A biweekly publication for telling and hearing the stories
of this extraordinary time

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

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Perseverance and hope
Just as we had begun to enjoy the summer, the pandemic has taken an unexpected turn with infection rates suddenly spiking again. It could be easy right now to be discouraged or frustrated, says Bishop Hughes, but God has planted hope in us, and it's important for us to hold on to that hope as we persevere. (Time: 5:19.)
Confirmation projects in Tenafly focus on racism
By the Rev. Lynne Bleich Weber
What do the National Basketball Association, the Grammy Awards, and many workplaces in America have in common? At the Juneteenth/Father’s Day service on June 20, the Confirmation Class at Church of the Atonement in Tenafly reported to the congregation that these are three of many sectors of society where systemic racism has damaged lives in the past and continues to do so. Read more.
Sister Monica Clare of CSJB goes viral on TikTok
Sister Monica Clare (née Claudette Powell), a member of the Community of St. John Baptist in Mendham, has gone viral after sharing her skincare routine on her TikTok channel, Nunsense for the People.

JUL 13, 2021 | FOX News

JUL 14, 2021 | Newsweek

JUL 15, 2021 | Insider
Bishop Hughes:
Q&A: Westina Matthews, on authoring ‘This Band of Sisterhood: Black Women Bishops on Race, Faith and the Church’
JUL 20, 2021 | Episcopal News Service
The unique blessings, joys, frustrations and challenges faced by the first five African American female diocesan bishops in The Episcopal Church are explored in candid conversations in “This Band of Sisterhood: Black Women Bishops on Race, Faith, and the Church,” compiled and edited by Westina Matthews.

A chance conversation in a Colorado airport in 2018 with West Tennessee Bishop Phoebe Roaf became the inspiration for the book, which includes frank, vulnerable conversations with Indiana Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows (consecrated April 29, 2017); Newark Bishop Carlye Hughes (consecrated Sept. 22, 2018); Roaf (consecrated May 4, 2019); Colorado Bishop Kimberly Lucas (May 18, 2019); and Vermont Bishop Shannon MacVean-Brown (Sept. 28, 2019). Read more.

The book is now available for purchase on both Bookshop and Amazon.
2020 Confirmations continue this summer
Diocesan Confirmation services for 2020 Candidates are being held in July and August. Three services have already been held; click here to see the schedule for the five remaining services.

Since each Candidate is limited to four guests plus their clergy and sponsors, all others are invited to watch remotely as the service is live streamed to the diocesan YouTube channel, youtube.com/c/dionewark.
Videos from the live streams will remain up for later viewing. Videos of the first three Confirmation Services, on July 13, July 15 and July 20, can be watched now.

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.

Confirmation group photos, top to bottom: July 20 at St. Elizabeth's, Ridgewood; July 13 at St. Paul's, Chatham; July 15 at St. Paul's, Paterson.
Project Resource 2021 Fall Stewardship Training
SEP 8, 12, 19, 26 & OCT 3
Each church is urged to participate in this program. Churches must register their participants by Monday, August 16.
Stewardship Matters:
Updated List of Stewardship Tools
Cynthia McChesney, Missioner for Stewardship and Legacy Giving, shares links for seven stewardship tools you can start implementing now to prepare for your fall stewardship campaign. Read more.
Clergy ministry transitions
Arrivals
  • The Rev. Aaron Oliver, Priest-in-Residence, St. Andrew's, Harrington Park - MAY 30
  • The Rev. Deacon Lorna Woodham, Clergy-in-Charge, Christ Church, Budd Lake - AUG 1

Departures
  • The Rev. Alexei Khamin, Priest-in-Residence, St. John the Divine, Hasbrouck Heights - JUN 30

Next issue: Wednesday, August 4. Deadline: 10 AM Thursday, July 29 (note earlier deadline).
Employment opportunities in our churches, associated organizations, and neighboring Episcopal dioceses.
Cross Roads is the ecumenical camp and retreat center of our diocese and the NJ Synod of the ELCA (Lutheran Church).
Summer Camp is happening!
Youth camp at Cross Roads is officially in full swing. Find information about upcoming sessions, including two weeks of Family camp, and more information at crossroadsretreat.com/summer-programs. And please keep all Cross Roads staff members and campers in your prayers.
Bold Transformational Faith
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.
Wednesdays Away return this fall
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.
Cross Roads Women's Retreat
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.
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