NEWS and EVENTS 2010: January-December

The most recent stories are first.

December 2010

• Statement about the sale of church property in Helmetta, New Jersey

The Diocese of New Jersey recently sold church property to the congregation formerly known as St. George’s Episcopal Church in Helmetta, New Jersey. The sale was approved by the Rt. Rev. George E. Councell, Bishop, and the Standing Committee, with the guidance and support of Canon John Wood Goldsack, Esq., Chancellor of the Diocese.

In their consideration of this sale, the Bishop and Standing Committee followed a process outlined in a pastoral direction that they adopted in 2008. The process provides that if the Bishop, in consultation with the Standing Committee, determines that the sale of parish buildings and property is not inconsistent with the mission objectives of the Diocese, such a sale may be considered and approved.

“In the matter of St. George’s, Helmetta, the Standing Committee and I are clear that we acted in the best interests of the Diocese of New Jersey," said Bishop Councell. "We are satisfied that this agreement is the right settlement for this particular circumstance and we wish our brothers and sisters well.”  

• The Reverend Louis Garfield McAfoos, Jr., M.D.
   September 13, 1918 – December 6, 2010

The Reverend Louis Garfield McAfoos, Jr., M.D. died on December 6, 2010 at the home of his daughter in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

Dr. McAfoos was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in 1979 by the Right Reverend Albert W. Van Duzer, then Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey. Dr. McAfoos had a bi-vocational ministry as a healer of bodies and souls. He served as an Associate at Grace Church, Haddonfield from 1979 until his retirement in 2001, when he moved to Pennsylvania. He was passionate about children’s ministry and was very involved with the Evergreens Retirement home in Moorestown.

In retirement he was a supply priest serving at St. Paul’s Church in Exton, Pennsylvania and was much beloved by the congregation. St. Paul’s, Exton will remember Dr. McAfoos with a Memorial Service on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 1 pm.

Dr. McAfoos is survived by his wife Dorothy, who now lives with their daughter Diane Hydrean and her husband Paul in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Also surviving is their son Louis G. “Gary” McAfoos and his wife Patricia of Sicklerville, New Jersey.

The Rev. Dr. Patrick Close will preside at the Requiem Mass at Grace Church, Haddonfield, New Jersey on Friday, December 10, 2010 at 11 am. A private burial will be on Saturday with family present.  

• Obituary: The Reverend Paul Edward Neuer
   July 28, 1939 – December 5, 2010

The Reverend Paul Edward Neuer, retired priest of the Diocese of New Jersey, died on December 5, 2010 from pneumonia. His wife Anita (“Hope”) and daughters Anita and Colleen were with him at the time of his death. Paul and Hope have been living in Littleton, North Carolina since his retirement in 2002.

Paul grew up in Westfield, New Jersey. He served three years in the U. S. Army, and entered Trenton State College, graduating in 1965 and also receiving a Masters degree in Music and Conducting in 1970. He taught music at Roosevelt Junior High School in Westfield from 1965 through 1972. He was president of the New Hope Construction Company before entering Nashotah House Seminary, from which he graduated in 1977. The Right Reverend Albert W. Van Duzer, then Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey, ordained him to the diaconate and priesthood in 1977.

Paul served as Vicar of Christ Church, Magnolia, New Jersey from 1977 through 1982 and Rector of Saint Simeon’s parish in North Wildwood from 1982 until he retired in 2002.

A memorial service will be held at Saint Simeon’s Church on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 2 pm, with the Right Reverend George E. Councell, Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey, presiding.

November 2010

• Obituary: The Reverend Robert Edgar Clark

The Reverend Robert Edgar Clark, 80, died on 3 November 2010 in Glen Lake, New York.

Born in 1930 in Batavia, New York, he earned a BA degree from Bowling Green State University in 1958. Marrying Anne M. Thompson in 1956, he then attended Philadelphia Divinity School and graduated with an STB degree in 1961. In 1972, he earned a Masters of Theology from the Rochester (NY) Center of Theological and Biblical Studies, later Colgate Rochester Divinity School.

He was ordained to the diaconate in the Diocese of Western New York by the Right Reverend Lauriston Scaife on 23 June 1961 and priested by the same prelate on 4 April 1962.

Father Clark’s first parishes were in the Diocese of Albany, but in 1962 he accepted a call to Saint Matthias Church in Trenton, in the Diocese of New Jersey, where he remained through 1969. He then returned to New York State and held cures in both the Diocese of Western New York and the Diocese of Albany, his last position being rector of the Church of the Messiah in Glens Falls, New York. He retired in 1993. Father Clark also served as a chaplain in the Naval Reserve from 1968, retiring in 1990 with the rank of commander.

Robert Edgar Clark was buried in Glens Falls, New York, on 8 November 2010. A full obituary can be found here.

Biographical material provided by the Archives of the Diocese of New Jersey  

October 2010

• Obituary: The Very Reverend Lloyd Gage Chattin

The Very Reverend Lloyd Gage Chattin, dean emeritus of Trinity Cathedral in the Diocese of New Jersey, died on Tuesday, October 12, 2010.

Born in Philadelphia on August 16, 1925, he was the son of Haney Lloyd Chattin and Alice Violet Chattin. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University in 1950 and a Bachelor of Theology from Philadelphia Divinity School in 1953, going on to earn a ThM in church music from the same institution in 1957. He was ordered deacon on April 25, 1953, by the Right Reverend Alfred Banyard and ordained to the priesthood on October 1, 1953 by the Right Reverend Wallace J. Gardner. He was married to Mary Louise Parsells in 1949 and four children were born to the union; a son, Mark Haney Chattin, is a priest in the Diocese of New Jersey.

Vicar of St Luke’s Church in Woodstown, New Jersey from 1953 to 1959, Dean Chattin served during the same period as vicar of St Stephen’s, Mullica Hill. Elected a canon residentiary of Trinity Cathedral in 1959, he was chosen dean of the cathedral in 1960 and served 33 years in that role, retiring in 1993. He was instrumental in the 1965 founding of Trinity Academy as an Episcopal day school that continues today as a pre-school, serving children in the Trinity Cathedral neighborhood.

Dean Chattin served on the Board of Missions in the Diocese of New Jersey from 1973 through 1986. During his ministry — which was entirely in the Diocese of New Jersey — he served on the Standing Committee, as well as the committees on Social Relations, Urban Concerns, and the Pension Fund. A trustee of the Diocesan Foundation for 22 years, he was an honorary vice president of the Seamen’s Church Institute in Philadelphia and a past president of the Anglican Society. Dean Chatting was a clerical deputy to the General Convention numerous times.

Calling hours will be observed at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, New Jersey on Sunday, October 17, 2010, from 7 to 9 pm. A vigil at the Cathedral will follow, with a watch from 9 pm Sunday to 9 am the next morning. The funeral itself will be held at 11 am on October 18 at Trinity Cathedral, Trenton, New Jersey.

Biographical material provided by the Archives of the Diocese of New Jersey

• From the Bishops of New Jersey and Newark: statement on the death of Tyler Clementi

We write as Christian pastors who are privileged to serve as bishops of The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Newark and in the Diocese of New Jersey in order to express our grief, alarm, compassion and outrage over the suicide of Tyler Clementi. We join our voices with the voices of all those concerned in Ridgewood, where Tyler grew up, at Rutgers University, where he was a freshman and across our nation. Another gay young person has died by suicide. This tragic loss of a promising life would appear to be directly related to an invasion of Tyler’s privacy and a violation of his personal life. Much remains to be considered by law enforcement authorities and the courts in order to determine whether this is also a case of a bullying felony or a hate crime — or a combination of the three. Whatever that legal determination may be, we join with other Christian and religious leaders, with the LGBT community and with all people of good will who take their stand against hatred, bigotry and bullying; against every expression of physical and verbal violence; and against any violation of the dignity of LGBT persons. When the rights of any — especially the members of vulnerable groups who have so often been scapegoated — are threatened, the rights of all are endangered.

We want to call attention to another, potentially deeper, issue here. It is the invasion of intimacy. Intimacy is a holy place within every human being; an innermost sanctuary where we develop our ultimate beliefs and values, nurture our closest relationships and maintain our deepest commitments. No one has the right to disclose that intimacy for someone else without consent. Such a violation is tantamount to the desecration of a sacred space. It is, in fact, a sacred space. It is the territory of the soul.

Technology, however, now provides tools to record, seize and disclose the most intimate matters of our lives without our consent. Identities can be stolen, hearts broken and lives shattered. Technology has placed powerful tools in human hands. Will they be used for building-up or for breaking down our neighbor? Tyler Clementi’s death certainly poses some important legal issues, but it also raises some critical moral concerns. Hubris has outstripped humility. And that is a serious problem. We can do better. We must do better, with God’s help.

In our Episcopal tradition, whenever we reaffirm our faith in worship, we are given a challenging question: “will you respect the dignity of every human being?” And we answer, “I will, with God’s help.” It is an important commitment. Whatever our religious tradition, we can agree on the need to respect one another’s dignity. With God’s help, we can stand together and stand up against bullies who would damage and destroy the lives of LGBT persons, their partners and families and friends. With God’s help, we can offer safety, support and sanctuary to all LGBT persons who are at risk. With God’s help, we can remind our society that every LGBT person is made in the image of God. The world needs our witness.

The Right Reverend Mark M. Beckwith, Bishop of Newark
The Right Reverend George E. Councell, Bishop of New Jersey

• From Bishop  Councell: appointment of new archivist and historian

I am pleased to announce that Canon Cynthia McFarland has accepted my appointment as Archivist and Historian of the Diocese of New Jersey, succeeding the late Reverend Canon Laurence Fish. She will undertake the position on a half-time basis, continuing with her present responsibilities as Director of Communications for the Diocese.

Canon McFarland was archivist and historian for the Diocese of Central New York from 1994 to 2004 under Bishop David Joslin and, during that time, was a presenter and workshop leader on best archival practices for Episcopal churches and dioceses. In the mid-1990s, she worked with National Independence Historical Park in Philadelphia to inventory and catalogue Bishop William White's library. In 2001, the quarterly journal Anglican and Episcopal History published her article on a long-lost manuscript of Bishop White, his ‘Essay on High Church Principles’, which she discovered in her research.

At present she is completing a monograph on the Reverend John Talbot (1669-1727), first bishop of North America, based on new primary source materials. For more than 15 years she has been doing research in preparation for a biography of the second Bishop of New Jersey, George Washington Doane.

Canon McFarland is a member of the Board of Trustees of Doane Academy (formerly Saint Mary’s Hall) in Burlington, founded in 1837 by her ancestor, George Washington Doane. She is a member of the Burlington County Historical Society, the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, and has held memberships in the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists and the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church.

The combination of Canon McFarland's role as Director of Communications with her new role as Archivist and Historian will make for a fascinating ministry that will bring untold benefits to the Diocese of New Jersey. Everything that we call history was once news and everything that we experience as news will one day be regarded as history. I have never known anyone who is able to think and write and teach both current events and the historic past with such clarity and confidence as does Canon McFarland. She will not only help us to preserve the riches of our past; she will demonstrate how our history illumines the present and encourages us to venture forward in faith, trusting in our God.

Simply put, Cynthia McFarland is a treasure. The Diocese of New Jersey is blessed to have her engaged in full-time ministry once again as a senior member of our staff. Thanks be to God.

Right Onward!

The Right Reverend George E. Councell
XI Bishop of New Jersey

September 2010

• Obituary: The Reverend John Emlen Margos

The Reverend John Emlen Margos died on Sunday, 19 September 2010, in Wilmington, Delaware. He was 84 years old.

Father Margos earned his bachelor's degree in Education at Temple University in 1954. He prepared for the priesthood at Philadelphia Divinity School, from which he graduated in 1957. He was ordered deacon in 1957 by the Right Reverend Alfred Banyard and ordained to the priesthood that same year by the same prelate.

Father Margos was a curate at St Mary's Church, Burlington, from 1957 through 1959 and then became rector of the Church of the Ascension in Atlantic City. He held that position until 1967, when he accepted a cure in the Diocese of Newark. His later ministry was served in the Diocese of Pennsylvania.

A full obituary can be found here.

• Fall Convocation dates

Wednesday, October 13, 2010, 7 pm
Burlington and Trenton Convocations
St Stephen's, Beverly

Wednesday, October 20, 2010, 7 pm
Woodbury and Camden Convocations
St Peter's, Clarksboro

Thursday, October 28, 2010, 7 pm
Atlantic Convocation
Holy Spirit, Tuckerton

Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 7 pm
Watchung and Northern Convocations
Trinity Church, Cranford

Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 7 pm
Monmouth Convocation
Christ Church, Toms River

Some locations are still being determined; we'll post them as soon they are.

July 2010

• Obituary: The Reverend Canon Laurence Dean Fish II

The Reverend Canon Laurence Dean Fish died on July 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on June 2, 1929, the son of the Reverend Vincent P. and Evelyn (Duncan) Fish. He attended the schools of Roselle, New Jersey, graduating in 1947 from Abraham Clark High School. He received a B.S. in music education from Trenton State Teachers College (now The College of New Jersey) in 1951. He served two years in the United States Army and then taught music in the Penns Grove, New Jersey, schools from 1953 to 1960. He earned an S.T.M. degree from the Philadelphia Divinity School in 1963 and later an S.T.M.degree in Pastoral Counseling from the New York Theological School in 1976.

He was Ordered Deacon on April 26, 1963 and ordained Priest on November 2, 1963, both by the Right Reverend Alfred L. Banyard, VII Bishop of New Jersey.

Canon Fish began his ministry at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Bellmawr, where he served from 1963 through 1968. He was called to start a mission church in the Cranbury-Hightstown area, where he served as Vicar and then Rector of St. David’s Church, from its founding in 1968 until his retirement in 2003. He then served as Interim at St. John’s, Salem and was, until his death, Priest-in-Charge of St. Barnabas, Burlington.

In 1988, Bishop G. P. Mellick Belshaw appointed him Archivist and Historian of the Diocese of New Jersey, a post he filled for 22 years. In 2002, Bishop David B. Joslin made him an honorary Canon of Trinity Cathedral.

He married Joanne V. Mazak in 1951 and they had five children; Evelyn, Laurence III, Joanne, John, and Jan. Both his wife and daughter Joanne predeceased him.

The author of numerous papers and articles about the Diocese of New Jersey, he also authored a how-to booklet, Writing a Congregational History, which has been published in English and Spanish.  

The funeral will take place at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, New Jersey, this Saturday, July 31st. There will be a viewing at 10am with the service to begin at noon. Canon Fish's ashes will be interred at a later date, to be determined at the convenience of the family.

•Sixty feet in the air in Beach Haven

With the help of the Beach Haven Fire Department, the Right Reverend George E. Councell went aloft on Sunday afternoon, 11 July 2010, to bless the new steeple and carillon at Holy Innocents' in Beach Haven, New Jersey.

During an afternoon visitation, Bishop Councell boarded the aerial platform of Beach Haven's largest fire truck and was lifted 60 feet into the air, placing him at the top of the parish's new steeple. Using the public address system of the fire truck, Bishop Councell led the parish in blessing the steeple and the Cranmer Carillon. The bells peeled as soon as the blessing was concluded, and the bishop descended to the ground.

Following the blessing, Bishop Councell presided at a visitation liturgy where he preached and reaffirmed the baptismal vows of a member of the parish.

On his way aloft, Bishop Councell was heard to say laughingly "This is a crazy church!”

For more photographs, see the photo album created by the Episcopal Church of The Holy Innocents, Beach Haven here. For even more information, visit www.hiecbh.com.

June 2010

• St. Peter's Episcopal in Medford goes solar, from the Medford Central Record

by Ed Benkin

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

MEDFORD—The trend of going green is getting a spiritual boost in Medford.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Hartford Road went looking for a way to change its consumption of power in an environmentally friendly way. Father Don Muller had heard about a meeting with the Diocese in North Jersey concerning solar power. Muller decided solar power would be a perfect fit for St. Peter’s.

“We put a committee together of engineers,” said Muller. “They began talking about it and researching it. We talked about what it would cost and what it would look like. We found out one of our parishioners is a contractor who already had solar on his house.” The parishioner who works as a contractor is Don Powell, the owner of Powell Energy and Solar. When Powell was approached by Muller about putting solar panels on his church, Powell was willing to do his part to helpthe church go green.

“The church has decided to be more environmentally and ecologically correct,” said Powell. “They made a major investment in the solar panel system which will offset about 80 percent of their electric usage. Their annual energy needs will be self-generated off the roof.”

The panels were officially put into place — leaving the shape of a cross in the pattern on the roof — during a ceremony on June 20. The project will not only help the environment, but it will also save money. The church will get 75 percent of its electric supplied for free once the system pays for itself. There will be a state rebate, an investment tax credit from the federal government and solar credit.

“The committee decided to form an LLC (Limited Liability Company) to fund this,” Muller said. “We gave them a license to use our roof. They funded it and we pay them the electricity that the panels generate. We also pay PSE&G for what the panels don’t generate. When the loan is paid off, they’ll sell the system back to us.”

According to officials, the timing is perfect for the switch to solar power at the church. It is the time of year when the demand for energy heats up. The hot, humid weather forces people to crank up their air conditioners, and the late spring portion of 2010 has been unseasonably warm. Powell said the natural resource of solar power is also on the rise at this time of the year.

“The peak demand of energy coincides with the peak output of solar power,” Powell said. “It helps to keep the demand spike down and it avoids having to build additional power plants.”

Muller said he is thrilled at the benefits of solar power, but he is also hoping it will be the first step to a more environmentally friendly way of life for his church. “We think that’s the way to go,” said Muller. “We can reduce our carbon footprint and be good stewards of God’s creation. It’s the first of many ways that we are trying to do that. We want to be more environmentally friendly as we move forward.”

Muller has received plenty of positive feedback from his congregation. The members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church know they are not only helping the environment, but also freeing up money for their church in the future.

“We’ll own the system about eight years down the road,” said Muller. “But we won’t be paying for the electricity. That will free up money that can be used for other things.”

There was an added bonus at the dedication ceremony; the congregation got a chance to see Muller literally rise to new heights. Arrangements were made for Muller to ride in a bucket truck and officially dedicate the solar panels up close and personal.

“I was watching the guys work on this,” Muller said. “I just thought it was an opportunity to get up close to the panels.”

• St Andrew's, Mount Holly — and that New Car

On Friday, June 25, 2010, Mark Miller of Miller Ford Lincoln Mercury handed Richard Tegetoff keys to a brand new Ford Edge. Overlooking the exchange was Father Chandy of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Mount Holly, New Jersey.

Mr. Tegetoff won first prize in the 'St. Andrew’s Car Raffle', held at the church on Sunday May 30, 2010.

Mr. Tegetoff, surprised to win, said, “I really just wanted to contribute to the church’s efforts”. He was on the road to visit his grandchildren when he was called by Mrs. Eleanor Dunker, a relative and a long time member of the church.

“Eleanor told me that Father Chandy was looking for me to tell me I won the car . . . I nearly ran the car I was driving off the road.”

The second prize, a flat-screen television, was won by P.P. Varghese. The third prize, a $250 gift certificate to Tranquility Salon and Spa in Hainesport, went to Joseph Meredith who, incidentally, gave it to Vanessa Meredith, his wife.

According to Father Chandy, the fundraising effort raised $15,000 for the historic church’s restoration and preservation projects.

“This effort was a fun way to galvanize our community with over eighty percent of our members helping this fundraiser in some way. And we raised money for the sorely needed projects,” said Father Chandy.

“I really feel lucky and humbled,” said Mr. Tegetoff. “The Millers and St. Andrew’s really worked hard for this and I feel a bit guilty for winning.”

“Don’t be,” said Father Chandy. “Somebody had to win. God blessed you on this occasion, but God will continue to bless others as well.”

• The Next Top Spiritual Author: A Jersey Episcopalian?

Winnie Anderson, a parishioner of Christ Church, Somers Point, is a contestant in an unusual writing contest: The Next Top Spiritual Author. The contest is structured using a method similar to that behind reality-TV shows and grand prize is a book contract with Hampton Roads, a small publisher of spiritual and faith-focused books, along with $50,000 to market the winning book.

The original field comprised 2500 writers. Ms Anderson's entry for her proposed book — Faith From 9 to 5: How to Overcome the Seven Deadly Sins and Live Your Faith at Work — has advanced her to round two. The 250 people in round two will be be judged on the quality of their book proposal and sample chapter.

Ms. Anderson says this about her book:

Work is the place where we spend the most time and it's there that our faith gets challenged every single day. We make choices and compromises that move us out of alignment with our faith. We don't love our neighbors as ourselves and we put false idols first in our hearts. The news headlines highlight stories that demonstrate the Seven Deadly Sins are alive and well in workplaces around the world.

Faith From 9 to 5: How to Overcome the Seven Deadly Sins at Work helps you

• Discover what the Seven Deadly Sins look like at work;

• Recognize how your choices bring you out of alignment with your faith;

• Create a plan for getting your actions in sync with your beliefs.

You'll begin a journey to create a life focused on fulfilling the two Great Commandments as identified by Christ: To love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength; and to love your neighbors as yourself.

Ms. Anderson hopes to inspire as many people to visit her web site, have a look at her book proposal, read a sample chapter, and — if you like her work — vote for her! The deadline is Monday, 28 June. (Voting requires a brief registration but according to the website your information is held privately.)

You can read all about Winnie, sample her book here, and see a brief video from Winnie about her work here: nexttopauthor.com/profile.cfm?aid=932

May 2010

• From Bishop Councell: Appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer

Dear Friends in Christ,

It is my honor and delight to announce that, with the concurrence of the Standing Committee, I have appointed Phyllis B. Jones as Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of New Jersey, effective July 1, 2010.

Phyllis Jones is well-experienced and well-trained for the ministry of CFO of our Diocese. She brings 20 years of broad work experience as a CPA and Staff Accountant, as a Controller and as a Chief Financial Officer. She has worked for the past ten years (CFO since 2007) at a company based in New Jersey that provides hospitality at the Olympics. While there she managed the growth of the finance staff and financial systems commensurate with the growth of the company from $10-20 million annual gross revenue to $95-100 million annual gross revenue. Her references all described her as an outstanding employee, a consummate professional and a person of unquestionable integrity. She has a well-earned reputation for accuracy in reporting, clarity in communication and strong organizational and administrative skills. Everyone with whom I spoke — including both her personal and professional references — told me that we would be blessed if Phyllis were to become our CFO.

Phyllis is not only well-suited to this role by virtue of her professional background, she is a deeply committed woman of faith and an active Episcopalian. She joined St. Matthew's, Pennington, when she was 13. She was active in the parish youth group, helped plan the bi-annual Medford youth conferences and was selected to attend the 1976 General Convention in Minneapolis as a youth delegate from our Diocese. As an adult Phyllis remains active at St. Matthew's, where she serves as a Youth Group leader, Vestry member and Lay Eucharistic Minister. She is also active in parish Mission Teams and is the administrative coordinator of the program known as the Battle Against Hunger. In addition, she served two terms on the Audit Committee of the Diocese of New Jersey, ten years ago.

Phyllis graduated from Hopewell Valley Central High School in 1977. She received her B.S., Magna Cum Laude, in Commerce from Rider College (now Rider University), Class of 1983. She passed the CPA at first sitting in 1992. Phyllis has been married to her husband Michael for 27 years. They have two daughters: Robyn and Meghann. She enjoys reading, walking, Bible study, needlework, soccer and softball.

I am deeply indebted to the Advisory Committee (whose names appear below), chaired by the Rev. Douglas Halvorsen, and to the Rev. Canon Lee Powers for their good and faithful labors in the preparation of the job description, the advertising of the position, and for their consideration of the forty applications that were received. I also wish to express special thanks to Canon Charles Perfater for accepting my invitation to serve as acting CFO during this interim period.

I welcome Phyllis to our staff and to her new ministry in our Diocese. As a senior member of our staff she will carry the title of Canon. God has been very good to guide her to this office and ministry. I know that you will pray for her as she enters upon this new venture. Thank you.

Right Onward!

The Right Reverend George E. Councell

Advisory Committee:
The Rev. Douglas C. Halvorsen, Chair
Mr. Morris Anderson
Ms. Cheryl Browne
Ms. Kathy Lowry
Mr. Christopher McCrudden
The Rev. Canon Lee Powers
Mr. Kevin Thompson
Mr. Reginald Whitman

• Obituary: The Reverend William Charles Frampton III

The Reverend Charles William Frampton III died on Monday, May 10, 2010, in Wilmington, Delaware. He was born on April 5, 1963, in Wilmington, son of Charles William and Dorothy Ann Frampton. He earned a Bachelor's degree at High Point University in 1985 and a Master of Divinity at Yale Divinity School (Berkeley Seminary) in 1991.

He was ordered deacon June 8, 1991 and ordained priest June 1, 1992 both by the Right Reverend Cabell Tennis, Bishop of Delaware.

He served as Canon Pastor of the Cathedral Church, Philadelphia, from 1991 through 1993, was vicar of St Mark’s at the Crossing, Williamstown, New Jersey, from 2000 through 2006, and retired to Wilmington, Delaware.

The Burial Office will be read at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2010, at the Cathedral Church of St. John in Wilmington.

Biographical material provided by the Archives of the Diocese of New Jersey

April 2010

• Farewell Evensong and Reception for Bishop Romero, 21 April 2010

Click here to see a photo gallery of a celebratory evening. (Click a thumbnail image to see a larger photo with caption.)

Click here to read the tribute to Bishop Romero by the Reverend Canon Laurence D. Fish.

• From Bishop Councell: About Bishop Romero

April 6, 2010
Tuesday in Easter Week

Dear Friends in Christ,

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

As you may know, the Right Reverend Sylvestre D. Romero, Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey, will complete his active ministry here at the end of this month and enter into retirement on May 1, 2010. Bishop Romero and his wife Eva will return to San Jose, California, where they will live in close proximity to family and friends in the Diocese of El Camino Real.

It is fitting that we gather as a diocesan community to give thanks for the Romeros and for their two and one-half years of sharing life and ministry with us in New Jersey. I therefore invite all clergy and lay members of all of our churches to attend a service of celebration on

Wednesday, April 21, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Trinity Cathedral
801 West State Street
Trenton, New Jersey

To express our gratitude for these servants of Christ, I encourage vestries, clergy and individuals alike to consider making a monetary gift to a common purse that will be presented to the Romeros that night. All such gifts should be mailed to the Finance Office, Attn: Canon Charles Perfater, 808 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618. Checks should be made payable to the "Diocese of New Jersey" and earmarked for the "Romero gift." It would be most helpful if all gifts were received no later than April 20th.

Bishop Romero and Eva have been gracious partners in our "Right Onward" mission in this Diocese. Let us give thanks to God for the many ways that they have blessed and enriched our common life and ministry. Let us also commend them to God as they embark on their next chapter as lovers and followers of Jesus Christ.

I look forward to seeing you at the Cathedral on April 21st.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

The Right Reverend George E. Councell
XI Bishop of New Jersey

• This Fragile Earth: A New Exhibition at Trinity Cathedral

This Fragile Earth An Exhibition of Art Celebrating God's Creation and Our Role as Christians in Protecting, Preserving, and Nurturing it: March 26 – May 21

In the spirit of Earth Day, and at the invitation of Trinity Cathedral’s Sustainability Committee, ECVA NJ has brought together 40 original works by Diocese of New Jersey artists. The art, in a variety of media ranging from oil and watercolor to photography, earthenware, and recycled materials, will be on display in Synod Hall through May 21. Many of the pieces in the show are for sale; 25 percent of all sales will go to Trinity Cathedral.

We hope you will enjoy and be inspired by this unique exhibit.

Please call ahead for hours: 609 392 3805.  

Would you like to download a one-page flyer with this information? Click here.

• Spring 2010 Clericus Meetings UPDATED

• April 27: 10 am, Atlantic Convocation
  St. Stephen’s, Waretown
  
  
• April 29: 8 am, Burlington Convocation
  Harvest Diner, Route 130, Cinnaminson
  
  
• May 4: 10 am, Trenton Convocation
  Trinity Cathedral, Guild Room
  
  
• May 11: 10 am, Woodbury Convocation
  Gia Nina’s Restaurant, 312 South Evergreen Avenue, Woodbury
  
  
• May 20: 10 am, Northern Convocation
  Church of the Good Shepherd, Rahway
  
  
• May 26: 10 am, Watchung Convocation
  St. John’s Church, Somerville
  
  
• June 3: 10 am, Monmouth Convocation
  Trinity Church, Red Bank
  
  
• June 8: 10 am, Camden Convocation, location TBD

• The 226th Convention of the Diocese of New Jersey

The Convention met on 5 and 6 March 2010 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The Convention includes a keynote speech by the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Reverend Dr Katharine Jefferts Schori and the Bishop's Address. In addition, there was voting, reporting, singing, laughing, eating, networking, and just the simple matter of being 900 Jersey Episcopalians in one place for two days.

Read Bishop Councell's address here and the Presiding Bishop's speech here

Two reports from the Convention are now available in PDF:

Persons elected to offices
Resolutions as passed

Have a look at a bevy of photos from Convention. UPDATED

FEBRUARY 2010

• From Bishop Councell regarding a personnel change UPDATED 18 March

Canon Wanda Greene has resigned her position as Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of New Jersey. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

All matters and inquiries related to financial operations should now be directed to Emanuel Strauss, Accounting Manager. Additionally, please note that Chuck Perfater, the Diocese’s former CFO, will temporarily assist the Diocese as a consultant during the transition period.

The Diocese will immediately begin a search process for a new Chief Financial Officer.

JANUARY 2010

• Declaration of the Bishops of Province II on the Earthquake in Haiti

January 13, 2010
The feast of St. Hilary of Poitiers

We the Bishops of Province II of The Episcopal Church were gathered for our annual retreat when we learned of the great earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Having spent our 2008 retreat in that country, we were already very conscious of the desperate situation of the Haitian people and of our Diocese of Haiti. This new disaster which has injured and killed so great a number touches us very deeply. Haiti is the poorest nation of the hemisphere and therefore the less able to cope with such a catastrophe.

Our brother Bishop Zaché Duracin had not been able to attend our retreat this year, and we learned with relief that he is unscathed. However, we have reports that his wife Marie-Édithe has been injured and their family home destroyed. It appears also that one of the Roman Catholic bishops of Port-au-Prince was killed when his office collapsed during the earthquake. Along with the great number of Haitian expatriates and all those who have loved ones and friends there, we await news of them with impatience and worry, including the Episcopal missionaries who do extraordinary work in that country.

We ask therefore that the faithful of our dioceses, as well as all people of good will, pray for this people devastated by yet another cataclysm, that they will know the mercy and comfort of the Holy Trinity. To support immediately our brother Bishop Duracin in the work of reconstruction, we pledge at least $10,000 from our own resources. We ask our members to join in these efforts by giving to Episcopal Relief and Development.

The efficiency of Episcopal Relief and Development in helping people in these crises is well known. They will update their website, www.er-d.org as they receive fresh information. They are currently accepting donations to the Haiti Fund (https://www.er-d.org/donate-select.php) to support this assistance.

The Diocese of Haiti is the largest in The Episcopal Church. The efforts of their clergy and laity to proclaim and live out the Good News of Jesus Christ have in the past earned our profound admiration. Now that they have suffered yet another calamity, may the Holy Spirit give us the strength and resources to meet their new needs.

Bishop Gladstone Adams (Central New York)
Bishop Mark Beckwith (Newark)
Bishop George Councell (New Jersey)
Bishop Michael Garrison (Western New York)
Bishop William Love, (Albany)
Bishop Larry Provenzano (Long Island)
Bishop Prince Singh (Rochester)
Bishop Mark Sisk (New York)
Bishop Pierre Whalon (Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe)

• Pre-Convention Hearings

Pre-Convention Hearings
226th Convention of the Diocese of New Jersey

Everyone is invited to the four pre-convention hearings in February 2010, from 7pm until 9pm. The hearings offer a time for deputies to ask questions and discuss issues.

There is an agenda — to make the best use of the time — with representation from the Finance and Budget, Nominating, Resolutions, Constitution and Canons, and Board of Missions Committees.

Clergy, Lay Deputies, and Alternates should make a special effort to attend.

2 February: Church of the Holy Spirit
220 E Main Street, Tuckerton
609 296-9618

4 February: All Saints’ Church,
213 Madison Avenue, Lakewood
732 367-0933

8 February: St. John’s Church
158 West High Street, Somerville
908 722-1250

10 February: Grace Church
19 King’s Highway East, Haddonfield
856 429-0007

If you'd like a PDF of these dates and places, along with driving directions, click here.

Earlier news

Archived news from 2009
Archived news from 2008
Archived news from 2007
Archived news from 2006
Archived news from 2005
Archived news from 2003-2004

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Last updated: 7 March 2011
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