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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Mullica Hill
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March 2009 Issue
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Email Newsletter
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 In this issue:
Editor's Note
Vicar's View
From The Senior Warden
From The Junior Warden
Deacon-In-Training
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:
Sunday 8 AM – Rite II
Sunday 10 AM – Rite II with Music (third Sunday: Rite I)
Sunday 11 AM – Coffee Hour, followed by Christian Formation
for all ages
Wednesday 10 AM – Healing Service (not offered March 4)
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Editor's Note:
Welcome to the first issue of St. Stephen’s electronic newsletter! We hope you will find this a convenient and useful way to receive information about what is going on at St. Stephen’s. Be sure to stay current by checking our website as well: http://www.ststephensofmullicahill.com/
For those without access to the internet, we will continue to provide a print version, available at the first Sunday of the month and church and mailed out after that.
Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions or comments at sraman@upenn.edu.
Thanks and happy reading!
Sheila Raman Combs
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 Vicar's View:
I am sure you have heard the cliché, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” While in some cases this is true, but it can also lead us into a false sense of security, a willingness to live in the status quo rather than challenge ourselves and make a change.
The season of Lent is an intentional time in our church calendar to examine our lives and evaluate our relationship with God, our neighbor and ourselves. If we are truthful in our examination, we may find places in our relationships that need fixing, even if the status quo seems fine. God doesn’t want us to be satisfied with “fine.” We need to challenge ourselves to offer God our best.
This is not, however, an invitation to infinite self-criticism and flagellation. Self-examination at this level requires us to be mature in our insights about our selves and our relationships. The only feelings and actions we have any control over are our own, so it is important to be aware of how you feel and act toward God, to your neighbor and to yourself. Try to do this without berating yourself – just be honest. Are you angry at God? Are you envious of a neighbor? Do you love yourself? Once you have truthfully answered questions like these, then you can consider what to do about them. Having these feelings is not the problem - ignoring them (status quo) or denying them (building resentment) is.
Once you have identified ONE area or relationship (Lent is only 40 days long, which is not enough time to deal with everything!) you want to improve, pray about what you have discovered for yourself. If you are angry at God, it is OK – God can take it. But why are you angry? Or if you are envious, where is that coming from and how do you respond to that person?
The practice of taking on a discipline in Lent of prayer or fasting is intended to remind us of something, such as an area or relationship in our lives that needs healing. So if you take on the practice of a morning devotion, make a special intention and invite the Holy Spirit into that one area you have identified. Or if you fast from a particular thing, like desserts, when you begin to crave it, that is your reminder to pray for guidance and insight. Keeping your need present in your mind and spirit allows you the opportunity to open yourself to inspiration from the Holy Spirit and transformation in your life. That transformation will not be easy, but, with God’s help, it is possible if we stay the course.
All of us need to grow and become more mature Christians, and this does not happen without intentional practice. We are creatures of habit, so we need to push ourselves out of our comfort zones and into the presence of God. Please join me on this journey and I promise you that on Easter Day we will have a real cause for celebration.
In Christ,
Valerie+, vballing@comcast.net |
Save the Date:
- Star Party – The Winter Sky
February 28th at 8 PM, rain date: March 21 at 7 PM Chestnut Branch Park in Mantua (off of Rt. 553)
$10. per person
$20. per family (up to 6)
$30. per group inclement weather cancellation by 4 PM the day of the event call the church or check the web site
- March 8 – Daylight Savings Time Begins
- March 9 – 6:30 PM, Mission Board Meeting
- March 11, 18, 25 - 7 PM – Stations of the Cross
- Book Club Meeting March 16th at the Rectory. Book: The Abstinence Teacher, Tom Perotta
- March 15-21 – Interfaith Hospitality Network
- St. Stephen’s will be hosting The Spring Shopping Bazaar on Saturday, March 28th from 9 AM – 2 PM. Invite your friends and family to stop by and take a look!
- Lenten Event March 31 – 7 PM, at the home of Andy and Carole Misinkavitch (6 Windham Way, Woodstown).
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From the Senior Warden:
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.” Matt. 25:40
Have you seen Jesus lately?
Parishioners at St. Stephen’s have the opportunity the first Sunday of each month to go to St. Paul’s in Camden to help feed the poor and homeless.
While talking to Theresa Cupit, one of 12 of us who went on February 1st, we talked about what a privilege it is to do this ministry. “This is so important,” Theresa said. “I want to do this every month.”
We fed about 50 people. They came into a large dining room after the 6 p.m. evening prayer service in the church.
The evening started out with clothing. First, the women looked over the donated articles and took what they needed. Then clothes for the men were brought out and they could choose what they needed.
Dinner began with a prayer by one of the men. The food included of hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, salad and soup. There was also an assortment of desserts. The chocolate cake seemed to go the fastest. There were also drinks. As the people went down the line for food, we had short conversations and a few laughs.
Members of the confirmation class from St. Andrew’s in Mount Holly also helped with the distribution of supper.
The next opportunity is March 1 and we will be serving baked ziti.
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I have started collecting the new contact information sheets from everyone. I hope to have an updated contact list in the next few weeks. If you need an extra copy of the sheet let me know. I have also been in contact with a company that will be coming down at the start of March to give us estimates on doing some repair work around the church. They specialize in working on old buildings.
- Nicole Buehler, niniende@verizon.net
Mission Board Minutes:
The Mission Board met on February 18th and reviewed the budget. It was agreed that a letter would be sent to the congregation informing them of our financial status and outlining options for the future.
The Board reviewed the action items identified during the Mission Board Retreat earlier in February and prioritized the lists. Each member took on an assignment and will report back to the Mission Board the status of each activity.
- Carole Misinkavitch, andrewmisinkavitch@comcast.net
Committee Notes:
Buildings & Grounds - A spring clean up day is scheduled for April 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please join us as we work along with the Boy Scouts to "spruce up" our buildings and grounds. A sign-up sheet has been posted in the back of the church with specific times for volunteering. Please let us know when you are available. If everyone can give a few hours, many of the tasks can be accomplished. We look forward to seeing you on April 4th and lunch will be provided.
Parish Life:
Thank you all so much for helping to make this year's Shrove Tuesday event a marvelous success. We had more than 40 people attend, including 14 of our youngest parishioners.
Every morsel of food was consumed, the kitchen was left sparkling, and the hall suffered no ill-effects! Thanks to Lisa Redfield, Rachel Rowe, Heather Godfrey, Carol Misinkavitch, Theresa Cupit, Sheila Combs, Laurie Bailey, and Sharon Immler for bringing their delicious food. Andy Misinkavitch and Rich Knight were the fabulous flapjack flippers of St. Stephens - you guys should be short order cooks.
 Everyone pitched in to set up and clean the hall and kitchen. The children had great fun coloring the Alleluia and then watching Rev. Valerie burn the old palms for this year's ashes. Jim Combs snapped lots of pictures, so we were well documented! Thanks again to all who attended, cooked, set tables, cleaned, and disposed of garbage. What a terrific team we have in our little church.
- Kathy Knight,
kathygoodknight@comcast.net
Community Information:
Easter Choir – If you would like to make a joyful noise at our 10 AM Easter Service, you are invited to participate in a special choir for that day only! We will be led by Nell Immler and will meet at Jean Immler’s cottage (55 N Main Street, two houses north of the church, the small building behind the main house) on March 22nd , 29th and April 5th at 9 AM. Please sign up or talk to Nell or Jean. Thank you! |
Deacon-in-training Corner:
ACOLYTES
Since the last newsletter, we have added yet another Acolyte. Please welcome, Nancy McLaughlin. Nancy is our first adult member of the group and a new member of St. Stephen’s. Her first serving morning will be Sunday, March 8th at the 10AM Service. Nancy will also be serving as a LEM in our Church. Welcome, Nancy.
Thomas & Kelsey Butler represented St. Stephen’s at the 9th Annual Diocese Acolyte Festival. Because I had Diaconate school that day, Rev. Valerie took them up to Trenton, thank you Valerie. They both had a good time and learned many things. Thomas & Kelsey are looking forward to next year’s festival. Hopefully, more of our Acolyte’s can join them. By the way, thank you to our brothers & sisters at St. Andrew’s for giving us their reservations. Their two Acolytes’ couldn’t make it and the reservations were already paid for.
We had an installation of Acolyte’s during the 10AM Service on the 15th of February. Unfortunately, only Thomas, Kelsey and Nancy were their. They were presented with Crosses and pins. Miranda, Michael, Amanda and Shane’s Crosses and pins were/will be given to their parents.
And now we have seven Acolytes’ with 5 spots still opened. Look forward to more volunteers to this Ministry.
OUTREACH
Our Outreach program is full swing. Thanks to the leadership of Jean and Sharon and the many ROCK-IE’s who have volunteered their time and cooking skills to the project, not to mention those who give rides to those who need transportation. By the time this newsletter reaches you, we will have completed our second straight Sunday evening commitment. The menu for March 1st was: Baked Ziti, meatballs, bread and salad.
This being the Holy Season of Lent, this Outreach project is another way of giving and sacrifice.
We leave St. Stephen’s at 5PM and arrive down at St. Paul’s in time for their 6PM Evensong Service. Most of the volunteers go right to the kitchen to begin setting up and warming up the food but a few (especially Nelly who plays the organ and piano for the Service) go to the Evensong Service.
Our next Sunday trip will be April 5th. Menu is being planned. Suggestions are welcome by Jean and Sharon. Transportation will be provided by those who need rides. PLEASE COME AND SERVE YOUR FELLOW MAN.
USHERS
I am still waiting for names of volunteers for this Ministry. Please see me after Services on Sunday or email me at sweeneyj25@comcast.net if you are interested in be a part of this Ministry.
- Joe Sweeney
Fundraising:
St. Stephen’s will be hosting our 2nd annual Spring Shopping Bazaar on March 28 from 9-2 in the Parish Hall. We will be hosting several vendors that day selling jewelry, make up, crafts, cutlery, purses, and more. We hope that you will be able to stop in and check out all of the great items. There will be flyers in the church starting the last week of February. If you could take one or two and hang them up at the grocery store or bank or your office that would be a great help.
Community Ministries:
Please remember to pick up your Hope Chest for your contributions during Lent. The Hope Chests will be collected on Easter Day and the donations will be sent to Episcopal Relief & Development.
- Carole Misinkavitch, andrewmisinkavitch@comcast.net
Children’s Activities: 
The Children’s Valentine’s Day Fellowship event was a fun-filled opportunity for the kids to spend time together and to learn about giving. After a kid-appropriate pot luck supper, the children used paint and markers to decorate a dozen white hats for donation to Robin’s Nest, a nonprofit children’s services organization based in Glassboro. Robin’s Nest offers a wide variety of programs to ensure the safety of abused and neglected children. The children of St. Stephen’s capped the evening with a valentine craft and story time. Future Children’s Fellowship activities are being planned. We hope you can join us!
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Evangelism:
The Evangelism Committee met on February 18 to review a marketing and outreach plan prepared by Jim Combs. Immediate action items included: upgrade of the website, refreshed parish directory, electronic newsletter. Middle term action items include: preparation and distribution f a flyer to advertise Easter service and children’s egg hunt, creation of a brochure for distribution at Harrison Township Day on May. Longer term items include: ongoing press coverage of special events, exploration of a unique branding opportunity such as an afterschool program or a music program. Next meeting: March 25 at Jim and Sheila Combs house, 7 pm. Anyone interested in outreach is welcome!
- Sheila Raman Combs, sraman@upenn.edu
The Lighter Side
A Sunday school teacher is concerned that his students might be a little confused about Jesus, so he asks his class, "Where is Jesus today?"Steven raises his hand and says, "He's in Heaven."Mary answers, "He's in my heart."Little Johnny waves his hand furiously and blurts out, "He's in our bathroom!"The surprised teacher asks Little Johnny how he knows this."Well," Little Johnny says, "every morning, my father gets up, bangs on the bathroom door and yells 'Jesus Christ, are you still in there?!'"
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Barbara McCall - March 1
Betty Bailey - March 7
Linda Worman - March 11
Rich Knight - March 15
Michael Allen - March 23
Jim Turk - March 25
Meghan Cordle - March 26 (this is Rev. Valerie’s niece)
Lily Cloyd - March
Thea Cloyd - March
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Christian Formation:
Adults:
Sunday Lenten Series: Baptismal Partnership With God
As Christians in the Episcopal tradition we commit to an ongoing covenantal relationship with God through the sacrament of baptism. What are the details of this commitment? What are the implications of this covenant for Christians in daily life? Join Nancy McLaughlin, author of Do You Believe? Living the Baptismal Covenant, in an exploration of these questions and more during the Sunday adult education time following the 10 AM service. Starting Sunday, March 1st, this Lenten series will last 5 weeks.
New! Class for Ages 8-12
We are delighted to announce that a new class will be starting for ages 8-12 beginning on March 1st. Rev. Valerie will be teaching the students at 9 am following the early service. If you are interested in attending, let us know by contacting Rev. Valerie at vballing@comcast.net
Special Communion Class for Ages 4-6
Our younger class continues on Sundays at 11:30. Team-taught by Sheila Raman Combs, Rachel Rowe and Lisa Redfield, this class offers children ages 4-6 a lesson that dovetails with day’s Gospel lesson, followed by a game or arts activity. Rev. Valerie will offer a special introduction to receiving communion on March 22, 29 and April 5.
Nursery
Nursery is offered at 9:45 AM on Sunday mornings in the Parish Hall. A rotating group of parent-volunteers staffs the Nursery. The children rejoin their parents in church following the peace and in time for communion.
- Sheila Raman Combs, sraman@upenn.edu
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Episco-Speak
Early Christians observed "a season of penitence and fasting" in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Pascha (BCP, pp. 264-265). The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning "spring," the time of lengthening days) has a long history. Originally, in places where Pascha was celebrated on a Sunday, the Paschal feast followed a fast of up to two days. In the third century this fast was lengthened to six days. Eventually this fast became attached to, or overlapped, another fast of forty days, in imitation of Christ's fasting in the wilderness. The forty-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those guilty of notorious sins who were being restored to the Christian assembly. In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Today Lent has reacquired its significance as the final preparation of adult candidates for baptism. Joining with them, all Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p. 265).
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Copyright © 2009 St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Mullica Hill
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