News, events and features of interest to members and friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, the Episcopal Church in northern New Jersey.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
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Following Jesus into sabbath
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Dear Companions on the Journey,
How shall we follow Jesus in a world with competitive voices demanding our attention and allegiance? We might even ask ourselves if it makes sense to follow anything or anyone given the multiple betrayals of public trust by so many institutions, including the church. Following Jesus is further complicated by the variety of traditions claiming to know the true way to follow him.
It is enough to make one stop trying. We settle for a sense of peace on Sunday morning in preparation. But there is more in store for us. Jesus invites us to come with him to a quiet place to rest (Matthew 6:30-31). Could it be that sabbath is a vital part of following?
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Canon Margaret (“Margo”) Peckham Clark and Canon Andrew Wright began working in the Bishop’s Office in summer 2019. Here’s a primer to their work.
Read more.
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Canon Wright and Canon Clark chat after a recent ordination service - their first in their new roles in the Diocese of Newark.
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VBS science program addresses local environmental issues
By Julie Crawford
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With the closing of NJ lakes due to toxic bacteria, the lack of adequate access to safe drinking water in Newark and fires in the Amazon, we are concerned for our planet and its future.
The Vacation Bible School hosted this summer by Church of the Messiah, Chester and House of Prayer, Newark focused on the theme of creation and addressed biodiversity and the importance of maintaining a healthy water cycle.
This especially hit home because House of Prayer is in one of the neighborhoods impacted by lead contamination. When we did a watershed study in the VBS science program, kids shared that prior to the media coverage, they had not had access to water in some of their schools.
Read more.
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Retired Bishop Mark Beckwith:
SEP 13, 2019 | MassLive.com
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We love to share stories of what our congregations are doing! The deadline to submit stories, photos and links to media coverage for the October 2 issue of
The VOICE Online
is
Wednesday, September 25
.
Go to the submission guidelines
.
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Youth & Young Adult News & Events
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Pop Up Youth Ministry begins this Sunday!
SUN, SEP 22, 3:30-6:30 PM @ ST. ALBAN'S, OAKLAND/FRANKLIN LAKES
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Pop Up Youth Ministry, a year-long experiment in regional youth ministry, is holding its inaugural event on Sunday, September 22. Youth in grades 6-12 from throughout the diocese are encouraged to gather from 3:30-6:30 PM at St. Alban’s Church in Oakland/Franklin Lakes for Epic Games! The afternoon will include dinner, a medal ceremony and worship by a campfire.
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5th Annual Rally for Cross Roads & Intergenerational Retreat
FRI, OCT 4, 7 PM - SUN, OCT 6, 9 AM @ @ CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
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This year, we are especially excited for the Pop Up Youth Ministry to join us for the weekend.
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Click here
to learn more about Pop Up Youth Ministry and upcoming youth events.
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Church Leader University
SAT, OCT 5, 8 AM - 12 PM
@ ST. ELIZABETH'S, RIDGEWOOD
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A training day for ALL congregational lay leaders to learn, network and celebrate your ministry. Participants are invited to a light breakfast with Bishop Hughes before the workshop sessions, to share ideas and dreams about our future.
Find out more, including schedule and workshops.
The cost is $20 per person. The deadline for registration and payment is:
MON, SEP 27, 5 PM
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Registration is required. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
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Sign up now for Breaking Bread with the Bishop!
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Continuing the very popular series from this past spring, we are pleased to invite you to come meet Bishop Hughes for dinner (or breakfast) and conversation at one of these four events this fall. Bishop Hughes would love to greet you and discuss the vision, hopes and dreams for the diocese. Don't miss out on this opportunity!
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Continental breakfast 9 AM, program 9:30-11:30 AM - RSVP by
FRI, OCT 18
Light supper 7 PM, program 7:30-9:30 PM - RSVP by
TUE, OCT 22
Continental breakfast 9 AM, program 9:30-11:30 AM - RSVP by
FRI, OCT 25
Light supper 6:30 PM, program 7-9 PM - RSVP by
TUE, OCT 29
*This gathering is designed specifically for churches currently engaged in clergy transition. Others are welcome to attend but the program will be geared toward support and best practices.
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Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center is a welcoming, ecumenical retreat center and camp of our diocese and the NJ Synod of the ELCA.
Find out more
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The Annual Women's Retreat is
October 11-13 at Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center. Led by the Revs. Laurie Matarazzo and Dale Selover, this retreat is designed for women of all ages interested in spending a weekend away to reflect, renew, and reconnect. Be sure to register to reserve your spot at
crossroadsretreat.com/womens-retreat. All are welcome!
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Music that Makes Community Workshop
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Join a dynamic gathering of musicians, clergy, and laypeople and recharge and renew your congregational song leading skills at this three-day workshop,
October 14-16 at Cross Roads. A lively team of presenters will lead worship, workshops, and conversation to help you add the valuable tool of paperless song leading to your community’s singing practice. Find out more at
crossroadsretreat.com/music-that-makes-community.
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Introducing
The VOICE Digest
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This new, quarterly diocesan publication, published as a PDF file formatted to print on both sides of a single letter-sized sheet of paper, contains a message from Bishop Hughes and highlights of diocesan news and events for the season.
Click here to download and read or print the Fall 2019 issue, and watch for future issues the third week of December, March and June.
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The newest priest in the Diocese of Newark
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The Rev. Dr. Peter Savastano was ordained to the Priesthood on Saturday, September 7 at Christ Church, Short Hills.
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Clergy ministry transitions
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Departures
- The Rev. Joan Conley, Clergy Associate, St. Elizabeth’s, Ridgewood - OCT 9
- The Rev. Michael Muller, Priest-in-Charge, St. Peter’s, Essex Fells - OCT 30
Arrivals
- The Rev. Joan Conley, Rector, St. Mark’s, Teaneck - OCT 15
- The Rev. Michael Muller, Rector, St. Peter’s, Mountain Lakes - NOV 11
See all clergy ministry transitions in
2019
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Upcoming diocesan grant deadlines
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Here's your chance to show off photos of your church to the diocese and to the world!
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We are seeking photos illustrating the worship and ministries of our congregations - in all their beautiful diversity - to feature in the rotating banner at the top of the
diocesan website
(top image), or as the cover image on the
diocesan Facebook page
(bottom image).
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Please submit only original, unedited .JPG files that can be cropped horizontally as shown, and include the church name and town, the photographer's name, and a brief photo caption. If any minors are pictured, please affirm that you have parent or guardian permission.
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News from the wider church
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Seamen's Church Institute seeks donated items
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Seamen's Church Institute's "Christmas at Sea" program is facing a shortage of donated items to put in goodie bags for mariners. Ironically, mariners find it difficult to obtain the same items of modern convenience they deliver to our shores. Donations of the items listed below (in new and unused condition and in their original packaging) would make a big difference in the lives of those who work on the world’s waters.
- Sample/travel-size toiletries (e.g., facial tissues, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, hypoallergenic hand lotion, etc.)
- Unscented, colorless lip balm
- Sealed packages of sweets or chewing gum
- Books or activities like Sudoku, word searches, or playing cards
- Microwave popcorn
- Handmade Christmas cards
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Grants from the Episcopal Church
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Episcopal Evangelism grants
Application deadline:
OCT 1
Episcopal institutions can now apply for the next round of the Episcopal Evangelism Grants Program, designed to fund local and regional evangelism efforts in the Episcopal Church.
Find out more.
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National Acolyte Festival - register now!
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The 2019 National Acolyte and Fall Festival will be held
Saturday, October 12 at Washington National Cathedral. The registration fee is $10 per acolyte; clergy, vergers, friends and family are welcome to attend at no charge and the service is open to the public.
Deadline:
September 26 to be included in the printed program.
Find out more.
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The VOICE Online is published twice a month September-May (1st and 3rd Wednesday) and monthly June-August (3rd Wednesday only).
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Follow the Episcopal Diocese of Newark at:
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