On November 12, 2024, the Diocese will turn 150 years old having previously been a part of the Diocese of New Jersey. Our original name was the Diocese of Northern New Jersey but was changed to the Diocese of Newark in 1886. Bishop Hughes has started a Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee, and the members are listed at the end of this article.
The committee began meeting in December 2023, and has established the following theme:
Diocese of Newark: Yesterday, Today & Forever
Learning Our Past, Embracing Our Present, and Inviting You into Our Future
A myriad of events is being planned and the Celebration will kick-off at Diocesan Convention on Friday and Saturday, November 8 and 9, 2024. The event that we would like to highlight – and have you put it on your calendar now – is a BBQ at Crossroads Camp & Retreat Center on Saturday, September 21 from 10 AM to 4 PM. This will be a very informal event and serve as a “soft” opening of the 150th Celebration Year. We hope you will join for lots of fun and fellowship; more information and registration will be available just after Easter. But please hold the date and time!
Other events being planned are a speaker series, a concert, and several opportunities to celebrate and highlight the impact the diocese has had on New Jersey and the greater world. In May 2025, we will close out the “year of celebration” with a worship service led by the newly elected Presiding Bishop, who will be chosen at The Episcopal Church’s General Convention in late June 2024 in Louisville, KY.
The Sesquicentennial Celebration is featured on the diocesan website at dioceseofnewark.org/150th-anniversary. It will include all the pertinent information about the upcoming events. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to reach out to any members of the Committee, or co-chairs Nerissa Boccino (nboccino@gmail.com) or Father Jerry Racioppi (rector@holyspiritveorna.org).
Members of the Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee
Gail Barkley, Trinity St. Philip’s Cathedral, Newark / Florence Li Tim-Oi
Scott Bennett, The Saviour, Denville / Constance
Nerissa Boccino, St. Peter’s, Morristown / Harriett Tubman (Co-Chair)
Bishop Hughes, Diocese of Newark
John King, Staff Liaison (St. Andrew's, Harrington Pk) / Bendict of Nursia
Cynthia McChesney, Staff Liaison (Christ Church, Short Hills) / Evelyn Underhill
Andy Olivo, St. Elizabeth, Ridgewood / Benedict of Nursia
Jerry Racioppi, Holy Spirit, Verona / Florence Li Tim-Oi (Co-Chair)
Susan Rennie, St. Peter’s, Morristown / Harriett Tubman
Diane Riley, Grace, Madison / Evelyn Underhill
Michele Simon, St. Paul’s, Englewood / Augustine of Hippo
Cathie Studwell, St. Bartholemew's, Ho-Ho-Kus / Benedict of Nursia
