Newsletter 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 16th 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.