Quick Notes Update for January 13, 2022

Note our new email for the Synod Office:

STARTING THIS EVENING!
NEW BRUNSWICK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Financial Aid and Academic Office Coordinator
Full-Time
New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS) is seeking an experienced administrative education professional who is highly knowledgeable and detail-oriented for the position of Financial Aid & Academic Office Coordinator. This position serves as a dual role and is responsible for the coordination of financial aid, academic administration, and international students. The coordinator will manage the day-to-day operations in these areas to ensure the highest quality services for accurate and timely processing. They will provide critical support to students, faculty, and staff, and address questions or concerns with a solution-based approach. The coordinator is expected to handle multiple responsibilities, solve complex problems, and ensure that systems and processes meet service expectations.
The Financial Aid & Academic Office Coordinator will heavily use technology systems throughout their daily work activities including the Student Information System (SIS), Learning Management System (LMS), EdExpress, and EdConnect. The ideal candidate will have experience working with Financial Aid, SIS, and LMS systems and be adaptable and possess a willingness and interest in learning new skills and technologies within a team environment.
The Financial Aid & Academic Office Coordinator must demonstrate efficient office and file management skills. This position reports to the Registrar and Business Office Manager working closely with the Deans of the Seminary and the Chief Financial Officer. This is a full-time position with health insurance, retirement contribution, life insurance, and paid time off benefits.
NBTS is committed to increasing diversity in its faculty, staff, and student populations, as well as curriculum and support programs, while promoting an inclusive environment. NBTS is an equal opportunity employer. A full job description can be found at https://nbts.edu/employ-opps/financial-aid-academic-office-coordinator.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to humanresources@nbts.edu.



Amanda Bruehl
Chief of Staff

New Brunswick Theological Seminary @ St. John's University
FAITH AND GRIEF GATHERINGS AT CHRISTIAN HEALTH CARE CENTER

Dear Friends,
 
It has been a long, hard season of grief for many people these past months. Recognizing the challenges of the journey with grief, the pastoral care department of Christian Health has resumed monthly “Faith and Grief” gatherings. “Faith and Grief” meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 11 a.m. to Noon in the Auditorium located in the Commons of Christian Health. If you know someone who would benefit from small group support on their grief journey, please encourage their participation. Registration is required as are some safety protocols, including wearing a mask. For more information or to register, please visit www.faithandgrief.org or call (201) 848-4264.
 
Recently, I received some inquiries from clergy about visitation protocols at Christian Health. We are open for visitation, and highly encourage the personal connection between residents/patients and their local religious leaders and houses of worship. Some necessary protocols and precautions to help ensure safe visits are in place. The following information was sent to all Christian Health volunteers. These same guidelines apply to visitors, and it may be helpful for you to know about the updated COVID-19 visitation requirement before your next visit.
 
Christian Health’s policies for visitation and volunteering adhere to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NJDOH guidelines for COVID-19 safety and infection control. These guidelines include screening all team members, visitors, and volunteers, temperature checks, proper hand hygiene, use of disposable, surgical face masks (fully covering mouth and nose), physical distancing, cleaning and disinfecting, appropriate team member use of personal protective equipment, and more.
 
Based on these strictly enforced guidelines, Christian Health is happy to continue to welcome visitors and volunteers. The wearing of a well fitted surgical mask in all Christian Health buildings at all times is required.
 
Please be aware that there are also rapidly rising rates of influenza in our area. If you experience any symptoms of the flu, a common cold, allergies, or additional COVID-19 symptoms, please plan your visit for another day. Thank you for your support!
 
For the latest updates on visitation, please go to the Christian Health website www.Christianhealthnj.org and click on the green banner “COVID 19 Response: Information and Updates” at the top of the homepage.
 
If the pastoral care staff can be of assistance in facilitating a visit, or if you have any questions about “Faith and Grief,” please call our office at 201-848-5839. 
 
We hold you in our prayers as you continue to creatively and courageously minister through this unpredictable time. Thank you for your faithful, ongoing ministries of compassion and care for our residents at Christian Health. May God’s grace and peace be upon you!
 
Blessings,
Rev. Phyllis Palsma
Director of Pastoral Care, Christian Health
Direct Phone: 201-848-5801
 
Michele Pietrafesa
Administrative Assistant for Pastoral Care
Christian Health - Pastoral Care
Direct 201-848-5839| MPietrafesa@christianhealthnj.org
CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR THE COMPLETE UPDATE LETTER

Trustees Needed for the Warwick Conference Center
 
The Warwick Conference Center is a subsidiary corporation of the Regional Synods of the Mid-Atlantics and New York. The Board of Trustees for Warwick is made up of laypersons and clergy from both synods.  We are currently looking for 5 people who are willing to serve on the Board of Trustees from the Synod of the Mid-Atlantics, especially persons with gifts in the following areas:
·      Property (maintenance, sales, leasing)
·      Legal (familiarity with NY law would be helpful)
·      Finance and investments
·      Human Resources
·      Publicity and/or fundraising 
If you are interested in serving, know of someone who might be, or if you have questions about what service on the board entails, please contact Rev. Jill Fenske (President of the Board of Trustees) at jcfenske@optimum.net or the synod office at rsmatoffice@gmail.com


THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING CHURCHES FOR ADDING THEIR LIVESTREAM INFORMATION TO OUR ARCHIVES PAGE
Wyckoff Reformed
Three Bridges Reformed
Ocean Community, Mahahawkin
Parkside Community
RSMAT churches are livestreaming and maintaining recorded service archives. This presents us with a unique opportunity to learn from each other and celebrate the amazing gifts in our community! Please use this webform to provide us with your church livestream link and a link to your recorded services archive. We will make a single page view available of all of this information so that you can visit around and get inspired!
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN IMPROVING YOUR TECHNOLOGY USE IN THE NEW YEAR!

Would you like to:
Discuss church software for managing member information and online donations?
Learn to use email newsletters to keep members informed?
Rework your website to a more modern look?
Create online forms for people to register for events and provide feedback?
Create online visual databases like the livestream example above?
Take your livestream to the next level?
Develop a social media plan and a team to implement it?

REPLY TO THIS EMAIL AS WE FORM LEARNING GROUPS TO START IN JANUARY!
Synod congregations are working together for Afghan refugees. Read more here and find ways to participate. There are urgent needs for support and help.
The Reformed Church Center at New Brunswick Theological Seminary helps people to explore what it means to be Reformed in the 21st Century. As part of that mission, every year, the Center offers three fellowships.

Do you want to learn more and share more about a subject or idea that interests you? Is there a question you’ve been pondering?
Would you like to spend two weeks in study and sharing, and have somebody pay you (a little) instead of you paying them?
Do you have something to say about being Reformed in the 21st century?

Then maybe you should send in a brief proposal for one of three fellowships at New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 2022-23! The Reformed Church Center is looking for those proposals, to be submitted by April 8, 2022.

Here is what past fellowship recipients say:

Have you ever had a question on your heart that burns to be answered, but life is busy and you know this important topic will be pushed aside? This happened to me, in my last ordination class. I saw a gap in women’s history—about a fateful gathering of young women in 1978 who emerged, in renewed ties of sisterhood, committed to ask their many classes across the country for ordination. The Hazel B. Gnade Fellowship enabled me to speak with many of them, capture some of their experiences and then share this critical moment with the rest of our denomination.
–Liz Estes
Pastor, Readington Reformed Church
Hazel B. Gnade Fellow, 2018-2019

Being a recipient of the Smith Fellowship enabled me to complete a project about Rev. E. T. Corwin and the history of the Millstone church that I had been working at in tiny bites. The fellowship committee could not have been more helpful and the time for research was instrumental to my progress. The application process is not difficult and worth the effort. As a result of my research, numerous other avenues of discovery have opened up in my project and my work continues. My research benefitted my church, the denomination and enabled me to accomplish something I have long wanted to do. I would be happy to dsicuss my experience with anyone considering application. 
–Fred Mueller
Pastor, Hillsborough Reformed Church at Millstone
Albert A Smith Fellow, 2019-2020

I had a vague idea about a project, but I fleshed it out a bit and sent off the application. The vague idea turned out to be a project that has captivated my attention for almost a year now. I’m grateful for the opportunity the Gnade Fellowship provided.  
–Lynn Japinga
Professor of Religion, Hope College
Hazel B. Gnade Fellow, 2019-2020

Sharing the stories of some of the African American women leaders of the RCA from the 1960s and 70s was a highlight of my year. I celebrate the Reformed Church Center’s Hazel B. Gnade Fellowship for encouraging and supporting this project and giving me the opportunity to accomplish it.
-Anna Jackson
Co-pastor, Second Reformed Church, Hackensack
Hazel B. Gnade Fellow, 2020-2021

What do you need to get one of these fellowships? You need some practice doing scholarly research, whether that’s by reading old manuscripts or books or conducting oral interviews, etc. You also need to demonstrate that you have done some preliminary research into your question and can define a project within your question that you can significantly complete within a couple of weeks of intense work.

What DON’T you need to get one of these fellowships? You don’t need to be a pastor or a professor. You don’t need specialized theological training . . . just some familiarity with the subject matter.

You can write a proposal for . . . 

The Albert A. Smith Fellowship
An opportunity for research in Reformed Church History
The Smith Fellowship provides a stipend of $500.00 and the possibility of a two-week residency at New Brunswick Theological Seminary to support research into the history of the Reformed tradition, particularly as it pertains to the Reformed Church in America (RCA). Get more information and download an application here.

The Alvin J. Poppen And John R. Young Fellowship
An opportunity for research and/or presentation in Reformed Worship and Liturgy
The Alvin J. Poppen and John R. Young Fellowship provides a $500.00 stipend, travel expenses, and the possibility of a two-week residency at New Brunswick Theological Seminary to support research in Reformed Worship, particularly as it pertains to the RCA. Get more information and download an application here.

The Hazel B. Gnade Fellowship
An opportunity for research in RCA Women’s Studies.
The Hazel B. Gnade Fellowship provides a $500.00 stipend and the possibility of a two-week residency at New Brunswick Theological Seminary to support research in the history of women’s involvement in the RCA. Get more information and download an application here.

Seeking a Classis Minister for Classis Greater Palisades

Job Description: The Classis Minister is an ordained minister and contracted to serve the Classis in a proactive and reactive manner, working with Ministers, Consistories, and Congregations by building relationships and responding to the struggles/hardships of our ministers and congregations within the Classis of the Greater Palisades. This responsibility includes pastoral care and support along with conflict resolution when necessary. The Classis Minister will be expected to spend 16 hours per week on his/her duties. 

Responsibilities to include:
  1. Provide pastoral care to Ministers and lay leadership.
  2. Visit all Classis Consistories annually to build and maintain relationships.
  3. Utilize root cause analysis models to identify challenges and work towards resolution.
  4. Mentor Ministers and new church leaders.
  5. Encourage church health and the development of vital ministries.
  6. Assist in the networking of churches and their congregations.
  7. Report on all of the above to the Executive Committee as well as the Classis members at the stated session meetings.

Attributes:
  1. Skilled in conflict management and mediation techniques
  2. Working knowledge of the Reformed Church in America and the Book of Church Order
  3. Respect for the confidential nature of this work
  4. Reports to:
  5. Classis Executive Committee – provide a monthly recap of activities
  6. Supervision of Churches and Supervision of Ministers Committees – communicate specific issues as they relate to the health and welfare of the congregations, lay leaders and ministers.

Candidates are encouraged to send resume and cover letter to chair of the Personnel Committee, Jodie Wu, at 4jodie@gmail.com











CONGRATULATIONS TO CLASSIS DELAWARE RARITAN ON ADDING A NEW CLASSIS MINISTER AND CONGREGATIONAL CONSULTANT TO CLASSIS STAFF

Rev. Dawn Alpaugh, Classis Minister
Rev. Beth Scibienski, Congregational Consultant
Greenville Community Church (GCC) in southern Westchester County seeks a full-time Pastor who will guide us to a higher place of spirituality, service, and community building. As a strong, collaborative, and creative leader, he/she will excite our congregation, youth, and staff; and grow our beloved faith community in keeping with the ethos of our church. 
Our new Pastor will: 
Be able to relate well to members of all ages 
Be able to deliver inspiring sermons on a regular basis 
Possess a proven ability to grow a congregation 
Be able to inspire youth of the congregation 
Be able to organize and develop staff, administer programs, and manage facilities 
A small, contemporary church in the large community of Edgemont (located just 21 miles from New York City), GCC is a safe place to be ourselves in worship, discovery, and fellowship. We believe that God loves us and asks us to come as we are. Our warm and kind congregation embraces our diversity in race, politics, theology, education, economic and religious backgrounds, sexual orientation, and identity. 
Vision 
To gather all peoples to find the peace and grace of God 
Mission 
As an open place of worship, we welcome you as you are 
We strive to: 
● build a community of learning 
● celebrate the richness of our diversity 
● maintain a loving, inclusive personal connection with God and our community ● challenge ourselves to serve with compassion and care for our world 
● 
For more information, we encourage applicants to visit our website at 
https://www.greenvillechurch.org. Applications and resumes can be sent to our search committee at GCCSearch2021@gmail.com.

Are you using a VR headset and exploring how virtual reality might be used in ministry? Let's have a conversation!
MURAL and other online whiteboards provide a way to add more interaction to zoom meetings. Let me know if you want to explore this further.
GATHER TOWN is a fun way to add some social involvment to your online options.
DO YOU HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF ADAPTING AND INNOVATING TO SHARE FOR INSPIRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT? SEND IT TO US!
NJ CONGREGATIONAL CENTER FOR CANCER CARE
We have created an online gathering of all of the newsletters of the program. Find help for those facing cancer.
CHURCH BASED MENTAL HEALTH NEWSLETTERS ARCHIVE
We've created an online gathering of all of the newsletters the program has sent out during COVID. Very helpful insights to pass along to your congregations!
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.