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Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep, April 13
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 Dear People of the Diocese of New Jersey,
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
Susan and I are in Paris for the Ordination and Consecration of The Reverend Mark David Eddington as the 26th Bishop-in-Charge of The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe. This event will take place tomorrow, Saturday April 6, at The American Cathedral in Paris and can be live-streamed here, beginning at 4:30 am. the Convocation of Churches in Europe is a part of Province II of The Episcopal Church, a province that includes all the Dioceses of New York and New Jersey as well as the Dioceses of Haiti, the Virgin Islands, and now Cuba. Fr. Eddington succeeds The Right Reverend Pierre Whalon, who has served in the position since November of 2001.
Susan and I arrived in Paris a few days early to celebrate our 43rd wedding anniversary, which was on April 3. On April 3, we took a three-hour and a half train ride to Quimper in Brittany where Susan still has family. We had a wonderful visit with two cousins of Susan's mother and their spouses. One of the couples, Jean and Lillian LeCras, had attended our wedding. It was wonderful to be with family, to tell old stories, to laugh and cry together.
 On Thursday, we went to Ste. Chapelle, the stunning royal chapel built from 1238-1248 A.D. by King Louis IX ("St. Louis") to house Christ's Crown of Thorns, a holy relic he had purchased from Baldwin II of Constantinople. Ste. Chapelle, built as a reliquary itself, is a jewel of the High Middle Ages and a quintessential example of gothic architecture. It contains a high vaulted ceiling with breathtaking stained glass windows that give the impression the entire building is made of glass.
Susan and I had visited Ste. Chapelle in 2010. At that time, the chapel was in the midst of a seven-year restoration program. Then, scaffolding filled the building; windows had been removed and were covered with foam-board prints of the stained-glass. It was most disappointing. Seeing the result of the restoration, however, inspired us. We were awestruck as we entered the chapel at 5 o'clock in the evening and the sun's light beamed through the windows, refracting by their luminous colors throughout the sacred building.
We watched a video about the restoration. It was a herculean project to remove centuries of grime and grit that had accumulated on the windows from centuries of visitors and lit candles and the pollution of Paris. Restoration required meticulous, painstaking work. You can view a short BBC News video about the project here.
Lent is a time when we are called to reflect on the grime and dirt that has accumulated on us in our own lives. It is a time when by God's grace, and through the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and meditating upon God's Holy Word, God cleanses and restores us. This cleansing and "crust" removal is, like the restoration of Ste. Chapelle, designed to let the light of Jesus shine in us and through us.
May God in Christ cleanse and restore you and fill you with the light and love of Christ as we prepare for the Paschal feast.
Blessings and peace,
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The Bishop's Schedule Highlights
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Saturday, April 6 -
Monday, April 8
Farewell Celebration for
The Right Reverend Pierre Whalon
and the Consecration of
The Rev. Mark Edington,
Bishop in Charge of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe
Paris
Wednesday, April 10
Oversight and Staff Meeting
Office Appointments
7:00 pm
Meeting with Wardens and Vestry
St. Martin's Church, Bridgewater
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Thursday, April 11
Office Appointments
1:00 pm
Constable Grant Task Force Meeting
3:00 pm
DLI Team Zoom Meeting
5:00 pm
Standing Committee Meeting
Friday, April 12
Bishop's Study Day
4:00 pm
Meeting with Urban Promise Street Leaders
Trinity Cathedral, Trenton
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Opioid Addiction and the Hope of Recovery
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 Sunday, April 7, 201911:00 am - 12:00 pm
St. Luke's, Gladstone
On Sunday, April 7, St. Luke's, Gladstone will host a Recovery Sunday to facilitate awareness of this disease. Join us at the forum to hear from representatives of the Recovery Ministries of the Diocese of New Jersey and the organization, Community in Crisis. Learn about the disease, prevention, education, and resources for those struggling with addiction and their families. Click here for more information.
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Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep
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 Saturday, April 13
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Amboy Waterfront
The Northern Convocation Youth Group is participating in Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep. Bring your own buckets, gloves, and sturdy shoes. This will be a day of fun and stewardship. Taking care of Mother Earth is part of the 5 Marks of Mission. "Strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth."
Please register through our webpage and let our organizer know you will be participating.
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Recovery Sunday Celebration
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 Sunday, April 28
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Trinity Cathedral, Trenton
Our 11th Annual Recovery Sunday celebration with the Rt. Rev. William H. (Chip) Stokes celebrating and the Rev. C. Thomas Hayes preaching. All are welcome to this celebration of new life and new hope: recovering alcoholics, addicts, family members, friends, and advocates. Share the good news with AA, NA, Alanon, Alateen, and all the 12-step groups that meet in our congregations. Reception to follow the service. Read more about our preacher here. |
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Happening Around the Diocese
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To receive emails about events around the Diocese, please update your preferences to subscribe to the Announcements List. You can update your preferences here.
April 6:
April 16
April 30
May 4:
May 5
May 11
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TRINITY CATHEDRAL RUMMAGE SALE
Donate gently used items for the sale, including: adults' and kids' clothing, sporting goods, housewares, jewelry, shoes, home décor, seasonal decorations, furniture, toys and electronics (with the exception of large TVs) at the Cathedral from March 29 to April 1. The Rummage Sale itself will be held April 4 - April 6.
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SEEKING FULL-TIME PARISH CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR
The successful applicant will demonstrate strong desktop publishing skills as well as a high degree of proficiency in all areas of Microsoft Office suite. A working knowledge of social media/website management, office operations, vendors, and accounts payable/ receivable (QuickBooks), is desired. Minimum of two continuous years in a professional office environment. Email resume and cover letter to Office@Christchurch.woodburynj.org
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RECTORY FOR RENT
 The rectory of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (90 Leonardine Ave., South River) is available for rent for a Minister of the Gospel: spacious colonial style home 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, family room, 2-car garage, finished basement and patio: $1,950/month (utilities not included). Email TheRector@HolyTrinitySR.org for more info.
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SEAMEN'S CHURCH SEEKS NEW DIRECTOR
We are searching for a new director of our Port Newark International Seafarer's Center. Position is open to either lay or clergy. Apply now.
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EVENT SUBMISSIONS
If you would like us to send an email to the diocesan listserv about your special event please click here to have your event listed on the diocesan calendar and send a brief description of the event with a pdf flyer that will be used as an announcement to Steve Welch. You can also add events to the diocesan calendar directly by clicking here.
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SUBMISSIONS FOR GNGS
Submissions for Good News in the Garden State can include text, images and pdf files and should be sent to Steve Welch at swelch@dioceseofnj.org no later than close of business on the Wednesday before publication on Fridays.
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COMMENTARIES, WOMEN'S CLERGY SHIRTS & ALBS
Available in Point Pleasant. Please contact the Rev. Nancy Speck at revnani8@gmail.com or 732-892-0955.
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