Cherishing the gift of relationships
"Every Sunday when I go to church, one of the first things I say as I open the service is, what a joy it is to be together face to face," says Bishop Hughes, reflecting on the past two-plus years when COVID made gathering difficult or impossible. This Advent is especially joyful because our gatherings are starting be restored. And so, she urges us to cherish the gift of relationships, and spend some time discerning how to take care of them going forward. (Time: 4:38.)
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Moving Forward with Jesus:
The Gospel, the Kingdom and Getting Unstuck
A study group with Bishop Hughes and Canon Clark for churches without full-time clergy
5 Tuesday evenings, Jan-Feb 2023
In these unsettled times, it can be challenging for churches to discern where God is calling them – a challenge that can feel particularly overwhelming for churches without full-time clergy. Taking into account churches with no clergy or part-time clergy as well as churches currently in transition between clergy, this description fits more than half the churches in our diocese.
Knowing this, Bishop Hughes is making her 2023 Study Group an opportunity for lay leaders from these churches to join her and Canon Clark, the Canon for Congregational Life, in prayer, study and conversation about how to get unstuck and restart in what seems like a whole new world. The goal of this work is not to find a strategy to restore things to what they were – it is to look together at how we can discern God’s call in this time.
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Strategic Visioning Zoom listening session
MON, DEC 12 | 7-8:30 PM | Zoom
Missed the Listening Session at your church? This is your final chance to register for one of the diocesan-wide Virtual Listening Sessions happening in December, and the Strategic Visioning Team wants to hear from you.
Please register by 5 PM Sunday, Dec. 11 in order to receive the Zoom link the day of this session. If you have any questions, contact the Strategic Visioning Team’s co-leaders or consultant.
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2023 Diocesan Budget presentation
WED, DEC 14 | 7:30 PM | Zoom
Diocesan CFO Sam Reckford will present a proposed 2023 diocesan budget to Diocesan Council on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 PM. That portion of the meeting will be open to the public and all are invited to join via Zoom. Following the presentation, there will be time for questions.
Note: This event was accidentally listed for Dec. 7. Please note that the correct date is Dec. 14.
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Alleluia Fund stories: Grant to Burundi leads to new church | |
While at the 2022 Lambeth Conference, Bishop Hughes had a chance to meet Bishop Aime Joseph of the Diocese of Gitega in Burundi, who told her how the Alleluia Fund grant his diocese received for clean water and sanitation led to founding a new church! This amazing story demonstrates how your gift to the Alleluia Fund can impact people around the world in surprising ways. (Time: 3:40.)
To donate to this year's Alleluia Fund, please send a check made payable to the Diocese of Newark and mail to 31 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102, or click below to donate online.
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Diocese of Newark Training - Living Out Our Baptismal Vows
By the Rev. Bill Cruse, Michele Simon, and the Rev. Diana L. Wilcox
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The Diocese of Newark is committed to pursuing ways to live into our Baptismal Covenant of “seeking and serving Christ in all persons…striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being.” (BCP page 304-305). Part of that commitment is to raise awareness of the sins of racism and sexism, and to equip clergy and lay leaders with information and tools to enable this gospel work in their lives, in their parish, and in the world. To that end, our diocese offers two separate and distinct trainings: Anti-Racism Dialogues and Anti-Sexism Training. Read more.
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Meet the newest priest in the Diocese of Newark! | |
On Monday, November 28, Bishop Hughes celebrated the ordination of the Rev. William “Billy” Adams to the Priesthood at St. Elizabeth's, Ridgewood, where he is currently serving as the Associate Rector for Church Growth. Billy comes to us from the Diocese of Kentucky. | |
Fourth BCEF Call of 2022: Calvary, Summit | |
The Bishop’s Church Emergency Fund (BCEF) provides financial support for church buildings in the diocese needing repairs and renovation, usually with a special focus on emergency and unforeseen needs. Through the BCEF, you can support the critical needs identified by the Bishop.
The fourth BCEF call of 2022 is for parking lot repaving at Calvary, Summit. Read more.
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We're looking for diocesan leaders!
Nominations are open for all elected offices at the 149th Annual Diocesan Convention. 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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Happening at Our Churches | |
Two ministries combine to feed both body and soul
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving two ministries of Holy Spirit, Verona combined to feed both body and soul of those in need. Members of the Shawl Ministry knitted and crocheted 144 hat and scarf sets as a holiday gift for the shoppers who come to Holy Spirit's monthly food pantry. Read more.
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A lunch ministry needed coverage and the Cathedral stepped in
St. John's in Boonton has recently reinstated their "Saturday Luncheon Social," but needed coverage for Saturday, November 26 because their members were participating in the Boonton Thanksgiving Parade. Members of Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral in Newark came to their rescue. Read more.
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Collecting used bikes and sewing machines as a ministry
St. John’s Memorial Church in Ramsey held a collection on October 15 for Pedals for Progress / Sewing for Peace. Over 35 volunteers aged 8 to 80+, from both St. John’s and from Ramsey’s BSA Troop 31, collected 196 bikes and 27 sewing machines. Read more.
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When do you put up your Christmas tree? | | | |
Results of the previous poll: | |
The VOICE Online currently is published every other Wednesday.
Next issue: WED, DEC 21
Submission deadline: FRI, DEC 16, 10 AM
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