Newsletter, August 12

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: August 12, 2015

There is no account of the last supper being shared with the disciples in the Gospel of John.  What we have instead is an entire chapter on the image of Jesus Christ himself as the body and blood of the Eucharist.  When my daughter was about five, she had been coming to the altar rail at the Eucharist to be blessed as many younger children do.  However, not much misses her eyes, and she noticed that some other children much younger than her were receiving the wafer and the wine. She asked me why she wasn’t allowed to have it too.  I explained that in England you have to wait until you are confirmed until you receive the Eucharist.  Not satisfied, she protested.  I countered, “well you need to understand better what happens when you receive the Eucharist, before you have it.”  “Well I do,” she replied.  “And what is that?” I asked.  “Well,” she said, “when you eat the bread and drink the wine, Jesus is inside you and becomes a part of you.”  I can not think of a better way to explain “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.”  Needless to say, she made her first communion shortly after.  

Reminders  

Coffee hosting and flowers

Please sign up with Susan Dinan for coffee hour.  Please let Eugene or Claire know if you want to donate flowers.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Summer Sharing

Over the summer we take a break from Sunday School and have informal sharing time with our youngest members. You can share an activity with the children that is close to your heart, brings you joy, or helps you feel the presence of God. The possibilities are endless: go for a walk in Taylor Park, play a game of soccer or cricket on the lawn, bake a treat, work on a craft, or teach a song. No experience is necessary and if you would like any assistance please contact Denise Price. 917-548-5520.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054aada628a31-ststephens

Summer Reading with Rev. Sheelagh

Summer reading book group. You are invited to read along with me this summer. I intend to revisit C.S.Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters and we can meet on a balmy late summer evening to discuss it. More to come, but buy/ borrow the book. It’s a provocative read.

Maplewood Mandala Project

Mandala  (Sanskrit ‘circle’) a spiritual and ritual symbol representing the cosmos in Hinduism and Buddhism.

Beginning Monday, August 10 through Sunday, August 16 2015, five Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery in Tibet will be in residence in Maplewood, NJ to create a magnificent work of mandala sand art inside the Great Hall at the Woodland, located at 60 Woodland Rd. in Maplewood NJ. This mesmerizing feat of artistry and concentration requires over 30 hours to complete with the monks working up to eight hours per day. The public is invited free of charge to observe the construction of the sand painting.

St John’s Kitchen
61 Broad Street Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Sunday, August 23rd,
Departure Time: 12PM from St. Stephen’s.

Thank you so much in advance for your help. It is because of our caring and
giving community that we are able to bring smiles and full stomachs to the
St. John’s community. Below is a list of what we will need.  The number in
parenthesis indicates approximately how many of each item we need.
If you prefer to dress it club style or mayo or mustard – please do not
hesitate to make them a specialty meal, if you choose so.

1.      Pre-made Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches (20)
2.      Pre-made Turkey Sandwiches (20)
3.      Pre-made Ham & Cheese Sandwiches (20)
4.      Pre-made Ham Sandwiches (20)
5.      Pre-made American Cheese Sandwiches (10)
6.      Pre-made Meat Deli & Cheese Sandwiches (20) e.g. Bologna, etc
7.      Pre-made Meat Deli & Cheese Sandwiches (20) e.g. Salami, etc
8.      Pre-made Meat Deli & Cheese Sandwiches (20) e.g. Tuna/Chicken Salad
9.      Hard boiled eggs (6 dozen)
10.    Fruits (Apples and/or Oranges

If you prefer to make a different type of sandwich, Vegetarian or PB&J, just
send me a quick note and I will include it.
Please label your type of sandwiches prior to delivery, for better
distribution.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact via us email at
ssguillenpolanco@gmail.com or give me a call directly at (646) 805-8682 or Soraya at (201) 779-6852.

Drumming Camp Is Coming Soon!

Please sign up for the drumming camp as there is a lot of help needed to make it a success!

There is a role for anyone who wants to spend a few hours changing children’s lives.
Blair has set up a sign-up genius so we can start securing volunteers. www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0845A4AC2BA02-ststephens/2019986

We need to be able to start planning staffing as this is a volunteer heavy effort. Please go to the sign up forms and pick jobs and times.  We need to know who is available and then we can finalize schedules and specific tasks.

Below is more info about timing:
Weekly Schedule
8/23 – after church we will do some of the set up
8/24 – in-service training for all camp staff and volunteers
8/25-8/28 – camp runs from 11-3; volunteers needed from 10:45-3:15
8/29-camp will start at 12 and culminate with a performance in Taylor Park at 2 (this will allow Christine’s Kitchen volunteers to see the performance)

This is the daily schedule for the 8/25-28 block:
11am                          Children arrive
11am-11:30am         Guided play
11:30am-12:15pm   Lunch
12:15pm-1:15pm     Group 1 drums, group 2 crafts
1:15pm-2:15pm       Group 2 drums, group 1 crafts
2:15pm-2:30pm       Circle time
2:30pm-3pm             Snack, guided play
3pm                            Children depart
Everything is subject to change, but we do expect to follow this plan for the most part.

Below is an outline of the various roles
Attentive Adults
These are volunteers who will be on-hand for the entire day.  They will serve as “grandparents on call,”  help with mediating disputes and provide a calming and encouraging presence for the children.  Some of these volunteers should be able to engage in the physical play to a degree as well.  It will be important to have several people in this role who can be present for all or nearly all of the days; others can opt for just a day or two or specific timeslots.

Food Service
Working under the direction of SaraRuth, these volunteers help with serving and preparing food, during the meal times (11:30-12:15 and 2:30-3).  There also need to be volunteers to help with the pick up of donated meals, which may occur at various times during the day.

Clean up Crew
People who will help with end of day clean up (around 3pm), including surveying the facilities to make sure that all spaces are in order (lights, condition of bathrooms etc.)

Arts and Crafts
Plan, organize and present arts/craft projects to the children.  Simpler, interactive and achievable are best bets.  Need both leaders and helpers.  This will be in two shifts, from about 12 to 2:30.

Bus Chaperones
Ride the bus with the children to and from.  Will need to meet the bus in Newark at about 10:30am and will ride back to Newark at about 3pm.  Role is being an adult presence on the bus, keeping order and good cheer among the children.

Purchase of Needed Goods
People to procure all items other than food and drums; this would include inexpensive summer toys, chalk, arts supplies, towels, clean up goods.  Most of this would be done prior, but someone should be available to pick up items before the day’s program starts if a gap has been identified.

Counselor
A counselor leads the children through all their activities.  She/he needs to be empathetic but also to maintain order and engage and interest the children. Calm and positive manner a must.

Media/PR
We need a person to make sure pictures are taken and to publicize, as is possible the program and the performance to media outlets.

Thank you so much.  Feel free to share this with others who might be interested.  For the volunteer roles that are interactive, it is strongly urged you attend the in-service training on the Monday and you may also be asked to complete an Episcopal program on safeguarding children.  More information will be shared soon.

NOTICES

The “Prayers for the Parish” list is getting rather long, we are going to renew the list in September. If you wish to keep a name on the list please let us know.

Summer Hours have started! We are closed on Mondays with extended hours Tuesdays through Thursdays. In an emergency call 973-376-0688 ext. 11 to get a number to call for immediate help.

Deadlines!  We need all items for the bulletin and the enews by NOON on Tuesday please, so Claire can get the work laid out and printed timely.  After that, whatever we have, errors and all, will be printed as is.  Thanks for your help.