Online Edition - Wednesday, February 6, 2019

News, events and features of interest to members and friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, the Episcopal Church in northern New Jersey. View as a webpage

From the Bishop

Breaking Bread with Bishop Carlye

Bishop Carlye has said several times that she has “fallen in love with the people of the Diocese of Newark” and, as she announced at Convention, she wants to meet, greet and break bread with YOU! You, your family and your congregations are invited to partake of a light meal and then engage in a relaxed exchange of information, ideas and dreams with each other and with Bishop Carlye. You can select from one of these five gatherings:

Thursday, Feb. 28 at Epiphany and Christ Church, Orange Light supper 6:30 PM, program 7-9 PM, RSVP deadline Feb. 21 Thursday, Mar. 7 at St. Michael’s, Wayne Light supper 6:30 PM, program 7-9 PM, RSVP deadline Feb. 28 Tuesday, Mar. 19 at St. Paul’s, Chatham Light supper 6:30 PM, program 7-9 PM, RSVP deadline Mar. 12 Thursday, Apr. 4 at Messiah, Chester Light supper 6:30 PM, program 7-9 PM, RSVP deadline Mar. 28 Saturday, Apr. 13 at Church of the Saviour, Denville Continental breakfast 9 AM, program 9:30-11:30 AM, RSVP deadline Apr. 6 This gathering is designed specifically for churches currently engaged in clergy transition. Others may attend, but the program will be geared toward support and best practices – you are not alone! To insure we have enough food for everyone, we need you to RSVP online no later than one week before your desired gathering. Find out more and RSVP online .

Homily at the 145th Diocesan Convention "You are the salt of the earth." Watch Bishop Carlye Hughes' homily at the opening Eucharist of the 145th Annual Diocesan Convention. (Time: 15:34.)

Convention addresses: Gifted, Called, Sent At the 145th Annual Diocesan Convention, Bishop Carlye Hughes gave her address in three parts structured on the Convention theme of "Gifted, Called, Sent." Part 1, "Gifted," was given at the Convention dinner Friday evening. (Time: 29:23.)

Part 2, "Called," was given at the Convention Eucharist on Saturday morning. (Time: 38:48.) Part 3, "Sent," was given at the conclusion of Convention on Saturday afternoon. (Time: 8:19.)

Coverage of Convention 2019

The 145th Annual Diocesan Convention was held Friday, February 1 and Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Hilton Meadowlands in East Rutherford. The entire Convention was live streamed, and you can still watch those videos on the diocesan YouTube channel. Highlights from Convention are reported below.

Mission Minutes: Stories from our congregations Invited to submit photos showing them at their best, congregations responded with photos illustrating inspirational stories of Episcopalians in northern New Jersey, gifted, called, and sent to work in a variety of ministries, often in partnership with neighbors, other Episcopal congregations or other denominations. These stories are shown in two parts.

Mission Minutes: Presenting the 2018 Alleluia Fund grant recipients In December 2018, the Alleluia Fund awarded grants totaling $186,000 to 36 ministries. Meet the 2018 Alleluia Fund grant recipients.

Materials for the Gifted, Called, Sent exercises at Convention The 145th Annual Diocesan Convention explored what it meant to be Gifted, to be Called, and to be Sent. Deputies "learned by doing" three exercises that easily translate into congregation-based activities. The first module helps us as individuals to identify our own spiritual gifts. In the second module, we explore our spiritual gifts together in a deeper way to discern God's call for us. The third module is a practice that identifies assets within our congregations, our communities and ourselves to help us initiate action plans for strengthening our ministries. The complete guidebook used by Deputies to do these exercises at Convention, and other materials, are posted here for use by congregations. You can do the first module, the Spiritual Gifts inventory, right now using the self-scoring form online at elca.org/Our-Work/Congregations-and-Synods/Faith-Practices/Spiritual-Renewal/Assessment-Tools.

Actions of Convention The results of all Deputy votes, including the 2019 budget, amendments to Canons, resolutions adopted and elections to office are posted here.

Upcoming Events

Ordinations & Celebrations of New Ministry

Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate: Peter Savastano SAT, FEB 23, 10 AM @ TRINITY & ST. PHILIP'S CATHEDRAL, NEWARK Celebration of New Ministry: The Rev. Paula Toland SAT, MAR 30, 2 PM @ ST. STEPHEN'S, MILLBURN

Public celebration of the Feast of Absalom Jones SUN, FEB 10, 3 PM @ TRINITY & ST. PHILIP'S CATHEDRAL, NEWARK The Diocese of Newark Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians invites all to join them to celebrate the life and ministry of the Rev. Absalom Jones, the first person of African descent ordained a deacon and priest in the Episcopal Church.

Save the date: Church Leader University SAT, MAR 9, 9 AM - 12 NOON @ ST. ELIZABETH'S, RIDGEWOOD Church Leader University (formerly known as Vestry University) is a day to learn, network and celebrate your ministry. While vestry members and new clergy are especially encouraged to attend, ALL church leaders* are welcome. Watch this space for more.

*Church leaders = ANYONE who cares for their church and its ministries, including the ordained, the elected, the appointed, the volunteer and the self-identified.

Anti-Racism Dialogues FRI, MAR 15 - SAT, MAR 16, 2019 @ EPISCOPAL HOUSE Candidates elected to office at the Annual Diocesan Convention must have completed anti-racism training within the past five years. The next opportunity is March 15-16 ( details here) and you can register online here.

Confirmation Retreats SAT, MAR 23, 9 AM @ ST. ELIZABETH'S, RIDGEWOOD SAT, APR 6, 9 AM A2 ST. JAMES, UPPER MONTCLAIR Registration is now open for the two Confirmation Retreats being held this spring. The Bishop strongly urges everyone preparing for Confirmation, Reception or Reaffirmation of their baptismal vows this year to attend one. Find out more.

Save the date: Living the Way of Love: A day of reflection and discernment SUN, APR 28 1-7 PM @ COMMUNITY OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, MENDHAM

Presented by Diocesan Council Empowering Committee, the purpose of this workshop is to build trusting relationships with God and one another. When we meet each other for conversation, practice, and prayer, we learn how to love. A small group provides space for prayerful support and accountability as we seek to live the Jesus Way. Registration is now open! Please register early – space is limited. Find out more.

Cross Roads News & Events

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 .

Summer Camp Registration is OPEN! Visit the Cross Roads website to learn all about the opportunities for youth of all ages at camp this summer. From the six-week Leaders-in-Training program for teenagers to Curtains Up! theater camp to NJ Synod Confirmation Camp, there is something for every child!

Save the Date: Bishops' Cup Golf Outing MONDAY, JUN 10, 2019 Golf registration is coming soon for the 8th Annual Bishops' Cup Golf Outing, but sponsorships are available now at many levels. Email golf@crossroadsretreat.com to see how your organization can help Cross Roads change lives.

Spring retreat dates Information and registration for all events found on the Cross Roads website. Elementary School Retreat: Feb. 15-17 Middle School Retreat: March 8-10 OR April 26-28 WOW! Women of the Woods: Saturday, April 4

News from The Episcopal Church

Sacred Ground: New dialogue series exploring race and faith Sacred Ground is a film- and reading-based dialogue series on race and faith. Participants will walk together through America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in the threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. It’s an invitation for small groups to gather to learn, share, and prepare to become Beloved Community. Built around a curriculum of powerful documentary films, videos, and readings, this 10-part series considers some of the major chapters of the United States of America’s history of race and racism. The curriculum will available Feb. 22, 2019. Find out more.

Traveling the Way of Love Episode 1: Bless This new video series shares stories of the way people across The Episcopal Church practice the Way of Love, with each episode highlighting one of the seven Way of Love practices: turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest. Find out more and watch the first episode.

The VOICE Online is published on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays September through May, and on the 3rd Wednesdays only in June, July and August. The deadline to submit items for consideration is one week prior to publication. Questions? Please contact Nina Nicholson, Director of Communications.

Follow us at: ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌