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

Wednesday, February 5, 2020
From Our Bishop
Behold God's Gifts, Become God's Steward:
Bishop Hughes' addresses at Convention
Both Bishop Hughes' Convention videos have closed captions and transcripts.
"Our job is to be the person that God has created us to be, doing the ministry that God has given us to do. In order to do that we have to know who God is and know what the gifts are that God has given us, and use those gifts for God's purposes. THAT is our job," stated Bishop Hughes in her first Convention address, given during the Friday evening dinner. (Time: 31:25.) Read the transcript.
"We're gonna have to get so good at beholding and so good at knowing our gifts and claiming them, that we're gonna have to actually be the stewards of God's church and God's ministry and our own gifts," stated Bishop Hughes in her second Convention address, given during the Saturday morning Eucharist. (Time: 31:28.) Read the transcript.
Coverage of Convention 2020
The 146th Annual Diocesan Convention was held Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Hilton Meadowlands in East Rutherford.

The majority of Convention was live streamed, and you can still watch those videos on the diocesan YouTube channel.

Click here to view 65 photos by the Rev. Cynthia Black and Nina Nicholson.

Highlights from Convention are reported below.
Actions of Convention
The results of all Deputy votes, including the 2020 budget and elections to office are posted here.
Mission Minutes videos
This year's Mission Minutes told the stories of how five parishes stewarded their gifts into ministries covering food, shelter, education, international outreach, and a Hispanic/Latino ministry. Here are their stories.

All Mission Minutes videos have closed captions and transcripts.
After discovering that most local students who qualified for food assistance at school were falling through the cracks during summer vacation, the people of St. John’s, Dover quickly stewarded their parish’s gifts into a summer food program. (Time: 3:21.) Read the transcript.
St. Paul’s, Englewood had a run-down sexton’s apartment that for years had been used for storage. The parish had the vision to partner with Family Promise of Bergen County and transform it into a modern home for a homeless woman and her three children. (Time: 2:56.) Read the transcript.
After discovering that some students in their community were struggling academically, the people of St. Mark’s, Teaneck realized their parish’s gifts could be stewarded into a successful after-school enrichment program. (Time: 2:15.) Read the transcript.
A community in Panama had lost their church building, and a family in New Jersey had lost their son and brother. Christ Church, Newton was in relationship with both, and found a way to shepherd their gifts to bring about healing for both. (Time: 4:02.) Read the transcript.
When several local young people were deployed to the 1991 Persian Gulf War, their Spanish-speaking families sought a place to pray for them. St. Anthony of Padua, Hackensack started a weekly Spanish-language mass, promising to continue it as long as the community needed. Nearly 30 years later, St. Anthony’s Hispanic/Latino Ministry has grown to three Spanish masses a week. (Time: 3:07.) Read the transcript.
Behold, Become, Begin:
The Stewardship Game
A highlight of Convention was the introduction of Behold, Become, Begin: The Stewardship Game, a game specially created for the diocese to help each of us explore new and creative ways to put our spiritual gifts to work. Each congregation was given a game set to take back, and more are available to purchase. Find out more.
Convention guest: Bishop Kevin Nichols of Bethlehem
Bishop Kevin Nichols of the Diocese of Bethlehem (PA) participated in Convention as a guest on Saturday. In his greeting to the Deputies, he spoke about the need for churches and dioceses to work in together in partnership, and encouraged us to name our fears and remember that Jesus said, “Be not afraid.” To listen to his remarks in the Saturday live stream, click here.

Photo: Bishop Nichols with Bishop Hughes.
From Our Canons
I am grateful to be in this incredible diocese
By Canon Margo Peckham Clark
I have had so much fun since I joined the Bishop’s Staff as her Canon for Congregational Life last May. I have been challenged and inspired by the people of our diocese and the variety of our congregations. Read more.
Upcoming Events
Requiem for Louie Crew Clay
THU, FEB 20, 10 AM @ GRACE, NEWARK
Join Bishop Hughes in celebrating the life of Louie Crew Clay, a giant of the Church. Parking information for Grace Church is here .

SUN, FEB 9, 4-6 PM
@ ST. ALBAN'S, OAKLAND/FRANKLIN LAKES

SUN, FEB 9, 3-4 PM
@ TRINITY & ST. PHILIP'S CATHEDRAL, NEWARK
Due to other events in the area, please allow extra time for travel and parking in Newark.
SAT, MAR 7, 11 AM @ TRINITY & ST. PHILIP'S CATHEDRAL, NEWARK
Parish Safety Committee Chairpersons may wish to attend this presentation hosted by our Cathedral.

See also Upcoming Community Events , posted by our congregations and associated organizations.
Stories from Our Congregations
In the News
Christ Church, Bloomfield/Glen Ridge:
JAN 17, 2020 | Essex News Daily
Church of the Redeemer, Morristown:
FEB 3, 2020 | Episcopal News Service
We love to share stories of what our congregations are doing! Wednesday, Feb. 12 is the deadline to submit stories, photos and links to media coverage for the next issue of The VOICE Online on Feb. 19 . Go to the submission guidelines .
Diocesan Announcements
Clergy ministry transitions
Arrivals
  • The Rev. Jill Williams, Curate, Christ Church, Ridgewood - FEB 1
  • The Rev. Rose Cohen Hassan, Interim Priest-in-Charge, St. Andrew & Holy Communion, South Orange - FEB 23

Departures
  • The Rev. Rose Cohen Hassan, Priest-in-Charge, St. Luke's & St. Mary's, Hope & Belvidere - FEB 16

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 .
Check out our other publicatons
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.
The VOICE Online is published twice a month September-May (1st and 3rd Wednesday) and monthly June-August (3rd Wednesday only).