The VOICE Online: Special pre-Convention issue

November 11, 2026

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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.

Friday, November 13 & Saturday, November 14 at the Hilton Parsippany

From the Bishop

Bishop's Address for the 152nd Convention

This year, instead of giving her annual address at Convention, Bishop Hughes is publishing it in written form to be read in advance of Convention.

What does it mean to become the church of the future? Perhaps the answer begins with noticing how God is shaping us and the church right now.

Bishop Hughes invites us to recognize the transformation already unfolding across our diocese and to consider how, together, we can help bring about a world transformed by God's life-changing love.

Read the address, or download it as a PDF.

If You're Attending in Person

From parking and check-in to voting support and helpful tips for navigating the hotel, everything you need to know to make your Convention experience smooth, enjoyable, and full of connection and fellowship is in the latest issue of Convention Corner.

Need directions to the Hilton Parsippany? Click here for the Google map.

Upon check-in you will receive a printed Convention packet, which you may preview online here.

The Convention packet will include the names and bios of candidates for election, which you may also preview online here.

If you weren't able to attend the pre-Convention orientation and candidates forum last night on Zoom, you can watch the recording here (time: 1:13:28).

Keynote speaker at the Friday evening dinner:

Dr. Jemar Tisby

Dr. Tisby is a New York Times bestselling author, public historian, and professor who specializes in the intersection of race, religion, and social movements in America.

Learn more about Dr. Tisby and his books. The books shown below will be available at Convention for purchase and signing.

If you’re attending the Saturday morning Convention Eucharist…

Vesting and processing: All clergy are invited to vest and process (green stole) as well as 1 lay person from each parish. Lay members do not need to vest. The Arrangements Committee will set up a space for those vesting.

Church banners: Congregations are invited to bring your church banners AND stands and place them on the perimeter of the ballroom, as a symbol of the unity of the diocese and to make our space feel more like a worship space.

UTO In-Gathering: Congregations, please remember to bring your UTO offering to be presented during the Convention Eucharist at the UTO In-Gathering.

If You're Watching Online

Convention will be live streamed gavel-to-gavel on the diocesan YouTube channel, with the recordings remaining online for later viewing. Key times in the schedule:

Friday

10:30 AM - 12 NOON: Morning business session

1:45 PM - 4 PM: Afternoon business session

7:30 PM*: Keynote address by Dr. Jemar Tisby

Saturday

9:30 AM: Worship Service, with Bishop Hughes’ sermon & UTO In-Gathering (download Service Bulletin)

11:30 AM - 12 NOON: Morning business session

1:45 - 4:15 PM*: Afternoon business session
(begins with "Remembering the Saints," the diocesan Necrology)

*These times are approximate.

You may also want to refer to the pre-Convention packet (above), especially the agenda and proposed budget.

Full Convention coverage will be published in the November 18 issue of The VOICE Online.

Convention Offering

This year’s offering will support congregations and other diocesan ministries affected by the immigration crisis, both to sustain their ministries and to meet the needs of households directly impacted.

Offerings are being accepted now: Donte online