News and Events

AUGUST 2009

• The Crisis Ministry in the news

In a Trenton Times article of 19 August, the work and mission of the Crisis Ministry is featured. Click here to read.

Started 30 years ago by Trinity Church and Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, the Crisis Ministry  — Mercer County's largest food pantry organization — serves some 1400 families each month with food and homelessness prevention services in Trenton and Princeton.

The Reverend Jarrett Kerbel, a priest of the diocese, is director of the Crisis Ministry.

Churches — and individuals! — are welcome to volunteer for short or longer periods. Recently 30 parishioners from All Saints Church, Princeton, in a week-long project, helped build food storage shelves at the Trenton headquarters. For more, see thecrisisministry.org. Or check out the Facebook page.

• A two-year training program in congregational and organizational development

The program, offered by the College of Congregational Development, is coming to the Diocese of NewJersey in February 2010 and will continue once a month through October 2010 at St Peter's Church in Medford. You'll be able to delve into sessions from Personality and Working with Groups and Facilitation Skills to Inter-Group Relations & Working in Conflicted Situations.

To learn more, download a one-page PDF flyer or contact Debbie Crall at Diocesan House, dcrall@newjersey.anglican.org or 1 609 394-5281.

JULY 2009

• ASBURY PARK: Bishop  Councell and 'Mass on the Beach'

On a beautiful Saturday in late July, Bishop Councell headed to Asbury Park and celebrated the 5pm Saturday 'Beach Mass' with Trinity Church. (Click the photo for a larger image.)

The parish's 5pm "Come as You Are" Mass/Eucharist, usually in the church building, becomes a warm, relaxed service of Holy Eucharist on the beach at the northernmost end of Asbury's boardwalk in front of Asbury Tower. Do join in if you're in the area on a Saturday afternoon.

Like to see a video of the first beach mass of the season? Head over to Trinity's website and click the video on the home page.

• DEATH NOTICE:
The Reverend Carl Edwin Christiansen, Jr.

The Reverend Carl Edwin Christiansen, Jr., died on Wednesday, July 15, 2009, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 10, 1926, son of Carl Edwin Christiansen and Martha Christiansen. He was a 1949 graduate of Seton Hall University. His theological studies were done with private instruction. The Right Reverend Albert W. Van Duzer, Bishop of New Jersey, ordained him Deacon on June 4, 1977 and priest on January 28, 1978.

He was married to Adeline Alexandra Starun on July 15, 1950; they had three children.

Father Christiansen served as priest associate of Holy Cross Church, North Plainfield, New Jersey, from 1977 through 1997, when he retired to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He served as associate at St. Edward’s Episcopal Church where, in 2006, he was made Honorary Associate Priest.

UPDATE: A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 3, 2009, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Edward's Episcopal Church, 2453 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Right Reverend Nathan D. Baxter, Bishop of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, will preside.

Information provided by the Archives of the Diocese of New Jersey.  

• DEATH NOTICE:
The Reverend Canon Bruce Armfield Weatherly

The Reverend Canon Bruce Armfield Weatherly died at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

Son of the Reverend Ralph A. and Helen E. (Ware) Weatherly, he was born in Montrose, Pennsylvania, on March 21, 1924. He graduated in 1947 from Yale with a bachelor's degree and in 1950 from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale with a Master of Divinity degree.

He was ordained to the diaconate by the Right Reverend Frank W. Sterrett on May 27, 1950, and to the priesthood by Bishop Sterrett on November 25, 1950. He married Margaret B. Hiscock on June 3, 1950, and they had five children. One son, John A. Weatherly, followed him into the ministry.

Canon Weatherly served as curate of the Cathedral of the Holy Nativity, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, from 1950 to 1952; Rector of Trinity Church, Covington, Kentucky, 1952 to 1959; Rector of Trinity Church, Moorestown, New Jersey, from 1959 to 1994, when he retired from the active ministry.He was made an Honorary Canon of Trinity Cathedral in 1966; received the Order of Merit of the Diocese of Lexington; and was a Chaplain in the Order of St. Luke while serving in Covington, Kentucky.

Canon Weatherly's funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 15 at Our Saviour Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, Virginia at 4 pm. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Randolph, New Hampshire.

Biographical materials provided by the Archives of the Diocese of New Jersey.  

JUNE 2009

23 June 2009

Dear Friends:

This comes to catch you on the way out the door to your Summer-before life's pace in households and parishes changes for a while. It comes with a simple message and heartfelt intent. That heartfelt, simple message is:

Thank You Reflecting upon recent deliberations with our diocesan Task Force on Restructure, let me tell you again what you already know-the economic realities of this year and next are difficult. Despite those realities, I write to encourage you and

Thank You The Vision Initiative of 2009 for our Diocese is Spiritual Renewal. A clear evidence of spiritual health and spiritual renewal is generosity. The way in which so many have been generous and faithful in their commitments to the ministry of our Diocese is more humbling than words adequately can convey. Personal and corporate sacrifices have been made for this generosity, and I know it. So does the Task Force on Restructure. We need this generosity now and will continue to need it in the future.

A special thanks goes to those parishes that are paying their full Fair Share. I am grateful for such faithfulness that loves God's Church so much. Testimony to the goodness of God in the lives of our parishes is clear. That's why 1'm writing to say Thank You.

Keep well. Rest as you each and all are able. Know that you are and remain close at heart.

Right Onward!

+ The Rt. Rev. George E. Councell

[Download a one-page PDF of the original letter.]

23 de Junio de 2009

Estimados Amigos:

Esta carta les llega en el momenta preciso cuando estan a punto de salir para disfrutar el veranodonde los pasos de la vida en el hogar y en las parroquias cambiaran por unos meses. Les llega esta carta con un mensaje muy simple y con el intento muy sincero. Con todo corazón les digo

MUCHAS GRACIAS

Reflejando sobre recientes deliberaciones con Los miembros del Comite sobre La Re-Estructura de La Diocesis, dejenme decirles una vez mas 10 que ya saben-sobre las realidades economicas de este ano como tambien el proximo ano, son dif1ciles, les escribo para darles animo y decirles

MUCHAS GRACIAS

La Vision Iniciativa del año 2009 de nuestra Diócesis es Renovacion Espiritual. Una evidencia clara de salud espiritual y renovación espiritual es generosidad. La generosidad y fidelidad en su compromiso al ministerio de nuestra Diócesis es más humilde que las palabras pueden expresar adecuadamente. Los sacrificios personales como de corporativos se han hecho hacia esta generosidad, y yo lo se. También lo sabe El Comité de Re-Estructura de La Diócesis. Necesitamos esta generosidad ahora y lo vamos a necesitar en el futuro.

Mi agradecimiento especial va a esas parroquias que están pagando su cuota diocesana completa. Estoy muy agradecido por esa fidelidad que muestra tanto el amor a la Iglesia de Dios. El testimonio de esa bondad de Dios en las vidas de nuestras parroquias es muy claro. Por eso les escribo para decirles

MUCHAS GRACIAS

Cuidense. Descanse cada uno conforme pueda. Sepan que son y llevarán un lugar especial en mi corazón.

¡Sigan Adelante!

El Rvdmo. George E. Councell

[Descargue la carta original como pdf.]

• CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS: What are you doing the night of 25 June 2009?

Attend a meeting of New Jersey Episcopal Christian Educators at St. Stephen’s Church (158 Warren Street, Beverly, New Jersey) on Thursday, June 25th at 7 pm. Since the Diocese of New Jersey doesn't have a staff person for Christian Formation — and most parishes don't have a staff person — don't be left on your own to figure out Christian Formation programs on your own.

On 25 June, you can network with other Christian educators according to the age group or program you teach. And you can learn about the resource center for Christian education at Diocesan House, which many people don’t know much about. Sample materials from the resource center will be available that evening. If you let Sue Legnani know you'll be attending, she'll make an effort to have just the sort of materials you're looking for available that night.

The Episcopal Church's General Convention will be working on Christian Formation issues when it meets in California from 8 to 17 July. A new "Formation Charter" will be presented during Convention , so we'll have a brief presentation on 25 June about this charter and its potential impact on the Christian Formation ministry.

Join ground breaking group! The potential for strengthening Christian Formation in our diocese is huge. There's no cost. Just bring yourself and as many other interested people from your parish as possible. Please phone Sue Legnani to let her know you'll be attending — 609 387-7619 — so she can plan light refreshments.

• DEATH NOTICE: Eugene M. Haring, Esq.

Eugene M. Haring

Eugene M. Haring, Esq. former Chancellor of the Diocese of New Jersey and former senior partner of the law firm of McCarter and English of Newark, New Jersey, died on June 4, 2009, at the University Medical Center at Princeton.

He was born on March 16, 1927, in Washington, D.C., the son of Horace and Edith Haring. He was a graduate of the Pingry School, Elizabeth, New Jersey and earned his bachelor's degree from Princeton University, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1949; and in 1951, a Masters Degree in Philosophy, as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Princeton University; and a JD from Harvard Law School in 1955. He is survived by his wife, the former Janet K. Marshall, and a niece and nephew.

Mr. Haring was Warden of Trinity Church, Princeton, from 1980 through 1984 and was a vestry member 1975 to 1979 and again from 1996 to 2000. He served as Chancellor of the diocese from 1983 through 1994 and 1999 through 2003. He was made an Honorary Lay Canon of Trinity Cathedral by Bishop David Joslin in 2001, the first lay person to be so honored in the history of the Diocese of New Jersey. He was a Trustee of the General Theological Seminary of New York City from 1987 through 1990. He served in the U.S. Navy and in the Naval Reserve.

Mr. Haring was, for many years, the senior partner of the law firm of McCarter and English, a firm he served from his graduation from Harvard in 1955 until his retirement in 1997.

A Memorial Service in celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at 3 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church, Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either SAVE Animal Shelter, 900 Herrontown Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 or to the University Medical Center at Princeton, 253 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ, 08540.

Biographical material provided by Kimble Funeral Home and the Archives of the Diocese of New Jersey

For earlier news, January–May 2009, click here.

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