Newsletter, July 5
Rev. Sheelagh’s Thought For The Week
“Rise up, my love, my beauty, come away;
For now the winter is past,
The rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth,
And the time of singing has come.” Song of Solomon 2:11
Quite often we have scripture that we do not use in our bulletin, and this week it is the beautiful verse from The Song of Solomon. It’s time to let our souls and spirits rejoice in the beauty of summer glory. We don’t need to seek for God’s presence like a “Where’s Waldo” game. Evidence of God is all around us; revealed in the beauty and creative genius of the garden, seashore and mountain. Enjoy friends, the beauty of these beautiful summer days! God is good, all the time.
Events
Date | Time | Event |
| July 16, Sunday | 11:30am-1pm | Vestry Meeting |
July 26, Wednesday | 6pm-9pm | Diocesan Annual Spirituality Evening Grace Church, Madison NJ |
| 28Aug-1Sept Monday-Friday | 3:30pm-7:30pm | Drumming Camp |
Serving at the Altar 7/9 & 7/16
July 9, 2017 8am Reader: N. Sieffert | July 16, 2017 8am Reader: N. Ellingham |
| 10am Readers: 1. F. Taber 2. K. Wade | 10am Readers: 1. B. Churchill 2. L. Owolabi |
| Chalicist: J. Soughan | Chalicist: J. Scharff |
Ushers: J. & K. Wade | Ushers: S. & L. Landers |
Altar Guild: M. Nazareth & J. Dorn | Altar Guild: A. Walker, T. & J. Scharff |
Coffee Hour: Open | Coffee Hour: Open |
Altar Flowers: Open | Altar Flowers: Open |
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.
NOTICES
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 mobile phones 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
Diocesan Annual Spirituality Evening
Wednesday July 26
Join Theresa and John Scharff, and Rev. Sheelagh at the Diocesan annual Spirituality evening entitled ” Ditch your Devices, and feed your soul,” Wednesday July 26th at Grace Church, Madison, at 6:00pm 9:00pm.
Ditch your device for a summer evening. Taste and see, awaken your senses to walking the labyrinth, creating art, mindfulness, spiritual breathing, and more. Dwell in the word with us as we prayerfully listen to the Holy Spirit within and begin to let go.
Registration here – small charge (scholarships available)
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.