rsmat
Quick Notes Update for February 2, 2019

Be sure to like our facebook page for more updates!

Have you checked the synod calendar to see what's happening? For more information on the events below, click on the calendar link.  Don't see your church's event listed - be sure to include the synod on your email and mailing lists by sending information to rsmat@rca.org.

All feedback welcome as we develop this new version more fully

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The information and materials that appear in the email newsletter, facebook page or on the Website of the Regional Synod of the Mid-Atlantics of the Reformed Church in America ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE OPINION OF THE REGIONAL SYNOD OF THE MID-ATLANTICS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA, NOR ARE SUCH NECESSARILY ENDORSED BY THE REGIONAL SYNOD.  THE ACCURACY AND VALIDITY OF THE INFORMATION IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROVIDER OR AUTHOR.


 
 Dear Sisters and Brothers: From the One who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty: grace, light, and peace be with you all. On behalf of the Committee, I send you best wishes and prayers for the New Year!

As we look with hope and joy to 2019, we also want to remind you that 

Crossroads Women's Retreat will come a bit earlier than usual... 
MARCH 29-30, 2019!!!




But this is an exciting time to gather: It's during Women's History Month, as well as LENT!
So, come prepared to journey with Christ, and worship and fellowship together. Exciting activities and blessings are in store!

Registration Information will be sent soon
..... Please spread the word!

TELL US YOU ARE INTERESTED BY FILLING OUT THIS SURVEY FORM!
LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION RECOMMENDATION
from the Council of Synod Executives

Communication is not only electronic!
As part of the Vision 2020 process, trainings from The Leaders Journey are being encouraged.



I recently attended a workshop with them and am looking to set a time to go over my visual notes in a zoom call with anyone who is interested. Email me if you would like to be notified.  -  Phil B, editor





 Notes from
The Reformed Church Center at
New Brunswick Theological Seminary



Great Lakes Catechism discussion Part 1


Great Lakes Catechism discussion Part 2


 
YOUTH EVENTS AT CAMP WARWICK
CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW FOR THE FLYER PAGES!






Great example 
of well worded storm announcement!



"We have been monitoring the weather conditions this weekend, and as of 11:30 a.m. on Saturday it looks like the temperature on Sunday morning should be well above freezing. Therefore we are planning to have our regular service at 10:00 a.m. We have provided for the walks to be cleared, so as long as you are able to come, your safety should be assured.

However, we have no way of knowing exactly what the conditions are at every member's home. Therefore we urge you to exercise caution and not to endanger yourself. We want everyone to be safe and warm, especially as it looks like we are heading into the coldest night of the season so far.

May God be with you as we weather whatever this storm brings, and please remember to say a prayer for the emergency personnel, road crews, and utility workers who will be hard at work on our behalf even when we are nestled snug in our warm homes. And add a prayer for all who are ministering directly to persons without homes, as well as for the men, women, and children they serve."

- United Reformed, Somerville


Whiting Community Reformed Church
seeking Pastor
also considering part-time, yoked, contracted



interested may contact the search chair by email

 
On Saturday, March 2, 2019, The Church in Brielle in Brielle, New Jersey is hosting a
Stephen Ministry Introductory Workshop from 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.


Stephen Ministry Introductory Workshop

Join More than 13,000 Congregations in Providing Care
Are there hurting people in your church or community whose needs are going unmet?
Can you imagine the difference it would make to have 10 or 20 lay caregivers in your
church who are well-trained and ready to respond to people in need? More than 13,000  churches have learned an effective, proven strategy for equipping laypeople to provide  high-quality, distinctively Christian care.

On Saturday, March 2, 2019, The Church in Brielle in Brielle, New Jersey is hosting a
Stephen Ministry Introductory Workshop from 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Registration begins  at 8:00 A.M., and refreshments will be served. This workshop is an excellent opportunity  for church leaders and other members to learn about the Stephen Series, a ministry  system that equips and mobilizes laypeople for effective caring ministry.

Practical Ministry Skills
At the workshop, you will experience a sample of the training Stephen Ministers (lay
caregivers) receive, and you will take home practical knowledge and skills on
"Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief" and "How to Care in a Distinctively Christian .  Way." You will also learn why churches from more than 150 different Christian  denominations use the Stephen Series for training and organizing laypeople for one-to-  one caring ministry.

A Highly Affordable Workshop
The cost of the workshop is $15 per person or $50 for a group of four or more from the  same congregation. For more information, or to register for the Stephen Ministry
Introductory Workshop, call Stephen Ministries at (314) 428-2600. You can also register  online at www.stephenministry.org/workshop. We hope to see you at the workshop!

 
NEW BRUNSWICK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
SPRING COMMENCEMENT
MAY 18, 2019 

Dear NBTS Family and Friends,
As January 2019 comes to a close, I am emailing you to communicate two exciting pieces of information surrounding our May 18, 2019 Spring Commencement. First, we are honored to have as our commencement speaker the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Second, in an effort to accommodate our graduates and their families, our alumni, our supporters, our faculty and staff, and our friends we will hold our commencement at NBTS in the Rutgers Tent on Bishops Place behind their Honor's College.

Thus, on behalf of the NBTS Board of Trustees, faculty members, staff, and most importantly our graduating students, please accept this email as your invitation to attend our 2019 Spring commencement. See you on May 18, 2019!

In Joy and In Justice!
Rev. Micah L. McCreary, Ph.D.
President
John Henry Livingston Professor of Theology

"Think critically, act justly, and lead faithfully!"
New Brunswick Theological Seminary.
35 Seminary Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 732.247.5241, Ext. 1724
New Brunswick Theological Seminary @ St. John's University 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439; 718.990.6000; Fax: 718.990.5932
 First Reformed Albany seeking minister profiles
See the church profile here


CONGREGATIONS IN OUR REGION SEEKING PASTORS



VISIT OUR REGIONAL SYNOD ONLINE CALENDAR!



Remember that the Synod Foundation has opportunities for loans and even some grants
...visit their  webpage on our website

Wise men and women in 1987 created an independent, not-for-profit corporation named the Synod Foundation:

To receive, hold, manage, invest, and re-invest the real estate and investment assets of PSMA [aka RSMAt], and to process and act upon loan requests and upon requests for grants from the churches and classes within the jurisdiction of PSMA from its commissions and subsidiary corporations, and from others within the scope of its concern and mission.

The Synod Foundation is governed by eight trustees appointed on an annual basis at RSMAt's annual meeting. The Trustees approve the loans and grants and manages the other investments. The Foundation currently has 20 active church and social responsibility loans totaling over $1.1 million. The balance of the funds, $1.8 million, are invested in a wide variety of short and long term securities.

Churches secure loans for new roofs, parsonage or church furnaces replacement or upgrades, repointing brick or stone, interior church and parsonage renovations, removing accessibility issues, purchasing a building, and hurricane cleanup and repairs. Recently, four churches have secured loans for solar systems as a witness to green stewardship and expecting to lower their future electrical energy costs even as the solar system loan is being paid. With the Federal and New Jersey government assistance, the expectation is for the loan to be paid in around 12 years with the life of the solar panel system good for another 15 or so years.

See the Foundation flyer for commonly asked questions or contact the Synod Office for more information.



FREE Online Learning Opportunities
Mediated Organizations: 
Technology for your church ministry

We are setting up online seminars for the Fall season. Please let us know which topics are of interest to you. Seminars are usually held online using Zoom or GoToMeeting on Thursday evenings. Other times are available on request.
Consider having a custom training for your own church team or board! On-sites are possible with enough notice.

Let us know what you are interested in or if you have questions!

  1. Using Facebook 
  2. Using Twitter 
  3. Using free and low cost websites
  4. Using higher end paid websites
  5. Using podcasts
  6. Using mind mapping for planning and meetings
  7. Using visual thinking for planning and meetings
  8. Using online collaborative platforms for teams and organizations: basecamp, slack and more
  9. Using projection in your church ministry
  10. Using email newsletters: constant contact and mailchimp
Courses are taught by The Rev. Dr. Philip Bakelaar, , rsmat communications coordinator, pastor at Ocean Community Church in Manahawkin and adjunct professor in the School of Communication and Media at Montclair State University. 

remember to check our 

website posts 

and

calendar  

calendar 

for more current events!