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

In the course of the summer we have seen our entire diocese move to a lower risk level (Yellow or Medium Risk on covidactnow.org) in June, but many counties in our diocese have returned to a higher risk level (Orange or High Risk) since then and, in the case of Essex County for a week or so, even a brief return to Red or Very High Risk level. As of this writing at the end of July, all our counties are Orange/High except for one Yellow/Medium county. These recent changes in risk levels weren’t from daily case numbers, which many of us became accustomed to watching and tracking day by day – and rejoicing when they finally started declining in April and May. The risk level changes we’ve seen in the last two months or so have been to an increasing infection rate.

What this means for our churches is to continue to keep up the very good work you all have been doing throughout this pandemic – though it is weary work at this point. All of us are well and truly “done” with this pandemic, but it is not, it seems, done with us just yet. Read more.

More than a dozen children and teens from Newark and East Orange recently enjoyed a day of summer-camp fun in the country when Cross Roads Camp and Conference Center hosted participants in the Diocese of Newark Prison Ministry’s PATCH II (Parents and Their Children) program. Read more and view the photo gallery.

The 1980s saw the founding of St. Peter’s Haven, a transitional homeless shelter for families. In 1981, the rector of St. Peter’s, Clifton, the Rev. Jorge Gutierrez, stated to a reporter; “Somewhere I’m sure there’s a group whose needs are not being met… maybe the church can begin to meet those needs.” Read more.

Diocesan Confirmation services for 2020 Candidates are being held through August 17. Five services have already been held; click here to see the schedule for the three remaining services.

Since each Candidate is limited to four guests plus their clergy and sponsors, all others are invited to watch the live stream of the service from home. You can access the live stream on the diocesan YouTube channel (youtube.com/c/dionewark) or Facebook page (facebook.com/dionewark - you don't need to be a Facebook member). Videos of the live streams of past services remain up for later viewing.

The 2020 Candidates have been contacted directly about these services. Confirmation services for 2021 Candidates are being planned for the fall.

Please contact Jane Jubilee, jjubilee@dioceseofnewark.org, with any questions about Confirmation services.

Each church is urged to participate in this program. Churches must register their participants by Monday, August 16.

Find out more and register online.

Bold Transformational Faith (BTF) is a project of Cross Roads and Luther Crest Bible Camp in Minnesota that provides distinct faith formation experiences to inspire an active faith in a rapidly changing world. This summer, new theme and activity videos will be shared weekly on the BTF YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram pages for families to enjoy. Learn more about BTF, including the fall Sunday School curriculum, on the new BTF website, mybtf.org.

The monthly Wednesdays Away retreats return this Fall at Cross Roads, with both in-person and virtual options for participation. Explore all the upcoming dates and themes, along with registration information, at crossroadsretreat.com/wednesdays-away.

Registration for the Fall Women's Retreat is now open! There are two weekends offered for the in-person retreat, and one virtual option. The theme is "The Face of God." Explore the dates and register now at crossroadsretreat.com/womens-retreat.

Do you know about CaffeinatedChurch.org? It started as an offering of church resources from the Episcopal Church in Colorado to churches in their diocese, and is now available throughout The Episcopal Church and to other denominations as well.

Webinars are usually available only to dues-paying members, but for the month of August they are free to everyone! Church webmasters and office administrators might be interested in these two offerings (via Zoom; advance registration is required).

The VOICE Online is currently published every other Wednesday