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

Bishop Hughes reminds us that we can pray for God to do the impossible – even if we don't feel worthy or don't have the words – whether that is in our family, in our church, across the street, across the state, or across the world in Ukraine. (Time: 4:01.)

After Russian forces invaded Ukraine, Ukrainian-born Lyubov Ferara, a parishioner of St. Elizabeth’s Church in Ridgewood, says that she was initially "shocked and numb."

Then she found a way to help Ukrainian refugees through the Ukrainian Orthodox cathedral in Clifton and her church family at St. Elizabeth's rallied to her side, assisting with a collection of aid so generous that it became overwhelming.

Read the article and view the photo gallery.

In this final installment, Rosamund "Pat" Love, Raymond "Beau" Drakeford, Sonya Collins and Lucinda Williams share the history of St. Cyprian's, Hackensack, an historically black church founded in 1925 by their grandparents' generation. (Time: 14:39.)

We all have noticed that in the times we live in, people and groups seem more polarized and separated than ever. Our churches are not an exception to this reality, and many churches experience conflict over specific issues and find it difficult to navigate that conflict in a world where civility seems to no longer exist.

The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center provides speakers and education resources for churches of all denominations on biblical peace and justice issues, as well as conflict transformation skills training, and training for church leaders and members on healthy congregations.

These workshops will help us learn things about planning and leading healthy congregations, how to respond to anxiety and anger, and understanding our own communication and leadership style. It is our hope that there will be a very large turnout for these vital workshops from all around our diocese.

It is important for all the people of the Diocese of Newark to learn about how to have healthy parishes, the roots and causes of conflict, how to prevent it, and how to handle it. Even if you don’t think you or your parish could ever experience serious conflict, do yourself a favor and come to one of these programs to learn and develop skills and understanding that will be useful in many situations and settings. It is interesting and life-giving to learn new ways of dealing with people and situations that are complicated.

All youth candidates are strongly urged to attend our Confirmation Retreat. The day includes group-building games and activities, worship and lunch together and an opportunity to meet in small groups with Bishop Hughes.

Adult candidates are strongly urged to come to lunch with the Bishop at the Confirmation Retreat. Join us at 11:30 AM for worship and lunch with Bishop Hughes.

Registration deadline: 5 PM on Friday, March 25. Find out more.

Confirmation services for 2022 are filling up fast; just three services are still accepting registrations.

Clergy and Wardens: Please register your candidates before 5 PM on Thursday, March 31.

All active clergy in the diocese are required to attend; registrations must be received by Friday, March 25 so that lunches may be ordered. Find out more.

Even though this event is still three months away, Clergy and Wardens are asked to submit honorees' information and photos as soon as they are available. This will help us create a high-quality production that honors all the award winners.

Want to add your church or organization's events? See the Community Calendar User Guide.

Youth from across the diocese (grades 9-12) are invited to travel to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Baltimore, MD from Wednesday, July 6 to Sunday, July 10. As a group we will meet with deputies from our diocese, attend legislative hearings and worship, explore Baltimore, and engage with a local outreach ministry.

Registrations are due April 9. Find out more.

The Bishop’s Church Emergency Fund (BCEF) provides financial support for church buildings in the diocese needing repairs and renovation, usually with a special focus on emergency and unforeseen needs. Through the BCEF, you can support the critical needs identified by the Bishop.

The first BCEF call of 2022 is for Hurricane Ida recovery at St. Peter's, Clifton. Read more.

Cross Roads is hiring awesome young adults who would be a great fit for any of their open positions next summer. Employment runs from mid-June through August 2022. Apply or download a flyer to share with young adults in your community at: crossroadsretreat.com/employment

Youth groups, families, and congregational groups are invited to volunteer with a few projects to prepare camp for the summer season. It will be a day of fun, fellowship, and giving back to camp (and can even count towards service hours for teenagers looking to fulfill their requirements!). There will be projects for all skill levels and lunch will be provided. Register at: crossroadsretreat.com/opening-day-at-cross-roads

Middle & High School Retreat (Grades 6-12): APR 29 - MAY 1, 2022

Elementary School Retreat (Grades 3-5): MAY 13 - 15, 2022

Youth Retreats at Cross Roads combine fun activities, Bible study, worship, delicious food, and time spent outside to create an awesome weekend for youth and their adult leaders. Read more about the retreats and register your youth group at: crossroadsretreat.com/youth-retreats.

Registration for Summer Camp 2022 at Cross Roads is open! Explore all the offerings for youth in grades 2-12 as well as family camp programs at: crossroadsretreat.com/summer-programs

Most Americans see Jesus as an important spiritual figure. More than 30% of Americans have decreased their participation in religious activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. And only one in 10 thinks those who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, were associated with organized religion.

Those are some of the findings of a national study commissioned by The Episcopal Church and conducted by the polling firm Ipsos. Read more.

Approval of The Episcopal Church’s triennial budget is one of the core responsibilities of General Convention, the church’s bicameral governing body. With less than four months until bishops and deputies meet July 7-14 at the 80th General Convention, church leaders are welcoming public input on the draft $101 million budget. Read more.

The VOICE Online is currently published every other Wednesday