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“As you head towards the end of Lent and into Holy Week and towards Easter,” says Bishop Hughes, “I think it's important for all of us to be preparing to share this thing that we love so much: that we know that God is here for us, that God cares for us, and God is here for every single person.” (Time: 5:27.)

The deadline for Clergy and Wardens to register candidates for 2022 Confirmation services is 5 PM TOMORROW, Thursday, March 31.

Two services still have openings:

SAT, APR 30, 10 AM - St. Michael's, Wayne

SAT, MAY 14, 10 AM - All Saints', Hoboken

Go to the registration form.

Bishop Hughes has made arrangements for this in-person program by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, open to all members of the diocese and free of charge.

Find out more.

We are eagerly anticipating our first fully in-person Diocesan Convention since February 2020! While deputies are meeting in person, guests are invited to watch from home as Convention is live streamed to the diocesan YouTube channel.

The Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney, author of A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, will join us in person for a series of talks on her work developing this lectionary.

While this is a "Women's Lectionary" it is beneficial "for the Whole Church" because all people, regardless of gender, are enriched by an increased focus on these stories.

You can attend the entire three-day series or a single day. Find out more.

Even though this event is still three months away, Clergy and Wardens are asked to submit honorees' information and photos as soon as they are available. This will help us create a high-quality production that honors all the award winners.

What can congregations learn from luxury hotels about the practice and importance of hospitality to guests? Quite a lot, it turns out. Read more.

Are you seeking a way to serve the diocese? Do you have interest or expertise in property or law, or have skill and wisdom in offering guidance and weighing possibilities? The Standing Committee might be just what you are looking for! The Standing Committee is responsible for a wide-range of canonical areas, from approval of ordination candidates to offering counsel to the bishop to reviewing and approving leases and property sales. The current membership brings a variety of gifts that help us discern the direction God might have us take and to come to thoughtful decisions.

Two of our members, one ordained and one lay, have terms that end with the May 7 Convention, and at this time, we have no nominees from the lay order. This is not a clergy-driven body. The inclusion of an equal number of members from the lay and clergy orders is intentional and necessary. The deadline to submit your name is noon on Friday, April 29. You may do so here. If you have questions about serving on the Standing Committee, contact the current president, the Rev. Dr. Elaine Ellis Thomas at ethomas@allsaintshoboken.com.

The Ward J. Herbert Fund provides funds for buildings that are used for congregational functions. Top priority is given to funds for deterioration of structure, hazards, and emergencies, such as required roof repairs and inoperative boilers. The fund's second priority is interior and exterior renovation to provide for expanded mission of the congregation. Grants from the Ward J. Herbert Fund must be matched dollar for dollar.

The application deadline for Cycle 2 (late spring funding) is Friday, April 15. Find out more.

Youth from across the diocese (grades 9-12) are invited to travel to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Baltimore, MD from Wednesday, July 6 to Sunday, July 10. As a group we will meet with deputies from our diocese, attend legislative hearings and worship, explore Baltimore, and engage with a local outreach ministry.

Registrations are due April 9. Find out more.

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2022.

Cross Roads is hiring awesome young adults who would be a great fit for any of their open positions next summer. Employment runs from mid-June through August 2022. Apply or download a flyer to share with young adults in your community at: crossroadsretreat.com/employment

Youth groups, families, and congregational groups are invited to volunteer with a few projects to prepare camp for the summer season. It will be a day of fun, fellowship, and giving back to camp (and can even count towards service hours for teenagers looking to fulfill their requirements!). There will be projects for all skill levels and lunch will be provided. Register at: crossroadsretreat.com/opening-day-at-cross-roads

Middle & High School Retreat (Grades 6-12): APR 29 - MAY 1, 2022

Elementary School Retreat (Grades 3-5): MAY 13 - 15, 2022

Youth Retreats at Cross Roads combine fun activities, Bible study, worship, delicious food, and time spent outside to create an awesome weekend for youth and their adult leaders. Read more about the retreats and register your youth group at: crossroadsretreat.com/youth-retreats.

Registration for Summer Camp 2022 at Cross Roads is open! Explore all the offerings for youth in grades 2-12 as well as family camp programs at: crossroadsretreat.com/summer-programs

The Episcopal Church would form a new Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice and allocate an estimated $2 million a year for the coalition to coordinate and expand churchwide racial healing efforts, under a newly released proposal to be considered in July by the 80th General Convention.

The proposal was unveiled on March 23 in a report produced by the Presiding Officers’ Working Group on Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Healing. Read more.

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