Quick Notes Update for May 6, 2021 |
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ANNUAL MEETING HELD OVER ZOOM ON MAY 1 |
Our 2021 Annual Meeting is in the books. Thank you to all the delegates, Executive Committee members, and others who joined us and made the meeting a success. We thank our outgoing president, Elder Claudette Reid, for her dedicated service, and congratulate our newly installed officers: Rev. Phi Bakelaar (president), Rev. James Hart Brumm (vice president), and Elder James Thompson (treasurer) |
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REGIONAL SYNOD OFFICE MOVES BACK TO NEW BRUNSWICK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY SPACE |
Those with some institutional memory will remember the days when the Regional Synod Offices were housed on the campus of the seminary. Recent changes in denominational staffing opened up space again and we have returned!
35 Seminary Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
848-237-1794
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REFORMED CHURCH HOME INCLUDED IN NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE |
A recent article about families reuniting after months of covid separation includes pictures and text about our own Reformed Church Home, which has begun in-person visits again.
Click on the image to the right or this link to read the article.
The Reformed Church Home is a subsidiary corporation of the Regional Synod of the Mid-Atlantics.
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FRIENDS TO FRIENDS WINTER AND EASTER NEWSLETTER |
Friends To Friends is an innovative ministry to congregants with special needs. Read their winter newsletter and celebrate their unique ministry! |
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At the time of this email, there are a couple spots still open. We would encourage any interested pastors to email us, and if all openings are filled for this year, we will begin an interest list to reach out when we begin recruiting a second group to start next year. |
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RCA EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND NOTES
Advanced Enneagram: The Enneagram is not only a tool to grow in your own self-awareness, but also as a tool for your ministry leadership. With the Advanced Enneagram course, we will dive deeper into the complexities of the 9 Enneagram types, subtypes, triads, tri-types, and speak to the various ways in which the Enneagram can enrich our personal, professional, and spiritual lives. This nine-session course includes once-a-month calls from May through December; it starts May 6. We invite pastors, church staff, elders, deacons, or church members to join. Led by Sung Kim and Stephanie Soderstrom. https://learn.faithward.org/courses/advanced-enneagram
Digital Communication Strategy: The new normal of the pandemic has accelerated the church’s move to digital spaces. Any church looking to connect with its members and neighbors during this pandemic has had to increase its focus on developing an online presence. This four-week course on digital communication strategy is designed to help you adapt to the new reality of church attendance, digital engagement, and audience identification and communication. Course begins August 10; early bird registration opens May 4. Led by Sung Kim. https://learn.faithward.org/courses/digital-communication-strategy
Faith and mental health podcast: This podcast explores questions and topics like maintaining your mental health as a leader, leading others who are new to understanding mental health, parenting through mental health, and more. This podcast is a partnership between the RCA, the CRC, Hope Network, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, and the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan.
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The Synod of the Mid-Atlantics is currently seeking a layperson to serve on the RCA Commission on Judicial Business. As per the BCO, "legal training and experience shall be required of lay members". Those interested should contact Rev. Stephen Eckert, Stated Clerk of RSMAt, at rsmatclerk@gmail.com.
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Need inspiration in these challenging times? Check out our new podcast, Lavish Hope, stories of resilience and overcoming. Available on Spotify, Apple and Google players.
Find out about Women's Transformation & Leadership and sign up for our quarterly enewsletter at www.rca.org/women.
Join our community on Facebook ("RCA Women" closed group and "She is Called" page)
"Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing." 1Thessalonians 5:11
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MORE ONLINE LEARNING COHORTS |
The Churches Learning Change Big East community is pleased to announce 10 months of innovative resourcing designed to respond to the current pandemic reality and assist congregations and leaders in seeking flourishing as we move toward a new normal. ALL are invited to participate!
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Post the flyer on the left at your church or include in your emailings. The image below contains an online form to apply. |
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Are you using a VR headset and exploring how virtual reality might be used in ministry? Let's have a conversation! |
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MURAL and other online whiteboards provide a way to add more interaction to zoom meetings. Let me know if you want to explore this further. |
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GATHER TOWN is a fun way to add some social involvment to your online options. |
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DO YOU HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF ADAPTING AND INNOVATING TO SHARE FOR INSPIRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT? SEND IT TO US! |
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NJ CONGREGATIONAL CENTER FOR CANCER CARE |
We have created an online gathering of all of the newsletters of the program. Find help for those facing cancer.
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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! |
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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. |
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