Newsletter, September 28

Rev. Sheelagh’s Thought For The Week

“Join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God”
2 Timothy 1:5

These are uncomfortable words to hear.  So often we step back from claiming “religious” things because we are afraid to cause offense to others, and yes, of course we are to be sensitive about our values and beliefs.  This week we are reminded of our heritage as Christians.  Christians who were persecuted, burned, hunted down, crucified, for their faith, and still persisted in confessing their faith.  Maybe our twenty first century question needs to be “Why did they persist?”  

There is something about being Christian that is about courage and hope.  Hope involves something brighter and better.  Whether that is the return to the homeland for the exiles who sat by the waters of Babylon (Ps 137) or sit in camps outside their Syrian homeland today; or the hope of a free life for the oppressed and enslaved, both now and then; or the hope of a life that is not riddled with systemic inequalities defined by race, gender and class – we, as Christians are called to have the courage to take up the cry.  Inertia, silence, standing by,  is condoning injustice.  We are called to greater things than that, and at the very least we are encouraged to stand up, show up and say something even if it makes us uncomfortable to do so!

Reminders

Serving at the Altar  10/2 & 10/9

UPCOMING EVENTS

St. Stephen’s Grocery Gift Card Fundraiser –This SUNDAY!
October orders for Shop Rite and Kings gift cards will be taken this Sunday 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 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!!

Blessing Of The Animals – 1:00 PM Sunday, October 2nd, 2016

St. Stephen’s will hold our annual Blessing of the Animals at 1:00 PM on the Parish lawn (or inside if it rains). As always, we will have a brief ceremony to celebrate the joy our pets bring us and then bless each animal individually. “Hambone Kelly” will provide music and there will be refreshments for animals and for people. Each pet will receive a “certificate of blessing” to commemorate the event.

For the safety of the pets, we ask that they come in appropriate carriers and containers or on a secure lead.

We sincerely hope that you and your animal friends will be able to attend.

Tour of St. Stephen’s Historic Cemetery
2-4pm Sunday, October 16, 2016
(Rain date October 23)

Sunday afternoon, 16 October, is the date for an event that no parishioner should miss.  Tours will leave the cemetery gate at 451 Millburn Avenue (across from the high school) at intervals between 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M.  Tours will visit 11 grave sites and make one stop in the mausoleum.  At each site, an impersonator will speak for the person buried there.  A Millburn resident will speak about his Scottish roots that went back to Robert the Bruce; two fathers of our township will hold forth, and  a Broadway actress will perform in an excerpt from a play by Bret Harte.  The actress has appeared on previous tours, but she insisted that this time the play be a different one.  A woman who served in the Women’s Army Corps in World War II will talk as will the depression-era Bishop of Newark.

Please invite – and bring with you if possible – family members, friends, and neighbors.   

NOTICES

Coffee Hour
Please sign up for coffee hour!  The next few weeks are open in October.  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