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

Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Download The VOICE Digest printable PDF with highlights from this issue.
From Our Bishop
When God says "Go" but you can't leave your house
Even though we're under a stay-at-home order and have to maintain physical distance, we're still connected by our hearts, by our loves and by God's love for each of us – and we can continue to nurture our connection to God and to each other without leaving our houses.

Click on the video at right to watch (time: 5:11), or click here to read the transcript.
Easter 2020 Sermon: Running into Jesus
At the first Easter, the women who found the tomb empty felt an earthquake, were told by an angel to go tell the disciples, and in going they ran into Jesus. As the earthquake that is the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts our lives, Bishop Hughes asks us to think about where are WE running into Jesus?

Click on the video at right to watch (time: 18:39), or click here to read the transcript.
From Our Canons
It’s Easter. Now what?
This Easter was strange, Canon Clark reflects - but then, so was the first Easter, which changed everything. She writes:

"These last weeks have shown us... that the church is, because Jesus lives. If we remain constant to that truth and build on the experience of stepping forth quickly and decisively in faith, we will do amazing things, no matter how strange things are!" Read more.
Stories from Our Congregations
We want your stories and photos of this time. What is your congregation doing that's different or new, that might help or inspire other congregations? What is your congregation experiencing that will be important to remember? Was your church covered by local media? We want to share those stories! The submission deadline is 10 AM Friday for the following Wednesday's issue; see the Submission Guidelines .
Four painters explore spirituality through art
As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced people across the world to shelter in place, many have turned to the arts for entertainment, solace and inspiration. The VOICE Online is profiling some of the many artists in the Diocese of Newark and sharing examples of their talents. This week’s article features four of our diocesan painters. Read more and see samples of their work.
A virtual Easter choir
For Easter Sunday at Grace Church Van Vorst in Jersey City, Director of Music Colin Britt put together a virtual choir singing Trey McLaughlin's "Hosanna." He shares a behind-the-scenes look at the steps required. Read more.

Click on the video at right (time: 4:34) to hear the finished result.
In the News
Christ Church, Newton:
APR 8, 2020 | New Jersey Herald
St. Paul's, Chatham:
APR 10, 2020 | Mashable
Bishop Mark Beckwith:
APR 10, 2020 | NBC News
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry:
APR 10, 2020 | Washington Post
St. James, Upper Montclair and St. Luke's, Montclair:
APR 10, 2020 | Montclair Local
St. Clement's, Hawthorne:
APR 12, 2020 | TAPinto.net
For Youth & Young Adults
Pop In With Pop Up
SUN, APR 19, 4 PM
Due to the state-wide "Stay at home" order, Pop Up Youth Ministry has started to meet via Zoom. All youth grades 6-12 are invited to participate in the next Zoom meeting, scheduled for Sunday, April 19 at 4 PM. Find out more and register online.
Postponed: 2020 Episcopal Youth Event
The 2020 Episcopal Youth Event scheduled for July 7-11 at the University of Maryland in College Park, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more.

Canon Wright will be contacting those who have already registered.
Scholarship funds accepting applications for 2020-21 academic year
The Gertrude Butts Fund, a non-profit corporation organized in 1929, and closely affiliated with the Diocese of Newark, seeks applicants for the 2020-2021 academic year. Application deadline: MON, MAY 4, 2020.

The applications deadline has been extended for educational scholarships from The Episcopal Church. A scholarship applicant must be an Episcopalian and must have the endorsement of his/her bishop. New application deadline: MON, MAY 25, 2020.
Diocesan Announcements & Resources
Episcopal House is closed to routine operations at this time. Staff are continuing to work remotely from home, and can be reached via their usual work emails and phone numbers as listed in the Staff Directory.

All diocesan events scheduled in April have been postponed or canceled. A decision about May events will be made later in April.
News & resources for this time
Visit dioceseofnewark.org/covid-19 for news and resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including messages from Bishop Hughes and resources for home worship for adults and children.

New resources recently added:


Children's Food Lessons and Activities for Good Friday and Easter shared by the Rev. Kathryn King. (Easter is 50 days, so there's still time to make Resurrection Rolls!)
Stewardship Reflections: Gratitude Matters
This week's reflection is "Gratitude for God's love" by David Farrand of Calvary Church, Summit.

If you'd like to participate in this weekly series please send your reflection (250 word maximum) to Cynthia McChesney, cmcchesney@dioceseofnewark.org.

In addition to these mini-essays, we hope you'll also participate on social media for more! We'll be posting with the hashtag #GratitudeMatters.
News from The Episcopal Church
The Strife is O'er - The Episcopal Church Virtual Choir and Orchestra
Nearly 800 submissions from more than 600 participants all around the world come together in one voice to proclaim - The Strife is O'er, the battle won!

Click on the video at right (time: 2:59) to listen.
Presiding Bishop Curry: "It's Easter Anyway!"
Click here to watch the video of Presiding Bishop Curry's Easter sermon, or read the transcript in English or Spanish.
"Habits of Grace" from Presiding Bishop Curry
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is offering Habits of Grace, a weekly meditation published on Mondays, to help Episcopalians cope during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week's meditation: "All belong in this family of God." Click here to watch.
Episcopal News Service coverage of COVID-19 and the Church
Go to episcopalnewsservice.org/tag/coronavirus for their full coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic as it's affecting The Episcopal Church.
The VOICE Online is currently being published weekly on Wednesdays
for as long as needed