The Voice Online of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Online Edition - Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Christmas 2016
From the Bishop
The Bishop's Blog: Signs of God's Grace
A message for Christmas 2016
Posted by the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith on December 21, 2016

This year particularly, I am deeply touched by the story of how God chose to come into the world as the Incarnation. From every earthly angle, be it political, economic or sociological, this story is about the contrast between political, military and religious power - and powerlessness. God chose to come into the world inside a story that was as powerless as any storyteller could dream up. Read more.

News from The Episcopal Church
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Presiding Bishop Curry's Christmas Message 2016

"This child came to show us how to change the world," Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said in his Christmas Message. "So this Christmas, make room for Him to change us. This Christmas help us change the world."

The Presiding Bishop's video message is here. The text is also available in English and en EspaƱol.

News & Features
The Success for All Afterschool Program of St. Peter_s_ Morristown. BRUCE PARKER PHOTO
2016 Alleluia Fund grants of $177,000 bring total to over $1 million

Exciting news: at their December 14 meeting, Diocesan Council approved the Alleluia Fund grant board's recommendation to distribute $177,000 in grants to 33 organizations. This year's grants bring the total funds distributed to our neighbors in need to over $1,000,000 since the fund's origination in 2010. (See the 2016 Alleluia Fund grant recipients.)
 
Our 2016 Alleluia Fund partners offer practical, hands-on support to those most vulnerable in our diocese and internationally. In the coming year, our partners in northern New Jersey will provide hundreds of thousands of meals, offer shelter to thousands of our brothers and sisters in northern NJ, and support the education of hundreds of adults and children.
 
Our 2016 fundraising goal of $120,000 is within reach. Please support the work of our Alleluia Fund partners with a donation today. You can donate online or see the instructions for making a gift by check.

Author Peg Crilly _right_
First-person account
My visit to Standing Rock

Peg Crilly, a member of Church of the Redeemer in Morristown, spent time at Standing Rock earlier this month as a chaplain-in-training. Here she shares her experience supporting those protesting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota. Read more.

Media coverage

St. Agnes', Little Falls:
Video: Rehearsing "A Christmas Roar" with the cast of 'The Lion King'
NORTHJERSEY.COM | DEC 12, 2016

St. Agnes' member Jelani Remy, who has the role of Simba in The Lion King on Broadway, brought together musicians and singers from various Passaic County groups as well as Broadway shows for "A Christmas Roar" to benefit the church.

News from Episcopal House
Episcopal House closed for Christmas & New Year's

In observance of Christmas and New Year's, Episcopal House will close at 1 PM this Friday, December 23, 2016 and will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

The diocesan staff sends their warmest wishes to you and yours for a blessed Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

Paul _ granddaughter Josephine
Birth in our diocesan family
First grandchild of Paul Shackford, diocesan CFO

With great joy we share the news of the birth of the first grandchild of Paul Shackford, Chief Financial Officer.  Josephine was born on Saturday, December 3 to Paul's daughter and son-in-law, Julia and Bear, who live in Houston.  She weighed 8 lbs, 6 oz. and was 21-1/2 inches.

Paul reports, "Everyone is great, and we are so excited that Josephine and her parents journeyed to Harrington Park where she was baptized last Sunday."

Deacons ordained in December 2016_ The Rev. Deacon Cathie Studwell_ The Rev. Deacon Sylvester Ekunwe_ The Rev. Deacon Jill Singleton.
Deacons ordained in December 2016 (l-r):
The Rev. Deacon Cathie Studwell, the Rev. Deacon Sylvester Ekunwe and the Rev. Deacon Jill Singleton.
Clergy ministry transitions

Ordinations
  • The Rev. Deacon Jill Singleton to the Vocational Diaconate
    DEC 17, 2016
  • The Rev. Deacon Sylvester Ekunwe to the Transitional Diaconate
    DEC 10, 2016
  • The Rev. Deacon Cathie Studwell to the Transitional Diaconate
    DEC 10, 2016
Arrivals
  • The Rev. Elizabeth Costello, Associate Rector, Christ Church, Ridgewood
    DEC 4, 2016
  • The Rev. Anthony Puca, Rector, Grace Church, Westwood
    and Youth Minister, St. Peter's Church, Essex Fells
    JAN 2, 2017

Departures

  • The Rev. Anthony Puca, Associate Rector, St. Peter's Church, Essex Fells
    JAN 2, 2017
See all clergy ministry transitions in 2016 and upcoming in 2017.

Upcoming ordinations

Nancy Hansen to the Vocational Diaconate
SAT, JAN 7, 2017, 10AM @ GOOD SHEPHERD, WANTAGE

Upcoming deadlines

The VOICE Online, January 4 issue
FRI, DEC 23, 12 NOON
Submit items to Nina Nicholson, diocesan Director of Communications.

Convention nominations for printed ballots
FRI, DEC 30
Nominations are still open for elections at Convention, but to assure that your name is printed on the ballot, please submit the Nominations Form by Friday, December 30, 2016. (The late deadline for write-in candidates is January 20, 2017.)

The VOICE Online is a publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark with news, events and feature articles of interest to members and friends of our diocese. It is published twice a month September-May (first and third Wednesdays) and monthly June-August (third Wednesdays only).

Questions? Please contact Nina Nicholson, Director of Communications & Technology, 973-430-9907.

Contact Episcopal House: 31 Mulberry Street, Newark NJ 07102 | 973-430-9900 | Staff Directory

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