Newsletter, January 4
January 4, 2017
Happy New Year!
The new year brings us a moment to look back, let go and look forward, and it is fitting that we have the Baptism of Christ as our first service following the Epiphany. Baptism is after all, a physical manifestation of looking back, letting go, being forgiven and moving on.
Let’s all take time this new year to let go of the negatives and forgive yourself the imperfect, judgemental and uncharitable things we all think, say and do. Let’s identify one or two key baptismal values we want to uphold and be faithful to our promises to Christ in them. Let’s open our eyes to where God is at work in our neighborhood. Blessings abound. Count them. And smile. Everything looks and feels better when we smile, including us +
Reminders
Date | Time | Event |
| Jan 15, Sunday | 11am | Grocery Gift Card Sunday |
| Jan 18, Wednesday | 7:30pm-10pm | Finance Committee Meeting |
| Jan 22, Sunday | 11:30am-1pm | Vestry Meeting |
| Jan 27 & 28 Friday & Saturday | 8am-10pm | Diocesan Annual Convention |
| Jan 29, Sunday | 10am | St. Stephen’s Annual Meeting |
Serving at the Altar 1/8/ & 1/15
Jan 8, 2017 8am Reader: A. Walker | Jan 15, 2017 8am Reader: M. Ellingham |
10am Readers: 1. S. Polanco 2. K. Conway 3. F. Young | 10am Readers: 1. K. Hanson 2. J. James 3. O. Owolabi |
| Chalicist: R. Riedel | Chalicist: J. Soughan |
Ushers: T. & K. Conway | Ushers: S. & C. Jeter |
| Altar Guild: N. Sieffert & J. James | Altar Guild: M. Walker & T. Scharff |
Upcoming Events
15, January 2017
St. Stephen’s Grocery Gift Card Fundraiser –
January orders for Shop Rite and Kings gift cards will be taken on Sunday January 15, to support our operating budget. If you shop at either Shop Rite or Kings, please consider purchasing gift cards. Order Forms are available in church, for download on the website http://ststephensmillburn.org or can be emailed to you. Cash/checks (payable to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church) only, please.
Won’t be able to get to church? No problem, send me an email or call and I’ll place your order! Forgot your checkbook? Just drop a check in the mail (attn.: Grocery Cards c/o St. Stephen’s) or pop it through the mailbox slot at the rectory during the week.
If you haven’t considered using gift cards, ask how this easy and no-cost fundraiser may be right for you! More info: contact Blair Majtyka, 973-801-1471, blairmajtyka@me.com. Get into the habit of shopping with gift cards!!
Parish Annual Meeting
Our Parish Annual Meeting will be the 29th of January, beginning with the Eucharist at 10am This is when we elect our Vestry, Wardens and Leadership of the Church. We also present our proposed budgets for 2017, and our annual reports of 2016.
The Annual Diocesan Convention
The Annual Diocesan Convention is slated for Friday January 27 and Saturday the 28th of January at the Hilton Hotel in Parsippany. St Stephen’s will be represented by your elected delegates, Sarah Jeter and Oyin Owolabi, and your two clergy, for the business sessions of Diocesan policy, positions and budgets. The Bishop and Chair of Convention have also extended an open invitation to anyone who would like to attend the listening and conversation sessions. These have been well received to date, and given people new hope and vision. If this is of interest to you please let me know and I will give you details.
Dates & Deadlines
If you have any dates or events that need adding to the St. Stephen’s Calendar please send them to Claire, and all articles and e-mails for the newsletter by NOON on Tuesday to church@ststephensmillburn.org. Thank You.