Newsletter, September 21

Rev. Sheelagh’s Thought For The Week

This week continues the theme of the ethical and moral issues that surround righteousness and money.  I don’t think that God eschews wealth per se, but these examples are given to show us how easy it is to be tempted by the pursuit of riches.  “But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction,” we read in the first letter of Timothy.  That seems pretty clear.  However, we are caught in our time by a need to provide for ourselves and our children in ways that are way beyond just survival, and just living hand to mouth might be seen as irresponsible by many.
The bottom line seems to be to live with our christian values at the center of our being, rather than the “uncertainty” of riches, and to be rich in good works, generous and ready to share…the life that really is life.”  I think we know that it is our relationships and experiences that are the richest treasures we have, and I believe that we always receive more than we give when we are doing God’s work in the world.

Do we need to plan for our future? Yes, but present and recent experience should show us that such planning is uncertain at best, and that living a good, rich life doesn’t really “cost” us much in monetary terms, but yields returns that are priceless.

Reminders

Serving at the Altar  9/25 & 10/2

UPCOMING EVENTS

Cocktails & Commiseration
September 22, 7:30pm – 8:30pm

For our Mother’s whose children have left the nest.  Moonshine Supper Club, 55 Main Street Millburn.  Please call the church office to confirm if you are going by lunch time Thursday.  973-376-0688.

Anti Racism Workshop
September 23 & 24, 2016
Diocese of Newark, NJ
Click on the link for details
http://www.dioceseofnewark.org/event/anti-racism-dialogues-4

Blessing Of The Animals
1:00 PM Sunday, October 2nd, 2016

St. Stephen’s will hold our annual Blessing of the Animals at 1:00 PM on the Parish lawn (or inside if it rains). As always, we will have a brief ceremony to celebrate the joy our pets bring us and then bless each animal individually. “Hambone Kelly” will provide music and there will be refreshments for animals and for people.

Each pet will receive a “certificate of blessing” to commemorate the event.

For the safety of the pets, we ask that they come in appropriate carriers and containers or on a secure lead.

We sincerely hope that you and your animal friends will be able to attend.

Tour of St. Stephen’s Historic Cemetery
2-4pm Sunday, October 16, 2016
(Rain date October 23)

Sunday afternoon, 16 October, is the date for an event that no parishioner should miss.  Tours will leave the cemetery gate at 451 Millburn Avenue (across from the high school) at intervals between 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M.  Tours will visit 11 grave sites and make one stop in the mausoleum.  At each site, an impersonator will speak for the person buried there.  A Millburn resident will speak about his Scottish roots that went back to Robert the Bruce; two fathers of our township will hold forth, and  a Broadway actress will perform in an excerpt from a play by Bret Harte.  The actress has appeared on previous tours, but she insisted that this time the play be a different one.  A woman who served in the Women’s Army Corps in World War II will talk as will the depression-era Bishop of Newark.

Please invite – and bring with you if possible – family members, friends, and neighbors.   

NOTICES

Coffee Hour
Please sign up for coffee hour!  The next few weeks are open in October.  The sign up sheet is in the Narthex on the bulletin board.

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.  Thank You.

Please note the Parish Office is closed on Mondays