The Voice Online of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Online Edition - Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Bishop's Blog: Signs of God's Grace
Deepening our appreciation for stories
Deepening our appreciation for stories
Posted by the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith on August 16, 2017

Much of the foundation of Christian faith and life lies in the listening and telling of stories. Stories that are between 2,000 and 4,000 years old; stories that have been curated over the centuries by religious councils and collated into what we know as the Bible. Some of those stories are funny. Many of them are confusing. Some are touching, more than a few are violent; and others produce epiphanies of faith and insight. Read more.

In the wake of Charlottesville
In the wake of Charlottesville
Posted by the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith on August 14, 2017

The opposite of faith is not doubt. The opposite of faith is fear. And fear was on full display this past weekend as white supremacists gathered in Charlottesville to make their hate-filled witness. Read more.

Canon's Blog: Out of the Ordinary
Charlottesville
Charlottesville
Posted by the Rev. Canon Gregory A. Jacobs on August 14, 2017

Perhaps it was inevitable. The bloody confrontation in Charlottesville between white supremacists and those opposing their racist ideology poignantly exposed and confirmed the political/racial/cultural/ideological divide that has existed in this country for quite some time. Read more.

Bishop Search
Bishop Search Listening Meetings
Online survey ends TODAY

The online survey to assist in gathering data for the Profile for the XI Bishop Search ends TODAY. Please complete your survey, and remind all members of your congregation to also complete the survey; thank you if you have already completed yours. Please remember that any and all paper surveys must be entered into the web-based system (same link as above) by today as well.

Listening Meetings

The Bishop Search/Nominating Committee is continuing to hold Listening Meetings in August and September at which they will lead small group discussions. The information gathered from both the Survey and the Listening Meetings will provide a forum for the laity, the clergy and the diocesan staff to be included in the discernment process and will help the Search/Nominating Committee to develop an accurate profile of our diocese. Find out more.

Remaining Schedule of Listening Meetings
All locations are wheelchair accessible
 
Date/Time
Who's Invited
Location
WED, AUG 16,
6:30-8:30 PM
Clergy & Lay
St. Dunstan's, Succasunna
THU, SEP 7,
10 AM-NOON
Diocesan staff only
Episcopal House
(led by Deacon Chris McCloud)
SAT, SEP 9,
1-3 PM
Lay only
Christ Church, Bloomfield/Glen Ridge
TUE, SEP 12,
9 AM-3 PM
Clergy only
St. Michael's, Wayne
(Clergy Day, led by Search Consultants the Rev. Thad Bennett and the Rev. Kim Jackson)
WED, SEP 13,
6:30-8:30 PM
Clergy & Lay
St. George's, Maplewood

All events, resources and announcements relating to the Bishop Search are posted online at dioceseofnewark.org/bishop-search.

Upcoming Events
Exploration of Listening Excursion 2
Exploration of Listening Excursion 2
SAT, SEP 30, 8:30 AM - 12 PM @ ST. ELIZABETH'S, RIDGEWOOD

Believing that God is inviting us into a new way of living together in the world, in March, 42 congregations gathered to begin a journey of listening to God through scripture, one another, our neighborhoods, and ourselves. In June, many of them returned to share what they had learned, the challenges they faced, and the joys they experienced.

A second Listening Excursion will begin in the fall. We invite you and your congregation to spend the morning of Saturday, September 30 exploring with fellow Episcopalians whether you are being called to join with other congregations who will be taking part. Find out more and register online.

Cross Roads' Giant Church Picnic
SUN, AUG 20, 2 PM @ CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER

Experience camp fun one last time with great activities: canoeing, swimming, high ropes, and more, plus great fellowship and walks in the woods. Church groups, families, and individuals are welcome. Check-in is at 2 PM, and closing worship at 6 PM. Dinner is included. Cost: $12 per person, $35 maximum per family. Register and pay online.

LEAMNJ
Grow your Network for Justice
SAT, SEP 16, 10 AM - 3 PM
@ CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER

Presented by the Lutheran Episcopal Advocacy Ministry of New Jersey (leamnj.org), this gathering is for all ministry groups and persons who have a passion for justice. Dr. Traci West, Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies from Drew Theological Seminary, will lead off the day, and there will be opportunities to engage fellow Lutheran and Episcopalians from throughout the state, deepen your engagement with justice issues, and grow your network. Activities for children will be offered, so bring your family!

There is no cost, but you must register online by September 13. Questions? Contact the Rev. Sara Lilja, Director of LEAMNJ, at slilja@leamnj.org.


Anti-Racism Dialogues
Anti-Racism Dialogues
FRI-SAT, SEP 29-30 @ DIOCESE OF NEW YORK
SAT, OCT 7 & SAT, OCT 14 @ EPISCOPAL HOUSE 

Anti-Racism Dialogues will be held this fall at Episcopal House in Newark ( October 7 and 14) and also in Ossining, NY by the Diocese of New York( September 29-30). Sign up now to secure your spot.
Features
Feedback reshapes 2018 Confirmation retreats
Feedback reshapes 2018 Confirmation retreats
By Kathy DeWalt and John King

After the departure of the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director Kai Alston in January 2017, Bishop Beckwith called together a group of individuals to help support the Confirmation retreat process. As these events were being held in March, the committee was tasked with designing the events in a short period of time, but we proved to be more than up to the task at hand. Read more.

Church video
The "God, Science and Art" summer program at Holy Trinity, West Orange

For four Saturday from July 15 to August 5, 2017, young people ages 8 to 18 met at Holy Trinity, West Orange for their "God, Science and Art" summer program. This video (in English and en espaƱol) by the Rev. Miguel Hernandez shows highlights from the program.

Time: 3:17
Time: 3:17

Media Coverage
The Rev. Margaret Otterburn. SHARON SHERIDAN PHOTO
The Rev. Margaret Otterburn of Messiah, Chester:
Protesters gather in Bedminster in response to deadly Charlottesville rally
With photo gallery
NJ.com | AUG 14, 2017
Christ Church, Teaneck:
Boys & Girls Club to open in Teaneck
NorthJersey.com | JUL 30, 2017

News from Episcopal House
Sam Reckford
Welcome Sam Reckford!

On August 7, the Episcopal House staff welcomed its newest member, Sam Reckford, who joined as Chief Financial Officer of the diocese.

After graduation from Dartmouth College, Sam spent the next 25 years at Bear, Stearns, rising to Senior Managing Director of Risk Management at the time it was purchased by JPMorgan Chase. He served in a similar capacity for Morgan for a few years before leaving to accept the role as CFO of Hugo Neu Corporation, a private company with investments in recycling, clean technology and real-estate.

Sam and his wife Sue have been active members of Christ Church in Short Hills for over 25 years. Sam has served his parish in many roles, including Warden, Chair of the Audit and Investment Committees, Vestry member, chalice bearer, lay reader, and member of the Investment, Finance, Parish Profile and Search committees. Sam is an Education for Ministry graduate and a member of the Board of Trustees of Stevens Institute of Technology.

As the CFO, Sam is responsible for providing financial and other support to the governing organizations of the diocese, as well as to congregations. (See CFO's duties.)

Sam can be reached at sreckford@dioceseofnewark.org or 973-430-9988.

Clergy ministry transitions

Departures
  • The Rev. Susanna Cates, Priest Associate, St. Peter's, Morristown
    AUG 7
Diocesan deadlines
Submissions to the Bishop Search online survey are due by TODAY.
Submissions to The VOICE Online are due WED, AUG 30 for the next issue, to be published September 6, when twice-monthly publication on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays resumes.

News from The Episcopal Church
Applications accepted for delegates to March 2018 UN Commission on the Status of Women

Applications are being accepted for a provincial delegate and up to 20 church-wide delegates to represent the Episcopal Church at the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York City, NY, March 12-23, 2018. Deadline: September 15. Find out more.

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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