In This Edition
Upcoming Diocesan Offerings


September 30   
Safe Church Training
Resurrection, Bridgeton
 
September 30 
Safe Church Training
St. David's, Cranbury
 
October 7
Special Convention
Trinity Cathedral 

October 9 
13th Annual Cathedral Community Golf Outing
Mercer Oaks Golf Coast- West

October 11
Theo's Cafe
Forno, Maple Shade 

October 13
Trenton Convocation Youth Event
Grace-St. Paul's,
Mercerville 

  Safe Church Training
Grace - St. Paul's, Mercerville

  October 14
Women of Honor Luncheon
Holiday Inn, Manahawki n

October 21 
 

October 28
Watchung Area Youth Project
Evergreen Cemetery, Plainfield

October 28
Anti-Racism: Train the Trainers
Trinity Cathedral 

Upcoming Congregational Events
September 30
Holy Trinity
North Plainfield

September 30
St. Luke's
Gladstone

October 1
Trinity
Rocky Hill

October 1
Holy Trinity
Collingswood

October 1
St. George's
Rumson

October 1
St. David
Cranbury

October 1
Sts Barnabas and Stephen
Florence

October 1
Holy Cross
North Plainfield

October 1
Trinity
Asbury Park

October 1
Holy Spirit
Lebanon/Pickell Park

October 4
Salem County Humane Society
Penns Grove

October 6
St. Francis
Dunellen

October 7
Holy Trinity
Collingswood

Trinity
Woodbridge

October 7
Holy Trinity
Collingswood

Christ Church
Middletown
October 8
St. Francis
Dunellen

October 8
St. James'
Edison

October 8
St. Martin's
Lumberton

October 8
St. Andrew's
New Providence

October 7  
St. Luke's
Woodstown

October 10
Trinity
Princeton

October 14
St. Luke's
Ewing

October 14
St. James'
Edison

October 14
Trinity
Princeton

October 14
St. Martin's
Lumberton

October 15
St. Francis
Dunellen

October 15
All Saints'
Bay Head

Crossroads Camp
Port Murray, NJ

October 19
St. James'
Edison

October 21
Grace - St. Paul
Mercerville

Holy Spirit
Tuckerton

October 15-31
St. Mary's
Haddon Heights

October 26
St. James'
Edison

Holy Trinity
Wenonah

St. Luke's
Ewing

List Your Congregation's Events Here!
 
Adding your events to our calendar is quick and simple; events go live within three business days.

Global Goals  
Matching Grants

 
As you think about   your fall programming, remember that a Diocesan Matching Grant can double the amount you fund raise for international projects (up to $750)!  Applications are reviewed as they are received; the final deadline for this cycle is November 1, 2017.  For more information and an application,  please click  here .

Classifieds
SEEKING LEVAS II
St. Thomas', Glassboro is looking to buy used copies of LEVAS II. 
Large Holy Bible Available
A Holy Bible (15"x10.5"x3") with illustrations from the Vatican Library" free to another church contact Christ Church, Toms River if interested.

Have a compelling story to share? Click here to e-mail us and let us know! 
September 29, 2017
From the Bishop
Dear People of the Diocese of New Jersey,

 How long, O Lord?
           Will you forget me forever?
                How long will you hide your face from me?

It is clear that the effects of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands are catastrophic resulting in a significant humanitarian crisis. Hospitals are without power. There are food and water shortages. Medical aid is very limited. Chaos and looting have taken over in many places. The system is completely overwhelmed.

I am writing to ask Episcopalians in New Jersey to respond to a special appeal to help with relief in both Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. While I continue to encourage us all to be generous in giving to Episcopal Relief and Development, this particular appeal is intended to raise emergency relief monies for the discretionary use of the Episcopal bishops of those two areas.

While ERD monies are vitally important, it is also true that the bishops become aware of local pastoral situations that ERD funds don't address.  We can be of help by providing funds that these bishops can use at their discretion to assist in those situations. 

I ask you to support this appeal by clicking here to contribute online, or by sending a check payable to the Diocese of New Jersey with a notation of Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I. Relief to Diocesan House, 808 West State Street, Trenton, NJ, 08618.  We will collect the funds and send them on to the respective bishops.

Thank you for your continuing generosity to people who are in desperate need.

Blessings and peace, 
     
   
The Right Reverend William H. (Chip) Stokes, D.D.
XII Bishop of New Jersey


Grant us all firm resolve to stand with our neighbors who are in need, to love them and to offer our generous support of them in this their time of trouble; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.  Amen


How You Can Help: Donate Now
In the days to come, many worthy organizations including our own Episcopal Relief and Development will be soliciting donations to aid Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We ask that you be generous in your giving. 

Here in the Diocese of New Jersey, we have a special calling. The bishops of the regions affected by Hurricane Maria have intimate knowledge of how to best help their communities; to this end, we have created a special fund to contribute directly to these diocese.


Update on the Family of Fr. Juan Monge Santiago
Fr. Monge
As mentioned in Bishop Stokes's letter in last week's  Good News in the Garden State, Fr. Juan's infant grandson Kenniel experienced a respiratory emergency. With Puerto Rico's infrastructure destroyed by Hurricane Maria, the situation was dire; Fr. Juan's son Kenny struggled to find medical attention for his son Kenniel. Here is an update from Fr. Juan, in his own words:

After getting cut off from our call Friday, Kenny ended up on a road he didn't know. A local individual, apparently protecting his area, approached him and asked what was he looking for in that area. He explained that his 3 month-old child was in respiratory distress due to lack of oxygen and the hospital wasn't accessible. The individual checked the car and when he saw the baby he said "follow me", got on a four track and through back roads helped Kenny to get to the hospital.
 
Thanks to this person my grandchild is okay.
 
The next day after expending a cold night at the hospital, they are saving resources for patients only, Kenny went on foot to try to find a store that sold blankets. His cell phone works locally and a couple who run a Tattoo Shop saw him taking on the cell and asked what company he has. He told them Claro, the woman said, "that's my company but it doesn't work". Kenny suggested she reboot and it worked. They asked what was he doing wandering around. He explained where he was staying and why and that he needed blankets and if possible pillows and water but no stores were open. As he was leaving, they called him back and gave him blankets, pillows and a gallon of water.
 
How about that for a blessing in the midst of disaster?
 
My other two grandchildren are with their mother and I have not been able to talk to them. However, my son saw them after the hurricane and told us they are okay.
 
My family on my mother's side are all okay, however they have lost everything. They live in CataƱo, one of the coastal towns that were under water and are still without communication. We are waiting for news from them.
 
UPDATE as of Monday Afternoon:

Kenniel just arrived at Hima San Pablo Hospital in the town of Bayamon. They were able to stabilize him and he is breathing on his own inside an oxygen canopy.

From Our Disaster Recovery Coordinator 
Keith Adams
Millions of our American brother and sisters are still left without electricity, communication networks, and fuel since Hurricane Maria made landfall seven days ago.  Although as Christians we are rightly motivated to respond to relieve human suffering, it is important that we do this responsibly.

Access to Puerto Rico is severely restricted due to devastating damage to ports and infrastructure. 
Please don't send material donations, as unsolicited goods create a secondary disaster for those on the ground.

As in all disasters, cash is best. Episcopal Relief and Development is on the ground, both in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean, working with our Episcopal and Anglican partner dioceses. We are also responding to support our dioceses in Texas, Florida, and Louisiana. Click here to contribute to the Diocese of New Jersey's Hurricane Maria Relief Fund

Our response is the same no matter where we go, working with our dioceses and Anglican communion partner dioceses; and their congregations to empower their support of the most vulnerable. Please give generously to the Diocese of New Jersey Hurricane Maria Relief Fund. Your gift provides our partners on the ground with critical supplies, such as food and water for communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey, Irma, Maria and other storms. You'll also help us empower communities to not only prepare for emergencies, but assist with the long-term efforts needed to rebuild and heal.   
 
Loving and compassionate God, you are our comfort and strength in times of sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos. Surround us now, O Lord, with your grace and peace through storm or winds, fires or floods. By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen, sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild, and fill us with the hope of your new creation; through Christ, our rock and redeemer. Amen.

Good News Stories and more!

Over 130 parishioners of Christ Church, Woodbury gathered within the bay of the City of Woodbury Fire Hall for their Consecration Sunday brunch on September 24th. Following a solemn observance of Michaelmas, all were invited to fellowship as the results of their offered commitments were tallied and then reported. As the 1914 parish hall of Christ Church is undergoing renovation, alternate plans for gathering were sought and extended.  
 
Clergy, acolytes, and choristers of Christ Church Woodbury welcomed The Honorable Heather S. Tierney, Councilwoman for the City of Woodbury who was invited to give the Consecration Sunday address.

At the 1858 Diocesan Convention, Bishop George Washington Doane spoke the following words on behalf of Christ Church Woodbury:
 
"And Christ Church, Woodbury, solid in stone, and 'beautiful, exceedingly,' and fitted for all sacred uses, stands, in the eye of God, the very gem of the Diocese."



Fri Oct 27th 9:00am - 3:00pm

A Local Bootcamp/Workshop  On October 27, 2017, to share tools, resources, and best practices for social media, communications, and faith formation 
Seabury Auditorium 
440 West 21 Street,
NY, NY 10011

A joint program of Virginia and General Theological Seminaries, for all clergy and laity interested in faith formation. Click here to register and learn more. 
 

Cathedral Golf Outing
Includes blurb for parish bulletins



An Episcopal K-12 School in the Diocese of New Jersey



Soles for the Harvest 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
November 4, 2017
Veterans Park -  Hamilton, NJ
REGISTER NOW and learn more!
 
In 2016, Soles for the Harvest 5K Run/Walk became a Diocesan Jubilee Event. Last year we raised $10,979.08.

Your congregation does NOT need to be a Jubilee site to participate. 

Contact Diocesan Jubilee Officer, Canon Clara Gregory , for more information. 

Clergy Conference Room Rate to Increase Soon
 
All rooms must be reserved no later than October 20 th .  After that, we cannot guarantee the current room rate. Please note: less rooms are available this year. We're thrilled at this year's lineup, and don't want anyone to miss out! Contact Terry Ann Schwarz for more information.

The Diocese of New Jersey
(609) 394-5281
808 West State St, Trenton, NJ 08618