Bishop Hughes established the Journey Forward Team to sort through the most up to date safety protocols and propose guidelines for in-person worship in the Diocese of Newark. The guidelines produced in June have been updated to help congregations determine when in-person gatherings may be held with greater safety and when they will need to be suspended, out of love for one another and our neighbors. Episcopal House staff and the Bishop's Office have also contributed to the final copy of these guidelines and provided the Planning Forms.
More information about the virus and ways to curb infection will be discovered; the vaccine will begin to be distributed; local public health conditions may change; and the State of New Jersey requirements may change. Diocesan guidelines, then, may be revised at the direction of the Bishop, in order to keep our clergy and congregations as safe as possible. These revised guidelines are tied to county-specific data reflecting local risk levels.