December 17, 2025

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The gift of real connection

Bishop Hughes reflects on how a deceptively simple question – “How are you doing?” – can open space for truth, healing, and deeper community, and urges us to try it this holiday season.

(Time: 5:44 | Transcript.)

Registration opens Jan. 5 for

2026 Confirmation Services

Our 2026 diocesan Confirmation services are scheduled in May and June, with pre-Confirmation gatherings for adults and youth in April.

Registration will open on Monday, Jan. 5, and remain open for each service until it reaches capacity or or until April 30, whichever comes first.

Visit the Confirmation page for more information and to register candidates for Confirmation, Reception, or to Reaffirm their Baptismal Vows.

Questions? Please email Canon Wright.

Bishop’s Study Group

Four consecutive Tuesdays, 7-8:30 PM:

JAN 20 | The Diocesan Center, Livingston

JAN 27 | Zoom

FEB 3 | The Diocesan Center, Livingston

FEB 10 | Zoom

This winter the Bishop’s Study Group will convene while Bishop is on sabbatical. Canon Clark will be joined by the Rev. Dr. Carla E. Roland Guzmán (right), professor at the General Theological Seminary and author of Unmasking Latinx Ministry for Episcopalians: An Anglican Approach.

Following on the Bishop’s Study Group from 2024 (“This is My Story: Learning to see, talk and share stories of faith”) Dr. Roland will lead participants in a four-part program entitled “My Church History Story” that she has developed and will launch with our Study Group.

Find out more and register online.

The Rev. Absalom Jones Service

SUN, FEB 1 | 3-4 PM | Trinity & St. Philip’s Cathedral, Newark

Celebration of the life and ministry of the Rev. Absalom Jones with music and Holy Eucharist.

Hockey Game Days

At the Prudential Center, Newark

For young adults: TUE, FEB 3 | 7 PM

For families - including children, youth, and young adults: SUN, MAR 8 | 7 PM

Organized by the First Third of Life Commission.

Diocesan Learning Event:

Liturgy and Music

SAT, FEB 7 | 8:45 AM - 1 PM

The Diocesan Center, Livingston

The Commission on Liturgy and Music is happy to invite you to a Diocesan Learning Event focused on supporting how we plan and carry out the worship life of the Church.

We are excited to welcome the Rev. Canon Lizette Larson-Miller as our keynote speaker. Find out more.

Parish Communicators Zoom Meeting

MON, JAN 12 | 6:30-8 PM

Everyone in the diocese responsible for parish communications is welcome to participate in meetings of the diocesan Parish Communicators group. Find out more.

Wardens’ & Treasurers’ Zoom meeting

THU, JAN 15 | 7-8:30 PM

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

RMN Co-conveners Zoom Meeting

MON, FEB 2 | 7-8:30 PM

A quarterly meeting for Regional Ministry Network co-conveners appointed by the Bishop. The Zoom link will be emailed the morning of Feb. 2.

St. Andrew’s recognized as Harrington Park Citizen of the Year 2025

On December 8, 2025, Harrington Park Mayor Joon L. Chung awarded St. Andrew’s, Harrington Park the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award. Here are her remarks from the award ceremony: read more.

Stewardship Matters:

Welcoming Christmas Visitors with Intention

By Cynthia McChesney

Christmas brings beautiful traditions, joyful worship, great music…and visitors. Too often, churches quietly view these guests as people who “only show up once or twice a year,” as if regular members are somehow more important. But this misses the deeper truth: Everyone who walks through your doors at Christmas is there for a reason. Read more.

Get the Stewardship Matters e-newsletter

Published 1-2 times a month by the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Legacy Giving, this newsletter offers spiritually grounded, practical guidance to help you meet today’s stewardship challenges with clear insight, purpose, and confidence. Read the latest issue. To subscribe, email Cynthia McChesney.

One Body. One Spirit. One Call to Give.

By Cynthia McChesney

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all …” Ephesians 4:4–6a

These words from Ephesians have echoed through our common life recently—at the baptismal font on All Saints’ Sunday and again at diocesan convention—reminding us that we are one people, united in Christ.

In uncertain and unsettled times, that unity must take visible shape. The Alleluia Fund is one of the most important ways our diocese lives out that unity, and right now, the Alleluia Fund needs you. Read more.

Justice for People & Planet is one of the four Areas of Focus that emerged out of our Strategic Visioning Project.

“If we’re doing these things, we’re helping to transform the world.”
– Bishop Hughes

Resources from The Episcopal Church

Protesting Faithfully: A Toolkit for Public Witness

As Episcopalians, our faith calls us to stand in solidarity with vulnerable people, to proclaim justice and peace, and to love our neighbors. This toolkit offers spiritual grounding and practical resources for faithful presence at protests and public demonstrations.

UPDATED: Immigration Action Toolkit for dioceses, churches, and individuals

For those seeking to support immigrant and refugee neighbors, The Episcopal Church offers advocacy tools, ways to help, and links to multiple resources in the Immigration Action Toolkit. Find a new resource under “Know your rights” titled "Five things parents detained by ICE should know.” Toolkit resources are available in Spanish where indicated. 

Get the Justice Action e- newsletter

Published weekly by the diocesan Commission on Justice, Peace, and Racial Reconciliation, this newsletter summarizes upcoming opportunities to support immigration rights, voter registration, economic and environmental justice, and more. Read the latest issue. To subscribe, simply sign up for the Newark List.

Diocesan offices holiday closing

The diocesan offices will be closed the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Thursday, Jan. 1 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays.

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for all of 2026

Click here to download the Word document.

Diocesan pledges due before end of year

Thanks to all of the congregations that have submitted their 2026 pledge. If your congregation has not yet done so, please submit it as soon as it is approved by vestry using our new online webform found here.

Clergy Ministry Transitions

See all Clergy Ministry Transitions in 2025

Arrivals – Dec. 1

The Rev. Deacon Sr. Monica Clare

Curate at All Saints', Millington

Departures – Dec. 14

The Rev. Deacon Chris Leung

Curate at Calvary, Summit

Retirements – Jan. 1

The Rev. Lorraine Harris

Rector of Epiphany & Christ Church, Orange

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.

The VOICE Online is published every other Wednesday

Next issue: WED, JAN 7

Submission deadline: FRI, JAN 2, 10 AM

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