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Bishop Hughes reflects on her time at a gathering hosted by the Iona Collaborative in the Diocese of Texas, where leaders are exploring how the Episcopal Church might share its gifts more generously. She invites us to see money, buildings, and all we have as gifts from God – meant not only for our own joy, but to bless our neighbors, our parishes, and the wider Church.​ Watch the video (time: 4:59) or read the transcript.
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Video Transcript

This is Bishop Hughes in the Diocese of Newark. I should say from the Diocese of Newark, because this week I’m in the Diocese of Texas. I’m down at their camp, Camp Allen, is part of a conference being hosted by the Iona Collaborative. That’s the same group which we get the training that we’re putting our lay pastors and deacons through, Iona, so happy to be here, it’s something that they are hosting, because they certainly have given us quite a lot in terms of our training lay pastoral leaders and training people to be deacons. So it’s a way of us being able to give back to them.
And they’ve been wanting to gather people to think about the resources in the Episcopal Church, and how so many of those resources reside in a small area of the church. So the wealth of the church sits with the wealthiest organizations and congregations and dioceses of the church. And how do we consider the thought of sharing that with the parts of the church that don’t have the wealth, the organizations that don’t have the wealth, the dioceses that don’t have the wealth.
I can say I was glad to be invited because I want to support the Iona Collaborative because they have been such a big support of our diocese. I’m glad to be a part of the conversation, because I think it’s an important one that we need to have on all levels of the church, that the Episcopal Church needs to have that conversation, our diocese needs to have that conversation, our parishes need to have that conversation, and certainly as individuals and in our households, we need to have that conversation.
So I’m glad to be a part of it, but I have to say I’ve also been dreading it. And I’ve been dreading it, because I know how we are when it comes to money. We on some level, we all devolve to our youngest selves, and we look at our finances, we look at the money that we have, and we say, mine. This is mine. I worked for it. I put myself through college. I’m the one who stayed late, I’m the one who did the extra work, and I’m the one who climbed the corporate ladder. I’m the one who put my neck out there. I’m the one who my clients appreciate. I’m the one who fits a specific need in my business. This is mine. I earned it. It is mine. And parishes can have that same kind of point of view. This is mine. We ran the pledge campaign. Someone gave this to us. It is ours. A diocese can have that same point of view, that we have done this work with our parishes. This is ours. And the entirety of the Episcopal Church can say, we come from a nation where people are high earners and well taken care of, and this is ours.
And yet there is some part of us that knows that every single thing that we have, that the wisdom, the brains, the experience, the knowledge, the questioning that God has given us, that gave us the ability to get ourselves through college, get ourselves in the jobs, help us have the kind of lives that we have – that all of that came from God in the first place. So if it came from God in the first place, chances are God didn’t just give it to us, just so that we can be happy. Now God wants us to be happy, but God gave it to us saying, here, I’m giving you this, and I want you to take care of your neighbors. I want you to take care of those people you worship with. I want you to take care of your community. I want you to take care of that other church, you know, the ones where they can barely afford a priest once a month. I want you to help them out. I want you to be in ministry with them.
These are the conversations that need to happen all over the church. They need to happen everywhere. They need to happen in our parishes. They need to happen in our diocese. They need to happen in the Episcopal Church. They need to happen in our households. They need to happen inside, in our own interior, our souls need to hear us have those conversations with ourselves and with God.
Money is a gift. The buildings we’re in are a gift. These are all assets that are valuable and that are important to us, but they are gifts given to us by God, and God always gives gifts with an expectation that we are also going to give.
So as you move through life this summer and you enjoy the bounty that is summer, having the extra time, having the freshest vegetables and fruits. New Jersey, I love summer tomatoes! As we enjoy all these things all along the way, thank God for the gift, and then immediately give some of it away. Hand it to somebody else who needs that blessing.

Breaking Bread Together: St. John's Saturday Luncheon Social by Sandra Lee Schubert
This is the unedited version. The article was featured on the Diocese of Newark website and e-news. 

On the hill where Cornelia Street meets Cedar Street, behind St. John's Church, something wonderful happens every Saturday. The parish hall kitchen hums with activity as volunteers prepare lunch for their community. Today, it's the men's group from St. Peter's trading their usual spiral ham and potatoes for hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings.
Steve greets everyone by name, asking about family members who couldn't make it. Jerry serves the food with a smile. The mailman stops by during his lunch break, delivering St. John's mail before joining the meal. For one precious hour, the parish hall buzzes with conversation, laughter, and the simple joy of sharing a meal. St. Peter’s has been a part of the program for over 20 years. The Men’s group and the Women’s group are active supporters of the luncheon. Steve loves the interaction with the men who are bagging bread donated by Anthony’s Bakery, cooking food, and setting up the hall for lunch. He enjoys the interaction with the guests who come through the red door and be seen chatting up people or eating lunch with the guests.
This is exactly what the Saturday Luncheon Social was created for: food, fellowship, and genuine human connection, served every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m.

​A Legacy of Service
The Saturday Luncheon Social began around 2000 under the leadership of Rev. Stephanie Wethered, St. John's first female rector. During her tenure, The Episcopal Diocese of Newark named St. John's "Church of the Year" in recognition of their community support work. Rev. Wethered's vision extended beyond Sunday worship, establishing the Community Development Corp. (CDC), an after-school program for low-income families, and the Saturday Luncheon Social—opening both kitchen and hearts to the wider community.
Originally served by a women's group, the luncheon has evolved into a collaborative effort hosted by local church groups of different denominations. Each group brings its unique flavor of food and hospitality to the table. Natalie, a deacon from the First Presbyterian Church of Boonton, says they enjoy making delicious meals for people. “It's our mission to serve the community.” We love the cast of characters who walk through the doors.”
Helen, from Mt. Zion Baptist church, loves the camaraderie the luncheon offers. People can arrive sad, but will leave with a smile on their faces. “I love cooking and serving food. I especially enjoy being called “Aunt Helen” by the people enjoying the food.  

The Regulars and the Newcomers
Twenty-five years later (with only the pandemic shutdown interrupting service), familiar faces gather around the tables. There are people who have been coming for years—families and friends who live down the block or travel from surrounding areas to be part of this weekly tradition. One guest started coming by bringing a friend from a nursing home and was amazed that he was applauded entering the hall. Years later, he still comes. Joe says, “it is the highlight of the week and has become dear to my heart.”
Agnes shares a similar story. Her dad would bring his friend Joe shopping, banking and to the luncheon. She would bring him on the days her dads couldn’t make it. Years later when her dad became sick it became her refuge and support. And on occasion there are four generations of families at one meal.
Of all the guests we spoke to offered similar tales. They love the atmosphere of homeyness and fellowship that they find here. For an hour, they relax, meet with family and friends, and enjoy a good meal. If they came in lonely, they eventually found friends.
The original vision remains unchanged: providing a social gathering where people can meet over a good meal. But execution has beautifully evolved. St. Peter's men's group might serve their beloved ham and potatoes one week, while their women's group offers splendid chicken parmigiana the next. The Presbyterian church down the block delights in variety, bringing something different each time they host. Mt. Zion’s Baptist church delights in cooking and serving good food, while St. John’s loves their opportunities to serve. All the churches have served for over 10 years or more. The Boonton United Methodist church is the newest participant, serving just two years with will bless the hall with the small daughter of the Pastor.
What matters most is that everyone leaves well-fed, often with extra food for later or a meal for a family member who couldn't make it.

Challenges and Hope
Before the pandemic, the luncheon regularly served a minimum of 25 people. Now, attendance fluctuates—sometimes as few as five people join for lunch. This presents a challenge for groups who have invested time, effort, and money into preparing meals. They would gladly feed more, but they continue showing up faithfully, ensuring leftovers find their way to those who need them.
St. John's has reached out through conversations and social media, hoping to connect with more community members who might benefit from or enjoy this weekly gathering.
Behind the scenes, St. John's works to maintain the space, keep the kitchen updated, and provide the supplies needed for each luncheon—plates, bowls, napkins, and cutlery. Many items are donated by parishioners, local residents, and the hosting groups themselves, creating a true community effort.

An Open Table
The Saturday Luncheon Social is open to everyone. You don't have to be hungry—you might just want a place to eat with a few people on a Saturday afternoon. The table is set, the welcome is genuine, and the conversation flows as freely as the coffee.
Join us any Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. And if you're part of a group that would like to provide a meal, new volunteer groups are always welcome. After all, there's always room for one more at the table.