Download The VOICE Digest printable PDF with highlights from this issue.

As the increased numbers of people who have been vaccinated and the lowering of new COVID-19 cases allow us to loosen safety precautions, Bishop Hughes reflects on three things that God is bringing to our attention in a new way. (Time: 5:39.)

On Wednesday, May 19th, Bishop Hughes issued a revision to the Journey Forward guidelines for the Diocese of Newark, in response to the improvement in risk levels across the diocese. On Covid ActNow (covidactnow.org), all counties in the diocese had dropped to Medium Risk, coded with the color yellow. Risk levels could increase, returning to High Risk (Orange) or Very High (Red). These guidelines provide information for each of these risk levels. Read more.

This Friday, May 28 at 5 PM is the deadline for clergy and wardens to submit the names of up to four long-standing, active members who are 60+ and have made contributions to parish and/or diocesan ministry. Find out more.

The awards presentation will premiere on the diocesan YouTube channel on Sunday, June 13 at 3 PM, and will remain available for on-demand viewing afterwards.

Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - BCP, p. 258.

All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to participate. Go to jotform.com/PopUpYM/june2021 to register in advance for this event. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.

If you need assistance with getting materials for the paint party, please email popupym@dioceseofnewark.org by Sunday, May 30.

Members of St. Luke’s, Montclair and St. James, Upper Montclair helped organize, and Bishop Hughes spoke at, the first Lantern Festival sponsored by AAPI Montclair, a brand new grassroots group for residents of Montclair and surrounding towns who identify as Asian American and/or Pacific Islander. The festival was organized for AAPI Heritage Month to remember all who have been killed and are otherwise impacted by racial violence and injustice.

Late nominations for elected offices to be voted upon at the 147th Annual Diocesan Convention on June 26 will be accepted through 12 noon on Friday, June 18. Late nominations will be included in the Convention packets distributed to deputies at the time of Registration at the Convention, and names will be handled as write-ins on ballots.

Registration for all Cross Roads summer camp programs, including 4 weeks of youth camp and 3 weeks of family camp, is now OPEN. Find the schedule, program descriptions, and more information at crossroadsretreat.com/summer-programs.

Cross Roads is looking for a few more trustworthy and creative young adults to help serve our Cross Roads community this summer as counselors and support staff members. Please share with young adults in your communities! Find more information and the application at crossroadsretreat.com/employment.

A generous legacy gift from Zion Lutheran Church in Garfield makes possible a challenge for all Cross Roads donors in the month of May. The goal is to receive at least 500 gifts of any size by May 31 and we are halfway there! Thanks to Zion's support, every gift made this month will receive an additional $200 added to it, up to a total of $100,000! Learn more in this video and visit crossroadsretreat.com/online-donation to pledge your support today. Thank you!

The final Wednesdays Away gathering of the season is on June 2 from 10 AM to 12 PM on Zoom. The cost is $10. The gathering is titled "Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith" all will be led by the Rev. Dale Selover. Register for this retreat at crossroadsretreat.com/wednesdays-away.

Information on the 2021 Bishops' Cup Golf Outing, supporting the Cross Roads Annual Fund, is now available at crossroadsretreat.com/golf_outing. Register as a golfer or sign up as a sponsor!

The VOICE Online is currently published every other Wednesday