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

"I think if Episcopalians will do what we do – pick up our prayer books and say our prayers faithfully – then we have done an important act of service for the entire nation," says Bishop Hughes.

Click on the video at right to watch (time: 4:24), or click here to read the transcript.

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced other area food pantries to hit pause, the food pantry at St. Agnes’, Little Falls stepped up.

For four months, from mid-March until mid-July, theirs was the only area food pantry able to continue operations. Usually open on the first and third Saturdays of the month, during that four-month interval St. Agnes’ opened its food pantry every Saturday and distributed more than 7,500 bags of groceries, according to Bob Dombrowski, who co-manages the food pantry along with Pat Keating. Read more.

The Diocese of Newark has set up online giving to support the diocese’s food pantries. Simply visit e-giving.dioceseofnewark.org and go to Area of Greatest Need: Food Pantries (second item from the top). Donations made from Sept. 9 through Sept. 22, 2020 will go to the food pantry at St. Agnes', Little Falls. You can also donate to St. Agnes' Food Pantry through their PayPal account.

The Episcopal Church of St. Luke and St. Mary, Hope and Belvidere has two new signs linking our commitment to racial justice and acting as disciples of Jesus. Designed by our resident artist, John Hovell, these "Love one another" signs hang at the front of our two church buildings in Hope and Belvidere. Parishioners have also ordered lawn signs of the same designs to display them in their front yards. One sign is placed for view by those floating down the nearby Delaware River. Read more.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the annual Drumming Camp at St. Stephen’s, Millburn was a scaled-down event – two days instead of five, with about half as many campers and without many older volunteers. The Rev. Paula Toland reports that both days started with health screenings, and everyone followed the mask-wearing and physical-distancing requirements without complaints. The weather cooperated, so they spent nearly all their time outdoors under the tents, making crafts, dancing, playing safe outdoor games and sharing meals in addition to drumming. The campers went home with painted T-shirts, photos to share, a school backpack and some wonderful memories. See the photo gallery.

Submit items for consideration for the Sept. 23 issue of The VOICE Online by 10 AM Friday, Sept. 18 at dioceseofnewark.org/VOICE-submissions.

Scheduled for 90 minutes, this monthly Zoom conversation with Bishop Hughes is open to all members of the diocese.

An email invitation will be sent next Monday, September 14 to recipients of The VOICE Online with sign-in instructions for this Zoom meeting. Find out more.

During pandemic, worship patterns and needs have had to adapt in different ways. Many lay members have been leading worship, whether in-person or online, some for the first time. It's important to remember that congregational worship must be according to the norms of the Episcopal Church and use the Book of Common Prayer or other authorized sources. Anyone regularly leading these services, if not ordained in the Episcopal Church, should seek licensing as a Worship Leader.

This training course will cover the topics of proper use of the voice, basic liturgy, and the rubrics governing this ministry. Online attendance is required at all three Monday evening classes. The registration deadline is Saturday, Sept. 12. Find out more.

See also the optional supplemental class, Music for Morning and Evening Prayer, on Monday, Oct. 5.

Is your parish gearing up for the Annual Pledge Drive?

Cynthia McChesney, Missioner for Stewardship, is offering an Annual Giving Clinic to support the parishes of the Episcopal Diocese Newark. Each parish-specific, one-hour session will provide Annual Giving (pledge) program feedback and counsel as parishes prepare for the upcoming fall drive.

Find out more and sign up now.

Both these joyous occasions will be streamed live.

Save the date for these workshops relevant to this extraordinary time for ALL congregational leaders! Stay at home and join us online via computer, tablet or smart phone. Watch this space for details.

During Church Leader Zoom-iversity we will have an opportunity to share a slideshow of announcements from congregations and associated organizations, like we do at Convention. The submission deadline is 5 PM on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Find out more.

The Pop Up Youth Ministry is continuing to meet via Zoom. Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Find out more.

On Tuesday evening, September 1, Bishop Hughes ordained the Rev. Raul Ausa to the Priesthood at Trinity, Allendale, where he will serve as Priest-in-Charge.

Watch the recording of the live stream at right (time: 1:21:30). To download the bulletin, click here.

Click here for all clergy ministry transitions in 2020.

Please send changes to Nina Nicholson at nnicholson@dioceseofnewark.org.

A holy place in virtual space for mourning and memory.

Prayers can be sent to Canon Wright at awright@dioceseofnewark.org for posting.

Is your congregation trying to make plans for Sunday School and other youth programming for this upcoming year? Cross Roads invites you to join our Bold Transformational Faith (BTF) program! BTF is an opportunity for congregations to work with summer camp professionals to strengthen faith formation programs, develop new ways of engaging youth and young adults, and build up leaders. Learn more about BTF and how to get involved.

Join us together on Zoom this fall for the annual Cross Roads Women's Retreat! There are four dates from which to choose: 9/26, 9/27, 10/10, or 10/11. Each retreat will be led by Dale Selover and Laurie Matarazzo with the same program, focused on "The Way of Love." Learn more about this retreat here.

On Saturday, October 3, 2020 lace up your running (or walking!) shoes to take part in the Rally for Cross Roads Virtual Run/Walk. All ages and abilities are invited to participate in this virtual FUNdraiser! Click here to get involved.

Dozens of families have enjoyed their getaways at camp this summer. If you are looking for a place to spend quality time with your family this September, come "Camp at Camp." Click here inquire about availability in September.

Trinity Cathedral Altar Guild Shop in the Diocese of New Jersey, in partnership with Episcopal Booksellers Association, invites you to a Zoom conversation with the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, author of Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times.

Presiding Bishop Curry will offer a soul-searching conversation, one which tells and shows us how loving one another can help us to heal in these times. Walk the path of love with one of the warmest, most beloved spiritual leaders of our time as we learn how to put faith into action.

Tickets: Purchase Bishop Curry’s new book, Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times from Trinity Cathedral Altar Guild Shop. Please email Andrea John at trinitycathedralags@gmail.com to pre-order your copy. The bookstore will collect the necessary information to send you a Zoom invitation to the conversation.