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

Wednesday, September 4, 2019
From the Bishop
Where is your hope?
Dear Companions on the Journey,

The day after Labor Day marked the beginning of the school year for many students in Northern New Jersey. My drive into the office was slowed several times for school buses and school drop-off lines. The excitement for students and parents at the start of a new year was played out across the front of the five school campuses I pass everyday on my way to Episcopal House.

The start of the school year, like the start of the new year, can give us hope. A fresh start. A chance to do something differently. The option of beginning again can be full of hope, yet as faithful people hope is readily available to us. Read more.
Features
Prison Ministry to children expands to new activities
The fourth grader had one question when he arrived at Grace Church, Nutley: “Do you really have a football player here?”

“Yes. Do you want to meet him?”

Minutes later, Rahmeen was high-fiving former Giants wide receiver Stephen Baker (AKA The Touchdown Maker).

Baker visited Grace Church on Aug. 25 to interact with children at the Diocese of Newark Prison Ministry’s annual back-to-school party. Read more.
Messiah, Chester hears from Afghan refugees
Warden Diane Cardillo (left) greets Fahim and Noor Mashal and their daughter on July 21 at Church of the Messiah, Chester. The Mashal family immigrated to the U.S. from Afghanistan in September 2018.

Fahim, who worked as an interpreter for Coalition Forces for 14 years, spoke to a group of about 60 people at Messiah on the history of Afghanistan and growing up under the Soviets and the Taliban. The Mashal family is being supported by Refugee Assistance Morris Partners (RAMP), an interfaith volunteer group, of which Messiah is a member.
In the News
Christ Church, Newton:
AUG 29, 2019 | 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 September 18 issue of The VOICE Online is Wednesday, September 11 . Go to the submission instructions .
Upcoming Events
Sign up now for Breaking Bread with the Bishop!
Continuing the very popular series from this past spring, we are pleased to invite you to come meet Bishop Hughes for dinner (or breakfast) and conversation at one of these four events this fall. Bishop Hughes would love to greet you and discuss the vision, hopes and dreams for the diocese. Don't miss out on this opportunity!
Continental breakfast 9 AM, program 9:30-11:30 AM - RSVP by FRI, OCT 18

Light supper 7 PM, program 7:30-9:30 PM - RSVP by TUE, OCT 22

Continental breakfast 9 AM, program 9:30-11:30 AM - RSVP by FRI, OCT 25

Light supper 6:30 PM, program 7-9 PM - RSVP by TUE, OCT 29
*This gathering is designed specifically for churches currently engaged in clergy transition. Others are welcome to attend but the program will be geared toward support and best practices.
Church Leader University
SAT, OCT 5, 8 AM - 12 PM
@ ST. ELIZABETH'S, RIDGEWOOD
Workshop descriptions and the online registration form will be available here tomorrow, September 5.

In the meantime, you can download the flyer.
Also happening
SAT, SEP 7, 10 AM @ CHRIST CHURCH, SHORT HILLS

THU, SEP 12, 7 PM @ ST. DAVID'S, KINNELON
FRI, SEP 27 - SAT, SEP 28, 9 AM - 3 PM @ EPISCOPAL HOUSE
See also Upcoming Community Events , posted by our congregations and associated organizations.
Youth & Young Adult News & Events
Pop Up Youth Ministry begins for grades 6-12 with Epic Games!
SUN, SEP 22, 3:30-6:30 PM @ ST. ALBAN'S, OAKLAND/FRANKLIN LAKES
Pop Up Youth Ministry, a year-long experiment in regional youth ministry, is holding its inaugural event on Sunday, September 22. Youth in grades 6-12 from throughout the diocese are encouraged to gather from 3:30-6:30 PM at St. Alban’s Church in Oakland/Franklin Lakes for Epic Games! The afternoon will include dinner, a medal ceremony and worship by a campfire. Find out more.
5th Annual Rally for Cross Roads & Intergenerational Retreat
FRI, OCT 4, 7 PM - SUN, OCT 6, 9 AM @ @ CROSS ROADS CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
This year, we are especially excited for the Pop Up Youth Ministry to join us for the weekend. Find out more and register online.

Click here to learn more about Pop Up Youth Ministry and upcoming youth events.
Events at Cross Roads
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 .
Wednesdays Away return
Wednesdays Away are a time of spiritual renewal on the first Wednesday of the month, from 9 AM to 3 PM in the Christ Center at Cross Roads. The cost is $50 per gathering and includes a delicious lunch. These one-day monthly retreats are open to all people interested in exploring new faith practices. Attend one or attend all — and be sure to invite friends to join you. Register at crossroadsretreat.com/wednesdays-away.
Women's Retreat Weekend
The Annual Women's Retreat is October 11-13 at Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center. Led by the Revs. Laurie Matarazzo and Dale Selover, this retreat is designed for women of all ages interested in spending a weekend away to reflect, renew, and reconnect. Be sure to register to reserve your spot at crossroadsretreat.com/womens-retreat. All are welcome!
Music that Makes Community Workshop
Join a dynamic gathering of musicians, clergy, and laypeople and recharge and renew your congregational song leading skills at this three-day workshop, October 14-16 at Cross Roads. A lively team of Music That Makes Community presenters will lead worship, workshops, and conversation to help you add the valuable tool of paperless song leading to your community’s singing practice. Find out more at crossroadsretreat.com/music-that-makes-community.
Diocesan Announcements
Third BCEF Call of 2019: Holy Spirit, Verona
The Bishop’s Church Emergency Fund (BCEF) provides financial support for church buildings in the diocese needing repairs and renovation, usually with a special focus on emergency and unforeseen needs. Through the BCEF, you can support the critical needs identified by the Bishop.

The third BCEF call of 2019 is for driveway repaving at Holy Spirit, Verona. Read more.
Temporary parking issue at Episcopal House
Please be aware that free validated parking in Lot C next to Episcopal House is temporarily unavailable, so parking there is according to their fee schedule. When possible, please park in any unmarked spot in the Episcopal House lot when attending meetings or events here. We hope to have a new arrangement with Lot C in the near future.
CFO announces Diocese of Newark budget process for 2020
Funding requests for 2020 are due by September 13. Read more.
Upcoming grant deadlines
Alleluia Fund - MON, SEP 30 for 2019 funding

Ward J. Herbert Fund - TUE, OCT 1 for early winter funding
Clergy ministry transitions
Arrivals
  • The Rev. Robert Trache, Interim Priest, St. Peter's, Morristown - SEP 8

Departures
  • The Rev. Canon Lesley Hay, Priest-in-Residence, Good Shepherd, Lincoln Park & Montville - AUG 12
  • The Rev. Nate Huddleston, Assistant Rector, Calvary, Summit - AUG 25
  • The Rev. Shawn Carty, Retreat House Manager, St. Marguerite's Retreat House, Mendham - SEP 15

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2019 .
For Clergy & Wardens:
Registration open for 2020 Confirmation Services
Registration is now available for the Spring 2020 Confirmation Services. Go to the registration form.
Reminder to Clergy:
Register for Clergy Conference by this Friday, September 6
It is expected that every member of the clergy (not employed outside the church) will make every effort to attend. Find out more.
News from the wider church
Learn about the urgent need for ministries of peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land
On Thursday, October 3, the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) will host a reception at The General Theological Seminary in New York to honor the Most Rev. Suheil S. Dawani, Archbishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East and Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

People interested in the humanitarian ministries of the Diocese of Jerusalem and peace in the Middle East are invited to gather from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Seabury Auditorium to hear about the transformative ministry of the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf in Salt, Jordan. Archbishop Dawani will also speak about the urgent need for peace and reconciliation in the Middle East and the other humanitarian ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Find out more.
Grants from the Episcopal Church
Becoming Beloved Community grants
Application deadline: SEP 13
The Presiding Officers' Advisory Group on Beloved Community Implementation is pleased to announce the availability of grants to catalyze the church's work of racial healing, reconciliation and justice. Find out more.

Episcopal Evangelism grants
Application deadline: OCT 1
Episcopal institutions can now apply for the next round of the Episcopal Evangelism Grants Program, designed to fund local and regional evangelism efforts in the Episcopal Church. Find out more.
National Acolyte Festival - register now!
The 2019 National Acolyte and Fall Festival will be held Saturday, October 12 at Washington National Cathedral. The registration fee is $10 per acolyte; clergy, vergers, friends and family are welcome to attend at no charge and the service is open to the public. Deadline: September 26 to be included in the printed program. Find out more.
The VOICE Online is published twice a month September-May (1st and 3rd Wednesday) and monthly June-August (3rd Wednesday only).