As a person of faith in a world of diminishing faith, what do you need? Could you use some rest?
"We're gonna have to get so good at beholding and so good at knowing our gifts and claiming them, that we're gonna have to actually be the stewards of God's church and God's ministry and our own gifts," stated Bishop Hughes in her second Convention address, given during the Saturday morning Eucharist.
"Our job is to be the person that God has created us to be, doing the ministry that God has given us to do. In order to do that we have to know who God is and know what the gifts are that God has given us, and use those gifts for God's purposes. THAT is our job," stated Bishop Hughes in her first Convention address, given during the Friday evening dinner.
Every year, at Diocesan Convention, we claim our relationship with each other. Reports are made, votes are taken, information is shared, workshops are given, and we worship God together. In short, we remember who we are as a much larger people of faith. Together we are a mighty force and an awesome sight to behold
The good news the angels shared is true for us too. Christ’s presence transforms, heals, comforts, and compels us to live a life that is expansive, hopeful, compassionate and generous.
During this Advent and Christmas, at this time, we need each other to be messengers of God's love.
Bishop Hughes is looking for people who will dream and who will pray together and who will work together and be in conversation about what the future of our church in northern New Jersey might look like.
When we are generous, it reminds us of who we are and who we were created to be: creatures who are made in God's image, and God is a generous God.
The story of early Christianity and the formation of the church is chronicled in Holy Scripture. The Acts of the Apostles and the numerous letters sent to fledgling church communities in places such as Philippi, Corinth, Galatia, and Rome portray the development and growth of our faith tradition.
Vestries are people who are committed not only to running a church, but who are deeply committed to God.
