06 Dec

Newsletter, December 6

A Word about Advent from Paula+
 
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.

And still, I hope you do take some time every day to nourish your hearts and your souls (actually, I hope that for you all the time) so that you are able to experience the inbreaking of God into the world in new and different ways, in deeper ways, this year. And I’ll tell ya, if you welcome that beautiful baby anywhere near as well as you have welcomed me and my family, your lives cannot help but be transformed.

Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
Events
Date
Time
Event
December 19, Wednesday7:30pm-10pmFinance Committee Meeting
December 21, Friday7:00 pmBlue Christmas Service
December 23, Sunday11:00am – ???Greening of the Church with Brunch
December 23, Sunday11:30am – 1pmVestry Meeting
Christmas Eve
5:00pmFamily Service
Christmas Eve10:00pmFestival Eucharist
Christmas Day10:00amSpoken Eucharist
December 30, Sunday8:00amSpoken Eucharist
December 30, Sunday
10:00am
Lessons & Carols
 
Serving at the Altar  12/9 & 12/16
December 9
8am Reader: C. Francis
December 16
8am Reader: N. Sieffert
Altar Guild: C. FrancisAltar Guild: N. Sieffert
10am Readers:
S. Landers
B. Churchill
10am Readers:
F. Dorn
P. Wick
K. Wade
Chalicist: R. RiedelChalicist: J. Soughan
Ushers: S. & L. LandersUshers: J. & K. Wade
Altar Guild: A. ColeAltar Guild: J. & T. Scharff
Coffee Hour: The “Church Ladies”Coffee Hour: The Soughan Family
Altar Flowers: N/AAltar Flowers: N/A
Good News!
We have hired a new parish administrator, Doreen Schindler.  She comes to us with lots of experience in office administration, marketing, and social media.  She will be working some the week of December 17th (because that is such a busy week for us!) and will begin her regular schedule January 2nd.  Her office will be in the Education Building right next to Rev. Paula’s. When you see her, please join us in welcoming her!
Parish Office Hours:
Rev. Paula’s regular schedule is Sunday thru Thursday.
She isn’t always in the office, so please call or email her to schedule to see her.
She can be reached at 973-376-0688,  though for pastoral emergencies you may try her on her cell: 508-542-1327.  Her email is rector@ststephensmillburn.org
The new parish administrator’s office hours will be published just after the first of the year.