I have a friend who regularly eats at the soup kitchen next door to Episcopal House. We often talk about the books we have been reading. A couple of years ago he told me he had been reading novels by James Joyce. I was a bit dubious because I have not known many people who could get through Joyce's dense prose. He said that he had, and without a Gaelic dictionary. I told him that I had just finished reading Between the World and Me, an award-winning book by Ta Nehisi Coates. I explained that Coates' main premise is that the American dream provides opportunity and privilege to people like me, who have the fortune to be white, at the expense of people like him, who are black. He was just as dubious at my comment, asking, "You didn't know that?" Read more.

In addition to taking care of the regular business, at this Convention we focused on the spirit-filled relationship between storytelling and listening.

On the Convention floor, Deputies practiced identifying and sharing stories of God in our own lives, and listening deeply to one another. Youth Pages -- identified by their safety-orange T-shirts -- used their smartphones to capture video of mini-interviews with Convention attendees, some of which are included below.

Stories were woven into the Bishop's address, and the sermons at the opening Eucharist. We had the traditional Mission Minutes stories -- plus five short personal storytelling videos produced by members of the diocese at a weekend workshop.

Following are many stories from Convention. Read. Watch. Listen. What do you hear?
 

Bishop Beckwith gave his annual Convention address in three parts, on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon. Read all three texts and watch the video.

The sermons at the opening Eucharist of Convention were given by the Rev. Elizabeth Wigg Maxwell of St. Peter's Church in Livingston and Richard Williams of St. Paul's Church in Paterson. Read both texts and watch the video.

In this mini-interview, Richard shares about a moment at his church when he felt engaged and alive: a first-ever neighborhood block party.

Time: 0:20

In this interview captured live at Convention, the Rev. Deacon Jill Singleton of Incarnation, Jersey City shares about The Lighthouse for asylees, which was one of the stories included in the Mission Minutes videos shown at Convention.

Time: 0:26

Watch the four Mission Minutes videos:

• Stories from Jersey City, Part I
• Stories from Jersey City, Part II
• Listening to our youth
• Joining our neighbors in witness

• Three Words by Rosie Grant of St. Paul's Church in Paterson
• Winter Light by Cynthia McChesney of Christ Church in Short Hills
• A Good Turn by Phil White of St. Paul's Church in Chatham
• Church Family by Grace Woodards of Church of the Incarnation in Jersey City
• ooey gooey / nitty gritty by Janet Hager of Church of the Holy Innocents in West Orange

Near the end of the 144th Annual Diocesan Convention, Secretary of Convention John King asked for a point of personal privilege to address the Convention. Read his remarks.

A summary of all actions taken by deputies at the 144th Annual Diocesan Convention, including the diocesan budget, elections and resolutions. Read more.

See also the galleries of Convention photos by Nina Nicholson and Steven Boston.

Christ Church, Teaneck:
Boys & Girls Club opens in Teaneck with a little help from Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia

Following up on the extremely well-received story-sharing at Diocesan Convention in January, we invite you to a day of sharing stories and listening deeply as we continue the journey of joining God in our neighborhoods. This event is open to anyone who wants to explore the power of sharing and listening to stories and how this helps us to discover what God is up to. The deadline to register is 12 noon on Friday, Feb. 16. Find out more and register online.

MON, FEB 19

SAT, FEB 24 @ ST. JAMES', UPPER MONTCLAIR
SAT, MAR 3 @ CHRIST CHURCH, POMPTON LAKES
SAT, MAR 24 @ GRACE CHURCH, MADISON

Public celebration of the Feast of Absalom Jones

SUN, FEB 11, 3 PM
@ TRINITY & ST. PHILIP'S CATHEDRAL, NEWARK

SAT, APR 28, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Elementary School Retreat
FRI, FEB 16, 7 PM - SUN, FEB 18, 1 PM
@ CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER

Middle School Retreat
FRI, MAR 9, 7 PM - SUN, MAR 11, 1 PM

OR FRI, APR 20, 7 PM - SUN, APR 22, 1 PM

@ CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER

Explore headlining issues through a multi-faith lens as Bishop Mark Beckwith, Imam W. Deen Shareef and Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz lead conversations with special invited guests.

This episode of the series, to be broadcast tonight, February 7 at 8:30 PM on NJTV, addresses the topic of power and sexual harassment in the workplace with guest NJ Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Find out more.

The VOICE Online
WED, FEB 14 for Feb. 21 issue

Ward J. Herbert Fund Cycle 1
Applications to the Ward J. Herbert Fund for Cycle 1 (mid-spring) funding must be received by 12 noon on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday after Epiphany, World Mission Sunday in 2018 is February 11.  Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry invites the church to observe World Mission Sunday in a video here. Read more.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Archbishop Fred Hiltz of the Anglican Church of Canada have joined with their Lutheran colleagues to offer a series of Lenten reflections. Find out more.

Lent Madness -- an educational and fun way to learn about our saints (and some sinners) -- begins on Thursday, Feb. 15. Find out more.