So, I’m going to name the irony of this newsletter right at the top: Yes, the pastor who preaches taking time to slow down and experience the blessings of a prayerful and reflective Advent today is offering a newsletter full of things to do. While none of this changes anything about the essence of this season or the one whom we await, it is true that these are things that will make our waiting in community go a bit more smoothly (one hopes).
May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen .
Though we are still in Advent, we are doing lots to plan for Christmas at St. Stephen’s. These events are listed in the “Events” section below, but we thought you might like to know a bit more than can be shared in a simple table.
This simple, contemplative liturgy provides a prayerful and reflective space for those for whom the holidays do not bring joy or feel emotionally and spiritually complicated. Come if you feel a need or desire to honor the part of you that does not feel quite like celebrating this season.
You are invited to join members of the Altar Guild in the “Greening of the Church,” church-speak for marking the transition from Advent to Christmas with beautiful, lush greens and other traditional Christmas colors. You’ll have fun and food! because we’ll bring bagels and other light brunch foods.
A full Eucharistic celebration of the birth of the incarnate God, with joyful music and a “child-friendly” homily. A bit shorter than the Festival Eucharist, great for kids of all ages (including adults).
The traditional “midnight service”, though at a friendlier hour. Joyful music, including trumpet and descants. This is the service for you if singing “Silent Night” as midnight nears means Christmas is here.
Sometimes Christmas Day is best with a quietly joy-filled liturgy. This would be that.
A lovely tradition in the Episcopal Church, Lessons & Carols is just what the name implies: a service of Bible readings and singing. Join us as we relive the story of God at work in the world from the dawn of creation to the inbreaking of God into the world. We will have our regular 8:00 service for those who would prefer a Eucharistic celebration.
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ)has donated $2500 to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. This is money that is used ” to assist the poor of the congregation and the larger community” (from the diocesan website) and is distributed at the discretion of the clergy. We are grateful for the donor and for the CFNJ’s willingness to help make this happen.
The website has been updated and now includes our Christmas Services, Rev. Paula’s bio, and current information about the vestry and location of the parish office.
The Coffee Hour sign-up sheet is posted. Please join in this ministry of hospitality and fellowship by signing up to host a Sunday or two. We take care of the setting up and the making of the coffee. You prepare and lay out the delicious treats.
We will be posting a calendar on the bulletin board and invite you to add your name(s) on the dates of your birthday and anniversary. Please write “B” or “A” after it so we know which is which. We want to be able to pray for you on those special occasions. Rev. Paula will NOT use this info to cajole you into receiving a special blessing, though, of course, she hopes you will come forward to get one.
The phone extensions have changed now that the parish office and rector’s study are in the Education Building. We are in the process of updating the phone message system, which still has the old extension numbers in the outgoing message. Please ignore the message saying “ext 11” for Rev. Paula and use her actual extension: 21 if you call her. Until we establish the new office extension, it is okay to use ext. 10 for the parish office.
Rev. Paula’s business cards are in and there are some on the ushers’ table in the church (the table near the side entrance). Please take one or two (or as many as you need) so that you have her contact information whenever you need it.
– to get ready to welcome Doreen, our new parish administrator (announced in last week’s newsletter). If you have a bit of time this Sunday after church to help with moving a couple of file cabinets and bookcases, please let Rev. Paula know at 973-376-0688, ext 21 or rector@ststephensmillburn.org.
– to update our Facebook and Twitter accounts. If you are the administrator of either of these accounts (or know who is), please call or email Rev. Paula: 973-376-0688, ext. 21 or rector@ststephensmillburn.org.
Rev. Paula’s regular schedule is Sunday thru Thursday, though that may change depending upon what’s happening in the parish or diocese in any given week.
The new parish administrator’s office hours and phone extension will be published just after the first of the year.
If you were here either of my first two Sundays, you’ve heard my take on Advent: contrary to popular culture, it is not about getting ready for Christmas, not about gifts and wrapping, cookies and ham, lights and trees. Those things, which can be fun, can also shift our focus from the meaning of Advent – taking the time we need to prepare to meet the incarnate God as if for the very first time, all while preparing to meet the risen Christ at the end of time. Yeah…it’s a lot and it doesn’t sound anywhere near as fun as gifts and wrapping, cookies and ham, lights and trees.
And still, I hope you do take some time every day to nourish your hearts and your souls (actually, I hope that for you all the time) so that you are able to experience the inbreaking of God into the world in new and different ways, in deeper ways, this year. And I’ll tell ya, if you welcome that beautiful baby anywhere near as well as you have welcomed me and my family, your lives cannot help but be transformed.
We have hired a new parish administrator, Doreen Schindler. She comes to us with lots of experience in office administration, marketing, and social media. She will be working some the week of December 17th (because that is such a busy week for us!) and will begin her regular schedule January 2nd. Her office will be in the Education Building right next to Rev. Paula’s. When you see her, please join us in welcoming her!
Rev. Paula’s regular schedule is Sunday thru Thursday.
She isn’t always in the office, so please call or email her to schedule to see her.
The new parish administrator’s office hours will be published just after the first of the year.
Friday November 9, will be my last day here at St. Stephen’s and I would just like to thank you all for an amazing journey here. I wish St. Stephen’s family all the very best for the future, I will truly miss you all. Until we meet again God Bless!
November 11th – Vestry sponsoring coffee hour in honor and gratitude of Rev. Jane. Additional “Baked goods” welcomed!
Boxes need to be at church by 11am for pick up!
Thanks to our wonderful parish, we now have enough Turkey boxes to give to our drumming camp families. The sign-up was very successful!
Please don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour this weekend!
Join us for an exciting program performed by composer and concert organist, Trent Johnson, on the renowned Baroque-style Beckerath tracker organ at historic St. Stephen’s Church in Millburn, NJ. Mr. Johnson is Organist and Assistant Director of Music at All Souls Unitarian Church in NYC and Music Director and Conductor of the Oratorio Singers of Westfield, NJ. An active recitalist, he performs frequently throughout the Northeast, Europe, and Asia. As a composer, he has written both instrumental and vocal works, and his opera Kenyatta premiered at The Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ in November 2017. The program will include works by J.S. Bach, George Walker, John Weaver, Max Reger, and Mr. Johnson himself. No tickets required. A suggested donation of $10 can be made at the door. Children accompanied by an adult are welcomed. Meet the artist at a reception following the recital. For directions to the church or more information visit www.ststephensmillburn.orgor call 973-376-0688.
The Fall semester of Church School will begin this Sunday, October 7th.
You can read an article about St. Stephen’s Drumming Camp in the diocesan online version of The Voice at https://dioceseofnewark.org/news. On the same page, you can see photos and video of the consecration of Bishop Caryle J. Hughes, 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Newark.
A small group from St. Stephen’s visited the Community of St. John the Baptist in Mendham, NJ on September 28th. Our day began with a period of personal reflection followed by Noonday Prayers in the Chapel. Then we took Sr. Barbara Jean to lunch in Chester to show our appreciation for her presence in our lives.
Vestry University will be held on Saturday, October 6, from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Ridgewood.
It is a day for all wardens, vestry members, treasurers, clergy and other congregational leaders to learn, network and celebrate your ministry. There are 24 different workshops to choose from!
Further information, including how to register, is on our website – https://dioceseofnewark.org/event/vestry-university-2018 . The cost is $20 per person, which includes lunch.
The deadline to register is 5pm on Monday, October 1!
All members of the community and their pets are welcome.
The event will be held on the parish lawn or inside the church if it rains. A brief ceremony to celebrate the joy of having a pet will include the blessing of each individual animal, and each pet will receive a “certificate of blessing” to commemorate the event.
We sincerely hope that you and your animal friends will be able to attend.