ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE

NOTICE FROM

 Earl James, Coordinator for African American/Black Council & Advocacy

The psalmist wrote "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell in it." (Psalms 24:1) God's heart and mind and purposes are all embedding in this planet God has blessed us with. It all belongs to God. We humans look after this blessing and manage it on God's behalf and by God's will. The 2019 General Synod adopted overture ONB 19-1: "General Synod Council (GSC) and the Advocacy initiative (are) to encourage and equip RCA institutions, congregations, and members to reduce fossil fuel consumption and work to transition to renewable energy."

As Coordinator for Advocacy, I share with you a fantastic, but fast-approaching, opportunity to live into both the Scripture and the adopted overture.

 The PC-USA's Presbyterians for Earth Care are offering their "Peace for the Earth: From the Bible to the Front Lines" conference. The conference occurs on August 6 (7pm) to 9 (noon), at the Stony Point Center, 17 Cricketown Road, Stony Point NY. Here is the link to the conference packet: http://presbyearthcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-PEC-Conference-Program_updated-May-2019.pdf. Conference registration is on page 19.

The worship, workshops, reflections and networking look amazing! Clearly, there promises to be much enrichment personally, for families and congregations, and for advocating to reduce carbon footprints to promote reducing the impacts of climate change.

Additionally, this conference will be multi-racial, recognize that Christians, Jews and Muslims share geographic communities and therefore share responsibility for reducing fossil fuel use, and is inter-generational (involving children, teens and adults) - equipping all to make tangible differences in caring for God's earth.

As an encouragement to participate, the RCA's Advocacy office will reimburse the first 5 registrants (no more than 2 per church) $275 each. That will cover the costs of full registration plus a bit more! To qualify for reimbursement, please email a copy of your completed registration and proof of payment to creationcare@rca.org.

Persons who receive reimbursement will be expected to participate in a couple communications opportunity with the RCA to benefit and bless others of us in our denomination.

Will you participate? Do you see practical ways to where this conference can enrich your, your family's, and your congregation's lives around creation care and worship, conversation, energy efficiency, and advocacy? Please share this invitation with others in your congregation, your classis, and your regional synod. I look forward to supporting all who participate both at the conference and afterwards!

Earl James

Coordinator for African American/Black Council & Advocacy

 MINISTERS PLEASE NOTE: REALLOCATION OF PENSION FUNDS OPPORTUNITY

CLERGY FINANCIAL FLOURISHING GRANTS AVAILABLE AGAIN

The RCA is relaunching the Ministerial Excellence Fund. Through a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. and a matching gift from BOBS, over the next year, the RCA plans to give away over $300,000 to pastors to relieve and eliminate personal debt.

About the grant:

The Ministerial Excellence Fund is used to give grants to pastors to relieve the burden of personal debt. Half of the fund is a generous gift from the Lilly Endowment, and BOBS will match those funds to double the amount to give away.

The Lilly Endowment states this conviction: Financial burdens carried by pastoral leaders are significant barriers to effective, faithful, and fruitful ministry. BOBS couldn't agree more, which is why it has utilized this fund to help clergy become financially healthy.

Along with distributing money, BOBS will offer financial planning and education to equip pastors to lead well in their ministries.

If you want to donate to the fund-and have your funds matched-to help lessen pastors' personal debt, you can do so below.

Who can apply?

RCA pastors: ordained ministers of Word and sacrament (including specialized ministers) and commissioned pastors. The grant covers a range of debt, including student loans, medical debt, credit card debt, and other common forms of debt. Average grants given in the past have been $5,000. Grant amounts are based on need and criteria met.

Click here to apply and for more information

https://www.rca.org/benefits/clergy-grants-financial-flourishing