Good News in the Garden State: August 10, 2018
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, OCEAN CITY
In This Issue:
From Bishop Stokes
A Message from Our Benefits Coordinator
Jubilee Spotlight: Soles for the Harvest 5k Registration Open
Diocesan Events and Recent Happenings
Classifieds
A LETTER FROM BISHOP STOKES:
Dear People of the Diocese of New Jersey,
David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their kindred as the singers to play on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise loud sounds of joy….1 Chronicles 15:16
I hope you are having a blessed summer; that you have found time for rest, refreshment and renewal, or that you will find time for these before summer is over. More than anything, it is my prayer that during this summer you find “God-moments” – moments when, through nature, through art, through sport, through relationships, God touches you in surprising, wondrous ways.
(l-r) Katrina Lenk and Tony Shalhoub in Atlantic Theater Company’s world premiere musical The Band’s Visit, directed by David Cromer, featuring a book by Itamar Moses and original score by David Yazbek. Now playing at The Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20 Street). Photo: Ahron R. Foster.
Susan and I recently saw The Band’s Visit on Broadway.  The story centers on the interactions that occur when members of a wayward Egyptian police band find themselves stranded for one night in a sleepy, non-descript town in the Israeli desert.  I had given the tickets to Susan on her birthday in June. Just days before that, The Band’s Visit had received 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Musical Score. Katrina Lenk received the award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her performance was absolutely stunning–click here for a sample.
I felt The Band’s Visit was everything a night at the theater should be. It had pathos, poignancy, drama, humor and a wonderful array of characters filled with a richness of grace, fragility and brokenness. The Band’s Visit expressed how story and music have power to overcome differences of language, politics and culture. The audience laughed, cried and celebrated L’Chaim! As Ben Brantley wrote in his New York Times November 19, 2017 review of the show, “’The Band’s Visit’ flows with the grave and joyful insistence of life itself. All it asks is that you be quiet enough to hear the music in the murmurs, whispers and silences of human existence at its most mundane — and transcendent.”Â
A quote attributed to Pablo Picasso states, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls. The Band’s Visit was beautiful show that washed the dust of daily life off my soul. It was a God-moment for me. I am thankful and especially that Susan and I could share that experience together.
On a personal note, I want you to be aware that Susan underwent a hysterectomy today, on August 10. She has been experiencing difficulties for some time and her physicians have strongly urged this step. I will be taking care of her and so, we will have a quiet August to allow her time to heal and recover. Your prayers are welcome and deeply appreciated.
May God continue to bless you and yours during the remainder of the “dog days” of August and may you have an abundance of “God-moments.”
Faithfully yours in Christ,
The Right Reverend William H. (Chip) Stokes, D.D.
Bishop of New Jersey
MANDATORY ANNUAL ENROLLMENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE!
Re-posting from last week’s issue–this is important, friends!
This year CPG is requiring that everyone who is covered by a Church Medical Trust health plan participate in Annual Enrollment. Annual Enrollment materials will be mailed to your home address in mint green colored envelopes. While it is important for those with an Anthem healthcare plan to update their personal information and confirm their enrollment, it is crucial for those with a Cigna healthcare plan to select a new plan for 2019. The Cigna Open Access Plus and Cigna Open Access Plus In-Network plans will not be available for 2019 but there will be similar plans available that utilize the Cigna network of providers. To learn more about the changes and how to choose the best plan to meet your needs, come to the free Benefits Workshop that will be held on October 13, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm at Trinity Cathedral. You can find more information and a link to the registration on our website here. Please register by October 5 and let us what information is most important to you when you register.
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JUBILEE SPOTLIGHT: SOLES FOR THE HARVEST 5K REGISTRATION
JOIN US FOR THE SEVENTH ANNUAL SOLES FOR THE HARVEST 5K AND 1 MILE FUN WALK/RUN.
Race proceeds benefit programs dedicated to alleviating hunger in New Jersey.
During registration, YOU may BECOME A FUNDRAISER, creating the capacity to accept online donations for a hunger-related charity OF YOUR CHOICE! YOUR hunger-related charity may be a Church supported feeding program or a not-for-profit feeding program.
Participants are also asked to bring canned goods to benefit a local food pantry.
PLEASE help us share the harvest!
SOLES FOR THE HARVEST 5k AND 1 MILE FUN RUN/WALK is sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, Office of Jubilee Ministries.
Click here to register! More on Jubilee Ministries will be coming next week, including this year’s Battle Against Hunger bike ride/run/walk.
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 DIOCESAN EVENTS, RECENT HAPPENINGS AND UPCOMING
Click Here for the Calendar of Upcoming Events
GOLF OUTING REGISTRATION
CLICK THE BELOW FORM FOR
A FULL-SIZE PRINTABLE VERSION
UPCOMING SAFE CHURCH TRAININGS
Summer/Fall 2018:
August 25, 2018 – St. Andrew’s, Mount Holly CHANGED from August 11
Registration link:Â https://tinyurl.com/safechurch08112018
September 8, 2018 – Christ Church, Toms River
Registration link:Â https://tinyurl.com/safechurch09082018
September 15, 2018 – Trinity, Moorestown CURRENTLY FULL; check back later for cancellations or other vacancies
Registration link:Â https://tinyurl.com/safechurch09152018
September 22, 2018 – Grace, Haddonfield
Registration link:https://tinyurl.com/safechurch09222018
November 10, 2018 – St. Mary’s, Clementon
Registration link:Â https://tinyurl.com/safechurch11102018
UPCOMING PRAISE AND WORSHIP EVENT WITH MUSICAL PARTICIPATION
On Saturday, August 18, at 5 pm, we will gather at St. Barnabas, Monmouth Junction, for a time of informal worship and song. All are welcome. No familiarity with the music is expected. Interested musicians may contact The Rev. Shawn Armington (shawnarm@gmail.com) if they wish to play.
Click here for the Facebook event.
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CHOIR ROBES TO CLAIM
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Wenonah has 20 maroon choir robes and collars which are no longer needed. The contact person is Margie McWilliams, 856-468-6664, if you have interest in these items.
MUSIC DIRECTOR WANTED
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is a vibrant, program-sized parish in Westfield, New Jersey, seeking to grow in its spiritual vitality. We seek a Music Director to lead our music program consisting of an adult choir, two children’s choirs, and community concert series. The parish choir is comprised of 20 singers, mostly volunteers and up to 8 professionals. The choir sings Sundays at the 10 a.m. service and special services throughout the year. The choir is joined by chamber musicians at Christmas and Easter. With our Friends of Music program, we are known for our concerts throughout the year.
The ideal candidate will be a committed Christian, passionate about sacred music and its role in worship. The successful candidate will sustain our vibrant music program and be a strategic partner in developing and expanding our music ministry. A graduate degree in church music, organ performance, or a related area is preferred. The successful candidate will be devoted to and versed in traditional Anglican liturgy and music, yet be open to new musical expressions in liturgy. The successful candidate will be an exceptional church organist and choir director and have experience teaching children music.
St. Paul’s has a 2004 organ built by Cornel Zimmer Organ Builders, consisting of 4 manuals, 55 pipe ranks, and 114 digital voices.
Salaried compensation will be in accordance with AAM standards. Benefits available.
Applications will be received through 30 July 2018. Please send a resume or CV, audio files with examples of organ works performed and choral/orchestral works conducted, and three references to djohnston@stpaulswestfield.org or by postal service mail to:
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Attn: The Reverend Dr. Duncan Johnston, Rector
414 Broad Street
Westfield, NJ Â 07090
Proclaiming Christ in the Garden State
609.394.5281
info@dioceseofnj.org
We are the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement in the Southern 2/3 of New Jersey.
