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Smith Lecture • 2022-2023
Slavery and Social Power in the Dutch Reformed Church
February 23 • 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
A LOOK AT THE RCA AND SLAVERY
One of the growing edges in RCA historical studies is the relationship between the RCA and slavery. Thirty years ago, this was not addressed at all in most historical work, but the book An RCA Reader, published in 2022 as a principal textbook for students of RCA history, devotes eleven percent of its pages to the topic. Even so, more needs to be done.
One of the leading scholars in the area of slavery in the Dutch North American colonies is Andrea Mosterman, associate professor in Atlantic History and Joseph Tregle Professor in Early American History at the University of New Orleans. In her work, she explores the multi-faceted dimensions of slavery, slave trade, and cross-cultural contact in the Dutch Atlantic and Early America with special emphasis on Early New York. She has published her work in, among others, the Journal of African History and Early American Studies, and she curated the digital exhibit “Slavery in New Netherland” for the New Netherland Institute. Her book Spaces of Enslavement: A History of Slavery and Resistance in Dutch New York (Cornell University Press 2021), which has won the 2020 Hendricks Award for best book-length manuscript related to New Netherland and the Dutch colonial experience, explores slavery and space in Dutch New York. She is currently working on a project that re-examines the seventeenth-century Dutch slave trade.
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Women’s Stories Day 2023
These Are Ministries, Too!
March 18 • 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
CELEBRATING HALF A CENTURY OF ORDAINED WOMEN IN THE RCA!
When we talk about ordained ministry in the Reformed tradition, we often think only of the ministers of the Word and Sacrament. But our theology, our liturgy, and our order tell us that deacons and elders are every bit as much ministers, with different functions and amenabilities, but callings and ordinations just as valid as those in the third office. What’s more, the first women ordained to serve as elders and deacons were elected and ordained in 1973, meaning 2023 marks half a century of ordained women’s ministry in the RCA.
On March 18th, 1:00-3:00 pm Eastern Time, the Reformed Church Center, working with the RCA Office of Women’s Transformation and Leadership, will kick off the RCA’s celebration of half a century of this vital ministry with “Women’s Stories Day 2023: These Are Ministries, Too!” There will be a time of devotions, a time for stories of the work of women elders and deacons around the RCA, a time for sharing, and the 2023 Hazel B. Gnade Lectures in RCA Women’s Studies, giving context to this change and its special impact on Black churches.
This program will be virtual, so that women and men from across the denomination and around the world may take part, but the Reformed Church Center will be premiering a new Zoom Event Space, where participants will be able to visit and learn outside of the main webinar.
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Poppen-Young Lecture 2022-2023
Redeeming Confession in Reformed Worship
April 19 • 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
This year’s Poppen-Young Lecture Looks at Confession, Assurance, and Law
The RCA Directory for Worship tells us that “Worship is the acknowledgment of God’s superior worth: God is righteous, we are unrighteous; God is sinless, we are sinners.” And 1 John 1:8 says: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” The corporate prayer of confession in worship is meant to allow us to leave the burden of our sins at God’s feet; the Assurance of God’s Pardon intends to remind us that we go forth free and forgiven; and the Law of God is meant to be our thankful response: we can live a better way, so that we don’t fall into the same traps.
Yet not all congregations find the grace and mercy of God in this liturgy. As our 2022-2023 services feels uneasy in some church settings and welcoming in other churches.” Many congregations feel that this makes people feel guilty, that the Law is negative to our twenty-first-century ears, and so they minimize this portion of worship or leave it out altogether. But there may be better ways to approach this.
On Wednesday, April 19th, at 11:00 am Eastern Time, our 2022-2023 Poppen Young Lecture in Reformed Worship will explore Redeeming Confession in Reformed Worship. This will be a lecture-workshop and will be available on Zoom. We will take a new look at the theology behind confession and assurance and at ways different Reformed pastors are trying to make this a more redeeming time for modern worshipers.
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Save the Date!
The Inaugural Biennial NBTS Gala
May 18 • 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
New Brunswick Theological Seminary is proud to announce our upcoming Inaugural Gala, honoring distinguished alumni and church and community leaders who are committed to the preservation and continuation of NBTS’ mission to think critically, act justly, and lead faithfully.
The event will begin with Chapel, followed by a reception and dinner.
Beginning February 20, 2023, tickets and sponsorships will be available for purchase.
If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Proctor at 848-237-1706 or cproctor@nbts.edu.
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Baccalaureate Service 2023
May 19 • 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
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Commencement Service 2023
May 20 • 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
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Alumni spotlight • Rev. Ron Lokhorst
At age 85, NBTS Alumnus Rev. Ron Lokhorst doesn’t preach many sermons. But on July 31, 2022, Ron delivered the message for all three services at Central College Presbyterian Church, where he volunteers as the Parish Associate in Westerville, Ohio.
The occasion was the 60th anniversary of Ron’s ordination as a pastor. On August 5, 1962, he was ordained and installed as a Minister of Word and Sacrament at the Reformed Church of Port Ewen, New York.
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Make a gift today to support theological education
New Brunswick Theological Seminary is committed to training Christian leaders who are called to serve the local church, community and the world. Your contributions and generous gifts enable us to provide academic programs at the highest level of excellence. We covet your prayers, generous gifts, and partnerships in this mission.
If you have any questions about making a donation, please contact:
Cathy Proctor, VP of Advancement and Recruitment
cproctor@nbts.edu
848-237-1706
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New Brunswick Theological Seminary
35 Seminary Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732.247.5241
www.NBTS.edu
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