
You
can now read the background and biographies
of the men and women, lay and ordained, who
comprise the Episcopal Election Committee.
This important committee will guide the search
for the twelfth bishop of New Jersey. Get to
know them!
Download
a seven-page PDF file by clicking here.
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Annual
Diocesan Acolyte Festival
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Trinity Cathedral, 9.30 am to 3.30pm
The
Diocesan Acolyte Festival offers acolytes
of your parish an opportunity for fellowship
and learning in a daylong celebration of
their ministry.
Workshops and a special celebration of the Eucharist
make this a day to remember.
Bring
vestments, banners, processional crosses, torches,
kites, and thuribles — or whatever you use in
procession! Parents of acolytes and guests are
welcome to join the closing service, which begins
at 2 pm.
Twelve
young people will have an opportunity to serve
in the liturgy. Seven other young people will
be given the chance to serve as ushers or readers.
The training/preparation will take place during
the afternoon workshop session.
For
more, download the one-page brochure
with registration information. Register
by Monday, 6 February. (It's possible
to register as a walk-in on the day of
the festival, but it's NOT recommended!

| Are
you ready for the 228th convention
of our venerable diocese?
DEADLINES
APPROACHING!
That
228th Convention of the Diocese of New Jersey
will held on Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March
3, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill,
New Jersey.
On Friday, March 2, everything begins with registration
at 7 a.m. The Eucharist will occur at 10 a.m,
to be followed by the business session.
You'll find a host of links and information about
the 228th Convention of the Diocese of New Jersey on
this page.
In that section you can:
• Write a resolution
• Nominate someone for a committee
• Register online to attend convention
• Download a lay deputy certification form
• Register online as an exhibitor
• Make a reservation at the Crowne Plaza
• and much more.
Have
a look. And be sure to pay attention to deadlines:
they'll come a lot quicker than we think.
You could be super-efficient and register now
right online. And book your room at the Crowne
Plaza. How easy is that?
|
A
new Episcopal Church website rolled out recently
and there are some Jersey faces in the 'I
Am Episcopalian' series. Five are from Grace-St.
Paul's Church, in Mercerville.

Grace-St.
Paul's is also featured on the Vital
Practices section of the Episcopal
Church Foundation site. Many vestry members
will know the foundation from its 'Vestry
Papers' offerings.
How
did all this happen? Grace-St Paul's Church
is one of 20 pilot parishes across the US
in a process with the Missio: Engage missional
program of the Episcopal Church. The program
helps parishes 're-root' in the communities
they're called to serve and it also focuses
on helping a church mentor new leadership
and encourage a multicultural community of
practice. 
All
the parishes in the program have committed to
sharing what they learn with the larger church.
Have a look at the links — and then check
out the web site of Grace-St Paul's Church!
| Courses,
events, and workshops: Spring 2012
It may be the beginning of the new year but the
workshops, events, and activities offered by
the Ministry Institute
get going early in January. 
You can peruse the offerings
for Spring 2012 here on the website.
Find
something that interests you? Register online.
How simple is that?
On March 24, we're offering the popular Parish
Leadership Day (was known as Clergy, Wardens,
Vestry and Finance Officers Day, a mouthful).
The theme is 'Who’s In Charge?' and it
will address ways to live in a challenging environment
where congregational leaders are regularly confronted
with difficult issues. Register soon for that,
for it fills up quickly.
As always, the highly-regarded workshops on sexual
misconduct awareness are offered at several locations
throughout the diocese during the spring.
If
you'd like to check out all the Spring 2012
offerings of the Ministry Institute offline, download
a PDF of the full catalogue.
|
Do
you have your copy?
The
Diocese of New Jersey has developed a booklet
to help prepare children — in a fun
and engaging way— for
a visit to their church by Bishop Councell.
It's called The
Bishop is Coming!
It's
an easy-to-read child's guide to an episcopal
visit, filled with pictures, stories, word
puzzles — and a Bishop Councell paper
doll!
The booklet — a
PDF — is sized for 8.5x11 paper. Although
it will look especially good in color, it's still
effective in black-and-white. It's
ready for you to print and use both in advance
of the bishop's visit and afterwards.
Download
the 14-page booklet by clicking here.

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