regional synod quick notes: Vision 2020 discussion, evening chapel

Quick Notes Update for October 15, 2020

Save the Date:

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Synod of the Mid-Atlantics 2020 Vision Report Processing Webinar

7 PM

This webinar is being hosted by NBTS and the Synod of the Mid-Atlantics. It is a time for church leaders to hear from 2020 Vision Team members, ask questions, and discuss the recommendations being made by the 2020 Vision Team to the 2021 General Synod.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.

I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.

So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

John 10:16

Dear NBTS Family,

This week's virtual Chapel Services and prayers continue our week-long recognition of Indigenous People’s Day.

Tonight Thursday, October 15 at 6:00 pm, we will gather for a service of Word and Prayer through Visio Divina. This service will be based on a prayer from Mast Chapel Assistant Barbara Cummings.

Mark your calendar and join us live via ZOOM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85190063341

Rev. Dr. Suzanne Wenonah Duchesne, Ph.D.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Worship and Preaching, Director of Chapel

sduchesne@nbts.edu

UNDERSTANDING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN THE RCA

In the Reformed Church Center’s second Understanding Theological Education in the RCA colloquy, reflecting on what theological education has been in the RCA and what it could be, we look inward, at this, the oldest Protestant theological seminary in North America. Forty-five years ago, NBTS had a mostly white, almost exclusively male student body, with a white, male faculty. Thirty-five years ago, it was still a majority white school, and the main educational program occurring during bankers’ hours. Twenty-five years ago, it was still a school that taught RCA ministers and welcomed people from other traditions. Today, the vast majority of students are people of color, most classes meet at night or on weekends, and the RCA is a minority denominational group among students studying in several different programs.

New Brunswick Theological Seminary has been on the growing edge of theological education ever since its founding in 1784. Life on the growing edge comes with challenges, even though those challenges may change from time to time. The theme for our colloquy on October 20 at 12:00 noon will be Changing Challenges at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. We will begin with presentations by two former presidents of NBTS and one former dean, and spend the rest of the hour in questions and discussion.

Robert A. White served as NBTS President, 1985-92. Prior to that he served Reformed churches in Clover Hill, New Jersey, and North Syracuse, New York. In 1980, he was appointed RCA Minister for Social Witness, directing denominational programs in peacemaking, US-Soviet church relations and global justice. He was called to be Senior Minister of the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, NY in 1992 and designated Minister Emeritus in 2006. He then served as Interfaith Chaplain at Bethesda House of Schenectady, an inner-city ministry to the homeless and working poor, and as Interim Executive Director of the NY State Council of Churches. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary who pursued graduate studies at Union Seminary in New York, Columbia University, and Rutgers University, Dr. White and his wife JoAnne now enjoy retirement in a log cabin on Peck Lake in the southern Adirondack Mountains of New York.

A native of South Holland, Illinois, Norman Kansfield, president of NBTS from 1993 to 2005, holds degrees from Hope College, Western Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary in New York, and the University of Chicago. Norm began his ministry within the RCA in Astoria, Queens, New York, and continued in the Chicago suburbs of Berwyn and Riverdale, Illinois. He was the seminary librarian and a faculty member at Western Theological Seminary and at the Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary and St. Bernard's Institute in Rochester, New York, before coming to NBTS. Since 2005, he has served first as Senior Scholar in Residence at the Theological School of Drew University and currently as Theologian for the Zion United Church of Christ in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Mary Klein Kansfield, live in East Stroudsburg,

Renée House is the Minister of the Old Dutch Church in Kingston, New York where she has served since March of 2013. Prior to accepting the call to Old Dutch, she served on the faculty of NBTS for twenty-five years as Director of the Library, Academic Dean, and Professor of Practical Theology, and as a General Synod Professor of Theology. Renée received her M.L.S. from the University of Arizona, M.Div. from NBTS, and Ph. D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. As a minister in the RCA, she has been engaged in ministry throughout the U.S. as well as Taiwan. She is a writer, poet, singer, wife, stepmom, and grandmother to six rambunctious kids.

There is no charge for taking part in this colloquy, but all participants must register at

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7-D2r-rPRMiKWcQVOFGrHw.

There will be three more programs in this series during 2020-21:

· November 17, on Women in Theological Education, with Lynn Japinga and Liz Testa.

· January 19, on the Ministerial Formation Certification Agency, with Cor Kors.

· February 23, on Certifying Fitness for Ministry, with Carol Bechtel, Micah McCreary, and Felix Theonugraha.

CHURCH SEEKING PART-TIME OFFICE MANAGER:

FRANKLIN PARK, NJ

Six Mile Run Reformed Church (SMRRC) is currently seeking a friendly, energetic and

efficient individual to fill a part-time Office Manager position. The Office Manager will be

responsible for managing activities, functions and overall operations of the church

office.

The successful hire will need to have a working knowledge of online office and financial

systems/ and procedures, and have proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office 365

platform and it’s applications (such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, Dropbox,

Google Docs, etc.) and online office well as basic financial database and e-file systems.

Proficiency in scheduling both face to face and virtual meetings is essential.

Requirements

 A Bachelor's degree or equivalent is preferred

 Two years proven experience in office management and administration

 Proficiency in office, online, icloud and web technical skills.

 Proficiency in basic financial database and e-filing systems.

If you are flexible, adaptable, with excellent communication, interpersonal skills and

engaging people skills, and are seeking to use your skills, gifts and talents to be deeply

involved in the ministry the church, please respond with a cover letter of interest and

resume to:

Personnel Committee

Email: admin@sixmilerun.org

CHURCHES LEARNING CHANGE

Churches in our Regional Synod are participating in Churches Learning Change. Read some testimonials from Wyckoff Reformed about the impact on their church life.

CHURCH BASED MENTAL HEALTH NEWSLETTERS ARCHIVE

We've created an online gathering of all of the newsletters the program has sent out during COVID. Very helpful insights to pass along to your congregations!

WARWICK CONFERENCE CENTER

CROSSROADS WOMEN'S RETREAT

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.