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

Wednesday, January 15, 2020
From Our Bishop
At Convention, claiming our relationship with each other
Every year, at Diocesan Convention, we claim our relationship with each other. Reports are made, votes are taken, information is shared, workshops are given, and we worship God together. In short, we remember who we are as a much larger people of faith. Together we are a mighty force and an awesome sight to behold. Read more.
Diocesan Convention
The 146th Annual Diocesan Convention
FRI, JAN 31 & SAT, FEB 1 @ THE HILTON MEADOWLANDS
Convention isn’t just for Deputies!
Everyone is welcome to join us for:

  • Saturday morning Diocesan Service of Holy Eucharist. Bishop Hughes is Celebrant and Preacher. 9 AM in the Main Ballroom.

  • Workshops both Friday and Saturday afternoons. Watch here for more info.
If you're coming & can sing, consider joining the Convention choir!
Interested singers (including young choristers) are invited to join the choir for the Convention Eucharist at 9 AM on Saturday, Feb. 1. A brief rehearsal will be held at 8:15 AM. Once again, the accompanist will be Andrew Zhang, Music Director at Holy Trinity, West Orange. If you plan to attend, please contact Mark Trautman at mtrautman@stpaulsenglewood.org; he can also send advance copies of the music if needed.
If you can't attend, follow online!
You will be able to watch a live stream Bishop Hughes' Convention address on the front page of the diocesan website (scroll down to the “Featured Video” section) and the diocesan YouTube channel and the Facebook page.

Her Convention address will be given in two parts, during the Friday evening dinner at approximately 8 PM (when just the address will be live streamed), and during the Saturday morning Eucharist that begins at 9 AM (the entire service will be live streamed).

You can also follow Convention announcements and photos in real time on the diocesan Facebook page and the Instagram feed.

Our two official social media hashtags for this Convention (which can be used together) are #dionewark146 and #beholdbecome. In fact, we're already using them now to post a little something about Convention every day - check and see!
Coming to Convention? You need to know your spiritual gifts!
A personal understanding of your individual spiritual gifts is vital to being able to fully participate in this year’s Diocesan Convention. Each Deputy will be expected to have taken the Spiritual Gifts Assessment in advance and to bring with them a listing of their top three or four spiritual gifts.

The Spiritual Gifts Assessment takes less than 15 minutes to complete. You can take it online here: tinyurl.com/dionewark-gifts.
If you took it last year, you still need to write down your top gifts and bring that information to Convention!
Diocese of Newark souvenirs for sale at Convention
On the first day of Convention the Bishop Anand Resource Center will be selling diocesan souvenirs emblazoned with the diocesan logo and seal.

Visit the Souvenir Stand in the exhibit hall on Friday, January 31 where you can buy wearables, totes, water bottles, pens and more. Deputies may be interested in the name tag holder designed with clever pockets for pens, room key card and other essentials. There’s even an adorable toy peacock representing the peacock in our diocesan shield! (Some, but not all, items are pictured above.)

Prices will range from $1 to $20, and we’ll even have a $5 clearance section. Cash, checks and credit cards will all be accepted.

Supplies are limited and only available at Convention on January 31. Don’t miss out!
Convention deadlines
Slideshow of events

We will once again have a slideshow of announcements from congregations and associated organizations that runs during breaks and before and after sessions. The deadline to submit your materials is Wednesday, Jan. 29 by 12 noon. Find out more.
Other Convention deadlines


  • FRI, JAN 31 - Names for the Necrology (These should be submitted as soon as available, but last-minute submissions can be accepted until 12 noon on the first day of Convention. If available, a high-resolution photo is appreciated.)
Other Diocesan Events
SUN, FEB 9, 4-6 PM
@ ST. ALBAN'S, OAKLAND/FRANKLIN LAKES
SUN, FEB 9, 3-4 PM
@ TRINITY & ST. PHILIP'S CATHEDRAL, NEWARK

See also Upcoming Community Events , posted by our congregations and associated organizations.
Stories from Our Congregations
Diocese of Newark church connects local students to children with disabilities in East Jerusalem
Student employees at an Episcopal church’s mission store in Montclair, New Jersey, are supporting children thousands of miles away through a campaign to raise money for an Anglican medical center in East Jerusalem.

St. James Episcopal Church runs a secondhand shop called Sky’s the Limit Thrift Store. It is staffed by local high school students with disabilities. St. James also for several years has partnered with the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem to support the families served by the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre. Read more.
In the News
The Rev. Canon Robert Griner:
JAN 1, 2020 | New Jersey Herald
We love to share stories of what our congregations are doing! The deadline to submit stories, photos and links to media coverage for the next issue of The VOICE Online , being published on February 5, is Wednesday, January 29 . Go to the submission guidelines .
Diocesan Announcements
Clergy ministry transitions
Arrivals

  • The Rev. Grant Mansfield, Rector, St. George's, Maplewood - FEB 24

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2019 and 2020 .
Cross Roads Camp is hiring Summer Staff 2020
The application to join the Cross Roads Summer Staff next summer is now open! Encourage young adults you know to consider spending their summer making a difference while having fun. Find out more at crossroadsretreat.com/employment.

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 at crossroadsretreat.com .
The VOICE Digest Winter 2019-20 issue is available
The Winter 2019-20 issue of The VOICE Digest, a quarterly printable publication, can now be downloaded here, to share with congregations and visitors through March 17.

Also, check out our other diocesan e-newsletter, Leadership News. Emailed monthly on the last Wednesday, it contains key information from Episcopal House for church leaders, including - but not restricted to - clergy, staff, wardens, vestry and committee chairs. Click here to subscribe to future issues and read archived issues.
News from The Episcopal Church
Survey exploring the ministry of the baptized
The Task Force on Formation and Ministry of the Baptized, appointed by General Convention is reaching out to people who worship in Episcopal communities for insight, direction, and a better understanding of what’s working and what isn’t. We seek to identify the resources and practices that are forming Christians for daily life in your context, and the challenges you face, in order to equip people of all ages to live into their baptismal vocations with confidence and joy.

We are seeking input from lay and ordained people who participate in Episcopal faith communities, or who identify as Episcopalian. The survey will take about 25 minutes of your time to fill out. Take the survey at DFMS.formstack.com/forms/baptized_ministry. Responses are due by Jan. 31.
The VOICE Online is published twice a month September-May (1st and 3rd Wednesday) and monthly June-August (3rd Wednesday only).