15 Jun

Newsletter, June 14

Rev. Sheelagh’s Thought For The Week
The second part of this coming week’s gospel is well known to many of you who serve in leadership here at St Stephen’s.  At the start of each meeting we begin with dwelling in the word, using a passage from Luke 10, where Jesus sent out his disciples in twos to visit the villages where he planned to go.  Travel light, eat what is given to you, and bless all you encounter, they are told.  But also beware – for the Lord sends us out as sheep into the midst of wolves.  It seems that being a person of faith was always to inhabit a hostile world.  When we encounter hostility, we are counselled to rely on God who will give us what we need to say at the time.  We could all use that advice, especially in a world where a wrong word, or an ill advised sentiment expressed in an email is so dangerous to our relationships today.  Maybe pausing long enough to be guided by the Spirit would avoid some of the blunders we all make.  Especially in these hot summer days – when our patience is short and tempers flare quickly, let’s pause for a moment, say nothing, until we have blessed people first.+

Events
Date
Time
Event
June 18, Sunday11:15amGrocery Gift Card Sunday
June 20, Tuesday7:30pm-10pmFinance Committee Meeting
June 25, Sunday
11:30am-11:45am
Annual Mustard Seed Meeting
June 25, Sunday11:45am-1pmVestry Meeting
June 25, Sunday7:30pmHudson Valley Shakespeare Festival
 
Serving at the Altar  6/18 & 6/25
June 18, 2017
8am Reader: N. Sieffert
June 25, 2017
8am Reader: A. Walker
10am Readers:
1. J. James
2. L. Owolabi
3. P. Wick		10am Readers:
1. O. Owolabi
2. B. Riedel
Chalicist: S. ClarkeChalicist: R. Riedel
Ushers: P. & O. Moore
Ushers: J. Hager & M. Hirschfeld
Altar Guild: N. Sieffert & A. Cole
Altar Guild: A. Walker & J. James
Coffee Hour: Open
Coffee Hour: Open
Altar Flowers: Rev. Sheelagh
Altar Flowers: K. Mcclellan
 

 

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.
 

 

Thank You
Alex and Dick Cole were recognized at the Senior’s Ministry Evensong last Sunday evening. Dick and Alex have been faithful servants here at St Stephen’s since 1973, that’s over 40 years of service! They have seen many comings and goings, witnessed much joy, and above all been resolute and hopeful in the face of challenges.  Thank you for all you have done, and will continue to do.
NOTICES
 
Food  Barrel 
Parishioners made the “bring in something red”  effort for Pentecost Sunday a huge success.  By our count, some 58 items, cans or boxes containing a red food (and one all-red bag!) were put in the barrel on Sunday, 4 June.  Included were tomatoes (16 cans), tomato soup (7 cans), 5 containers of Jell-O,  cranberry sauce, kidney beans, beets, and cans and packets of items such as pasta dishes, chili, soup, and Spanish Rice that had a red ingredient.  ALSO, the barrel filled.
Please help make this a food barrel summer with contributions of foods of many colors!
That’s all folks…! 
It’s summertime and the going’s easy – so we are bringing all our ministries to a close this month.  Today was the last seniors’ luncheon until October.  It had a July 4th flair with hotdogs and sandwiches and a beautiful flag cake baked by Heloisa Rooney.  Pharmacists from Walgreen’s came to chat about staying healthy, safe and cool in the summer months, and Theresa led some seasonal songs. Thanks to the organizational team and helpers. We resume in October with speakers from Bradley community team on putting our affairs in order, aging in place, looking for care homes and assisted living etc. We will have a parish focused talk on this subject on All Saints day in November in the Common Room.
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.
 

Volunteers Needed
High School / College students needed. Service hours, Internship?
We have a variety of small short term projects that need your help. Please call or e-mail Claire in the Church office. (Hours flexible to suit your schedule.)
Re-Licensing
Re-licensing of the Chalice bearers, worship leaders and lay preachers is required every three years – please see Reverend Sheelagh to check the status of your license, or if you are feeling called to explore these ministries.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS
 
St. Stephen’s Grocery Gift Card Fundraiser –This SUNDAY!
June orders for Shop Rite and Kings gift cards will be taken this Sunday to support our operating budget.  If you shop at either Shop Rite or Kings, please consider purchasing gift cards.  Order forms are available in church, on the website http://ststephensmillburn.org or can be emailed to you.
Cash/checks (payable to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church) only, please.
Won’t be able to get to church? No problem, send me an email or call and I’ll place your order! Forgot your checkbook?  Just drop a check in the mail (attn.: Grocery Cards c/o St. Stephen’s) or pop it through the mailbox slot at the rectory during the week.
If you haven’t considered using gift cards, ask how this easy and no-cost fundraiser may be right for you!  More info: contact Blair Majtyka, 973-801-1471, blairmajtyka@me.com.   Get into the habit of shopping with gift cards!!


 
Drumming Camp!
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.