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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. | |
New Open Positions: Director of Admissions and Fundraising Assistant
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
Colleagues,
Please share the job postings below with anyone who you know who might be interested and qualified.
The full job descriptions can be found on our website: https://nbts.edu/employ-opps/.
Director of Admissions
Full-Time
New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS) is seeking a collaborative and experienced admissions professional to bring their proven record of accomplishment to the Director of Admissions position at NBTS. Reporting to the Vice President of Communications & Admissions, the Director of Admissions is responsible for the recruitment and enrollment of new students to the institution using market- and data-driven approaches to meet the seminary’s enrollment and diversity goals. As the primary recruiter, this position involves implementing our vocational outreach strategy, building and maintaining professional relationships within and outside the seminary to increase enrollment, and engaging multiple recruitment methodologies and strategic planning to support the admissions goals and overall mission of the seminary. This person acts as the primary discernment partner for all potential students. The Director must be mission-driven and committed to working at a seminary with diverse students. Familiarity with Christian ministry is required. Work schedule includes primarily days with some evenings and weekends – particularly during peak recruiting periods. Frequent local travel and occasional out-of-state travel, valid driver’s license, and access to a vehicle are required.
Fundraising Assistant
10-15 Hours Per Week
New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS) is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Fundraising Assistant to join our Advancement team. The ideal candidate will support the fundraising efforts by managing and optimizing our Donor Perfect database, assisting with donor communications, and providing administrative support to the VP of Advancement. This role is critical in ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of our donor management processes, contributing to the success of our fundraising campaigns and initiatives. The work schedule is flexible and includes primarily days with the occasional evenings and weekends for events. Strong computer skills are required.
To apply, send cover letter and resume to humanresources@nbts.edu.
Amanda Bruehl
Vice President & Chief Operations Officer
35 Seminary Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 848.237.1703
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[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
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Rev. Emily McGinley
She/Her/Hers (what’s this?)
Senior Pastor | City Church San Francisco
www.citychurchsf.org
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ADVENTURES IN AI: USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS A WRITING HELPER
A few weeks ago I was preparing to use the hymn "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" in a message. I decided to try working with GPT-4o to think about the background of the hymn and its writer. I'm sure that an extensive library and some direct web searches would be worthwhile, but AI gave me a good start for my purposes. - Editor
"Whittier wrote "The Brewing of Soma" during a time when various religious revivals and movements were popular in America. These movements often featured dramatic, emotional expressions of faith, which Whittier and other Quakers viewed with skepticism. His poem can be seen as a reaction to these trends, advocating instead for the quiet, contemplative approach characteristic of Quaker worship...."
Click here to read my prompts and the AI "conversation"
Oh yes, and two images that might go along with it (generated byt AI)
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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. | |
WOMEN'S TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP | |
CLICK ON THIS LINK OR THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR THE FULL NEWSLETTER | |
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Some of us have just celebrated Women in Ministry Sunday, alongside Pentecost. To continue the ongoing work and celebration of the Spirit gifting and calling women (and men), I want to remind you that you are invited to the CBE (Christians for Biblical Equity) International stateside conference, taking place July 26-28, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. The theme for this year is “Tell Her Story: Women in Scripture and History.” Get more details about the event, including lodging options.
Please note the special RCA registration page. We get a 35 percent discount for being a member organization! Be sure to use this code for the 35 percent discount: CHAMPIONS
This conference is for women and men who are passionate to see us all live freely, fully into our gifts and callings. Come with an open heart to connect with like-minded siblings in Christ, learn from global experts, and bring transformational resources back to your context!
We have a wonderful, diverse group of RCA leaders already registered, so you will be among friends when you join us! My team and I will be at this conference as well, and we look forward to welcoming you!
Register for the CBE conferencePlease do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Together in ministry and mission,
Rev. Liz Testa
Director of Women's Transformation and Leadership
The Center for Church Multiplication and Ministry
Reformed Church in America
#sheiscalled #ellaesllamada
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TECHNOLOGY CHECK UP FOR THE NEW YEAR
Over the years I've helped different churches in the Regional Synod to work on their websites, video calls and live-streaming. Often churches have wanted to copy something they've seen somewhere else, rather than thinking through what might work for them.
This year I'd like to offer a six point check up that can help churches build a solid foundation for digital presence. Follow this link to read my report, and let me know if you'd like to take this journey in 2024!
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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
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CHURCH POSTINGS
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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)
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Plainview Reformed Church is seeking a full time Minister (posted Sept 15, 2023)
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Aleta Shepler recommends the following recording as it relates to church growth and multiplication in the Regional Synod | |
Greetings!
The Church Multiplication Team has contracted with MissionInsite (see link at top) for one year. Any RCA church can request an analysis of their context. They can receive 3 different responses. Churches may search by zip code or by street boundaries or by another geographic description.
They will get data regarding Beliefs about God, Beliefs about Jesus, Beliefs about Moral and Spiritual Values, Faith and Religious Involvement in their context. They also get an Executive report about demographics. They can contact me aletashepler@gmail.com for assistance.
Peace and Grace,
Aleta Shepler
Church Multiplication Committee RSMAT
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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN IMPROVING YOUR TECHNOLOGY USE!
Would you like to:
Discuss church software for managing member information and online donations?
Learn to use email newsletters to keep members informed?
Rework your website to a more modern look?
Create online forms for people to register for events and provide feedback?
Create online visual databases like the livestream example above?
Take your livestream to the next level?
Develop a social media plan and a team to implement it?
REPLY TO THIS EMAIL AS WE FORM LEARNING GROUPS!
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THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING CHURCHES FOR ADDING THEIR LIVESTREAM INFORMATION TO OUR ARCHIVES PAGE
Wyckoff Reformed
Three Bridges Reformed
Ocean Community, Mahahawkin
Parkside Community
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RSMAT churches are livestreaming and maintaining recorded service archives. This presents us with a unique opportunity to learn from each other and celebrate the amazing gifts in our community! Please use this webform to provide us with your church livestream link and a link to your recorded services archive. We will make a single page view available of all of this information so that you can visit around and get inspired!
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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! | |
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. | |
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. | | | | |