A biweekly publication for telling and hearing the stories
of this extraordinary time

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

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Sharing God's love when people are angry
"It doesn't take much effort to see that if there's a thing that defines this time right now, it seems to be anger," says Bishop Hughes. "Who are we to be in the midst of that? How are we to be God's emissaries? How are we to be the witnesses of God's love in this time that we're in?" (Time: 4:48.)
New in 2022: Bishop Hughes' messages will be available as a podcast! Check it out at: anchor.fm/bishop-carlye-hughes
An ambitious pandemic project: DIY organ rebuilding
By Nina Nicholson
The pandemic has been a time for learning new skills and starting new projects. Mark Wright decided to teach himself how to rebuild his church’s beleaguered pipe organ.

When Wright, a retired high school English teacher and a professional jazz pianist, first began serving as music director at Christ Church, Hackensack, he received multiple warnings.

“The lowest of the three keyboards is completely dead – don’t use it. Don’t push those couplers. Avoid those unreliable pistons. Only about a third of the stop knobs actually identify pipes. The rests never worked or don’t work now. Never use these four stops because a note will continually hang on. You will discover many missing individual notes – the A and B above middle C do not sound at all. Many of the pedals do not sound. Avoid all the four-foot pipes because they are terribly out of tune. There is a constant hiss from air leaks. The swell door mechanism is unable to be repaired and the doors are jammed open. Turning the organ on or off produces many odd sounds, one of which resembles a coffee maker.”
Bishop Carol Gallagher:
DEC 21, 2021 | Episcopal News Service
Bishop Mark Beckwith:
DEC 27, 2021 | Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Two diocesan-wide Zoom meetings next week
An email will be sent next Monday, January 10 to recipients of The VOICE Online with sign-in instructions for these Zoom meetings, which are open to all members of the diocese.
2022 Budget Presentation
TUE, JAN 11, 7 PM

A presentation of the preliminary diocesan budget for 2022 was given by diocesan CFO Sam Reckford on Dec. 8. A video of that presentation is available at the link above (time: 22:31).

The budget is a work in progress and is expected to be finalized in January 2022. A second budget presentation will be given via Zoom at 7 PM on Jan. 11.
Lay conversation with the Bishop
THU, JAN 13, 7-8:30 PM

Bishop Carlye Hughes invites you to join a conversation with other members of the diocese, to reflect and consider what we, our churches, and our communities have learned and experienced during the first 22 months of pandemic.

This Zoom conversation is scheduled for 90 minutes. Find out more.
Bishop's Study Group 2022: People of the Land
SIX TUESDAYS, JAN 18 - FEB 22, 7-8:30 PM, VIA ZOOM
What are we to do as people of faith about climate change? Are there steps we can take that make any difference? How do we become proactive in our care of creation?

Our study this year will focus on our role as people created to live in and care for the land as God’s stewards. Through reading, film, Holy Scripture, and regular reflection on a patch of earth, we will intentionally explore our identity and relationship with the land and examine our duty to the land, climate, and other people.
Find out more and register online. Registration deadline: 5 PM Friday, Jan. 14. Zoom links for this online study group will be sent to registrants in January.
Wardens' & Treasurers' Zoom meeting with the Bishop
THU, JAN 20, 7-8:30 PM
An email will be sent Monday, January 17 to all Church Wardens and Treasurers with sign-in instructions for this Zoom meeting.
Congratulations to the three newest Priests in the Diocese of Newark!
The Rev. Katherine Rollo, the Rev. Lorna Woodham and the Rev. Carrie Cabush were ordained Saturday, Dec. 18 at Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral in Newark. Watch the video recording of the ordination service here.
Other clergy ministry transitions
Departures

  • June 5: The Rev. Canon Robert Griner, Rector, Christ Church, Newton

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2021.
Is your church's directory entry up to date?
Now is a good time to review your church's entry in our online Church Directory - especially since we've added some new features!

In the right sidebar of each church's entry, we can now display:
  • the church's clergy and staff, with head shots;
  • any diocesan articles in which the church is mentioned;
  • any open job listings it has posted on the diocesan Job Listings page;
  • any diocesan or Community Events it is hosting.
Resolve this year to make your church's online information as complete and up-to-date as possible by following these steps. Find out more.
Stewardship resolutions?
By Cynthia McChesney
Here's an easy New Year's Resolution for Stewardship. Why not resolve now to prepare better for next year's Annual Pledge Campaign?

Just complete the two easy steps that follow, while last fall's campaign is still fresh in your head. Read more, or watch the video.
Convention postponed until May
In light of the uncertainty of the pandemic, and with a strong desire that all churches' Deputies and Clergy can attend the 148th Annual Diocesan Convention in person, the Bishop has decided that Convention will be postponed from February 2022 until the weekend of May 6 & 7, at a location to be determined.

New Convention deadlines corresponding to the new date will be announced. Nominations and other business related items already submitted will be honored and do not need to be re-submitted.

More information will be forthcoming.
Next issue: Wednesday, Jan. 19.
Deadline: 10 AM Friday, Jan. 14.
Employment opportunities in our churches, associated organizations, and neighboring Episcopal dioceses.
Cross Roads is the ecumenical camp and retreat center of our diocese and the NJ Synod of the ELCA (Lutheran Church).
Cross Roads Christmas Shop
From now through January 15, 2022, you can purchase limited-edition items for the Cross Roads fan in your life. The shop includes long-sleeve or short-sleeve T-shirts and sweatshirts in a variety of sizes and colors. A portion of each sale supports the Cross Roads Annual Fund. Visit the shop at: bonfire.com/cross-roads-christmas-shop.
Young Adult Retreat
FRI-SUN, JAN 7-9, 2022

Young adults (ages 18-30ish) are invited to pause and renew your mental, physical, and spiritual health as we begin a new year. This retreat is open to all young adults who are looking for a weekend away at camp. More details on the weekend retreat, including Covid protocols, available on the Cross Roads website at: crossroadsretreat.com/young-adult-retreat. Register today!
Youth Retreats
February & March

The Cross Roads Elementary and Middle School Retreats are coming up on Feb. 11-13 (Grades 3-5) and March 11-13 (Grades 6-8). Youth Retreats combine fun activities, Bible study, worship, delicious food, and time spent outside to create an awesome weekend for youth and their adult leaders. Read more about the retreats and register your youth group at: crossroadsretreat.com/youth-retreats.
Work at camp this summer
Applications for the Cross Roads Summer Staff 2022 are LIVE! We are hiring awesome young adults who would be a great fit for any of our open positions next summer. Employment runs from mid-June through August 2022. Apply at: crossroadsretreat.com/employment.
Summer camp registration is open
Register before 1/31/22 to receive a $25 discount!
Registration for Summer Camp 2022 at Cross Roads is now open! Explore all the offerings for youth in grades 2-12 as well as family camp programs at: crossroadsretreat.com/summer-programs.
The VOICE Online is currently published every other Wednesday