Newsletter, April 20

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: April 20, 2016

The last few weeks have been filled with evocative scriptures for me.  During my pre-ordination retreat, we were charged to allow a scripture to enter our imagination.  Mine was the responses of Peter last week: “feed my lambs, feed my sheep, feed my lambs.”  It is probably why my ministry has been concerned so much with food and feeding.  However, over ten years on, I would say that Jesus’ own last commandment is my guiding mantra. “love one another, as I have loved you.”  Jesus tells us this is what marks us out as his disciples.  God itself knows how hard this is, which is why it is utterly all embracing of what God’s love means.

Reminders

Serving at the Altar 4/24 & 5/1

UPCOMING EVENTS

BECKERATH ORGAN RECITAL SUNDAY, APRIL 24, AT 4 PM!
“The time has come” (the walrus said) for our 3d and final organ recital of the 2015-16 season (on the church calendar since early Fall).   There will be Spring flowers, no snow, and beautiful music issuing from our acclaimed Beckerath organ, played by IAN TOMESCH, a gifted young organist, active as an accompanist, educator, and performer, currently Associate Organist of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark and a doctoral candidate in organ at the Yale University School of Music, where his teachers included Thomas Murray.  Ian’s program will feature works by Johann Sebastian Bach plus two earlier composers of the Baroque era, Muffat and Sweelinck.   Played on our 1970 Beckerath tracker organ, these selections convey the unique clarity and quality of sound which characterized the organs of Bach’s time, enhanced by the artistry of Rudolph von Beckerath, who designed and built our organ for the historic carpenter Gothic interior of St. Stephen’s Church.  For more information about the artist and about the Friends of Music who help support this series, pick up a season brochure at the church door.   And don’t miss the recital–and the reception to meet the artist following the recital!

PAPERMILL SHOW CHOIR BENEFIT CONCERT
Sunday 24 April, 7:30pm St. Stephen’s Church
Tickets: $20 adults, $15 seniors & $10 children.

Please join us for the Paper Mill Show Choir’s benefit on Sunday 24 April at 7:30pm.  This is a favorite event of the St. Stephen’s community because the concert is spectacular, performance is a great deal of fun, and the intermission offers a time to socialize and enjoy some delicious treats!  Please purchase your tickets for the benefits by calling the Rectory, (973-376-0688) or buy them after church on Sunday or at the show on Sunday evening!

The Paper Mill Playhouse, long considered to be the region’s premier theater, operates the Show Choir as part of its award-winning Arts Education and Outreach Program.  Students in the Show Choir perform at venues throughout the state, thereby introducing Paper Mill to new audiences.  In the words of the Playhouse, “The Paper Mill Playhouse Broadway Show Choir acts as ambassadors to Paper Mill Playhouse with an array of performance opportunities throughout the community and beyond.”

Sunday May 1, 2016
Sabbatical Presentation At Coffee Hour.

Join Rev. Sheelagh and the vestry as they present an information session on the sabbatical and the arrangements that are planned.

NOTICES

Please send all articles and e-mails for the newsletter to Claire by NOON on Tuesday at church@ststephensmillburn.org.