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Online Edition - Thursday, March 17, 2016
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After this issue, The VOICE Online will be published on the first and third Wednesday of each month, except in June, July and August when it will be published on the third Wednesday only. This complements the new Leadership News schedule of publishing on the last Wednesday each month.
The next issue of The VOICE Online will be Wednesday, April 6. If you have a link to media coverage of your church, please submit it for consideration by Friday, April 1.
Also, watch for the April issue of Leadership News on Wednesday, March 30, with announcements, deadlines and other information church leaders need to know for the month of April.
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The Bishop's Blog: Signs of God's Grace
Hanging in with the chaos and the story
Posted by the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith on March 17, 2016
We know the story. During this next week we will tell the story, in some cases we will re-enact the story and, if we allow it, our souls will be invaded by the story.
Yet with two thousand years of hindsight, we relax a bit as we go through the brutal parts of the story, because we know the outcome. And it is a glorious outcome - which we celebrate as Easter.
We know the outcome, but the followers of Jesus didn't, at least not at first. When events became brutal, they scattered. In the many moments of spiritual wilderness and physical anguish during his last days, Jesus himself wondered if he had been abandoned, or if the ancient promise would be kept.
But in spite of everything he kept his trust. Trust that he was God's anointed, trust that love was - and is, stronger than death. Trust that new life is possible. Read more.
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Feature
Dispatches from the "Going Local" journey
By the Rev. Ginny Dinsmore, Coordinator for Missional Church Strategy
Listening isn't easy - but if one persists, it does bear fruit. That was the consistent theme of the reports from the six congregations who came together at Episcopal House on Saturday, March 5 to check in with each other on the Going Local experiments they are launching.
The teams from the congregations in the first and second cycles of Going Local, which are referred to collectively as "Going Local 2.0," spent the morning reporting out, giving feedback and addressing questions, supported by myself and John McLaverty of The Missional Network. Read more.
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Christ Church in Short Hills members engage Bishop's Convention address
On Sunday, March 6, members of Christ Church in Short Hills watched the video of Bishop Beckwith's Convention address, "Blessed and Beloved," as part of both the 8 AM and 10 AM Eucharists. Following coffee hour that morning, six members volunteered to facilitate table discussions to reflect on what they had heard. Read more.
Has your congregation held a viewing, reading or discussion of the Bishop's Convention address? If so, please consider sharing your experience for possible publication on the diocesan website and in The VOICE Online.
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Deacon Diane Riley among anti-poverty advocates recognized by NJ State Assembly
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The Rev. Deacon Diane Riley (front row, second from right) with Assemblymembers and other honorees
on the floor of the NJ State Assembly. ELVEN RILEY PHOTO
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On Monday, March 14, 2016, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle honored anti-poverty advocates Joyce Campbell, Serena Rice, and Diane Riley on the Assembly floor for their work to combat poverty in New Jersey and enact poverty solutions. Read more.
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In the News
'America the Beautiful' began in Newark
[The Star-Ledger] The Rev. J. Brent Bates, Rector of Grace Church in Newark, and the church's new music director, James Hopkins, are making a concerted effort to find the 124-year-old original sheet music to a composition called "Materna," written by church organist Samuel Augustus Ward, who died in 1903.
Ward wrote the music to accompany the words of "O Mother Dear, Jerusalem," an ancient hymn with Latin roots.
But somewhere along the line -- no one knows exactly why or how -- someone decided to marry Ward's "Materna" to Katherine Lee Bates' 1895 poem "America" to give birth to "America the Beautiful." Read more.
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In the News
Find serenity and peace through Labyrinth Walk at St. Peter's Episcopal in Mountain Lakes
[NorthJersey.com]
Beginning on March 23, a labyrinth will be open to the public at
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 215 Boulevard in
Mountain Lakes.
The large canvas labyrinth covers almost the entire floor of the Parish Hall and will be open during Holy Week, Wednesday through Good Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Read more.
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"Senior Moments" Column
Who will take care of the caregiver?
By Susan Singer
Throughout the United States, there exists:
"an invisible, isolated army, carrying out increasingly complicated tasks and experiencing challenges and frustrations without adequate recognition, support, or guidance, and at great personal cost."
The members of that army are our seniors' family caregivers. Their contributions to aging loved ones, as well as to society as a whole, are invaluable. Where can they find much needed care for themselves? Read more.
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"Geeks for God" Blog
Automate fresh website content using Really Simple Syndication (RSS)
Posted by John Rollins on March 14, 2016
Website developers, including those who create websites for their congregations, are always looking for ways to keep the content fresh and up-to-date. One of the most useful applications to help reach this goal is RSS - Really Simple Syndication. Read more.
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Final chance to attend a Confirmation Retreat
Registration for the third and final Confirmation retreat on April 1-2 at Cross Roads ends next Thursday, March 24. Registration for the first two retreats has closed. Don't miss out - register now! Find out more.
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Opportunities for anti-racism training
Workshops hosted by the Dioceses of New Jersey and New York fulfill our diocesan requirements for anti-racism training. Two upcoming opportunities:
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Saturday, April 23
Spong Lectureship: The Rev. Dr. Bruce Chilton
This year's installment of the John Shelby Spong and Christine Mary Spong Lectureship will feature the Rev. Dr. Bruce Chilton on "Resurrection: The Case of Jesus." Saturday, April 23, 8:30 AM - 1 PM at St. Peter's Church in Morristown. Find out more.
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Tuesday, April 26
Evening of Discernment: God is Calling - How will YOU Answer?
This conference, hosted by the Commission on Ministry, will provide an overview of the discernment process. Aspirants, their rectors and discernment committees are expected to attend. Individuals who want to attend by themselves for information and exploration are also invited. Register by April 20. Find out more.
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July 25-30
Joining Jesus on the Journey
A river-to-river pilgrimage across NJ
Walk with Bishop Beckwith across the diocese from the Delaware River to the Hudson River the week of July 25-30. This is an opportunity to be part of a prayerful pilgrimage in which we look for how we can join God in shaping the future of our diocese. You can participate for an hour of worship, a day of walking, a meal, or the whole pilgrimage.
Find out more, including daily schedules, nightly host sites, a Facebook page to start following now and a registration form.
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News from
Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center
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 Cross Roads is a welcoming, ecumenical retreat center and camp of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark and the NJ Synod of the ELCA (the Lutheran Church). Their mission: Joyfully experience God and Creation through faith, fellowship and fun! Cross Roads is accredited with the American Camp Association.
Summer will be here before we know it! Check out these opportunities to learn about and engage with Cross Roads.
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Help Cross Roads - complete and share this short survey
Cross Roads is planning for their future and needs feedbackfrom the congregations, dioceses and synods they serve, as well as their long-time You are asked to complete a short survey, and send it to anyone whom you feel would have valuable input. The survey will be open until March 31 at
surveymonkey.com/r/CrossRoadsCampandRetreatCenter.
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April 23, May 21 & June 4
Cross Roads' Open Houses
Come and visit Cross Roads during one of their upcoming Open Houses. Learn all about their summer and year-round opportunities. Take a tour of their facilities, hear stories about summer camp, ask questions and finish with a delicious lunch in the Dining Hall. Register online at crossroadsretreat.com/summer-programs/open-house.
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Join Cross Roads' mailing list
You can also stay connected with Cross Roads by joining their mailing list. With newsletters going out multiple times a year, you can stay up to date on everything happening at Cross Roads! Subscribe now at crossroadsretreat.com/newsletters.
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News from
Episcopal House
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Holy Week & Easter
Episcopal House will be closed on March 25 in observance of Good Friday.
The staff of Episcopal House sends you their warmest wishes for a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter.
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Lenten email meditations
Lent is nearly over, but the popular Lenten email meditations are still being published through and including Holy Saturday, March 26. You can read the meditations published thus far, or subscribe to receive the meditations via email, at dioceseofnewark.org/meditations.
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First BCEF Call of 2016: St. Andrew's, Newark
The Bishop's Church Emergency Fund (BCEF) provides financial support for church buildings in the diocese needing repairs and renovation, usually with a special focus on emergency and unforeseen needs. Through the BCEF, you can support the critical needs identified by the Bishop. The first BCEF call of 2016 is to repair the heating system at St. Andrew's Church in Newark. Find out more.
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Job listings in the diocese
St. Andrew's Church in Harrington Park is seeking a part-time Parish Secretary. Application deadline: April 1. Find out more at dioceseofnewark.org/job-listings.
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Diocesan scholarships
Deadlines are coming up in April and May for diocesan scholarships available to young members of our congregations seeking higher education for the academic year 2016-2017. Visit dioceseofnewark.org/funding/scholarships for the descriptions of the four scholarship funds, along with requirements, deadline dates and contact information.
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The Louie Crew Clay Scholarship
The OASIS - a justice ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark - will award up to two annual scholarships from the Louie Crew Clay Scholarship Fund to support scholarly work that shares the mission "to make the church safe for ALL people, and to challenge the church when its interest is self-preservation and not prophetic witness." For more information and the application, visit oasisnewark.org/scholarship-grant-programs. Application deadline: April 1.
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News from
The Episcopal Church
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Episcopal bishops issue A Word to the Church
[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] The House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church [including our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith], meeting in retreat, unanimously approved the following Word To The Church.
A Word to the Church
Holy Week 2016
"We reject the idolatrous notion that we can ensure the safety of some by sacrificing the hopes of others."
On Good Friday the ruling political forces of the day tortured and executed an innocent man. They sacrificed the weak and the blameless to protect their own status and power. On the third day Jesus was raised from the dead, revealing not only their injustice but also unmasking the lie that might makes right.
In a country still living under the shadow of the lynching tree, we are troubled by the violent forces being released by this season's political rhetoric. Americans are turning against their neighbors, particularly those on the margins of society. They seek to secure their own safety and security at the expense of others. There is legitimate reason to fear where this rhetoric and the actions arising from it might take us. Read more.
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Leaders call on Episcopalians to heal 'pain of racial injustice, division'
[Episcopal News Service] The leaders of the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops and House of Deputies March 12 issued a letter "to welcome sisters and brothers in both Houses and ultimately all Episcopalians to join us" in the ministry of racial justice and reconciliation, as called for last summer by General Convention in Resolution C019.
"The pain of racial injustice and division has wracked our church and the many communities where we both proclaim and embody the gospel of Jesus Christ," they wrote. "Our collective prayer and action can begin to heal what is broken and nurture the Beloved Community that is God's dream for all."
The text of the letter follows in English and Spanish.
Read more.
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Episcopal Relief & Development 75th Anniversary Celebration exceeds goals
Thanks to the generous support and coordinated efforts of thousands of Episcopalians and friends, Episcopal Relief & Development's 75th Anniversary Celebration exceeded its goals for fundraising and engagement throughout the Church and beyond. During the 75-week celebration, the organization raised $7.94 million as part of a special campaign, and connected with supporters through live events, webinars, stories and a traveling photo exhibition. Read more.
The offering at the opening Eucharist of the most recent Diocesan Convention was split between Episcopal Relief & Development's 75th anniversary and Newark ACTS, with $2456 going to each.
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