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

Wednesday, November 20, 2019
From Our Bishop
I'm looking for dreamers
Bishop Hughes is looking for people who will dream and who will pray together and who will work together and be in conversation about what the future of our church in northern New Jersey might look like.

Click on the video at right to watch (time: 3:34), or read the transcript here.
Features
How to get free G Suite email on your church's domain name
The diocesan Technology Committee has been recommending Google accounts to churches for years, because of Google’s free resources such as Gmail and YouTube. But did you know that it’s possible to use Gmail to set up email using your church’s domain name – for example, office@churchname.org? And that this is also free to churches? Read more.
Kid-friendly ideas for churches for Advent and Christmas
Planning for Advent and Christmas can be stressful, and like so many things it can be something we keep “meaning to work on”, and then, suddenly, the Season(s) are upon us. In smaller churches, churches in transition and/or without regular clergy this effect can be magnified. In all churches it can be hard to know how to truly welcome visitors and invite them to connect more deeply with the parish. What follows are some ideas (many specially focused on children) and helps for Advent and Christmas. Read more.
Stories from Our Congregations
Churches in the News
Christ Church, Newton:
NOV 15, 2019 | Sparta Independent
Church of the Redeemer, Morristown:
NOV 16, 2019 | MorristownGreen.com
The Rev. Rod Perez-Vega and St. John’s, Dover:
NOV 18, 2019 | Morristown Daily Record
NOV 19, 2019 | news12 (TV)
We love to share stories of what our congregations are doing! The deadline to submit stories, photos and links to media coverage for the December 4 issue of The VOICE Online is Wednesday, November 27 . Go to the submission guidelines .
Diocesan Events
Celebration of new ministry
SAT, NOV 23, 10 AM
The Rev. David Andrew "Andy" Olivo as Rector of St. Elizabeth's, Ridgewood.
Pop Up Youth Event:
Christmas Party!
SAT, DEC 14 (TIME TBA)
@ ST. ALBAN'S, OAKLAND/FRANKLIN LAKES
All youth in grades 6-12 from throughout the diocese are invited to wear their fun ugly Christmas sweaters to our afternoon Christmas party! Save the date, and watch this space and future e-newsletters for the time and other details.
Click here to learn more about Pop Up Youth Ministry and upcoming youth events.
See also Upcoming Community Events , posted by our congregations and associated organizations.
News & 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 at crossroadsretreat.com .
Now 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.
Wednesdays Away
DEC 4
Begin your Advent season with a retreat at Cross Roads. 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. The cost is $50 per gathering and includes a delicious lunch. Find out more at crossroadsretreat.com/wednesdays-away.
Shepherds Gathering and Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
DEC 5-8
There are still spaces available for The Shepherds' Gathering, a retreat designed for all leaders who work with children, youth, and young adults. There will be time for rest and renewal beginning Dec. 5, as well as time to connect with others and discuss the best ways to support our young people. This year, the event includes a very important Youth Mental Health First Aid Training on Saturday, Dec. 7. Find out more at crossroadsretreat.com/event/shepherds-gathering.
Young Adult Retreat
JAN 3-5, 2020
Are you between the ages of 18-30ish? Join us for relaxation, contemplation, good food (a.k.a., lots of snacks), and awesome fellowship at the 2020 Young Adult Retreat at Cross Roads. And be sure to invite your friends, family, neighbors, and other young adults you know who would enjoy this time away. Find out more at crossroadsretreat.com/young-adult-retreat.
Diocesan Announcements
Convention 2020
We want your congregation to be part of Mission Minutes!

Mission Minutes are short videos (usually about 5 minutes) shown at Diocesan Convention to share stories from our congregations about how they are engaging in God's ministry. The theme for our 2020 Convention is Behold God's Gifts, Become God's Steward, which lends itself to several opportunities to be part of Mission Minutes. The submission deadline is Friday, Dec. 13. Find out more.

Other upcoming Convention deadlines

Monday, Dec. 2:

Friday, Dec. 6:

Monday, Dec. 9:
Episcopal House holiday closing
In observance of Thanksgiving, Episcopal House will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29.
Clergy ministry transitions
Departures
  • The Rev. Sylvester Ekunwe, Priest-in-Residence, Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral, Newark - NOV 24

Arrivals
  • The Rev. Sharon Sheridan Hausman, Priest Associate, Christ Church, Newton - DEC 8

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2019 .
Check out our other diocesan publications
Leadership News - Key information from Episcopal House for church leaders, including - but not restricted to - clergy, staff, wardens, vestry and committee chairs. Emailed monthly on the last Wednesday. Click here to subscribe to future issues and read archived issues.

The VOICE Digest - A new, printable publication, published quarterly. Click here to download the first issue covering Fall 2019.
The VOICE Online is published twice a month September-May (1st and 3rd Wednesday) and monthly June-August (3rd Wednesday only).