Newsletter, June 21
Rev. Sheelagh’s Thought For The Week
From a little book I use for daily devotions entitled “Our Daily Bread” comes this little homily for Wednesday, June 21. It’s thought provoking in a time when we are so self oriented: I share it with you:-
“How to be Miserable” (source unknown.)
“Think about yourself. Talk about yourself. Use “I” as often as possible. Mirror yourself continually in the opinion of others. Listen greedily for what people say about you. Expect to be appreciated. Be suspicious. Be jealous and envious. Be sensitive to slights. Never forgive a criticism. Trust nobody but yourself. Insist on consideration and respect. Demand agreement with your own views on everything. Sulk if people are not grateful to you for favors shown them. Never forget a service you have rendered, shirk duties if you can. Do as little as possible for others.”
St. Paul encourages us to empty ourselves of all this ego stuff – and fill that space with love and service to Christ and God. Sounds a lot healthier to me – so hey, let it go! +
2017 Hegg Awards
Events
Date | Time | Event |
| June 25, Sunday | 11:30am-11:45am | Annual Mustard Seed Meeting |
| June 25, Sunday | 11:45am-1pm | Vestry Meeting |
| June 25, Sunday | 7:30pm | Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival |
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 6/25 & 7/2
June 25, 2017 8am Reader: A. Walker | July 2, 2017 8am Reader: C. Francis |
| 10am Readers: 1. O. Owolabi 2. B. Riedel | 10am Readers: 1. F. Dorn 2. F. Young |
| Chalicist: R. Riedel | Chalicist: D. Cole |
Ushers: J. Hager & M. Hirschfeld | Ushers: S. & S. Polanco |
Altar Guild: A. Walker & J. James | Altar Guild: C. Francis & A. Cole |
Coffee Hour: H. Rooney | Coffee Hour: J. James |
Altar Flowers: K. Mcclellan | Altar Flowers: E. Foley |
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
Summer Spirituality:
Resources you may like to try this summer: iphone and Android apps for iphone 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.