A biweekly publication for telling and hearing the stories
of this extraordinary time

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

This newsletter might be cut short by your email program. Click here to view it in full.
Download The VOICE Digest printable PDF with highlights from this issue.
How are we to bring God's love into this Holy Week?
After a year of pandemic, folks are just tired. We've had enough of dealing with pandemic and tragedy and we're ready for something different. And here's where I think we might be able to make a difference in Holy Week: what if we intentionally shared God's love?

Click on the video to watch (time: 4:58), or click here to read the transcript.
Bishop Hughes' online Easter service
SUN, APR 4, 10 AM
Bishop Hughes will celebrate a service at our Cathedral which will be streamed live on the diocesan YouTube channel.

Share this link with your congregations: dioceseofnewark.org/content/easter-service-2021. It will include both the live stream and a downloadable bulletin.

After the service, the video will remain online for later viewing.
Looking for an online Holy Week service?
Scroll through the Online & Home Worship page where a number of our congregations have posted their online Holy Week & Easter services, along with their regular online worship services.
Pop In with Pop Up Youth - Zoom meeting
SUN, APR 11, 3 PM
All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to participate. Find out more.
Worship Leader Training
BEGINNING MON, APR 12, 7 PM
Worship Leader Training will be offered via Zoom with three required sessions (April 12, 19, 26) and a bonus session on Music on May 3. Each session will last 90 minutes or so. There is homework involved.

This training is part of the requirements to apply for a Worship Leader license through the Bishop's Office. If you are leading worship regularly as a lay person, it is appropriate to be licensed for that ministry.
Registration is required by Friday, April 9. Find out more and register online.
Regional meeting with Bishop Hughes: Absalom Jones / South East
(with Spanish interpreter)
THU, APR 15, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
This spring Bishop Hughes is inviting all members of the diocese to join her at one of eight Zoom meetings, organized by the eight Regional Ministry Networks.

The next meeting will be with the Region Absalom Jones / South East, with a Spanish interpreter. Anyone for whom Spanish language interpretation would be helpful is invited to attend this meeting, regardless of Region. Zoom information will be sent to clergy and wardens to share with their congregations.
Namaste Anti-Racism Dialogues via Zoom
3 SATURDAYS: APR 17, APR 24 & MAY 1
The Namaste Commission Members are hosting an Anti-Racism Dialogue on three consecutive Saturdays via Zoom. A participant must attend all three sessions in order to meet the "requirements" of completing anti-racism training.

Candidates standing for office at the Annual Diocesan Convention and all clergy must complete anti-racism training.

Register online no later than 5 PM on Monday, Apr. 12.
Congregations find Sacred Ground for racial justice work
BY NINA NICHOLSON
Are you looking for a way to create a safe environment to talk about racial justice? Several congregations have found exactly that through the Sacred Ground dialogue series, created by The Episcopal Church.

This past winter, members of at least six congregations in the Diocese of Newark completed the 10-part series. Read more.
Two Newton Churches Tackle Racism
IN THE NEWS: MAR 28, 2021 | TAPinto.net
As a joint project during the season of Lent, more than 40 parishioners from two Newton churches, Christ Episcopal Church and Mount Calvary Baptist Church, participated in a five-week discussion series, “Crossing the Divide: Brave Discussions about Race,” with the goal of developing racial literacy and educating each other on racism and its impact. Read more.
In the News
St. Luke's, Montclair:
MAR 18, 2021 | Montclair Local
Christ Church, Short Hills:
MAR 19, 2021 | TAPinto.net
St. Michael's, Wayne:
MAR 2021 | Episcopal Journal
Grace, Madison and Christ Church, Short Hills:
MAR 30, 2021 | Episcopal News Service
We want to share your congregation's stories
The next issue of The VOICE Online will be published Wednesday, Apr. 14.

Submit items for consideration by 10 AM Friday, Apr. 9 at: dioceseofnewark.org/VOICE-submissions
Diocesan scholarships available for 2021-2022
These diocesan scholarship funds are now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 academic year:

Clergy ministry transitions
Arrivals

  • The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass, Rector, Christ Church, Short Hills - MAR 17
  • The Rev. Brandon Daniel King, Priest-in-Charge, Trinity, Bayonne - MAR 22

Departures

  • The Rev. Willie Smith, Rector, Trinity, Cliffside Park - FEB 28

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2021.
Bishop's Update on Journey Forward Guidelines
Dear Companions on the Journey,

An update to the Journey Forward Guidelines was shared with clergy and wardens on Friday, March 26, 2021. This document was created in response to requests from some of our churches to meet despite the current Red/Very High Risk designation of every county in our diocese. While am unable to recommend this course of action due to the daily increase in new cases and infection rate in the month of March, the update includes suggestions for those who decide to move forward with in-person worship at this time.

On the COIVD-19 Information page
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.
Updates received after 4 PM Friday will be posted the following week.

A holy place in virtual space for mourning and memory.

Prayers can be sent to Canon Wright at awright@dioceseofnewark.org for posting.
Please include the name and town of your church.
Cross Roads is the ecumenical camp and retreat center of our diocese and the NJ Synod of the ELCA (Lutheran Church).
Register for Summer Camp 2021
Registration for all Cross Roads summer camp programs for youth and families is now OPEN. Find the schedule, program descriptions, and more information on the website. You can also register to attend an upcoming Summer Camp Q&A Session with the Cross Roads staff to hear more about what camp will look like this summer.
Now Hiring: Summer Staff
Cross Roads is looking for trustworthy and creative young adults to help serve our Cross Roads community this summer as counselors and support staff members. Learn more and apply on the Cross Roads website.
Wednesdays Away
WED, APR 7, 10 AM - 12 NOON
The theme of Cross Roads' next virtual Wednesdays Away retreat is "Christ is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!" Click here to register.
Save the Date:
Camp Sunday Worship
MAY 9
The Cross Roads staff will provide a full Camp Sunday worship service for congregations to use on Sunday, May 9. All materials, including a full recorded worship service and order of service, will be made available ahead of time on the Cross Roads website.
The VOICE Online is currently being published every other Wednesday