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

Wednesday, August 19, 2020
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From Our Bishop
Forgiveness
Bishop Hughes talks about the rite of confession and forgiveness in our Book of Common Prayer, and how it can be a means letting go of grudges and wounds and going forth changed and blessed.

Click on the video at right to watch (time: 4:05), or click here to read the transcript.
From Our Canons
Four Ways to Pray
By the Rev. Canon Margo Peckham Clark
Prayer is really like breathing. It is what keeps us connected to life, to God. It is also more than that, is the way we develop a true relationship with our Savior and source of life and strength. Doing things that make us feel aware of God and connected are hugely important.
As this stormy summer winds towards fall, give yourself the life-giving possibility of truly deepening your relationship with God. Read more.
Stories from Our Congregations
"We have never been here before": Congregations join schools, families in discerning how to help students
Congregations all over the Diocese of Newark have always helped students and parents navigate the challenges of returning to school each fall. The unpredictability of what “school” will look like this year means flexibility is the key to that ministry, according to those in the midst of connecting with their communities’ schools.

No two school districts’ plans are exactly alike, and everyone acknowledges that today’s plan could change depending on the course of the pandemic. Read more.
To support these three ministries in feeding and assisting students and their families, simply visit e-giving.dioceseofnewark.org and go to Area of Greatest Need: Food Pantries (second item from the top). Donations made from Aug. 19 through Sept. 8, 2020 will be divided among Toni's Kitchen at St. Luke's, Montclair; the food ministry of Christ Church, Teaneck; and the Paterson Education Fund associated with St. Paul's, Paterson.
In the news
The Rev. Deacon Raul Ausa:
JUL 31, 2020 | TapInto.net
St. Luke's, Montclair:
AUG 5, 2020 | Episcopal News Service
Bishop John Shelby Spong:
AUG 18, 2020 | MorristownGreen.com
Don't let your congregation's story go untold!
The next issue of The VOICE Online will be after Labor Day, on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Submit items for consideration by 10 AM Friday, Sept. 4 at dioceseofnewark.org/VOICE-submissions.
Upcoming Events
Summer Regional Zoom calls tomorrow and August 27
The Summer Regional Ministry Network Zoom meetings will resume on August 20 and 27, featuring Dr. Dan Hale, Special Advisor to the President of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD.

Dr. Hale takes a personal and professional look at mental health topics, depression in particular, and offers insight for those who “…suffer from depression themselves, deal with it as health professionals or faith leaders, live with others who have it, or know others who do.” In other words, all of us.

Find out more, including when and how to attend.
Ordination to the Priesthood: The Rev. Deacon Raul Ausa
TUE, SEP 1, 6 PM
Because in-person participants are strictly limited in number, this service will be streamed live to the diocesan YouTube channel at youtube.com/c/dionewark, where all are invited to join us online for this joyous celebration.

The bulletin for this service will be posted here as a downloadable PDF, as soon as it is available.
A lay conversation with the Bishop
THU, SEP 17, 6 PM
Scheduled for 90 minutes, this monthly Zoom conversation with Bishop Hughes is open to all members of the diocese.

An email invitation will be sent Monday, September 14 to recipients of The VOICE Online with sign-in instructions for this Zoom meeting.

Episcopal Visitation schedule 2020-21
Bishop Hughes' schedule of official visitations for the 2020-21 program year, which commences this Sunday, August 23, is posted here. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all visitations will be held online until further notice. For details, see the Customary for Episcopal Visitations.
Celebrations of new ministry
SAT, SEP 19 - The Rev. Joan Conley as Rector of St. Mark’s, Teaneck
SAT, SEP 26 - The Rev. Michael Muller as Rector of St. Peter's, Mountain Lakes
Both of these joyous occasions will be viewable online, either via live stream or a recording posted afterwards. Details will be announced in the Sept. 9 issue of The VOICE Online.
Diocesan Announcements & Resources
A chance to test drive the Mevo Start live streaming camera
One of the key pieces of equipment presented at the diocese's July 18 webinar on live streaming was the Mevo Start, an affordable camera designed specifically for live streaming. The diocesan Communications Office has acquired one which was used to live stream the July 29 diaconal ordinations.

If you're interested in this camera but would like to see how it performs in your worship space before you make the investment, email Nina Nicholson to schedule a weekday site visit.
Thursdays or Fridays are preferred; some Mondays may be available. Site visits must be masked, with 6-foot distancing as much as possible. Lens-safe alcohol wipes will be available to disinfect the equipment so it is safe to touch.
Stewardship Matters: Make a New Plan, Stan
We already know this year is not like last year. We've been out of our church buildings for these many months. Ministries are still happening, and worship is still happening, and yes "church" is still happening, but we can't ignore the fact that there are challenges ahead for next year's pledge campaign. The good news is that with some planning and teamwork and creativity now, you can be better prepared for those challenges come the fall. Read more.
Clergy ministry transitions
Arrivals
  • The Rev. Sheelagh Clarke, Priest-in-Residence, Church of the Holy Innocents, West Orange - AUG 15
  • The Rev. Raul Ausa, Priest-in-Charge, Trinity, Allendale - SEP 1
Click here for all clergy ministry transitions in 2020.
On the COVID-19 Information page
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.
COVID Creations Project: Share your pandemic experiences
Telling the stories of our time in pandemic helps us process what we are experiencing, gives us insight into what we have lost and learned, and creates a record before our memories of these intense days fade.

Share your photos, poetry or brief reflections with the COVID Creations Project by sending them to CovidCreationsStory@gmail.com. We will combine words with images and share these creations in The VOICE Online and on diocesan social media.
Happening at Cross Roads
Camp at Camp in August
The Cross Roads cabin facilities are open and available for families to rent! Make memories while enjoying nature, playing outside together after much time indoors, and taking some time to disconnect and breathe fresh air again. Click here to register and inquire about availability.
Order Now: Camp Boxes
Since Cross Roads can’t bring you to camp this summer, they’re bringing camp to you! Inside each camp box campers will receive materials to try many different camp activities, including crafts, nature and science activities, cooking recipes, Bible studies, and more. With the purchase of a camp box, you will also have access to several exclusive Camp at Home videos to guide you through the activities. Order yours today.
Fall Women's Retreat
Join together on Zoom this fall for the annual Cross Roads Women's Retreat! There are four dates from which to choose: 9/26, 9/27, 10/10, or 10/11. Each retreat will be led by Dale Selover and Laurie Matarazzo with the same program, focused on "The Way of Love." Learn more about this retreat here.
Camp Store: ONLINE!
Items from the Cross Roads Camp Store are now available for purchase online, including two limited-edition t-shirts for Summer 2020. Check out all the merchandise and place an order today.
The VOICE Online is currently being published every other Wednesday