On the flooding in Texas and how you can help
In response to the natural disaster and the resulting tragic loss so many lives, Bishop Hughes has asked the following:
"I urge all churches to take up a special collection this week and offer prayers for the victims, their families, communities, and first responders. Collections may be sent to the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, which has established a fund to provide assistance through their churches in the affected area."
Click here to donate online now.
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Addressing political issues from a Christian perspective
"We can't look at the real worries of the world and say, 'I'm not going to pay any attention to those because they're political,'" says Bishop Hughes. Referencing Matthew 25, where Jesus says, "Whenever you did it for the least of these you did it for me," she suggests that instead we ask ourselves, "How is God calling us to support people?" (Time: 5:31 | Read the transcript.)
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A pilgrimage through the heart of the Civil Rights Movement
By Ruth Portela
In this first-person account, one of the pilgrims to the American South describes why she went and what she experienced. Read the article.
Also, more photos from more pilgrims have been added to the Flickr Photo album from this pilgrimage - check it out.
| | Last week, 14 youth and four chaperones returned from their own pilgrimage to the American South. Their photos and stories will be shared in a future issue of The VOICE Online. | | | |
Messiah, Chester’s Senior Resource Center celebrates 25 years of service
By Julie Crawford
Churches and faith-groups have always played a vital role in caring for the elderly. Scripture calls us to honor and care for those who are aging, upholding their dignity. Spanning over 25 years, the Senior Resource Center of New Jersey, which operates out of The Church of the Messiah in Chester, continues to address this need by touching the lives of hundreds annually across the region. Read more.
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Don’t miss these summer Stewardship webinars
By Cynthia McChesney
Looking for new ideas or a fresh approach to your fall campaign? These two summer webinars will give you practical tools and guidance you can put to work right away. Read more.
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Using AI in church communications & stewardship
MON, JUL 14
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The evening of Monday, July 14 offers two opportunities to learn how AI can be used by churches in both communications and stewardship.
Parish Communicators will want to join their monthly Zoom meeting at 6:30 PM to hear from member Alexa Philo on ways you can use AI responsibly to help with communications tasks such as editing text or optimizing social media posts. Find out more.
Those responsible for stewardship and this fall's pledge campaign will want to join the 7 PM Zoom webinar Stewardship in the Moment: AI Tools for Stewardship for a practical introduction to using artificial intelligence tools to enhance your stewardship ministry. Find out more.
Wish you could attend both? Not to worry - both events will be recorded for later viewing.
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Webinar: Preparing for Fall 2025 Stewardship Campaigns
MON, AUG 11 | 7-8:30 PM | Zoom
In this Zoom webinar presented by TENS, we will focus on recession-proofing ideas for congregation finance and review how to present mission-focused fundraising in the midst of economic uncertainty. Find out more.
| | Announcing new grant program to support Invite Welcome Connect ministries | |
The Diocese of Newark is launching an exciting new parish-focused grant program to support churches in cultivating deeper practices of evangelism, hospitality, and community formation through the Invite Welcome Connect ministry.
Grants of up to $2,000 per parish – or $5,500 for joint applications between two or more parishes – will be awarded to fund creative and intentional projects aligned with these values.
The application period opens August 15 and runs through October 15. Find out more.
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CFO announces Diocese of Newark budget process for 2026
The 2026 budget process will follow a similar process to the one adopted by Diocesan Council for use in preparing budgets in recent years. This process allows individuals and organizations to request funding as part of the 2026 Budget. The big change is that everything is happening earlier than in the past due to the desire to present a budget to Diocesan Convention in November. Funding requests for 2026 are due by September 1, 2025. Find out more.
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Members of the Diocese of Newark, let your voices be heard!
We are excited to announce that the BOOST Task Force for Neurodiversity Advocacy has launched a new survey aimed at understanding and supporting neurodiversity within our diocese.
This survey is distinct from the Clergy and Lay Leadership survey conducted a few months ago, and we encourage all members of the diocese to participate, regardless of whether you identify as neurodivergent or not.
Your insights and experiences are invaluable in helping us create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. Won't you please take a few moments to fill out the survey and contribute to this important ministry?
| | News from the Wider Church | | |
Opinion: Once the church of presidents, The Episcopal Church must now be an engine of resistance
JUL 3 | Religion News Service
In an opinion piece, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe reflected on The Episcopal Church’s history as it has emerged as an institutional leader in “resisting” the Trump administration’s “overreach and recklessness” since President Donald Trump took office in January.
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| Which July smell brings back the best memories? | | | | |
The VOICE Online is published every other Wednesday
Next issue: WED, JUL 23
Submission deadline: FRI, JUL 18, 10 AM
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