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Holding onto the lessons from the Summer of Sabbath
As summer ends and we enter into this busier time of year, Bishop Hughes encourages us to continue to find a way to claim some Sabbath time every week for rest, gratitude and joy. (Time: 4:01; read the transcript.)
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Happening at Our Churches | |
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Haven of Hope provides respite for families of chronically ill children
By Nina Nicholson
It’s a sunny August morning in Phillipsburg, and a young boy from Irvington is riding a pony for the very first time.
A little nervous at first, he gains confidence as the stable’s owner leads the pony – named Edgar Allen Pony, or Poe for short – on a slow walk around the paddock. After a few minutes he relaxes, grins, releases his grip on the saddle’s pommel, and flashes a thumbs up to his watching mother and siblings.
Also watching, and ready to provide a steadying hand when needed, is Colleen Wolfe, Program Director of Haven of Hope for Kids, the ministry that is making this experience possible. Read more.
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Food pantry offers "Christmas in August"
By Nina Nicholson
If you visited Holy Communion in Norwood on a recent Saturday, you might have spotted Santa Claus – in August.
There is a perfectly rational explanation for this.
On Saturday, August 19, Holy Communion turned one of its food pantry days into “Christmas in August,” a smaller version of its annual Christmas event. Read more.
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Seeds of change – together! St. Stephen's 11th annual drumming camp
By Maria T. Card
St. Stephen’s, Millburn hosted 20 campers at its 11th annual Drumming Camp on August 21-25. The week’s activities included drumming, singing, dancing, arts and crafts, playing games, making and eating s’mores, and getting soaked with water balloons! Read more.
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Augustine region celebrates patronal feast with region-wide picnic
By Christian Paolino
On Sunday, August 27 more than 60 members of churches in the Augustine of Hippo Regional Ministry Network gathered at St. Mark’s, Teaneck for a region-wide picnic. The purpose of the event was for the Augustine congregations to begin to get to know one another. It concluded with Evening Prayer using the Propers for their region's patronal feast on August 28. They plan to hold another event in the coming months to begin brainstorming what the Holy Spirit might be calling them to do together.
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Community events
Benefit Concert for Maui
SUN, SEP 10 | 5:30 PM | St. Paul's, Chatham
Fish and Chips Take-Out Dinner
SUN, SEP 17 | 4-6 PM | St. Clement's, Hawthorne
Combined Evensong
SAT, SEP 30 | 5 PM | At St. Paul's, Chatham, with Grace, Madison
A Town-Wide Celebration of Pets
SUN, OCT 1 | 1-4 PM | Holy Spirit, Verona at Verona Town Hall Square
Want to submit your church's public events to the Community Calendar? See the User Guide.
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Wardens' & Treasurers' Zoom meeting with the Bishop
THU, SEP 28 | 7-8:30 PM | Zoom
An email will be sent to all Church Wardens and Treasurers with sign-in instructions for this Zoom meeting.
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Mark your calendars for these upcoming learning events | |
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Leadership Essentials for Vestries, Wardens & Treasurers
THU, OCT 12 | 7-8:30 PM | Zoom
Fall Diocesan Learning Event: Living Our Faith Out Loud
SAT, OCT 21 | 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM | St. Elizabeth's, Ridgewood
Anti-Sexism Training
SAT, NOV 4 | 8:30 AM - 3 PM | St. Stephen's, Millburn
Registration is open; deadline is MON, OCT 30, 5 PM
Anti-Racism Dialogue via Zoom
SAT, NOV 4, 11 & 18 | 9 AM – 12:30 PM | Zoom
Registration is open; deadline is FRI, OCT 27, 5 PM
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Youth Events
Diocese of Newark Youth Rally
SAT, OCT 21 | 2:30-6:30 PM | St. Stephen's, Millburn
A time of worship, formation, and fun "get to know you" activities for youth in grades 6-12 from across our diocese, with a dinner of pizza and s'mores.
Applications open for General Convention 2024 Official Youth Presence
Episcopal teens ages 16 to 19 are invited to apply to become part of the 81st General Convention’s Official Youth Presence, a group whose members have seat and voice in the House of Deputies and can testify at hearings before and during the summer 2024 convention. The deadline to apply is Nov. 17.
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CFO announces Diocese of Newark budget process for 2024
The 2024 budget process will follow the same process adopted by Diocesan Council for use in preparing previous budgets. This process allows individuals and organizations to request funding as part of the 2024 Budget. Funding requests for 2024 are due by September 22, 2023. Find out more.
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Volunteers needed to help with diocesan archives | |
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Are you interested in volunteering some time from your own home to assist the Diocese of Newark in maintaining our historical archives?
As we prepare to move to our new headquarters, John King is organizing and digitizing archival materials. This includes The Newark Churchman, the predecessor to The VOICE and The VOICE Online, with over 400 issues published from 1905 - 1977. We are attempting to create an online library of The Newark Churchman that will be accessible to the entire diocese.
We need individuals who are interested in reviewing the issues online and cataloguing the churches, committees and individuals mentioned in the articles. This will help us create an index of articles so we can locate information when the need arises.
We are also missing a few issues of The Newark Churchman and asking any individuals or churches who have copies to let us know.
Find out more.
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Diocesan Resources for Churches | |
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Stewardship tip:
Personalizing the Letter
In this brief video we discuss easy ways to "personalize" your church's annual pledge campaign letter. Personalization helps ensure your letter gets read and acted on - and it only takes a few minutes! (Time: 9:17.)
Check out the other resources on the diocesan Learning Center.
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Fall communications check list
As church events get started up in this fall, make sure you are using diocesan resources to full advantage when promoting them. Here are two things you can do quickly and easily:
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1 If your church isn't already doing so, start submitting events to the Community Calendar. Not only does this list them in your church's directory entry and in your Regional Ministry Network's page, Community Events are also eligible to be included in The VOICE Online and shared on diocesan social media. Click here to find out more, or watch this short video. | |
2 Make sure your church's entry in the Church Directory is up to date with the current staff, a photo of the church, all church social media, and correct contact info. If your church offers online worship, make sure it's listed correctly, and if it has a food ministry or thrift shop, make sure the link is included. Click here to email any additions or corrections. | |
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New! Online directory of church food ministries and thrift shops
New on the diocesan website is a page with directories and a Google map of all church-run food ministries and thrift shops (that we know of - if yours is missing, please email it and we'll add it). You can access this new page from the Quick Links section on the main page as well as from the Church Directory. You can also access it directly at: dioceseofnewark.org/food-ministries-thrift-shops
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Cross Roads is the ecumenical camp and retreat center of our diocese and the NJ Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. | |
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Rally for Cross Roads
SAT, OCT 7
Join us to take part in this incredible event. Whether you're a passionate runner, a leisurely walker, or simply someone who wants to support a worthy cause, your presence and participation will make a world of difference. Rally your friends, family, and colleagues, and let's come together to champion the future of young campers at Cross Roads. Register for the Rally for Cross Roads today and be a part of a community dedicated to transforming lives, one step at a time. Together, we can create a brighter future for all with your participation in this fundraiser! Learn more.
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Women’s Retreat
OCT 20-22
Take time to catch your breath this fall at the annual Women's Retreat. Using the spiritual gifts of prayer, scripture, song, conversation, and silence, we will be invited to breathe in the Spirit of the Living God. This is a great opportunity to rest and reconnect with God and our community. This year's theme is BREATHE and will be led by Led by Laurie Matarazzo and Dale Selover. Learn more and register online.
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Wednesday Away: "The Feast of St. Francis" with Laurie Matarazzo
WED, OCT 4, 9:30 AM – 3 PM
Join us for Wednesdays Away, a time of spiritual renewal hosted by Cross Roads throughout the year. Our time together includes prayer and conversation, led by a spiritual director and focusing on a different spiritual practice or theme each month. These retreats are open to all people interested in exploring new faith practices. Attend one or attend all – and be sure to invite friends to join you. Learn more and register online.
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The VOICE Online is published every other Wednesday
Next issue: WED, SEP 20
Submission deadline: FRI, SEP 15, 10 AM
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Follow the Episcopal Diocese of Newark at: | | | | |
