Diocese of Newark Hosts Invite Welcome Connect Workshop, Subscribes to On Demand Resources

Workshop participants enjoy a lively discussion during one of the "Idea Generation" exercises.

​On Saturday, April 5, the Diocese of Newark hosted a transformative Invite Welcome Connect workshop led by Founder Mary Foster Parmer at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Ridgewood, NJ. Open to all congregations across the diocese, the half-day event drew clergy and lay leaders eager to revitalize their ministries through intentional practices of evangelism, hospitality, and belonging.​

Parmer, a nationally recognized leader in church renewal, guided participants through the core components of Invite Welcome Connect—a ministry designed to help congregations deepen relationships, foster inclusivity, and grow spiritually and numerically. The workshop emphasized practical strategies for engaging newcomers, nurturing community, and empowering members to share their faith stories.​

Mary Parmer preaches at Christ Church in Short Hills, NJ, on April 6, 2025

The following day, Sunday, April 6, Parmer served as guest preacher at Christ Church in Short Hills, delivering sermons at both the 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM services. Her message, rooted in the themes of connection and spiritual invitation, resonated with parishioners and extended the weekend’s momentum into worship. The 10:00 AM service was livestreamed and remains available for viewing on Christ Church’s YouTube channel.

Several days later, Parmer also led a mini-workshop online for vestry leaders across the Diocese of Newark. She was joined by Invite Welcome Connect Executive Director Steve Welch, who discussed the use of online welcomers for livestream attendees and also gave an introduction to the ministry's On Demand resources.

To ensure the workshop’s impact continues beyond the weekend, the Diocese of Newark has subscribed to Invite Welcome Connect On Demand, a comprehensive digital training platform. This subscription grants all congregations and ministries within the diocese unlimited access to a suite of resources, including recorded workshops, implementation guides, and coaching tools. A video recording of the April 5 workshop will be available to subscribers through the Invite Welcome Connect website.​

The Diocese of Newark, encompassing Episcopal communities across northern New Jersey, is committed to equipping its churches with tools to thrive in a changing spiritual landscape. By embracing Invite Welcome Connect, the diocese affirms its dedication to fostering vibrant, welcoming congregations rooted in the love of Christ.