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In this year when we continue to experience the goodness of God’s love, mercy, and blessings, I send my hopes for your Thanksgiving gathering to be filled with love and joy. May God’s presence within us guide us to bless those who are mourning, lonely, or hungry with comfort and plenty. Treasure this time, it is a precious gift given to us by the God who loves us.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Bishop Hughes
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Ordination to the Priesthood:
The Rev. Deacon William "Billy" Adams
MON, NOV 28 | 7 PM | St. Elizabeth's, Ridgewood
God willing and the people consenting, the Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, 11th Bishop of Newark, will ordain the Rev. Deacon William “Billy” Adams to the Sacred Order of Priests.
Clergy are invited to vest in Cassock and Surplice with white stoles.
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Strategic Visioning Zoom listening sessions
THU, DEC 1 & MON, DEC 12 | 7-8:30 PM | Zoom
Missed the Listening Session at your church? Haven’t been invited to a Listening Session yet? Then register for one of the Virtual Listening Sessions happening in December.
The Strategic Visioning Team wants to hear from you. What dreams do you have for your congregation? What ministries do you want to collaborate on? What are your priorities? We won’t know without your participation.
Please register below and plan to join us. If you have any questions, contact the Strategic Visioning Team’s co-leaders or consultant.
The registration deadline for each session is 5 PM the day before.
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Anti-Sexism Training
SAT, DEC 3 | 8:30 AM - 3 PM | Episcopal House
All are welcome to participate. Candidates standing for office at the Annual Diocesan Convention and all clergy must complete this training.
The registration deadline is 5 PM next Monday, Nov. 28.
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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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Episcopal House holiday closing
Episcopal House will be closed tomorrow in observance of Thanksgiving and Friday in observance of Native American Heritage Day.
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
– Book of Common Prayer, p. 246
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Announcing Alleluia Fund Season!
The diocesan Alleluia Fund for Outreach is anchored in the belief that all of us together can spread the incredible love of Jesus.
From adults in Newark earning their GED to people in Burundi getting clean water, the Alleluia Fund grants made possible by your donation change lives, unite people, and create new possibilities in communities both near and far.
You can donate online or mail a check (payable to the Diocese of Newark with “Alleluia Fund” in the memo line) to: The Diocese of Newark, 31 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102.
When you give to the Alleluia Fund, you are making tangible your desire to see all people live in safety and harmony. Thank you for your generous support!
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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 | |
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Last night, members of St. John’s Memorial Church in Ramsey joined with their neighbors to hold a candlelight vigil for those murdered and injured in the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs.
The vigil was organized by Nick Haas, who grew up at St John’s, and supported by RASE NJ (Ramsey Alliance for Social Equity).
Scroll down for a statement on the Club Q shooting from Bishops United Against Gun Violence.
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Rummage Sale
SAT, DEC 3 | 9 AM - 2 PM | St. Peter's, Mount Arlington
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Cross Roads is the ecumenical camp and retreat center of our diocese and the NJ Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Shepherds’ Gathering
THU, DEC 1 - SUN, DEC 4
Join us at Cross Roads for our Shepherds’ Gathering. A retreat designed for all leaders, clergy and lay, who work with children, youth, and young adults. This year’s Shepherd’s Gathering will focus on Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Check-in for the event will start at 4 PM on Friday, December 2 at the Christ Center. Guests are welcome to depart as needed based on their church responsibilities (meals will be provided through breakfast on Sunday, December 4).
Participants are welcome to come on Thursday, December 1 for a time to rest and relax before the retreat begins (If arriving on Thursday, December 1, meals start with breakfast on Friday, December 2).
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Led by: Rev. Annemarie H. Cook and Dana Rahmel, M.S.Ed.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a practical two-hour online training (must be completed prior to attending in-person coursework at the Shepherds’ Gathering) that will prepare those who work with young people in what to do when youth are experiencing a mental health crisis, the onset of a mental health disorder, or may be at risk for suicide. Just as CPR helps those without medical training assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step action plan that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support. The training will include background information about mental health disorders, a Mental Health First Aid manual, and practical training through scenarios and activities.
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Happening in the Wider Church | |
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Once Again: Bishops United Statement on the Club Q Shooting
Bishops United Against Gun Violence has issued this statement in response to the November 20 shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs:
Once again,
beloved LBGTQ+ children of God have died at the hands of a gunman fueled by hatred.
Once again,
beloved LGBTQ+ children of God have died at the hands of a gunman already known to police.
Once again,
beloved LGBTQ+ children of God have died after a relentless campaign of vilification by politicians, pundits and television personalities.
Once again,
beloved LGBTQ+ children of God have died at the hands of a gunman who should not have been allowed to obtain a weapon because guns are too easy to get, and too easy for people in crisis to keep.
Once again,
In the face of this unspeakable evil, broken by sorrow and fired by rage, we put our faith in Jesus, whose triumph over death calls our church to act decisively against gun violence in all its forms.
Read the full statement.
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Happening in the Wider Community | |
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Church World Service seeks housing for Ukrainian refugees
You may remember previous articles about the churches in the "Constance" Regional Ministry Network partnering to renovate first an unused rectory, then a second church building, to host two Afghan refugee families through Church World Service (CWS).
Now, CWS is anticipating that 25,000 or more Ukrainian refugees will arrive in the New York/New Jersey area in the coming months. Some of these refugees hope to remain in the U.S., but most intend to return to Ukraine when it is safe to do so. CWS has access to limited housing options, but nowhere near enough to meet this demand, so they are reaching out to find housing resources that may be available on a temporary or permanent basis. An empty rectory, an empty apartment, or any other suitable accommodation would be a great help.
If your church has a potential housing to offer, you can contact CWS staff members Maria (msciancalepore@cwsglobal.org) or Golnaz (ggolriz@cwsglobal.org) to discuss further.
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The VOICE Online currently is published every other Wednesday.
Next issue: WED, DEC 7
Submission deadline: FRI, DEC 2, 10 AM
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