The Bishop’s Church Emergency Fund (BCEF) provides financial support for church buildings in the diocese needing repairs and renovation, usually with a special focus on emergency and unforeseen needs. Through the BCEF, you can support the critical needs identified by the Bishop.
The second BCEF call of 2026 is for asbestos removal for Atonement, Fair Lawn. You can donate online, or mail a check payable to Diocese of Newark with BCEF Call #2 in the memo line to: Diocese of Newark, Attn: BCEF, 94 E. Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039.
Located in a lovely residential neighborhood at the corner of 30th Street and Rosalie Avenue in Fairlawn, the Episcopal Church of the Atonement will celebrate 84 years of service to the community this coming August. The attractive brick structure dates from the 1960s and sits opposite an elementary school. The original church building is now home to an independently operated nursery school.
The late Rev. Kevin PJ Coffey served the parish as Rector for many years until his retirement in 2024. His death just a year later was deeply mourned by the entire congregation. His wife of 47 years, Kathy Coffey, continues as an active member, providing music for services as well as leading an on-line Bible study group. The Holy Eucharist is currently celebrated on the first and third Sundays of the month while the remaining Sundays feature Morning Prayer.
Although technically they are tenants of the church, the nursery school is still considered an important outreach ministry to the surrounding community. Other outreach ministries include the Unity Walk for Parkinson’s Disease and assistance to Episcopal Relief and Development each Christmas. The parish also supports Family Promise of Bergen County in addressing local food and housing insecurity. Though small in membership, the church remains highly committed to its motto, “There’s always a place at the table for you!”
Mary Beth King, a longtime member of the parish, currently serves as Atonement’s Senior Warden. She explained that in 2024 state licensing inspectors notified the nursery school of a hazardous condition in the church’s boiler room. Asbestos covering on the pipes was flaking and the state required immediate remediation to continue licensing the school. This situation was urgent since it jeopardized not only the operation of the school but also a critically important income stream for the parish. The church needed to begin immediate abatement efforts.
In 2025, further inspections by the state cited asbestos exposure on the 60+ year old boiler itself. As the Vestry had been discussing for some time the eventual need to replace the boiler, it was decided to undertake the full removal of the asbestos, as well as the replacement of the boiler itself with a more energy efficient system.
At a total cost of $62,000, the work was completed during the summer of 2025. All expenses have been paid but the expenditure has nearly depleted the Vestry’s Property/Capital Fund entirely, severely limiting the parish’s ability to fund any future maintenance or repair work.
Through this, our second Call of 2026, BCEF hopes to restore a significant portion of the funds Atonement Church has expended for this costly but necessary project. In making your contribution please be as generous as you can.
Grace and peace,
+Carlye J. Hughes
The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes
Bishop of Newark
