Diocese of New Jersey | News | 2003 Archives: February

Cynthia McFarland, a good friend of this diocese and coeditor of Anglicans Online, had her readers send in their favorite hymns. It was intriguing to see which ones were chosen and here they are in order.

I bind unto myself today
Amazing Grace
Be thou my vision
Come down, O love divine
All my hope on God is founded
For all the Saints
Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Dear Lord and Father of mankind
Joyful, joyful we adore thee
O thou who camest from above
Abide with me
All creatures of our God and King
I came with joy to meet my Lord
I sing a song of the saints of God
Lift high the cross
Lord of all hopefulness
Love divine, all loves excelling
My song is love unknown
The King of love my shepherd is
When I survey the wondrous cross

I admit to being totally surprised by these choices and decided to survey the folk in the Diocese of New Jersey. Since there at least three hymnals being used in this Diocese, please list your five favorite hymns in order and indicate the Hymnal you find it in using these three abbreviations: 1982 for the Hymnal; WLP for Wonder, Love, and Praise; and LEV for Lift Every Voice. Download the tally sheet to submit your choices.

Laurence D. Fish - from Via Media

Thoughts On A Snowy Evening: What’s In A Name?
Most of us enjoy, for very short periods of time, being “snowed in” at home. We often use these times of diminished outside activity to accomplish some indoor tasks that have long been awaiting our attention.

One such evening during the early snowfall this winter I did something that I had long wanted to do. The task: To determine the frequency of church names used to identify the 167 churches in our diocese.

The first finding was that there are 57 different names among the 167 congregational titles. My preconceived notion at the beginning of the project was that it would be easy to determine the two or three (at the most, five) churches in our diocese with unique, one of a kind, names. Not so! The research indicated that there were actually 32 churches that lay claim to the sole use of a title! Faced with such a display of originality I decided to start at the opposite end of the list and look for the other twenty-five church names.

The competition for the most popular name ended in a tie – A dead heat between “Christ Church” and “Trinity Church” with fourteen each. The tie can be broken if we add the six “Holy Trinity” churches, thereby giving “Trinity” a decisive edge. This would put “St. John’s” in third place with twelve. The remaining churches and their numbers are as follows:

+ Seven each for St. Andrew’s, Grace, St. Mary’s, and St. Peter’s.
+ Six each for All Saints’, St. James’, St. Luke’s, and St. Stephen’s.
+ Five for St. Mark’s.
+ Four for St. Paul’s.
+ Three each for St. Augustine’s, St. Barnabas’, St. George’s, Holy Spirit, St. Michael’s, and St. Thomas’.
+ Two each for Ascension, St. Elisabeth’s (two spellings), Good Shepherd, Holy Cross, and St. Martin’s.

If the church that you attend is not listed above, then yours is one of “the Select 32” and is the only diocesan church with that name.

Categorically, all four Evangelists were represented, but only ten Apostles (Philip and Jude are missing). Seven other biblical saints are there as well as nine “non-biblical “ saints. There are six titles of Jesus (other than “Christ”), and six events in his life. The Holy Spirit is noted and two of the Church seasons (Advent and Epiphany).

Hopefully, all of the above statistics are accurate. There were a few “knotty problems” in the project. Such as how do you count churches with dual names (i.e., Grace/St. Paul’s, St. Mark/All Saints’, and St. Luke/All Saints’)? And then there are the two spellings of St. Elizabeth’s (St. Elisabeth’s). And Christ Church/Cristo Rey in Trenton. In Spanish, “Cristo Rey” means “Christ the King”. Do we count that parish as a “Christ Church” or a “Christ the King”? If we choose the latter it would move Willingboro out of its unique status. And don’t forget the Evergreens Chapel and the Episcopal Church at Princeton University that have no such titles but still have a bearing on the final count.

In answer to the question that you may have raised, Yes, I do have a life! But this was a great project for a snowy winter’s evening in December.

Ronald G. Albury
— from Via Media

Another Stand
When the General Convention approved the consecration of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire, the Revs. Bill Guerard, Rector of St. George's, Helmetta, and Bill Gerhart, Rector of St. James, Edison, knew they had to take a stand. Together, they sent a letter to diocesan clergy inviting them to a meeting hosted by Gerhart at St. James on October 23rd.

"I have no intention of leaving the Episcopal Church. But I do feel that the Episcopal Church has left me," Guerard told the more than twenty-five clergy and lay people who attended the meeting. Like Guerard, they agreed that what they are looking for is the support of a fellowship of like-minded people who want to engage in leadership of their local congregations and prayer for openness to God's work for themselves and for those on the other side of the issue.

And the issue? Several clergy reflected on "A Place to Stand", a conference earlier in October meeting in Dallas of over 2,000 clergy and lay people. Homosexuality was the occasion for Dallas but not the issue according to Bill Gerhart. The issue was biblical authority and the catholic unity of the Anglican Communion.

The Rev. Peter Manzo related how members of his congregation of St. Bartholomew's in Cherry Hill helped him pay his way to the Dallas meeting. It was "one of the most up-lifting experiences I've ever had," he said.

The spirit at the Edison meeting was both concerned and positive. "I'm not out to get anybody," another priest declared. "I don't want to be finger pointing but there is a serious threat to the integrity of the church."

Many agreed that, in the church, the call to dialogue is often manipulative. Mr. Charles Perfater, a lay delegate to the General Convention, observed that when the convention debated the motion to "explore and experience liturgies celebration and blessing same sex unions", the political process took precedence over continued debate about the merits of the issue, a motion to "call the question" shutting off any further discussion.

A bishop for five days, Bishop George Councell, consecrated Bishop of New Jersey on October 18th, sat in on the Edison meeting. He told the group that he came to the meeting to listen and to emphasize his intention to be the bishop of the entire diocese. Appreciating the feelings he heard voiced, he said about the issues facing the church, "We've been dealt a hard hand. You're either for it or against it." Taking the title of the Dallas conference, Councell said that his primary aim is to insure that everyone in the Diocese of New Jersey has a place to stand.

As the morning ended, the mind of the meeting was to adopt the name The Anglican Caucus of Clergy and Laity of the Diocese of New Jersey. A second meeting was held on November 30th, at 3pm. at St. Mary's Church, Burlington.

More information about the Anglican Caucus is available from the Revs. Bill Guerard (732-521-0169) and Bill Gerhard (732-985-2023).

Robert Legnani, Rector
St. Stephen’s, Beverly

St. Augustine's, Atlantic City, Burns
The diocesan family suffered a tragedy to one of its own when fire of unknown origin destroyed much of St. Augustine’s Church in Atlantic City on Friday night, November 28th. Atherley “Lee” Simpson, senior warden of the congregation, and a few parishioners were preparing for a funeral when they saw sparks and smoke. The building was cleared, the alarm called in, and all hands were busy saving as much as could be rescued before the fire spread due to very high winds.

The Parish Hall was utterly destroyed and the nave suffered considerable damage from water and smoke. Bishop Councell was on the scene Saturday morning praying with and supporting the parishioners and friends of St. Augustine’s.

St. Augustine’s has served the community long and well since it began in 1898. Bishop John Scarborough opened the church building in 1900. While begun primarily as a congregation of African Americans it has evolved into a multi-cultural parish served by only five priests in its 100-year history.

Atlantic City, once served by four Episcopal Churches, presently has two: St. Augustine’s and Ascension. Ascension has graciously opened its doors to its sister congregation and is doing all in its power to make them comfortable and welcome.

The congregation of St. Augustine’s is grateful for all the calls of support and sympathy that have poured in from across the diocese. The Diocese of New Jersey, as always, stands ready to give what support is necessary and available.

New Chapter of Brotherhood of Saint Andrew Installed
The Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church of Pitman is pleased to announce that it has installed a new chapter of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew.

Sunday, September 14th, 2003 was a glorious day at Good Shepherd. With Mother Patricia Daniels Pierce, Rector of Good Shepherd presiding, Brother William Hall, Brother Samuel Gill and Brother Richard Bateman, who traveled from Long Island to represent the Province II Brotherhood of Saint Andrew, conducted the installation ceremony.

The mission of Good Shepherd’s members of the Brotherhood is to be, through regular prayer, Scripture, and service, a strong witness to their faith in the Lord. Jim Gowland, the leader of the Good Shepherd chapter, was also formally welcomed as the Diocesan Coordinator of the Brotherhood here in the Diocese of New Jersey during the installation festivities on September 14th.

Membership in the Brotherhood is open to all baptized men. Meetings at Good Shepherd are held the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Church, which is located at 315 Highland Terrace (at Wildwood Avenue) in historic Pitman, Gloucester County.

For more information, call the Church office at (856) 589-8209.

Interesting People: "The Punting Parson"
Over the years there have been many Episcopal clergy who, in their college days, had outstanding careers on the football field. Among these athletes were the Rt. Rev. Joseph Jon Bruno, present Bishop of Los Angeles, who moved from his playing days at California State University (Los Angeles) to pro football (Denver Broncos) and the Rev. Alexander Balfour Patterson from Colorado who went on to be one of the “ founding fathers” of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the middle of the last century. And of course there were many more young men, both known and unknown, from schools large and small, whose experience on the gridiron served them well in their later ministries as ordained persons. This writer recalls that his seminary fielded a team in a local university’s intramural touch football league and that over half of the team’s linemen had had college football experience in their undergraduate days. . [He also recalls that his team usually did very well during the first half but “succumbed to the ravages of time” as the much younger fraternity players hit their stride later in the game].

An interesting link between college football and our diocese may be found in the Rev. Canon Arnold Alexander Fenton who served as Canon Sacrist of Trinity Cathedral, Trenton, from 1959 to 1961. His grandfather was an Episcopal priest and his father, the Rev. John F. Fenton, was for 31 years the rector of St. Luke’s Church, Metuchen (1899-1930). Arnold was born in 1901, grew up in Metuchen, began his studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and joined the football team.

As this article is being written in the Fall of 2003, the U. of Penn "Quakers" are tied with Harvard for first place in the Ivy League and could be on the verge of winning the conference title again this year (In 2002 they dominated the League with a 10-0 record}. The caliber of football played at Penn in the 1920’s when Arnold was a student there is not relevant to our story because an injury during his first season prevented his further participation.

Turning to football more as a hobby, Arnold began to channel his athletic energies into punting a football for fun. It soon became evident that he had remarkable kicking skills. The word of his expertise and ability to teach spread around the east coast and soon both high schools and colleges were seeking his help in tutoring their punters. For many years he willingly volunteered his spare time to such colleges as Brown, Harvard, the University of Connecticut, Dartmouth, and North Carolina University (Chapel Hill). While he served at our Cathedral, some coaches sent their players to him and he would utilize the practice field at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) for their instruction. The Sports Editor of the New Haven Register newspaper dubbed him “The Punting Parson” and the nickname stuck.

Probably as you read this article “the chosen few” of the college football teams are preparing for their bowl appearances on New Years Day. Charlie “Choo-Choo” Justice of the University of North Carolina, considered to be Fenton’s most successful pupil, played in two Sugar Bowls and one Cotton Bowl in the late 1940’s. Just before the advent of the two-platoon system and specialization in football, Charlie was a “triple threat” player as a runner, passer, and punter. In four years at North Carolina he punted 251 times for a total yardage of 10,669 yards (over 42 yards average), and he still holds fourth place in the school’s all-time kicking records. After college he played for the Washington Redskins and in 1953 was second in NFL rushing. A very popular player, Life Magazine once described him as “Rudolph Valentino made up as Superman” He died about two months ago on October 17th.

Canon Fenton’s philosophy was that the punt is an offensive weapon, not just a last ditch defensive play. A Time Magazine article entitled “The Punting Parson" December 2, 1957) quotes him as saying: “A good quick kick puts a team on its heels, and you’re likely to get the ball back right away on a fumble or blocked punt. Same way with a ‘coffin –corner kick’ (a kick that goes out of bounds within the ten-yard line}. They’re both short-term investments. You’ll get that ball back with interest”.

Fenton’s number one fundamental was balance. He felt that if a kicker were balanced, he would be accurate and he required his students to spend hours of practice to achieve this characteristic. Another Fenton law was: “Ignore charging linemen. Its better to risk a blocked kick than to take your eye off the ball”. Over the years, Canon Fenton trained more than 350 college punters in these and other basic skills.

Although he had taught men throughout the country and many a team was grateful to him when their Fenton-trained kickers determined the outcome of a close contest, he never permitted his fame in this field to obscure the fact that he was a priest. Following his graduation from Philadelphia Divinity School, Paul Matthews, Bishop of New Jersey (1915 – 1937), ordained him a deacon in June of 1927 and he began his ministry among the Arapahoe Indians in the Missionary District of Wyoming. The following year he was ordained a priest on the reservation by the Rt. Rev. Granville G. Bennett, acting for the Bishop of New Jersey. After serving parishes in Wyoming, Connecticut, and New York, Fenton became chaplain at the New York Military Academy in Cornwall until moving to our Cathedral in 1959 as Dean Chattin’s first full –time assistant. While there he married a member of the cathedral congregation, Charlotte L. McPherson. After leaving the cathedral, Canon Fenton became chaplain of the Rectory School in Pomfret, Connecticut, until his retirement. He died in 1983. One of his sons, Arnold Aiden Fenton, (who incidentally was born in Westfield, New Jersey) was ordained a priest in 1951 and is now retired, living in California. “The Punting Parson” had a place within the four generations of Fentons who served in the Episcopal priesthood!

—Ronald G. Albury

St. Peter’s Church Tent Revival
A Joyful Faith Experiment

On a sultry night in mid-August, white lights twinkled from the ceiling of a yellow-and- white-striped tent in a churchyard in the center of town. Citronella candles cast a glow upward from the ground. The band played a foot stomping rendition of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, while people young and old swayed in the aisles between the rented folding chairs, hands and voices raised in praise. Young children amused themselves on the sidelines. Up front, candles flickered on a makeshift altar from which, only a short while before, laity and clergy had delivered inspired preaching and heartfelt prayers. Was this a scene from somewhere in the Bible Belt? No, this was the scene on the final night of the first annual tent revival presented by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in downtown Freehold, New Jersey.

No one, not even the organizing committee, had known quite what to expect. With very few exceptions, none had ever even been to a tent revival. Earlier in the year, Rector Frank Hebert and Associate Rector Idalia Craig were brainstorming ways to bring more people to St. Peter’s to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. According to Reverend Craig, “We came to the conclusion that it might be easier to bring St. Peter’s out to the people.” She continued, “A tent revival would not only bring St. Peter’s out into the community, it would give us all a chance to express our faith in new ways and to engage other members of the Freehold faith community.” They announced the idea to the parish, a committee was formed, and the event took place each night from 7:30 to 10:00 PM on August 18 through 22.

The week-long event featured a variety of musical groups and guest preachers, as well as music and meditations by St. Peter’s own Healing Mission Worship Team and preaching by the Reverends Hebert and Craig. Guest musical groups included Band du Soleil, the Unashamed Drama Team from the First Assembly of God, Freehold; Friendship Chapel Praise Band from Point Pleasant, NJ, and Witness from the Cross, a praise band from St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Brick, New Jersey. Each group presented music of praise and worship designed for audience participation. Guest preachers included Reverend Jeffrey Philhower of First Assembly of God, Freehold, and the Reverend Regina Langley of AME Friendship Church, Browns Mills, NJ.

Each evening began with music, continued with preaching, a service of Holy Eucharist, and ended with more music and prayers for healing. People from many denominations and all walks of life found their way into the tent, including passersby lured in by the joyful noise. Each night, participants went home energized and hoarse from singing. On the final night, Reverend Hebert admonished all in attendance to resist the temptation to cherish the experiences of the week in a way that locked them away in silence; he challenged every person to carry the Spirit that filled the tent out into the world and do something with it. If even half of the people heed his advice, there is no doubt the world will be a better place.

SEPTEMBER 2004

• Planned Giving Conference Rescheduled Update your calendar! The Planned Giving Conference scheduled for 2 October is being postponed and rescheduled for 7 May 2005.

JULY 2004

• Flood Relief Trinity Church, Vincentown, has suffered tremendous damage to both the church and the parish hall. There was more than 5 feet of water in both buildings, and everything was ruined. They will be worshipping in the Methodist Church on Main Street in Vincentown at 9 a.m. on Sundays until further notice.
    St. Martin in the Fields, Lumberton, had more than three feet of water in both the parish hall and parish office, and the basement was flooded where their heating and air conditioning system was housed. Everything was ruined. The rectory has suffered structural damage.
    St. Bartholomew's, Cherry Hill, had water damage in the parish hall and classrooms.
    St. Peter's Church, Medford, is fine. They had a little bit of flooding Monday early evening -- all cleaned up that night. They do have a couple of roof leaks that will need to be addressed. They had about an inch of water in the Rectory lower level, mostly in the Den and a little in the music room. Nothing major by comparison with so many others. They have many people available to help their neighbors as needed. Please let them know.
    There have been calls from congregations asking what they could do to help. A flood relief fund has been set up to help these congregations. If you are able to help, please make checks payable to 'Diocese of New Jersey Flood Relief Fund' and send to:

Finance Office
Diocese of New Jersey
808 W. State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08618

Please keep the clergy and parishioners of these churches in your prayers. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Mary Ann Rhoads.

JUNE 2004

• Promotional Video for 'Via Media' Evangelism Program A 27-minute promotional video for the dynamic new "Via Media" -- the video evangelism program -- is now online here. It requires RealOne Player for viewing. To download the free RealPlayer, click here, then click the 'Download Free RealPlayer' link on the right.

The Rev. Robert Counselman at Trinity, Woodbridge, is our local expert on the program. Trinity was a pilot congregation during its development.

• Episcopal Church Signs For the past 55 years, many Episcopal churches across the country have posted the familiar 'The Episcopal Church Welcomes You' signs. Churches now have choices: a new design with new words; a new design with the traditional words; and the traditional words and sign. You can find more information here (offsite link) -- you can even design your sign. Or call Episcopal Parish Services, 800 903-5544, to request a brochure and order form.

• Commission on Ministry to the Disabled This eight-member Commission, whose goal is to make everyone in the diocese aware of the needs of people with every kind of disability: physical, mental, emotional, and developmental, is now online here.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] Summer in New Jersey
Summer is to New Jersey as water is to a duck. We see it all over, especially in this lush year when everything seems three times as green as in most summers.

But it is more than that. There are the wonderful beaches that draw tourists from far and near. Somehow the beaches and the ocean give us a sense of being restored and put back in touch with our roots. Life began in salt water. And it isn?t by accident that Christian initiation begins with the waters of baptism ? waters that recall the waters of the Red Sea and even the waters of the uterus in which each of us began our lives before emerging from that 'sea' at birth. [MORE]

Interview with the Councells
Recently, the Via Media talked to George and Ruth Councell about their interests, ministries, and thoughts as they transition from Lake Forest, Illinois, their home for eight years, to New Jersey. [MORE]

A Link Between Washington DC And The Diocese Of New Jersey
The name 'Felix de Weldon' is probably not a familiar one in most of our households. But any of us who have visited our nation?s capital and crossed over the Potomac to the Arlington National Cemetery will probably remember the dramatic impact of the Marine Corps War Memorial that depicts the historic flag raising by six marines on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, during World War II. Based on a wartime photo by Joseph Rosenthal, the huge statue was executed by sculptor Felix Weihs de Weldon, a Vienna-born U.S. citizen. Commissioned by the Marine Corps League, the 78-foot, 100-ton portrayal stands on a promontory at the north end of the cemetery near the Netherlands Carillon. Work on the statue began soon after the war?s end and took years to complete. Dedicated on November 10, 1954, it was the largest sculpture ever cast in bronze.

Or perhaps you may have a porcelain plate hanging on your wall that depicts the Iwo Jima flag raising. Mr. De Weldon authorized the Franklin Mint to produce these hand-numbered plates with his signature mark on the reverse side. They were fired for just 45 days and marketed in 1992.

Or by chance, on a visit to Newport, Rhode Island, you may have paused for a picnic in Fort Adams State Park. As you surveyed the myriad of small boats snugly anchored in Breton Cove, your vista may have expanded up to Beacon Rock and the impressive mansion that sits there. This many-columned building was the home of Felix de Weldon. Well (you might ask) what has all this got to do with our diocese?

For many years in the Chapel of Christ the King at Holy Cross Church, North Plainfield, there has been displayed another sculpture by Felix de Weldon. Located on the west wall, to the left of the altar, in the attractive brick-lined chapel, the signed, original bas-relief depicts the Holy Family. Much smaller than the three dimensional Marine Corps monument, this artwork is mounted in a 17 x 20 inch gilt frame which could give the impression of a manger. The elliptical bas-relief itself is approximately 8 inches high and 11 inches across and probably only weighs a few pounds. In comparison, the de Weldon plaster mold from which the Iwo Jima statue was cast weighed 91 tons. A small plaque near the plaster piece tells us that it was given to the parish by Clifford James Coad in memory of Rachel Mary Coad, James Coad, and Ethel Baker Coad, his parents and sister. This memorial is not only a valuable work of art, but it is a gift that has provided untold numbers of people with a source of inspiration and faith during their quiet times in this place of prayer and meditation.

- Ronald G. Albury, from Via Media

Spiritual Responses to 9/11, A Collaborative Effort
Dr. Mary Sudman Donovan, the speaker at our last Diocesan Convention?s Women?s Commission/ECW Breakfast, enthralled her listeners with the material she was putting together for a book entitled, Will The Dust Praise You? Spiritual Responses to 9/11. The book, coauthored by R. William Franklin, is about to be released but there have been some fine changes and additions to the packaging of the book. A collaborative effort of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, Church Publishing, The Church Pension Group, Trinity Television and New Media, and the New-York Historical Society has produced not only the book but also a DVD/Video and a Web Site.

These organizations have banded together to present the church?s response to the attack ? Spiritual Responses to 9/11. The book, written by Donovan and Franklin, chronicles the events of September 11, 2001, and details the many activities and ministries at Ground Zero that were the response to the tragedy. The reader is made acutely aware of the kaleidoscopic picture that made up Ground Zero and each bit of the picture is carefully preserved for the reader.

The DVD/Video: Revelations From Ground Zero: Spiritual Responses to 9/11 is a two-hour documentary produced by Trinity Television and New Media, one of the ministries of Trinity Church Wall Street. The DVD/Video is divided into twelve segments that focus on the spiritual response and renewal found after 9/11.

The Web Site for this project is www.spiritualresponsesto911.org and is a companion to Spiritual Responses to 9/11. A visit to the Web Site will obtain further information and the study guides for the project.

Those most closely involved with the project include R. William Franklin, who is the bishop?s scholar in residence for the Episcopal Diocese of New York and dean emeritus of the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University. Mary S. Donovan, a church historian and author of several books. She currently teaches world history at Hunter College, City University of New York. Bert Medley, Executive Director of Revelations at Ground Zero, is Director of Trinity Television and New Media. He is a thirty-three year veteran of NBC Television, where he was an award-winning television producer. Paul Brubaker, Senior Producer of Revelations at Ground Zero, is a veteran producer of NBC?s TODAY Show as well as NBC News and Sports. The New-York Historical Society served as historical advisor. It was founded in 1804 and is the oldest museum in the city as well as one of the most distinguished research libraries in the country. The Web Site for the Society is www.nyhistory.org and it is well worth a visit.

A great many clergy and laity of this diocese spent long hours ministering to the massive recovery effort and you will find many of them revealed to you in the text of the book and in the images of the Video.

The book and DVD/Video can be purchased as a set for $45. Individually, the book, Will the Dust Praise You? Spiritual Responses to 9/11 is $21.95; the DVD/Video, Revelations from Ground Zero, Spiritual Responses to 9/11, is $29.95. To order please use any one of the following: www.cpg.org, www.dioceseny.org, www.trinitywallstreet.org

-from Via Media

Vinegar Bible
Mr. Joseph J. Felcone of Princeton, a dealer in fine and rare books, contacted the editor to clarify a point in last month?s article by Fr. Ronald Albury. He points out that, rather than just a handful, there are probably several hundred of the Vinegar Bibles in the hands of collectors and institutions. We are grateful for his expertise.

-The Editor of Via Media

Reflections of The Reverend George J. Willis, Jr., Chaplain of the Episcopal Election Committee
Now that the eleventh Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey has been elected and we await with great anticipation his ordination, I feel compelled to express publicly my gratitude on several levels. Though these are my personal comments, they reflect conversations I have had with a number of people. [MORE]

Trinity Cathedral Sparkling Renewal:
Phase I Completed -- Phase II Soon Begins Trinity Cathedral parish members on hand as volunteers and delegates at the May?s Electoral Convention could hardly contain they joy at the countless compliments and expressions of awe expressed by so many visiting delegates about how good the Cathedral looked. Many delegates sought parishioners out to say how pleased they were that so much of the public space of the Cathedral had been renewed. Parishioners also overheard many conversations about specific improvements and restorations. [MORE]

Become a Disciple!
The Church of St. Mark and All Saints, Galloway, invites you to participate in Part I of the DISCIPLE Bible Study program, "Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study", starting in September, 2003, and continuing for 34 weeks. This dynamic approach to Bible study will help you become a strong Christian leader, strengthen your faith, and move into service and ministry. Each session a short video and discussion as the group moves through Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Email the Reverend Lee Powers at smasnj@aol.com or call the Church of St. Mark and All Saints at 609-652-6222 for more information.

Stewardship
'I want you to leave here convinced that you can do this and that you have the resources to make it happen,' began David Farrand of the Episcopal Church Foundation. On Saturday, March 29th, 40 people representing 17 congregations in our diocese attended a Planned Giving Seminar at St. John's, Somerville sponsored by the newly formed Diocesan Planned Giving Committee.

Chaired by the Reverend Tim Mulder, the committee seeks to enable every congregation in our diocese to live into its full potential for ministry by setting up a planned giving program to help them realize their financial dreams.

Throughout the conference, Farrand stressed that planned giving has to be viewed as part of stewardship. ?Stewardship is all that we do, with all that we have, all the time. It comes out of the baptismal covenant. Therefore what a person does with their estate is certainly a part of stewardship,? he stated.

What is a gift planning program? It is an organized approach to encouraging gifts to the Church. Program elements include the structure for managing assets from gifts, awareness activities to educate and motivate, and a response system for assisting, receiving, and acknowledging gifts. These three elements are knit together by the formation of a Legacy Society in the congregation, comprised of those individuals who have made a gift to the program, no matter how large or small.

?Eighty-five percent of planned gifts are made through wills, while another fifteen percent are given through vehicles such as pooled income funds, charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts? Farrand told the group.
Conference participants learned exactly how to set up a planned giving program in their church using models established by the Episcopal Church Foundation. The foundation has done all the work; those parishes ready to begin can reap the rewards!

If you missed this conference, mark you calendars now for our second conference with the same agenda on Saturday, September 27, 9:00-3:00 at the Evergreens in Moorestown, New Jersey. To register, contact Ms. Virginia Devery at the Evergreens at vdevery@evergreens.org. There is no charge. The Evergreens has offered to provide a delicious lunch for us.

Questions about planned giving in the Diocese of New Jersey? Contact the Reverend Tim Mulder, Committee Chair, at tmulder@eclipse.net or the Reverend Canon Elizabeth Geitz, Staff Liaison, at egeitz@newjersey.anglican.org.

- Elizabeth R. Geitz
from Via Media, June 3, 2003

I Didn?t Get the Job
QUESTION: I have been going on a lot of job interviews. Recently, I really had my hopes up, and even got a second interview. But, I didn?t get the job. I?m beginning to wonder what?s wrong with me. Do other people doubt themselves when hunting for a job?

ANSWER: Yes, they do. Imagine that you begin your search brimming with self-confidence, mailing out your carefully worded resume expecting others will rejoice in finding the candidate of their dreams. Then your dreams are dashed by the ho-hum attitude of an interviewer buried in superlative resumes, who must dig deeper to expose the inevitable flaw in the search for the perfect person, producing an inevitable sense of embarrassment in your all too common clay feet.

So, how do you survive in what seems like a dog-eat-dog environment? I have two ideas.

First, do not give others the power to determine your worth. All too often, many mistaken constructive criticism as implying that their worth is conditional upon performance. Accordingly, they hunger for praise, working long and hard to earn the love of parents, the praise of teachers, the envy of peers, and the cheers of the crowd. Even if earned, the sinking feeling is that fame is fleeting and happiness ephemeral, and that a new day puts them back in the salt mines, slaving away like a mouse on a treadmill forever running after the ghost of self-esteem that is always just out of their grasp.

The solution is to define your worth from within instead of from without, based on your internal qualities instead of external opinions. You know yourself better than anyone. Take back the power to determine your worth. Realize that those qualities that have enabled you to travel through life never go away, that while jobs come and go, you always stay, defined by your intelligence, caring, sensitivity, responsibility, honesty, and integrity. Once your worth rests upon who you are instead of what you do or who others think you are, then it is as if you are wearing a psychological suit of armor. Never again will outside forces pull the rug out from under you.

Second, remember that, as Homer once wisely said, the journey is the thing. While I hope you get the job that you want, the yardstick by which to measure your success is less a position or a possession, and more the person whom you become along your journey in life. Those internal qualities of which I spoke are deepened and refined by each interaction with each person on each day of your life. Every day is an opportunity to grow, and while your salary may go up or down, and while you may gain and lose jobs, who you are stays with you throughout your life and on into eternity. No critical and tyrannical boss can take that away from you.

So, cheer up. Another job is just around the corner. But, your worth continues to grow every day, job or no job.

The Reverend Peter K. Stimpson, from Via Media, June 3, 2003

What is a 'Vinegar Bible'?
A Vinegar Bible is a large sized (14 x 21 inches) English Scripture printed by John Baskett of Oxford, England, in 1716-1717. It was a lavish edition with numerous engravings but, because it contained many printing mistakes, it was soon referred to as 'A Casketfull of Printer's Errors'. However, this was not to become the book's most common nickname.

A very prominent mistake is found at the top of a page in the 20th chapter of Luke's Gospel containing the Parable of the Vineyard. It is erroneously headlined 'The Parable of the Vinegar'. Because of this error, the book has always been called 'The Vinegar Bible'.

An original copy of the Vinegar Bible resides in our diocese at Christ Church, Shrewsbury. It was presented to that colonial parish in 1752 by Robert Elliston, Comptroller of His Majesty's Customs at New York, and was regularly used in worship services for more than a century and a half until it was placed on display in 1916. It is currently displayed in a protective case under the canopy of the Colonial Governor?s pew. This box pew in the northeast corner of the church (to the left as you face the altar) was for the sole use of the Royal Governor and his family when they visited the parish and it may well be the only such pew remaining in the United States.

How many of these rare Bibles are still around? When I was rector of Christ Church in the 1960's, one of my duties was to be a tour guide for school pupils and other groups who came to visit the old church (founded 1702, present building built 1769) and other historic sites in the neighborhood. In my comments to these pilgrims I would note what had been told to me, that there were probably only three or four Vinegar Bibles in the United States, and a few in England. It was certain that there were copies in Shrewsbury, Old North Church (of Paul Revere fame) in Boston, and at St. John?s Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

In doing the research for this article nearly forty years later, two more have definitely been located ? one in the Lenox Collection of the New York Public Library in Manhattan, and one in the possession of Christ Church, Philadelphia. The latter was in the historic parish?s Bray Library but, along with some other valuable books, was recently transferred to the Library Company of Philadelphia for safekeeping. It is still owned by the church.

In addition, more than a dozen other Vinegar Bibles have been reported, mostly in museums and in the libraries of large universities such as Harvard (whose copy was received in 1744 for use in the college chapel). Several others may be in non-Episcopal churches or in private collections.
My present task is to contact these institutions and individuals to confirm or reject these ?sightings?. In any case, there are more copies in this country than had originally been thought (an old postcard showing the Vinegar Bible in St. John?s, Portsmouth, noted that it was ?one of four American copies?. A brochure from Christ Church, Shrewsbury in the late 1930?s indicated that the Vinegar Bible there was one of ?only seven copies known to be in existence?).

And so the story continues to unfold. One cannot help but wonder if there has ever been, down through the years, any other misprint that has attracted this much attention.

-from Via Media, June 3, 2003

CLERGY MARRIED TO CLERGY
The diocese is extraordinarily blessed to have six two-clergy households in its ranks. These include: Alice Downs and Dean Henry; Frank B. Crumbaugh and Gretchen Zimmerman; Charles and Rose Sasso-Crandall; Anne and Richard Wrede; John and Anna Powell; and John and Mary Stone. One clergyperson in a household offers unique blessings and problems ? it is difficult to imagine those same mixed emotions in a household that two clergy.

The Via Media approached these couples in an opportunity to find out how they manage their lives, both privately and professionally. We asked them how and where they met. The Wredes met in September 1987 in Hebrew class at Virginia Theological Seminary where she was a Middler and he a Junior. Not one to waste time Richard proposed on their first date and marriage followed in 1989. Gretchen Zimmerman and Frank Crumbaugh met at the General Theological Seminary. Gretchen invited Frank to dinner after which he sent a dozen roses and, they say, the rest is history. John and Anna Powell met in 1972 at a political caucus in Colorado. Alice Downs and Dean Henry met at General Theological Seminary in the 1985-86 seminary year and were married in the GTS Chapel in 1988. Charles and Rose Sasso-Crandall first met in 1956 at Boston College. John and Mary Ruth Stone met in 1964 when he was Priest-in-Charge of St. Andrew?s, Haw River, Burlington, South Carolina. Mary Ruth graduated from General Seminary in 1990.

In speaking with these couples it is obvious that there are many positives in sharing a marital and ministry relationship. Some things they find positive are the ability to share ideas about services and programs, books, vestments, and, of course, experiences. The Wredes refer to flexible schedules as a positive for them and all couples mention a high degree of understanding and empathy that they share for one another. Successes and failures are shared and analyzed and these shared experiences make mutual support so much easier and deeper. John Powell believes that being familiar with the other?s pressures is helpful to both. The Stones speak of the chance to talk, share, and trust each other. Also, for the Stones, Mary Ruth works as a chaplain in a 9 to 5 job!

'I married you for better or worse but not for lunch,' is a saying familiar to those adjusting to retirement. Therefore, it isn't surprising that difficulties arise in the sharing of a vocation. ?Time!? is high on the Downs-Henry difficulty list. The Sasso-Crandalls point out that a problem can arise when concepts and ideas once shared are no longer shared as one or the other changes his/her interpretation. Several clergy couples mentioned the expectation of some congregations that they can have two clergy for the price of one! In other words, if one is sick or away the other can fill in without pay. Almost all spoke of balancing vacations and days off as another on-going problem. Some parishes are surprised that they wish to vacation together rather than act as the other?s supply priest. One couple sees the problems as basically mechanical in nature. For example, that working together in one parish cannot make as much income as working in separate cures. The assumption of some parishioners appears to be that the married clergy are apt to share information about parishioners and this can lead to worries about confidentiality. John Stone pointed out that not only is scheduling difficult, movement from cure to cure is restricted. Sunday mornings are a zoo as differing service times and distances to travel lead to hectic scheduling. Finally, a stressor on the clergy family is the many times when the needs of parishioners take precedence over family needs.

There are dozens of stories about PKs (preacher?s kids) and how they do or do not adjust to their parents? calling. The Downs and Henry family?s oldest actually has a ?PK? tattoo of which he is proud. The Powell?s son was eighteen when they went to Seminary and soon went out on his own. The Zimmerman-Crumbaugh family of two girls seems to be fine although the parents suggest we ask their therapists in thirty years. Katie Wrede notes that she hears the sermon on the way to church, hears it again in church, and hears it critiqued on the way home! The Stone children were grown when Mary Ruth graduated from seminary. Some of our parents mentioned the difficulty their children have had in the family's inability to ?keep up with the Jones?, especially in the financial area. There are also unrealistic expectations that many parishioners have about clergy children: they should always be ?good?, set an example, and can be fiercely criticized for not living up to those expectations. All the families felt that their children had coped well with those pressures.

When asked if they had worked in separate or joint pastorates they gave varying answers. The Wredes, the Craumbaugh-Zimmermans, and the Sasso-Crandalls have done both while the Downs-Henrys, the Stones, and the Powells have always worked separate pastorates. Alice and Dean report that they have different ambitions and visions and so working separately has worked well for them. Richard and Anne Wrede have also done both but even when they worked separately they switched pulpits so that the congregations could know both. They also shared Bible Study classes. They now communicate closely on each of their cures. Rose and Charles Sasso-Crandall started as co-rectors and liked it but, in one congregation, resistance to Rose as a female priest drove them, for a time, from the active ministry. Now they realize that their styles are so different it would benefit all concerned to work separately. Gretchen and Frank also have worked both separately and together. They would prefer to work together but the economics push them to separate congregations. Anna and John have always had separate pastorates and have no plan to change. Both are strong personalities and separate cures fits them well. John and Mary Ruth Stone have always worked separately but opine that they would make a 'good team.'

We asked them how they nourish their family lives. Some said they do things together as often as possible as well as make time for their separate interests. Another couple make it clear that friendships with parishioners is off limits though some have been close over the years; that they are close to and enjoy each other?s company. One couple has a series of family traditions that cements their family life as well as a retreat summer place where they can escape the stress. Another couple does what ?normal people? do: dinners, theatre, and time with the grandson. One couple defines each of them as ?workaholics? with difficulty in defining ?time off?.

When asked the source of most of their close friends several mentioned their classmates from Seminary, one mentioned old college friends and former therapy clients, another spoke of former parishioners, while another finds strong family ties as the source of friendships

The final question put to our couples had to do with their experience of congregational reactions to a two-clergy family. ?Peculiar,? said one without elaboration. ?Cherished,? said another, ?warmly received.? One couple was of the opinion that people forget and wonder why one or the other isn?t at some Sunday event. The wife reported that it is sometimes difficult to know whether she is being spoken to as a priest or as the rector?s wife. ?They will compare us to our faces, which I cannot imagine happening in any other profession.?

Given the opportunity to add whatever they wished, one couple made it clear that they are married to each other and not the church. The other couple that responded made it clear that they and other clergy couples feel that opposition to women?s ordination is at the root of the difficulty they experienced.

-from Via Media, June 3, 2003

Enough for All: Sustainable Living in a Global World
Please join us for the National Council of Church's environmental justice conference in Seattle, June 20-23. The conference, Enough for All: Sustainable Living in a Global World, will focus on sustainability, globalization, and economics along with other topics such as energy stewardship, lifestyle/consumerism, and environmental justice.

We are excited to announce that the keynote speakers include author/theologian Sallie McFague, economist David Korten, and activist Damu Smith. On the afternoon of June 20 (before the "official" conference begins with dinner), Episcopal participants will meet together, followed by a reception hosted by the Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia.

You should also note that this year we have a youth and young adult track (scholarship money is available). The web link for the conference is www.webofcreation.org/ncc/conference . CLICK HERE for a copy of the conference brochure.

If you have any questions, please let me know. Hope to see you in Seattle!

-Martha Gardner
Consultant, Enironmental Stewardship
Mgardner@episcopalchurch.org

The Diocese of New Jersey celebrates the election of the eleventh Bishop of New Jersey
The Diocese of New Jersey celebrates the election of the Reverend George Edward Councell, rector of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest, Illinois, to be the eleventh Bishop of New Jersey. Click here to find out more!

Sermon by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams at the Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr, Jerusalem
Palm Sunday, 13 April 2003
At the beginning of Holy Week, we stand with Jesus before the gates of a city. We know that once we have entered we shall be swept up in events that we cannot control and that will bring us to the very edge of what we can bear, as we walk with him to Calvary and the tomb. [MORE]

Christ Church Designated a Jubilee Ministry Center
On Sunday, February 9th, the Right Reverend David Joslin, Assisting Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, dedicated the Outreach Ministries Building of Christ Church, Middletown. Built in the 1920?s as a store, the recently enlarged and renovated building at 96 Kings Highway, is adjacent to the church.

The 4:00 p.m. service of dedication was attended by representatives from The Community Outreach Group (COG), which is housed in the Outreach Ministries Building, as well as public officials including Senator Joseph Kyrillos and Rosemarie Peters, the mayor of Middletown. Senator Kyrillos, Mayor Peters, and Mr. David Chandler, President of the Community Outreach Group, Inc. made brief comments concerning the building and the work that is carried out there.

COG, a consortium of ten area churches, sponsors the Calico Cat Thrift Shoppe, Cupboard and Pantry, and the Emergency Assistance Fund. Proceeds from the Thrift Shoppe are dispersed by COG to area non-profit organizations that help persons in critical need.

The Calico Cat Cupboard and Pantry also provides free clothing, household items and food, as well as cleaning and personal care products, to individuals and families referred by county and municipal agencies and by private organizations. The programs are staffed by volunteers from the following participating churches and from the community: Christ Church, Old First Church, the Reformed Church, United Methodist Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church, all of Middletown. Also the Holmdel Community United Church of Christ, the Church of the Good Shepherd and St. Catharine?s Roman Catholic Church, all in Holmdel, and the Lincroft Presbyterian Church and St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church in Lincroft.

Later in the service Janice Allen, Diocese of New Jersey Jubilee Ministry Representative, presented Dean Henry, Rector, Elsie Helme, Church Warden, and Patricia Robertson, Vestry Chairperson for Outreach, with a certificate designating Christ Church as a Jubilee Ministry Center of the Episcopal Church.

Christ Church received this recognition because of its extensive outreach program. In addition to being a member of COG, it is a host church of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Monmouth County and a member of Habitat for Humanity of Middletown. Church members also provide weekly meals at the Kitchen at St. Mark?s, Keansburg. The Jubilee Centers of the Episcopal Church are part of a national referral and networking service that shares information about programs that help and empower people in need.

Acolyte Festival
Two grand processions ringed Trinity Cathedral with acolytes entering to the strains of Christ is Made the Sure Foundation played by Sam Samsel on the organ and led by the Absalom Jones Inspirational Choir under the direction of Deborah Ford-Bigger as the Eucharist began on Saturday, February 8 at 2 pm.

The first procession included of all of the day?s participants with smoking thuribles, colorful banners, fluttering kites and blazing torches which honored the 31 parishes that participated in the day?s festivities. This procession was led by St. John?s, Somerville, the first church to register, and ended with St. David?s, Cranbury, last year?s leader.

The second procession brought in the altar party and clergy to a church filled with 349 acolytes plus other participants. The altar party was made up of representatives from the first 16 parishes to complete registration. Not only did they serve at the liturgy, they also lectored, ushered, read the prayers of the people and provided the offertory procession.

Bishop David B. Joslin presided over service and the rededication of the acolytes. He addressed the acolytes in the sermon praising the choice and the importance of their servant ministry. He added that the Cathedral was their second home church as members of the diocese. The bishop was assisted by Deacons Bob Thomas, Colleen Spaeth and Catherine Brunson.

This liturgy ended a day filled with workshops and laughter for the acolytes and their masters as part of the Third Annual Acolyte Festival of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey.

Joe Tramontana worked with the priest servers in the advanced group in At the Table. Norma Tucker lit up "Holy Smoke" and showed the thurifers how to swing a mean thurible. Acolyte Masters shared their concerns with Bishop Joslin in a roundtable forum. Lou Cavaliere and Deacon Spaeth took first year acolytes through the ropes in ?Okay, you're an acolyte: now what do you need to know?''

The Very Reverend Lloyd Chattin conjured up the spirits with some tales in the Cathedral?s Crypt. Canon John Van Sant took a historical approach for the advanced acolytes in "Practically Speaking." "Together as a Team"Coordinated by Fred Murphy reminded the acolytes that every one works together to bring the service to the congregation. Deacon Lynn Johnson spelled out the why of things in the liturgy in To Everything There is a Reason.

Behind the scenes or directing traffic was a committee of Reverend Stephen F. Wisner, Theresa Hoyt, Reverend Mark Chattin, Norma Tucker, Phil Zoller, Deacon Thomas, Cynthia Thomas, Wendy Blackman and Youth Coordinator Kep Short who kept everyone and everything on schedule. The committee looks forward to making the festival bigger and better next year.

Robert Thomas, Deacon

Discerning Priestly Ministry
The Prayer Book defines priestly ministry as the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the celebration of God?s blessings and the reconciliation of sinners with God and each other. This new section of the diocesan website answers your questions about home parish and diocesan discernment, priestly formation, checklist for and overview of the ordination process, and guidelines for rectors/vicars and the parish committee on ministry.

Planned Giving Conferences Planned
Do you have enough money to do all you want to do for Jesus? sake? You have faith enough to move mountains. You rejoice in the power of the Spirit. You see the needs and hear the call. But would it help to have more financial support to accomplish all God has called your church to do? The Planned Giving Committee of the Diocese of New Jersey invites you to a practical day to get Planned Giving started in your church on March 29 and September 13, 2003. Download the registration form.

Warden's Day
'Welcome to Warden?s Day with the Bishop! Help yourself to some coffee and doughnuts, find your table and join us - and don?t forget your handouts.'

Over and over, eighty times to be exact, diocesan staff members Ann Notte, Ron Gritz, and Michael Wilkes welcomed wardens from throughout the diocese as they streamed into Synod Hall at Trinity Cathedral on February 1st. There was a feeling of anticipation as everyone gathered to discuss ?Leading the Mission of the Church.?

How can wardens fulfill their leadership role in the Servant Church without getting mired in financial issues and property decisions? This question lay at the heart of each presentation given.

?The last chapter of the Acts of the Apostles hasn?t been written yet. You are to write it,? challenged the Reverend Dr. Virginia Sheay. Drawing from the book Jesus on Leadership by C. Gene Wilkes, Sheay outlined six principles of servant leadership as demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ: 1) Humble your heart 2) Find greatness in service 3) Take risks 4) Take up the towel 5) Share responsibility and authority 6) Build a team.

Mr. Peter Hausman followed with an informative exercise. ?Imagine that you wake up tomorrow and your church is gone. What is missing from your life? What is missing from your community? The answer is your mission right now. Then ask yourself, ?What needs are present in my church and in my community?? This will enable you to start seeing where your mission as a congregation might be.? Hausman went on to advise, ?Don?t micromanage the process. Lead it!?

Bishop Joslin then brought us back to our Anglican roots by turning to the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer. 'What is the mission of the Church? The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ?Through whom does the Church carry out its mission? The Church carries out its mission through the ministry of all its members.' (BCP, 855) There it was in black and white for all of us to read, mark, and inwardly digest.

As the presentations unfolded, energy in the parish hall began to build. The wardens had arrived expecting to hear primarily about the 'nuts and bolts' of being a warden ? and they did, particularly in a helpful presentation by Ms. Wanda Greene. But they got much more than just a maintenance manual for today's church. They received hands-on training in servant leadership, as well as how to avoid potential pitfalls that can get in the way of such leadership being exercised.

To address that need, the Reverend Canon Elizabeth Geitz led a power point presentation on Mutual Ministry Reviews ? a yearly process led by a third party facilitator with the rector or vicar and vestry members. A Mutual Ministry Review stresses that all ministry is mutual and enables clergy and lay leaders to check in and see how they are doing together as God?s ministers in their congregation. A yearly review enhances communication between clergy and lay leaders, focuses on mutual responsibility and accountability, and keeps the church ?on track? in its mission focus

The Reverend Canon Tom Kerr then led an informative presentation on managing transition in the congregation ? a time when, if not handled properly, the mission of the church can take a back seat to 'finding the perfect priest'.

Warden's Day is but one manifestation of the focus Bishop Joslin has brought to our diocese by hosting a series of annual get-togethers with lay leaders. Equipping the Servants, a day of 40 workshop offerings was attended by over 400 people in October 2002; Finance Day with the Bishop, attended by 60 church treasurers, was held the following month; and a conference sponsored by the Christian Formation Committee on lay ministry will be held in April 2003. The positive energy generated by these gatherings is one answer to the prayers of many in our diocese.

If you haven?t been praying for our diocese ? start! If you have been praying ? keep it up! Then ask yourself one question ? how am I living out my own servant ministry?

-Elizabeth R. Geitz

Images of Warden's Day (double-click each to enlarge)


		Many thanks to Ann Notte for these wonderful images!

New Jersey Day at Washington Cathedral
The annual New Jersey State Day observance at National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., will take place on Sunday, May 18, 2003. A number of church groups from throughout New Jersey are planning to make weekend pilgrimages to the State Day event. Since the laying of the cornerstone in 1907, the National Cathedral has been a symbol of true interfaith understanding. It has lived up to its reputation as a ?House of Prayer for all people? and is the scene of special services for various church, civic, and governmental organizations. It recently hosted a memorial service for the seven astronauts of the ill-fated Columbia.

The procession that day will be led by the New Jersey state flag and the program will begin at 10:30 am with a choral prelude sung by the New Jersey Master Chorale of Haddonfield. The service will commence at 11 am and the preacher will be the Reverend Alfred Johnson, Presiding Bishop of the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church. Following the service, at which prayers will be said for our state and its people, a reception for New Jerseyans will be held.

Clergy of all denominations are invited to attend and be vested if they make reservations in advance by calling the Reverend David E. VanSciver, chairman of the Southern New Jersey Regional Committee of the National Cathedral Association. There also will be reserved seating for all New Jersey residents who register in advance by calling the Reverend Mr. VanSciver (609.859.1927). Information packets may be ordered by e-mail using twinoaks1674@juno.com . You may wish to visit the National Cathedral website at www.nationalcathedral.org where information on New Jersey State Day will appear.

National Altar Guild Association Prepares for General Convention
The National Altar Guild Association, over eighty years young this year, will do their utmost to enhance the worship of the delegates as they serve as the altar guild for the General Convention in Minneapolis, July 31 - August 6, 2003. The theme of the Minneapolis conference is ?Using Arts to Enhance our Ministry.? Find out more about the NAGA, their ministry, and their newsletter.

Committee on Life Long Christian Formation Holds Second Annual Day of Workshops
The Committee on Life Long Christian Formation will hold its second annual day of workshops on Saturday, April 5 at All Saints' Church, 16 All Saints' Road, Princeton. The day will start at 8:30 with registration. The keynote address by The Reverend Canon Elizabeth Geitz will be Authentic Lay Ministry. It will be a look at lay ministry through discernment, in daily life, in the Diocese of New Jersey.

Following the keynote three periods of workshops will be offered from 9:45-11:35. The day will end at 12:30

Workshops will be offered in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, music, story telling, youth work, using church space creatively, the Children's Charter for the Church, Lay Ministry, communications and newsletters for your church school and parish and spirituality and stewardship. There will also be a resource area and book table.

More information will be coming soon to your parish. Registration information should be forwarded to Debbie Cook 47 Birch Dr., Jackson, NJ 08527, ( 732)367-0569 or berju@att.net.

Don't miss out on a wonderful day of information and a chance to mingle with Christian educators from around our diocese.

http://newjersey.anglican.org
Last updated: 19 November 2004
©The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey