What does God want me to do???
Discernment, says Bishop Hughes, is not just for people considering ordination or churches calling their next priest. It is the responsibility of all faithful people to ask themselves, and their community, “How is God trying to lead me into the thing that God has prepared me for in this life?" (Time: 4:02.)
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What does it mean to seek God’s will – and how do I do that?
TOMORROW, NOV 10 | 7 PM | Zoom
Register by 5 PM TODAY
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Christian discernment is an essential practice in our everyday lives. How do we listen for where God is leading us? How do we make decisions faithfully – as individuals, and as congregations?
At this Zoom workshop, we will learn how to:
- Understand and identify the character of the Holy Spirit;
- Identify the importance of discernment and relationship with the Holy Spirit as part of a fruitful Christian life;
- Identify strategies to support a practice of discernment in daily life.
A Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Jessica Young Brown provides services to a broad range of clients on the topics of mental health, spirituality, group dynamics, leadership, strategic planning, and other issues.
Register by 5 PM TODAY to get an email with the Zoom link tomorrow morning. ALL are welcome to attend. Parishes are encouraged to send a group.
Find out more and register online.
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Strategic Visioning Zoom listening sessions
THU, DEC 1 & MON, DEC 12 | 7-8:30 PM | Zoom
The Strategic Visioning Team is busy facilitating Listening Sessions across the Diocese, while continuing to schedule new ones by the middle of December. For the sessions that they have already held, the discussions have been lively and engaging. The team looks forward to seeing the results and understanding the priorities that the people of the Diocese share. The team will be compiling results throughout December and will identify the priority areas for the next phase of the visioning process in January 2023.
To accommodate folks in the Diocese who are unable to attend the Listening Session at their own congregations, we are offering two virtual sessions on Zoom in December. If you plan to attend, you must register using the links below.
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Anti-Sexism Training
SAT, DEC 3 | 8:30 AM - 3 PM | Episcopal House
All are welcome to participate. Candidates standing for office at the Annual Diocesan Convention and all clergy must complete this training.
Find out more and register online by 5 PM Monday, Nov. 28.
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2023 Diocesan Budget presentation
WED, DEC 7 | 7:30 PM | Zoom
Diocesan CFO Sam Reckford will be presenting a proposed 2023 diocesan budget to Diocesan Council on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 PM. That portion of the meeting will be open to the public and all are invited to join via Zoom by clicking on this link. Following the presentation, there will be time for questions.
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Are you called to serve?
Nominations are open for all elected offices at the 149th Annual Diocesan Convention, and Candidates are being posted here as nominations are received.
Elections at this Convention will include selecting the four Lay and and four Clergy Deputies, plus alternates, to represent our diocese at the 81st General Convention being held in July 2024 in Louisville, KY.
The 149th Annual Diocesan Convention will be held Friday and Saturday, February 3 and 4, 2023 at the Hilton Meadowlands in East Rutherford.
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The Diocese of Newark Clergy and Lay Deputies in the House of Deputies at the 80th General Convention. | |
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An invitation from the Standing Committee
Have you ever wondered how you might get involved in the leadership of the Church? Do you have gifts for collaborating with others in making decisions about property and governance matters? The Standing Committee might be the place for you! We are seeking two clergy and one lay member to be elected at the next diocesan convention. One clergy opening is to complete the remaining year for a priest who moved away. The other two positions are for full four-year terms.
Find more information about the work and expectations of the Standing Committee here and submit your name!
Contact the Standing Committee president, the Rev. Dr. Elaine Ellis Thomas at ethomas@allsaintshoboken.com or 201-273-1802 if you have questions.
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Registration is open for 2023 Confirmation services
Registration will be held strictly to no more than 25 Candidates per service. Find out more and see the 2023 Confirmation schedule.
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Happening at Our Churches | |
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Animal blessing leads to explosives-detection training at St. John’s, Boonton
By the Rev. Sharon Sheridan Hausman
Bowie, a black Giant Schnauzer, moved from pew to pew, sometimes jumping on the seats like an excited toddler. Suddenly, he took a good sniff at a pew book rack and sat down. Owner Chris Kline quickly rewarded Bowie with a snack.
Bowie was just having fun, but the game was more serious for his owner and their trainer Carmelo Vinci. Dog and owner were completing training as an explosives-detection team. Read more.
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Photo gallery: Blessing of the Costumes
Photos submitted by St. Elizabeth;'s, Ridgewood; St. Luke's, Montclair; St. Alban's, Oakland/Franklin Lakes; and St. George's, Maplewood.
View the photo gallery.
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Celebration of new ministry
SAT, NOV 12 | 10 AM | St. Peter's, Essex Fells
Bishop Hughes will officiate at the Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Nate Darville as Rector of St. Peter's, Essex Fells.
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Cross Roads is the ecumenical camp and retreat center of our diocese and the NJ Synod of the ELCA (Lutheran Church).
Wednesdays Away
Monthly: September - June
Wednesdays Away are a time of spiritual renewal hosted by Cross Roads throughout the year. These gatherings include prayer and conversation, led by a spiritual director and focusing on a different spiritual practice or theme each month. These retreats are open to all people interested in exploring new faith practices. Learn more.
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Music That Makes Community
NOV 10-12
Join Music that Makes Community for a 3-day/2-night retreat at Cross Roads to enjoy the beauty of late autumn, sing, and reflect on the theme “Soul Songs for Every Season.” Recognizing the rapid changes and constant pivoting in life today, this retreat is an opportunity to slow down, pay attention to the rhythms of the land and your beating heart, and listen for songs and spiritual practices that can sustain you through every season of life. Learn more.
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Shepherds’ Gathering
DEC 1-4
Join Cross Roads for a retreat designed for all leaders, clergy and lay, who work with children, youth, and young adults. This year’s Shepherd’s Gathering will focus on Youth Mental Health First Aid. Learn more.
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Happening in the Wider Church | |
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Advent sermons available digitally from the monks of SSJE
The Brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist in Cambridge, MA are providing a series of recorded sermons for congregations this Advent season. The free sermon resource can be used in a service where a preacher may not be available. The videos can also be used as an adult forum resource. Registration is required to access the sermons. Find out more and register.
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The VOICE Online currently is published every other Wednesday.
Next issue: WED, NOV 23
Submission deadline: FRI, NOV 18, 10 AM
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