Online Edition - Wednesday, March 20, 2019
News, events and features of interest to members and friends of the
Episcopal Diocese of Newark, the Episcopal Church in northern New Jersey.


From the Bishop
An update from the Spring 2019 House of Bishops Meeting
Dear Companions in Faith,

Last week I attended a meeting of the House of Bishops for the first time at Kanuga Retreat and Conference Center in North Carolina. This bi-annual gathering of all bishops in the Episcopal Church allows the bishops to learn, share information, pray together, and to consider wise actions for our church. It was an honor to attend and a blessing to get to know the other bishops of our church.

We spent quite a bit of time talking about the next Lambeth Conference which gathers bishops of the Anglican Communion every ten years. All active bishops of the Anglican Communion and their spouses are invited to attend by the Archbishop of Canterbury. It was only after receiving these invitations that we found out same-gendered spouses would not be invited to attend.

During last week’s meeting we shared our shock and concern about this news, and we began considering our individual and corporate reaction. Read more.
A woman's place is in the House... of Bishops
Six days after International Women's Day, all the many female bishops and bishops-elect attending the House of Bishop's Meeting at Kanuga, including our own Bishop Carlye, gathered for group photos. A separate photo shows her with her classmates in the Class of 2019 - the first to be composed equally of men and women. Click here to see the full-size photos and captions in a gallery.
Female bishops and bishops-elect. (Two not present.)
Female bishops and bishops-elect of color.
Female bishops and bishops-elect who were elected and/or consecrated since General Convention 2018.
House of Bishops Class of 2019. (One not present.)
Bishop Carlye Hughes in the news
Upcoming Events
One opportunity remains for "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.
Only a handful of spots remain at one gathering :
Thursday, Apr. 4 at Messiah, Chester
 RSVPs close Mar. 28 or when capacity reached
Light supper 6:30 PM, program 7-9 PM

Every other date of this very popular series has reached capacity, so don't wait! Find out more and RSVP online .

Also upcoming:

Saturday, Apr. 13 at Church of the Saviour, Denville
Capacity reached; registration closed
Continental breakfast 9 AM, program 9:30-11:30 AM
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!
Confirmation Retreats
SAT, MAR 23, 9 AM @ ST. ELIZABETH'S, RIDGEWOOD - registration closed
SAT, APR 6, 9 AM A2 ST. JAMES, UPPER MONTCLAIR - registration deadline MAR 29, 5 PM
Youth preparing for Confirmation this year are strongly urged to attend a Confirmation Retreat. The second Confirmation Retreat, on April 6, is still accepting registrations. Click here for registration, and info on activities and logistics.

Adults preparing to be Confirmed, Received or Reaffirmed this year are encouraged to attend one of the Breaking Bread with the Bishop gatherings and introduce themselves to the Bishop there.
Acolyte Festival
SAT, MAR 30 9:30 AM - 12 PM @ CHRIST CHURCH, RIDGEWOOD
Calling all Acolytes and Vergers! Join us for our Acolyte Festival in the Diocese of Newark, hosted by Christ Church in Ridgewood.

Come and meet Bishop Carlye! We will have a full breakfast, fun activities including games for youth, plus a breakout session for Adult Acolytes and Vergers, and close the morning with a grand procession of all Acolytes and Vergers present! The deadline to RSVP is March 24. Find out more.
Celebration of New Ministry:
The Rev. Paula Toland
SAT, MAR 30, 2 PM
@ ST. STEPHEN'S, MILLBURN
All local clergy are invited to participate and to be vested. Episcopal clergy are asked to wear white stoles. A reception will take place in the Parish Hall immediately following the service. All are welcome. Find out more.
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.

Please register early – space is limited. Find out more and register online.
Mark your calendars!
Senior Ministries Evensong & Hegg Awards 2019
SUN, JUN 9, 3 PM @ ST. PETER'S, MORRISTOWN
On Sunday, June 9, you are invited to join Bishop Carlye Hughes and Senior Ministries of the Diocese of Newark for the 23rd Annual Senior Ministries Evensong and the presentation of the David P. Hegg II Lifetime Achievement Awards.

The Hegg Awards are given annually to members of our diocese who are:

  • Age 60+.
  • A long-standing, active member of your congregation.
  • Made or makes contributions to the congregation and/or the diocese.

Each congregation is invited to choose one to two honorees. The form for honoree submissions will be available after Easter.

Stories from Our Congregations
St. Michael's, Wayne using Gifted, Called, Sent resources in Lenten program
During Lent, the people of St. Michael’s are using the Gifted, Called, Sent exercises from Convention in a six-week study on discipleship, purpose of spiritual gifts, confidence in our gifts, types of spiritual gifts and ministry of the laity. Read more.
"This is what love looks like" - Redeemer, Morristown hosts vigil for New Zealand mosque shooting victims
On Sunday, March 17, Church of the Redeemer in Morristown hosted a vigil in the wake of the March 15 shooting at two mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people and wounded dozens.

Flanked by Imam Saffet Cadovic, Muslim chaplain at Drew University, and Rabbi Ellie Miller, former rabbi of Temple B’nai Or in Morristown, the Rev. Cynthia L. Black, Redeemer's Rector, told the gathering, "We stand outside today for a particular reason, and that is to say, 'We are here. See, this is what love looks like.'" (Video of Black's full remarks is at right.)

Click here for more, including Morristown Green's article and videos.
St. Paul’s, Chatham creates hangout for special needs teens
As children with special needs grow into adolescence and young adulthood, social opportunities grow more and more scarce. Gone are the days where the entire school class is invited to a birthday party. Sports teams have tryouts and limited rosters. Independence is expected and rewarded as many receive their driver’s licenses. As a result, teenagers on the autism spectrum or with other disabilities are left behind and become more and more socially isolated. Read more.
Share your stories with the diocese
Wednesday, March 27 is the deadline to submit articles for the April 3 issue of The VOICE Online. Please email submissions to nnicholson@dioceseofnewark.org.
Diocesan Announcements
Diocesan Facebook group created for church communicators
The diocesan Technology Committee, also known as the "Geeks for God," has created a closed Facebook group under the same name as a forum for church communicators in our diocese to ask questions and share information. Find out more.
First BCEF Call of 2019:
Grace, Westwood
The Bishop’s Church Emergency Fund (BCEF) provides financial support for church buildings in the diocese needing repairs and renovation, usually with a special focus on emergency and unforeseen needs. Through the BCEF, you can support the critical needs identified by the Bishop. The first BCEF call of 2019 is for rectory slate roof leak repairs at Grace Church in Westwood. Read more.
Lenten email meditations
These meditations are being produced under the oversight of the Empowering People Action Team of Diocesan Council.

Go to dioceseofnewark.org/meditations to subscribe, or manage your existing subscription.
Clergy ministry transitions
Arrivals
  • The Rev. Anthony Puca, Rector, Grace, Westwood and Priest-in-Charge, Holy Trinity, Hillsdale - APR 1
  • The Rev. Canon Anne Kitch, Rector, St. Luke's, Phillipsburg - MAY 1

Departures
  • The Rev. David Rude, Priest-in-Charge, Good Shepherd, Wantage - MAR 25

Retirements
  • The Rev. Deacon Sheila Shuford, St. John's, Dover - FEB 24

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2019 .
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 .
Cross Roads is hiring!
Are you or a young adult you know looking for a life-changing summer experience for 2019? Join the Cross Roads team for a summer of growing in your faith, helping shape the faith of others, and making unforgettable memories! The applications for multiple positions are now live on the website. Please share this opportunity with young adults you think would be a great fit at Cross Roads.
Day Camp Openings
Is your parish interested in partnering with Cross Roads to host a day camp in your town this summer? Contact Program Director Kathryn Schaefer at kathryn@crossroadsretreat.com to ask about current openings for Summer 2019.
Bishops' Cup Golf Outing
MON, JUN 10
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.
News from the wider Church
Bishops object to Archbishop of Canterbury’s decision to exclude same-sex spouses to 2020 Lambeth Conference
[Episcopal News Service – Hendersonville, North Carolina] The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops said March 15 that it is “aggrieved and distressed” by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s decision to exclude the same-sex spouses of bishops invited to the 2020 Lambeth Conference.

The bishops said they “are concerned by the use of exclusion as a means of building communion.” Read more.
Latest issue of In Prov 2
The March 2019 issue of In Prov 2 is now available. This is a "big" issue, meaning that in addition to being available as an email, it can also can be downloaded in pdf format or read in E-zine format.
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.