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Online Edition - Wednesday, October 19, 2016
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The Bishop's Blog: Signs of God's Grace
Dreams to shape our future
Posted by the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith on October 19, 2016
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Bishop Beckwith reads the community "Dream Board" inspired by Paul's dream in Acts 16:6-15.
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Many of us in the diocese have been listening to St. Paul's dream as outlined in Acts 16:6-15, which has been a passage used by several groups in their regular Dwelling in the Word practice. Paul's dream took his entourage to Philippi in Macedonia. They didn't expect to go in that direction, but the dream led them there - and on the Sabbath they ventured outside the city walls to a group of women who had gathered there to pray. The dream took them past proper protocol (Jewish men didn't venture outside the city on the Sabbath; and it was near sacrilege to engage in conversation with women). But the dream led them to yet another unexpected place and a heretofore forbidden encounter - and it transformed the development of the church.
A small group of people from across the diocese "dwelt" in this Acts passage for six months. As they listened and were drawn into the power of Paul's dream, they designed an experiment that involved putting up a "Dream Board" to enable people to post their dreams, hopes and visions for their congregation and their community, rather than focusing on just "the killer Bs" (budgets, boilers, buildings, and blame for what's not working). One congregation was so intrigued by this experiment that they decided to try it out, putting up their own "Dream Board" first in the parish hall and then in the community. They invited people to write their dreams on the board. And people did. Read more.
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You're invited to a conversation about race, diversity and inclusion with Valerie Batts
This Sunday, October 23
4-5:30 PM at Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral, Newark
Members of the diocese are invited to take part in a conversation about race, diversity and inclusion with Valerie Batts, Ph.D., the featured speaker at this year's Clergy Conference. Find out more.
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Mission in our own backyard
Thursday, November 10 - Saturday, November 12
At Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center
We're looking for youth in grades 8-12 (and their chaperones) and young adults to join us in making a difference for their neighbors here in northern NJ. This is an amazing & affordable opportunity for young people to engage in fun, interactive community service and explore how caring for our neighbors helps us live out our faith. Find out more.
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Report on our September Listening Tables
 God is up to something in the Diocese of Newark! Shortly after Labor Day, about 200 Episcopalians gathered in Ridgewood, Newark and Denville to listen for God in scripture and in the stories they shared with one another. These gatherings began with participants listening for God in Joshua 3:1-11; 17 where Joshua and the Israelites are camped at the edge of the River Jordan, a river they must cross to enter the Promised Land. The reading offered a biblical framework for the gathering and also shaped a picture and narrative shared by diocesan staff members Paul Shackford and Ginny Dinsmore. Paul and Ginny paralleled the Israelites' journey with our diocese's journey to discover God's work in our neighborhoods and join God there. Table conversations around the narrative were energetic and hopeful. Stories about some congregations' simple experiments particularly resonated with attendees. As a diocese, we are discovering that many among us are hungry to listen to God and each other, to hear what God is doing in our congregations and neighborhoods.
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Listening Tables have an important role in shaping Convention
Didn't have a chance to participate in September?
You're in luck - three new opportunities have been added!
In response to the capacity attendance and spirit-filled engagement at our first three Listening Tables in September, three new opportunities to attend Listening Tables have been scheduled:
- Tuesday, November 29 at Episcopal House, Newark
- Thursday, December 1 at St. Matthew's, Paramus
- Tuesday, December 6 at St. Peter's, Mountain Lakes
6 - 6:30 PM Registration and refreshments
6:30 - 8:30 PM Listening Tables
Diocesan staff and leadership are using the feedback from the Listening Tables to significantly redesign this year's Convention. Therefore...
All Clergy and Convention Deputies are encouraged to attend a Listening Table before Convention.
Find out more. Space is limited - register online now!
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Church News
Upper Montclair youth attend National Acolyte Festival in D.C.
 Youth and chaperones from the St. James, Upper Montclair attended the National Acolyte Festival on Saturday, October 8 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, retired bishop of New Hampshire, preached and presided at the morning service of re-dedication and Holy Eucharist, which included a festive procession of acolytes, clergy, and vergers. Workshops were held in the afternoon. Read more.
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Church News
Holy Trinity, West Orange expands annual "God and Science" program to include art, music and career talks
This past summer from June 8 to July 23, Holy Trinity Church in West Orange held its third annual "God and Science" program for young members of the church and the community. Building on its successful first two years, this year the program was expanded to include art and music, as well as career talks by professionals in various fields. A record 28 young people ages 10-18 attended. Read more.
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Church News
Christ Church CDC conducts voter registration drive for Hackensack homeless
"YOU DON'T NEED A HOME TO VOTE!" was the slogan for Christ Church CDC's initiative to encourage voter registration by the homeless guests at their Next Step drop in program in Hackensack. Read more.
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In the News
Bishop, clergy participate in call for safer gun technologies
 On October 6, Bishop Mark Beckwith, the Rev. Tom Murphy of St. Paul's, Jersey City, the Rev. Laurie Wurm of Grace Van Vorst, Jersey City and other faith leaders joined a bi-partisan group of mayors and police chiefs on the steps of Newark City Hall as Newark Mayor Ras Baraka called on all New Jersey mayors to join together in demanding that gun manufacturers start employing safe weapons technologies - or they will purchase future weapons for their law enforcement agencies elsewhere.
This media event was part of the "Do Not Stand Idly By" campaign of the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation, which is working with local jurisdictions to use public purchasing power to push gun manufacturers to adopt safer technologies and more responsible distribution practices. Learn more at donotstandidlyby.org.
Media coverage:
Baraka calls on N.J. mayors to unite around safe gun tech
NJ.com, October 12.
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Feature
What I learned spending "a year in God's time" at Lambeth Palace
Peter has recently returned from his year with CoSA, and shares his first-person account of what he experienced and learned spending "a year in God's time."
Read more.
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"Geeks for God" Blog
The diocesan Technology Committee - AKA "Geeks for God" - looks back over 20 years
Posted by Jan Paxton on October 17, 2016
 In 1996, I wrote an article for The VOICE highlighting technology in the Diocese of Newark. That was 20 ago, when personal computers were just becoming popular, no one had even heard of a smart phone, and who could have predicted Facebook, Twitter and Instagram?
Over the years technology has expanded exponentially, and through all the developments, the Diocese of Newark's Technology Committee has been one of the leaders. Read more.
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Senior Moments Column
So what are my choices with Medicare?
By Scott Bennett
It's that time of year when those who are in Medicare are confronted with options to change their coverage. Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP, also known as Annual Enrollment Period) starts October 15 and ends December 7. During this period Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in or disenroll from a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or a standalone Medicare prescription drug Plan (Part D). Read more.
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Announcement
Walk across diocese raises $8,575 for Alleluia Fund
When Bishop Mark Beckwith led a group on a modern-day pilgrimage last July by walking across the entire diocese from the Delaware River to the Hudson - a journey of more than 80 miles - many people from our diocese participated by sponsoring our Pilgrims. These sponsorships raised $8,575 for the Alleluia Fund for Outreach, which supports programs providing practical, hands-on support to those most vulnerable in our diocese and internationally. Read more.
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Call to Convention
 Today is 100 days before the 143rd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Newark on Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the Parsippany Hilton.
Church offices and non-parochial clergy should watch your mail for a red Convention packet like the one pictured at right. John King, Secretary of Convention, is mailing hard copies today to churches for distribution to their clergy and lay deputies, and also to non-parochial clergy. The packet is also available for download as a PDF file on the Convention web page.
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Seeking photos and videos for Mission Minutes
We're seeking photos of members out in neighborhoods and engaged with neighbors, living into our Convention theme of Joining God in Shaping Our Future, for possible use in a Mission Minutes video at the January 2017 Convention. Find out more.
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News from
Episcopal House
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2017 Open Enrollment for active clergy & lay employees
Open Enrollment for 2017 health insurance plans begins next Monday, October 24 and runs through Wednesday, November 9. This is the once-a-year opportunity for eligible clergy and lay employees to change their medical and/or dental plan elections and to add or remove eligible dependents. It's also a time when you may have questions about plan changes or about benefits. For 2017, one plan has been added, and one plan is no longer provided by the Medical Trust. Find out more.
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Confirmation 2017
Youth must be registered by
November 18
 For youth 18 and under to be confirmed in 2017, a registration form must be submitted by the church's clergy or warden no later than Friday, November 18. Please note that youth must be in 8th grade or higher to be eligible for Confirmation. Adults can be registered through March 1, 2017. Go to the registration form.
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Funding opportunities for congregations
2016 Gertrude Butts Fund seed money grants
Grant applications are being accepted until
Sunday, October 30 for new programs within the diocese which are educationally driven and benefit youngsters with diocesan affiliations.
Find out more.
Announcing the Green Revolving Fund for energy-efficient utilities
 In partnership with GreenFaith, the diocese is creating a Green Revolving Fund (GRF). Through this fund, we will work with congregations to identify opportunities for proactive replacement of old, near-failing boilers and furnaces with new, energy efficient models, and to install energy-efficient lighting systems. We will secure the maximum level of incentive and rebate funding possible from the state and utility companies, and use the GRF to finance part or all of the remaining expense at a modest rate of interest.
Find out more.
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Special services
Closing Service for St. Thomas, Vernon
Sunday, October 30, 3 PM
St. Thomas is located at 307 Route 94 in Vernon
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Clergy ministry transitions
Arrivals
- The Rev. Michael Muller, received to the Episcopal Priesthood - Saturday, October 15
Ordination to the Priesthood
- The Rev. Deacon Nathan G. Huddleston
Saturday, October 29, 10 AM at Calvary, Summit
See all clergy ministry transitions in
2016.
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Upcoming diocesan e-newsletters
The next issue of
The VOICE Online will be published
Wednesday, November 2.
Submit items for consideration by
Wednesday, October 26.
The November issue of
Leadership News - key information for clergy and lay leaders from Episcopal House - will be published
Wednesday, October 26.
Manage your diocesan e-newsletter subscriptions at
dioceseofnewark.org/e-news.
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News from
The Episcopal Church
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Prayer resources for the election
This election season has been among the most contentious in recent memory. But whatever our politics, as Christians we always have something we can do: we can pray. Forward Movement is calling Episcopalians and all others to join in a time of prayer through the day after the election, and is providing online resources in English and Spanish. Find out more.
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Task Force on the Study of Marriage issues report on progress
The Episcopal Church Task Force on the Study of Marriage has issued the following report: read more.
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