In the News

[The Star-Ledger] It has been that kind of an election.

In response to the strong emotions unleashed by a bare-knuckled campaign, dozens of churches are going beyond traditional election day prayers for the nation by scheduling events aimed at offering solace and a path toward healing.

In Englewood, St. Paul's Episcopal Church will be hosting a "vigil period of intense prayer" on Monday at 7 p.m.

[Daily Record] The Episcopal church is calling people to prayer as the nation heads towards Election Day.

Episcopal churches in Morris County and throughout Northern New Jersey will be holding prayer vigils and worship services before and on Election Day and are planning to participate in a post election reconciliation service on Wednesday.

[Bloomfield Life] Christ Episcopal Church, bordering Bloomfield and Glen Ridge, dedicated its renovated nursery school on Tuesday, Oct. 4, during an open house and ribbon cutting by Bill Seemen and Jane Bannon.

 The Right Rev. Mark Beckwith , bishop of the Diocese of Newark, blessed the spaces.

[Glen Ridge Voice] It was a packed house in the auditorium at Christ Episcopal Church Thursday night in Glen Ridge and Bloomfield, as Glen Ridge's police department hosted a community forum for area residents and law enforcement.

A lot of the topics on the agenda had shown up frequently in the news across the country in the last few years: police-involved shootings, implicit racial or ethnic bias, and the need for better communications and relationships between citizens and law enforcement, especially in communities of color.

[Observer-Tribune] Syrian refugee families soon to arrive in New Jersey will benefit from clothing and kitchen ware donated by the thrift shop at the Church of the Messiah.

The church is providing assistance to families arriving under the auspices of Church World Service (CWS) In Jersey City. CWS was established by 17 Christian denominations after World War II with a mission to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, comfort the aged, and shelter the homeless, a statement said.

[Hudson Reporter] On the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, the city will host its annual 9/11 Interfaith Memorial Service at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Pier A Park.

According to Juan Melli, spokesman for the city of Hoboken, “The ceremony will include readings and reflections from clergy from various faiths, along with songs and a reading of the [57] names [of residents who died in the attacks].”

[New Jersey Herald] For too long, there has been a natural tendency for people to place the pieces of themselves that call for attention into their own separate boxes, each guarded over by whatever caregiver is best suited to the job. Physical ailments are treated at the hospital by doctors and nurses, mental troubles are seen to by a psychiatrist, and issues of faith are handled by a member of the clergy in a house of worship.

[NorthJersey.com] Saint Thomas Episcopal Church, located at 307 Route 94 in Vernon, is permanently closing. The last official service will be held on Oct. 30, at 3 p.m.

The original St. Thomas’ Church was built in 1847, for $1,500. It is the oldest church building in Vernon. That building closed in 1971, and later housed the Vernon historical society. The Church reopened in 1981, and was re-dedicated in 1983.

"For those of us who have been here since the beginning, it’s very sad," said Nancy Wiedbrauk.

[The Star-Ledger] They were born in the late 1800s and their deaths came nearly a century ago, but Melissa Hall, the pastor of the Episcopal Church of St. James in Upper Montclair, wants them never to be forgotten.

Not only for who they were. But what they stood for. And what they represent.

[Cedar Grove/Verona News] Rev. Jerry Racioppi came to the Church of the Holy Spirit in Verona about a year ago after serving as the seminarian and deacon at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Montclair.

He is relatively new to the ministry, having been ordained in June of 2015. Previously, Racioppi had a full and busy career in the hotel industry, working in human resources.