Churches

[Episcopal News Service] Emancipation “is in our DNA” at Church of the Redeemer in Morristown, New Jersey, says the Rev. Cynthia Black, rector. “We talk about liberation. We live liberation.”

So when it came time to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the church that calls itself “a Christian liberation community in the Episcopal tradition” planned far more than a one-day or Black History Month event.

"'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.

[The Record] First the Englewood Public Library hosted a speaker who said the Bible really tells the history of blacks. That was followed by a concert by a Tenafly clarinet and saxophone soloist.

And in between, just blocks away on Engle Street, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church held its own concert, featuring Follow the Drinking Gourd, a trio who named themselves after a song used to steer slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad.

[FiOS1 News] All Saints' Episcopal Parish in Hoboken took Ash Wednesday to the Hoboken Path Station, where commuters received ashes during the morning rush hour in what the clergy called “Ashes to Go.” FiOS1 News’ Natalie Paterson has the story.

Jesus commanded his followers to heal the sick. What does healing look like in the modern world? It looks like St. Luke's in Hope's Haven of Hope for Kids, as well as the healing ministries of St. Michael's in Wayne, All Saints' in Glen Rock, St. Peter's in Essex Fells and St. George's in Maplewood.

At St. Paul's in Chatham, "daring to be missional" looks like their "Disability & Faith" program which proclaims that all of us, including the disabled, are created in the image of God. At St. Luke's in Montclair, it looks like engaging the congregation and the surrounding community to make disciples. And at St. Paul's in Englewood, it looks like a Choir School after-school program.

Three congregations open their doors to meet the needs of their respective communities. St. Agnes' in Little Falls has opened a food pantry that includes pets as well as people. St. John's in Union City is operating as a community center with arts, wellness and after-school programs as well as a thrift shop. Grace Church Van Vorst in Jersey City involves many volunteers in its Breakfast Plus program.

[Madison Patch] Jack Harter, a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Madison who loved animals and for whom the community rallied to raise money so he could have a service dog, died last week in his sleep.

The 6-year-old borough resident, who played a shepherd in the church's Christmas pageant this year, had an incurable disease that left him with little mobility and no way to consistently communicate.

[The Star-Ledger] There are those battered by Hurricane Sandy, others saddened by the tragedy in Connecticut, questioning life and, perhaps, faith.

But the weary are called to rejoice, as the Rev. Canon Sandye A. Wilson puts it. Christians are called to celebrate — to find peace — in a seemingly broken world. Her followers see it around them.