Newsletter, August 2

This coming Sunday will be my last celebration of the Holy Eucharist with you here at St. Stephen’s. It will be a poignant end to six years of shared ministry. We have travelled together through a major hurricane, and with God’s help, we rebuilt the parish buildings and the rectory. With God’s help we weathered a superstorm a year later. With God’s help throughout all these trials, we not only sustained our outreach ministries, but we began some new ones in our community. God called us to be present to one another in births, baptism, illness and yes, even loss. We have shared both laughter and tears. I will never forget any of it. It is a part of who I have become. It is also part of you too.

Let’s join each other this weekend to share the most important part of our corporate life together. As we break bread, bless wine and share in the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ one last time, let’s hear God’s words again – “This is my beloved, in whom I am well pleased.” It has, and always will be about the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord, that’s what underpins our mission, that’s what underpins our community life – “where love begets love.” +

Events

Please Join Us In Prayer As We Search For Our Next Bishop

Gracious God,
We, your people in the Diocese of Newark, give you thanks and praise for your work among us and through us, generation to generation. Lead us in the months ahead as we prayerfully search for our next Bishop. Raise up for us a steadfast steward who will embrace our broad and blessed diversity and uphold the apostolic heritage of your Church. Guide us to a faithful witness who speaks the Gospel truth in love and joy, and intimately knows your Word and world. Direct us, your disciples, in our discernment so our faith may increase and our works glorify your Name. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

God Speed and God Bless
We wish Christie and Courtney Chronley, Nicholas, Benjamin and Samantha a fond and heartfelt farewell, as they relocate this Thursday to Florida to start an exciting new venture. We will miss them very much.

NOTICES

Transition Status
With the coming departure of our rector, the Vestry would like to share regular updates on transition progress as we say farewell to Reverend Sheelagh and welcome a new priest into our St. Stephen’s family.

The Vestry of St. Stephen’s Church is hosting a Farewell Tea to thank Reverend Sheelagh and say goodbye on Sunday, August 6th following the 10am service. All are welcome and encouraged to join! If you haven’t RSVP’d either through e-vite or in person at church, please e-mail Carole Francis at bearhousecf@aol.com.
Visiting Priests (supply clergy) will join us on Sundays throughout August to lead the 10:00 am service, which will be the only Sunday service during that month. There will be no 8:00 am service.

If you have any questions or would like to participate in any of the transition work please contact Maryalice (maryalice_chech@yahoo.com) Fran Taber (Frances.Taber@ml.com) or Kira Hanson (kira_hanson@s5a.com)

Coffee Cans
For years Jane Rossiter has decorated empty coffee cans for delivery of altar flowers following church services. If you use coffee cans, please save them and bring them to church. Thank you so much!
Alex Cole, Altar Guild Director

Summer Spirituality
Resources you may like to try this summer: iphone and Android apps for iphone for the Daily Office, and The Book of common Prayer (look in your online app store,) and Echo a daily prayer and blessing app. You can also find text Daily prayers at www.missionstclare.com following the Episcopal Church lectionary, and a variety of other traditions.

What’s Your Favorite Hymn?
Summertime and the livin’ is easy . . . and we’d like the music to be, as well! Submit the name and source of your favorite hymn or gospel song and we’ll try to include it in one of our summer services. You can email your choice(s) directly to kimwilliams59@mac.com or write it on a piece of paper and drop it in the offering plate. Then come to church this summer and sing!!!

And, Speaking of Singing
Anyone who would like to present a special musical offering during the choir’s summer break should contact Kim Williams (see email address above) or John Schucker. Singers and instrumentalists are welcome.

Do You Enjoy Gardening?
Would you like to spend some time sprucing up the flower beds around the church? If you answered “Yes!” Please join the newly forming, “Garden Club” of St. Stephen’s. Let Theresa or Sue know if you are interested. We will plan an organization meeting before September.

Summer Coffee hour
During the summer, sign up to bring iced tea, fruit punch or lemonade and a seasonal fruit offering or light snack to share at coffee hour. Keep it simple and easy. See Heloisa Rooney for more information. Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Drumming Camp    28 August – 1 September
Once again St. Stephen’s Church will host a week-long summer drumming camp for children in the PATCH program (these are children with incarcerated parents.) The camp will take place from 28 August to 1 September, from 3:30pm -7:30pm. The camp is staffed by volunteers who help to coordinate snacks and dinner, arts and crafts, sports and games, and we leave the drumming instructions to a pro, Ya-yah Kamete who has worked with us for many years. If you are interested in volunteering at the camp please contact Susan Dinan at sdinan@pace.edu. If you want to hear a lovely concert from some very enthusiastic drummers please join us on Friday evening of 1 September. Thank you!

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.

Parish Office hours are as follows:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9am-4:30pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 9am-4:30pm
Friday: 9am-1pm

To conserve the air conditioning in the Rectory please use the kitchen door for entry.