Newsletter, November 9

Rev. Sheelagh’s Thought For The Week

Gosh, do we have work to do!  It’s over and it may be a shock on both sides for different reasons.  Let’s pause and breathe deeply.  Disappointed or delighted,  afraid or anxious, let us remind ourselves that we live in a democracy, and the people get to speak, and have spoken.  Almost half the nation is disappointed and angry; the other half are overjoyed.  But being a Christian holds us to a standard where we are expected to respect one another even if we find ourselves on different sides of the divide.

Jesus calls us to pray for one another.  Not the, “I’m right and I pray for you because you weren’t, and I’m sorry you are hurting” prayer, but rather,  “I pray for us both,” because we need to be united despite our differences to work together for the good of all people in our country.  There is more that needs to unite us than separate us.

Let’s find the grace in ourselves to offer peace to each other, and to receive it.

Let’s also recognize that one of the flaws of our democratic society, is to create winners and losers.  It may be an imperfect system,  but it is way, way better than the alternatives.  Let’s respect the family we are, and love one another through the struggles of being a free, democratic country and pray together and share the peace with one another in Christ’s name. +

Reminders

Serving at the Altar  11/13  & 11/20

All In The Family
Thank You from Rev. Dr. Derek Darves

Dear All,
I wanted to thank you all for such a warm and generous send off.  It’s been an honor to serve with you and participate in your common life. I’m not too far and trust I’ll see all of you again soon! I do not have emails for everyone I’d like to thank but I would be very grateful if you could express my gratitude to the vestry and leadership.

Peace,
Derek

Congratulations to Nancy Sieffert!
Please help us congratulate and celebrate the birth of Robert Wakefield Sieffert, Nancy Sieffert’s grandson, born November 7, 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fund Raiser
FUNd Raiser at ArteVino, Millburn, New Jersey. To all you artists and those who think you are not artists: let’s get together for a brunch at ArteVino which will help raise fun and funds for St. Stephen’s!! If you think you would be interested in an event like this, please call Theresa Scharff at (908) – 686 5489 or email scharff1@lycos.com

Christines Kitchen – Saturday, November 12
From 10:30am to 1:15pm we serve neighbors in need at Christine’s Kitchen at Holy Trinity in West Orange. Holy Trinity is located at Washington and Main Streets in West Orange.  Parking is on the street.  We can use entrees, fruit, other foods and volunteers; If you feel like bringing something additional, do so! Food will not go to waste.

Call Claas at (908) 451-0426 if you want to volunteer or contribute or email him at cehlers@familypromise.org.

BECKERATH ORGAN RECITALS 47th Season (2016-2017)

Sunday November 13, 2016, at 4 pm.
Friends of Music at Saint Stephen’s

THE “INSIDE STORY” ON OUR BECKERATH ORGAN RECITAL SERIES
Our upcoming Beckerath Organ Recital by Colin MacKnight on Sunday, November 13, at 4 pm, will celebrate the beginning of the 47th season of St. Stephen’s musical outreach to the wider community through our 1970 Beckerath organ-an amazing record.  How this wonderful and admired tracker organ came to be designed and installed by the acclaimed German organ builder Rudolph von Beckerath in our 1853 Gothic Revival church 25 years after the end of WWII is testimony to the commitment of St. Stephen’s rector, music committee, and congregation, together with a generous memorial gift from a friend of St. Stephen’s-and a favorable exchange rate!

We can enjoy hearing this magnificent instrument every week played by our own John Schucker, plus a whole hour three times a season of noted organ works performed by guest organists and heard by appreciative members of our congregation as well as the wider musical audience.   Do come if you can and enjoy an hour of organ works by gifted composers from the 17th to the 20th century.   And be sure to stop by the reception afterwards to greet our gifted young organist, Colin MacKnight.

Also please consider supporting St. Stephen’s Beckerath Organ Recital series with a contribution to help defray expenses.  Details can be found in the 2016-17 brochures in the holder on the table by the church entrance or the holder on the shelf outside the kitchen.  We also welcome contributions of time and talent, including consumables for the reception!   Just speak to Peggy Thompson if you would like to help in this way.

St. Stephen’s Annual Advent Retreat
Saturday, December 3, from 10:00am – 4:00pm at St. Stephen’s

The retreat  director this year is  Jean Marie Du Hamel, an associate with the Sisters of St. John Baptist in Mendham and an experienced retreat guide.  The theme is “Who is Waiting for Whom?”

The day will include time for guided reflection, walking the Labyrinth, quiet time, a light lunch, and will conclude with a celebration of the Eucharist  for retreat participants as well as other members of St. Stephen’s. This Eucharist will be a celebration of the second Sunday of Advent on Saturday afternoon.

Donation for the retreat is $35.00. Checks should be made out to St. Stephen’s Church; please submit these by November 25. You may give checks to Theresa Scharff, Rev. Sheelagh, or place in the collection plate marked “Retreat.”

Give yourself a gift this Advent/Christmas season  – come to the Advent Retreat on December 3.

NOTICES

Coffee Hour & Altar Flowers
If you would like to sign up for coffee and flowers the sign up sheet is in the Narthex on the bulletin board.

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.

Please note the Parish Office is closed on Mondays