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

Churches represented were Christ Church, Short Hills; St. Stephen’s, Millburn; Christ Church, Bloomfield & Glen Ridge; Redeemer, Morristown; and St. Peter's, Morristown. Bishop Hughes' husband, David Smedley, also participated. Read more and view the photo gallery.

Moved by sadness, anger and a feeling of helplessness, my husband Elven Riley and I got up the morning of Saturday, June 11 and joined over 100 advocates from the surrounding area for the March for Our Lives event held at Military Park in downtown Newark. We learned a lot and left inspired. Read more and view the photo gallery.

Congregations around the Diocese of Newark have been celebrating Pride month with parish observances as well as by participating in community Pride events. Visit the photo gallery for photos and detailed captions.

Additional photos and captions can be submitted until 10 AM Thursday, June 30 for inclusion in this gallery and the July 6 issue of The VOICE Online.

The Rev. Paula of St. Stephen’s, Millburn, Jody Caldwell of Redeemer, Morristown and Libby Clarke of Christ Church, Short Hills were photographed and interviewed by NPR at the March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C.

Laura Russell of All Saints', Hoboken, a lay deputy to the 80th General Convention, is quoted on Resolution B008, “A Call for the Cessation of Conflict in Ukraine.”

The Oasis invites Episcopalians participating in the NYC Pride March to gather at 1 PM the Church of the Transfiguration, A.K.A the Little Church around the Corner. The Diocese of New York is providing a generous reception before the assigned step-off time. Find out more.

An email will be sent to all Church Wardens and Treasurers with sign-in instructions for this Zoom meeting.

On Sunday, July 17, the Rt. Rev. David Alvarado, Bishop of El Salvador, will visit Holy Trinity, West Orange to celebrate and preach at a bilingual service. The 11 AM service will be live streamed on Holy Trinity's YouTube channel. Bishop Alvarado's wife, the Rev. Irma de Alvarado, will accompany him on this visit.

All are welcome to attend in person or online. Especially invited are those who have been involved in past diocesan Hispanic/Latino Ministry. Like many ministries, it has been disrupted by the pandemic, and the Rev. Dr. Miguel A. Hernandez, priest-in-charge at Holy Trinity, hopes this event will help reactivate it. Find out more.

For the last few years, about a dozen congregations have joined with the Trustees to purchase natural gas from independent suppliers offering attractive multi-year fixed prices. Those that signed on to the last contract (2019) have seen significant savings on their bills.

Diocesan CFO Sam Reckford will shortly bid for a new contract and would welcome participation by any churches that would like to arrange for a multi-year fixed-price contract at levels below their current rate.

The more churches that we have, the better our bargaining position. We can also help you with your electricity purchases. Please contact Sam at sreckford@dioceseofnewark.org if you are interested.

The offertory collection from the 148th Annual Diocesan Convention held at Calvary Church in Summit was split equally between our camp, Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center, and Episcopal Relief and Development’s efforts towards the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Diocesan Council voted to designate these two recipients prior to Convention. The total offering collected was $5,548.21. Two checks of $2775 are being delivered to these two organizations this week.

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2022.

Summer Fridays: From July 1 through Aug. 26, Episcopal House will close for the weekend at 1 PM on Fridays.

Independence Day: Monday, July 4 is a Federal holiday and Episcopal House will be closed in observance.

Week before Labor Day: All members of the Bishop's staff are using their vacation time to take off the week of Aug. 29 - Sept. 2, closing Episcopal House until Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Join Episcopal and Lutheran congregations around the state for another Cross Roads Camp Sunday! Congregations can incorporate the provided liturgy into their worship services. Congregations are also encouraged to sing camp songs throughout the service, allow campers to share their stories about Cross Roads, and provide information on upcoming events for families and people of all ages. Find out more and download materials at: crossroadsretreat.com/cross-roads-camp-sunday

Congregations around the state are invited to join a time filled with the best aspects of the ELCA Youth Gathering combined with the best of a camp experience: social justice, community service, Bible study, worship, and more! Reach out to youthmin@njsynod.org to join the planning team! Find more information at: crossroadsretreat.com/our-gathering-at-cross-roads

Cross Roads is hoping to hire a few more summer staff members. Do you know a young adult looking for a meaningful summer job? Please share this opportunity with them! More information is available at: crossroadsretreat.com/employment

Registration for Summer Camp 2022 at Cross Roads is open and they can't wait to welcome back campers! Explore all the offerings for youth in grades 2-12 as well as family camp programs at: crossroadsretreat.com/summer-programs

Save the date! The retreat's theme is "Who Do You Say That I Am?" Jesus wonders how his followers understand him. He knows that how we “name” him is at the heart of our relationship with him and with others. Come and hear Jesus’ query yet again. Hear it as an invitation to an ever deeper faith in him. Come and join us for a relaxing time together in community together! Registration coming soon! For more information, visit: crossroadsretreat.com/womens-retreat

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites Episcopalians everywhere to mark the season after Pentecost with 30 days of prayer leading up to and encompassing the 80th General Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.

“A Season of Prayer for Revival”—from June 12 through July 11—will feature daily prayers drawn from the Book of Common Prayer. Individuals can sign up online to receive the prayers and inspirational messages via email. The prayers will also be posted daily on social media accounts for The Episcopal Church and Forward Movement.

Downloadable bulletin inserts are available for congregational use. All materials are in Spanish and English. Find out more.

The VOICE Online is currently published every other Wednesday