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

Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Download The VOICE Digest printable PDF with highlights from this issue.
From Our Bishop
Food insecurity amidst pandemic - here's what we can do
There is a hunger emergency going on in our state right now as a result of the pandemic and the large number of people who have lost their jobs. Bishop Hughes reminds us that one of the ways that we love our neighbors is to help them have enough food to eat.

Click on the video at right to watch (time: 3:48), or click here to read the transcript.
See also A Pastoral Letter to the Dioceses of Newark and New Jersey by Bishop Hughes and Bishop William H. Stokes of New Jersey.
From Our Canons
Holy Manna
By the Rev. Canon Dr. Andrew R. Wright
We talked about literal hunger in last week’s VOICE Online and the basic imperative that we have as Christians to respond to that need. We’ll continue to look at ways to respond to that in our diocese this week and in coming weeks. The powerful responsibility of Christians to respond to those in need is first and foremost about love – God’s love for us enacted by our showing love to others – but it is also wound up in our basic identity as those who gather at Christ’s table. Read more.
Stories from Our Congregations
We want your stories and photos of this time. What is your congregation doing that's different or new, that might help or inspire other congregations? What is your congregation experiencing that will be important to remember? Was your church covered by local media? We want to share those stories! The submission deadline is 10 AM Friday for the following Wednesday's issue; see the Submission Guidelines .
God's providence is so vast
The Friday Soup Kitchen at St. Andrew’s, Newark, reminds the Rev. Sylvester Ekunwe, the church’s Vicar, of the miracle of the loaves and the fishes.

The need is great in St. Andrew’s neighborhood, which touches Newark, Hillside and Irvington. Now, with more and more people getting furloughed, the need is growing at the same time the feeding ministry has had to change the way it operates to protect both its guests and its volunteers. Read more.
Photographers capture beauty even in dark times
As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced people across the world to shelter in place, many have turned to the arts for entertainment, solace and inspiration. The VOICE Online is profiling some of the many artists in the Diocese of Newark and sharing examples of their talents. This week’s article features photographers. Read more.
Newborn zooms in to Sunday worship
Violetta Frega may hold a record for earliest church attendance following birth.

While many lament the need to maintain physical distancing and to worship online during the COVID-19 pandemic, computer technology allowed Violetta and her mom, Krista Donough, to join the April 26 Sunday service at Church of the Redeemer in Morristown less than 3½ hours after Violetta entered the world at Morristown Medical Center. Not only that, her mother, the church’s soprano soloist, sang that day’s anthem, recorded earlier. Read more.
Churches in the News
St. Peter's, Morristown:
MAY 8, 2020 | Morristown Green
Upcoming Events
Regional Zoom Meetings with the Bishop
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on every aspect of our lives gives us quite a lot to talk about. Bishop Hughes is eager to spend time in conversation with the members of the diocese, to reflect and consider what we, our churches, and our communities have learned and experienced as we have adjusted to the changes this time has demanded of us.

The Bishop has grouped all congregations into eight Regional Ministry Networks, named for saints and further identified by geography. She is inviting the parishes of each Regional Ministry Network to join her for a Zoom meeting. Upcoming regional Zoom meetings will be held at 6 PM on these dates:

THU, MAY 14 - Evelyn Underhill (South)

Click the link for each event above to see the churches invited to that meeting.

It is not necessary to register for these meetings. ALL members, lay and clergy, are encouraged to attend.

The information needed to log in to each Zoom meeting will be emailed to each church’s leaders, who will in turn email it to the congregation the day before the scheduled meeting.
Online Anti-Racism Training
(Diocese of New Jersey)
May 15-25
Workshops hosted by the Dioceses of NJ and NY fulfill our diocesan requirements.

The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey Anti-Racism Ministry invites you to enroll in 20 hours of Anti-Racism Training presented through online streamed instruction. Two plenary sessions are required. There is no charge for the training. Find out more.
Worship with the Bishop and Church of the Saviour, Denville
SUN, MAY 17, 10 AM
This Sunday, May 17 you are invited to worship with Bishop Hughes and the congregation of Church of the Saviour, Denville. The Zoom service will be streamed live on the diocesan YouTube channel starting at 10 AM, and the video will remain up afterwards for on-demand viewing.
College Students' Zoom meeting with the Bishop
WED, MAY 27, 4 PM
All college students in the diocese whose semesters were interrupted by COVID-19 are invited to join Bishop Carlye Hughes and Canon Margo Peckham Clark for an interactive conversation via Zoom.

College students should contact their clergy, wardens and/or parish office to get the credentials necessary to access the Zoom meeting.
Wardens' and Treasurers' Zoom meeting with the Bishop
WED, MAY 27, 6 PM
Bishop Hughes will be joined on this call by Canons Margo Peckham Clark and Andrew Wright, CFO Sam Reckford, Missioner for Stewardship and Legacy Giving Cynthia McChesney, and Diocesan Property and Risk Manager Jim Caputo. The information needed to log in to this Zoom meeting has been emailed to all wardens and treasurers.
Church Leader ZOOMiversity (AKA Church Leader University)
SAT, MAY 30, 9 - 11:30 AM
Workshops relevant to this extraordinary time for ALL congregational leaders! Stay at home and join us online via computer, tablet or smart phone.

There is no cost, but we do need you to register. Online registration will be available starting  8 AM next Monday, May 18.

More details will be posted here and in next week's issue of The VOICE Online Weekly.
For Youth & Young Adults
Pop In With Pop Up
SUN, MAY 17, 4 PM
All youth grades 6-12 are invited to participate in the next Pop Up Youth Ministry Zoom meeting, scheduled for this Sunday, May 17 at 4 PM. Find out more and register online.

Upcoming Pop Up Youth Zoom meetings will be held on:
  • Sunday, June 7
  • Sunday, June 21
  • Sunday, July 5
Scholarships from The Episcopal Church
The applications deadline has been extended for educational scholarships from The Episcopal Church for the 2020-2021 academic year. A scholarship applicant must be an Episcopalian and must have the endorsement of his/her bishop. New application deadline: MON, MAY 25, 2020.
Diocesan Announcements & Resources
COVID-19 information updates
We've received new resources and new prayers that will be posted in the coming days to our COVID-19 page.

Remember that Bishop Hughes has invited members of the diocese to write and share their own prayers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are collecting these prayers at Prayers of Pandemic from the Diocese of Newark and sharing them on social media. Prayers can be sent to Canon Wright at awright@dioceseofnewark.org for posting. Please include the name and town of your church.

We are continuing to post opportunities to worship online with congregations across our diocese on our Online & Home Worship page. Included are some offerings specifically for children. Please send changes to Nina Nicholson at nnicholson@dioceseofnewark.org. Updates received after 4 PM Friday will be posted the following week.
Gratitude Matters reflections
This week's reflection is Worrying? by Fr. Stephen Rozelle of Christ Church, Pompton.

If you'd like to participate in this weekly series please send your reflection (250 word maximum) to Cynthia McChesney, cmcchesney@dioceseofnewark.org.

In addition to these mini-essays, we hope you'll also participate on social media for more! We'll be posting with the hashtag #GratitudeMatters.
Clergy ministry transitions
Arrivals

  • The Rev. Cathie Studwell, Rector, St. Bartholomew's, Ho-Ho-Kus - JUN 1

See all clergy ministry transitions in 2020 .
News from The Episcopal Church
"Habits of Grace" from Presiding Bishop Curry
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is offering Habits of Grace, a weekly meditation published on Mondays, to help Episcopalians cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the meditation for the week of May 11, Our time is in God's hands, plus past meditations.
Episcopal News Service coverage of COVID-19 and the Church
Go to episcopalnewsservice.org/tag/coronavirus for their full coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic as it's affecting The Episcopal Church.
The VOICE Online is currently being published weekly on Wednesdays
for as long as needed