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.

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!