August 27, 2025

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Experiencing God's peace

As the busy season of fall approaches, Bishop Hughes calls us to pause, to listen, and to rest in the words: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Time: 5:15 | Read the transcript.)

Sunday school program year preparation from Children and Families Ministries

By Donna Caputo

While summer is often viewed as a season of rest for educators, it is also a time of preparation for those who serve in Christian formation. Across the Diocese of Newark, Sunday school teachers and leaders are using these months to reflect on the past year and prepare for the new program year ahead. Read more.

Harriet Tubman Region honors World Humanitarian Day with Evensong and fellowship

By Julie Crawford

The Harriet Tubman Regional Network met for its 3rd Annual Prayer Service and Ice Cream Social at St Marguerite’s Retreat House at the Community of St John Baptist. The outdoor worship included the prayers offered by Episcopal Relief & Development to honor World Humanitarian Day and an Evensong officiated by Deacon Annie Pike, followed by fellowship. Read more.

Heat waves, hospitality, and hallelujahs!

By Suzanne Hesse

The congregations of St. Paul’s, Paterson and St. Clement’s, Hawthorne decided to try something new this summer by combining their respective Sunday morning services into one. Read more.

We must face New Jersey’s affordable housing crisis

AUG 26 | NJ Spotlight News

An op-ed by Paul Shackford

Many people struggle to find an affordable place to live even though they are working. Read more.

Convention Corner:

Preparations are in full swing

By Donna Caputo

The location is set, the catering is arranged, and the committees that make Convention possible are hard at work. As summer winds down, preparations are in full swing for the 151st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Newark, which will take place Saturday, November 15 at Calvary Church in Summit. Read more.

Are you considering running for Deputy to General Convention?

By Laura Russell, Esq.

Four Deputies and four Alternates in both the clergy and lay orders - 16 people total - will be elected at this Diocesan Convention to represent the Diocese of Newark at the 82nd General Convention, being held July 2027 in Phoenix, AZ. If you're considering running, here's what you need to know. Read more.

Photo: The Newark Deputation with Bishop Hughes at the 81st General Convention, held in 2024 in Louisville, KY.

Youth Day of Service

SAT, SEP 20 | 8:30 AM | Liberty State Park

Youth will help with easy planting, general cleanup, and other activities to help beautify this space.

Registration is required by Wednesday, Sept. 10 (space for our group is limited by the parks system). Find out more.

National Acolyte Festival

FRI, OCT 10 - SUN, OCT 12

Children, Youth, and Young Adults will travel (with chaperones) to Washington, DC for the weekend of celebration, learning, and fun. In addition to the Acolyte Festival at the Washington National Cathedral and visiting a few monuments on Saturday, on Sunday we will also plan to worship with a local congregation in DC and then visit the National Museum of African American History.

Registration is required by Wednesday, Sept. 17. Find out more.

Collaborating for Ministry:

From Our Gifts to God’s Welcome

SAT, SEP 20 | 9 AM - 1 PM

St. Elizabeth’s, Ridgewood

This half-day workshop is designed to bring together congregations in the diocese to explore intentional practices of Invite, Welcome, Connect (IWC) and to identify tangible opportunities for collaborative ministry. Find out more and register online by Friday, Sept. 12.

Anti-Sexism Training

SAT, SEP 27 | 8:30 AM - 3 PM

In-person, location TBD

Anti-Sexism Training is required for all people serving in elected or appointed diocesan positions.

Cost: $25 per person, to cover food and materials.

Deadline for registration and payment: 5 PM on Monday, Sept. 22. Find out more and register online.

Fall 2025 Active Clergy Day

WED, SEP 17 | 10 AM - 3 PM | St. Michael’s, Wayne

Instead of a September Active Clergy call, Bishop Hughes will host an Active Clergy Day. Lunch will be served! Registration deadline: 5 PM Tuesday, Sept. 9. Find out more.

2025 Clergy Conference

MON, OCT 13 - WED, OCT 15

A gathering of Active and Retired Clergy in the Diocese of Newark for education, conversation, and rest! Find out more.

Parish Communicators Meeting

MON, SEP 15 | 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.

Churches without Clergy Meeting

MON, SEP 15 | 7-8:30 PM | Zoom

An online gathering for Wardens (and other church leaders) from churches, of whatever size, which only have supply clergy. Find out more.

Diocese of Newark 2026 budget deadline is September 1

The 2026 budget process will follow a similar process to the one adopted by Diocesan Council for use in preparing budgets in recent years. This process allows individuals and organizations to request funding as part of the 2026 Budget. The big change is that everything is happening earlier than in the past due to the desire to present a budget to Diocesan Convention in November. Funding requests for 2026 are due by Sept. 1, 2025. Find out more.

Presiding bishop to help launch new Sacred Ground circles with online webinar

[Episcopal News Service] Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe will be the speaker at a special Sept. 2 online webinar to help mark the start of the next year of Sacred Ground, a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race that is grounded in faith. Registration for the webinar, which will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern on Zoom, is available here.

Read more.

The VOICE Online is published every other Wednesday

Next issue: WED, SEP 10

Submission deadline: FRI, SEP 5, 10 AM

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