The Word of God
The Prayers of the People
Lord, the People of the Diocese of Newark are thankful for what is working well and we seek continued blessings for:
- inclusiveness of all people in the life of the Church,
- an expanding inclusion and deeper knowledge, understanding, experience with, respect and affection for people of different races, ethnic heritage, sexual orientation, abilities, and economic classes,
- our willingness and openness to listen to each other about issues of diversity,
- ordinations of people who represent the full diversity of humanity, including women, people of color, and GLBTI persons,
- the vocational diaconate, a reborn, growing presence in the Diocese,
- continued raising up of the ministry of the laity in leadership and service,
- our commitment of our treasure to support outreach programs within the Diocese as well as our commitment of 0.7% of our diocesan budget to international outreach to achieve the Millennium Development Goals,
- the many vital outreach and service ministries that benefit from our energy and passion and that bring immediate help and hope to those in need,
- the relationships that are developing among us as we work toward being a more collaborative Church in the 21st century.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Yet, Lord, the People of the Diocese of Newark seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in:
- telling our story in your story: in being able to speak cogently and energetically about your life and your desire for us and for all people,
- expressing your spiritual presence in us and among us as the basis of all we do,
- deepening our effectiveness in offering spiritual formation, replenishment and strength in our congregations,
- growing in understanding and welcoming people of all cultures so that all neighbors may find lasting welcome and strength in faith communities of our Diocese,
- expanding our invitation to the rapidly growing Hispanic/Latino and Asian communities, and developing lay and ordained leadership from these groups,
- meaningfully engaging the lives of people outside the Church who may not have ever had connection with a faith tradition,
- paying attention to the lives of our youth (under 18) so we can be open to and encourage youth peer ministry and jointly strengthen existing programs and develop new programs and worship with and for them,
- hearing young adults (18-30) in the Church and in the wider community, empowering them, embracing their contributions to the work of the Church, sharing with them opportunities to serve and collaboratively developing worship and programs they find attractive, relevant and expressive,
- developing efforts in campus ministries at colleges and universities in our Diocese,
- sensitizing ourselves to those who are differently-abled as well as those who are suffering from mental illnesses and addictions,
- helping us to create places of worship that are barrier-free and welcoming,
- including people of all abilities in our Church leadership and life,
- improving the collegiality of the clergy, especially supporting and mentoring those recently ordained and those new to the Diocese,
- valuing and retaining effective clergy and lay leaders who minister in our congregations,
- developing effective communication strategies and modernizing our communication networks, and financial and administrative systems for 21st century effectiveness,
- revitalizing a diocesan approach to stewardship,
- using the many resources of the Diocese, its congregations, and its people in a collaborative way in order to more effectively benefit all,
- deepening the growing mutuality in ministry of the Cathedral and Diocese,
- understanding the needs and insights of our wider community in the 21st century and how these attributes differ from those of the past,
- confronting with strength and courage the systems in society that contribute to the increase in poverty, degradation of the environment and dehumanization of segments of our society in direct opposition to the teachings of Christ,
- assessing what we are doing now that can be invigorated, renewed, and reinvented for new situations,
- accepting that some of our cherished practices and places will not be effective in the future and seeking courage from you to relinquish them while honoring their place in our history,
- creating anew in collaboration with you, our Creator, and putting knowledge and skill to the task of building our congregations and our mission in the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And so, Lord, the People of the Diocese of Newark seek:
- a closer and deeper relationship with you, with others within the community, and with our Bishop,
- to work with one another, listening honestly, truly hearing, respecting, and caring for one another,
- a Bishop of the Diocese who is a leader dwelling among us, calling us to marshal our faith and our talents, who is visible and vocal to both the Episcopal community and the world beyond, who speaks the spiritual reality and the truth of the Gospel as it relates to us and to our times.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
The Nominating Committee for the 10th Bishop of Newark
1802 Route 31 N • PMB 255 • Clinton, NJ 08809 USA