IN GENERAL NEWS ITEMS ARE ABBREVIATED AND CAN USUALLY BE CLICKED ON TO FIND MORE INFORMATION. THIS IS OUR QUICK NOTES PHILOSOPHY THAT ALLOWS YOU TO SCAN WHAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO YOU.

Restructuring Committee

FEEDBACK SURVEY RELEASED, PLEASE FILL IT OUT!

Our committee understands that each congregation, pastor, and classis within our bounds is unique and brings different needs, concerns, dreams, and expectations to the discussion surrounding the restructuring of the RCA. Furthermore, how each region might restructure into middle assemblies is being left up to the individual regional synods and their classes.

To that end, our committee has developed a form to solicit the perspectives in your ministries as we work to establish consensus for one or more middle assemblies for our region. We ask that you prayerfully consider the questions on the Restructuring Feedback Form and encourage you to discuss these questions as a consistory, as a classis, and among your peers.  

Once you review these questions, please respond by filling out the form at the following link and submit your responses to us no later than February 1, 2025:

https://form.jotform.com/242876543229061

If you prefer to submit your responses by mail, you may send them to the synod office at:

Synod of the Mid-Atlantics

35 Seminary Place

New Brunswick, NJ 08901 

We look forward to hearing what is on your mind and in your heart as together we move through this process.

Yours in Christ,

The Synod of the Mid-Atlantics Restructuring Committee

James Hart Brumm, Chair

Cheryl Daniel, Licensed Candidate – Passaic Valley Classis

Michael Ehrenfried, Stated Clerk – City Classis

Chris Heitkamp, Stated Clerk – Delaware-Raritan Classis

Tom Henion, Jr., Executive Committee – Synod of the Mid-Atlantics

Sun Ju, Korean Coordinator – Greater Palisades Classis

Stephanie Kaper-Dale, Pastor – New Brunswick Classis

Robert Miller, Pastor – Greater Palisades Classis

Claudette Reid, Commissioned Pastor – Passaic Valley Classis

David Ruisard, Pastor – Delaware-Raritan Classis

Ancela Fransisca Rumokoy, President – New Brunswick Classis

Danielle Tullier, Vice President – City Classi Jodie Wu, Executive Committee – Synod of the Mid-Atlantics

 To review the current responsibilities of classes and regional synods, you can read or download a copy of the current Book of Church Order on the RCA website at:    https://www.rca.org/about/government/book-of-church-order/

Stanton Reformed Church, nestled in the rural community of Stanton, NJ, is seeking a pastor to lead our congregation in spiritual growth as we move forward to a new chapter of our 175+ years of serving the Lord. The Stanton Reformed Church sees God’s light in every person.  Through faith, worship, fellowship, and hospitality, Christ calls us to affirm, accept, and embrace all who enter our doors. We are looking for a Pastor who will help us live out that mission statement. We are looking for a Pastor who will lead and teach prayerfully and compassionately.  We seek a Pastor who is rooted in the written Word of God and will focus on meeting our congregation's and community's spiritual needs. We are looking for a Pastor like us, who loves the Lord and can lead us in worship and in service. 

Candidates should have a college degree, Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary and ordination in the Reformed Church in America or other denomination that partners with the RCA. We will also consider candidates who are close to graduation as we are able to provide a mentor. If you feel called to further explore the opportunity to serve as our Pastor and meet the qualifications, we look forward to hearing from you.  Please email the church and request a profile and job description, visit our website, check out our worship services and our face book page.  But most importantly, pray first, for we are in search of a Pastor who listens and is led by the Spirit of God. Be blessed and know that we have been in prayer for you.

With Blessings,

Stanton Reformed Church Search Committee

Learn more about SRC at https://www.stantonrc.org/

Thanks to Beth Scibenski for this poem from her recent newsletter for Classis Delaware-Raritan

click on the image above for their recent newsletter. Inspiring!

Hurting, Healing, (W)hole: When Trauma Impacts Religious Leaders

A Reformed Church Center program

Wednesday, December 11, 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm on Zoom

Trauma affects religious leaders as well as parishioners and congregants. Trauma can be either vicarious or direct for religious leaders. It is possible also for religious leaders to experience both vicarious and direct experiences of trauma. Vicarious trauma occurs when we watch others get injured in some way and are not protected from the perpetrators in local congregations or in religious institutions. Direct trauma occurs when religious leaders are hurt by perpetrators in either local congregations or in religious institutions.

Trauma can be experienced as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, and create physical symptoms as well. In addition, there is a higher incidence of suicide among clergy. For religious leaders, religious trauma syndrome can be either vicarious or direct.

 In a society that once lifted up religious leaders, the crises of religious systems coupled with changing societal beliefs about religious adherence, have all contributed to more stress on clergy and other religious leaders. Thus, congregations have placed unrealistic expectations on clergy and their families to change patterns of participation. Clergy are experiencing more burn out and more pressure than any time in years in the past and are leaving their ministries and having mental and physical health issues.

Pamela Pater-Ennis, founder and CEO of Hudson River Care & Counseling, LLC, in Hoboken, New Jersey, a multi-lingual, multi-cultural, and multi-faith psychotherapy and coaching practice, has also founded My Sanctuary Healing in Teaneck New Jersey, committed to providing counseling, research, and prevention for victims of religious and spiritual abuse. Dr. Pater-Ennis is also an RCA minister of the Word and Sacrament and an adjunct instructor at NBTS. In her practice and ministry, she has done extensive ecclesial, educational, and clinical work around the issues of religious trauma syndrome and feels that women would have far less trauma symptoms if they had had the opportunity to both report their incidents of abuse and know they would be validated. She will share the insights she has gleaned so far and her progress toward creating a network of mental health clinicians trained in religious trauma syndrome.

Faye Banks Taylor is Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation and Field Education and Director of Field Education and Career Services at NBTS. A native of Virginia, she holds degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, NBTS, and Drew University and she is an ordained itinerant elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and presiding elder of her district. She will give the first response, after which there will be general discussion with everyone present.

This program is imposrtant for all Reformed Christians, not just the RCA, 

and indeed for all Christians everywhere.

As with all Reformed Church Center programs, this discussion will be free for all participants, but registration is required. Please click here to register. 

James Hart Brumm, DMin

Assistant Professor of Reformed Church Studies

Director, The Reformed Church Center and The Theological Writing Center;

General Editor of the Beardslee Press

jbrumm@nbts.edu | 848.237.1760     

The mission that guides the Board of Benefits Services’ work is this: to provide security and support so RCA ministers, their families, church staff, retirees and surviving spouses, and denominational staff can serve God’s church from first call through final breath. Our assistance fund is part of how we carry out that mission to care for our retirees and surviving spouses, who have served God and the church so faithfully. You are invited to join us in this critical work!

Many RCA ministers and their spouses serve generously for decades even though they have had a very moderate paycheck. Even when our retirees make decisions with a focus on stewardship and making their savings last, life is still unpredictable and challenging; too often an unexpected event or health crisis depletes retirement funds. As a community of faith, we have the opportunity to care for each other in these times when life doesn’t go as expected.

The Board of Benefits Services’ assistance fund provides that necessary care and support through grants that cover basic needs for those who have served faithfully and generously. These additional funds are the difference between crisis and comfort. I invite you to honor and care for the RCA’s faithful servants by donating to the assistance fund this year. You may do so safely and securely via the RCA website.

Together, we can give our retirees a dignified retirement. The money you give goes directly to those ministers and spouses who gave when they had little, who sacrificed regularly, and who loved people well. Together, let’s follow their example of faithful generosity and honor them with a gift of care.  

FACEBOOK REELS FROM THE RCA! Billy Norden and Anna Radcliffe talk about helping ministries get unstuck, and a program to help.

WARWICK CONFERNCE CENTER, A SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION OF THE REGIONAL SYNOD OF THE MID-ATLANTICS AND THE REFIONAL SYNOD OF NEW YORK, IS CREATING A NEW EMAIL LIST. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN THOSE EMAILS, PLEASE OPT-IN USING THE FORM BELOW.

REVITALIZATION AND DIVERSITY RESOURCE MODERATOR

Classis New Brunswick has approved a new part time position for a person to work with classis congregations on revitalization and diversity initiatives. CLICK HERE to view the job description. Interest and/or applications shold be addressed to clerk@classisnb.org.

RCA GLOBAL MISSION

Hillsborough Reformed Church Seeking Pastor:  

Nestled in the historic village of Millstone, New Jersey, Hillsborough Reformed Church (HRC) is a rare gem among congregations. Formed in 1766, it remains vibrant more than 250 years later. In HRC, you have come across a group of disciples who, as you, are deeply committed to Jesus Christ and his work in the world. Our ultimate mission is to know Jesus, follow Jesus and serve others in Jesus’ name. We invite you to consider how your love of our Lord might be enriched as the Pastor at HRC.We are praying for a full-time Pastor who will help us fulfill our core goals of worship, fellowship, education, outreach and service. Candidates should have a college degree, Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary and ordination in the Reformed Church in America or other denomination that partners with the RCA.If you feel called to further explore the opportunity to serve as our Pastor and meet the degree qualifications noted, we look forward to hearing from you. Please email our Search Committee at hrcsearch2024@gmail.com to request the Church Profile and accompanying materials. We will prayerfully consider all applicants and together discern where God leads in this very important decision.With Blessings,Hillsborough Reformed Church Search CommitteeLearn more about HRC at https://www.hillsboroughreformedchurch.org/

[city-classis] Pastor for Community Life Search

Dear friends and colleagues,

We have opened up a search at the congregation which I serve, City Church San Francisco, for the role of Associate Pastor for Community Life. I would be grateful if you could share the position description throughout your networks. 

Primary areas of responsibility include:

• Designing and leading a Deacon Board

• Building networks for hospitality and community building within a congregational context

• Strengthening connections and relationships with service and justice partners in SF

• Shepherding our LGBTQIA ministries

Beyond the position responsibilities, I am looking for someone who... 

1) Is a natural connector of people.

2) Has a deep love for ministry in an urban context and enthusiasm for building networks for shared power and change for the common good.

3) Has a passion for, and experience in, creating community and opportunities for people to serve.

4) Has a passion for, and experience with, providing pastoral care, shepherding, and guidance for LGBTQIA-identified persons as they reconcile faith with identity.

5) Can offer a Jesus-centered articulation of their sense of vocational call and commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, anti-racist practices, and social justice

If you have any questions at all, of course, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Gratefully,

Emily

--

Rev. Emily McGinley

She/Her/Hers (what’s this?)

Senior Pastor | City Church San Francisco

www.citychurchsf.org

LOVE ALWAYS WINS EVENT YOUTUBE RECORDING: A new church start of Classis New Brunswick located in Kobe, Japan hosted this zoom call this past year.

Robin Suydam, a member of the Regional Synod, is a board member at Creation Justice Ministries as a representative of the RCA. There are many resources available on their website.

Dear NJIC3/CIC family and friends,

I'm happy to share the news that we'll soon be launching a new virtual book club!

You're invited to join us as we read and discuss Maggie Bruehl's book, "Suspended: Living With Dying," a memoir of her cancer journey. The insights, reflections, and stories shared will resonate with you regardless of whether you've personally experienced a cancer diagnosis or you've supported a loved one as they navigated a cancer journey.

If you're interested in the group, please visit https://rebrand.ly/NJIC3-LWD-book-club for more information, to vote on a meeting day and time, and to complete the sign-up form. Email me at austin.njic3@improvingnj.org with questions that aren't answered on the sign-up form.

Feel free to share this email with any friends and family who might be interested in joining the group. (And remember, since it's a virtual book club, it's accessible to your friends and family no matter where they live. (Delivery of books will be arranged for out-of-state participants.))

Have a good evening,

Austin

JOB POSTINGS

SLACKWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SEEKS A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ASSISTANT, PART TIME

Aleta Shepler recommends the following recording as it relates to church growth and multiplication in the Regional Synod