Dear VOTFNJ brothers and sisters,
The self-inflicted wound of the clerical sexual abuse crisis has brought our beloved Church to the point of implosion--at least the hierarchical clerical culture of our Church. It is, in one way, a good thing! This means that the wound has been exposed and now the healing may begin; the rebuilding of the Church can commence. What is good can be retained and what has gone off course can be rooted out and left behind.
As members of the laity, committed to our baptismal promises, we can - and must - participate in the rebuilding of our beloved local New Jersey church. In this packet of materials you will find helpful resources, appropriate contact information, and informative background articles. May we suggest a few things that we all can do to move the healing forward?
VOTFNJ has developed an Action Packet of practical steps you can take to confront the abuse crisis in our Church. Hard Copies will be also available at liturgies.
Daniel Cosacchi to Speak
Sunday , October 28, 2018
3:30 p.m.
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
100 Harter Rd., Morristown, NJ
The kick off to a year-long program dealing with the role of prophets and prophecy in society will introduce us to some Hebrew prophets, who they were, what kind of societies they came from, and how they might be examples for us.
Our presenter is Daniel Cosacchi, the Canisius Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer of religious studies at Fairfield University and a contributor to America, the Jesuit Review. He received a doctorate in theology and ethics from Loyola University Chicago in 2016, having written a dissertation on the ecological impacts of warfare and the ramifications for Catholic social thought. He is co-editor of The Berrigan Letters: Personal Correspondence between Daniel and Philip Berrigan (Orbis Books, 2016).
Refugee Assistance Update
At VOTFNJ's invitation, a steering committee for refugee assistance held its first organizational meeting on May 23, 2016 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. The result: a coalition of 14 member organizations which have named themselves, Refugee Assistance Morris Partners (RAMP). Their stated purpose: "...to assist vetted Middle Eastern and other refugee families to transiton to productive lives of dignity, safety, and hope in the Morris County area of New Jersey." The group has partnered with World Church Service (WCS) and with the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ).
Learn more about RAMP here.
Learn more about RAMP's partnership with CFNJ here.
Donate to RAMP here.
Year-End Update of our RAMP Families here.
Here is a Prayer for Refugees.
Stay in touch and informed!
Read In the Vineyard and stay abreast of VOTF national activities and views here.
Advocate for the reform of the Statute of Limitation for child sex abuse victims in New Jersey and other states. Read VOTF Statute of Limitation Reform: Advocacy Guide here.
VOTFNJ is pleased to support ...
Road to Recovery, a non-profit organization that offers compassionate counseling and referral services to survivors of sexual abuse. Launched in 2005 to provide direct assistance to victims of clergy sexual abuse, R2R has expanded its mission to include survivors of all sexual abuse. Learn more.
Eucharistic Liturgy
Mike Corso, presider
Sunday, March 3, 2019
3:30 - 5:30 PM*
Saint Mark Lutheran Church
100 Harter Road, Morristown, NJ
*In the case of inclement weather, an email announcement of cancellation will be sent on Sunday morning.
In this liturgy we will remember Charles "Chuck" Schaefer, who with his wife, Louise, served on our Coortinating Team for many years, as well as members of our liturgical "choir." He will be missed in so many ways. But we know, this quiet potter is now dancing with Louise and sings with her in the heavenly choir. We're singing in praise with you, Chuck!
THE VOICE - VOTFNJ's Monthly Newsletter
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Intentional Eucharistic Communities (IECs) are those small faith communities, rooted in the 
Catholic tradition, which gather to celebrate Eucharist on a regular basis. Born in the enthusiasm flowing from Vatican II for a church of the people, some IECs were instituted in parishes, some were created as alternatives to the parish, some retain close ties with the institutional church, and some function independently. VOTFNJ considers itself to be an Intentional Eucharistic Community. Another New Jersey area IECs is the Sophia Inclusive Catholic Community (Andover, NJ), founded by a VOTFNJ member, Mary Ann Schoetlly.
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Creation and the Cross
