Dear Partners in Ministry in the Diocese of New Jersey,
We give thanks to God for the successful election and consent process of our Bishop-Elect Sally J. French as the XIII Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey. We give thanks to God for calling her to this new ministry. She will soon begin the journey as our companion and shepherd as we continue to form people as disciples of Jesus Christ so they can carry out God’s mission of reconciliation in the world.
Bishop-Elect French will be ordained and consecrated on June 24, 2023. On that day she will be presented with the items necessary to equip her as our bishop. It is the Episcopal Church’s tradition that the people a new bishop will serve contribute toward the new bishop’s vestments and other symbols of the Office of Bishop. These items, such as cope, mitre, white chasuble, white stole, ring, pectoral cross and crozier are all important symbols of the Office of a Bishop. Additional items to be given may include rochet, chimere, preaching scarf, wrist bands, chasubles and stoles of other liturgical colors. For Bishop-Elect Sally, two master carpenters from Church of the Good Shepherd, Pitman, NJ, have offered to make a traveling crozier. The Church of the Good Shepherd, Pitman is offering this traveling crozier as its gift to Bishop-Elect Sally. The official diocesan crozier resides in Trinity Cathedral, where it is used by the bishop on formal occasions.
You are invited to make a contribution toward the purchase of these gifts, keeping in mind that the Gifts Sub-Committee Committee asks only that you prayerfully consider what you are able to contribute to this important request. All contributions are considered to be a true blessing from the hearts of the good people of this diocese.
Donations can be made at bishopsearchnj.org/menus, or by mail to Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, 808 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618. Please indicate “Bishop’s Gift” in the memo section of the check.
In whatever way you are able to contribute to these gifts, we thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to the work of Jesus Christ as his disciple and friends.
Faithfully,
The Rev. Ronald N. Pollock, Transition Committee Co-Chair
Jack Daugherty, Gifts Sub-Committee Chair
Canon Noreen Duncan
The Rev. Maria Sanzo
