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St. Stephens Church
19 Main St.
Millburn, NJ 07041
973) 376-0688
www.ststephensmillburn.org
nquires welcome at
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
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
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
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.
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