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

Bishop Hughes says, "It is a heartbreaker this week that the news came out from another denomination that somehow our siblings who are lesbian, gay, trans, queer – that somehow they were less worthy of the sacrament of marriage than others. I suspect that for most of them all they heard was, 'You are not good enough.'"

Click on the video to watch (time: 4:59), or click here to read the transcript.

Watch Bishop Hughes' sermon here or read the transcript here.

Listen to Gail Blache-Gill's powerful rendition of the gospel song "Hold On Just a Little While Longer" here.

Watch the recording of the entire live stream here (bulletin is included).

This spring Bishop Hughes is inviting all members of the diocese to join her at one of eight Zoom meetings, organized by the eight Regional Ministry Networks.

Tomorrow's meeting will be with the Region Florence Li Tim-Oi / Central South, with a Spanish interpreter. Anyone for whom Spanish language interpretation would be helpful is invited to attend this meeting, regardless of Region. Zoom information has been sent to clergy and wardens to share with their congregations.

Next week, on March 25, Bishop Hughes will meet with the region Constance and Her Companions / North West. After that meeting, there will be a pause for Holy Week and Easter, then Regional meetings will resume on April 15 with the Region Absalom Jones / South East, again with Spanish interpreter.

Once again, Bishop Hughes will celebrate a 10 AM Easter Sunday service at the Cathedral, which will be live streamed on the diocesan YouTube channel. More details will be announced.

We'd also like to feature all the special online services for Holy Week and Easter being held across our diocese on our Online & Home Worship page. Clergy and wardens are invited to send service information to Nina Nicholson at [email protected].

Convention will be held Saturday, June 26 at Christ Church, Short Hills. The official Call to Convention will go out tomorrow, March 18 (100 days before Convention). Clergy and elected Lay Deputies are asked to note the Convention date and watch for communications from John King, Secretary of Convention.

Matthew Underwood of the Church of Messiah in Chester participated in the GreenFaith International Sacred Earth Program by ringing the church bell 11 times at 11 AM on March 11. Over a dozen participants throughout Central and Northwest New Jersey met remotely to network, celebrate, and share their green sustainable initiatives and ideas for collaboration.

Activities discussed included community gardens and food security, social environmental injustices, and educational outreach as well as acknowledgement of the Green Faith International Network 10 Demands Statement. These demands include 100% renewable energy for all, finance aligned with compassionate values, jobs and healthcare for all, respect for indigenous rights, welcome for climate migrants, net zero emissions by 2030, end to the planet's desecration, elimination of immoral finance, just contributions from wealthy countries, and bold interfaith community leadership.

More information about this program as the network develops can be made by contacting the Rev. Fain Webb at [email protected].

The next issue of The VOICE Online will be published Wednesday, Mar. 31.

Submit items for consideration by 10 AM Friday, Mar. 26 at: dioceseofnewark.org/VOICE-submissions

These diocesan scholarship funds are now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 academic year:

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2021.

Long before it was versified and set to music for hymnals, St. Patrick’s Breastplate was part of the Celtic Christian tradition. While we may be more familiar with it as #370 in The Hymnal 1982, the original piece dates from the eighth century. It is a prayer known as a lorica, the Latin word for “body armor,” referring back to St. Paul’s writings about putting on the armor of God. The lorica was to be prayed daily while giving one’s attention fully to God in order to invoke God’s protection. Read more.

These went into effect Dec. 14, 2020. All counties in the diocese are currently at a critical risk level, limiting in-person worship to those required to be present to lead worship or provide recording/live streaming support.

Please send changes to Nina Nicholson at [email protected].

A holy place in virtual space for mourning and memory.

Prayers can be sent to Canon Wright at [email protected] for posting.

Registration for all Cross Roads summer camp programs for youth and families is now OPEN. Find the schedule, program descriptions, and more information on the website. You can also register to attend an upcoming Summer Camp Q&A Session with the Cross Roads staff to hear more about what camp will look like this summer.

Cross Roads is looking for trustworthy and creative young adults to help serve our Cross Roads community this summer as counselors and support staff members. Learn more and apply on the Cross Roads website.

The theme of Cross Roads' next virtual Wednesdays Away retreat is "Christ is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!" Click here to register.

The Cross Roads staff will provide a full Camp Sunday worship service for congregations to use on Sunday, May 9. All materials, including a full recorded worship service and order of service, will be made available ahead of time on the Cross Roads website.