Download The VOICE Digest printable PDF with highlights from this issue.

Many of us, even when we’ve had to hold tragedy and blessing together during this time of pandemic, have recognized that there has been goodness that God has placed in our life and that goodness is very often people and not things. As we head into the next phase, Bishop Hughes asks us to consider: what is it that we want to hold onto?

Click on the video to watch (time: 4:25), or click here to read the transcript.

Bishop Hughes recorded a sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter which was shared in some churches on Sunday, April 18. Due to popular demand, the video and transcript are posted here.

These portraits by photographer Yasmeen Anderson (who also did Bishop Beckwith's official portrait) are available for download in both high-resolution print-ready format and smaller web-ready format. Find out more.

The Pop Up Youth Ministry is continuing to meet via Zoom. All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to participate.

Click here to register in advance for this event. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.

Questions? Contact the Pop Up Youth Fellows at popupym@dioceseofnewark.org.

This spring Bishop Hughes is inviting all members of the diocese to join her at one of eight Zoom meetings, organized by the eight Regional Ministry Networks.

Registration is not required. Zoom information for both these upcoming meetings will be sent to clergy and wardens to share with their congregations.

The Right Reverend Carlye J. Hughes with great joy will ordain to the Sacred Order of Deacons:

The service at Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral, Newark will be broadcast on the diocesan YouTube channel. (In-person invitations will be limited.)

After learning of the fear of violence experienced by their Asian neighbors, including members of their own congregation, St. Andrew's, Harrington Park held A Service of Unity and Support for the Asian Community the evening of Tuesday, April 13.

About 80 members of the congregation and the wider community attended the service, which included readings in Korean, Mandarin and Malayalam as well as English.

Participants included Harrington Park Mayor Paul A. Hoelscher and Councilwoman Joon Chung.

Attendees left the service eager to continue the conversation. St. Andrew's is working with Councilwoman Chung to bring together members of the wider community. "This is just the start of something," says Paul Shackford, one of the service organizers.

Click the video to watch the service (time: 47:06). Click here for the service bulletin [PDF].

On Sunday, April 18, the congregation of St. Mark's, Teaneck - including their confirmation class - heard a presentation by Alan Yarborough, Church Relations Officer at the Presiding Bishop's Office on Government Relations and chair of the Haiti Advocacy Working Group, entitled "What's Haiti Got to Do With It?"

The Episcopal Church's connections with Haiti are numerous, historical, and strong, and our U.S. foreign policy has an outsized influence on the country's well-being and future.

Prior to his current work, Yarborough spent several years living and working in Haiti with the Young Adult Service Corps.

Click the video to watch the presentation (time:1:16:40).

Governor Murphy recognizes Toni's Kitchen (video)

During his coronavirus briefing in Trenton, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy recognized Toni's Kitchen and St. Luke's, Montclair for their work addressing food insecurity during the pandemic. Click on the video to watch (from 24:48 to 27:09).

The next issue of The VOICE Online will be published Wednesday, May 12.

Submit items for consideration by 10 AM Friday, May 7 at: dioceseofnewark.org/VOICE-submissions

These diocesan scholarship funds are now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 academic year:

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2021.

Registration for all Cross Roads summer camp programs for youth and families is now OPEN. Find the schedule, program descriptions, and more information at crossroadsretreat.com/summer-programs.

The Cross Roads staff is providing a full Camp Sunday worship service for congregations to use on Sunday, May 9. All materials, including a full recorded worship service and order of service, can be found at crossroadsretreat.com/cross-roads-camp-sunday.

Come to Cross Roads on Saturday, May 15 for a fun work-day event filled with socially distanced projects, fellowship, and outdoor worship. Bring your youth group, your family, or yourself to help get Cross Roads ready for summer! More information and registration at crossroadsretreat.com/opening-day-at-cross-roads.

Golfer registration for the annual Bishops’ Cup Golf Outing, supporting the Cross Roads Annual Fund, will open soon! The planning team is working hard to make this a safe and fun event for all. Information on registration and sponsorships will be posted in the coming weeks at crossroadsretreat.com/golf_outing.

Is your congregation looking for faith formation resources, including Sunday School curriculum and/or leaders? Reach out to the Cross Roads staff to get involved with the Bold Transformational Faith (BTF) initiative. Join us for weekly Sunday School or use our curriculum on your own time. We're busy planning for the Fall and would love to have you involved! Learn more at crossroadsretreat.com/bold-transformational-faith.