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.

Lay Recognition Dinner Suspended For 2024

Given comments and criticisms received the past few years and concerns about the cost of the event for attendees, the Planning Committee has decided not to hold the Lay Recognition Dinner this year. If we find enough churches would like to see the event continue, the committee will consider reinstating the event in 2025.

Sat. April 27th at 10am-12:00 (on zoom):  Unlock the Potential of Your Church Properties (Click HERE to register)

New Jersey Office of Faith Based Initiative will be conducting a symposium to inspire & equip faith-based organizations with knowledge, tools, resources, and strategies essential to contribute to the redevelopment of church properties that are better equipped to meet congregational and community needs. Please invite your church officers to hear this important information.

Dismantling Racism Prayer Gatherings - Winter - Spring 2024

Welcome to the Dismantling Racism Prayer Gatherings. We are a group of pray-ers who gather to intercede for systemic change in the Reformed Church in America (RCA) as we pursue the vision for a “multicultural, multiracial future freed from racism”. Whether you are a part of the RCA or another denomination, you are welcome to join us as we pray to dismantle racism, moving beyond words to true heart transformation resulting in transformative action with missional ripple effects that bring about healing, restoration, and flourishing. 

April 9 and 23 - with Rev. Dr. Denise Victoria Kingdom

You are warmly invited to join us on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 1:30-2:30pm EST, for our Dismantling Racism Prayer Gatherings. 

“Apart from the Lord, we can do nothing!” (John 15:5)

The Dismantling Racism Prayer Gathering Team

CREATION CARE: REFORMED CHURCH CENTER

A Heritage for All Christians

In October of 2022, the Reformed Church Center began a discussion of Creation Care as Eschatology, as work of fulfilling the Reign of God. This was also an experiment in working with the Reformed Journal blog, as authors from that blog led the discussion here and in posts over there, creating a bibliography you can find at https://nbts.edu/events/creation-care-communion-consummation-part-3/.

Now it is time for the third and final colloquy in this particular series. You’re invited to join us for “Creation: Care, Communion, and Consummation, Part 3” on Thursday, April 18, 2024, 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm Eastern Daylight Time, via Zoom.

Creation care is a huge topic, encompassing multiple disciplines and touching almost every corner of society. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale and apathetic about how to respond. How can Christians acknowledge the immensity of the problem while at the same time not be swallowed up by despair? In this session, we will explore one critical response to the threats of biodiversity loss, ecosystem decline, pollution, and climate change: advocacy. We will explore how advocacy is portrayed throughout Scripture, examine the lives of some of the church’s patron saints of advocacy, and even practice a bit of advocacy ourselves. Through it all, we will discover that, far from virtue signaling or performative “wokeism,” Christian advocacy for justice is the heritage of each and every follower of Jesus.

Leaders

Kyle Meyaard-Schaap, Executive Director of the Association for a More Just Society-US

Josh Parks, PhD student in religious studies at the University of Virginia

Debra Rienstra, professor of English at Calvin University, specializing in early British literature and creative writing

Tim Van Deelen, professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Wisconsin—Madison; teacher at the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies

Thomas Boogaart, Dennis and Betty Lou Voskuil Chair of Old Testament emeritus at Western Theological Seminary; RCA General Synod Professor of Theology emeritus

Renée House, a member of the Reformed Church Center Committee working in the Kingston Coalition for Housing Justice

This colloquy is free and open to everyone, but all participants must register in advance. Click here to register.

HIGHLAND PARK MEETING OPPORTUNITY

Thursday, April 11th, from 1-3pm, we invite you to come and meet Jonathan, hear the vision for Sabeel, ask questions, and gather with other Christian clergy committed to this issue and committed to non-violence and to building a NJ chapter of FOSNA. 

Dear Clergy Friends and other faith leaders within the Christian Tradition,

One angle on the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict that is often missed in global conversation is the Christian angle that is born from the land itself. The Christian population in Palestine/Israel exists and has a voice and an important perspective to add to dialogue.  

Additionally, the only voice that often is heard from the West, that claims Christianity, is Christian Zionism, which is a distorted view of Zionism that has goals linked to a particular understanding of Jesus' second coming and what the world has to do to be ready for his arrival. It is a view that, ideologically, leads to violence now and violence at the time of Jesus' second coming.   

One of the leading groups in Palestine, that has, for 25 years, challenged Israel's occupation, but also challenged violence on both sides, is Sabeel. Not only is Sabeel committed to nonviolent resistance, it is, like so many non-violent movements, a fertile ground for dreaming dreams. The seeds of Sabeel are manifold, but at least one way to think of its origins was wit the publishing of "Justice and Only Justice" by Rev. Cannon Naim Ateek, who beautiful crafted a Palestinian Theology of Liberation. 

If you are interested in the kind of dreaming that happens from Sabeel, and it's affiliates, read this booklet (which is yours free) written by Sabeel NA Exec. Dir. Jonathan Kuttab in 2020. 

https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/beyond2states.

Mr. Jonathan Kuttab, the executive director of Sabeel North America, who is a resident of East Jerusalem, will be coming to RCHP on Thursday, April 11th, from 1pm-3pm, to help in the launching of a local chapter of Friends of Sabeel North America. RCHP is not leading this effort, but is very supportive of it, and seeks to use our Central Jersey connections to build out the community of support.  Friends of Sabeel North America. (FOSNA)

Jonathan is co-founder of Al-Haq and Nonviolence International and he will be in New Jersey for 3 days. Saturday the 13th there is an event in Jersey City for advocacy regarding the current situation. But on Thursday, April 11th, from 1-3pm, we invite you to come and meet Jonathan, hear the vision for Sabeel, ask questions, and gather with other Christian clergy committed to this issue and committed to non-violence and to building a NJ chapter of FOSNA. 

I have intentionally invited a few Muslim and Jewish friends who I thought might appreciate this forum and space and to know something of Christian allies for peace and justice locally. Please feel free to invite Christian clergy and church leaders to this event, but I ask that if you do invite them you give them this entire email. I want to make sure everyone is clear about the spirit of the conversation.  

Please RSVP to me so we can plan accordingly for this gathering. Some who are receiving this have already CC'd, but, to be frank, I'd love to see many more of you attending or sending someone in your stead.

The meeting is at 19 S. 2nd Ave, Highland Park NJ, 08904.

Peace, Seth Kaper-Dale

the Reformed Church of Highland Park

More on Jonathan Kuttab

Jonathan Kuttab is a co-founder of the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq and co-founder of Nonviolence International. A well-known international human rights attorney, Jonathan practices in the US, Palestine and Israel. He serves on the Board of Bethlehem Bible College and is President of the Board of Holy Land Trust. Jonathan was the head of the Legal Committee negotiating the Cairo Agreement of 1994 between Israel and the PLO. After graduating with his Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from Virginia Law School, and practicing a couple years on Wall Street, Jonathan returned home to Palestine. Jonathan was visiting scholar at Osgoode Law School at York University in Toronto in the Fall of 2017, and is a founding director of Just Peace Advocates Mouvement pour une Paix Juste, a Canadian based international law human rights not-for-profit organization. Jonathan is currently the executive director of Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA).

Jonathan is a resident of East Jerusalem, and is a partner of Kuttab, Khoury and Hanna Law Firm in East Jerusalem.

Jonathan Kuttab’s articles have appeared in the Middle East Institute, Arab News, Arab Center Washington DC, Al Jazeera, the Electronic Intifada, and others.

 Jonathan provides analysis regarding International Law & Human Rights, understanding the facts on the ground, what options are possible beyond a two state solution & Christian Zionism.

Dr. Blaine Newhouse

Senior Pastor of the English Language Congregation and Chairman of the Common Council National Evangelical Church

in the Kingdom of Bahrain

and a missionary with RCA Global Missions

is coming to New Brunswick Theological Seminary on Tuesday, April 16th!

He will lead worship in our virtual Chapel at 6:00 pm.

Join us at this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96481878929

After chapel, we’ll have Dinner and Discussion.

Join us for dinner in person for dinner at 35 Seminary Place in New Brunswick at 6:30 pm Eastern Time.

RSVP at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/ZJJbpLcMLd by Monday, April 15th.

You can also join us online via Zoom.

Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qcOGhrjIsEtzJAlQhgiFAv-T1sxe5Md_m.

Contact me via reply email if you have any questions.

James Hart Brumm, DMin

Post Covid Pastoral Self Care Retreat

EVENT DATE: Saturday, April 20, 2024 10 AM - 3:30 PM

The Post Covid Pastoral Self Care Retreat offers opportunities for Pastors and Chaplains to be renewed, restored, and gain insight into self care. Join us for a day of relaxation and learning.

COST: No charge

BREAKFAST & LUNCH & BEVERAGES PROVIDED

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

1) Deadline extended to April 15th 

2) Click on the link below to register & for additional information:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/post-covid-pastoral-self-care-retreat-tickets-843038850897

Feel welcome to share the flyer and registration link with colleagues and friends.

--

Grace and peace in Christ,

Rodney Haveman

Stated Clerk, Classis of Greater Palisades

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

Earth Day 2024 is Monday, April 24. Creation Justice Ministries has taken up the theme from EarthDay.Org to consider the environmental effects of Plastic.They have prepared materials that your congregation can use to bring this forward. Thanks to Robin Suydam, elder at Six Mile Run Reformed Church, for bringing this to our attention. She is a board member at Creation Justice Ministries as a representative of the RCA.

LOVE LIFTS US UP is a project that seeks to provide underprivileged children facing hospital stays with encouragement. It was begun by Rev. George Kaden and continues with his support. They will be holding a major Bingo Fundraising Event on April 14. Watch for more details or visit their website or social media by using the linked image above. It will likely be in the Jersey Shore area.

SLACKWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SEEKS A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ASSISTANT, PART TIME

JOB POSTINGS

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 address to clerk@classisnb.org.

CHURCH POSTINGS

• The Community Church in Harrington Park, NJ seeks full-time pastor. For more information see RCA website https://www.rca.org/jobs 
• OLD NORTH REFORMED CHURCH SEEKS PASTOR (posted November)
• MINISTER OF MUSIC, TRINITY COLLEGIATE PLAINFIELD (20 HOURS)
• CLOVER HILL REFORMED CHURCH, SEEKING PART-TIME PASTOR (ABOUT 24 HOURS/WEEK)

Clover Hill Reformed Church, a traditional, homey congregation with an active core of about 30 congregants, is seeking a part-time pastor.

Like many churches who have had a long-time pastorate (ours was almost forty years), our path forward has had many twists and turns. Almost eight years after this pastor’s retirement, we have completed a full self study and are looking forward to our next season. We have active ministry teams that oversee all the work of the church led by a group of committed servant leaders. We are committed to each other, our community and God, and need the support of a pastor who will help translate these commitments into action, growth and ministry.

The part-time position would be about 24 hours and involve leading worship, pastoral care, and working with our teams to develop new strategies for outreach. The pastor will be president of our Consistory. The candidate should be ordained, or eligible for ordination in either the RCA or one of our denominational partners (the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Christian Reformed Church in North America.)

Clover Hill Reformed Church is in Hillsborough New Jersey, which is in central New Jersey, almost equidistant between Philadelphia and New York and about 30 minutes from both the Princeton and New Brunswick Theological Seminaries. The church is located in a rural/suburban area with one of the top school systems in the State. The current parsonage is a vintage farmhouse and is adjacent to the church. 

Workload and compensation will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Our church profile can be found here: https://www.cloverhillchurch.org/job-opportunities

To apply, please email our Search Team Chair, Marilyn Fineman, at m2fineman@gmail.com (posted Sept 22, 2023)

• Lisha's Kill Reformed Church, in the small upstate NY city of Schenectady, seeks a minister of Word and sacrament. They hope their new pastor will be excellent preacher of bible-based messages who is also is a good spiritual leader with a focus on church growth. From their profile: "We believe God has a plan and will lead us to the right person to not only be a wonderful pastor leading church worship services, but also focusing on strengthening our members and overall health and well being of our congregation." Interested candidates should email the search committee chair, Robert Farquharson, to request the church profile. rfarquharson77@me.com (posted September 19, 2023)
• Plainview Reformed Church is seeking a full time Minister (posted Sept 15, 2023)
• RCA Chief Financial Officer (posted Sept 7, 2023)
• Grace Reformed Church, Edison NJ (posted August 25, 2023), Pastor, part-time

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

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.