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Updated Reopening Guidelines from the RRR Task Force
The COVID-19 Reentering, Reopening, Reimagining (RRR) Task Force called by Bishop Stokes has developed guidelines and advice as our church buildings move through the phases of re-opening. The Task Force issued its initial report on June 5. Here is everything your church needs to know right now to help move toward re-opening. Churches must have their plans for reopening approved prior to in-person worship.
See the RRR Task Force Guidelines
Important April 15, 2020, Update from Bishop Stokes
A Pastoral Statement from the Bishop of New Jersey
April 15, 2020
Greetings in the Name of the Risen Christ!
Jesus commanded us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37). In our response to the COVID19 pandemic, we in the Diocese of New Jersey are prioritizing the love of God and God’s people over all other concerns. From late February when we had to make the first difficult decision to postpone our Diocesan Convention, through the suspension of in-person worship services, every directive I have issued has been toward this end and this end alone.
Read the entire message here for updates regarding current policies and timelines
Important April 4, 2020 Update from Bishop Stokes
Statement of Revised Worship Directives for On-Line Worship During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The Bishop’s previous statement regarding public worship and public gatherings in Church buildings can be found here with additional clarification here.
Importante actualización del 4 de abril de 2020 del obispo Stokes
Una declaración de directivas de adoración revisadas
para On-Line culto durante la pandemia de Coronavirus
El 3 de abril de 2020, durante una sesión informativa para líderes religiosos por parte de la Oficina del Gobernador, el obispo Stokes recibió una importante guía adicional que afecta incluso los funerales y la transmisión en vivo de grupos pequeños de servicios de adoración. Después de buscar más aclaraciones directamente con la Oficina del Gobernador y en consulta con el personal, el Comité Permanente y el Comité de Liturgia, ha emitido directivas revisadas que incluyen la suspensión inmediata de todas las reuniones de personas en nuestras iglesias para cualquier propósito, incluidos los funerales y / o pequeños grupos para video o servicios de adoración en vivo. LEA EL TEXTO COMPLETO VINCULADO AQUÍ PARA EL DOMINGO DE PALM COMPLETO Y OTRA INFORMACIÓN.
La declaración anterior del Obispo sobre el culto público y las reuniones públicas en los edificios de la Iglesia se puede encontrar aquí con una aclaración adicional aquí.
Online Gatherings
“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another … .” Hebrews 10:23-25
During this singular time, we are discovering a wealth of gifts, talents and passions for ministry in our diocesan community, as well as the technology to unleash them. We are also discovering what strength we find in each other when we reach beyond our walls to connect.
Here are a wide range of online gathering opportunities for those who want to share celebrations, challenges and resources around particular ministry areas. To register, click on the listing for your area(s) of interest, then come join others across our diocese to explore and connect!!
Adult Formation – Mondays at 7:30 PM; online formation for adults; Bonnie Bivins, Chairperson, Diocesan Lifelong Christian Formation Committee, Convener
A Space for Grace – Tuesdays at 2:30 PM; join us in a “Space for Grace,'” where we will engage with The Scriptures, lay our burdens down for a while, and discern what the Lord has to say to each of us.
Children’s Formation – Saturdays at 10:00 AM; Sunday School and online formation for children; Anne Delgado, Diocesan Lifelong Christian Formation Committee, Convener
Congregational Coaching – Saturdays at 1:00 PM; explore the incredible benefits and energy unleashed through congregational coaching; Rev. Amy Cornell, Lead Diocesan Coaching Coordinator, Convener
Communications – Tuesdays at 2:00 PM; for those responsible for congregational, diocesan, or ministerial communications; Canon Steve Welch, Diocesan Director of Communications, Convener
Financial Resources/Stewardship, Stability & Sustainability – Promoting and developing congregational financial sustainability; Canon Phyllis Jones, Diocesan COO/CFO, Convener
- Monday, 10AM Financial Resourcing
- Monday, 7PM Financial Resourcing
- Tuesday, 7PM Stewardship, Stability & Sustainability
- Wednesday, 10AM Stewardship, Stability & Sustainability
Frontline Fellowship for First Responders – Tuesdays at 8:00 PM; a peer support group for medical practitioners and first responders working within the COVID-19 pandemic environment. Individuals are encouraged to attend regularly, but can “drop-in” for a session on an intermittent as-needed basis. Rev. Greg Wilson, Convener
Hispanic Ministry/Community Support – Tuesdays at 11:00 AM; specifically for those engaged in ministry to and with our Hispanic brothers and sisters in Christ; Rev. Canon Ramon Ubiera, Diocesan Hispanic Missioner, Convener (en Español, con traducción)
Online Worship – Tuesdays at 10:00 AM; planning, hosting, and/or participating in online worship services; Canon Steve Welch, Diocesan Director of Communications, Convener
Outreach Ministries – Fridays at 4:00 PM; sustaining and growing congregational outreach ministries; Canon Clara Gregory, Diocesan Jubilee Ministries Officer, Convener
Youth Ministry – Wednesdays at 7:00 PM; for those engaged in ministry to youth in grades 6-12; Clare Gutwein and Joe Rodriguez, Diocesan Youth Conveners
Peer-to-Peer Programs for Youth and Those Who Work with Youth:
Join us to discuss your experiences, hopes, and fears for the immediate future. Talk about how you’ve been affected, how you’re adjusting to this “new normal,” what your hope are as we transition in the coming weeks and months, things that worry you, what you are missing and what you are enjoying.
Get Talking/Stay Connected High School Peer-to-Peer Support Meetings – Saturdays at 3:00 PM; for high school students; Alicia Rodriguez, Adult Facilitator; Paige Bathurst, Student Facilitator
Get Talking/Stay Connected Middle School Peer-to-Peer Support Meetings– Saturdays at 3:00 PM; for middle school students; Lori Bathurst, Adult Facilitator; Annika Lippincott, Student Facilitator
Parents’ Peer-to-Peer Support Meetings – Wednesdays at 9:00 PM; for parents of youth; Lori Bathurst, Parent Facilitator, Cynthia Griffin, LPC, Professional/Spiritual Facilitator
Educators to Educators Support Meetings – Mondays at 4:30 PM; for Pre-K through post-secondary educators; Lori Bathurst, Teacher Facilitator, Dr. Wally Fletcher, Professional/Spiritual Facilitator
Reflect, Refresh, Recharge with Our Bishop!
Clergy Town Hall – Biweekly Thursdays at 11:00 AM; Clergy only spend time with Bishop Stokes and each other to share information, raise concerns, and ask questions
Lay Leaders Town Hall – Biweekly Thursdays at 7:00 PM; Lay people only spend time with Bishop Stokes to share information, raise concerns, and ask questions
Bible Study Online — Wednesdays at 7:00 PM: Bishop Stokes and Canon Brian Jemmott host a discussion on the coming Sunday’s gospel reading, open to all
