Bishop Beckwith

On Monday, March 25, 2013 – the Monday in Holy Week – Bishop Mark Beckwith, Canon Greg Jacobs and some 50 lay people and clergy from the Diocese of Newark traveled to Washington, D.C. to join hundreds of Episcopalians from across the country in a “Way of the Cross” service, prayerfully processing from the White House to the U. S. Capitol to challenge legislators to address the epidemic of gun violence.

[Episcopal News Service] Rain, snow, and temperatures that were barely above freezing did not deter a group of about 400 Episcopalians from taking to the streets of the nation’s capital March 25 to transform the traditional re-enactment of Jesus’ journey to Calvary and the tomb into a prayer procession meant to challenge what they called a culture of violence.

"'Ashes to Go?' No way!" exclaimed one commuter with delight, upon exiting Newark Penn Station to see Bishop Mark Beckwith and the Rev. Laurie Wurm distributing ashes just outside. "My friend said you'd be here," said another as she got in line to receive. "I got ashes from you here last year," said a third, who after receiving ashes produced a pocket camera and asked to be photographed with Bishop Beckwith and Rev. Wurm.

A number of congregations engaged the world with Ashes to Go across our diocese. Following are some of their photos and stories.

We are well launched into 2013, but many of us are still living in the wake of 2012. Hurricane Sandy blew through our region in late October, cutting off power in parts of every community in the diocese, flooding much of Hoboken and Little Ferry – and devastating the coasts of New Jersey, and Staten and Long Islands. The third and most vicious storm in fifteen months brought a new wave of awareness that our climate is becoming more fierce – and we are more vulnerable in the face of it.