January 2006
It is a joy for me to write you in this New Year and to announce that, thanks to the labors of our Diocesan Council and Finance and Budget Committee, we have a balanced budget for 2006 ready for consideration and adoption by our Diocesan Convention when we meet at the Hilton Conference Hotel, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, on March 3-4.
A budget is a statement of mission. It sets forth how our mutual sacrifice of tithes and offerings support the mission of the wider Church. I rejoice to report that our congregations’ pledges of financial support are helping our Church to develop and grow in New Jersey and beyond. Among the highlights of our 2006 budget are:
*funding our full diocesan commitment in support of The Episcopal Church;
*funding the full amount requested by the Board of Missions in support of our own mission congregations;
*supporting our Cathedral in Trenton with 2% of Fair Share income;
*supporting outreach ministries in Africa and other parts of the world that address the United Nations Millennium Development Goals with 0.7% of Fair Share income;
*continuing benefits for our retired clergy, clergy widows and orphans;
*expanding our communications program, led by a full-time Director of Communications;
*opening a new Ministry Institute in the fall, providing education, formation and training for lay ministry in the Church and in the world;
*increasing our support for programs for youth, training seminarians, partnership with El Salvador, anti-racism work, congregational development and other ministries;
*maintaining a small, dedicated staff that serves this large jurisdiction with grace, competence and joy;
*and initiating a diocesan visioning process to discern how our Lord is leading us to develop our mission in New Jersey over the next chapter in our 220 year history;
These are only some of the things that we are set to accomplish, but I believe that they are significant signs of the abundant life of Jesus Christ (John 10:10). Pray with me that our Lord, in his mercy, will continue to make New Jersey new.
Staff One
of the greatest blessings in our Diocese is the small,
dedicated diocesan staff that serves this large jurisdiction
with grace, competence and joy. 
These
colleagues with whom I am privileged to work day by day
are talented, dedicated and fun. Together, we share the
daily pressure of care for the churches (II Cor. 11:28).
But we also share a good deal of laughter and joy. At
the end of last year we celebrated our annual Christmas
party and gift exchange. But the greatest gift to me
is their continuing partnership in the shepherding of
this Diocese. Thank God for them all.
Christmas Christmas Eve at Trinity Cathedral was a lovely and joyous celebration. It was my delight to preach and preside at the Holy Eucharist. The choir and musicians made it an especially radiant offering of worship. Great attendance was another sign of the flourishing of our Cathedral. Please pray for the Search Committee now working to prepare the way for the call and appointment of a new Dean to succeed Dean Nancekivell upon her retirement this summer.
More Christmas Ruth and I attended the Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols for Christmas on the Feast of the Holy Name, led by the clergy and choirs and people of Trinity Church in Princeton and held at the Chapel at Princeton University. It was beautiful, beyond words. Thank God for this tradition, which originated at Kings College Chapel in Cambridge, and which was magnificently upheld in Princeton again this year.
On the road again…
Epiphany The
Rev. Doug Eberly’s retirement celebration at The
Church of the Epiphany, Ventnor City, overflowed with
gratitude, respect and deep affection for this good and
godly priest and pastor. 
The Eucharist was followed by
a festive meal at which many poignant and hilarious tributes
were offered to the scope and depth of Doug’s ministry.
And Doug’s thanksgiving for the parishioners, colleagues
and friends was deeply moving. Well done, good and faithful
one.
St. David’s, Cranbury The Rev. Karin Mitchell was instituted as Rector of St. David’s, Cranbury, on Saturday, January 7. The Rev. Frank Crumbaugh preached a powerful sermon. A standing-room only congregation sang God’s praises, led by a great choir. Good to see lots of clergy participating and supporting their colleague and her family. And what a cake at the wonderful reception that followed!
St.
Mark’s-at-the-Crossing, Williamstown I
made my first visit to this small church in South
Jersey on January 8, at which time I baptized,
confirmed, and received a number of new members.
Their worship and fellowship are housed in two
geodesic domes. A very friendly and warm congregation
then welcomed me to a nice luncheon. This family
of God’s people is led and cared for by
the Rev. Jerry Doublisky, assisted by the Rev.
Deacon Lou De Sheplo.
Trinity,
Delran 
I
continued that day with a visit to Trinity, Delran
— a family-sized congregation faithfully cared for
by the Rev. Dr. Frank Jago. This small but beautiful 19th
century church and parish house is located on one of the
busiest stretches of one of the busiest highways (Route 130)
in New Jersey. The people are deeply committed to Christ
and to one another. The Eucharist was followed by a celebratory
banquet, with tables groaning under the weight of an abundance
of food. I was reminded of the advice imparted to me at the
college for new bishops: “Wear comfortable shoes. Make
friends with the Standing Committee. And watch out for the
sheet cakes!”
Nine
Bishops, a Nun, and Two New Priests During
the week of January 8th, 
we
hosted a gathering of nine of the bishops of
Province II of the Episcopal Church, at Stella
Maris Retreat House in Long Branch. I also had
the privilege of receiving the vows of Sister
Cassandra Grace of the Anamchara religious order,
at a sung Eucharist at Christ Church, New Brunswick.
And on Saturday, January 14, our Diocese saw
the ordinations to the priesthood of the Rev.
Blake Hutson (Trinity, Moorestown), at which
Jack Belmont was the preacher (whose sermon included
the bestowal of sandals on Blake!) and of the
Rev. Sheelagh Clarke (St. Luke’s, Gladstone),
at which I preached. 
A good day for New Jersey
and for Christ’s Church.
Praying for Christian Unity For a second year, I took part in a service celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, together with other Christian leaders, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. It was my honor to be introduced to Bishop Joseph Gallante and to join him and others in the evening of fellowship and worship, hosted by the Rev. Fr. Joseph Wallace, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Haddonfield.
Praying for our New Governor On Inauguration Day, January 17, I was one among 20 religious leaders (including the Rev. Petrina Pyatt, Rector of the Church of Our Merciful Saviour, Penns Grove) who were invited to lead prayers for Governor Jon Corzine. My contribution was to offer prayers written by students at Trinity Cathedral Academy. These young people know how to pray. Thank God for them and for their faithfulness.
Visioning The
weekend of January 20-22 I spent with our Visioning Steering
Committee, led by the Rev. Rob Voyle of the Clergy Leadership
Project. Rob trained our Committee in Appreciative Inquiry,
a practice of visioning and planning that is grounded
in the conviction that we can build on and carry into
the future our strengths and the things that work. 
At
the end of the weekend, two things are clear to me: we
have a tremendous amount of work to do in the coming
year; and we have a strong, committed and faithful committee
to carry forward this work, led by Ms. Annette Buchanan
(St. Augustine’s, Asbury Park) and the Rev. Philip
Carr-Jones (Holy Spirit, Lebanon).
Visiting President On January 24 we were honored to welcome to New Jersey the Very Rev. George Werner, President of the House of Deputies of the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Dean Werner spoke at a “Fireside Chat” at a Clergy Day, hosted by the Rev. Pat Close and the staff and people of Grace Church, Haddonfield.
Bishop’s Ball God is in the house! If it’s not love, it’s not Hip-Hop! This year’s Bishop’s Ball, held at Trinity Cathedral on Friday, January 27, featured the Hip-Hop EMass, led by the Rev. Tim Holder, together with rappers and band out of the South Bronx. A record crowd of young people and adult chaperones attended this unique offering of praise and worship, followed by a dance, with food and fellowship. Keep your head up!
Christian Educators’ Day Sue Legnani and members of the Christian Formation Commission again hosted a day for Christian educators from across the Diocese. The day was led by Margaret Sipple, from the Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. She invited those in attendance to use the Appreciative Inquiry method to focus on their best experiences, core values and vocational dreams.
Ministry
Institute After more than a year of discussion,
consultation and reflection with many key leaders,
we now have a Ministry Institute in the Diocese
of New Jersey. Please read the announcement about
the Institute and its Co-Directors, Ms. Connie
White and the Rev. Linda Moeller. Through the
Institute and its programs, we will make great
strides to honor and be more faithful stewards
of all the gifts of all baptized people for ministry
in the world and in the Church. 
Grace, Plainfield “Welcome to Grace,” was the greeting when I arrived for a visitation on the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany. We had a great celebration, including Confirmation of several young people. It was lovely to hear the choir and soloist sing Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum,” two days following the 250th anniversary of his birth. A wonderful reception followed and a fabulous lunch followed that in the grand rectory. God bless the Rector, the Rev. Carolyn Eklund, the Rev. Cynthia Carlson, Associate, the Rev. Ted Moore, Deacon and all of the people of this remarkable, diverse community of Grace.
All
Saints’, Highland Park I
made my first visit to All Saints’
on the afternoon of that same day. This small but warm and
friendly congregation made me feel quite welcome. They,
too, are a diverse community, with many members who are faculty
or students or staff at Rutgers University. It was my privilege
to baptize one adult and confirm two adults, who had been
well prepared by the Vicar, the Rev. Roland Clemons. A festive
meal followed at a local restaurant.
Listening to:
Mozart: 3 Violin Concertos (No. 3, 4, and 5), by The English Concert, Andrew Manze.
34th & 8th, by O.A.R.
Reading:
Mozart: A Life, by Maynard Solomon.
The Last Word: Beyond the Bible Wars to a New Understanding of the Authority of Scripture, by N.T. Wright
The
Purpose Driven Church, by Rick Warren.
On
the final page of The Purpose Driven Church, Pastor
Rick Warren writes, “As I have studied growing churches
over the years, I have discovered one great common denominator
in every growing church, regardless of denomination or location: leadership
that is not afraid to believe God. Growing churches are
led by leaders who expect their congregations to grow. They
are people of faith who believe the promises of God, even
in discouraging times.”
I pray that our 160 congregations will be led by clergy and lay leaders who expect their churches to grow and who believe the promises of God, even in discouraging times. As William Carey, 18th-century English Baptist missionary to India once wrote: “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”
Right Onward!
Faithfully
yours in Christ,
+George
The
Right Reverend George Edward Councell
XI Bishop of New Jersey