April 30, 2025

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Getting through chaos by showing our love

We're living in a time right now where we've got to work through chaos, says Bishop Hughes, and the way we do that as Christians is we show our love. Recording this video in her kitchen where she's preparing a special dinner for some diocesan members - "Cooking is my love language," she says - she urges us all to think and pray about how we can show love with actions as well as words. (Time: 4:44 | Read the transcript.)

Confirmation Services

Congratulations to those who were Confirmed and Received at our first Confirmation Service last Saturday at the Cathedral! View the Flickr photo album.

Our next two Confirmation Services will be:

• This Saturday, May 3, 10 AM – St. Elizabeth’s, Ridgewood
• Saturday, May 10, 10 AM – Christ Church, Newton

Click the links above for livestream information. Downloadable bulletins will be added closer to the services.

For the full schedule of upcoming Confirmation Services, as well as access to the photo albums and livestream recordings for past services, please visit dioceseofnewark.org/confirmation.

Hegg Lifetime Achievement Awards

SUN, JUN 1 | 3 PM | Church of the Saviour, Denville - New location!

The Hegg Awards are given annually to members of our diocese who are:

• Age 60+
• A long-standing, active member of your congregation
• Made or makes contributions to the congregation and/or the diocese.

All churches are encouraged to submit honorees. Each church may honor up to two individuals or couples based on these guidelines.

The submission deadline is FRI, MAY 16. Click here to submit honoree information.

Zoom meetings

Young Adult & Campus Ministry Gathering

SUN, MAY 4 | 6-7:30 PM

For those involved in the diocesan First Third of Life Commission, as either leaders or participants.

Parish Communicators 

MON, MAY 5 | 12:30-1:10 PM

For anyone - lay or clergy, staff or volunteer - responsible for parish communications.

Wardens’ & Treasurers’ Zoom meeting with the Bishop

THU, MAY 8 | 7-8:30 PM

An email will be sent to all Church Wardens and Treasurers with sign-in instructions.

150th Anniversary Concert

FRI, MAY 16 | 6 PM | Christ Church, Short Hills

With special guest, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe

Schedule for the evening:

6 PM Reception - With light refreshments.

7 PM Concert - An array of music, plus information about the diocese’s past, present and future. (Rehearsals are happening now! See the schedule.)

8:30 PM Youth & Young Adults After Party - A chance for members 8th grade through early 30s to greet the Presiding Bishop.

Download the updated flyer.

150th Anniversary Worship Service

SAT, MAY 17 | 10:30 AM | St. Peter's, Morristown

Celebrant: Bishop Carlye Hughes.

Preacher: Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe.

A reception with light refreshments will follow.

Download the updated flyer.

Pilgrimage to the American South

JUN 18-22

Bishop Hughes will lead a group of 42 Pilgrims in retracing the footsteps of history and the brave souls who fought for civil rights.

The diocese will be able to follow and pray along with the Pilgrims through online updates. More information about this will be coming soon.

Family Day at Red Bull Arena

Last Saturday afternoon, 78 Diocese of Newark soccer fans of all ages – babes in arms to grandparents – gathered at Red Bull Arena to watch the New York Red Bulls play CF Montréal. The First Third of Life Commission organized this Family Day event. ASA COULSON PHOTOS

Don’t Wait to Say “Thank You”

By Cynthia McChesney

As a former warden, I remember well how overwhelming the inbox can get – and how tempting it is to set something aside for “when things settle down.” But some opportunities shouldn’t be postponed.

One of those is the chance to honor someone in your congregation through the David P. Hegg II Lifetime Achievement Awards. These awards celebrate long-standing, active members (age 60+) whose quiet dedication and steadfast presence have helped shape the life of your church. Read more.

Asian American/Pacific Islander Episcopalians meet

The Rev. Dr. Paul Rajan (far left) attended the 2025 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Clergy and Lay Leadership Retreat, hosted by the Diocese of West Missouri at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City April 2-4. His report from the retreat will be published in a future issue of The VOICE Online.

Serving Our Elders with Compassion and Dignity

By Julie Crawford

As followers of Christ, we are called to care for those in need, and among the most wisdom-filled and often overlooked are our elderly neighbors. Many seniors face daily challenges – whether it’s mobility issues, managing health concerns, food security, or isolation – that can leave them feeling forgotten. Read more.

Media Coverage

Photo gallery: Easter Mass in Ridgewood

APR 21 | The Record

In TikToks and a Memoir, a Nun Makes the Unexpected Case for Convent Life

APR 27 | The New York Times

New diocesan resource:

Subscription to Invite Welcome Connect Online

In response to the great feedback from attendees about the two presentations by Mary Foster Parmer on the Invite Welcome Connect approach, we are thrilled to announce that the diocese will be making available to all congregations a diocesan subscription to the Invite Welcome Connect On Demand online training materials and resources. Find out more.

Registration now open for second year of the School for Ministry

The first year of our School for Ministry is concluding in May and, almost immediately, we are beginning our second year! Bishop Hughes established the School for Ministry for the Diocese of Newark, to better support and help form members of the diocese for their particular ministries. The School for Ministry has been initially focused on training lay ministers for licensed lay ministries, such as Worship Leader, Preacher, and Pastoral Leader.

Find out more, including dates of training, registration, and costs.

The diocesan staff is in the new offices!

Finally! Nearly two years after the former St. Peter’s in Livingston was announced as the new location for Episcopal House, the Bishop and her staff have fully moved into their new offices.

While we’re excited to reach this milestone, we’re not quite ready to welcome visitors just yet. We’re still unpacking, addressing final renovation details in the office area, and continuing work on the meeting space in the church.

However, you can begin sending mail to our new address:

94 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, NJ 07039

College scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year

Gertrude Butts Scholarship

Open to youth who are members of a parish in the Diocese of Newark and demonstrate financial need.

Application deadline: TODAY, April 30.

George E. Rath Scholarship

Open to children of canonically resident clergy.

Application Deadline: May 15.

Clergy ministry transitions

Departures

• JUN 8 - The Rev. Melissa Hall, Rector of St. James, Upper Montclair

The VOICE Online is published every other Wednesday

Next issue: WED, MAY 14

Submission deadline: FRI, MAY 9, 10 AM

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