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Restructuring Committee

FEEDBACK SURVEY RELEASED, PLEASE FILL IT OUT!

We understand there may be anxiety around the proposed changes to our polity combining the roles of Classes and Regional Synods into Middle Assemblies. To that end our synod has formed a Restructuring Committee composed of 2 representatives from each of the 5 classes in the synod, and 2 representatives from the Synod Executive Committee, with Rev. Dr. James Hart Brumm as convener of the committee, and Rev. Steve Eckert (Synod Stated Clerk) and Deb Petersen (Synod Executive Assistant) as staff support. An initial meeting has been set for Tuesday, September 17^th at 11:00 AM (eastern time) via Zoom.

Below is a list of the Committee Members – we ask that you keep them in your prayers as together these representatives from the classes and the synod work to develop a plan to be presented at the Regional Synod Annual Meeting in May 2025.

Classis of the City Elder Michael Ehrenfried Elder Danielle Tullier

Classis of Delaware-Raritan Rev. Christopher Heitkamp, Rev. David Ruisard

Classis of the Greater Palisades Rev. Sun Ju Rev. Robert Miller

 Classis of New Brunswick Rev. Stephanie Kaper-Dale Rev. Ancela Fransisca Rumoko

Classis of Passaic Valley Elder Cheryl Daniel Commissioned Pastor Claudette Reid

Synod Executive Committee Rev. Thomas Henion, Jr. Rev. Jodie Wu

 To review the current responsibilities of classes and regional synods, you can read or download a copy of the current Book of Church Order on the RCA website at:    https://www.rca.org/about/government/book-of-church-order/

Since its founding in June of 2010, the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) has been at the forefront of world ecumenical discussions. With 232 member denominations, it works on behalf of eighty million Reformed Christians globally. For ten of those twenty-four years, two members of the Reformed Church in America have been a crucial part of the WCRC’s work.

Lisa Vander Wal is an RCA Minister of the Word and Sacrament, recently retired. She was Vice President, President and Past President of the RCA’s General Synod from 2010-2013, has been active in the ecumenical work of the RCA, and will soon complete her term on the Executive Committee of the WCRC as Vice President, representing the Caribbean and North American Area Council (CANAAC). 

Phil Tanis has recently completed a decade of service for the WCRC, as Executive Secretary for Communications, Executive Secretary for Communications and Operations, Executive for Communications and Operations as part of the Collegial General Secretariat, and Transitional Director for Communications and General Council Preparations based in Hannover, Germany, for all of that work.

With Phil and Lisa both completing their work with the WCRC around the same time, this seemed like a good time for us to Talk About the WCRC and Reformed Ecumenism, so we will do just that on Thursday, November 14th, 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm Eastern Standard Time on Zoom. People from all Reformed bodies are welcome to join us.

As always, participation in this webinar is open to everyone and, as always, registration is required. Please register at this link.

James Hart Brumm, DMin

Assistant Professor of Reformed Church Studies

Director, The Reformed Church Center and The Theological Writing Center;

General Editor of the Beardslee Press

jbrumm@nbts.edu | 848.237.1760                   

WARWICK CONFERENCE CENTER:

WE ARE SEARCHING FOR OUR NEXT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Warwick Conference Center is in a phase of relaunching the focus of the center and its ministries and is looking for an individual with skills in helping the leadership vision of the future. We are a non-profit Christian based camp and conference center on 486 beautiful acres with 18 buildings that offers retreats, day camp and overnight camp for individuals with special needs. We are developing an Executive Director package to find a special individual with skills and experience to expand our capabilities.

To apply, qualified candidates can send their resume and cover letter to:

personnel@warwickconferencecenter.org

For more information about the Warwick Conference Center (a subsidiary corporation of the Synods of the Mid-Atlantics and New York), interested parties can visit our website at:

https://warwickconferencecenter.org/about-us/

WARWICK CONFERNCE CENTER, A SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION OF THE REGIONAL SYNOD OF THE MID-ATLANTICS AND THE REFIONAL SYNOD OF NEW YORK, IS CREATING A NEW EMAIL LIST. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN THOSE EMAILS, PLEASE OPT-IN USING THE FORM BELOW.

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 addressed to clerk@classisnb.org.

Grace and peace to you from Camp Warwick! 

As the leaves begin to turn in the Warwick Valley, the view from the Warwick Conference Center has begun its dynamic season change. Fall is upon us and we are excited about fall activities, including our Halloween Party! 

We would love to invite participants and volunteers to this event. We will have games, a costume contest, activities, prizes, and more- and don’t forget the view!

Our party will be held at Collegiate Lodge and Cabins on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 1:30pm-4pm. Our rain date will be Sunday, October 27 at the same time. 

Participants are welcome to arrive anytime and stay as long as you’d like during the party. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 12:45 pm for introductions and instructions. 

This year there is a small registration fee, but we also have an option to cover the cost for someone else in addition to your registration and a no-cost option. We hope that all who want to attend can! The registration link can be found on our website, www.campwarwick.org,.  

Volunteers are welcome to come alone or with a group. You are also welcome to bring an activity or game to lead, we would love to collaborate with you! If you wish to volunteer, please email me, Linn, at campwarwick@warwickconferencecenter.org. We are hoping to have 10 volunteers for the event. If you aren’t available to volunteer but want to help support the event, you can visit our registration site and send us a donation. 

We are so excited to welcome you, enjoy the excitement around the season, and share the incredible view from Collegiate Lodge. Please feel free to share the attached invitation digitally or printed. See you there!

Grace and peace, 

Rev. Linnea Berry (she/her)

Minister of Camps, Camp Warwick

Warwick Conference Center 

62 Warwick Center Rd

Warwick, NY 10990

Phone: (845) 986-1164, ext. 101

ARTICLE OF INTEREST ON CLERGY MENTAL HEALTH

RCA GLOBAL MISSION

Hillsborough Reformed Church Seeking Pastor:  

Nestled in the historic village of Millstone, New Jersey, Hillsborough Reformed Church (HRC) is a rare gem among congregations. Formed in 1766, it remains vibrant more than 250 years later. In HRC, you have come across a group of disciples who, as you, are deeply committed to Jesus Christ and his work in the world. Our ultimate mission is to know Jesus, follow Jesus and serve others in Jesus’ name. We invite you to consider how your love of our Lord might be enriched as the Pastor at HRC.We are praying for a full-time Pastor who will help us fulfill our core goals of worship, fellowship, education, outreach and service. Candidates should have a college degree, Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary and ordination in the Reformed Church in America or other denomination that partners with the RCA.If you feel called to further explore the opportunity to serve as our Pastor and meet the degree qualifications noted, we look forward to hearing from you. Please email our Search Committee at hrcsearch2024@gmail.com to request the Church Profile and accompanying materials. We will prayerfully consider all applicants and together discern where God leads in this very important decision.With Blessings,Hillsborough Reformed Church Search CommitteeLearn more about HRC at https://www.hillsboroughreformedchurch.org/

[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

--

Rev. Emily McGinley

She/Her/Hers (what’s this?)

Senior Pastor | City Church San Francisco

www.citychurchsf.org

LOVE ALWAYS WINS EVENT YOUTUBE RECORDING: A new church start of Classis New Brunswick located in Kobe, Japan hosted this zoom call this past year.

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.

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

JOB POSTINGS

SLACKWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SEEKS A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ASSISTANT, PART TIME

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