Saturday, January 22, 2011
St. Stephen's Parish Profile
Click on the link below to access the Parish Profile:
http://cid-709a3364ace53761.office.live.com/self.aspx/.Documents/St.%20Stephen^4s%20Parish%20Profile.pdf
Pluta-Ehlers Family Profile
We joined St. Stephen’s five years ago, after visiting about a dozen churches of all denominations. Ellen came from a Catholic background, but while she loved the liturgy and the sense of community, she did not agree with the church’s stance on many issues. Claas’ background was eclectic, but a commitment to social justice was imperative. After one visit to St. Stephen's, we knew we were at the right place. The service was rich and deep, holding communion as an essential part, the sermon was resonant and spoke to us as human beings capable of growth, and it was the friendliest congregation we had ever seen. We had found our true spiritual home, where both worship and fellowship are held in the highest regard, and a place where our three children could learn that to be blessed by God is to be called by God to service.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Warden Kathy Mullins Weekly Update Dated 1/15/11
To St. Stephen's Parishioners:
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
Sunday January 16 - 8 AM AND 10 AM Second Sunday After Epiphany The Rev. Cooper Conway, Interim Rector, is the preacher and celebrant.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday, January 18, 7:30 PM Pre-convention meeting, Christ Church, East Orange
Wednesday, January 19, 7:30 PM Vestry meeting
Sunday, January 23, 5 PM "Winter Family Fun Night " in the Fellowship Hall.
Thursday, January 27, 7:30 PM, Preschool Committee meeting
Friday, January 28 - Saturday, January 29, 137th Annual Convention Diocese of Newark
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAMILY FUN NIGHT. Next Sunday evening should be a Winter Blast. Everyone is invited to join in the fun. It's a Pot Luck Supper with Open Mic - lots of food, fellowship, music and more. There will be a mini talent show, so if any of our talented youth (or those with youthful talent) want to work something up for the 23rd, talk to Kim Williams on Sunday, or send her an e-mail <kkawe@optonline.net>. Kim is organizing the line-up of performers.
This party is a chance to catch up with your church friends . . . Show off your talent . . . Relax, and have fun! It should be lots of fun. Mark the date now -- Sunday evening, January23 at 5:00 PM When you respond to the E-Vite , sign up for what dish you will bring (Each family bring a dish - appetizer, main entree, casserole or dessert). Drinks will be provided (juice etc). There will also be a sign-up sheet at Coffee Hour. We'll need volunteers to set up, clean up and help in other ways. There will be some singing -- performances by those with and without talent. Bring instruments, ask friends to come. Set up will start at 4 PM. The Pot Luck will start at 5 PM and run at least until 7. A cover charge will be: $5 per person or $10 per family. January 23 -- Be There!
WELCOME BACK KAREN. St. Stephen's has been without a deacon since the death of the Rev. Herb Tinning. As Cooper Conway explains below, the Diocese has agreed to an unusual arrangement -- an Interim Deacon at St. Stephen's and that will be the Rev. Karen Eberhardt.
St Stephens has been blessed over the past two decades by the presence and ministry of several talented Deacons. Further, I know we have all missed Herb, especially at Worship on Sundays. He can never be replaced but, fortunately, he trained many a Deacon for our Diocese.
So, I am pleased to announce that Karen Eberhardt will be joining us as "Interim Deacon" for the next few months. An Interim Deacon is not something I have ever heard of but in our case I think it is a great idea.
So, I am pleased to announce that Karen Eberhardt will be joining us as "Interim Deacon" for the next few months. An Interim Deacon is not something I have ever heard of but in our case I think it is a great idea.
Karen is a long time member of St Stephen's, she was sponsored for ordination to the Deaconate by this parish and she served here as Deacon. Our arrangement with Karen was approved by Bishop Beckwith as a part time and interim posting. She will be with us every fourth Sunday of the month. Karen has also agreed to run a Sunday Adult Forum series for four weeks in Lent. Her office will be located in the former counseling office, off the parish hall. You can look for Karen to join us this month on Sunday the 23rd. She will be here for the 10 AM service and for the Community Dinner that evening.
I am grateful to her and to the Bishop for their imagination in creating this unusual post for St Stephen's. -- Cooper Conway
OUR CEMETERY AND MAUSOLEUM. I had been attending St. Stephen's for about two years before I discovered that the church owned a cemetery. Turns out that it is one of the most scenic places in town. I know that some people have an aversion to cemeteries, but there are many ways to appreciate ours. It is scenic and tranquil in every season. It houses a great deal of local history. The Mausoleum, completed in about 2002, is unusually attractive, modeled after an English country church . If you have not taken the time to walk through the cemetery grounds, I hope you will do so when the snow melts and the weather warms up.
The Cemetery is located on eight acres of land that was given to the church by Israel D. Condit. It is situated on Millburn Avenue directly across from Millburn High School. The purpose of founding the cemetery was to provide a burial site for the people of Millburn as well as for the members of St. Stephen’s Church.
Aside from its scenic beauty, the cemetery is also a business and an integral part of our operation. It requires management, marketing and maintenance. When it's run well, the cemetery can be a great help to St. Stephen's. Dennis Lysaght, General Manager of our Cemetery and Mausoleum, does a wonderful job of selling in very difficult economic climate by creating programs that benefit buyers that pre-plan. Last Fall at a Sunday forum he spoke to a number of us about the benefits of Pre-Planning.
As I've said, when Dennis sells space, that benefits St. Stephen's Church. Here is how each of us can help. Visit the cemetery yourself and show it to other people. If you have a connection to a group or an organization -- a union, alumni organization, business or professional group, civic organization, club, fraternity -- that might benefit from hearing about pre-planning, Dennis would appreciate an introduction. He will speak free of charge. This not a sales pitch; it is an informational talk that answers questions that people are sometimes hesitant to ask. Think about your own needs, those of your friends and family, and your broader circle of friends. If you have questions, ask me or call Dennis directly (973-564-8787).
SNOW JOB. Dave owns Quality Landscaping, the company that cuts the lawn, removes trees and trims the bushes for St. Stephen's Church and Cemetery. He also owns Abbison Paving, the company that plows snow from our driveways throughout the winter. We have known Dave to be knowledgeable and reliable. He is now offering residential snow plowing. If you are tired of shoveling, think about giving Dave a call to get a quote on plowing your driveway. If you do, mention that you are from St. Stephen's.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING. Each year on the first Sunday in February we have a shortened service of worship and then gather in the Fellowship Hall to review the year past, hear from leaders of the parish and look at plans for the year ahead. The year the Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 6. Prior to the meeting, the Nominating Committee prepares a slate of candidates for any openings in parish leadership as well as delegates and alternates to the Diocesan Convention and suggestions for the Nominating Committee for the following year. The current Nominating Committee includes: Denise Price, Katie Wade, Pam Singer, Sydney Davis, and Eugene Foley. If you would like to be considered for an open position please speak to any member of the Nominating Committee, to one of the Wardens - Kathy Mullins or Marvin Walker, or to the Interim Rector, Cooper Conway. Don't be shy!
WHAT HAPPENED TO TUESDAY NIGHT? . . . COMMENTS FROM COOPER.
As I have mentioned before, the interim time is a good time for trying things out. Sometimes these are brand new ideas, sometimes they are revivals of things that were done in distant past. This year you have experienced different liturgical styles (longer processions, blessings with Holy water, creation leaflets, Harvest Festival, etc.). We have done a pilot "Parents Night Out" program. And we offered a two month trial of a midweek Healing and Eucharist service.
Not everything we do in the interim will stick. The important thing is to be flexible and to learn. I mention this now because our trial period for the midweek Eucharist is over. It was a good spiritual discipline for a couple of us but the demand for such a service just did not seem to be there at this time. So, you will notice that it is no longer on our schedule. If you have any thoughts about the midweek Eucharist or any other program you would like to help initiate... please tell me. -- Cooper Conway
ENVELOPES AND STATEMENTS AVAILABLE. If you asked for envelopes to help manage your pledged giving, you will find boxes at the church door. Look for one that of envelopes with your name on it. Everyone that contributed to St. Stephen's in 2010 will find Year-End giving statements there as well.
'TISTHESEASON TO STOCK UP THE FOOD BARREL! Remember to take advantage of the CAN-CAN sales ... and other bargains at your local food markets. Felder Dorn says, “The ShopRite stores of Millburn and Springfield have announced a double-barreled opportunity to get our food barrel off to a great start in 2011! The CAN-CAN sale starts Wednesday, 5 January 2011, AND it is the ShopRite's 40th Anniversary CAN-CAN sale! “ Visit these stores and find ShopRite vegetables at 40 cents per can! Some Chef Boyardee, Manwich, and Hunt's items are priced at 88 cents per can! There are also great bargains on Progresso Soup and a variety of cereals. Bargains come and go as the sale proceeds. BUY NOW and swell our food barrel. Stock up now and then bring items to the barrel over a period of weeks. If the ShopRite is not your grocery store, you can be sure that your store is countering with bargains of its own, SO GET OUT AND SHOP for the FOOD BARREL!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Warden Kathy Mullins Weekly Update Dated 1/8/11
To St. Stephen's Parishioners:
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
Sunday January 9 - 8 AM AND 10 AM Third Sunday After Christmas Day The Rev. Cooper Conway, Interim Rector, is the preacher and celebrant.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, January 14, 7:30 PM Finance Committee meeting
Tuesday, January 18, 7:30 PM Pre-convention meeting, Christ Church, East Orange
Wednesday, January 19, 7:30 PM Vestry meeting
Sunday, January 23, 5 PM "Winter Family Fun Night " in the Fellowship Hall.
Thursday, January 27, 7:30 PM, Preschool Committee meeting
Friday, January 28 - Saturday, January 29, 137th Annual Convention Diocese of Newark
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING. Each year on the first Sunday in February we have a shortened service of worship and then gather in the Fellowship Hall to review the year past, hear from leaders of the parish and look at plans for the year ahead. The year the Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 6. Prior to the meeting, the Nominating Committee prepares a slate of candidates for any openings in parish leadership as well as delegates and alternates to the Diocesan Convention and suggestions for the Nominating Committee for the following year. The current Nominating Committee includes: Denise Price, Katie Wade, Pam Singer, Sydney Davis, and Eugene Foley. If you would like to be considered for an open position please speak to any member of the Nominating Committee, to one of the Wardens - Kathy Mullins or Marvin Walker, or to the Interim Rector, Cooper Conway. Don't be shy!
FAMILY FUN NIGHT. Most of us have missed opportunities to get together in an informal way. Want to catch up with your church friends? Here's a chance to do that. There's a party in the works and it should be lots of fun. It's a Winter Blast that will include lots of food, fellowship, music and more. Mark the date now -- Sunday evening, January23 at 5:00 PM. This event will include a pot-luck dinner. If you haven't received an E-Vite already, you'll be getting one soon and that's where you can sign up for what dish you will bring to contribute to the meal. There will also be a sign-up sheet at Coffee Hour. We'll need volunteers to set up, clean up and help in other ways. There will be some singing -- we are not sure yet how that will work, but you'll hear more about it. A cover charge will cover some of the expenses: $5 per person or $10 per family. January 23 -- Be There!
DIOCESAN NEWS. The Diocese is trying a new distribution method for the newspaper, The Voice. Instead of sending issues to individual homes by mail, a bulk delivery will be sent to the church. Anyone interested in having a printed copy may pick up a copy of The Voice at the back of the church. The January 2011 issue is available now so look for it this Sunday. This issue is 24-pages and full of news about the upcoming diocesan convention. Take the time to read it and find out what issues will be discussed, who is running for office, and what's happening at nearby churches.
The Voice is also available online. Go to the diocesan website, <www.dioceseofnewark.org> and click on the image of The Voice.
And that's not all. E-News is also available online between issues.
'TISTHESEASON TO STOCK UP THE FOOD BARREL! Remember to take advantage of the CAN-CAN sales ... and other bargains at your local food markets. Felder Dorn says, “The ShopRite stores of Millburn and Springfield have announced a double-barreled opportunity to get our food barrel off to a great start in 2011! The CAN-CAN sale starts Wednesday, 5 January 2011, AND it is the ShopRite's 40th Anniversary CAN-CAN sale! “ Visit these stores and find ShopRite vegetables at 40 cents per can! Some Chef Boyardee, Manwich, and Hunt's items are priced at 88 cents per can! There are also great bargains on Progresso Soup and a variety of cereals. Bargains come and go as the sale proceeds. BUY NOW and swell our food barrel. Stock up now and then bring items to the barrel over a period of weeks. If the ShopRite is not your grocery store, you can be sure that your store is countering with bargains of its own, SO GET OUT AND SHOP for the FOOD BARREL!
DELEGATES TO DIOCESAN CONVENTION. The 2-day convention of the Diocese of Newark is scheduled for Friday, January 28 and Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel, Parsippany. Delegates to Convention are elected at the Annual Meeting the year before.
PREPARATION FOR THE 137th ANNUAL CONVENTION of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark is scheduled on Tuesday, January 18 at 7:30 PM. The pre-convention meeting will be held at Christ Church in East Orange. Pre-convention meetings help prepare deputies with reports relevant to the business of convention. Presentations will be made on the proposed diocesan budget, task force reports, resolutions and orientation information for first-time deputies. Delegates from St. Stephen’s, elected at the Annual Meeting in February, 2010, are expected to attend both pre-convention meetings and
PLEDGE ENVELOPES. If you checked off the box on your pledge card indicating that you want pledge envelopes, you should find a box of envelopes marked with your name on the table at the church entrance this Sunday and for the next few weeks. If you have reconsidered and think you would now like envelopes, just send an email to <church@ststepehensmillburn.org> and your envelopes will be available next week. Envelopes are an easy way to keep track of your giving and to make sure your pledge payments get submitted in a timely way. There are other ways to make your pledge payments.
Automated credit card payments. A growing number of parishioners take advantage of this easy system. After you fill out an enrollment form, Dominic Balzano, our bookkeeper, puts through a charge once a month for the amount you have pledged to the card you have indicated. What happens if your charges are a little too heavy one month and you wish you could postpone your payment? That's easy. Just call or e-mail Dominic and ask him to delay putting the charge through until whatever date you decide. Reminder: If you paid by credit card in 2010, you should submit a pledge card for 2011, or let Dominic know if he should continue to submit monthly charges for the same amount and to the same credit card. There is a slight processing charge to the church for handling your pledge in this way. Sometimes those who give in this way consider adding a slight amount to their pledge amount to cover the administrative cost to the church.
Automated bank payment. If you have automated bill payment through your bank, add St. Stephen's to your list of payees. Your pledge payments will be paid by electronic check at whatever intervals you designate.
WEST VIRGINIA MISSION TRIP FOR ADULTS. The Diocese of Newark and St. Mary’s in Sparta are organizing an Adult Mission Trip for one week in July, 2011. During that week (July 10 - 16) the volunteers that join this effort will completely frame a Habitat house under the direction of a Habitat-qualified construction supervisor. The project is called “Framing Blitz” and it is under auspices of “Almost Heaven” Habitat for Humanity in Pendleton County, West Virginia (For more information, see: <www.almostheavenhabitat.org>). This opportunity is open to any adult member of the diocese, 21 years or older. There can be at least 2, no more than 4 persons from any single congregation. Meals and housing provided. Each will contribute $400 to participate and non-refundable deposit of $200 per person is due January 20, 2011. Please make the check out to the Diocese of Newark with a memo notation for the Diocesan Mission Trip. Interested? See notice on the bulletin board outside the Common Room. Direct questions to Rev. Orion Davis at 973-729-3136.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
St. Stephen's Brochure
Click on the link below to view a brochure that is a snapshot of the various ministries at St. Stephen's.
http://cid-709a3364ace53761.office.live.com/self.aspx/.Documents/St-Stephens%5E_1210-3%20%5E52%5E6-1CTS.pdf
Township of Millburn
Click on the link below for information on the Township of Millburn, NJ.
http://twp.millburn.nj.us/General-Information
http://twp.millburn.nj.us/General-Information
History of St. Stephen's
Click on the links below to learn some interesting facts related to the history of St. Stephen's:
http://www.ststephensmillburn.org/church/history/history_1851_1963.htm
History of St. Stephen's 1851 - 1963
http://www.ststephensmillburn.org/church/history/history_150_anniversary.htm
150 Anniversary Reminiscences
http://www.ststephensmillburn.org/church/history/history_1851_1963.htm
History of St. Stephen's 1851 - 1963
http://www.ststephensmillburn.org/church/history/history_150_anniversary.htm
150 Anniversary Reminiscences
Warden Kathy Mullins Weekly Update Dated 1/2/11
*To St. Stephen's Parishioners: *
*SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES***
*Sunday January 2 *- 8 AM AND 10 AM Second Sunday After Christmas Day The
Rev. Cooper Conway, Interim Rector, is the preacher and celebrant.
*IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER*
*Sunday, January 2, 8 AM *Spoken Eucharist
*Sunday, January 2, 10 AM *Service of Lessons and Carols
*Wednesday, January 14, 7:30 PM *Finance Committee meeting
*Tuesday, January 18, 7:30 PM* Pre-convention meeting, Christ Church, East
Orange
*ANNOUNCEMENTS*
PROGRESS REPORT. *Our Rector Search has reached a significant
milestone.*
Last week members of the Search Committee received word that the Position
Profile for Rector of St. Stephen's Church had been posted on the Church
Deployment Office website. Kudos to the many hard-working individuals that
drafted the Rector Profile. First there was the Self-Study committee that
conducted the survey, led focus groups and town hall meetings to gather
information, and then collated the research into a report;. Then Search
Committee members refined the results. They discussed findings, tweaked
text, gathered photos in order to create an interesting and attractive
layout for the presentation. A blog site was created to be the entry point
for interested candidates. Potential applicants will be directed to the
Blog site to review the Position Profile, find information about how to
apply, and read comments about St. Stephen’s submitted by members of the
congregation. What this means is that clergy can now apply for the
position?
In fact, this past week, in response to our posting, resumes began to come
in. The Search Committee will begin to turn its attention to reviewing and
rating applications. Several parishioners have asked what they can tell a
clergyperson that has expressed an interest in applying for the Rector’s
position at St. Stephen’s. The Search Committee is now receiving
applications. Any clergyperson that is interested should apply by sending
the following to information to this email address: <
ststephenssearch@gmail.com>:
+ Resume/Curriculum Vitae
+ CDO profile
+ Cover letter highlighting key qualities or accomplishments that he/she
believes make him/her a good fit with St. Stephen's.
*HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERECE IN 2011? STOCK UP THE FOOD BARREL! *Felder
Dorn has a tip for anyone looking for bargains on food staples. He says, “The
ShopRite stores of Millburn and Springfield have announced in today's
newspaper a double-barreled opportunity to get our food barrel off to a
great start in 2011! The CAN-CAN sale starts Wednesday, 5 January 2011,
AND it is the ShopRite's 40th Anniversary CAN-CAN sale! “ Visit these stores
and find ShopRite vegetables at 40 cents per can! Some Chef Boyardee,
Manwich, and Hunt's items are priced at 88 cents per can! There are also
great bargains on Progresso Soup and a variety of cereals. Bargains come
and go as the sale proceeds. BUY NOW and swell our food barrel. Stock up now
and then bring items to the barrel over a period of weeks. If the ShopRite is
not your grocery store, you can be sure that your store is countering with
bargains of its own, SO GET OUT AND SHOP for the FOOD BARREL!
*CHRISTMAS DEOCRATIONS REVISITED.* Thanks to the many people that helped
“Green the Church” and later, following ADVENT IV, affix red bows to the
wreaths and beautify the church with poinsettias. Following the 10 AM
Service of Lessons and Carols this Sunday, volunteers are needed once again
to remove the decorations. If you can, please stay and help remove the
greens and pack up the bows and pine cones for next year. All kinds of
talents can be utilized – sweep up pine needles, re-hang the icons, remove
candle wax. The more people that can help, the faster the work will be
completed.
*PREPARATION FOR THE 137th ANNUAL CONVENTION* of the Episcopal Diocese of
Newark is scheduled on Tuesday, January 18 at 7:30 PM. The pre-convention
meeting will be held at Christ Church in East Orange. Pre-convention
meetings help prepare deputies with reports relevant to the business of
convention. Presentations will be made on the proposed diocesan budget,
task force reports, resolutions and orientation information for first-time
deputies. Delegates from St. Stephen’s, elected at the Annual Meeting in
February, 2010, are expected to attend both pre-convention meetings and the
2-day convention which is scheduled to be held on Friday, January 28 and
Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel, Parsippany.
*WEST VIRGINIA MISSION TRIP FOR ADULTS.* The Diocese of Newark and St.
Mary’s in Sparta are organizing an Adult Mission Trip for one week in July,
2011. During that week (July 10 - 16) the volunteers that join this effort
will completely frame a Habitat house under the direction of a Habitat-qualified construction supervisor. The project is called “Framing Blitz” and it is under auspices of “Almost Heaven” Habitat for Humanity in Pendleton County, West Virginia (For more information, see:www.almostheavenhabitat.org. This opportunity is open to any adult member of the diocese, 21 years or older. There can be at least 2, no more than 4 persons from any single
congregation. Meals and housing provided. Each will contribute $400 to
participate and non-refundable deposit of $200 per person is due January 20,
2011. Please make the check out to the Diocese of Newark with a memo
notation for the Diocesan Mission Trip. * *Interested? See notice on the
bulletin board outside the Common Room. Direct questions to Rev. Orion
Davis at 973-729-3136.
*PLEDGING MEMBERS – REMINDERS*. If you checked off the box on your pledge
card indicating that you want pledge envelopes, you will find your box of
envelopes marked with your name on the table at the church entrance next
Sunday, January 9.
If you pledged in 2010 and paid by credit card, please let us know whether
you intend to continue your pledge at the same level in 2011. You may do
that by submitting a pledge card or by contacting the bookkeeper, Dominic
Balzano. Before calling, please check to determine if your designated
credit card needs to be updated.
*SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES***
*Sunday January 2 *- 8 AM AND 10 AM Second Sunday After Christmas Day The
Rev. Cooper Conway, Interim Rector, is the preacher and celebrant.
*IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER*
*Sunday, January 2, 8 AM *Spoken Eucharist
*Sunday, January 2, 10 AM *Service of Lessons and Carols
*Wednesday, January 14, 7:30 PM *Finance Committee meeting
*Tuesday, January 18, 7:30 PM* Pre-convention meeting, Christ Church, East
Orange
*ANNOUNCEMENTS*
PROGRESS REPORT. *Our Rector Search has reached a significant
milestone.*
Last week members of the Search Committee received word that the Position
Profile for Rector of St. Stephen's Church had been posted on the Church
Deployment Office website. Kudos to the many hard-working individuals that
drafted the Rector Profile. First there was the Self-Study committee that
conducted the survey, led focus groups and town hall meetings to gather
information, and then collated the research into a report;. Then Search
Committee members refined the results. They discussed findings, tweaked
text, gathered photos in order to create an interesting and attractive
layout for the presentation. A blog site was created to be the entry point
for interested candidates. Potential applicants will be directed to the
Blog site to review the Position Profile, find information about how to
apply, and read comments about St. Stephen’s submitted by members of the
congregation. What this means is that clergy can now apply for the
position?
In fact, this past week, in response to our posting, resumes began to come
in. The Search Committee will begin to turn its attention to reviewing and
rating applications. Several parishioners have asked what they can tell a
clergyperson that has expressed an interest in applying for the Rector’s
position at St. Stephen’s. The Search Committee is now receiving
applications. Any clergyperson that is interested should apply by sending
the following to information to this email address: <
ststephenssearch@gmail.com>:
+ Resume/Curriculum Vitae
+ CDO profile
+ Cover letter highlighting key qualities or accomplishments that he/she
believes make him/her a good fit with St. Stephen's.
*HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERECE IN 2011? STOCK UP THE FOOD BARREL! *Felder
Dorn has a tip for anyone looking for bargains on food staples. He says, “The
ShopRite stores of Millburn and Springfield have announced in today's
newspaper a double-barreled opportunity to get our food barrel off to a
great start in 2011! The CAN-CAN sale starts Wednesday, 5 January 2011,
AND it is the ShopRite's 40th Anniversary CAN-CAN sale! “ Visit these stores
and find ShopRite vegetables at 40 cents per can! Some Chef Boyardee,
Manwich, and Hunt's items are priced at 88 cents per can! There are also
great bargains on Progresso Soup and a variety of cereals. Bargains come
and go as the sale proceeds. BUY NOW and swell our food barrel. Stock up now
and then bring items to the barrel over a period of weeks. If the ShopRite is
not your grocery store, you can be sure that your store is countering with
bargains of its own, SO GET OUT AND SHOP for the FOOD BARREL!
*CHRISTMAS DEOCRATIONS REVISITED.* Thanks to the many people that helped
“Green the Church” and later, following ADVENT IV, affix red bows to the
wreaths and beautify the church with poinsettias. Following the 10 AM
Service of Lessons and Carols this Sunday, volunteers are needed once again
to remove the decorations. If you can, please stay and help remove the
greens and pack up the bows and pine cones for next year. All kinds of
talents can be utilized – sweep up pine needles, re-hang the icons, remove
candle wax. The more people that can help, the faster the work will be
completed.
*PREPARATION FOR THE 137th ANNUAL CONVENTION* of the Episcopal Diocese of
Newark is scheduled on Tuesday, January 18 at 7:30 PM. The pre-convention
meeting will be held at Christ Church in East Orange. Pre-convention
meetings help prepare deputies with reports relevant to the business of
convention. Presentations will be made on the proposed diocesan budget,
task force reports, resolutions and orientation information for first-time
deputies. Delegates from St. Stephen’s, elected at the Annual Meeting in
February, 2010, are expected to attend both pre-convention meetings and the
2-day convention which is scheduled to be held on Friday, January 28 and
Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel, Parsippany.
*WEST VIRGINIA MISSION TRIP FOR ADULTS.* The Diocese of Newark and St.
Mary’s in Sparta are organizing an Adult Mission Trip for one week in July,
2011. During that week (July 10 - 16) the volunteers that join this effort
will completely frame a Habitat house under the direction of a Habitat-qualified construction supervisor. The project is called “Framing Blitz” and it is under auspices of “Almost Heaven” Habitat for Humanity in Pendleton County, West Virginia (For more information, see:www.almostheavenhabitat.org. This opportunity is open to any adult member of the diocese, 21 years or older. There can be at least 2, no more than 4 persons from any single
congregation. Meals and housing provided. Each will contribute $400 to
participate and non-refundable deposit of $200 per person is due January 20,
2011. Please make the check out to the Diocese of Newark with a memo
notation for the Diocesan Mission Trip. * *Interested? See notice on the
bulletin board outside the Common Room. Direct questions to Rev. Orion
Davis at 973-729-3136.
*PLEDGING MEMBERS – REMINDERS*. If you checked off the box on your pledge
card indicating that you want pledge envelopes, you will find your box of
envelopes marked with your name on the table at the church entrance next
Sunday, January 9.
If you pledged in 2010 and paid by credit card, please let us know whether
you intend to continue your pledge at the same level in 2011. You may do
that by submitting a pledge card or by contacting the bookkeeper, Dominic
Balzano. Before calling, please check to determine if your designated
credit card needs to be updated.
Rugbeer Family Profile
I came to St Stephen's in 2003 when my son Rammie was of age to start attending Sunday School on recommendation from a neighbor. There are several reasons that I remained at St Stephens, one is the warm welcome that I felt from the congregation. The other reasons are Rammie’s positive interaction with the kids at the church, the Sunday school experience, the social events, the opportunities to give back to the needy such as the Turkey Dinner Drive and Christine's Kitchen, the opportunity to server on the vestry and the sense of community.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Gibbons-Longstreet Family Profile
Lorraine Gibbons and Dana Longstreet have been members of St. Stephen's for many years. Originally a Commodities Broker, Lorraine now manages her own hydroponic gardening business providing food banks, farmers markets, and restaurants in the metropolitan New York region with organic greens and vegetables. Dana is a professional writer who counts several Fortune 100 companies as well as national and international nonprofits, including UNICEF, Planned Parenthood, and Avon's Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign among her clients. She is currently a student at Union Seminary in New York. Together, Lorraine and Dana have seven children, ages 10 to 24, and live in South Orange
Testimonial of Sydney Davis
Home is where the heart is.
That is what my first needlepoint project said so I decided to believe it when I needed it
the most - I was in the 6th grade and just told we'd be moving from Atlanta GA to a small
town in SC.
I was told the same thing again when we moved before my freshman year of high
school from SC to NC - but this time, it is was my parents saying it as they tried to
comfort their middle school pre-pubescent daughter who wanted no part of yet another
move.... .
So, after I graduated from college I lived in 3 states in 3 years, met my husband-to-be
who had big Broadway dreams, and it then became what I told myself when I realized
we were going to move (quite against my will - because who would want to leave
Boulder Colorado?) to New York City to follow his dream.
Home is where the heart is.
Now - 17 years later, I heard myself saying the same thing to my own two daughters
last summer - we were only moving 5 miles but to them, the change FELT like crossing
an ocean.
Home is where the heart is.
Clara, Maggie and I crossed the St Stephens threshold in the summer of 2000 - Clara
was a wildly creative, high energy two year old who lived in her imagination most of the
time and Mags was a newborn with colic keeping me up driving up and down the NJ
highways for most of the night. The suburbs were a strange new land and I remember
feeling so lonely and isolated after being on the streets of Park Slope/Brooklyn with my
morning mom groups, coffee shops and dog runs all before lunch. In those early days
here, I am sure I had bed head and dark circles under my eyes and likely slept my way
through most of my Sundays here....but Ms. Louise in the nursery took good care of my
babies and this interesting man with a more interesting name and an earring always
gave me so much to think about or stirred my deepest spiritual curiosities enough that
we kept showing up. And then I started to come just out of pure curiosity to see if Judy
would ever wear any other color besides black.
Little by little, I started meeting you all - my "peeps"- as I now affectionately refer to my
St Stephens community - and the cast of characters here felt more like a family than
anyplace else in my world. The Southerners - the Dorns and the Coles would just talk
to me with their syrupy sweet accents and I"d be back in the South with my
relatives...Without even knowing her, I listened to Melissa's farewell speech (the first of
many) and I was crying in the pews (also the first of many) , Al would share his
tomatoes with me in the summer, Bogey would ask me about my running, Owen would
ask me to drive to Newark to deliver some turkey boxes, I'd go to Cork’s
EducationForMinistry class to learn that my entire theology wasn't as misplaced as I
thought it was - OR - I'd get yelled at by Mrs. Clark for always bringing Maggie late to
preschool, - and ALL of this time, ALL of you would mistake me for my dark-haired twin
(also known as Pamela) and I realized - I had a family. I was needed, others noticed
me and cared for me. I mattered - and my gifts were appreciated.
Like many of you, I have often found great comfort from this community in my time of
need or loss in the ten years of being here... - my father’s death, my divorce, typhoid
fever, my sister in law’s murder, a miscarriage......There you were showing up for me....
Alex bringing flowers after my appendicitis or Roger/Barbara offering rides when I broke
my ankle. I’ve celebrated many milestones here too - Maggie was baptized here, Cork
and Judy married me and the love of my life, also known as Joe, two great years ago
last week, and the church has always supported me with my non profit, Girls on the Run
and my life coaching ventures. That is what a family does - they ride the ups and downs
together.
I can remember so many conversations with Cork over the years - how to forgive, raise
daughters, grieve, love God, sit with someone’s pain or just keep myself together....in
spite of often feeling like the pews in this church would be just exactly where I’d come to
fall apart - BUT - what struck me was the realization that this is the best place to do
just that. If I can’t break down with all of you, then I can’t break down anywhere. I
believe that when my daughters, husband and I are sitting in this sanctuary with all of
you, that we are doing what I believe is holy - showing up, worshipping & loving God
and serving God by putting that love into action - that is when my heart is singing,
connecting to God and feeling the most at home.
Home is where the heart is
I wasn’t raised Episcopalian - I was honestly lucky if my parents even made it to church
a few Sundays a year - it caused a lot of stress getting 4 women out the door for my
father so all of the yelling and conflict didn’t always seem worth it in the end. He used to
damn God many more times than he would praise Him and complain that “moving 4
Southern women out the door was like moving a herd of turtles.” - So, honestly,
sometimes the rituals confuse me here or the Bible verses don’t make sense or - at
times - our readings leave me feeling like the Bible is worse than a bad Sidney Sheldon
novel. But, that isn’t what is most meaningful to me, so I don’t spend too much time
analyzing or worrying about those bits. There is a bigger picture here for me, for us -
the community, the service, the worship, the celebration that we are all flawed but want
to serve and love God and each other. The acceptance of everyone - it is huge. When
we take communion, I am always inspired - I see all of you as my brothers and sisters
and I love the way we are all celebrating our human-ness but taking in the qualities of
Christ to go and serve the world and it is the anchor of my week. The first time Joe
came to church with me, he was so new to the concept of communion and told me “wow
- I really like it when we all get to go take Jesus snacks together” - It could just be that
simple. I LET it be that simple....we are a place where love begets love. I love that
about us.
Sometimes I am asked why I chose St Stephens as my church home and the answer
hasn’t changed in a decade.....but it is sometimes the mouths of babes that say it best.
So I asked Clara ,what our church meant to her and she said quite a lot.....more than I
knew - so parents take note - it sometimes pays to ask the question in the first place!
Here is what she said:
“Mom - our church cares about the two most important things - giving to God and giving
to others. I’ve heard of churches that spend their money on hiring cool bands, pool
tables and other expensive things for the church - but our church spends their money on
soup kitchens, housing the homeless, visiting our friends @ Canterbury, food barrel,
angel trees and numerous other charities that help give back to our world the way God
would want us to. St Stephens is very open-armed to all different people, which I also
like a lot. I also love the fact that when my aunt died, St Stephens rushed to our side
and helped us in our moments of pain - My dad’s church didn’t do that because Aunt
Teresa was gay. I think SS is a beautiful, giving church and it is really awesome.” I love
her use of the word “open armed” - I”m going to use that one when I go about my work
week....
Home is where the heart is.
There is a prayer that we always used to end our EFM meetings with and I often
meditate on the simplicity of it all when I am feeling overwhelmed...and I think about the
power of this message and how to internalize a true attitude of gratitude ....
For all that has been - thanks be to God
For all that is - thanks be to God
For all that is yet to be - thanks be to God.
And for the simple truth that
Our home is here at Saint Stephens for ten years strong and
Home is where the heart is ..
And - for all of you - our church family - and all that you mean to us...
Thanks be to God
Amen
That is what my first needlepoint project said so I decided to believe it when I needed it
the most - I was in the 6th grade and just told we'd be moving from Atlanta GA to a small
town in SC.
I was told the same thing again when we moved before my freshman year of high
school from SC to NC - but this time, it is was my parents saying it as they tried to
comfort their middle school pre-pubescent daughter who wanted no part of yet another
move.... .
So, after I graduated from college I lived in 3 states in 3 years, met my husband-to-be
who had big Broadway dreams, and it then became what I told myself when I realized
we were going to move (quite against my will - because who would want to leave
Boulder Colorado?) to New York City to follow his dream.
Home is where the heart is.
Now - 17 years later, I heard myself saying the same thing to my own two daughters
last summer - we were only moving 5 miles but to them, the change FELT like crossing
an ocean.
Home is where the heart is.
Clara, Maggie and I crossed the St Stephens threshold in the summer of 2000 - Clara
was a wildly creative, high energy two year old who lived in her imagination most of the
time and Mags was a newborn with colic keeping me up driving up and down the NJ
highways for most of the night. The suburbs were a strange new land and I remember
feeling so lonely and isolated after being on the streets of Park Slope/Brooklyn with my
morning mom groups, coffee shops and dog runs all before lunch. In those early days
here, I am sure I had bed head and dark circles under my eyes and likely slept my way
through most of my Sundays here....but Ms. Louise in the nursery took good care of my
babies and this interesting man with a more interesting name and an earring always
gave me so much to think about or stirred my deepest spiritual curiosities enough that
we kept showing up. And then I started to come just out of pure curiosity to see if Judy
would ever wear any other color besides black.
Little by little, I started meeting you all - my "peeps"- as I now affectionately refer to my
St Stephens community - and the cast of characters here felt more like a family than
anyplace else in my world. The Southerners - the Dorns and the Coles would just talk
to me with their syrupy sweet accents and I"d be back in the South with my
relatives...Without even knowing her, I listened to Melissa's farewell speech (the first of
many) and I was crying in the pews (also the first of many) , Al would share his
tomatoes with me in the summer, Bogey would ask me about my running, Owen would
ask me to drive to Newark to deliver some turkey boxes, I'd go to Cork’s
EducationForMinistry class to learn that my entire theology wasn't as misplaced as I
thought it was - OR - I'd get yelled at by Mrs. Clark for always bringing Maggie late to
preschool, - and ALL of this time, ALL of you would mistake me for my dark-haired twin
(also known as Pamela) and I realized - I had a family. I was needed, others noticed
me and cared for me. I mattered - and my gifts were appreciated.
Like many of you, I have often found great comfort from this community in my time of
need or loss in the ten years of being here... - my father’s death, my divorce, typhoid
fever, my sister in law’s murder, a miscarriage......There you were showing up for me....
Alex bringing flowers after my appendicitis or Roger/Barbara offering rides when I broke
my ankle. I’ve celebrated many milestones here too - Maggie was baptized here, Cork
and Judy married me and the love of my life, also known as Joe, two great years ago
last week, and the church has always supported me with my non profit, Girls on the Run
and my life coaching ventures. That is what a family does - they ride the ups and downs
together.
I can remember so many conversations with Cork over the years - how to forgive, raise
daughters, grieve, love God, sit with someone’s pain or just keep myself together....in
spite of often feeling like the pews in this church would be just exactly where I’d come to
fall apart - BUT - what struck me was the realization that this is the best place to do
just that. If I can’t break down with all of you, then I can’t break down anywhere. I
believe that when my daughters, husband and I are sitting in this sanctuary with all of
you, that we are doing what I believe is holy - showing up, worshipping & loving God
and serving God by putting that love into action - that is when my heart is singing,
connecting to God and feeling the most at home.
Home is where the heart is
I wasn’t raised Episcopalian - I was honestly lucky if my parents even made it to church
a few Sundays a year - it caused a lot of stress getting 4 women out the door for my
father so all of the yelling and conflict didn’t always seem worth it in the end. He used to
damn God many more times than he would praise Him and complain that “moving 4
Southern women out the door was like moving a herd of turtles.” - So, honestly,
sometimes the rituals confuse me here or the Bible verses don’t make sense or - at
times - our readings leave me feeling like the Bible is worse than a bad Sidney Sheldon
novel. But, that isn’t what is most meaningful to me, so I don’t spend too much time
analyzing or worrying about those bits. There is a bigger picture here for me, for us -
the community, the service, the worship, the celebration that we are all flawed but want
to serve and love God and each other. The acceptance of everyone - it is huge. When
we take communion, I am always inspired - I see all of you as my brothers and sisters
and I love the way we are all celebrating our human-ness but taking in the qualities of
Christ to go and serve the world and it is the anchor of my week. The first time Joe
came to church with me, he was so new to the concept of communion and told me “wow
- I really like it when we all get to go take Jesus snacks together” - It could just be that
simple. I LET it be that simple....we are a place where love begets love. I love that
about us.
Sometimes I am asked why I chose St Stephens as my church home and the answer
hasn’t changed in a decade.....but it is sometimes the mouths of babes that say it best.
So I asked Clara ,what our church meant to her and she said quite a lot.....more than I
knew - so parents take note - it sometimes pays to ask the question in the first place!
Here is what she said:
“Mom - our church cares about the two most important things - giving to God and giving
to others. I’ve heard of churches that spend their money on hiring cool bands, pool
tables and other expensive things for the church - but our church spends their money on
soup kitchens, housing the homeless, visiting our friends @ Canterbury, food barrel,
angel trees and numerous other charities that help give back to our world the way God
would want us to. St Stephens is very open-armed to all different people, which I also
like a lot. I also love the fact that when my aunt died, St Stephens rushed to our side
and helped us in our moments of pain - My dad’s church didn’t do that because Aunt
Teresa was gay. I think SS is a beautiful, giving church and it is really awesome.” I love
her use of the word “open armed” - I”m going to use that one when I go about my work
week....
Home is where the heart is.
There is a prayer that we always used to end our EFM meetings with and I often
meditate on the simplicity of it all when I am feeling overwhelmed...and I think about the
power of this message and how to internalize a true attitude of gratitude ....
For all that has been - thanks be to God
For all that is - thanks be to God
For all that is yet to be - thanks be to God.
And for the simple truth that
Our home is here at Saint Stephens for ten years strong and
Home is where the heart is ..
And - for all of you - our church family - and all that you mean to us...
Thanks be to God
Amen
Price Family Profile
We love St. Stephen's because it is a community where we have felt loved and supported through all life's ups and downs. We love bringing our animals to be blessed, singing in the Birth and Resurrection Choir, visiting with the elderly at Canterbury, and serving a meal at the soup kitchen. Through the social outreach activities our whole family has grown in it's faith. It is a place we are proud to call our Church home.
Owalobi Family Profile
We chose St. Stephen's Church because we feel spiritually at home here and Michael has blossomed so much in the pre-school. We couldn't wish for better people to surround ourselves with.
Riedel Family Profile
At St. Stephen's Church we have found a loving, kind and supportivecommunity. Here was a place where we heard sermons that personally touched
us, gave us direction, and hope. The congregation's commitment to Social
Ministry work and outreach to members of St. Stephen's and the broader
community make St. Stephen's a place we want to call our church.
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