Monthly Archives: December 2018

So, I’m going to name the irony of this newsletter right at the top:  Yes, the pastor who preaches taking time to slow down and experience the blessings of a prayerful and reflective Advent today is offering a newsletter full of things to do.  While none of this changes anything about the essence of this season or the one whom we await, it is true that these are things that will make our waiting in community go a bit more smoothly (one hopes).

Because there is so much in this edition of the newsletter, I am going to leave you with a brief Advent blessing from the Book of Occasional Services:

May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.  Amen .

Peace & Blessings,

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ)has donated $2500 to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund.  This is money that is used ” to assist the poor of the congregation and the larger community” (from the diocesan website) and is distributed at the discretion of the clergy.  We are grateful for the donor and for the CFNJ’s willingness to help make this happen.

The website has been updated and now includes our Christmas Services, Rev. Paula’s bio, and current information about the vestry and location of the parish office.

The Coffee Hour sign-up sheet is posted.  Please join in this ministry of hospitality and fellowship by signing up to host a Sunday or two.  We take care of the setting up and the making of the coffee.  You prepare and lay out the delicious treats.

We will be posting a calendar on the bulletin board and invite you to add your name(s) on the dates of your birthday and anniversary.  Please write “B” or “A” after it so we know which is which.  We want to be able to pray for you on those special occasions.  Rev. Paula will NOT use this info to cajole you into receiving a special blessing, though, of course, she hopes you will come forward to get one.

The phone extensions have changed now that the parish office and rector’s study are in the Education Building.  We are in the process of updating the phone message system, which still has the old extension numbers in the outgoing message.  Please ignore the message saying “ext 11” for Rev. Paula and use her actual extension: 21 if you call her.  Until we establish the new office extension, it is okay to use ext. 10 for the parish office.

Rev. Paula’s business cards are in and there are some on the ushers’ table in the church (the table near the side entrance).  Please take one or two (or as many as you need) so that you have her contact information whenever you need it. 

–  to get ready to welcome Doreen, our new parish administrator (announced in last week’s newsletter).  If you have a bit of time this Sunday after church to help with moving a couple of file cabinets and bookcases, please let Rev. Paula know at 973-376-0688, ext 21 or rector@ststephensmillburn.org.

– to update our Facebook and Twitter accounts.  If you are the administrator of either of these accounts (or know who is), please call or email Rev. Paula: 973-376-0688, ext. 21 or rector@ststephensmillburn.org.

If you were here either of my first two Sundays, you’ve heard my take on Advent: contrary to popular culture, it is not about getting ready for Christmas, not about gifts and wrapping, cookies and ham, lights and trees. Those things, which can be fun, can also shift our focus from the meaning of Advent – taking the time we need to prepare to meet the incarnate God as if for the very first time, all while preparing to meet the risen Christ at the end of time. Yeah…it’s a lot and it doesn’t sound anywhere near as fun as gifts and wrapping, cookies and ham, lights and trees.

Peace & Blessings,