The story of early Christianity and the formation of the church is chronicled in Holy Scripture. The Acts of the Apostles and the numerous letters sent to fledgling church communities in places such as Philippi, Corinth, Galatia, and Rome portray the development and growth of our faith tradition.

It is the story of faithful people shaped in a fast-paced world defined by divisions of race, class, citizenship, and economic standing. People who in turn influenced that world with faith in a loving God. They saw themselves a part of a larger faith movement. Our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry, refers to this movement regularly, as the Jesus Movement. Read more.

My dad was a chemical engineer and managed an ammonia plant in west Texas. Every year, usually just before the fall, they would go through a shutdown and disassemble much of the chemical plant, inspect, clean, and refurbish each piece, and then reassemble it and begin production again. One might think that they were not productive during that time, since nothing was being made. However, without that shutdown and reset, the entire operation would come to a halt through malfunction and wear. The real risk was that an unexpected malfunction could be hazardous, even deadly, to the workers and the surrounding area. It was well worth their time to shut down. Read more.

As you enter into full-blown pledge season, your horizon for this season's stewardship necessarily tightens up. You need to get your materials out, pledges in, stragglers contacted, totals tallied. You're into short-term thinking. Short-term thinking can be helpful, as anyone who ever had a college paper due the next morning knows. Nothing concentrates the mind quite like an actual deadline. Not much time! Let's get to work! Read more.

This past weekend, St James, Upper Montclair represented our diocese at the National Acolyte Festival, held at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Twelve acolytes, the clergy, the senior warden and volunteers participated in the service and toured the main altar and chapels. In addition, St. James' acolytes won an opportunity to build a Central Trancept Stilt for the LEGO replica of the National Cathedral, which serves as a fundraiser for repair of the building's earthquake damage. On Sunday, the acolytes will present a sermon about their experiences.

People of all faiths love their pets, so it’s not surprising that the Blessing of the Animals for the Feast of St. Francis has become a prime opportunity for community outreach. Here are stories of four creative partnerships with other churches and the wider community. Read more and view the photo gallery.

St. Stephen’s, Millburn hosted the largest group to date – 18 campers – at their 7th annual Drumming Camp last summer.

The St. Stephen’s Drumming Camp was established in 2013 in partnership with the Diocese of Newark Prison Ministry which outreaches to children who have an incarcerated parent in Essex County. Read more.

We love to share stories of what our congregations are doing! The deadline to submit stories, photos and links to media coverage for the November 6 issue of The VOICE Online is Wednesday, October 30 . Go to the submission guidelines .

Continuing the very popular series from this past spring, we are pleased to invite you to come meet Bishop Hughes for a meal and conversation at one of these four events this fall. Bishop Hughes would love to greet you and discuss the vision, hopes and dreams for the diocese. Don't miss out on this opportunity!

SAT, OCT 26 @ ALL SAINTS', MILLINGTON

Continental breakfast 9 AM, program 9:30-11:30 AM - RSVP by FRI, OCT 18

TUE, OCT 29 @ ST. AGNES', LITTLE FALLS

Light supper 7 PM, program 7:30-9:30 PM - RSVP by TUE, OCT 22

SAT, NOV 2 @ ST. DAVID'S, KINNELON

Continental breakfast 9 AM, program 9:30-11:30 AM - RSVP by FRI, OCT 25

TUE, NOV 5 @ TRINITY, ALLENDALE*

Light supper 6:30 PM, program 7-9 PM - RSVP by TUE, OCT 29

*This gathering is designed specifically for churches currently engaged in clergy transition. Others are welcome to attend but the program will be geared toward support and best practices.

This event will focus on gratitude and service, and include a service project. Find out more.

Click here to learn more about Pop Up Youth Ministry and upcoming youth events.

The guest lecturer for the 2019 John Shelby Spong and Christine Mary Spong Lecture Series will be the Rev. Dr. Javier Viera of Drew University, speaking on the topic "Does the Christian Church have to die in order to be resurrected?"

Gather at 9 AM for a continental breakfast, followed by the lecture at 9:30 AM and ending at 12:30 PM. Bishop and Mrs. Spong will be in attendance. Find out more.

The Newark Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians invites you to join them to honor the Rev. Dr. Miguel Hernandez, the Rev. Laurie Jean Wurm and Ms. Biancia Malone (Youth Leadership Award). Find out more.

See more Upcoming Community Events , posted by our congregations and associated organizations.

This retreat is designed for all leaders who work with children, youth, and young adults. There will be time for rest and renewal beginning Dec. 5, as well as time to connect with others and discuss the best ways to support our young people. This year, we are offering a very important Youth Mental Health First Aid Training on Saturday, Dec. 7. Find out more at crossroadsretreat.com/event/shepherds-gathering.

Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center is a welcoming, ecumenical retreat center and camp of our diocese and the NJ Synod of the ELCA. Find out more .

The Gertrude Butts Fund, a non-profit corporation organized in 1929, provides “seed money” for programs within the diocese which are educationally driven and benefit youngsters with diocesan affiliations. Application deadline: NOV 15. Find out more.

Click here to download the Fall 2019 issue of this new, printable diocesan publication.