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St. Stephens Church

19 Main St.

Millburn, NJ 07041

973) 376-0688

www.ststephensmillburn.org

nquires welcome at

tstephenssearch@gmail.com

A Call to ServeST. STEPHENS MILLBURN

Where Love Begets LoveWHO ARE WE?

I St. Stephens is a vibrant, friendly, medium-sized church whose members sharea genuineand livedcommitment to diversity, a passion for social justice, and

a deeply considered choice of St. Stephens as our church home. We believe in

the abundance of Gods love: that the more love we give away, the more love

we have to give. It is not what we do as a church; it is who we are. We take

that same spirit of investment and intention to our search for a rector.

I Our younger than average Episcopal congregation gives us a sense of energyand vitality.

I We are a proud member of the Diocese of Newark whose declaredmission is Equipping congregationsEmpowering peopleEngaging in

the worldwith the hope and justice of Jesus.

WHERE ARE WE?

I The township of Millburn, population 20,000, inEssex County, NJ, is located inone of the most

desirable New York City suburbs with Manhattanonly 16 miles away. The township covers an area of

10 square miles and contains two historic districts,

one of which (the hamlet of Short Hills) was the first

planned commuter suburb in America.

I Millburns award-winning schools serveapproximately 4800 students, have an average of

14.5 students to every teacher and areconsistently

ranked as among the top public schools in the

nation.

I Millburns population is 87 % white, 8 % Asian, 2% Hispanic,and 1% Black or African-American. However, St. Stephens is

much more diverse, drawing from the neighboring towns of Maplewood, South Orange,

Springfield and Union, whose racial and economic diversity enriches our congregation.

30% of members joining within the last ten years are people of color.

I Millburn adjoins the South Mountain Reservation, whose 2,000 acres of mixed-hardwoodforest contains hiking trails, stocked fishing ponds, and a dog park. The township has

multiple parks including ball fields, tennis courts, a township pool and par-3 golf course.

There is also a movie theater, a renowned stage theater and two nature reserves.

A vibrant parish with acommitment to diversity, apassion for social justice,and a deeply consideredchoice of St. Stephens asour church home.

St. Stephens sits in the heartof Millburn, NJ, an historicsuburb of New York City with

award-winning schools,culture and open space.

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St. Stephens Church

19 Main St.

Millburn, NJ 07041

973) 376-0688

www.ststephensmillburn.org

nquires welcome at

tstephenssearch@gmail.com

A Call to Serve

WHAT DO WE DO?

I MINISTRY OF THE WORD: St. Stephens has been blessed with especiallygifted preachers whose sermons challenged us to confront our fears and engage

our hopes in our relationship to God, to our families and to our community.I PARISH LIFE: St. Stephens has long been a consciously welcoming church

enriched by congregants from a wide variety of nationalities, ethnicities,

political leanings, sexual orientations and religious traditions. Over 50% of

St. Stephens parishioners reside outside of Millburn. Parishioners share

joyful fellowship at coffee hour following the 10 a.m. service, the annual

Parish Picnic, Twelfth-Night Dinner, Welcome-Back Breakfast, Pancake

Supper, and covered-dish dinners.

I SOCIAL MINISTRY: Substantial numbers of St. Stephens parishionersparticipate in ministries to those in need of food, shelter, clothing, and companionship.

A co-founder of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Essex County (IHN) in 1988,

St. Stephens serves as a host congregation offering safe and welcoming

shelter to temporarily homeless families several weeks each year.

Programs that focus on hunger are Christines Kitchen, a program in

partnership with the Islamic Center of Passaic County; the Thanksgiving

Turkey Dinner, and the Food Barrel collections for the food pantry at

Apostles House in Newark.

Other programs include the Angel Tree, which collects holiday gifts for

families in Newark; North Porch, which provides baby supplies to mothers

in need; and Volunteers at Canterbury Village, a program that providesbingo callers, fellowship, and holiday caroling for an assisted-living home.

St. Stephens parishioners also participate in Habitat for Humanity.

I WORSHIP: Worship at St. Stephens has typically been a blend of traditionaland modern. We regularly celebrate the Rite-II Eucharist; creation-season and

other liturgies deepen our worship life. We provide nursery care and welcome

children who participate in junior choir, skits, and pageants. Parishioners serve in

the liturgy as lectors, lay eucharistic ministers and, occasionally, as preachers.

I MUSIC: Music at St. Stephens,

with a volunteer choir, a musicdirector, and an organist, enriches

the Sunday services. Our von Beckerath organ

enhances our music program and supports

an annual organ-concert series featuring

nationally and internationally known organists.

Parishioners unable to commit to regular

choir membership join the holiday Birth and

Resurrection Choirs and provide occasional

instrumental accompaniment.

Joyful fellowship is a year-round tradition, including ourannual parish picnic.

Our strong music program

enriches our worship and suppoan annual concert series featuriour von Beckerath organ.

Parishioners young andold participate in ourministries to those in needof food, shelter, clothing andcompanionship.

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St. Stephens Church

19 Main St.

Millburn, NJ 07041

973) 376-0688

www.ststephensmillburn.org

nquires welcome at

tstephenssearch@gmail.com

A Call to ServeI EDUCATION: The St. Stephens Preschool was established in 1998 toprovide high-quality full-time day care and education for children of working

families, from all faiths, cultures and economic backgrounds.

I CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:Throughout its history St. Stephens hasprovided excellent church school and youth-group programs. In recent

years, however, a range of societal changes has contributed to attendance

fluctuations. A creative new format is being tried this year. Parishioners

look for expanded opportunities for adult programs for discussion and

spiritual reflection.

I HISTORIC FACILITIES: St. Stephens is

the oldest corporate religious body in

Millburn. Our Carpenter-Gothic sanctuary,

built in 1855, houses 200 worshippers and

our remarkable von Beckerath trackerorgan. The landmark three-story rectory is

an American-Victorian-style residence built

in 1868 with spacious public rooms, a

library, four bedrooms and three rooms

on the third floor. The Victorian-era

cemetery, nestled in a wooded rise above

the town center, includes memorials both stately and plain

and a mausoleum designed on the pattern of an English

country church.

I FINANCIAL HEALTH: St. Stephens $1.3 million budget includes three independentfinancial components: the church itself, the preschool and the cemetery and mausoleum.

Each of these institutions is in sound and improving financial health. Outside debt has

recently been eliminated, and the preschool contributes to maintenance and capital costs.

WHAT DO WE NEED?

I Expansion of programs for youth and children.A new approach to church school and

youth ministries.

I Attention to growth in stewardship and planned

giving. St. Stephens parishioners give generously

of their time and talents; treasure is a little harder

to come by.

I Growth of the congregation to share the gifts of

our community with more children, families and

neighbors.

I Attention to our spiritual growth and the practiceof prayer, study and fellowship.

The St. Stephens Preschoolhas served the communitysince 1998, providing quality,full-time day care andeducation.

Historic properties include our1855 carpenter gothic sanctuaryand 1868 Victorian rectory, as was a Victorian-era cemetery witmausoleum.

Were looking to open our doors tocongregational and spiritual growth,new and expanded programs andrevitalized stewardship efforts.

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St. Stephens Church

19 Main St.

Millburn, NJ 07041

973) 376-0688

www.ststephensmillburn.org

nquires welcome at

tstephenssearch@gmail.com

A Call to Serve

WE ARE LOOKING TO WELCOME

A NEW RECTOR WHO WILL:

I Nourish our strengths and provide us with guidance and encouragement as

we continue to make social justice a manifestation of our faith.I Celebrate our diversity and keep our church open and welcoming to allwho may come, regardless of ethnicity, age, wealth, sexual orientation, or

faith background.

I Provide the broad-reaching pastoral outreach and care that reflects themultiple and varied needs of our congregation.

I Further the warmth and compassion that mark us truly as a fellowship, not just a

congregation.

I Continue our tradition of thought-provoking, insightful preaching, with a focus onscriptures relevance to our modern world, our community, and our obligations and

opportunities within it.

I Help us address the ways we have not realized our potential as a parish, by revitalizingour youth programs and developing meaningful adult education to promote our spiritual

growth.

I Oversee the administration of different elements beyond the church itself, the preschooland cemetery and the multiple outside uses of the grounds.

I Help us market the church and shine a light on our unique place in the local faith community.

WHAT OUR NEW RECTOR

CAN EXPECT FROM US:

I A congregation with a rich history of social justice and outreach, withpeople committed to doing.

I A congregation with openness to newideas and a willingness to try them.

I A welcoming parish where every

newcomer is greeted with a smileand allare welcome at Gods table.

I A parish with a preference for more formalliturgy but an informal spirit.

I A desire to expand our faith through all itsmanifestations.

A parish of doers, who arewilling, open and welcoming.

Revitalized youth programs are amongpriorities, as are adult education, socialand pastoral outreach and a continuedcommitment to diversity.