News and Events

JUNE 2009

23 June 2009

Dear Friends:

This comes to catch you on the way out the door to your Summer-before life's pace in households and parishes changes for a while. It comes with a simple message and heartfelt intent. That heartfelt, simple message is:

Thank You

Reflecting upon recent deliberations with our diocesan Task Force on Restructure, let me tell you again what you already know-the economic realities of this year and next are difficult. Despite those realities, I write to encourage you and

Thank You

The Vision Initiative of 2009 for our Diocese is Spiritual Renewal. A clear evidence of spiritual health and spiritual renewal is generosity. The way in which so many have been generous and faithful in their commitments to the ministry of our Diocese is more humbling than words adequately can convey. Personal and corporate sacrifices have been made for this generosity, and I know it. So does the Task Force on Restructure. We need this generosity now and will continue to need it in the future.

A special thanks goes to those parishes that are paying their full Fair Share. I am grateful for such faithfulness that loves God's Church so much. Testimony to the goodness of God in the lives of our parishes is clear. That's why 1'm writing to say

Thank You

Keep well. Rest as you each and all are able. Know that you are and remain close at heart.

Right Onward!

+ The Rt. Rev. George E. Councell

[Download a one-page PDF of the original letter.]

23 de Junio de 2009

Estimados Amigos:

Esta carta les llega en el momenta preciso cuando estan a punto de salir para disfrutar el veranodonde los pasos de la vida en el hogar y en las parroquias cambiaran por unos meses. Les llega esta carta con un mensaje muy simple y con el intento muy sincero. Con todo corazón les digo

MUCHAS GRACIAS

Reflejando sobre recientes deliberaciones con Los miembros del Comite sobre La Re-Estructura de La Diocesis, dejenme decirles una vez mas 10 que ya saben-sobre las realidades economicas de este ano como tambien el proximo ano, son dif1ciles, les escribo para darles animo y decirles

MUCHAS GRACIAS

La Vision Iniciativa del año 2009 de nuestra Diócesis es Renovacion Espiritual. Una evidencia clara de salud espiritual y renovación espiritual es generosidad. La generosidad y fidelidad en su compromiso al ministerio de nuestra Diócesis es más humilde que las palabras pueden expresar adecuadamente. Los sacrificios personales como de corporativos se han hecho hacia esta generosidad, y yo lo se. También lo sabe El Comité de Re-Estructura de La Diócesis. Necesitamos esta generosidad ahora y lo vamos a necesitar en el futuro.

Mi agradecimiento especial va a esas parroquias que están pagando su cuota diocesana completa. Estoy muy agradecido por esa fidelidad que muestra tanto el amor a la Iglesia de Dios. El testimonio de esa bondad de Dios en las vidas de nuestras parroquias es muy claro. Por eso les escribo para decirles

MUCHAS GRACIAS

Cuidense. Descanse cada uno conforme pueda. Sepan que son y llevarán un lugar especial en mi corazón.

¡Sigan Adelante!

El Rvdmo. George E. Councell

[Descargue la carta original como pdf.]

• CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS: What are you doing the night of 25 June 2009?

Attend a meeting of New Jersey Episcopal Christian Educators at St. Stephen’s Church (158 Warren Street, Beverly, New Jersey) on Thursday, June 25th at 7 pm. Since the Diocese of New Jersey doesn't have a staff person for Christian Formation — and most parishes don't have a staff person — don't be left on your own to figure out Christian Formation programs on your own.

On 25 June, you can network with other Christian educators according to the age group or program you teach. And you can learn about the resource center for Christian education at Diocesan House, which many people don’t know much about. Sample materials from the resource center will be available that evening. If you let Sue Legnani know you'll be attending, she'll make an effort to have just the sort of materials you're looking for available that night.

The Episcopal Church's General Convention will be working on Christian Formation issues when it meets in California from 8 to 17 July. A new "Formation Charter" will be presented during Convention , so we'll have a brief presentation on 25 June about this charter and its potential impact on the Christian Formation ministry.

Join ground breaking group! The potential for strengthening Christian Formation in our diocese is huge. There's no cost. Just bring yourself and as many other interested people from your parish as possible. Please phone Sue Legnani to let her know you'll be attending — 609 387-7619 — so she can plan light refreshments.

• DEATH NOTICE: Eugene M. Haring, Esq.

Eugene M. Haring

Eugene M. Haring, Esq. former Chancellor of the Diocese of New Jersey and former senior partner of the law firm of McCarter and English of Newark, New Jersey, died on June 4, 2009, at the University Medical Center at Princeton.

He was born on March 16, 1927, in Washington, D.C., the son of Horace and Edith Haring. He was a graduate of the Pingry School, Elizabeth, New Jersey and earned his bachelor's degree from Princeton University, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1949; and in 1951, a Masters Degree in Philosophy, as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Princeton University; and a JD from Harvard Law School in 1955. He is survived by his wife, the former Janet K. Marshall, and a niece and nephew.

Mr. Haring was Warden of Trinity Church, Princeton, from 1980 through 1984 and was a vestry member 1975 to 1979 and again from 1996 to 2000. He served as Chancellor of the diocese from 1983 through 1994 and 1999 through 2003. He was made an Honorary Lay Canon of Trinity Cathedral by Bishop David Joslin in 2001, the first lay person to be so honored in the history of the Diocese of New Jersey. He was a Trustee of the General Theological Seminary of New York City from 1987 through 1990. He served in the U.S. Navy and in the Naval Reserve.

Mr. Haring was, for many years, the senior partner of the law firm of McCarter and English, a firm he served from his graduation from Harvard in 1955 until his retirement in 1997.

A Memorial Service in celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at 3 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church, Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either SAVE Animal Shelter, 900 Herrontown Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 or to the University Medical Center at Princeton, 253 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ, 08540.

Biographical material provided by Kimble Funeral Home and the Archives of the Diocese of New Jersey

MAY 2009

• YOUTH CHOIR WEEK 2009

For an extraordinary week, from 26 through 30 July, young people from across the diocese sing, play, and worship together in beautiful Cape May. Singers from ages 10 to 17 are welcome — reading music is not a requirement!

Choristers stay in the historic 'Holiday House' of the Girls Friendly Society in Cape May and are supervised by adults throughout the week.

The fee is $300 and partial scholarships are available. You must send in your application by 1 June with a non-refundable fee of $100, applied to the tuition costs. For more info and an application, download the PDF brochure.

Questions? Phone the Church of the Advent 609 884-3065 weekdays (except Wednesday) between 9am and 1pm.

• ALL SAINTS, HIGHLAND PARK: sale and disbursement of furnishings
Update from Canon Lee Powers

On April 27, 2009 the Zoning Board of Highland Park approved the plans for the development of All Saints Church, Highland Park as affordable housing for homeless veterans. There is a 45 day period during which objections can be raised. Also, the final piece of financing will be completed after the 45 day period ends. It appears we should have settlement on this sale in August.

I have updated the list of items that have been taken, or requested, and provided some new photos of several items. Click here to see the updated list.

Some items can be removed prior to confirmation of the settlement date, and some, such as pews, organ, and other necessary furnishings, will have to stay in place until the settlement date is confirmed. I hope to have those items available some time in June.

If you are interested in any items not yet taken or requested, please contact Canon Lee Powers at lpowers@newjersey.anglican.org.

• FROM BISHOP COUNCELL: Diocesan staff changes

6 May 2009

Dear Friends in Christ,

I am delighted to announce that the Reverend Canon Lee Powers has accepted my appointment as Deployment Officer of the Diocese of New Jersey, effective May 16, 2009. Canon Powers will bring to this role his knowledge of New Jersey, his experience of parochial life and his understanding of clergy and lay leaders, along with his administrative ability and spiritual maturity. I am confident that, with the continuing support of Ms. Cecilia Alvarez, Lee will build on the good work of Canon Elizabeth Geitz. Under his pastoral leadership clergy and congregations will continue to receive strong, loving and wise support during interim ministries and times of transition. I pray that this expansion of his responsibilities will be a blessing to Lee and an enrichment of our diocesan mission. Right Onward!

I am also announcing today that I have accepted, with regret, the resignation of Michael Wilkes, Manager of Information Technology, effective June 6, 2009. After six and one-half years working in this office, Michael has been hired by an IT company with whom he can advance his career in this field. I am very grateful for Mike's faithful service in this office and in our diocese. His quiet professionalism, strong expertise, personal warmth and good humor will all be missed. We wish him well.

We will be evaluating how best to continue the functions that Mike has covered in his ministry here. Given our current financial constraints, I do not anticipate that we will make a new hire to replace Mike.

Please keep our diocesan staff in your prayers as we live into the changes that come in these times of transition.

God is good; all the time!

Faithfully yours in Christ,

The Right Reverend George E. Councell
Bishop of New Jersey

• DEATH NOTICE: Sister Elizabeth Mary Burke

I am saddened to report the death of Sister Elizabeth Mary Burke, a Sister of  Saint Gregory who has been active in parish life in some of our congregations in the Northern Convocation.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his servants."  (Psalm 116)

Yours in Christ,

The Reverend Lee Powers
Canon to the Ordinary
Diocese of New Jersey

From the Reverend Philip Kasey, rector of Holy Trinity Church, South River, New Jersey
Sister Elizabeth Mary Burke died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday morning, April 30, 2009. Her memorial service will be at 10am at Holy Trinity, South River on Saturday, May 16, 2009, followed by interrment in the Memorial Garden and a reception in the Parish Hall.

From the website of the Sisters of Saint Gregory
Elizabeth Mary, with a Master's in Social Work, was Director of Programs for a not-for-profit home care agency in New York City. She sang the choir of Holy Trinity, South River, New Jersey and was a chalice bearer in two parishes in New Jersey. She has worked several years with "Happening of New Jersey" a program for teenager to have a deeper Christian Experience.She was a member of the Order of Saint Luke and an Associate of the Community of Celebration and the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory. She completed Education for Ministry (EFM) and mentored for several years, was a member of the Board of Finger Lakes Conference, and represented the Finger Lakes Conference & the Sisters of Saint Gregory in Province II of the Episcopal Church.

She wrote: 'Being a Sister of Saint Gregory has allowed me to be a Religious while not leaving my home, work, or family. Instead of the Community supplying my needs, I give to support the Community and the ministries that we are all involved in wherever we live'.

http://www.sistersofsaintgregory.org/sisters.html

• OBITUARY: The Reverend John Albion Van Sant

The Reverend Canon John Albion Van Sant, retired priest of the Diocese of New Jersey, died on April 29, 2009, at home.

Born October 22, 1924, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, he was the son of Anna Sophia (Kessler) and Albion Jones Van Sant. He was a 1951 graduate (BA) of Rutgers University where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and a 1954 graduate (Th.B. and Th.M.) of the Philadelphia Divinity School. He was ordained deacon by the Right Reverend Wallace John Gardner on May 8, 1954 and priest by the Right Reverend Alfred L. Banyard on November 27, 1954.

He married Lovey Grace MacWright on June 20, 1948 and they had three children. Two of his children also entered the Sacred Ministry: Paul A. Van Sant, rector of St. Stephen’s, Whiting; Mark R. Van Sant, rector of St. John’s, Little Silver. Another son, John, is employed by Princeton University in administrative computing. A widower, Father John married Mary Ceder on May 18, 2002.

He served as Curate of Christ Church, Woodbury, from 1954 to 1955; Rector of All Saints, Elizabeth, from 1955 to 1961; Canon Residentiary of Trinity Cathedral, Trenton, from 1961 to 1989; Vicar of Christ Church, Palmyra, 1990 to 1996; and Priest Associate at Church of the Good Shepherd, Berlin, from 1996 to 2007; and at St. Stephen’s, Whiting, from 2007 to the present.

There will be a viewing at St. Stephen’s Church in Whiting on Monday, May 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m., and on Tuesday, May 5, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The Burial Office and Holy Eucharist will follow at St. Stephen’s Church at 11 a.m., with the Right Reverend George E. Councell, Bishop of New Jersey, presiding and the Reverend Paul Van Sant as celebrant. Burial will follow immediately. Following the burial service, there will be a light luncheon served at St. Stephen’s Church.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a Memorial Fund for Canon Van Sant at St. Stephen’s Church.

Biographical material provided by the Archives of the Diocese of New Jersey

For earlier news, January–April 2009, click here.

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