Recent Letters from Bishop Councell
August,
2006
Convocation Meetings
Dear Friends,
Once again this fall, a series of conversations will take place in all eight Convocations about mission and ministry in the Diocese of New Jersey.
Members of Diocesan Council and I have planned these Convocation meetings as one way for us to pray for renewal and to be strengthened in our community as a diocese. Our purpose is to share our excitement about our diocesan program and the new mission initiatives that we can undertake. Our focus is not on our diocesan budget, but on our common mission. These conversations will reflect the theme of our 2006 Convention: "New Life, New Mission, New Jersey."
It is my hope that these conversations will inform and inspire clergy and lay leaders all across our diocese. I want to make every effort to ensure that you and your leaders have a better grasp of what we already do and what we can do as a Diocese, with everyone's help and participation. If we are successful, these gatherings should help you and your Vestry in your discernment as to what level of financial support you will pledge to the mission of the wider church through the Diocese of New Jersey in 2007.
Will you please give your strong encouragement to your Wardens and Vestry members, financial officers and other leaders to attend one of these gatherings?
I pray that our Lord will continue to guide and bless us in our life and witness together. Lord, in your mercy, make New Jersey new. Amen.
Faithfully
yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. George E. Councell
XI Bishop of New Jersey
March
28, 2006
Immigration Reform
I
join Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold in his call for "just
and humane" immigration reform. We, who find God's will
revealed in the Holy Scripture and in Jesus, the Word made
Flesh; we, who endeavor to follow and obey Christ as our
Lord and Savior; we, who promise, with God's help, to live
our vows in the Baptismal Covenant; we now join with other
Christians, other believers and all people of good will
to advocate for immigrant workers and for the provision
of hospitality and justice for these neighbors.
Let us not allow unwarranted fears or harsh measures to shape
our immigration system. We cannot make our nation safe by discarding
justice or criminalizing compassion for the poor and the oppressed.
We cannot make our own citizens secure by passing unjust legislation
that would make assistance rendered to immigrants against the
law.
I commend the comments of our Presiding Bishop, along with
the Resolution adopted by the House of Bishops last week, to
all members of the Diocese of New Jersey. Let us recall the
words of our Lord, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matthew
25: 35).
The Rt. Rev. George E. Councell
Bishop of New Jersey
Read the full text of the Episcopal News Service article and
the statement from the Presiding Bishop online here or
download the text here (PDF).