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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Mullica Hill
Email Newsletter
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October 2009
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Issue #6
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In this issue:
Editor's Note
Vicar's View
From The Senior Warden
From The Junior Warden
Deacon's Corner
Mission Board Minutes
Committee Notes
Community Ministries
Parish Life
Children's Activies
Evangelism
Christian Formation
the Lighter Side
Community Information
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Epsico-Speak
Service Times:
8 AM Rite II
10 AM with Music, Rite II
10 AM with Music, Rite I on the third Sunday of the month
Healing Service on 10 AM on Wednesdays, except Sept. 2 when it will be at 11 AM
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Editor's Note:
It’s a busy month for St. Stephens filled with blessings of the animals, new Christian Formation classes for adults and children, a rummage sale, and cottage meetings (focus group in business-speak) to help envision the future for St. Stephens. I hope you’ll be able to join us for one or more of these activities. St. Stephens is growing and we need your help – plus you can have a lot of fun. Hope to see you in October!
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 Vicar's View:
I will be having surgery on my rotator cuff on October 5th. Thought this is not the first surgery I have had, it is the first time I will be the patient rather than the priest at the hospital since I have been ordained. It is an odd role-reversal for me, and yet very humbling to remember what it is like on the other side of the hospital bed. I know that all too often I take my health and mobility for granted, so this will be a bit of a challenge.
Preparing to be temporarily handicapped is difficult because I like my independence and being able to take care of myself. Unfortunately this makes asking for help or admitting I can’t do something very difficult. But it is an important lesson and one I need to be taught over and over again.
There is part of me that knows that my independence is a guise. I am as dependant as everyone else on God for my strength and courage. Prayer is not only a comfort but a necessity to deal with the challenges we face, even if it is elective surgery. It has been shown in study after study that prayer is an important factor in a person’s ability to deal with stress in healthful ways. It is an important reminder for everyone to stop, drop and pray when things get difficult, or when we think we are in control!
Please know that I will not be physically alone after this procedure. My father will be here taking care of me. But things will be a bit different for awhile while I recover. As before when I was doing physical therapy, my arm will immobile for several weeks, so presiding on Sundays will look a little strange, but no less valid. There is wonderful Latin expression “ex opere operato”, which means "from the work done" referring to the efficacy of the Sacraments coming from God rather than the merits, holiness or actions of the priest. Thanks be to GOD! With a little bit of patience and a whole lot of humor, we will get through this.
I thank you all for your support throughout this process. We have much work to do, and while I may not be able to physically do things, please know I am prayerfully hard at work.
In Christ,
Valerie+, vballing@comcast.net
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Save the Date:
Starting September 28 - Adult Christian Formation Series – Where is God in Your Life? Discuss and learn about the
human experience and who we really are and discover how we can reconnect to God and each other. Topics include: appreciation, suffering, forgiveness, having enough and shame. The seminars will be on Monday evenings from 7 – 8:30 PM in Collins’ Parish Hall. If you have any questions or would like more information, please talk to The Rev. Carmen Viola, Deacon at 267-236-5163 or carmen.viola@dla.mil
October 4 - Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Blessing of the Animals - We will celebrate the joy we have from the pets in our lives. You are welcome to bring a picture of your pet to the 8 AM or 10 AM services for us to bless. There will be no Children’s Chapel as there will be a special homily for the children. (There will still be Nursery). We will also have a short service for our furry friends at 2 PM in the back yard of the Rectory.
October 4 – Ministry in Action – St. Paul’s Sunday Night Soup Kitchen – This will be our next time at St. Paul’s, Camden.
The menu is meat loaf and mashed potatoes. If you would like to make food or help serve, please talk to
Jean Immeler clavinet@comcast.net,
Sharon Patterson twinfish2@aol.com or
Carole Misinkavitch andrewmisinkavitch@comcast.net .
October 5 – Sunday School Meeting- 7 PM in the Parish Hall. Check in for all Sunday School teachers.
October 5 - St. Stephen's Book Club - will meet on Monday, October 5th at 8PM in Collin's Hall to discuss Beloved, by Toni
Morrison. Join us for a discussion of a multi-layered title. You might love or hate the selection, but you'll definitely enjoy the
conversation!
October 10 –Mullica Hill Civil War Weekend and St. Stephens Rummage Sale – Volunteers needed for both! Contact Sheila Raman sraman@upenn.edu
or Nicole Stamm ninianende@verizon.net.
October 13, 15, 20 – Cottage Meetings – Everyone in the parish is invited to come out and help envision the future for St. Stephens. See the Stewardship report for more info.
October 24 - Candy Bar Bingo - 12noon to 2 pm, Children should wear their Halloween costumes; each family should bring a bag of candy
November 13 - Wine Tasting at Heritage Winery - Please join us for an evening of fun, food, and wine. Tickets will be
$25 per person and is limited to 60 people. More information will be coming about this event
Mission Board Minutes
Mission Board Meeting Minutes
The Mission Board met on September 21st.
Minutes from the August 2nd meeting were approved as read.
Mutual Invitation Bible Study - Matt. 5:21-26 (NRSV) - Rev. Valerie led the Bible Study.
Leadership Topics
Stewardship - A ministries fair was held after both services on September 13th. Both sessions were successful and we received volunteers for all ministries.
Sign-up sheets for the cottage meetings will continue to be available in the back of the church.
Parish Hall - In order to address the mold problem in the basement, the committee agreed to solicit an estimate for mold remediation. Elmer Door will be contacted for an estimate to fix the door.
New Business -
Treasurer - Checks presented were ratified. Treasurer's report was approved.
Evangelism - The new 30 second TV commercial is complete and will be available shortly.
Fund-raising - The annual yard sale will be held on
October10th. A wine & cheese event is scheduled for November 13th.
Shop-Rite cards are still available and this is an on-going successful fund raiser.
A motion was made to send $138.00 to the Seamen's Church Institute.
A motion was made to send $250.00 to St. Jude's Ranch for Children.
A motion was made to send $100.00 to Food For The Poor.
Mission Board members shared Where They Had Met God Recently.
Meeting was closed by prayer.
Submitted by,
- Carole Misinkavitch, andrewmisinkavitch@comcast.net
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Here is Alexander Viola – born to DeSha Viener-Viola and Carmen Viola on Monday, September 28, 2009! Congratulations to all and welcome to Alex!
 
From the Senior Warden:
St. Stephen’s thrives these days.
Thank be to God, many of us are giving of our time, talent and treasure. Our group of acolytes is growing. Children’s
Christian Formation has three classes. The children’s chapel is a success. The people supporting St. Paul’s in Camden on
Sunday night is entering its ninth month and still going strong.
October is Stewardship Month. As part of our program this year, three cottage meetings have been set up for us to attend and talk about our parish. They will be on October 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the rectory, 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Carole and Andy Minsinkavitch’s and 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Kathy Knight’s. There will be child care during the meeting at the rectory.
One of the topics will be our treasure. This is important, but maybe of more value is our time and our talent. What can we do to show the Christ in us?
We know we have wonderful cooks. Our brunches and dinners have proven this. We have all kinds of financial people who have helped with the audits and our investments. We need to think about those things that we could do that would enhance the church as our gifts to God. What ministries do you enjoy? What ministries do you think we need? Each of us has something to offer.
I will be attending one of the meetings. In January I step down as Senior Warden. This is going to free up much of my time. These meeting will help me assess what my value is beyond being part of the Mission Board. I look forward to hearing what all of you have to say and where I can best fit in.
If you haven’t signed up for one of the cottage meetings, contact the Rev. Valerie, Carole, Andy, Kathy or anyone on the Mission Board. We want everybody there.
- Lisa Redfield, redfieldlisa@aol.com
From the Junior Warden:
Believe it or not it is almost that time of year again!! We will host our 4th annual indoor yard sale on October 10th. As you work through summer clean outs and fall planning, please try to keep us in mind if you have any items that might be good for the yard sale. We have already been collecting items; you may leave them in the choir room. We will need people to help set up on Friday night, ‘mind the store’ on Saturday, and clean up on Saturday afternoon. If you would like to help out on either day, or need items picked up from your house, please contact Nicole Stamm. We hope to repeat last year’s success!
The new contact list should be out this Sunday. Please pick up a new copy in the back of the church. Please let me know if there are still corrections that are needed or if you would prefer an electronic copy.
- Nicole Buehler, ninianende@verizon.net
 Here is St. Stephens’ quilt block for the 225th Diocesan
Convention Convocation Quilt. Each of the 8 Convocations
is creating a quilt of all their churches to display at the
Convention.
Thanks to Linda Worman who created this block for St. Stephens!
Stewardship
Cottage Meetings - Vision for St. Stephen's
Please join us for one of the scheduled cottage meetings as we explore our relationship with God:
as individuals
as members of St. Stephen's and;
our vision for St. Stephen's as we witness to the world as the body of Christ
All of us have a story to tell and to share with our church family. Many exciting things have been happening at St. Stephen's and we all have a vision for what the future of St. Stephen's might be as we continue to proclaim the
gospel in Mullica Hill.
Three meetings have been scheduled -- October 13, 15 and 20. The first meeting, on October 13th ,will be hosted by Rev. Valerie at the rectory. That meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and child care will be provided. The other two meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Please do not miss out on this opportunity to participate in one of these important sessions. Everyone's input is important and very much needed.
Look for the sign-up sheets in the back of the church. We look forward to seeing you.
- Stewardship Committee
"Stewardship is everything we do, after we say, we believe"
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Committee Notes:
Building & Grounds
Thanks to everyone who took the time to cut the lawn, weed and water our grounds. The money saved was significant
and should help us with "snow-removal" expenses if we have a snowy winter. Thanks again!!!
Fall Clean-Up - Please look for the date when the Boys Scouts will be coming to St. Stephen's to help with the fall
clean-up. As always, they do a great job and could use our assistance.
Andy Misinkavitch
Children’s Christian Formation:
Sunday School - is now offered to all age groups: pre-k and kindergarten and primary grades meet at 11:30; intermediate grades following the 8 am service. Thanks again to all our teachers!
Children’s Chapel - is off to a great start. The children and the chapel leaders seem to be enjoying this “kid version” of the prayer service.
Nursery - is temporarily meeting upstairs until the mold situation is resolved. Thank you for your patience!
Lisa Redfield, redfieldlisa@aol.com
Sheila Raman Combs, sraman@upenn.edu
Children’s Christian Formation:
Sunday School - is now offered to all age groups: pre-k and kindergarten and primary grades meet at 11:30; intermediate grades following the 8 am service. Thanks again to all our teachers!
Children’s Chapel - is off to a great start. The children and the chapel leaders seem to be enjoying this “kid version” of the prayer service.
Nursery - is temporarily meeting upstairs until the mold situation is resolved. Thank you for your patience!
Lisa Redfield, redfieldlisa@aol.com
Sheila Raman Combs, sraman@upenn.edu
Community Ministries Winter Clothing Drive
The Community Ministries Committee is sponsoring a winter clothing drive to benefit our brothers and sisters at St. Paul's in Camden. As you are putting away your summer wardrobe -- and getting out your fall and winter clothing -- please set aside any "gently" used coats, sweaters, gloves and hats and bring them to church on the following dates:
October 25th, November 1st and November 8th.
We will deliver them to St. Paul's on November 8th when we make our monthly visit to the soup kitchen.
Thank you for your generosity.
- Community Ministries
"Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received "
1 Peter 4:10
Evangelism:
OCTOBER 10
We could use some volunteers to help staff our St. Stephens information booth during Mullica Hill’s Civil War Re-enactment weekend. If you love history, or if you love St. Stephens, sign up for what will surely be a stimulating day! Please contact Sheila if you’re interested.
The new 30 second commercial is complete and airing on Comcast. It features the children of St. Stephens, including Abby Betz and Cecilia Combs. Check it out on the home page of our website: www.ststephensofmullicahill.com and if you like it, tell people about it!
Sheila Raman Combs, sraman@upenn.edu
Fundraising:
FALL FUNDRAISER!
This year, we are hold a wine tasting event for our fall fundraiser at the Heritage Winery in Mullica Hill (Richwood). The event will be Friday, November 13th, from 7-9 pm. The cost of a ticket is $25 per person, which includes the tasting wines, cheeses and chocolates for pairing, sweets and coffee. There are only 60 tickets available for sale, so get your tickets early! We will also have items up for auction and a 50/50. Contact Rachel Rowe for tickets:
rrowe13@comcast.net or 856-981-8856.
And for the calendar, Thursday 10/15 is the Fundraising committee meeting at 7 pm in the basement of parish hall, if anyone would like to come out and help raise much needed funds for St. Stephen's!
Rachel Rowe, rrowe13@comcast.net
Parish Life:
The Parish Life committee is planning an All Souls Day event on Sat., Oct. 24, in Collins Hall from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM. We will be serving pizza at noon, followed by Candy Bar Bingo. The children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes; each family should bring a bag of candy for the bingo.
Kathy Knight, kathygoodnight@comcast.net
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Deacon's Corner:
THE HARVEST
In Genesis, after the flood, the Lord promises to Noah that as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease. This cycle of time unceasingly continues. The fall is upon us - the time of harvest; when the food planted all summer ripens and is ready to be picked. It was this food that got many of our ancestors though each year as the food from the harvest fed everyone in the coming winter. A good or bad harvest would make or break ancient communities. Today many of us do not understand the richness of the harvest, as food is now readily available year round at our local supermarkets.
The idea of not having enough to eat, despite one’s standing or wealth is lost to modern Americans. Everyone could go hungry with a poor harvest, not just the poor. In America it seems the harvest is always plentiful…it comes down to whether you can literally “afford” to join in the prosperity.
One can easily be overwhelmed by the choices we have been blessed with in this country. Yet with all our wealth and prosperity there seems to be something missing. We are quickly becoming a spiritually starved country. We fill our days with earthly things to take our minds off the cycle of our own day-to-day routines. We are out of rhythm with nature and out of rhythm with our Creator. Many Americans live life with no spiritual direction or guidance, they are lost, like sheep without a shepherd, going from one fad to the next -finding no real joy or fulfillment in their lives. There is a hunger, which no amount of food or earthly prosperity can fill.
In Matthew’s gospel he tells us that Jesus went to all the cities…proclaiming the good news. When he saw the crowds he had compassion for them…they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest”. My friends we are the answer to the disciple’s petition. We are the laborers which Jesus talked about so long ago. As Christians we know the good news, we know what’s missing. So as Christians we are to lead by word and example, proclaiming the good news by our lifestyle and behavior. Many people around us are “ripe” for the joy of Christ to fill the void; to relieve the emptiness and pain they may feel in their lives. As laborers we must strive to be ever mindful in recognizing these lost sheep when they wander into our lives. We must
be filled with compassion for them. We must be ready to share the good news so that they too can share in our joy at having a relationship with God; for as Christians we are constantly fed and nourished by the Holy Spirit. But many in our world are not so blessed and we must recognize that a “good” harvest has nothing to do with earthly wealth or status. These lost sheep come in all shapes and sizes!
Here at Saint Stephen’s I have been blessed with knowing many of my fellow laborers. Your commitment to extending Christ’s love in the world has been a real inspiration to me. Its harvest time! Let’s continue to do the work we were meant to do. At times, as with Jesus, our work may seem overwhelming. Let us continually pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. The work is never done, yet we can be content in the knowledge that we are fed with spiritual food that satisfies our hunger. This fall I pray that we all may take a step back from the cycles of our lives to fully appreciate the true abundance we share as followers of Christ. I also pray that as the living body of Christ, we recognize and help those who are empty and starved for something more. As Christ said the harvest is plentiful, and the laborers are few, so let us actively labor for the Lord of the harvest and reap the spirit of his love with those we touch in our lives. May God continue to bless you all!
The Lighter Side
PRAYER
An elderly gentleman passed his granddaughter's room one night and overheard her repeating the
alphabet in an oddly reverent way.
What on earth are you up to?" he asked. "I'm saying my prayers," explained the little girl.
"But I can't think of exactly the right words tonight, so I'm just saying all the letters. God will put them together for me, because He knows what I'm thinking.”
Community Information
Sunday, November 1st is All Saints’ Day, one of the appointed days for baptism. If you or someone you know wants to be baptize, please contact Rev. Valerie.
For a contribution of $10 toward the All Saints’ Day altar flowers, you can name as many people as you would like to be remembered. Flower envelopes are available by the front door of the church. You can write the names on the envelope or send a email to Rev. Valerie. All names must be submitted by Oct. 27th.
Mullica Hill Historical Society “Ghost Walk”
On Saturday October 10th, the Historical Society will be having its annual Ghost Walk fund raiser. St. Stephen’s is one of the stops on the tour. They are in need of volunteers to guide the tours, beginning at 6:30 PM – there is a script you need to know. If you would like to help, please contact Lisa Rysinger at 856-310-0299 or rysinger@vide.com
Equipping the Servants: A Day of Workshops
A day of workshops designed to equip the “servants of God” for service to God and ministry in and beyond the congregation. The theme for this year reflects to the diocesan vision initiative: Spiritual Renewal. You may select up to four workshops, each one hour and 15 minutes, from offerings such as Lectio Divina, developing your spiritual personality, different ways of praying, exploring the call of a deacon, and reflections on the Millennium Development Goals
Birthdays and Anniversaries
1 Jim and Sheila Raman Combs Anniversary
5 Nicole Stamm
7 Kathy and Richard Knight Anniversary
14 Allyson Bailey
17 Nicholas Poulson
27 Valerie LaBarr
Michael Poponi |
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Episco-Speak
Francis of Assisi
(1181 or 1182-Oct. 3, 1226). Thirteenth-century saint and founder of the Franciscan order. He was born in Assisi in central Italy and named Giovanni Bernardone. His father changed his name to Francesco, "the Frenchman," after a visit to France. Francis's gradual conversion began in the spring of 1205. He gave generously to the poor and became devoted to "Lady Poverty." Francis stressed absolute simplicity of life marked by poverty, humility, and contemplation of Christ. Others gathered around him, and on Feb. 24, 1209, the Order of Friars Minor (Fratres minores), sometimes called Minorites, was founded. In England they were popularly called Grey Friars because
of the color of their habit. The Second Order of St. Francis, known as the Poor Clares, was established for nuns in 1219. The Third Order for lay men and women was founded in 1221. Francis is especially remembered for his writing, "The Canticle of Brother Sun." The Hymnal 1982 includes two hymn texts written by Francis, "All creatures of our God and King" (400) and "Most High, omnipotent, good Lord" (406-407). The hymn text "Lord make us servants of your peace" (593) is based on a prayer attributed to Francis. He died in Assisi. Francis is commemorated in the Episcopal calendar of the church year on Oct. 4.
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October, 2009 Edition
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Copyright © 2009 St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Mullica Hill
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