Quick Notes Update for July 13, 2020
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
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.
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JOIN US FOR A FREE HOUR OF VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICE HOURS WITH DR BAKELAAR, ADJUNCT PROFESSOR IN THE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY
Wednesday, July 15, 7:30-8:30PM
Let's answer your questions about zoom, webcams, social media, live-streaming, email, texting, google drive, cloud storage, websites...
Use this link to register
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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REFORMED CHURCH CENTER
On Saturday, July 18, at 10:00 am, the Reformed Church Center at New Brunswick Theological Seminary will host an online program, "How Can We Talk About Racism in Church?"
Pastoral theologians will talk about this from their own roles and perspectives, using the World Communion of Reformed Churches statement Condemning Injustice and Racism and the United Nations Human Rights Commission Statement on Protests Against Systemic Racism in the United States as a starting point. Then they will answer questions and engage in discussion with participants. The initial presentations should take forty to forty-five minutes and then we will continue in conversation as there is interest, up until 11:30 am.
James Hart Brumm, Director
The Reformed Church Center, The Seminary Archives, and The Theological Writing Center;
General Editor, the Beardslee Press,
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
jbrumm@nbts.edu | 848.237.1760 |
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OPPORTUNITY
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CONGRATULATIONS TO ONE OF OUR RSMAT MINISTERS
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BESSIE GREEN AT NORTH REFORMED
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Women's Transformation and Leadership
Reformed Church in America
35 Seminary Place I New Brunswick, NJ 08901
616-541-0897
Join our community on Facebook ("RCA Women" closed group and "She is Called" page)
"Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
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AUGUST 5-6 LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
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DISABILITY CONCERNS
Terry DeYoung, Coordinator for Disability Concerns
"Let the shameful wall of exclusion
finally come tumbling down."
-President George H.W. Bush, July 26, 1990,
at the signing of the ADA
An estimated one in five North Americans lives with a disability, demonstrating that physical, mental, sensory, and intellectual impairments are a natural part of life and can be acquired at any time. But many of the worst barriers faced by people with disabilities result from attitudes and environments that we create and could change, rather from the functional limitation itself. Such attitudes and environments exclude people from our churches and remain part of the "shameful wall of exclusion" that hasn't yet tumbled down in the 30 years since President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Many faith communities have been slow to move from access and inclusion to a true sense of belonging that people with disabilities yearn and pray for. They continue to be treated as objects of charity by churches rather than integral participants and partners who have God-given gifts, talents, strengths, and insights to share that can enhance a congregation's ministry.
Although religious institutions and the entities they control are exempt from some sections of the ADA, most faith-based institutions would say they remain governed by the moral mandates of love and justice. As the late Jim Brady said when he was vice chairman of the National Organization on Disability (NOD): "Are religious organizations subject to the ADA? Yes! And to a higher authority as well."
Even if a church is not legally required to comply with a specific aspect of the ADA, why would it not want to do whatever it reasonably could to accommodate and welcome people with disabilities? In the spirit of the Great Commandment, the Great Commission, and the new commandment (John 13:34), following the spirit of the ADA is the right thing to do in becoming an accessible, inclusive, missional church where everybody belongs and everybody serves.
What can you and your church do examine your attitudes toward people with disabilities? Here are three things:
Complete this brief
overview survey
regarding accessibility in the life of your congregation.
In this video,
Syl Scorza
reflects briefly on the attitudes prevalent in 1990 when he delivered his RCA General Synod President's Report on inclusion six weeks before the ADA's signing.
Terry DeYoung
Coordinator for Disability Concerns
Reformed Church in America |
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."
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CONGREGATIONS IN OUR REGION SEEKING PASTORS
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR THE CURRENT RCA LISTINGS
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VISIT OUR REGIONAL SYNOD ONLINE CALENDAR!
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