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

“Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.”

Esther 4:14b

The challenges of pandemic, protest, and economic disruption continue to shape every area of our lives. We are navigating complex and volatile circumstances involving health, work, school, and church. Some of us have grown tired. Compassion fatigue has become a common response. Some of us are confused, overwhelmed, or angry. The tension of division continues to take its toll on individuals, households, businesses, and institutions. Most of us have recognized that we are in a marathon rather than a sprint. Our journey forward requires perseverance, regular sustenance, and a continual deepening of faith.

Read more.

When Martha’s Pantry first opened at St. Clement’s, Hawthorne in November 2019, nobody came.

Now, nine months after it opened and five months into the COVID-19 pandemic, it's regularly feeding over 100 people – and doing it supported only by donations.

Read more.

The Diocese of Newark has set up online giving to support the diocese’s food pantries. Simply visit e-giving.dioceseofnewark.org and go to Area of Greatest Need: Food Pantries (second item from the top). Donations made from Aug. 5 through Aug. 18, 2020 will go to Martha's Pantry at St. Clement's, Hawthorne.

For Summer 2020, the Church of the Messiah, Chester held an “Outside Evening Family VBCamp.” Each family had its own separate table. The kids as well as the adults all wore masks, and there was a hand washing station for activities when participants were touching things.

COVID emptied a church food pantry. Teaneck neighbors kept donations 'coming and coming' (article & video)

Submit items for consideration for the Aug. 19 issue of The VOICE Online by 10 AM Friday, Aug. 14 at dioceseofnewark.org/VOICE-submissions.

Brought to you by the Stewardship Teaching Team of the Bishop's Office, this online workshop will cover a host of timely topics, broken out in three consecutive sessions. Participants can attend from 8:45 AM through 12 noon or "drop in" for the individual sessions.

Find out more.

The Summer Regional Ministry Network Zoom meetings will resume on August 20 and 27, featuring Dr. Dan Hale, Special Advisor to the President of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD.

Dr. Hale takes a personal and professional look at mental health topics, depression in particular, and offers insight for those who “…suffer from depression themselves, deal with it as health professionals or faith leaders, live with others who have it, or know others who do.” In other words, all of us.

Find out more, including when and how to attend.

Click here for all clergy ministry transitions in 2020.

Please send changes to Nina Nicholson at nnicholson@dioceseofnewark.org.

A holy place in virtual space for mourning and memory.

Prayers can be sent to Canon Wright at awright@dioceseofnewark.org for posting.

Telling the stories of our time in pandemic helps us process what we are experiencing, gives us insight into what we have lost and learned, and creates a record before our memories of these intense days fade.

Share your photos, poetry or brief reflections with the COVID Creations Project by sending them to CovidCreationsStory@gmail.com. We will combine words with images and share these creations in The VOICE Online and on diocesan social media.

Episcopal Mental and Spiritual Health Crisis Ministry (EMSHCM) is a body comprised of lay and ordained Episcopalians in the Dioceses of Newark and New Jersey. EMSHCM is in the final stages of developing a “warm line” for clergy to talk to licensed mental health practitioners, free of charge. The “warm line” is different than a hotline in that it will feature specific hours during the week where the phone line is staffed. Engagement will be limited to one or two sessions with the goal of a referral to outside resources. Please stay tuned for more information about this important resource.

The Cross Roads cabin facilities are open and available for families to rent! Make memories while enjoying nature, playing outside together after much time indoors, and taking some time to disconnect and breathe fresh air again. Click here to register and inquire about availability.

Since Cross Roads can’t bring you to camp this summer, they’re bringing camp to you! Inside each camp box campers will receive materials to try many different camp activities, including crafts, nature and science activities, cooking recipes, Bible studies, and more. With the purchase of a camp box, you will also have access to several exclusive Camp at Home videos to guide you through the activities. Order yours today.

Join together on Zoom this fall for the annual Cross Roads Women's Retreat! There are four dates from which to choose: 9/26, 9/27, 10/10, or 10/11. Each retreat will be led by Dale Selover and Laurie Matarazzo with the same program, focused on "The Way of Love." Learn more about this retreat here.

Items from the Cross Roads Camp Store are now available for purchase online, including two limited-edition t-shirts for Summer 2020. Check out all the merchandise and place an order today.