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Online Edition - Wednesday, July 20, 2016
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The Bishop's Blog: Signs of God's Grace
Joining Jesus on a journey between two rivers
Posted by the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith on July 19, 2016
For the past several months, I have been much engaged by the image of a river. Much of this has to do with a text many of us have been reading, Joshua 3:1-11, in which the Israelites, led by Joshua, are camped on the west side of the Jordan, getting ready to cross over into the land that has been promised to them - after having spent forty years in the Sinai wilderness. They are eager, and they are nervous. Eager to discover a new way of living together, and nervous because "you have never passed this way before" (Joshua 3:4).
Spies had been sent to scope out the other side of the river. They come back with images of bounty, but also with feelings of anxiety, because it is new and strange.
For the past several years our diocese has been on a journey - joining God in shaping our future. Most of us have not passed this way before. When pondering this journey, the abiding image for me is the river. We want to cross it to continue the journey, because of the abundance promised on the other side, but it is new and strange over there. And even if we do take the risk and cross it, and begin to explore this new territory, there is a force that draws us back to where we had been camped for a while, because that is the territory we know. Read more.
See also
Bishop Beckwith's July 8 blog post:
Enough! A message after the shootings in Baton Rouge, Minnesota and Dallas
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Feature & Photo Gallery
After shootings in Baton Rouge, Minnesota and Dallas, South Orange and Maplewood clergy facilitate community conversation
Hundreds of people crowded into a sweltering South Orange auditorium on July 12 for an evening of candid conversation about recent police-involved shootings - including the highly questionable shooting deaths of black men by white police officers in Baton Rouge and Minnesota, as well as the assassination of five white police officers by a black gunman in Dallas.
It was an opportunity for five young black adults, who had led a protest march the week before, to present a moving skit demonstrating their anger, fear and determination.
It was an opportunity for local police officials to discuss the split-second, life-or-death decisions that they sometimes have to make, and to describe the training they receive for that role.
And for two local Episcopal rectors, it was an opportunity to build relationships in the community and join in God's work outside the walls of the church. Read more.
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In the News
Coverage of vigils for Orlando
In the weeks following the the mass shooting in Orlando, FL on June 12, 2016, at least 20 congregations in the Diocese of Newark hosted vigils, or participated in community vigils or rallies. Media coverage, stories, photos and videos - including Bishop Beckwith's remarks at one of the vigils - are collected here. Read more.
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Voices in our diocese
Reflections on being black and raising children in a mostly white community
Jackie Remy of St. Agnes' Church in Little Falls describes herself as: a black woman; a mother of five, including four sons, one of whom is a police officer; a grandmother of two biracial grandchildren; and the only black member, currently, of her congregation. After the shootings in Baton Rouge, Minnesota and Dallas, which resulted in the killings of two black men by police and of five officers by a black man, Jackie shared with her congregation what she's learned from living and raising children in mostly white communities. "It's easy to pray. It's not easy to hear God's voice. It's not easy to listen," she says. "It's not easy to walk in another's shoes or to comprehend their struggle or pain unless you first listen." Her reflection is reprinted here with permission.
We would love to publish more reflections from diocesan members on how current issues impact their lives. To submit a reflection for consideration, please contact Nina Nicholson, diocesan Director of Communications.
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"Joining God" Podcast
What happened in June 2016, and what's coming in September and beyond
In this podcast, Ginny Dinsmore, Suzanne Willian and Kay Lark - all intimately involved in the Joining God in Shaping Our Future process - quickly review some of the experiments and excitement that came out of the report-outs in June. They also describe what to expect next, including the three gatherings this September - Listening Tables - to which all members of the diocese are invited.
Listen to the podcast (time: 13:05) or read the transcript.
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Geeks for God Blog
Your church Facebook Page and Facebook's new algorithms
Posted by John Rollins on July 15, 2016
You may have heard that Facebook is changing the algorithms that determine what shows up in your News Feed. Rumor has it that you will see more of what your friends post - status, photos, links to stories - and less of items from Facebook Pages.
But your church's Facebook presence is one of those Pages. How will these changes affect your ability to communicate what's happening with your congregation? Will people miss hearing or seeing some of your exciting news? Read more.
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Announcement
Newark Shared Ministries' High School Equivalency Program seeks volunteers
Newark Shared Ministries, a collaboration of urban and suburban parishes in the Diocese of Newark, is launching a High School Equivalency Tutoring Program this fall to serve the underserved adult learner population in Newark's Central Ward. They are currently looking for Tutors to work in high school equivalency classrooms at The House of Prayer, Mentors to walk with our adult learners throughout their journey, and Administrative Volunteers to assist in the day-to-day work of the HSE program. Read more.
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Announcement
Youth & Young Adult events for 2016-2017 posted online
For the complete list of events planned for diocesan youth and young adults in the 2016-2017 program year, please visit dioceseofnewark.org/youth.
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Announcement
Introducing new Missioner of Music and the Arts
I am Mark Trautman, and I write this note as the Bishop's newly appointed Missioner of Music and the Arts for the Diocese of Newark. In this role, I hope to begin a dialogue with all church musicians so that we can work together to build a learning community of musicians in our diocese that will strengthen our roles as ministers of music in our congregations. To that end, I will be calling on every congregation this summer to introduce myself and to ask for your help. Read more.
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Church News
Third annual RSCM New Jersey Choir Festival welcomes 30 choristers
Thirty choristers from around the state of New Jersey gathered at the Church of St. Andrew and Holy Communion in South Orange on Saturday, April 23 for the third annual Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) New Jersey Choral Festival. This year's event was conducted by Loraine Enlow, music associate for youth choirs at St. James' Church, Madison Avenue in New York City. Read more.
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Church News
Children prepare year's worth of music at Sacred Sounds Music Camp
The sound of children's voices, drums and other percussion instruments filled St. Alban's Church in Oakland/Franklin Lakes from June 20-24 as Sacred Sounds Music Camp returned for a highly successful week. Forty-seven elementary children and 23 junior high schoolers joined 13 professional and volunteer adults in an exciting and rewarding week of faith, music and fellowship. Read more.
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Church News
Joint mission trip finds fulfillment and recreation in Asbury Park "Serving in the Son"
This year St. Alban's, Oakland/Franklin Lakes joined The Church of St. Luke and St. Mary of Hope and Belvidere to sponsor their first joint youth mission trip, "Serving in the Son." The week was based at Trinity Church in Asbury Park and included work in the parish food pantry and soup kitchen, as well as reclaiming some unused space for ministry and participating in the weeknight Taize service. Read more. |
In the news
Earth Science Camp debuts in Chatham
[Chatham Courier] Twenty campers ranging in age from 4-to-10-years old-explored soil at
St. Paul's Episcopal Church Earth Science camp earlier this month.
Read more.
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Upcoming Events in Our Diocese
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Workshop: Finding God in the Spaces, Finding Space for God
TODAY, July 20, 6 PM at Grace Church, Nutley
"A Rule of Life" sounds intimidating - but it doesn't have to be! A panel of speakers from the Empowering Action Team of Diocesan Council will share examples of their own spiritual practices in hopes that attendees will see that these glimpses of God's grace are all around us in prayer, walking a labyrinth, creating art, knitting, gardening, yoga, and more. Find out more.
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Be a Pilgrim - or support or sponsor the Pilgrims - on an 80-mile walk across the diocese July 25-30
During the six days of July 25-30, a number of people will join Bishop Beckwith in walking across our entire diocese, from the Delaware River that forms our western boundary with Pennsylvania to the Hudson River that forms our eastern boundary with New York - a journey totaling 80 miles. On this prayerful pilgrimage, the walkers will look for where God is at work in our communities and how we can join God in shaping the future of our diocese.
There are opportunities for all of us to participate directly or offer our support: Participate as a Pilgrim or a support team member, or sponsor the Pilgrims through the Alleluia Fund for Outreach. Read more.
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Cross Roads' Giant Church Picnic
Sunday, August 21
At Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center, Port Murray, NJ
Experience camp fun one last time with Cross Roads' annual end-of-season bash. Church groups, families, and individuals are welcome. Check-in is at 2 PM, and closing worship at 7 PM. Dinner is included. Cost: $12 per person, $35 maximum per family. Find out more, or register and pay online.
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), accredited with the American Camp Association. Subscribe to Cross Roads' mailing list.
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An invitation: Joining God in Shaping Our Future
Three opportunities to participate: September 8, 13 & 17
At our Diocesan Convention last January, Bishop Beckwith invited our congregations and diocesan leaders to join in re-imagining how we all might better discern where the Spirit is leading us in our neighborhoods and communities. Since then individuals and congregations from all over the diocese have been engaged in this journey in a variety of ways.
We are very eager to share our experiences with you. We're inviting all lay people and clergy from every congregation to attend one of three gatherings this September, so we can update you on the journey thus far and listen to your feedback and ideas. Find out more.
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Please share this short video invitation through your personal and church social media, and your church's website and e-newsletter. (Direct link:
youtu.be_MRTKSqL51-I, time: 3:33.)
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News from
Episcopal House
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Clergy ministry transitions
Arrivals
- The Rev. Debra M. Brewin-Wilson, Rector, St. Mary's, Sparta - October 11
See all clergy ministry transitions in
2016.
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Deadline for July issue of The VOICE Online
During June, July and August
The VOICE Online will be published once a month on the third Wednesday; the deadline to
submit items to be considered for inclusion is the Friday before.
Friday, August 12 is the deadline for the issue to be published on
Wednesday, August 17.
The August issue of
Leadership News - key information for clergy and lay leaders from Episcopal House - will be published
Wednesday, July 27.
Manage your diocesan e-newsletter subscriptions at
dioceseofnewark.org/e-news.
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News from
The Episcopal Church
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Death in the Episcopal Church family
The Rt. Rev. Edmond Lee Browning, 24th Presiding Bishop
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Presiding Bishop Edmond Lee Browning preaching at a diocesan Evensong at St. Peter's, Morristown on December 7, 1995. MICHAEL PATTEN PHOTO
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Bishop Edmond Lee Browning, the 24th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, died on July 11, 2016. He was 87 years old and was living in Oregon.
Browning served as presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church from 1986-1997 - the last presiding bishop to serve a 12-year term. He was well-known for his quote, "no outcasts in the church."
In February 1989, Browning made history by consecrating the Rev. Barbara Harris of the Diocese of Massachusetts as the first female bishop in the Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Communion.
It was also during Browning's tenure that ten bishops brought a presentment against Bishop Walter C. Righter for ordaining Barry Stopfel, an openly gay man living with his partner, to the transitional diaconate in the Diocese of Newark while Bishop Righter was serving here as assistant bishop. In a 7-1 decision on May 15, 1996 a court of nine bishops dismissed the charges, stating that the Episcopal Church "has no doctrine prohibiting the ordination of homosexuals."
Read more.
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