10 Feb

Newsletter, February 10

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: February 10, 2016
“Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

ashwednesday

These words spoken as the cross of ashes, made from the burned blessed palms of the previous year, are imposed, signify the desire to return to the Lord. This year, I have been asked many more times than usual why we impose ashes?  The easy answer is that the practice is an ancient way of showing repentance, grief and sorrow.  In more contemporary thinking, it is a symbolic way to externalize the internal awareness of our sinfulness.  However you look at it, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of something new, good and hopeful.  “Create in me a clean heart” is the psalmist’s invitation.  Ancient it might be, archaic and redundant, absolutely not!  Join me, as we enter the journey towards inner healing and freedom that Lent offers.

Reminders

DateTimeEvent
Feb 10, Wednesday12pm & 8pmAsh Wednesday Services
Feb 17, Wednesday7:30pm-10pmFinance Committee Meeting
Feb 20, Saturday10:30am-1pmChristine’s Kitchen
Feb 21, Sunday11:30am-1pmVestry Meeting
Feb 28, Sunday9:15am-10amSpirituality Group
Feb 28, Sunday4pm-5pmBeckerath Organ Recital

Serving at the Altar 2/14  & 2/21

2/142/21
8am Reader:  M. Ellingham8am Reader:  M. Walker
10am Readers:
1. E. Pluta
2. P. Wick
3. T. Scharff
10am Readers:
1. S. Polanco
2. B. Churchill
3. F. Taber
Chalicists: J. ScharffChalicists: D. Price
Ushers: C. Ehlers & E. PlutaUshers: J. Herry & J. Soughan
Coffee hour: C. FrancisCoffee hour: Open

NOTICE
Please send all articles and e-mails for the newsletter to Claire at church@st.stephensmillburn.org

SOUPER SUNDAY SUCCESS
Last Sunday, 7 February, was SOUPER SUNDAY at St. Stephen’s, and our parishioners responded by bringing 55 cans of soup to our food barrel.  The statistics are as follows:

23 cans of vegetable soup (soups having no meat), 20 cans of various varieties of chicken soup,  6 cans of soups containing beef,  6 cans of soups containing other meats.  This influx of soup plus contributions of other items filled the barrel, and all parishioners who contributed to the food barrel on SOUPER SUNDAY made the day a success!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Going Deeper this Lent:       Thursdays  at noon in the Church.

Stations of the Cross and meditations – Join us for this spiritual prayer walk.  We will look at the art from great artists that depict the “stations” and discuss what they reveal to us.

February 11, 18, 25, March 3, 10, 17 and 24.

Sunday Lenten Series: Common Room 11:30 – 12:00

Sunday, February 14  – Keeping a Holy Lent –  Rev. Sheelagh and Rev. Dcn Kathleen

Sunday, February  21 – Justice and Dignity – Rev Dcn Barbara Harriman, Prison Chaplain

Sunday, February 28 – Spirituality in the second half of life  – Theresa Scharff

Sunday, March 6 – Seek and Serve Christ in all Persons –  IHN representatives

Sunday, March 13 – Proclaiming by Word and Example – Vestry Forum

Online resources: Daily meditations delivered to your email box: www.dioceseofnewark.org  click on Online Meditations to read, and to subscribe.

Spirituality for the Second Half of Life
The introductory meeting of the Spirituality for the Second Half of Life group has been moved to Sunday, February 28 at 9:15 in the Common Room.  In this way all who are interested from both the 8:00am and 10: 00am services will be able to learn and decide about participation.

Group details will be shared at the introductory meeting but basically, the group theme is that of spirituality in the second part of life – the time after children have grown, jobs are coming to an end or have ended, losses in life have been experienced due to aging and life’s BIG questions are faced more fully.

This group will meet for approximately six weeks; the day and time of meetings will be based on members. If you have any questions/concerns please call Theresa Scharff at 908-686-5489.

SABBATICAL NEWS
At the Annual Meeting on February 7th, it was announced that Rev. Sheelagh will be taking a Sabbatical in the summer.   Each week there will be information in the Enews to provide the congregation with a thorough understanding of this wonderful opportunity for Rev. Sheelagh and St. Stephen’s Church.

The Diocese of Newark defines a Sabbatical as a time for clergy to be released from regular ministries for the purpose of spiritual renewal, study, theological reflection, and strengthening of skills and ministries, according to a well-defined plan developed by the clergy person taking leave in concert with her vestry or executive committee.  It is a time for “opening one’s self to the working of the Holy Spirit and for renewal of one’s sense of vocation.”

Christine’s Kitchen      February 20, 10:30am – 1pm
We serve neighbors in need at Christine’s Kitchen at Holy Trinity in West Orange.  Holy Trinity is located at Washington and Main Streets in West Orange. Parking is on the street.  We can use entrees, fruit, and other foods, as well as volunteers.   If you feel like bringing something additional, do so!  Food will not go to waste. If you want to volunteer or contribute call Claas at 908 451-0426, or email him at cehlers@familypromise.org.

Beckerath Organ Recital
The current 46th season will continue with recitals by our own John Charles Schucker on Feb 28 at 4pm, and by Ian Tomesch on April 24. We hope you can join us, especially for John’s recital on Feb 28, which will include his guided introduction to the workings of our own “King of Instruments.”

The recital generally runs about an hour and is immediately followed by a “Reception” in the Parish Hall where you can meet the artist.  For more information pick up a season brochure at the table by the church entrance-or speak to John or to Peggy and other Friends of Music.

Poems & Reflections
Writers-Please consider writing a short meditation, poem or reflection during Lent. Everyone can participate, at any level.  Interested? Curious?  Please contact Rev.  Sheelagh for more information.