The Voice Online of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Online Edition - Wednesday, May 4, 2016

From the Bishop
The Bishop's Blog: Signs of God's Grace
Engaging scripture and imagination by "Dwelling in the Word"

Posted by the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith on May 3, 2016

In this video, Bishop Mark Beckwith talks about "Dwelling in the Word," a spiritual practice in which one engages scripture through imagination. "I don't dwell in the word for the purpose of finding answers," he says. "No, I dwell in the word for the purpose of deepening my relationship with God, and discerning yet again how God was at work in the world when the text was written, and how God is at work today."

Duration: 3:14
Duration: 3:14
 
News & Features
Alleluia Story: Prison Ministry of the Diocese of Newark

Join the celebration! Alleluia stories, profiles of lives transformed through the work of our Alleluia Fund partners, have become part of our diocese's celebration of the Easter season. Share and celebrate these stories - forward them to friends and family, include them in your congregation's newsletter, like and share them on social media, and talk about them with friends at coffee hour. Celebrate Easter's life changing abundance with a gift to the Alleluia Fund for Outreach.

John Vine John Vine got involved in the Diocese of Newark's Prison Ministry 18 years ago when he volunteered at a national program that provided Christmas presents to the children of parents who were incarcerated. "We delivered presents to a grandmother who was raising three kids on her own, the father having been incarcerated and the mother having died of a drug overdose," recalls Vine. "When I asked her if there was anything else we could do she said, 'Help my boy to know the Lord.' That touched me in such a powerful way that I knew I had to do something." Read more.

Make a gift to the Alleluia Fund online or by check.
 
Photo Gallery & Video
Confirmations 2016
Confirmations 2016
In April, 213 individuals from 53 congregations - 130 youth and 83 adults - were confirmed, received or reaffirmed at six services at Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral in Newark. Jane Jubilee, Coordinator of Diocesan Resources & Events, reports on the services, thanks those who helped make them happen, and describes how her own confirmation experience two years ago was her inspiration for how she approached her role. Read more, and view Jane's photos and video.
 
Feature
Dwelling in the Word: How I went from trepidation to appreciation
By John King, Director of Administration

John King and kaileen Alston I spent well over two decades, from the time I was confirmed until the day I took the job with the diocese, avoiding Bible study like the plague. Adult forum after Sunday service? "Oh, gee, I have to run - the [insert dependent pet or child] has [insert activity or ailment]." Or I'd just slide past the coffee hour table and slip out through the kitchen. I could not fathom sharing my (at best) Bible trivia knowledge and hoping it passed for real scriptural authority. Then I was introduced to one of the exercises that is at the root of the Going Local process, Dwelling in the Word. Read more.
 
Geeks for God Blog
Report out from the Episcopal Communicators Conference
EpisComm16 Recently at the annual Episcopal Communicator Conference, the Geeks for God blog received a Polly Bond Award of Merit - second place - in the category "General Excellence: Blog." Nina Nicholson, Director of Communications & Technology, who attended the conference, reports on this and also shares video of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's conference keynote address and audio of his sermon, a cartoon commissioned from conference chaplain the Rev. Jay Sidebotham, and information about membership in Episcopal Communicators. Read more.

Church News
All Saints', Leonia hosts pasta competition to benefit domestic violence shelter
All Saints__ Leonia_s _Pasta Thrown Down_ To support a local domestic violence shelter, All Saints' Church in Leonia enlisted the support of 11 area restaurants to stage their fifth annual "International Pasta Throw Down" competition.

The beneficiary, the Center for Hope and Safety in Bergen County, provides shelter and practical support to survivors of domestic abuse and their children. Read more.
 
Authors in our midst
Letters from Samaria
Letters from Samaria: The Prose & Poetry of Louie Crew Clay
Foreword by Phyllis Tickle; afterword by the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool, bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Los Angeles

A member of Grace Church in Newark, Louie Crew Clay is the founder of Integrity and has been the leading voice in LGBTQ issues in the Church over the past 40 years.

Queer Virtue Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know About Life and Love and How It Can Revitalize Christianity (On sale May 17)
By the Rev. Elizabeth M. Edman

The Rev. Elizabeth Edman is canonically resident in our diocese and has previously served at All Saints Episcopal Parish in Hoboken. Several film shorts - micro sermons by Edman - with messages from the book can be seen at www.queervirtue.com.

Upcoming Events in Our Diocese
Young Adult Game Night
Young Adult Game Night
Friday, May 20
6-9 PM at Episcopal House
Come on over all you young adults ages 18-33! We're gonna play games, listen to music, eat lots of appetizers and just have a great time on a Friday night. Cost: $5 donation to contribute to the cost of food. RSVP by Monday, May 16. Find out more.
 
Bishop Spong
40th anniversary of Bishop Spong's consecration
Sunday, June 5
At St. Peter's, Morristown
All are invited to attend a Service of Celebration in honor of the 40th anniversary of the consecration of the Rt. Rev. John Shelby Spong as Bishop. The service is at 3 PM, with a reception following. Online RSVPs are requested by 5 PM on Friday, May 27. Find out more.
 
Senior Ministries Evensong & Hegg Awards
2015 Hegg Awards
Sunday, June 12
3 PM Reception, 4 PM Evensong
At St. Peter's, Morristown

All are invited to attend the presentation of the 2016 David P. Hegg II Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 19th Annual Senior Ministries Evensong. Bishop Beckwith will preach. The deadline for submitting Honoree information is Friday, June 3. Find out more.
 
Joining Jesus on the Journey
Joining Jesus on the Journey
A river-to-river pilgrimage across New Jersey
The week of July 25-30
Walk with Bishop Beckwith across the diocese from the Delaware River to the Hudson River. This is an opportunity to be part of a prayerful pilgrimage in which we look for how we can join God in shaping the future of our diocese. You can participate for an hour of worship, a day of walking, a meal, or the whole pilgrimage. Find out more.
 
Upcoming Events at Cross Roads
Cross Roads Camp _ Retreat Center Cross Roads is a welcoming, ecumenical retreat center and camp of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark and the NJ Synod of the ELCA (the Lutheran Church), accredited with the American Camp Association.

Subscribe to Cross Roads' mailing list: crossroadsretreat.com/newsletters

Work Day - Saturday, May 21
Help Cross Roads prepare for the summer. With projects for all ages and skill levels, it's the perfect day of service and fun for families, individuals, congregations, and men's, women's, and youth groups alike. Find out more and register online: crossroadsretreat.com/work-days

Open Houses - Saturday, May 21 & Saturday, June 4: Learn all about Cross Roads' summer and year-round opportunities, tour their facilities, ask questions and finish with lunch in the Dining Hall. Register online: crossroadsretreat.com/summer-programs/open-house

Adaptive Leadership for Young Adults - June 17-19: This workshop/retreat for young adults 18 and up will help enhance gifts for leadership, and introduce the Adaptive Leadership framework, a model of leadership that is poignant and necessary in society today. crossroadsretreat.com/year-round-programs/adaptive-leadership-for-young-adults

Annual Bishop's Cup Golf Outing - Monday, June 20: Cross Roads' annual golf outing fundraiser at the Copper Hill Country Club in Ringoes, NJ subsidizes the cost of camp for everyone, and provides camperships for those families who need a little extra help affording our modest prices. Golfers of all ages and skill levels welcome! crossroadsretreat.com/golf

Summer Camp - weeks available in July and August: Summer is fast approaching, so sign your kids up for summer camp and give them best summer experience possible! July is Bring-A-Friend-Month, so bring a friend who has never been to Cross Roads Summer Camp before and you'll both get $25 OFF! crossroadsretreat.com/summer-programs/Classic-Summer-Camp

Upcoming Events in the Community
Newark 350 Founders Weekend Festival
Friday, May 13 - Sunday, May 15 at Military Park in Newark
This free and open to the public Festival celebrating Newark's 350th anniversary will take over Military Park and its surrounding areas with two stages of daytime and nightly music concerts, featuring international recording stars, some of Newark's top local music artists and multiple activities and events highlighting the best of Newark's arts and entertainment, culture and community. Find out more.
 
News from
Episcopal House
The Rev Gary Commins
Celebration of New Ministry
Saturday, May 21, 3 PM
The Rev. Gary Commins, Priest-in-Charge at Church of the Incarnation, Jersey City
 
Ward J. Herbert Fund - apply now for September funding
Provides funds for buildings that are used for congregational functions. Top priority is given to funds for deterioration of structure, hazards, and emergencies, such as required roof repairs and inoperative boilers. Second priority is interior and exterior renovation to provide for expanded mission of the congregation. Grants must be matched dollar for dollar by the congregation. Application deadline: Monday, May 16 by 12 noon. Find out more. Find out more.

Deadline for next issue of The VOICE Online
The deadline to submit items to be considered for the next issue of The VOICE Online on Wednesday, May 18 is Friday, May 13.

The June issue of Leadership News - key information for clergy and lay leaders from Episcopal House - will be published Wednesday, May 25. If you'd like to add Leadership News to your subscription, you can do so at dioceseofnewark.org/e-news.
 
News from
The Episcopal Church
Video
Episcopal Church's ACC members reflect on 'positive' meeting
[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church's three members of the Anglican Consultative Council share their thoughts and perspectives on the April 8-19 meeting in Lusaka, Zambia. The three members are (l-r) Bishop Ian Douglas of Connecticut; Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine of the Diocese of the Virgin Islands; and the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings of Ohio, president of the House of Deputies.

Duration: 8:50
Duration: 8:50

 

The VOICE Online is a publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark with news, events and feature articles of interest to members and friends of our diocese. It is published twice a month September-May (first and third Wednesdays) and monthly June-August (third Wednesdays only).


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