Join us for Livestreamed Worship for
the First Sunday of Advent: Sunday, November 29
Dear Sisters & Brothers,
In consultation with our Cathedral Vestry and Bishop, we have suspended in-person worship until such time as the present Covid-19 numbers begin to drop. Prevailing wisdom suggests this to be the responsible course of action. Thankfully, at this time we can still safely provide opportunities to worship without gathering at the Cathedral.
Each week you will receive an E-mail with the Zoom link to join us for livestreamed worship. Please know you can call on me (609-571-2128 or 609-392-3805 ext. 101 or E-mail reneroryjohn@gmail.com ) if I can be of any assistance. Your Wardens and Vestry also stand ready and are praying for you.
The link to livestream the Mass via Zoom will be posted here as well, a day or two prior to each Mass.
Here is the information you will need to join the Zoom call on the First Sunday of Advent:
Join Zoom Meeting
http://bit.ly/TrinityWorship
Meeting ID: 855 472 344
Passcode: 219320
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,855472344# US (Washington D.C)
+13126266799,,855472344# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 855 472 344
Find your local number: https://dioceseofnj.zoom.us/u/aod5UPXSB
To listen by phone without utilizing the Zoom video conferencing:
Call:
+1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 855 472 344
Passcode: 219320
To follow along with our service bulletin at home, click here
(Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from OneLicense with license # A-733570.)
Please stay tuned as we move forward in faith.
Respectfully,
The Very Rev. Rene John, Dean
In consultation with our Cathedral Vestry and Bishop, we have suspended in-person worship until such time as the present Covid-19 numbers begin to drop. Prevailing wisdom suggests this to be the responsible course of action. Thankfully, at this time we can still safely provide opportunities to worship without gathering at the Cathedral.
Each week you will receive an E-mail with the Zoom link to join us for livestreamed worship. Please know you can call on me (609-571-2128 or 609-392-3805 ext. 101 or E-mail reneroryjohn@gmail.com ) if I can be of any assistance. Your Wardens and Vestry also stand ready and are praying for you.
The link to livestream the Mass via Zoom will be posted here as well, a day or two prior to each Mass.
Here is the information you will need to join the Zoom call on the First Sunday of Advent:
Join Zoom Meeting
http://bit.ly/TrinityWorship
Meeting ID: 855 472 344
Passcode: 219320
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,855472344# US (Washington D.C)
+13126266799,,855472344# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 855 472 344
Find your local number: https://dioceseofnj.zoom.us/u/aod5UPXSB
To listen by phone without utilizing the Zoom video conferencing:
Call:
+1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 855 472 344
Passcode: 219320
To follow along with our service bulletin at home, click here
(Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from OneLicense with license # A-733570.)
Please stay tuned as we move forward in faith.
Respectfully,
The Very Rev. Rene John, Dean
Recommendations from the Diocesan Reentering, Reopening, Reimagining Task Force (RRR)
Letter from the RRR Task Force
COVID-19 Cases Rising
As COVID-19 cases rise across New Jersey, the Reentering, Reopening, Reimagining (RRR) Task Force recommends that congregations currently offering in-person worship and activities review their COVID mitigation protocols and consider whether or when it would be wise to further limit in-person gatherings.
We recommend that congregations give serious consideration to suspending in-person worship, and any fellowship or study gatherings, when the daily new case rate per 100K population for a county is at 25 or above. As of Wednesday afternoon, 19 of the 21 counties in the state are at or above that rate. Case rate information for New Jersey and individual counties can be found on this web page.
As a reminder, current guidance allows any congregation that currently has an approved worship and gathering plan to limit or suspend activities as needed, and to resume activities under your current plan when appropriate without further application to the Task Force. Please notify the Bishop's office of when services will only be offered virtually and when in-person worship will resume.
In addition, with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays coming up, the RRR Task Force recommends that all congregations remind their members to check the New Jersey COVID travel advisory lists and to stay home from in-person church for two weeks if returning from holiday travel to a state on the list. As of Wednesday afternoon, 46 states are on that list.
Letter from the RRR Task Force
COVID-19 Cases Rising
As COVID-19 cases rise across New Jersey, the Reentering, Reopening, Reimagining (RRR) Task Force recommends that congregations currently offering in-person worship and activities review their COVID mitigation protocols and consider whether or when it would be wise to further limit in-person gatherings.
We recommend that congregations give serious consideration to suspending in-person worship, and any fellowship or study gatherings, when the daily new case rate per 100K population for a county is at 25 or above. As of Wednesday afternoon, 19 of the 21 counties in the state are at or above that rate. Case rate information for New Jersey and individual counties can be found on this web page.
As a reminder, current guidance allows any congregation that currently has an approved worship and gathering plan to limit or suspend activities as needed, and to resume activities under your current plan when appropriate without further application to the Task Force. Please notify the Bishop's office of when services will only be offered virtually and when in-person worship will resume.
In addition, with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays coming up, the RRR Task Force recommends that all congregations remind their members to check the New Jersey COVID travel advisory lists and to stay home from in-person church for two weeks if returning from holiday travel to a state on the list. As of Wednesday afternoon, 46 states are on that list.
Our Christmas Wreath Sale is ON!
Last chance to pre-order wreaths! Please read below re: our plans, now that we have ceased in-person worship. We really appreciate your support!
Some things shouldn't change . . . at least not too much! We can all still enjoy a beautiful Christmas wreath: for the door, for the cemetery, for a friend. We all want an uncrowded, safe place to shop where we can see things up close, so some small gift items (Christmas Lenox and some beautiful costume jewelry) and things for Christmas at home will be for sale as well.
But some things must change, at least a little bit, so . . .
Since our fund raising efforts have been greatly curtailed this year, we are hoping you’ll help make this Wreath/Christmas Sale a bigger success than ever before! Our wreath prices have not increased in many, many years, and they will not change this year either ($25 each.) We usually sell about two dozen wreaths each year, and we are hoping to beat that figure!
Since at the time of the wreath sale we will not be worshipping in person, we are limiting the sale to just the wreaths that have been pre-ordered/reserved. So please, if you are interested in purchasing a wreath, let us know by Sunday, November 29! I promise....they will all be beautiful! If you have a favorite “something”, let us know; we will make every attempt to make it happen!
Wreaths will be decorated on Friday & Saturday, December 4 & 5. They will be ready for pick-up on Saturday, December 5 in Synod Hall, spread out to comply with social distancing requirements. You will be able to quickly and easily grab yours and pay that day. We will even make arrangements to deliver if you are unable or choose not to come to church to pick it up.
WE HAVE NOT YET REACHED THE 2-DOZEN PRE-ORDERS TO MEET LAST YEAR’S SALES! Please add, "Order wreath made by my friends at Trinity Cathedral", to your Christmas 'To Do' list! If you would like to join “Santa’s Elves” in decorating wreaths – at a safe distance, of course – please be in touch via Patrice, or Georgia, below.
Call or E-mail Patrice D'Angelo in the Cathedral office at PatriceAtTrinity@aol.com or (609) 382-3805 ext. 100, or Georgia Koenig at gbkoenig@verizon.net or (609) 273-3351 for questions, ideas, and to place your order!
Some things shouldn't change . . . at least not too much! We can all still enjoy a beautiful Christmas wreath: for the door, for the cemetery, for a friend. We all want an uncrowded, safe place to shop where we can see things up close, so some small gift items (Christmas Lenox and some beautiful costume jewelry) and things for Christmas at home will be for sale as well.
But some things must change, at least a little bit, so . . .
Since our fund raising efforts have been greatly curtailed this year, we are hoping you’ll help make this Wreath/Christmas Sale a bigger success than ever before! Our wreath prices have not increased in many, many years, and they will not change this year either ($25 each.) We usually sell about two dozen wreaths each year, and we are hoping to beat that figure!
Since at the time of the wreath sale we will not be worshipping in person, we are limiting the sale to just the wreaths that have been pre-ordered/reserved. So please, if you are interested in purchasing a wreath, let us know by Sunday, November 29! I promise....they will all be beautiful! If you have a favorite “something”, let us know; we will make every attempt to make it happen!
Wreaths will be decorated on Friday & Saturday, December 4 & 5. They will be ready for pick-up on Saturday, December 5 in Synod Hall, spread out to comply with social distancing requirements. You will be able to quickly and easily grab yours and pay that day. We will even make arrangements to deliver if you are unable or choose not to come to church to pick it up.
WE HAVE NOT YET REACHED THE 2-DOZEN PRE-ORDERS TO MEET LAST YEAR’S SALES! Please add, "Order wreath made by my friends at Trinity Cathedral", to your Christmas 'To Do' list! If you would like to join “Santa’s Elves” in decorating wreaths – at a safe distance, of course – please be in touch via Patrice, or Georgia, below.
Call or E-mail Patrice D'Angelo in the Cathedral office at PatriceAtTrinity@aol.com or (609) 382-3805 ext. 100, or Georgia Koenig at gbkoenig@verizon.net or (609) 273-3351 for questions, ideas, and to place your order!
~ RECENT HEADLINES ~
The Bishop George E. Councell Memorial Golf Tournament
It was another good time, in spite of the misty weather. Congratulations to St. Martin's Church, Bridgewater, the winners of the 2020 Bishop's Cup! Enjoy the slideshow below, with some highlights of the day (Courtesy of Chris Gregory at Clutch Shot Pro Photography) . . .
The following is the letter we received from Bishop Stokes and the Diocesan Reentering, Reopening and Reimagining Task Force Regarding Returning to In-Person Worship:
Dear Dean John,
The COVID-19 Reentering, Reopening and Reimagining Our Church Buildings Task Force has reviewed and approved the RRR plan submitted by Trinity Cathedral subject to the following limitations. While the questionnaire/diagram indicated that the nave was able to safely seat 150 people using distancing, this seems too high a number when maximum occupancy capacity is 300. Therefore, the nave seating should be limited to 60. Similarly, the questionnaire/diagram indicated that 12 people could be safely placed in the chancel. This, too, seems too high a number. No more than three persons should be in the chancel during a worship service. There should also be safe-distancing between the organist and any soloist/singer. With these conditions, please feel free to proceed in accordance with this plan. If you wish to make changes to the plan, please notify the Task Force and submit revisions for review. In the event of any known COVID-19 exposures or outbreaks at Trinity Cathedral, or among those who have used or use the buildings, you should notify Canon Phyllis Jones immediately.
I am grateful to you and the leadership of Trinity for the faithfulness, conscientiousness, patience and diligence you have shown throughout this crisis. I am especially grateful for the work of Trinity Cathedral member Dr. Phil Lewis for his incredible leadership as Co-Chair of the RRR Task Force, and to you for your strong leadership in helping to minister to the community of First Responders in the very difficult and challenging current ministry context.
Blessings and warm wishes,
+Chip
The COVID-19 Reentering, Reopening and Reimagining Our Church Buildings Task Force has reviewed and approved the RRR plan submitted by Trinity Cathedral subject to the following limitations. While the questionnaire/diagram indicated that the nave was able to safely seat 150 people using distancing, this seems too high a number when maximum occupancy capacity is 300. Therefore, the nave seating should be limited to 60. Similarly, the questionnaire/diagram indicated that 12 people could be safely placed in the chancel. This, too, seems too high a number. No more than three persons should be in the chancel during a worship service. There should also be safe-distancing between the organist and any soloist/singer. With these conditions, please feel free to proceed in accordance with this plan. If you wish to make changes to the plan, please notify the Task Force and submit revisions for review. In the event of any known COVID-19 exposures or outbreaks at Trinity Cathedral, or among those who have used or use the buildings, you should notify Canon Phyllis Jones immediately.
I am grateful to you and the leadership of Trinity for the faithfulness, conscientiousness, patience and diligence you have shown throughout this crisis. I am especially grateful for the work of Trinity Cathedral member Dr. Phil Lewis for his incredible leadership as Co-Chair of the RRR Task Force, and to you for your strong leadership in helping to minister to the community of First Responders in the very difficult and challenging current ministry context.
Blessings and warm wishes,
+Chip
Click here to read: A Pastoral Statement from the Bishop of New Jersey: April 15, 2020
Bishop Stokes Announces Immediate Suspension of Public Worship Services
’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
In my previous communications regarding the COVID-19 Crisis, I stated that the situation was fluid and that we would evaluate and adjust our practices as necessary. After prayer and deliberate consideration, and in consultation with others, I have determined that we need to take more proactive steps to protect people and help stem the spread of the Coronavirus.
Effective immediately, I am directing all churches in the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey to suspend public worship services and all other non-essential public gatherings until further notice. We will re-evaluate this decision as Holy Week approaches to determine whether it is safe and appropriate to re-open our buildings to our congregants and the wider public at that time.
I met earlier today with approx. 70 of our diocesan clergy and there was general agreement as to how we should proceed. Love and concern for the people of God led us overwhelmingly to discern together that safeguarding the people entrusted to our care called for this decision. We recognize that it requires a high degree of sacrifice from all 140 congregations across our diocesan community and the people they serve.
The Governor of the State of New Jersey has declared a state of emergency. Experts in the field of public health are strongly urging all of us to limit person-to-person contact. The primary objective in all of this is to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, thereby protecting the health of everyone. This applies especially to the most vulnerable – those over age 60 and those with underlying health concerns.
I am encouraging all churches to begin livestreaming worship services and am directing diocesan staff to assist with this process. A special web site is being set up at coronavirus.dioceseofnj.org to distribute the latest information including scheduled online worship services.
Clergy and staff at each congregation will be working to support and uplift their congregations through this difficult time through phone calls, video conferencing, email, and other communications means as appropriate.
Further, all face-to-face meetings of Diocesan groups and committees will be moved to video conferencing. Diocesan staff will work from home as much as their responsibilities allow.
Each church community may have essential services (examples might include funerals, feeding programs, etc.) that must continue. In these instances it is expected that any groups involved will follow all recommended protocols and precautions set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New Jersey Dept. of Health.
We remain a community of believers; we remain the church. The ways in which we come together in community will need to change in the short term, but our one purpose always remain the same: to form people as disciples of Jesus Christ so they can flourish as human beings, alleviate the world’s suffering, and participate in God’s mission of reconciliation.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
The Right Reverend William H. Stokes, D.D.
12th Bishop of New Jersey
In my previous communications regarding the COVID-19 Crisis, I stated that the situation was fluid and that we would evaluate and adjust our practices as necessary. After prayer and deliberate consideration, and in consultation with others, I have determined that we need to take more proactive steps to protect people and help stem the spread of the Coronavirus.
Effective immediately, I am directing all churches in the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey to suspend public worship services and all other non-essential public gatherings until further notice. We will re-evaluate this decision as Holy Week approaches to determine whether it is safe and appropriate to re-open our buildings to our congregants and the wider public at that time.
I met earlier today with approx. 70 of our diocesan clergy and there was general agreement as to how we should proceed. Love and concern for the people of God led us overwhelmingly to discern together that safeguarding the people entrusted to our care called for this decision. We recognize that it requires a high degree of sacrifice from all 140 congregations across our diocesan community and the people they serve.
The Governor of the State of New Jersey has declared a state of emergency. Experts in the field of public health are strongly urging all of us to limit person-to-person contact. The primary objective in all of this is to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, thereby protecting the health of everyone. This applies especially to the most vulnerable – those over age 60 and those with underlying health concerns.
I am encouraging all churches to begin livestreaming worship services and am directing diocesan staff to assist with this process. A special web site is being set up at coronavirus.dioceseofnj.org to distribute the latest information including scheduled online worship services.
Clergy and staff at each congregation will be working to support and uplift their congregations through this difficult time through phone calls, video conferencing, email, and other communications means as appropriate.
Further, all face-to-face meetings of Diocesan groups and committees will be moved to video conferencing. Diocesan staff will work from home as much as their responsibilities allow.
Each church community may have essential services (examples might include funerals, feeding programs, etc.) that must continue. In these instances it is expected that any groups involved will follow all recommended protocols and precautions set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New Jersey Dept. of Health.
We remain a community of believers; we remain the church. The ways in which we come together in community will need to change in the short term, but our one purpose always remain the same: to form people as disciples of Jesus Christ so they can flourish as human beings, alleviate the world’s suffering, and participate in God’s mission of reconciliation.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
The Right Reverend William H. Stokes, D.D.
12th Bishop of New Jersey
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