The first two sessions of the Bishop's Forum are this week! This is an annual opportunity to meet in small groups with Bishop Stokes to raise and discuss any issues of interest to the diocese. This year's focus is on creating disciples within the diocese.
For each forum, the bishop meets with clergy from 3:00-5:00, and with lay people from 7:00-9:00.
In preparation for the Diocesan Convention on March 2, delegates and other interested diocesan members are asked to attend one of the upcoming pre-convention hearings. This is your opportunity to learn about the issues that will be voted upon at the upcoming convention.
Important convention documents have been posted to the diocese web site.
New This Year…One day convention and electronic voting devices……
The one-day convention begins with registration on March 2 at 7 a.m., continues with a 9 a.m. liturgy, and business session commencing at 10:45 a.m. and ending by 5 p.m.
The handheld devices allow diocesan members to vote and submit their answers directly, in no time. Voting results are shown instantly. Diocesan members will also be able to answer "Yes" and "No" questions instead of holding up the red and green cards.
Hotel space is filling up fast! A limited number of hotel rooms are available, should you need accommodations for Friday night. To receive the convention rate, please call 1-888-233-9527 by February 10, 2019 and mention The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey when making reservations. Or you can register online. Rooms may not still be available on February 10, so don't wait to reserve your room.
Convention Registration
Clergy, deputies, visitors, and guests attending convention are expected to register online or complete the registration form. You can fax it to 609 394-8015 or mail it to 808 West State St., Trenton, NJ 08618-5326. Deadline to register and order meals for convention is February 14, 2019.
Exhibitor Registration
Due to the one-day convention, space for exhibitors is extremely limited and on a first come, first served basis. If you plan to exhibit at this one-day convention, please register promptly here or complete the exhibitor registration form by February 14, 2019. You can fax it to 609 394-8015 or mail it to 808 West State St., Trenton, NJ 08618-5326.
Pre-Convention Hearings
All clergy and deputies are invited to attend one or more of the pre-convention hearings to learn more about the budget, resolutions, and canons being presented at convention. Meetings will be from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. hosted at the following sites:
January 29 at 1:30pm
Grace Church
43 Elizabeth Street
Pemberton NJ
January 29 at 7:00pm
Church of the Holy Spirit
220 E. Main Street
Tuckerton NJ
January 31 at 7:00pm
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
304 Kings Highway
Clarksboro NJ
February 5 at 7:00pm
Church of the Holy Spirit
3 Haytown Road
Lebanon NJ
February 7 at 1:30pm
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
17 Oak Avenue
Metuchen NJ
February 7 at 7:00pm
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
505 Main Street
Spotswood NJ
Reminders
Deputy Certification Form - canonical requirement: Please fax or mail all names of deputies and alternates to Diocesan House on the form titled "Lay Deputy Certification." The deadline is within three days of your annual meeting. If your deputies and alternates are not on our certified master list, their convention packet will not include voting materials. Please remember to call Diocesan House with any changes after submitting names. If you have misplaced your form which was mailed in October, please download a new one or call Diocesan House for a new form.
Convention packets will include the following: Agenda, Site Layout, Rules of Order, The Budget, Constitution and Canons, Resolutions, Nominating Committee Report, Eucharist booklet, and voting information and materials where applicable. All other reports will be posted on the diocesan website as they become available.
Banners: There will NOT be a banner procession this year.
Ushers: Volunteers for ushering are needed at the Crowne Plaza Saturday morning at convention. If you are willing and able to help, please email or call Ann Notte at anotte@dioceseofnj.org or 609 394-5281 ext. 41. Registered Ushers must meet at the Crowne Plaza at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, for instruction on duties at the 9:00 a.m. Eucharist and other areas of convention.
Registered volunteers to help with registration must attend an orientation on Friday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza and must be at their assigned stations by 6:40 a.m. on Saturday, March 2. Please contact Ann Notte if you can help: anotte@dioceseofnj.org
Clergy: Please remember to bring your oil bottles to convention. They can be dropped in baskets on the Handout or Information Tables.