|
Our Mission:
Join us in following Jesus Christ with bold acts of justice, peace, and love.
Our Vision:
A world transformed, where all creation knows God’s life-changing love.
| | | Bishop Hughes' Convention sermon: We are all Levi | | |
In her sermon at the 151st Diocesan Convention, Bishop Hughes reminds us that Jesus calls us to follow him out into the world – especially when there is disruption, as there is now. Referencing the Gospel lesson, Luke 5:27-32, she urges us to see ourselves as Levi, called by Christ and sent out to carry God’s life-changing love into a hurting world.
(Time: 32:48 | Transcript.)
| | | |
Recommended reading and viewing
In her Convention sermon, Bishop Hughes highlighted several resources that she encourages people to read, study, and reflect on as they engage the issues of white supremacy and white Christian nationalism.
Books
Reconciliation: The Ubuntu Theology of Desmond Tutu and Ubuntu: I in You and You in Me by the Very Rev. Michael Battle, Ph.D., Theologian-In-Community at Trinity Church Boston. Battle is widely known for his work on reconciliation, spirituality, and the theology of Ubuntu.
Love Alone by Fr. Hans Urs van Balthasar, 20th century Swiss Roman Catholic theologian. This book is a great entry into his theology and helps us grow our understanding and appreciation of God’s love in our lives, churches, and diocese.
Video
Lecture in the 2025 Speaker Series by the Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas, Canon Theologian at Washington National Cathedral, which places the issues of white supremacy and white Christian nationalism within historical and social context.
Update on the Strategic Visioning priorities
Bishop Hughes also spoke about about the four key focus areas that came out of the Strategic Visioning Project:
- Formation and Support for the First Third of Life
- Care for People and Planet
- Congregational Collaboration
- Communication
The next issue of The VOICE Online will include an update on what's been happening in these four areas and how you can get involved.
| | | |
Acts of Convention
Elections & Bishop's Appointments
In addition to a full slate of deputies and alternates, from both the lay and clergy orders, to represent the Diocese of Newark at the 82nd General Convention in 2027, Convention also filled opening on the diocesan governing bodies, various boards, and other leadership positions. See the election results, as well as Bishop's appointments.
Clergy compensation
Convention voted to accept the recommendation of the Bishop’s Advisory Committee on Human Resources and Benefits for a 3% increase to minimum clergy salaries. Read the full Human Resources Report [PDF].
St. John the Divine, Hasbrouck Heights - Extinction Resolution
St. John the Divine has been actively combining its congregation and ministries with Christ Church, Hackensack since 2018, and has concluded or relocated all worship and ministries previously held at the Hasbrouck Heights site. As part of the process of selling that property, the Convention passed an “Extinction Resolution” (language required by the State of New Jersey) to formally close St. John the Divine. However, their life and ministry continue as part of the newly combined congregation with Christ Church, Hackensack. We look forward to recognizing and celebrating this combined congregation at a future Diocesan Convention.
| |
Convention offerings
Counting both in-person and online donations, Convention attendees gave a total of $6,106.90 to support the food ministries in the Diocese of Newark through the Bishop’s Fund for Food Ministries. And it's not too late - you can still contribute online.
The UTO In-Gathering collected $5,957.45. UTO (United Thank Offering) is a ministry of The Episcopal Church; learn more.
| |
Photo album
View our Flickr album of 86 photos, including many behind the scenes, taken at the 151st Diocesan Convention by Brandon Edling of Christ Church, Short Hills.
| |
Announcements slideshow
Due to popular demand, we are making available the slideshow of announcements shown at the 151st Convention. It includes announcements by the diocese, by parishes and ministry partners, and by ministries feeding and helping neighbors. Download the PDF.
| | Thanks from the Secretary of Convention | | |
Convention not only involves a tremendous number of volunteers from around the diocese, but also external partners who play a critical role in helping us pull off this event. This is particularly true this year at Calvary Church in Summit, where our logistics strayed from the standard requests for services one might expect. I’d like to acknowledge our long-standing Audio-Visual Support team at Gateway A/V and their owner, Mirek Rogala; Encore Catering and Sandy Shakespeare; and Ken Negri and Jim Snyder at Cannon Hill Capital Partners for the use of their parking lot at 25 DeForest Avenue.
| | |
Open House
SUN, DEC 7 | 3 PM | Episcopal House, Livingston
Come see the new Episcopal House. We look forward to showing you our new offices! Cookies and cocoa will be served.
The new Episcopal House is located at 94 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave. in Livingston (directions).
| | | |
Pilgrimage with Bishop Hughes
to the American South
April 22-26, 2026
In a repeat of last year's popular event, once again you can join Bishop Hughes on a powerful pilgrimage through Alabama, retracing the footsteps of history and the brave souls who fought for civil rights.
We expect the trip will fill up early so register early to secure your seat! The registration deadline is December 15, 2025.
Find out more, and register and pay deposit online.
| | | |
Reception of a Priest from a Church in Full Communion
TUE, NOV 25 | 11 AM
St. Paul & Incarnation, Jersey City
Having completed a process of preparation and additional education, Lutheran pastor Martin Malzahn will be formally recognized and received as a priest of the Episcopal Church. Find out more.
| | |
Ordination of Claudette Monica Powell (Sr. Monica Clare, CSJB) to the Diaconate
SUN, NOV 30 | 4 PM | All Saints', Millington
Your prayers and presence are requested. For those unable to attend in person, please join us on-line for this joyous occasion via Zoom. Find out more.
| | |
Shine Bright: A diocesan-wide Youth Christmas Party
SUN, DEC 7 | 4-8 PM | St. Stephen's, Millburn
Diocesan youth in grades 6-12 are invited to come together for an evening of joy, friendship, and celebration. Find out more and register online. Registration deadline is Nov. 30.
| | |
Parish Communicators Meeting
MON, DEC 8 | 12:30-1 PM | Zoom
Everyone in the diocese responsible for parish communications is welcome to participate in meetings of the diocesan Parish Communicators group, formed for sharing resources, developing skills and mutual support. Find out more.
| | |
Parish Events
Saturday Luncheon Social
Saturdays | 12-1 PM | St. John’s, Boonton
James & Co. Turkey Drive
THU, NOV 20 | 6-8 PM | St. James’, Ridgefield
Wine Tasting and Silent Auction
TUE, NOV 22| 4-6:30 PM | St. Paul’s, Paterson
‘Officium Defunctorum: Masters of the Iberian Renaissance’ Concert Presented by Aura Polyphonica
SAT, NOV 22| 6:30 PM | All Saints, Hoboken
Senior Resource Center of New Jersey Annual Festival of Trees
SAT, DEC 6 - SAT, DEC 13| 12-6 PM| Messiah, Chester
St. Paul’s Morris Plains Cookie Walk
SAT, DEC 13| 10 AM - 2 PM | St. Paul’s, Morris Plains
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
SUN, DEC 14| 5 PM | St. George's, Maplewood
Handel’s Messiah Concert and Festive Reception
SUN, DEC 14| 4-6 PM | Christ Church, Short Hills
| | | |
For the last two years, Church of the Messiah, Chester and St. Mary’s, Sparta have been in a collaboration exploring Team Ministry: one priest and one deacon serving both parishes, assisted by lay pastoral leaders, worship leaders, and preachers.
In this series, participants share their experiences of how the collaboration began and how it is progressing. This is the fifth article in the series.
| | | |
Parish collaboration:
Thankful for our shared journey
By Leslie Boston
Gratitude, faith, and partnership shine through as a parish leader reflects on nearly two years of Joint Ministry and the blessings it has brought both St. Mary’s, Sparta and Messiah, Chester. Read the article.
| | |
Are you eligible for this cost-saving insurance option?
Clergy and lay staff who get their medical insurance through The Episcopal Church Medical Trust, AND they or their spouse are 65+ and enrolled in Medicare Part A, are eligible for the Medicare Secondary Payer - Small Employer Exception. Participating in this plan saves both the employee and their employer money.
To learn more, please visit Medicare Secondary Payer Small Employer Exception Plans Explained on the Church Pension Group website. For questions, please contact Leslie Thomas, Diocesan Benefits Administrator.
| | |
Episcopal House holiday closing
Episcopal House will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
| | News from the Wider Church | | The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell elected Bishop of Western Massachusetts | | |
While the 151st Diocesan Convention was underway last Saturday, at another convention a couple hundred miles away a former member of this diocese was elected bishop.
The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell, who is currently serving as dean of Connecticut's Christ Church Cathedral, was elected the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts on the first ballot. Read the announcement.
Bishop-elect Howell served here as associate rector of St. Paul's, Paterson (2008-2010), and then as rector of the former Epiphany, Orange (2010-2013), now known as Epiphany & Christ Church, Orange. She served as Co-Chair of the Mission Strategy Committee (2012-2013) under Bishop Beckwith and as a founding board member of the young adult program Newark ACTS.
Pending the canonically required consent of a majority of The Episcopal Church’s diocesan standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction, she will be ordained and consecrated bishop on April 25, 2026.
| | |
Free resources for Advent and Christmas from The Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church is making available downloadable Advent- and Christmas-themed graphics, a customizable video, curriculum, children's offerings, and much more on this annual resource page. Resources available in Spanish and French where indicated. Learn more.
| | |
‘Break the Silence’ toolkit offers resources to combat gender-based violence
Nov. 30 is Break the Silence Sunday
[Episcopal News Service] A 2025 version of a toolkit to help people “Break the Silence” around gender-based violence has been released by the Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Read more.
| | |
The VOICE Online is published every other Wednesday
Next issue: WED, DEC 3
Submission deadline: WED, NOV 26, 10 AM
Note earlier deadline due to Thanksgiving holiday
| | Follow the Episcopal Diocese of Newark at: | | | | |
