rsmat
Quick Notes Update for December 11, 2018

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

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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.





Liz Testa ltesta@rca.org

Lesley Mazzotta lesleymazzotta@gmail.com



YOUTH EVENTS AT CAMP WARWICK
CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW FOR THE FLYER PAGES!











 PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT POSITION AT PEQUANNOCK REFORMED CHURCH

Pequannock Reformed Church in Wayne is seeking a part time Administrative Assistant. Hours are flexible, part-time, 10 hours a week. Responsibilities include preparing weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter publications, communicating with members of the congregation and the public, directing phone calls/ emails appropriately, updating social media, completing periodic mailings, publicizing church events, supporting special projects by the congregation, maintaining databases, church calendar, bulletins boards and outdoor signs.

Requirements include strong, independent coordination, initiative and attention to detail, excellent communication and customer service skills, proficiency with MS office including MS Publisher, computer skills, flexibility, confidentiality, and office experience.

Pay commensurate with experience. To apply, please email a resume and cover letter to pequannockreformed@yahoo.com. Or contact: Steve Zahner at 201-738-0101
PART-TIME CHURCH OFFICE MANAGER/FINANCIAL SECRETARY POSITION AT ALLWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH

Allwood Community Church has a part-time opening (14 hours per week) for a Church Office Manager / Financial Secretary. The position involves Sunday worship preparation, general office maintenance, and financial recording. The church is located in Clifton, one block off Allwood Road. Anyone interested in the position should send an email to pastornancy@allwoodcommunitychurch.com for more details.
BEING A VISITOR-PASTORAL VISIT TRAINING AT CLOVER HILL REFORMED CHURCH 12/15

Calling on someone and offering the comfort of the presence of another person is a simple, meaningful act of kindness. Some of us may wish to visit others, but are not sure how to begin or what to say.

Clover Hill Reformed Church's Classis Supervisor, the Rev. Bill Borror, has offered to conduct a training on how to approach visiting in a way that will show the caring these visits are meant to convey.

Please join us at Clover Hill Reformed Church (890 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844) on Saturday, December 15, at 10:00 am in the Nevius Fellowship Hall for our Pastoral Visit Training Session.

We invite all who would like more knowledge in this ministry, even if you don't think you'd be visiting anyone right now, or if you think it might help with a family member or friend you visit.

If you plan on attending please contact the Clover Hill Church office (908-369-8451 or chrc1834@gmail.com) so we may make the proper preparations.
 The Reformed Church Center will host 
"Looking at the Great Lakes Catechism," 

a time of presentations and discussions to help office-bearers and congregations unpack this document referred to us by the 2018 General Synod and consider our responses, on 

Tuesday, 15 January 2019, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. 

We will be led by Chris Dorn, Tricia Sheffield, Matthew van Maastricht, Cora Taitt, and Micah McCreary. More details at https://www.nbts.edu/events/looking-great-lakes-catechism/. The suggested donation for lunch (which is free for all seminarians) is $10.00, but all will be fed regardless of their ability to pay. RSVP to jbrumm@nbts.edu by Wednesday, 9 January.
NOTE FROM FREEHOLD REFORMED



MLK Day of Youth Service
offered through the Freehold Clergy Association

WHO: 6th-12th graders in groups from parishes & schools (plus adult chaperones/drivers)

WHY: To use this day off of school to honor the legacy of Dr. King by serving those in need in your local community.

WHERE: You will be placed at a service site within an easy drive of your host parish (Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine). Each host parish will send groups to a variety of sites.

WHAT TO BRING: A toiletry item to donate to a local non-profit; a water bottle; weather appropriate clothing (there is potential to work outside); a positive attitude and willingness to serve wherever needed. If your site requires additional supplies, we will notify you ahead of time.

WHAT IS INCLUDED: CFJ will set up all service sites, will provide reflections, activities, and opening/closing prayer services.







NOTE FROM REV MARISOL FERRER 
ABOUT PARADISE CALIFORNIA
Greetings,
As many know, I served a Congregational Church (denomination NACCC) for nine years. I met Rev. Andrew McHenry along the way. A few years ago, he was excited about moving from the midwest to California to start ministry in a town called Paradise. Who wouldn't want that?

Paradise has been almost destroyed completely. Andrew, his wife and two cats were able to escape the campfire that destroyed their church and home.

If you want to help. I received this information from another pastor in the fold:

WE CAN HELP WITH IMMEDIATE NEEDS for Craig Memorial Congregational Church in Paradise, CA.

Walmart, Target, and Visa gift cards can be sent to the church (They will be delivered to the post office in Chico.) and distributed to church members who have been evacuated and are in need of clothing, food, toiletries, etc. . .
Craig Memorial Church
5665 Southwood Drive
Paradise, CA 95969















CONGREGATIONS IN OUR REGION SEEKING PASTORS



VISIT OUR REGIONAL SYNOD ONLINE CALENDAR!



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

website posts 

and

calendar  

calendar 

for more current events!