Newsletter, January 6

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: January 6, 2016

The Epiphany season signals for me a chance to reset the direction we are following. Many begin the year with new resolutions about adjustments to a healthier lifestyle. The baptism of Jesus reminds us of our Baptismal Covenant and offers us a lens through which to assess our spiritual health. Are we rooted in the Word? Do we share in communion and fellowship? Are we seeking Christ in all people, and striving for justice and peace? Like our bodies, we sometimes get out of balance, neglecting some things and over indulging in others. This is a moment to review, and perhaps, like the Kings, take a different road.

Avoid the next robo-call from the Rector!
Have you signed up yet for your picture to be taken for the new directory? Please do so now! You are an important part of our parish family and you will be missed if you are not in our directory. Use the link below to get signed up today! By participating you will receive a printed directory.

Life Touch will come to the church and take photos in the parish hall on Sunday 1/17 from 11:00am-6:00pm and Monday 1/18 2:00pm-9:00pm (MLK Day weekend) when most schools are closed. Every individual or family needs to sign up for a time to have photos taken.
http://ststephensmillburn.org/sign-up-for-saint-stephens-photo-directory/

Reminders

Serving at the Altar 1/10 & 1/17

Coffee Hosting And Flowers
Please sign up for coffee hour with Susan Dinan! Please let Eugene or Claire know if you want to donate flowers. Please consider taking ONE Sunday in memory of a loved one, or in thanksgiving for an event. Flowers are priced at $40, $50 or $60 for the two vases.

UPCOMING EVENTS

MEALS FOR IHN

IHN needs your help the first week of January. Families will be staying in a hotel next week but still need dinners. If you can volunteer to make dinner, please contact Angie Benedict at angie@ihnessexnj.org. (973) 746-1400. Your home cooked meals will be most appreciated.
Dinners are needed: Monday, January 4 – Friday, January 8 to be delivered by 5:30pm to IHN headquarters at 46 Park Street in Montclair.
Family breakdown: 6 Adults, 1 teenager, 5 children, plus a 1 year old and a 3 year old.
Allergies: No pork, nuts, mangoes, pineapple, strawberries or shellfish.
As always thank you for your time and help.

Twelfth Night Potluck
Saturday Jan 9, 5:30pm – 8pm

This Saturday is our Twelfth Night Potluck. Please join us for food, fellowship, games, carols, and of course the Twelve Days of Christmas complete with props!!! Please sign up and include what you are bringing so we can plan accordingly.

Logistics: If you are bringing something that needs to be served hot we’d appreciate if it could arrive hot to minimize the amount of on site warming that will be required.
Any questions please contact Denise at: denise.price75@yahoo.com
www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054aada628a31-annual

Grocery Card Sunday is January 10, 2016

We will again have cards for Shop Rite and Kings. We have doubled our Shop Rite order this month so that we can accommodate everyone.
Please contact Blair Majtyka with any questions, blairmajtyka@me.com,
973-801-1471.
Thank you!

Vestry Forum

Our next vestry forum will be on January 17th. The vestry will discuss efforts to streamline various aspects of church operations. They will also share a summary of church activities and outreaches that has been compiled, in part to make the parish aware of the range of opportunities and determine areas of interest moving forward. Join us for a thoughtful conversation.

January 17 11am-6pm & January 18, 2pm-9pm 2016!
Lifetouch Photography in the Parish Hall

We are getting ready to create a new photo directory and we need you to help make it complete! By participating you will receive a printed directory.

Life Touch will come to the church and take photos in the parish hall on Sunday 1/17 from 11:00am-6:00pm and Monday 1/18 2:00pm-9:00pm (MLK Day weekend) when most schools are closed. Every individual or family needs to sign up for a time to have photos taken. The signup takes place online, please visit this page: http://ststephensmillburn.org/sign-up-for-saint-stephens-photo-directory/

There will be helpers with computers to help with sign ups on 12/20 and 1/3/2016, during coffee hour. Help is available from the Parish office, who will give you a phone number of one of the team who can assist you. Claire will not be doing the sign-ups. Sign up early to get your choice of time and day.

The photo shoot is free, and Life Touch will give each individual or family one 8×10 portrait, and will provide a photo for the directory. Life Touch also sells photo packages, and pricing flyers were distributed today at church.

Families are welcome to have pets included in the portrait. Life Touch also allows for multigenerational portraits if families would like to include grandparents or others. You need to sign up for more time slot if you will be photographing a group of five or more.
For any questions see Susan Dinan.

NOTICE OF PARISH ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday January 31, 2016 at 10:00am
Commences in Sanctuary with Worship then continues in Parish Hall.

• Elections of officers
• Reports of parish activities
• Financial reports and budgets for 2016.

All parishioners are invited to attend.
Refreshments will be served.