Newsletter, June 15

Thought for the Week: June 15, 2016

By Janet Hager

I had something very different in mind for this week’s thought for the week and then the awful news of the massacre in Orlando happened.  I went to bed on Saturday night and I left my cell phone and iPad downstairs.  Leaving our electronics downstairs at night has become a household practice to work towards a better night’s sleep.  On Sunday morning, while Chris was getting ready for the 8:00 am service, I went downstairs and checked my phone and saw my news alerts.  A mass shooting at a gay club in Orlando, 20 dead many others injured.  My heart stopped.  I turned on the news only to see that the numbers had grown to 50 dead and 53 injured.  I could not believe what I was hearing and seeing, another senseless mass shooting.  It all just seemed too much.  The number of people hurt and dead and the thought of the hate that must have been in this person’s soul it was and still is too much.  Too much hate! Too much violence! Too much pain! Too much grief! What can we do? What can I do? Pray? Prayer can be a comfort; but there is something just as powerful as prayer and that is LOVE.

LOVE is what we can do.  Love those who are different from us, love those that hate us, love those that we find difficult to love.  It is what Christ commands us to do! “A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

I watched the Tony awards on Sunday.  One of the winners Lin-Manuel Mirranda gave an acceptance speech.  It was actually a sonnet he had written between the award show rehearsal when he learned of the tragedy and the actual show, and in it he said; We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger, we rise and fall and light from dying embers.  Remembrances that hope and love last longer, and love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love.

Love is the answer!

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“Weeping hearts.” From the still, quiet places at Holy Cross Monastery.  In my prayers. +

Gracious God, in you we live and move and have our being: We pray that you guide Rev. Sheelagh during this intentional Sabbath time.  May she return to St. Stephen’s restored in body, mind and spirit.  We also pray that you bless this parish and all who come here.  May we carry out with joy the ministries to which we are called.  May this also be a time of intentional prayer and reflection for us. By your Spirit, empower all to be strengthened by the gifts you give and to be renewed as servants of God.  Amen.

Reminders

Serving at the Altar 6/19 & 6/26

NOTICES

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.  Thank You.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Summer Workshop
At Grace Episcopal Church in Nutley (200 Highfield Lane) 

A $5 per person donation is requested to cover the cost of a light dinner. For further information or to reserve a spot (so we’ll know how much food is needed) please email Sue Morgan at sue.morgan1066@gmail.com

Time 6 p.m on Wednesday, July 20 or call her at (917) 517-4024.

DRUMMING CAMP IS COMING!  8/23-8/27
Drumming camp is coming, and I want to share the details with you.  The children will be coming to St. Stephen’s from Tuesday 8/23 to Saturday 8/27 from 3:30 – 7:30 pm.  Here is a rough plan for the schedule:

•    3:30PM vans arrive, children have a hearty snack (granola bars and fruit), children have free play time on the grounds

•     4:00-5:00PM younger children drum and older children do arts and crafts (Drumming in parish hall)

•     5:00-6:00PM older children drum and younger children to arts and crafts (Drumming in parish hall)

•    6:00-6:30PM dinner (Meals in parish hall)

•    6:30-7:15PM outdoor sports and games

•    7:30PM vans leave to take the children home

We do not yet have a list of participating children, but once we have a clearer sense of the number of children and their ages we can make any necessary scheduling adjustments.

Reverend Sheelagh will not be at the helm this summer, but we have a core group of volunteers who will be present at the camp each evening.

• Yah-yah Kamate will serve as the drumming instructor
• Kim Williams will assist Yah-yah with the drummers
• Gary Jones, Fran Taber, and Susan Dinan will serve as co-directors with clearly defined responsibilities, so we will not be getting into one another’s way.
• Reverend Kathleen will provide her calming and inspired presence.
• Sara Ruth Dorn will manage dinner and snacks.  She will need helpers each night.  If you want to help with food pick-up, preparation, and/or service please let Sara Ruth know which evenings you are available (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday) and the times you can assist. She can be reached at 973-467-9847 or Fdorn231@aol.com.
• Gesine Ehlers will coordinate arts and crafts.  If you want to assist in the arts room please let Susan Dinan know by responding to this message.
• Grace Savoia-Di Gregorio and Miles Ben-Egypt will serve as camp counselors, with Miles in charges of sports since he has experience as a soccer coach.  Elizabeth Hawk will serve as a junior counselor.

Would you like to help with the camp?  If you want to volunteer to work with the children, please let Susan Dinan know when you are available to do so, and what you would like to be involved in doing.  If you would like to contribute money to the food fund, please let us know.  If you would like to contribute food, please let Sara Ruth and Susan know so we can plan accordingly.  We will be ordering food from local restaurants (Peter’s, Millburn Diner, and Pizzeta) again this summer, and we will ask ShopRite and Trader Joes for snack donations, but as you know these children come from food insecure homes, and it is nice to provide them with substantial snacks and meals.

Thank you for your support of our drummer!

Thought For The Week
Thinkers.  Writers.  Please consider writing a brief  “thought for the week” on anything at all for the weekly e-news during the sabbatical period.  Let Claire or Janet Hager know you are interested.

Coffee hosting and flowers
Please sign up with Susan Dinan for coffee hour.

Please Let Eugene or Claire know if you would like to donate flowers.  Consider taking ONE Sunday in memory of a loved one, or in thanksgiving for an event. Flowers are priced at $40, $50 or $60 for the two vases.