Download The VOICE Digest printable PDF with highlights from this issue.

On January 29, Bishop Hughes opened up our January learning event, Faith Groups: Sharing our Lives, Growing in Faith, talking about the new things God has been doing among us during the pandemic: growing in the faith, sharing the faith, and caring for the community. Fueling these is the power of relationships, and Faith Groups are a place to build those relationships with each other and with God.

Click on the video to watch (time: 18:42), or click here to read the transcript.

Friday evening, January 29 and Saturday morning, January 30, people from all around our diocese gathered electronically to listen, try out, and learn about the practice of small Faith Groups. Well over two-thirds of our parishes were represented and there was a lot of excitement around how this practice might help us to deepen community and connect people to God and each other through Christ. Read more.

The Diocese of Newark Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians will celebrate the life and ministry of the Rev. Absalom Jones in an online service. Absalom Jones was the first person of African descent ordained a deacon and priest in the Episcopal Church.

The Zoom link for the service will be sent in the What's happening this week email next Monday, Feb. 8.

Find out more and register online.

Workshops relevant to this extraordinary time for ALL congregational leaders! Stay at home and join us online via computer, tablet or smart phone.

Watch this space for information on workshops and registration, coming soon.

On Saturday, March 13, we will observe one year of living in this challenging, extraordinary time with a special, diocesan-wide online service. More details will be announced in the Feb. 17 issue of The VOICE Online.

Clergy and elected Lay Deputies are asked to save this date. More information will be forthcoming.

The next issue of The VOICE Online will be published Wednesday, Feb. 17. Submit items for consideration by 10 AM Friday, Feb. 12 at dioceseofnewark.org/VOICE-submissions.

We may still be in the depths of winter according to the calendar and public health experts battling the pandemic, but the light is increasing on both fronts. To help you know that you are not alone as we continue our journey toward spring, may this portion of a Blessing of Brigit (aka Brigid) bring you comfort as you recite it and imagine this strong, generous, and wise saint traveling with you. Read more.

For mental & spiritual health resources for everyone: njmindspirit.org. For clergy to speak confidentially with someone: 609-365-WARM (9276). Wednesdays 10 AM - 12 noon & Fridays 4 - 6 PM.

Thanks to the generous financial support of many individuals across the diocese, as well as congregational support and funds specifically allocated to outreach in the diocesan budget, The Alleluia Fund for Outreach was able to make grants totaling $145,000 to 28 non profits across northern New Jersey and internationally. Read more.

The Ward J. Herbert Board is excited to introduce the new online application process for Ward J. Herbert grants. This process will replace the long Word document with a simple three-step process. Find out more.

The application deadline for the first Ward J. Herbert grant cycle of 2021 is Tuesday, Feb. 16 by 12 noon.

These went into effect Dec. 14, 2020. All counties in the diocese are currently at a critical risk level, limiting in-person worship to those required to be present to lead worship or provide recording/live streaming support.

Please send changes to Nina Nicholson at nnicholson@dioceseofnewark.org.

A holy place in virtual space for mourning and memory.

Prayers can be sent to Canon Wright at awright@dioceseofnewark.org for posting.

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2020 and 2021.

Watch the video at right (time: 4:57) for an update from Cross Roads Executive Director Anthony Briggs and Program Director Kathryn Schaefer. They provide information about Summer Camp 2021, as well as other upcoming programs and events.

EXPLORE! with Cross Roads this winter at our virtual youth retreats. Over the course of a few hours, kids and youth leaders will EXPLORE the ways God is present in our world and in our lives. There are three EXPLORE! retreat dates and times for different age groups. Find all information including registration here.

Cross Roads and its outdoor ministry partner, Luther Crest, has created a weekly faith formation podcast, based on their Sunday School curriculum. Tune in to the first three episodes here. Your church can still join the Bold Transformational Faith (BTF) initiative for weekly Sunday School at 11 am or 4 pm or sign up to use the curriculum on your own time. Learn more here.

The next Wednesdays Away gathering will be held on Wednesday, February 17. The retreat is from 10 am to noon on Zoom and the cost is $10. Register for this or other retreats on the Cross Roads website.