The Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Weekly News Digest
Thursday, January 14, 2010
In This Issue
Response to the Earthquake in Haiti
Diocesan Convention News & Deadlines
Diocesan Scholarship Funds Now Accepting Applications
Free H1N1 Vaccination Clinics
Absalom Jones Service
Confirmation Retreats
Workshops & Classes
News for Youth
News for Clergy
News for Lay Persons
Diocesan Calendar
Diocesan Deadlines
TOMORROW,
January 15:
Convention Registration/Certification

January 18:
Next Digest

January 26:
Convention Video Announcements

January 29:
Happening Registration

February 5:
Confirmation Retreat Registration Feb. 19-20

February 19:
Confirmation Retreat Registration March 5-6

February 26:
Middle School Retreat Registration

March 12:
Confirmation Retreat Registration March 26-27
The Voice
Click image to go to December Voice
December 2009 issue
H1N1 ("Swine") Flu
& Seasonal Flu
Information and resources for individuals and congregations
Our Diocese on the Web!
Facebook

Diocesan Fan Page
For everybody!

Youth Ministry Group
For youth in grades 6-12,
their parents and ministers


Young Adult Ministry Group
For people ages 18-30
and their ministers


Watch our YouTube videos
Our Bishop on the Web!
The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith

Bishop Beckwith's Blog:
"For Gates of Hope"

"Friend" Bishop Beckwith on Facebook
Episcopal House "Family Essentials" Drive
We hope all visitors and meeting attendees at Episcopal House will bring donations of non- perishable food items and personal care and baby products. For more information, please contact Jackie Ross, 973-430-9911.
Congregation & Clergy Information Online
Our aim is to include the most updated information possible. Please check the online directories for Churches, Clergy and Organizations and send corrections to Nina Nicholson.
Episcopal House will be closed next Monday, January 18,
in commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.


The Episcopal Diocese of NewarkAlmighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last; Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Engaging the World:
Response to the Earthquake in Haiti

Click on image to go to ENS articleThe Diocese of Newark will donate $10,000 to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, after a unanimous vote by Diocesan Council at its meeting last night.

"Haiti has been shattered by this earthquake," said Bishop Mark Beckwith in a press release today. "There are deep, longstanding connections between the Diocese of Newark and Haiti, and we are drawing on those connections to offer the most helpful and hopeful response that we can."

Diocesan CFO Rich Graham noted that despite the financial challenges the diocese has faced during the recession, "We were able to 'dig deep' and come up with $10,000 for Haiti thanks to careful management of expenses, which were under budget for 2009."

The money will be donated to Episcopal Relief & Development's Haiti Fund. ERD has supported the Diocese of Haiti for many years through a central Development Office and a network of 28 development agents. It began disbursing funds within 24 hours of the earthquake to meet immediate relief needs and is committed to a long-term recovery effort, according to a January 13 press release.

The Diocese of Haiti, which comprises the whole country, is the largest diocese in The Episcopal Church. The Dioceses of Newark and Haiti are both members of Province II.

Bishop Beckwith and other Province II bishops, who were at their annual retreat when the earthquake occurred, have pledged $10,000 from their own resources to ERD's Haiti Fund and issued a statement through Episcopal News Service. Haiti Bishop Jean Zach� Duracin was not at the retreat.

The Episcopal Diocese of NewarkWhat Congregations Can Do
Bishop Beckwith joins with Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori in urging that contributions be made to ERD's Haiti Fund.

(See the Presiding Bishop's statements in print, and via video with ERD President Rob Radtke.)

ERD has provided bulletin inserts for distribution this Sunday.

Deacon Diane Riley notes that the State Department Operations Center has set up a toll-free number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti, at 1-888-407-4747.
Diocesan Convention News & Deadlines

ConventionDiocesan seal136th Annual Convention
Friday, Jan. 29 & Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010
at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark.
See the Convention page for more information.

Questions? Contact Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary of Convention.


ConventionRegistrationThe combined registration/certification form
has been mailed to churches with a requested return of TOMORROW, Friday, January 15, 2010. The form has three purposes:
  1. To list all elected deputies and alternates;
  2. To certify the election of the deputies and alternates. Only those individuals certified on the form will be allowed to represent your congregation at the convention;
  3. To register the deputies or alternates who are expected to attend the convention. The form can also be used to order guest dinners and lunches.
The registration fee is $165 per deputy and includes all meals.

VideoAnnouncementsVideo Announcements for display during diocesan convention are being coordinated by Jan Paxton. Information must be emailed to Jan by Tuesday, January 26. Please include the words "convention announcement" in the subject line.

What you should send:
  • The text of your announcement -- either in the body of your email, or as an attachment. If sending an attachment, please send the original file as the document was created in MSWord, Publisher, Word Perfect or as a text file.
  • Images (which are optional) should be sent as email attachments if they are not already embedded in your document.
  • If all you have is a PDF you may send it, but it will not make a good presentation.
What you should not send:
  • Publisher files
  • MAC files
  • PDF files (if avoidable)
  • Your own PowerPoint slide
  • A large amount of text. Remember that the announcement will be flashing on a screen -- shorter is more effective!
Groups who have previously provided hard copies for the handouts table should consider using the video announcements instead as a more effective advertisement tool.

Please contact Jan Paxton for questions or further information.
Diocesan Scholarship Funds
Now Accepting Applications


The Mary G. Rankin Scholarship Fund is for diocesan youth graduating from high school in 2010. The number of awards and amount of scholarships varies yearly depending upon contributions to the fund. The application deadline is April 1. To obtain an application form, or for more information, please contact Sue Bennett.

The George E. Rath Scholarship Fund supports the undergraduate studies of children of clergy canonically resident in the Diocese of Newark. The application deadline is May 15. For more information or to obtain an application form, please visit the diocesan website or contact Kay Lark, 973-430-9976.
H1N1Free H1N1 Vaccination Clinics

Christ Hospital in Jersey City will host free H1N1 vaccination clinics for the general public, age 3 and over, today and next Thursday, January 21, from 5 - 8:30 p.m. More information is available on the Christ Church website or in this Jersey Journal article, or you can contact Christ Hospital's H1N1 Information Hotline at 201-795-8141.

The Diocese of Newark's recommendations for individuals and congregations concerned about H1N1 and seasonal flu are available online.

Christ Hospital, a 381-bed state-of-the-art facility, is an Episcopal hospital affiliated with the Diocese of Newark.
AbsalomJonesAbsalom Jones Service

The Newark Chapter of the Union Of Black Episcopalians announces that the 2010 celebration of the life and ministry of the Rev. Absalom Jones will take place at Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral on Sunday, February 7 at 3:00 p.m.

All diocesan churches and institutions are invited and encouraged to participate in the festive Eucharist. Bishop Mark Beckwith will preside, and the Rev. Darryl F. James, Priest-in-Charge at Grace Church, Jamaica, Queens and a former National UBE President (1996-98), will be the guest preacher.


Liturgical dancers lead the entrance procession at the 2009 Absalom Jones Day celebration. Photo by Joseph Bodine.
Liturgical dancers lead the entrance procession at the 2009
Absalom Jones Day celebration. Photo by Joseph Bodine.

Absalom Jones was the first African American ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church. Born into slavery in 1746, Jones was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Pennsylvania in 1804 and became the rector of the historic African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia.  

Diocesan clergy are invited to vest and walk in the procession (white stoles) and choirs and musicians from around the Diocese are encouraged to participate in the massed choir that will form for the event. For more information contact the Rev. Joseph A. Harmon, liturgical coordinator for the celebration. Those needing signing for the hearing impaired should contact Deacon Kathleen Ballard before January 25, 2010.
ConfirmationConfirmation Retreats for Youth & Adults
For more information about confirmation retreats, please contact Kaileen Alston, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries, 973-430-9991.

Please Register for the Confirmation Retreats
Our Bishop strongly urges youth and adults who are preparing for Confirmation, Reception or Reaffirmation of their baptismal vows this spring to participate in the Confirmation Retreats designed by the Christian Formation Commission. (Download flyer.)

The first retreat will be February 19-20 at The Church of the Epiphany in Orange for Districts 3, 7 & 10. The adult portion will be bilingual with Spanish! The registration deadline is February 5. Registration forms are available online in English and Spanish / en Espa�ol.

The schedule for the remaining Confirmation Retreats is:
  • March 5-6: Districts 1, 5 & 9
    at St. Paul's, Morris Plains
    (registration form - deadline February 19)
  • March 26-27: Districts 2, 4, 6 & 8
    at St. Andrew & Holy Communion, South Orange
    (registration form - deadline March 12)
Share Your Ministry with Young People!
Are you involved in a music, outreach, altar guild, hospitality, Eucharistic or other ministry in your congregation or on a diocesan level? Then the Christian Formation Commission ("CFC") would love to have you share that experience with our youth at a confirmation retreat this winter! The CFC wants to impress upon our youth that confirmation is not graduation, but an opportunity to affirm your faith and claim your ministry as a Christian. If you would like to participate and help youth find their ministries in their own congregations, please contact Kaileen Alston.
Anti-racismEquipping Congregations:
Workshops & Classes

Anti-Racism Dialogues will be held in March and June. Cost is $15 and registration is required; please contact Kitty Kawecki.

March Sessions - at St. Agnes', Little Falls
Part 1: Wednesday, March 3, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Part 2: Wednesday, March 10, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

June Sessions - at Episcopal House
Part 1: Saturday, June 26, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Part 2: Sunday, June 27, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

For more information about diocesan-sponsored workshops and classes, please contact Kitty Kawecki, Director of Resources & Training, 973-430-9902.
Equipping Congregations & Empowering People:
News for Youth

HappeningyouthHappening #24 is almost here! It will be held February 12-14 at St. Paul's Church in Paterson. Happening is a great retreat where teens in grades 9-12 have a fabulous time getting to know each other and exploring their faith! The cost is $66 and scholarships are available upon request. Registrations are due by January 29.

MSRetreatThe Middle School Retreat is a fun-filled weekend for youth in grades 6-8. It will take place March 12-14 at Cross Roads Outdoor Ministries. This year's topic is "T.I.M. - The Influential Media." The retreat will address how youth are affected by different media including the internet, magazines, etc. We'll talk about the ways in which our self-image (including feelings of imperfection) are affected and the consequences of putting different things about yourself out on the Internet.

The registration deadline is February 26. The retreat costs $99 and scholarships are available upon request.

The flyers and registration forms for both these Youth events will be available online shortly, but if you need them immediately, please contact Kaileen Alston, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries, 973-430-9991.
Empowering People:  News for Clergy
Clergy Conversation Schedule
NOTE:  New time of 10am-noon. Also, please bring a lunch for afterward if your schedule allows.
  • Jan. 19 - District 10 - Bishop Beckwith - St. Elizabeth's, Ridgewood
  • Jan. 19 - District 1 - Canon Jacobs - Phillipsburg
  • Jan. 26 - District 4 - Canon Jacobs - Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral
  • Jan. 26 - District 2 - Bishop Beckwith - Lincoln Park
  • Feb. 16 - District 3 - Bishop Beckwith - Millington
  • Feb. 16 - District 5 - Canon Jacobs - St. John's, Montclair
  • Feb. 23 - District 7 - Bishop Beckwith - TBA
  • Feb. 23 - District 6 - Canon Jacobs - Grace, Union City
The Commission on Ministry Website has been updated and revised. Clergy who have a parishioner interested in seeking ordination to the priesthood or the diaconate should refer to the website and must contact Paul R. Shackford, Chair of the Commission on Ministry, or the Rev. Paul Olsson, Chair of the Committee on the Diaconate, as appropriate, prior to establishing a Parish Discernment Committee.

Licenses to Officiate in the Diocese of Newark:
Any clergy not canonically resident in the Diocese of Newark MUST have a current license to officiate. This requirement applies to assistant and associate priests as well. Please download the Application to Renew and/or contact Patty Leonard, 973-430-9906 for further assistance.
Empowering People:  News for Lay Persons
Lay persons who are interested in discerning a possible call to ordained ministry should read the guidelines on the Commission on Ministry's website, and discuss with the clergy of their congregation the possibility of establishing a Parish Discernment Committee. The clergy must contact the Commission on Ministry prior to establishing such a committee.
Diocesan Calendar
Diocesan Calendar
Thursday, January 14
Free H1N1 Vaccination Clinic
at Christ Hospital, Jersey City
Pre-Convention Meeting, 7:30-9 pm
at Christ Church, East Orange

Monday, January 18
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Episcopal House is closed

Thursday, January 21
Free H1N1 Vaccination Clinic at Christ Hospital, Jersey City

Friday & Saturday, January 29-30
Diocesan Convention, Robert Treat Hotel, Newark.

Sunday, February 7
Absalom Jones Service, Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral

Sunday-Tuesday, February 7-9
Clergy Pre-Lenten Retreat, Holy Cross Monastery, West Park, NY.

Wednesday, February 10
Diocesan Council meeting, at Episcopal House

Friday & Saturday, February 19 & 20
Confirmation Retreat for Districts 3, 7, 10 at Epiphany, Orange
(Bilingual with Spanish for adults; contact Kaileen Alston if children need assistance as well)

Wednesdays, March 3 & 10
Anti-Racism Dialogues, St. Agnes', Little Falls

Friday & Saturday, March 5 & 6
Confirmation Retreat for Districts 1, 5, 9 at St. Paul's, Morris Plains

Friday & Saturday, March 26 & 27
Confirmation Retreat for Districts 2, 4, 6, 8 at St. Andrew & Holy Communion, South Orange
DigestDeadlineAbout the Weekly News Digest: We publish diocesan event and meeting information in the Digest every Thursday (with the exception of holidays).

While the Digest will publish any relevant information regarding district events and meetings, prior notification emailed to the Newark List will preclude a mention in the Digest unless special circumstances warrant. We do not publish information about parish-related events.

The Digest is sent to all subscribers of the Newark List and to all Clergy and Wardens. To change your email information, please visit the sign-up page on the diocesan website.

To suggest information that might be included in the Digest, please email a brief description (no more than 100 words). Be sure to include contact information for your meeting or event. PLEASE DO NOT SEND FLYERS! The deadline for receipt of information to be included in the Digest is 5:00 pm on the Monday prior to publication; thus, the deadline for the next Weekly News Digest is Monday, January 18, 2010.