rsmat
Quick Notes Update for January 13, 2020

Be sure to like our facebook page for more updates!

Have you checked the synod calendar to see what's happening? For more information on the events below, click on the calendar link.  Don't see your church's event listed - be sure to include the synod on your email and mailing lists by sending information to rsmat@rca.org.

All feedback welcome as we develop this new version more fully

See the developing archive of our past emails in the side bar of the news page!

Help us invite others to receive our email, 
copy and send them this link

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.
emotional
SAVE THE DATES!

At the request of the RCA's Vision 2020 Team, the Regional Synod of the Mid-Atlantics and the Regional Synod of New York will be hosting 

Jim Herrington and Trisha Taylor 
(facilitators of the Vision 2020 Team)

 

to lead us in a workshop exploring emotional maturity for ourselves, our churches, and the RCA. Two dates and locations are being offered and both will be open to RCA members and clergy in either synod:

herrington Friday, March 13th - 9:30am-4pm at Greenville Community Church, Scarsdale NY

Saturday, March 14th - 9:30am-4pm at New Brunswick Theological Seminary

Registration is available at the links on the dates above.

********************************************
2020 Lay Recognition Dinner
Friday * March 27, 2020
The Imperia * 1714 Easton Avenue * Somerset, NJ 08873
Together We Are the Body of Christ

laydateLay Recognition Dinner honoree names due by January 17

Click here for the full flyer, nominations form and registration information

********************************************

CROSSROADS WOMEN'S 35TH CONFERENCE
Save the Date: April 17-18 2020





ITEMS TO NOTE

  1. Lay Recognition Dinner nominations due by Jan 17
  2. Registration for Leadership event open
  3. Update from Joshua Bode in Oman
  4. John Bell coming to Reformed Church Center Feb 12
  5. Online Heidelberg Catechism Course through the Reformed Church Center, starts January 27
  6. Warwick Spring Youth Rally April 14-16
bode

RCA missionary pastor Joshua Bode writes a special update. Many churches in our Regional Synod are supporters of this work.

Click on the image below for the update


heidelbergonline
The Heidelberg Catechism is, for Reformed Christians, arguably one of the most important documents from the era of the sixteenth-century Reformation. It has remained familiar to generation after generation of Reformed Christians, as it has been used at the afternoon/evening catechetical service, and used as a tool for catechism classes. Yet, despite its age and its familiarity, the Heidelberg Catechism has many unexplored treasures within it. 

Starting January 27

The Reformed Church Center is offering an on-line continuing education course that will take an extended look at the Heidelberg Catechism, examining the text itself, its composition and history, as well as traditional and contemporary readings and analyses for the Catechism. While the Catechism is old, and while it remains a document from a very different context, it remains a valuable document for understanding and teaching the faith today.
johnbell
2019-2020 Poppen-Young Lecture in Reformed Worship
February 12, 2020 @ 2:00 pm - 7:30 pm




The Reformed Church Center at New Brunswick Theological Seminary is thrilled to be able to announce that John L. Bell, internationally renowned author, teacher, worship leader, and congregational song enlivener from the Iona Community in Scotland, will be giving the 2019-2020 Poppen-Young Lecture in Reformed Worship on Wednesday, February 12.
springfling
unitedcounseling
The Christian Counseling Center,
Sponsored by the United Reformed Church
In Clifton, NJ

has openings for the positions of Christian Counselors

The applicants must have professional licenses issued in the stare of NJ as either LCSW or LPC
and skills in counseling on both faith and clinical issues.

For further questions or interest please contact either:
Chaplain Tim Dunn (201) 897-5388
Pastor Mike Webber (201) 365-1666.

Rev. Tim Dunn, LCADC, LCSW
Chaplain RRPH Southgate
Christian Health Care Center - Pastoral Care
Direct 201-897-5388| TDunn@chccnj.org
snowball
warwick
WARWICK CONFERENCE CENTER



We've updated the webpage on our site, visit today!

"Echoing God's desire for all people to be still and draw near, the Warwick Conference Center is a broadly inclusive place of welcome, hospitality, reflection, and retreat where all are invited to seek renewal, pursue personal and corporate growth, and have the opportunity to listen for God's voice."
pastorjobs
CONGREGATIONS IN OUR REGION SEEKING PASTORS

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR THE CURRENT RCA LISTINGS


rsmatcalendar
VISIT OUR REGIONAL SYNOD ONLINE CALENDAR!



synodfoundation
Remember that the Synod Foundation has opportunities for loans and even some starter grants for new missions
...visit their  webpage on our website

Wise men and women in 1987 created an independent, not-for-profit corporation named the Synod Foundation:

To receive, hold, manage, invest, and re-invest the real estate and investment assets of PSMA [aka RSMAt], and to process and act upon loan requests and upon requests for grants from the churches and classes within the jurisdiction of PSMA from its commissions and subsidiary corporations, and from others within the scope of its concern and mission.

The Synod Foundation is governed by eight trustees appointed on an annual basis at RSMAt's annual meeting. The Trustees approve the loans and grants and manages the other investments. The Foundation currently has 20 active church and social responsibility loans totaling over $1.1 million. The balance of the funds, $1.8 million, are invested in a wide variety of short and long term securities.

Churches secure loans for new roofs, parsonage or church furnaces replacement or upgrades, repointing brick or stone, interior church and parsonage renovations, removing accessibility issues, purchasing a building, and hurricane cleanup and repairs. Recently, four churches have secured loans for solar systems as a witness to green stewardship and expecting to lower their future electrical energy costs even as the solar system loan is being paid. With the Federal and New Jersey government assistance, the expectation is for the loan to be paid in around 12 years with the life of the solar panel system good for another 15 or so years.

See the Foundation flyer for commonly asked questions or contact the Synod Office for more information.



onlinelearning
FREE Online Learning Opportunities
Mediated Organizations: 
Technology for your church ministry

We are setting up online seminars for the Fall season. Please let us know which topics are of interest to you. Seminars are usually held online using Zoom or GoToMeeting on Thursday evenings. Other times are available on request.
Consider having a custom training for your own church team or board! On-sites are possible with enough notice.

Let us know what you are interested in or if you have questions!

  1. Using Facebook 
  2. Using Twitter 
  3. Using free and low cost websites
  4. Using higher end paid websites
  5. Using podcasts
  6. Using mind mapping for planning and meetings
  7. Using visual thinking for planning and meetings
  8. Using online collaborative platforms for teams and organizations: basecamp, slack and more
  9. Using projection in your church ministry
  10. Using email newsletters: constant contact and mailchimp
Courses are taught by The Rev. Dr. Philip Bakelaar, , rsmat communications coordinator, pastor at Ocean Community Church in Manahawkin and adjunct professor in the School of Communication and Media at Montclair State University. 

remember to check our 

website posts 

and

calendar  

calendar 

for more current events!