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

Wednesday, December 1, 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.
This Advent, look for the hope – and be the hope
In this first week of Advent, Bishop Hughes asks us: "Consider how you can look for the hope. Look for the hope that is Jesus in your life or Jesus in the world. And not only look for the hope – how can you be the hope? In what ways can you offer the hope to someone else?" (Time: 3:36.)
Six Constance Region churches prepare to host Afghan refugees
By Nina Nicholson
It started with the images from thousands of miles away that dominated the news at the end of the summer. “I watched on TV, as we all did, when Afghan refugees were piling onto airplanes, struggling to get out of Afghanistan, and out of the terrible situation there,” said Don MacGowan, outreach chair at St. Peter’s, Mountain Lakes.

He went to St. Peter’s Rector, the Rev. Michael Muller, and said, “We’ve got to do something.” Read more and view the photo gallery.
December ordinations
Your prayers and online presence are requested. Due to COVID risk and for the safety of the participants, please join us for these joyous occasions via YouTube.
SAT, DEC 4, 10 AM

Danielle Baker and George Dredden.
SAT, DEC 18, 2 PM

The Rev. Deacon Carrie Cabush,
the Rev. Deacon Katherine Rollo
and the Rev. Deacon Lorna Woodham.
The December Ordinands at a recent retreat. ANDREW WRIGHT PHOTO
Ordinands to the Diaconate: George Dredden (left) and Danielle Baker (center).
Ordinands to the Priesthood: Carrie Cabush (2nd from left), Lorna Woodham (2nd from right) and Katherine Rollo (right).
Lay conversation with the Bishop
THU, JAN 13, 7-8:30 PM
Scheduled for 90 minutes, this Zoom conversation is open to all members of the diocese.

An email invitation will be sent Monday, January 10 to recipients of The VOICE Online with sign-in instructions for this Zoom meeting. Find out more.
November Confirmation services
Join us in celebrating the 78 Candidates who were Confirmed, Received or Reaffirmed this past month!
November 6 at Calvary, Summit:
November 9 at St. James, Upper Montclair:
November 21 at Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral:
November 30 at Grace, Madison:
It's time for churches to submit their 2022 Annual Health Insurance and Pension Reports
Now that Annual Enrollment has ended, (Oct. 13-Nov. 2), per resolution, it is time to report on the health insurance and pension decisions that you and your employees have made for 2022.

A copy of the 2022 Annual Health Insurance and Pension Report has been emailed to each church. After completing the quick and easy online form, just hit “Submit” and the form will be returned to the diocese. Remember, churches should return the form even if you use supply priests and/or have no paid staff.

Questions? Please contact Leslie Thomas, Diocesan Benefits Administrator at lthomas@dioceseofnewark.org or 973-430-9981.
Upcoming Convention deadlines
Friday, Dec. 10:


Monday, Dec. 13:

  • Exhibits Space Requests
  • Congregation Deputation Registration/Certification Forms
  • Preliminary Dinner Guest Count
Christmas & New Year's Break
In observance of Christmas and New Year's, the Bishop and her staff will be on holiday break starting 1 PM Thursday, December 23, 2021 through Sunday, January 2, 2022.
Next issue: Wednesday, Dec. 15.
Deadline: 10 AM Friday, Dec. 10.
Employment opportunities in our churches, associated organizations, and neighboring Episcopal dioceses.
Cross Roads is the ecumenical camp and retreat center of our diocese and the NJ Synod of the ELCA (Lutheran Church).
Cross Roads is hiring!
Applications for the Cross Roads Summer Staff 2022 are LIVE! 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.
Cross Roads Christmas Shop
From now through January 15, 2022, you can purchase limited-edition items for the Cross Roads fan in your life. The shop includes long-sleeve or short-sleeve T-shirts and sweatshirts in a variety of sizes and colors. A portion of each sale supports the Cross Roads Annual Fund. Click here to visit the shop.
Young Adult Retreat
FRI-SUN, JAN 7-9, 2022
Young adults (ages 18-30ish) are invited to pause and renew your mental, physical, and spiritual health as we begin a new year. This retreat is open to all young adults who are looking for a weekend away at camp. More details on the weekend retreat, including Covid protocols, available on the Cross Roads website at: crossroadsretreat.com/young-adult-retreat. Register today!
Wednesdays Away Retreats
Cross Roads is now be offering the Wednesdays Away day retreat on two dates each month. The first Wednesday of the month will be an in-person retreat at Cross Roads, from 10 AM to 3 PM. On the second Wednesday of the month, they will host the same great retreat but on Zoom, from 10 AM - 12 noon. Find all the details and register for an upcoming retreat at crossroadsretreat.com/wednesdays-away.
Bold Transformational Faith: ADVENT-ure
The Bold Transformational Faith (BTF) Program invites your congregation to check out our BTF Sunday School and Faith Formation programming, beginning with their FREE four-week ADVENT-ure program. It offers a unique lectionary-based Sunday School curriculum, children’s messages, weekly podcasts, weekly family newsletters, and virtual Sunday School with youth and leaders from around the country. Explore all the offerings at mybtf.org.
A conversation with the Presiding Bishop and his Canons
THU, DEC 9, 6 PM
Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry discusses the year ahead for The Episcopal Church. Joining him in this conversation are his Canons:

  • The Rev. Cn. C. K. Robertson, Ph.D., Canon for Ministry Beyond The Episcopal Church
  • The Rev. Cn. Stephanie Spellers, Canon for Evangelism, Reconciliation and Creation Care
  • The Rev. Cn. E. Mark Stevenson, Canon for Ministry Within The Episcopal Church

The conversation will be moderated by the Rev. Winnie Varghese, Rector of St. Luke’s Atlanta, Georgia.

The 60-minute event will include a moderated panel discussion, followed by a Q & A session.

Registration is free, but required. Click here to register.
The VOICE Online is currently published every other Wednesday