rsmat
Quick Notes Update for April 4, 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.


SAVE THE DATES

Training for Handling Sexual Abuse Allegations in Churches
Saturday, October 5th from 9 AM - 4:30 PM
MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW

RCA MISSION 2020
January 16-18, 2020

THANKS TO ALL WHO ORGANIZED AND ATTENDED THE CROSSROADS CONFERENCE!




 

POMPTON LAKES REFORMED CHURCH
FISH AND CHIPS DINNER
APRIL 14

Once again the Deacons of the Pompton Lakes Reformed Church will be
hosting their Fish and Chips Dinner on April 14 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The
Dinner is being catered by Tastefully British and the cost is $15.00 for
adults and $10.00 for children. The dinner includes freshly battered
and fried fish and chips or chicken fingers and chips plus coleslaw,
dessert, and beverage. Enjoy table service when you dine in or pick up
your meals to go. All proceeds from the dinner go to the Deacon's fund
to help those in need. Tickets will be available after Sunday Worship
from any Deacon or at the door. For additional information contact the
church office at 973-835-0541.
 

NEW BRUNSWICK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
SPRING COMMENCEMENT
MAY 18, 2019 

Dear NBTS Family and Friends,
As January 2019 comes to a close, I am emailing you to communicate two exciting pieces of information surrounding our May 18, 2019 Spring Commencement. First, we are honored to have as our commencement speaker the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Second, in an effort to accommodate our graduates and their families, our alumni, our supporters, our faculty and staff, and our friends we will hold our commencement at NBTS in the Rutgers Tent on Bishops Place behind their Honor's College.

Thus, on behalf of the NBTS Board of Trustees, faculty members, staff, and most importantly our graduating students, please accept this email as your invitation to attend our 2019 Spring commencement. See you on May 18, 2019!

In Joy and In Justice!
Rev. Micah L. McCreary, Ph.D.
President
John Henry Livingston Professor of Theology

"Think critically, act justly, and lead faithfully!"
New Brunswick Theological Seminary.
35 Seminary Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 732.247.5241, Ext. 1724
New Brunswick Theological Seminary @ St. John's University 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439; 718.990.6000; Fax: 718.990.5932




 

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






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 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 

website posts 

and

calendar  

calendar 

for more current events!