rsmat
Quick Notes Update for June 14, 2019

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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!

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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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There's an important and timely article in Sojourners Magazine (July 2019) regarding the handling of allegations of sexual abuse in the church. A member of our Delaware-Raritan Classis, Rev. Heidi Hankel, is a featured contributor to the article. It can be seen here:

Thanks to Rev. Bethany Devos for bringing it to our attention.



RCA MISSION 2020
January 16-18, 2020

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

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN HIGHLAND PARK



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CONGREGATIONS IN OUR REGION SEEKING PASTORS

Lincoln Park First Reformed seeks Pastor:
We are a conservative, Bible-based Church, seeking a long-term, full-time, residential (manse provided), senior pastor in search of a pastor who will lead us in glorifying God through serving each other and the community. We offer a salary and full benefit package commensurate with experience and in accordance with RCA guidelines.   Our congregation deeply desires a pastor who is adept at both pastoral care for all (especially the elderly) along with a pastor who is deeply concerned with and personally involved with the children and youth. We seek a pastor whose love for Jesus is obvious from spirit-filled, life- application sermons, strong Biblical leadership, and interest in maintaining and growing our congregation. Our pastor should be adept at church and staff administration, be available for counseling and be actively involved in our surrounding community.  For an overview of our church and community please visit this website created for our search https://sites.google.com/view/frcoflpinfopacket. If interested please email resume and any other pertinent information to frcoflpsearchcommittee@gmail.com



LONG ISLAND CHURCH SEEKING MINISTER


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VISIT OUR REGIONAL SYNOD ONLINE CALENDAR!



Remember that the Synod Foundation has opportunities for loans and even some 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.



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 

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calendar 

for more current events!