 7pm | Drumming Class with Norma |
| November 14, Wednesday | 7:30pm-10pm | Finance Committee Meeting |
| November 18, Sunday | 11:30am-1pm | Vestry Meeting |
Serving at the Altar 11/4 & 11/11
|
November 4
No 8am Service
|
November 11
No 8am Service
|
| 10am Reader: S. Landers |
10am Readers: B. Churchill K. Conway K. Wade |
| Chalicist: R. Riedel | Chalicist: J. Soughan |
| Ushers: T. & K. Conway | Ushers: J. & K. Wade |
| Altar Guild: C. Francis | Altar Guild: N. Sieffert & N. Cole |
| Coffee Hour: C. Francis | Coffee Hour: The Vestry |
| Altar Flowers: F. Taber | Altar Flowers: The Landers Family |
NOTICES
Please don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour this weekend!
UPCOMING EVENTS
St. Stephen’s Church, Millburn, NJ
Sunday, November 4, 2018, 4 pm
Trent Johnson, Organist
Join us for an exciting program performed by composer and concert organist, Trent Johnson, on the renowned Baroque-style Beckerath tracker organ at historic St. Stephen’s Church in Millburn, NJ. Mr. Johnson is Organist and Assistant Director of Music at All Souls Unitarian Church in NYC and Music Director and Conductor of the Oratorio Singers of Westfield, NJ. An active recitalist, he performs frequently throughout the Northeast, Europe, and Asia. As a composer, he has written both instrumental and vocal works, and his operaKenyatta premiered at The Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ in November 2017. The program will include works by J.S. Bach, George Walker, John Weaver, Max Reger, and Mr. Johnson himself. No tickets required. A suggested donation of $10 can be made at the door. Children accompanied by an adult are welcomed. Meet the artist at a reception following the recital. For directions to the church or more information visit www.ststephensmillburn.org
or call 973-376-0688.
Sunday November 11, 2018
Coffee hour in honor of Rev. Jane
November 11th – Vestry sponsoring coffee hour in honor and gratitude of Rev. Jane. Additional “Baked goods” welcomed!
Drumming Class
Tuesday, November 13 at 7pm
Parents, teachers and friends, Treat yourself to an hour of relaxation!
ADULTS come along and have some fun drumming at: St Stephen’s Episcopal Church Between: 7pm-8pm. RSVP: Norma at: Norma.cook@outlook.com. Or leave a message: 862 485 1573.
Parish Office Hours:
Monday & Wednesday Closed
Tuesday & Thursday 9am-5pm
Friday 9am-12pm
25
Oct
Newsletter, October 25
Events
|
Date
|
Time
|
Event
|
| November 4, Sunday |
4pm
|
Beckerath Organ Recital |
| November 11, Sunday | 11:15am | Coffee Hour in honor and gratitude for Rev. Jane |
| November 14, Wednesday | 7:30pm-10pm | Finance Committee Meeting |
| November 18, Sunday | 11:30am-1pm | Vestry Meeting |
Serving at the Altar 10/28 & 11/4
|
October 28
No 8am Service
|
November 4
No 8am Service
|
| 10am Readers J. James K. Conway K. Wade |
10am Reader S. Landers |
| Chalicist: E. Maurer | Chalicist: R. Riedel |
| Ushers: L. & O. Owolabi | Ushers: T. & K. Conway |
| Altar Guild: N. Sieffert & J. James | Altar Guild: C. Francis |
| Coffee Hour: The Landers Family | Coffee Hour: C. Francis |
| Altar Flowers: The Landers Family | Altar Flowers: Open |
NOTICES
Sunday November 11, 2018
Coffee hour in honor of Rev. Jane
November 11th – Vestry sponsoring coffee hour in honor and gratitude of Rev. Jane. Additional “Baked goods” welcomed!
St. Stephen’s Church, Millburn, NJ
Sunday, November 4, 2018, 4 pm
Trent Johnson, Organist
Join us for an exciting program performed by composer and concert organist, Trent Johnson, on the renowned Baroque-style Beckerath tracker organ at historic St. Stephen’s Church in Millburn, NJ. Mr. Johnson is Organist and Assistant Director of Music at All Souls Unitarian Church in NYC and Music Director and Conductor of the Oratorio Singers of Westfield, NJ. An active recitalist, he performs frequently throughout the Northeast, Europe, and Asia. As a composer, he has written both instrumental and vocal works, and his opera Kenyatta premiered at The Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ in November 2017. The program will include works by J.S. Bach, George Walker, John Weaver, Max Reger, and Mr. Johnson himself. No tickets required. A suggested donation of $10 can be made at the door. Children accompanied by an adult are welcomed. Meet the artist at a reception following the recital. For directions to the church or more information visit www.ststephensmillburn.orgor call 973-376-0688.
Parish Office Hours:
Monday & Wednesday Closed
Tuesday & Thursday 9am-5pm
Friday 9am-12pm