The Voice Online of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Online Edition - Wednesday, May 17, 2017
From the Bishop
The fraud of an executive order on religious expression
The Bishop's Blog: Signs of God's Grace
The fraud of an executive order on religious expression
Posted by the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith on May 17, 2017

"I take Gospel positions; not partisan positions." That is the litany I hear over and over again from diocesan clergy who, though goaded by the angry and hostile rhetoric coming out of the White House, remain committed to their ordination vow: to employ the Gospel as the lens through which we look at the world rather than the other way around.

The rhetoric ramped up considerably on May 4 when President Trump signed an executive order repealing parts of the Johnson Amendment, which became a provision of the US tax code in 1954. Read more.

Features
Dispatches from the Journey_ Christ Church_ Short Hills
Joining God in Shaping Our Future

Christ Church, Short Hills is one of the congregations taking part in the three-month Listening Excursion. Congregations will gather at a Reflection event on Saturday, June 3. Find out more under Upcoming Events, below.

The Hegg Awards_ 20 years of honoring seniors for their time and talent
The Hegg Awards: 20 years of honoring seniors for their time and talent

How often do we take the time to recognize individuals who have provided years of support to the ministries in our congregations? We are referring to our seniors, who are among the Diocese of Newark's most active and productive volunteers. Now is the time to honor these individuals for their leadership and wisdom and for the countless gifts of time and talent they have shared with their congregations and the community. Read more.

A guide to making quality church videos on a tight budget
"Geeks for God" Blog
A guide to making quality church videos on a tight budget
Posted by Nina Nicholson on May 16, 2017

At the annual Episcopal Communicators Conference last month, I attended one workshop in particular that was so useful and informative I knew immediately that I would want to share it with our diocese: Video on the fly: how to make quality video on a tight budget. Read more.

Media Coverage
A Matter of Faith
May episode of A Matter of Faith: Opioid addiction in New Jersey

Wednesday, May 24, 8 PM
Friday, May 26 2 AM
Saturday, May 27, 6:30 PM
Sunday, May 28 10:30 AM

For the second episode of A Matter of Faith with a Bishop, an Imam and a Rabbi, Bishop Mark Beckwith, Imam W. Deen Shareef and Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz are dedicating the entire program to addressing the epidemic of opioid addiction in New Jersey. Instead of concentrating on statistics or studies, they talk to real people who have suffered through substance abuse and are alive and working every day to stay well.

A Matter of Faith is a monthly series by NJTV that examines today's headlining news through the lens of faith. You can find NJTV on these channels.

Other media coverage
No One Stands Alone
CYNTHIA BLACK PHOTO
Bishop Mark Beckwith, the Rev. John Mennell, the Rev. Brent Bates:
'We are the No,' Archbishop Tobin says as faith leaders vow to support immigrants
The Star-Ledger | MAY 5, 2017
With photo gallery
St. Mark's, Teaneck and St. Paul's, Englewood:
Walkers and bikers mobilize against homelessness
The Record | MAY 7, 2017
With video; Paul Shackford, diocesan CFO and President of the Board of Trustees of Family Promise of Bergen County, is interviewed at the beginning.

Upcoming Events
Listening Excursion Reflection
Listening Excursion Reflection
SAT, JUN 3 2017, 8:30 AM - 2 PM @ ST. ELIZABETH'S, RIDGEWOOD

Believing that God is inviting us into a new way of living together, on March 4, 2017 several congregations began a three-month period of listening and attending to what God is up to in ourselves, our congregations and our neighborhoods. On Saturday, June 3, 2017 we will come together to REFLECT, share stories, and identify next steps on the journey of joining God in shaping our future.

Although this day is designed for teams from congregations that started this listening process on March 4, all are invited to attend. Find out more and register online (deadline: 12 noon on Thursday, May 25).

Senior Ministries Evensong _ Hegg Awards 2017
Senior Ministries Evensong & Hegg Awards 2017
SUN, JUN 11, 3 PM @ ST. PETER'S, MORRISTOWN

On Sunday, June 11, you are invited to join Bishop Beckwith and Senior Ministries of the Diocese of Newark for the 21st Annual Senior Ministries Evensong and the presentation of the David P. Hegg II Lifetime Achievement Awards.

A reception will be held at 3 PM with the Evensong following at 4 PM.

The deadline for submitting Honoree information is  Thursday, June 1.  Go to the   2017 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree Information  form.

Workshop_ Ditch your device_ feed your soul
Save the date for this workshop
Ditch your device, feed your soul
WED, JUL 26, 6 PM @ GRACE CHURCH, MADISON

We have come to count on our "devices" to keep us informed, connect with friends, send messages and bring us news. It's all too much, all the time, 24/7.

Ditch your device for a summer evening. Taste and see, awaken your senses to walking the labyrinth, creating art, mindfulness, spiritual breathing, and more. Dwell in the word with us as we prayerfully listen to the Holy Spirit within and begin to let go. Find out more.

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

Due to several scheduling conflicts within the diocese, the Anti-Racism Dialogues previously scheduled for Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 have been cancelled. If you were enrolled in this session, we encourage you to attend the session scheduled later this year on two consecutive Saturdays ( October 7 and 14) at Episcopal House, or the session held by the Diocese of New York ( September 29-30).

Cross Roads Camp
Events at Cross Roads Camp

Work Day
SAT, MAY 20
News from Episcopal House
Update from the Standing Committee on the Bishop Transition
Bishop Search/Nominating and Transition Committees Update

Thank you all for your continued prayers as we prepare for the search and election of our 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Newark. This time of transition is unique, one which begins with an ending and ends with a beginning, and it allows for prayer, discernment and input from each corner of our diocese.

The Search and Transition Committees have specific roles to play, and we are finalizing the membership of those committees. Both Committees will be supported by a Chaplain, and we are grateful for the guidance and expertise of The Rev. Thaddeus Bennett, our Episcopal Election Consultant.

As they begin their work in earnest this summer, please continue to pray for Bishop Beckwith, our diocese, and for our next diocesan Bishop:

Gracious God, we, your people in the Diocese of Newark, give you thanks and praise for your work among us and through us, generation to generation. Lead us in the months ahead as we prayerfully search for our next Bishop. Raise up for us a steadfast steward who will embrace our broad and blessed diversity and uphold the apostolic heritage of your Church. Guide us to a faithful witness who speaks the Gospel truth in love and joy, and intimately knows your Word and world. Direct us, your disciples, in our discernment so our faith may increase and our works glorify your Name. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Follow Bishop Search updates at dioceseofnewark.org/bishop-search.

Diocesan deadlines

Submissions to The VOICE Online
WED, JUN 14 for June 21 issue
During the summer months of June, July and August, The VOICE Online will be published once a month on the 3rd Wednesday.

Canonical deadline for 2016 Annual Congregational Audits
THU, JUN 1

Episcopal House closing

Episcopal House will be closed on Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day.

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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