(November 2020) 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.
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, Reimagining Task Force Regarding Reopening the Cathedral for 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
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
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!
We Let the Good Times Roll at our February, 2020 parish Mardi Gras Dance!
On Saturday, February 15 we held our annual parish dance; for the first time in many years, with a Mardi Gras theme! By all accounts, it was a fabulous time, with lively music for dancing, delicious New Orleans foods, and festive costumes and attire. We held a successful Silent Auction and raffle, and were pleased to raise funds for our hospitality ministry while enjoying each others’ company!
Many thanks to the Parish Life Commission for their creative oversight and planning of the dance: Ginny Harmer (Chair), Bill Harmer, Fay Manicke, Winnie Daniels, Jocelyn Francis-White and Patrice D’Angelo. An extra special thanks to Ellen Wanser, who cooked delicious chicken etouffee, red beans and rice and creole green beans for all. And kudos to Al Shaw, Ellen Wanser, Gwendolyn Pearson, Sue Remmers, Mary Johnson and Bobbie Powell for joining the Parish Life-ers to help with decorations and set-up. Joe D’Angelo ably Emcee’d our evening, Ryan Harmer returned as our volunteer bartender and Jordan and Manuel Tejeda manned our ticket table, and Fay Manicke and Bobbie Powell handled our raffle sales. So many parishioners supported the event by contributing an item to our raffle and/or bringing a dish to share. What a great team effort to make our dance a success!
Enjoy the photos from the night, courtesy of Lee Whiteman, Jocelyn Francis-White and Patrice D’Angelo . . .
Cinco de Mayo Fun at Trinity Cathedral!
Congratulations to our newest group of Cathedral Canons & Canon Theologians!
Left to right are: Kara Slade, Valerie Balling, Ron Pollock, Joan Pettit Mason, Wendy Blackmon, Barbara Okamoto Bach and Kevin Moroney. A glorious day for our Diocese!
Left to right are: Kara Slade, Valerie Balling, Ron Pollock, Joan Pettit Mason, Wendy Blackmon, Barbara Okamoto Bach and Kevin Moroney. A glorious day for our Diocese!
We Struck Gold for Our Cathedral!
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On Saturday, December 1, we held the much-anticipated drawing for our very first “Go for the Gold” fundraiser!
After a bit of a slow start, ticket sales were brisk in the run-up to the drawing, and we wound up selling 354 total tickets. Quite an accomplishment for our first endeavor of this kind! After expenses, the Cathedral will net approximately $16,100 from this fundraiser.
So, now for the news we’ve all been waiting for: our third prize winner ($2,500 in gold coins) is Trinity parishioner Althia Muse. The second prize ($5,000 in gold coins) went to St. Mark’s and All Saints’ Church, Galloway. Our grand prize winner was Jeffrey Perfater, who received $10,000 in gold coins! Below, please find a slideshow of photos from the reception where we drew the winning tickets (courtesy of Lee Whiteman.)
So many thanks to Bishop Stokes for first inviting the Cathedral Major Chapter to find a way to support Cathedral ministry, and to Chapter member Dru Kegreiss, who introduced this fun and worthwhile idea. Much appreciation to the entire Major Chapter, led by Senior Warden Willie Coleman and Junior Warden Dennie Higgins, who threw their support and efforts behind the project. Canon Chuck Perfater, Dean John and Patrice D’Angelo, who organized the ticket tracking and records. A world of thanks to Sherri Anderson and the Trinity Strings students who provided the lovely entertainment for our reception. Most importantly, many thanks to everyone who sold and purchased raffle tickets, especially the 50 churches in our Diocese who enthusiastically participated. We could not have done this without YOU!
After a bit of a slow start, ticket sales were brisk in the run-up to the drawing, and we wound up selling 354 total tickets. Quite an accomplishment for our first endeavor of this kind! After expenses, the Cathedral will net approximately $16,100 from this fundraiser.
So, now for the news we’ve all been waiting for: our third prize winner ($2,500 in gold coins) is Trinity parishioner Althia Muse. The second prize ($5,000 in gold coins) went to St. Mark’s and All Saints’ Church, Galloway. Our grand prize winner was Jeffrey Perfater, who received $10,000 in gold coins! Below, please find a slideshow of photos from the reception where we drew the winning tickets (courtesy of Lee Whiteman.)
So many thanks to Bishop Stokes for first inviting the Cathedral Major Chapter to find a way to support Cathedral ministry, and to Chapter member Dru Kegreiss, who introduced this fun and worthwhile idea. Much appreciation to the entire Major Chapter, led by Senior Warden Willie Coleman and Junior Warden Dennie Higgins, who threw their support and efforts behind the project. Canon Chuck Perfater, Dean John and Patrice D’Angelo, who organized the ticket tracking and records. A world of thanks to Sherri Anderson and the Trinity Strings students who provided the lovely entertainment for our reception. Most importantly, many thanks to everyone who sold and purchased raffle tickets, especially the 50 churches in our Diocese who enthusiastically participated. We could not have done this without YOU!
Hurricane Maria: Still Feeling the Effects in Puerto Rico
by Joe Flanagan, former Trinity Cathedral Parishioner
(Submitted by Georgia Koenig and Tammy Gibson)
The following are just two paragraphs from a message received at the Cathedral, after Hurricane Maria, from a former, longtime parishioner whom many of you know, Joe Flanagan. Joe moved to Puerto Rico several years ago. He visited with us at the end of year at the 8:00 am service and shared that not much, if anything, had changed since he wrote the letter. If you would like to reach out to Joe, he can be found on Facebook as Joe Calvache.
From Joe: When Maria hit the island . . .
"When the storm passed the National Weather Service’s Super-Doppler radar installation, winds registered 210 mph before the installation was completed destroyed. Likewise, air traffic control radars at the four airports crashed apart. High tension transmission lines running from the generating plants in the south to the metro area in the north toppled like dominos across the mountains in the center of the island. Cell towers likewise fell or lost all their transmission devices.
Most of our homes are made of concrete, but outbuildings, garages, carports, additions to the basic house, and patio roofs are often made of wood. My house was intact. Some water found its way in, primarily due to blocked drainage obstructed by leaves, twigs and branches. On my property, 80% of the flamboyan (trees) were gone; of the 16 orange/grapefruit trees, only two remain; any remaining trees were leafless. The ground was saturated from the 20+ inches of rain. My driveway was blocked by fallen branches and downed trees; the road to my house was likewise blocked by three uprooted trees and 2 mudslides. The electric post in front of my home was still in place, as well as the transformer, but all the subsequent posts down the road were splintered or down. We had no water service, electric service, telephone land lines, cell service or internet access. But we were alive."
When Joe visited with us, the conditions described above had not changed. Imagine if you had no water, electricity or internet for months! We cannot survive without these things for the duration of a Sunday morning church service, yet somehow the people of Puerto Rico are still surviving because they have no other choice. We need to reach out to Joe and his neighbors in some way. He is fortunate enough to be able to come back to Trenton every few months when the stress of his situation, and that of his neighbors, becomes too difficult to bear. He returns here to be refreshed . . . to gain strength . . . to resume the daily battle of surviving this devastating situation.
After some discussion it was decided that we would stage a book drive, for Joe’s Episcopal Church Community Center in Puerto Rico. We received a large donation of English language books from Urban Promise Trenton as they cleaned up and cleaned out the enormous supply of books that had accumulated in the downstairs classrooms of the Academy Building since the Day School occupied the space. We gathered, through your help, close to 100 Spanish language books, classroom supplies, and monetary donations. With the help of Greg Cooper and several of his children, we shipped 20 cartons to Joe’s church center in Puerto Rico.
In addition to Greg and his family, we would like to thank, Canon Chuck Perfater and Susan Remmers for their monetary donations, Dulce Lawton and Linda Lengyel for their hunting down many/most of the Spanish language books, and Tammy and Van Gibson for their donation of shipping fees for all of the material we sent. I am sure there were others who left supplies and/or Spanish language books in the crate in Synod Hall, but I am not aware of who you are! Please accept the thanks nonetheless . . . HE knows who helped!
If you have an interest in sending anything additional to Joe and the Church, their direct address is as follows:
Iglesia Episcopal San Bartolone
P.O. Box 1005
Castaner, PR 00631-1005
Attention: Joe Calvache (formerly Joe Flanagan)
~ Georgia Koenig
From Joe: When Maria hit the island . . .
"When the storm passed the National Weather Service’s Super-Doppler radar installation, winds registered 210 mph before the installation was completed destroyed. Likewise, air traffic control radars at the four airports crashed apart. High tension transmission lines running from the generating plants in the south to the metro area in the north toppled like dominos across the mountains in the center of the island. Cell towers likewise fell or lost all their transmission devices.
Most of our homes are made of concrete, but outbuildings, garages, carports, additions to the basic house, and patio roofs are often made of wood. My house was intact. Some water found its way in, primarily due to blocked drainage obstructed by leaves, twigs and branches. On my property, 80% of the flamboyan (trees) were gone; of the 16 orange/grapefruit trees, only two remain; any remaining trees were leafless. The ground was saturated from the 20+ inches of rain. My driveway was blocked by fallen branches and downed trees; the road to my house was likewise blocked by three uprooted trees and 2 mudslides. The electric post in front of my home was still in place, as well as the transformer, but all the subsequent posts down the road were splintered or down. We had no water service, electric service, telephone land lines, cell service or internet access. But we were alive."
When Joe visited with us, the conditions described above had not changed. Imagine if you had no water, electricity or internet for months! We cannot survive without these things for the duration of a Sunday morning church service, yet somehow the people of Puerto Rico are still surviving because they have no other choice. We need to reach out to Joe and his neighbors in some way. He is fortunate enough to be able to come back to Trenton every few months when the stress of his situation, and that of his neighbors, becomes too difficult to bear. He returns here to be refreshed . . . to gain strength . . . to resume the daily battle of surviving this devastating situation.
After some discussion it was decided that we would stage a book drive, for Joe’s Episcopal Church Community Center in Puerto Rico. We received a large donation of English language books from Urban Promise Trenton as they cleaned up and cleaned out the enormous supply of books that had accumulated in the downstairs classrooms of the Academy Building since the Day School occupied the space. We gathered, through your help, close to 100 Spanish language books, classroom supplies, and monetary donations. With the help of Greg Cooper and several of his children, we shipped 20 cartons to Joe’s church center in Puerto Rico.
In addition to Greg and his family, we would like to thank, Canon Chuck Perfater and Susan Remmers for their monetary donations, Dulce Lawton and Linda Lengyel for their hunting down many/most of the Spanish language books, and Tammy and Van Gibson for their donation of shipping fees for all of the material we sent. I am sure there were others who left supplies and/or Spanish language books in the crate in Synod Hall, but I am not aware of who you are! Please accept the thanks nonetheless . . . HE knows who helped!
If you have an interest in sending anything additional to Joe and the Church, their direct address is as follows:
Iglesia Episcopal San Bartolone
P.O. Box 1005
Castaner, PR 00631-1005
Attention: Joe Calvache (formerly Joe Flanagan)
~ Georgia Koenig
Our Roots Were Showing!
It was a packed house at our annual parish dance, held this year on April 28th! The theme, which won in a landslide vote, was “Rep Your Roots”: guests had a fun time tasting side dishes and desserts that reflected the many diverse backgrounds of Trinity parishioners. Some even upped the ante by wearing traditional dress to represent their heritage! In case you missed it, below are some fun photos that capture the events of the evening.
Our Parish Life Commission, led by Chair, Ginny Harmer, thanks everyone who purchased tickets, contributed prizes, and helped organize and decorate Synod Hall in our International theme. And especially, those who let loose on the dance floor and enjoyed a great time! And a happy by-product of all this fun is that we raised almost $2,000 for our Parish Life Ministry (this covers food for annuals meetings, Newcomers' Receptions and other special events, and all of the supplies needed to host our hospitality hours!) See you next year!
Our Parish Life Commission, led by Chair, Ginny Harmer, thanks everyone who purchased tickets, contributed prizes, and helped organize and decorate Synod Hall in our International theme. And especially, those who let loose on the dance floor and enjoyed a great time! And a happy by-product of all this fun is that we raised almost $2,000 for our Parish Life Ministry (this covers food for annuals meetings, Newcomers' Receptions and other special events, and all of the supplies needed to host our hospitality hours!) See you next year!
Update on Liberia Water Well Project
by Deacon Chris Cox
I am very pleased to report that construction and commissioning of the second water well in Grand Bassa County, Liberia is almost complete! This well is funded by Trinity Cathedral and will provide much-needed clean water for a village, replacing parasite-contaminated surface water for drinking and cooking. Thanks again for your generous contributions to this project, which has made a real, tangible difference to the lives of our sisters and brothers in Liberia.
Churches Working Beyond the Church Walls
On Sunday, September 24 the Trenton Fortitude Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. honored Trinity Cathedral and other churches for their work to support and improve their communities “beyond the church walls.” In attendance at the luncheon, held at Mercer Oaks Golf Course, were Dean John, Senior Warden Willie Coleman, Junior Warden Dennie Higgins, Cn. Terry Cooper, Cn. Clara Gregory, Bill and Ginny Harmer, Mary Johnson, Mike Raab and Susan Remmers. This group of Trinity volunteers represented our Food Pantry, Friday Loaves and Fishes Luncheon, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) Thursday night dinner, and all of the many, other ways we seek to serve our neighbors.
Thanks to these volunteers and the many others who keep our Community Outreach programs running on a daily basis!
Thanks to these volunteers and the many others who keep our Community Outreach programs running on a daily basis!
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Society of Mary Sponsors Rosary Devotions
The Trinity Cathedral chapter of the Society of Mary (SoM) has added weekly Rosary devotions to its program. Since 1980, there has been a chapter of the SoM at Trinity Cathedral. This society is one of several organizations within the Episcopal Church that promote various aspects of our life and work as Christians. There are over 20 active chapters (called wards or cells) of the SoM in this country and many more abroad. Ours is called the Ward of Mary, Queen of All Saints, this name having been selected at its founding by Canon John A. Van Sant who was for many years the Canon Residentiary of Trinity Cathedral and had a special regard for Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The local programs of most of the wards and cells of the SoM include Rosary devotions as well as ecumenical pilgrimages with other Episcopalians, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox in honor of Mary. For most of the past 37 years since our start in 1980, our Ward of Mary, Queen of All Saints has made an ecumenical pilgrimage to the local Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA. At the request of some of our participants, we now have weekly Rosary devotions as well. We invite those who would like to spend some time in prayer to join us for half an hour on Thursdays in St. Elizabeth’s Chapel – after the activities at the Soup Kitchen conclude. We recite the Rosary, calling to mind in prayer and song many of the events or “mysteries” in the life of Jesus and of his mother. The starting time is announced in each Sunday’s bulletin (currently 6:45 pm.)
Paul Cooper
Secretary,
Society of Mary
The local programs of most of the wards and cells of the SoM include Rosary devotions as well as ecumenical pilgrimages with other Episcopalians, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox in honor of Mary. For most of the past 37 years since our start in 1980, our Ward of Mary, Queen of All Saints has made an ecumenical pilgrimage to the local Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA. At the request of some of our participants, we now have weekly Rosary devotions as well. We invite those who would like to spend some time in prayer to join us for half an hour on Thursdays in St. Elizabeth’s Chapel – after the activities at the Soup Kitchen conclude. We recite the Rosary, calling to mind in prayer and song many of the events or “mysteries” in the life of Jesus and of his mother. The starting time is announced in each Sunday’s bulletin (currently 6:45 pm.)
Paul Cooper
Secretary,
Society of Mary
