The Voice Online of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Online Edition - Thursday, January 28, 2016

142nd Annual Convention_ Who is my neighbor_
Preview of the 142nd Annual Diocesan Convention
Nearly 500 clergy and lay leaders from congregations throughout the diocese will address the question Who is my neighbor? at the 142nd Annual Diocesan Convention. Held once again at the Hilton Hotel in Parsippany, the two-day Convention will begin at 9 AM Friday, January 29 with registration, and is scheduled to adjourn at 3:30 PM Saturday, January 30 (see the full proposed agenda).

Even if you're not attending Convention in person, you can still follow it online. Videos, photos, and updates will be posted throughout the convention on the diocesan website (dioceseofnewark.org), Facebook page (facebook.com/dionewark) and Twitter feed (twitter.com/dionewark). Our official hashtag for social media is #dionewark142.

Bishop Lane
Bishop Lane
The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane, ninth Bishop of Maine, will be guest preacher at the opening Eucharist, which begins at 12:30 PM on Friday.

Bishop Lane will also give a workshop, Changing Church Culture: Experiments in Getting Out, at 5:30 PM Friday and 12:30 PM Saturday.

Bishop Beckwith will give his "State of the Diocese" address at the Morning Prayer service which begins at 8:30 AM Saturday.

Read more to learn about other speakers and workshop leaders, Mission Minutes, worship at Convention, Friday night's special entertainment and more!

Bishop Beckwith speaking at Convention in 2015.
Bishop Beckwith speaking at Convention in 2015.

Upcoming Events
Friday, February 5 - Sunday, February 7
Happening #28 - last day to register!
TODAY is the final deadline to register for Happening Happening - A Christian Experience, a fabulous program for youth in grades 9-12 to make new friends, relax and have lots of fun in a safe environment while exploring their own spirituality.

The registration fee is $72 per youth; scholarships are available. Find out more, including registration forms for youth participants and adult chaperones.

Confirmation Retreats
Confirmation Retreats - register early for a discount
The Bishop strongly urges everyone preparing for Confirmation, Reception or Reaffirmation of their baptismal vows this spring to attend a Confirmation Retreat, and three retreats are being provided in March and early April. Discounted early-bird registration is currently available for all three, but the early-bird registration deadline for the first retreat on March 4-5 is February 4. Once a retreat's early-bird deadline passes, registrants will have to pay full price. Don't wait - register now! Find out more.
 
Absalom Jones
Sunday, February 21, 3 PM
Public celebration of the Feast of Absalom Jones
The Diocese of Newark Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians will celebrate the life and ministry of the Rev. Absalom Jones, the first person of African descent ordained a deacon and priest in the Episcopal Church, at a service at Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral in Newark. Find out more.

Equipping Congregations
Churches can apply now for these diocesan grants

Ward J. Herbert Fund
Provides funds for buildings that are used for congregational functions. There are three funding cycles each year, with funds being dispersed in June, September and December.
Application deadline for June 2016 grants: Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Find out more, and download the Ward J. Herbert grant application
 
ACTS/VIM Fund
Funds Church program proposals. There is one funding cycle each year.
Application deadline for 2016 grants: Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Find out more, and download the ACTS/VIM grant application

Marge Christie Congregational Growth and Vitality Fund
Provides funds for the support, strengthening, development and renewal of our congregations' mission and ministry. There is one funding cycle each year.
Application deadline for 2016 grants: Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Find out more, and download the Marge Christie Fund grant application

Empowering People
Writers sought for Lenten email meditations
Ash Wednesday Lenten email meditations will be published starting Ash Wednesday, February 10, and continuing through and including Holy Saturday, March 26.

As in Advent, meditations are being produced under the oversight of the Empowering People Action Team of Diocesan Council, and volunteers are being sought to write them. To sign up to write a meditation, please email meditations@dionewark.org.

To subscribe to receive the meditations, go to dioceseofnewark.org/meditations.

Cross Roads
Sign up online for Cross Roads' newsletters
Stay connected with Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center by joining their mailing list. With newsletters going out multiple times a year, you can stay up to date on everything happening at Cross Roads! Subscribe now at crossroadsretreat.com/newsletters.
 
Engaging the World
Episcopal House
Episcopal House Staff Opening:
Hispanic/Latino Missioner
This part-time position (25 hours/week) is responsible for advocacy and for oversight of Hispanic/Latino ministry in the Diocese of Newark. Applications must be received by March 15. Find out more.
 
News from
Episcopal House
Episcopal House closed Monday
Episcopal House will be closed next Monday, February 1 due to Convention on Friday and Saturday.

Nina Nicholson
Be included in the Ashes to Go press release
If your church is offering "Ashes to Go" and you'd like to be in the diocese's "Ashes to Go" press release to local media, please send your church's town, name, office phone number, and the time(s) and location(s) you will be offering Ashes to Go, to Nina Nicholson , Director of Communications & Technology, no later than 12 noon on Friday, February 5.
 
Submit your media coverage to The VOICE Online
The next issue of The VOICE Online, with Convention coverage, will be published next week on Thursday, February 4. If you have a link to media coverage about your church, please submit it for consideration to Nina Nicholson no later than this Monday, February 1.
 
Paul Shackford
Online filing now open for 2015 Parochial Reports
Online filing for 2015 Parochial Reports began January 4; the deadline is Tuesday, March 1. The workbooks for assistance in filing the report are available online. "Churches that complete the Reports in January and February find that the reports are much easier to complete than when they wait longer," said Paul Shackford, diocesan CFO. Find out more.
 
The Rev. Canon Gregory A. Jacobs
Clergy ministry transitions
The Rev. Canon Gregory A. Jacobs, Canon to the Ordinary, announces the following;

Departures
The Rev. Robert Hagler, OHC, Vicar, St. Andrew's Church, Newark - January 31

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2016.

Open clergy positions
  • St. Mary's, Sparta - full-time rector
  • St. Peter's, Morristown - full-time priest associate

 

The VOICE Online is a bi-weekly publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark with news, events and feature articles of interest to members and friends of our diocese. 

 

Questions? Please contact Nina Nicholson, Director of Communications & Technology, 973-430-9907.

 

Contact Episcopal House: 31 Mulberry Street, Newark NJ 07102 | 973-430-9900 | Staff Directory

 

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn 

Join Our Mailing List