November 5, 2025

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We know how to persevere

From prayer to advocacy to feeding the hungry, Bishop Hughes reminds us that perseverance is more than surviving hard times – it’s trusting God’s ongoing work through us to bring hope and transformation.

(Time: 5:59 | Transcript.)

Watch your inboxes next Wednesday, Nov. 12 for a special issue of The VOICE Online devoted to everything you need to know about Convention - for both those attending and those watching the live stream.

The Value of Service:
The Rev. Elizabeth Ivell

The Rev. Elizabeth Ivell, Priest-in-Charge at Messiah, Chester and St. Mary's, Sparta, shares how serving on the ACTS/VIM Board opened her eyes to the diocese’s partnerships, grants, and global impact.

(Time: 1:04 | Transcript.)

Convention Deadlines

All deadlines are at 12 noon on the date listed

FRI, NOV 7 - Submit announcements for Convention slideshow

SAT, NOV 8 – Late Nominations and Budget Amendments

FRI, NOV 14 – Names for the Necrology (Commemoration of the Departed)

School for Ministry: Worship Leader Training Fall 2025

WED, NOV 19 | 7-9 PM | Zoom

SAT, DEC 6 | 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM | In-person (location TBD)

This training will enable someone to plan and lead public worship. Training focuses on Morning Prayer and Ante-Communion (the Liturgy of the Word).

Wardens or Clergy must register participants for this training by 5 PM Monday, November 10. Find out more.

Churches without Clergy Meeting

MON, NOV 10 | 7-8:30 PM | Zoom

A Zoom gathering for Wardens (and other church leaders) from churches, of whatever size, which only have supply clergy. The Zoom link will be emailed to church Wardens.

Parish collaboration: A lay pastoral leader's experience

By Kathy O'Brien

When St. Mary's, Sparta and Messiah, Chester began sharing clergy, they also raised up lay pastoral leaders to help support their congregations. One lay pastoral leader shares her journey of saying “yes” to God’s call – and discovering what this new form of collaboration looks like in action.

Read the article.

Return from sabbatical

By The Rev. Canon Andrew R. Wright, ThD

In this article, Canon Wright reflects on how intentional time away — through retreat, travel, cultural engagement, and study — becomes more than rest: it’s a chance to recalibrate how we live and serve. His story invites us all to embrace not only the sabbatical moment but the return into transformed work, community, and calling.

Read the article.

A morning of renewal for Sunday school leaders

By Donna Caputo

The October 25 retreat hosted by the Children’s and Families Ministries Team of the First Third of life Commission – Leaves, Laughter & Loving Your Ministry – offered a cozy and spirit-filled pause for those who spend so much of their time nurturing the faith of others.

Read the article.

How stewardship can help to nurture generous and caring children

By Cynthia McChesney

How can the church help parents raise children who are kind, caring, and generous? One meaningful way is to help families see stewardship not as a “season” or a financial focus, but as an ongoing practice of gratitude, compassion, and service both in the church and at home.

Read the article.

In November we are proud to observe Native American Heritage Month

We remember and honor the Indigenous people of the world, especially the Lenni-Lenape, whose land we now occupy in this region that was once their home but was taken from them, as well as the Ramapough Lenape Nation, who still live in northern New Jersey.

We give thanks for them and express our gratitude for their witness on how to live a life that is honorable and humble. May we always remember that the Earth does not belong to us; that we belong to the Earth, and that we are all relatives in life. Help us to learn from our past mistakes and be instruments of justice and peace for all people in today’s world, particularly the original Indigenous inhabitants.

2026 Annual Enrollment for active employees

OCT 15 – NOV 7

Annual Enrollment is the once-a-year opportunity for eligible clergy and lay employees to review options, enroll in or change medical or dental coverage, add or remove eligible dependents, and verify contact information (even if coverage is not changing). It’s also a good time to ask any questions about plan changes or about benefits. See 2026 Benefits: Summaries, rates, and how to apply.

Clergy Ministry Transitions

Veterans Day Holy Eucharist and Commissioning of Chaplains

TUE, NOV 11 | 7 PM | The Episcopal Church Center & Online

Episcopalians are invited to join, via livestream, a first-time churchwide Veterans Day Holy Eucharist service at the Church Center chapel in New York City to honor those who have served in the military and specially recognize the Episcopal chaplains who support them. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe will preside. (Note: In-person attendance is now full.) Find out more.

Funeral for Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE

WED, NOV 12 | 11 AM | Washington National Cathedral & Online

Washington National Cathedral will host the funeral service for world-renowned ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE. Dr. Goodall’s life and work made an indelible mark on our understanding of humankind and the environments we all share. The public is invited to watch the service online. Find out more.

November 30 is Break the Silence Sunday

In 2022, the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopted a resolution designating the Sunday closest to November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, as “Break the Silence Sunday” across The Episcopal Church.

This year, Break the Silence Sunday is November 30. The Diocese of New York's Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault has prepared a "Break the Silence" toolkit which it is sharing with the wider church. Download the PDF.

The VOICE Online is published every other Wednesday

Next issue: WED, NOV 19

Submission deadline: FRI, NOV 14, 10 AM

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