IN GENERAL NEWS ITEMS ARE ABBREVIATED AND CAN USUALLY BE CLICKED ON TO FIND MORE INFORMATION. THIS IS OUR QUICK NOTES PHILOSOPHY THAT ALLOWS YOU TO SCAN WHAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO YOU.

City Church of Long Beach is looking for a part time Community Life Pastor (to help with small groups and occasional preaching, etc.). Find out more at this job description.

MALE ALLYSHIP VIRTUAL SUMMIT

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” –1 Thessalonians 5:11

In the RCA, we long to see a “both/and” church, one where both women and men are able to fully thrive. Imagine what God will do as everyone uses their gifts in ministry without restrictions! To help us get there, we’re inviting RCA men to a Male Allyship Virtual Summit on Wednesday, February 5, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. This 90-minute training is designed to help men in the RCA develop into more effective allies to the women they work alongside in ministry.

READ MORE AND REGISTER AT THIS LINK

2025 She is Called Sabbath Rest Retreat

Registration is now open!

March 28, 2025 – March 30, 2025

Grove Hall Retreat Center

15 Pilgrim Pathway

Ocean Grove, NJ 07756

The retreat begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28, and ends on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at noon. Check-in begins at 4:00 pm on Friday and room check-out will be at 10:00 am Sunday, March 30. The retreat concludes at 12:00 pm following worship.

Retreat only: $50/pp (includes breakfast and materials)

Lodging: ($160 for double occupancy w/shared bath- single rooms and private baths sold out) Saturday and Sunday lodging is included. The majority of the rooms are double occupancy. You are encouraged to coordinate your roommate, if possible. If not, our team will assign one for you. 

**Most rooms are reachable by a flight of stairs. The few ground floor rooms are reserved for those who cannot climb a flight of stairs, thank you for leaving those who have most need. Please note your accessibility needs in detail in registration. 

Meals: Sat/Sun breakfast, dinner on Saturday and snacks are included. Dinner on Friday and lunch on Saturday will be on your own. A day retreat option is available for Saturday, which includes breakfast and dinner, lunch is on your own. Please note your dietary restrictions in detail during registration. 

Please note that this is a historic building. Most of the bedrooms are on the second and third floors and climbing stairs will be required to reach them.

Each person should register for *only one* of the 2 registration levels below.

Level 1 covers two nights lodging, Sat/Sun breakfast, Sat dinner during the retreat.

Levels 5 - Day Plan-Saturday Only includes breakfast and dinner.

The Reformed Church Center Seeks New Explorers for 2025-2026

Fellowships in RCA History, RCA Women’s Studies, or Reformed Worship

Do you have a subject or question that you want to want to learn and share more about? Do you have a creative idea that you want to explore a bit further? If you’re a worship person or an artist, is there something you would like to create to help people worship? 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 Twenty-first Century?

Then you should consider sending in a brief proposal for one of three fellowships at New Brunswick Theological Seminary during the 2025-2026 academic year! The Reformed Church Center is looking for those proposals, to be submitted by April 15, 2025.

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.

What do you need to get a fellowship? You need some practice doing scholarly research, whether that’s by reading old manuscripts or books or conducting oral interviews, etc., or maybe you need a gift for writing prayers or songs or telling stories. You also need to demonstrate that you have done some work and can define a project within your question or idea 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 your subject matter.

If you’ve read this far, what are you WAITING for?



Applications and proposals for all three fellowships are due by April 15, 2025. Contact James Hart Brumm, Director of the Reformed Church Center, at jbrumm@nbts.edu, if you would like to discuss your idea or get suggestions for your proposal.

VISIT THE NBTS EVENTS PAGE TO SEE MANY CURRENT EVENTS BOTH ONLINE AND IN PERSON THAT ARE AVAILABLE

Restructuring Committee

FEEDBACK SURVEY RELEASED, PLEASE FILL IT OUT!

Our committee understands that each congregation, pastor, and classis within our bounds is unique and brings different needs, concerns, dreams, and expectations to the discussion surrounding the restructuring of the RCA. Furthermore, how each region might restructure into middle assemblies is being left up to the individual regional synods and their classes.

To that end, our committee has developed a form to solicit the perspectives in your ministries as we work to establish consensus for one or more middle assemblies for our region. We ask that you prayerfully consider the questions on the Restructuring Feedback Form and encourage you to discuss these questions as a consistory, as a classis, and among your peers.  

Once you review these questions, please respond by filling out the form at the following link and submit your responses to us no later than February 1, 2025:

https://form.jotform.com/242876543229061

If you prefer to submit your responses by mail, you may send them to the synod office at:

Synod of the Mid-Atlantics

35 Seminary Place

New Brunswick, NJ 08901 

We look forward to hearing what is on your mind and in your heart as together we move through this process.

Yours in Christ,

The Synod of the Mid-Atlantics Restructuring Committee

James Hart Brumm, Chair

Cheryl Daniel, Licensed Candidate – Passaic Valley Classis

Michael Ehrenfried, Stated Clerk – City Classis

Chris Heitkamp, Stated Clerk – Delaware-Raritan Classis

Tom Henion, Jr., Executive Committee – Synod of the Mid-Atlantics

Sun Ju, Korean Coordinator – Greater Palisades Classis

Stephanie Kaper-Dale, Pastor – New Brunswick Classis

Robert Miller, Pastor – Greater Palisades Classis

Claudette Reid, Commissioned Pastor – Passaic Valley Classis

David Ruisard, Pastor – Delaware-Raritan Classis

Ancela Fransisca Rumokoy, President – New Brunswick Classis

Danielle Tullier, Vice President – City Classi Jodie Wu, Executive Committee – Synod of the Mid-Atlantics

 To review the current responsibilities of classes and regional synods, you can read or download a copy of the current Book of Church Order on the RCA website at:    https://www.rca.org/about/government/book-of-church-order/

CHURCH PROFILE: SEEKING A PASTOR

The Community Reformed Church of Colonie (CRCC), located in New York's Capital Region, is excited to call our next Pastor as we discern a future of possibility as disciples of Christ together. Here is the church profile and further information.

Stanton Reformed Church, nestled in the rural community of Stanton, NJ, is seeking a pastor to lead our congregation in spiritual growth as we move forward to a new chapter of our 175+ years of serving the Lord. The Stanton Reformed Church sees God’s light in every person.  Through faith, worship, fellowship, and hospitality, Christ calls us to affirm, accept, and embrace all who enter our doors. We are looking for a Pastor who will help us live out that mission statement. We are looking for a Pastor who will lead and teach prayerfully and compassionately.  We seek a Pastor who is rooted in the written Word of God and will focus on meeting our congregation's and community's spiritual needs. We are looking for a Pastor like us, who loves the Lord and can lead us in worship and in service. 

Candidates should have a college degree, Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary and ordination in the Reformed Church in America or other denomination that partners with the RCA. We will also consider candidates who are close to graduation as we are able to provide a mentor. If you feel called to further explore the opportunity to serve as our Pastor and meet the qualifications, we look forward to hearing from you.  Please email the church and request a profile and job description, visit our website, check out our worship services and our face book page.  But most importantly, pray first, for we are in search of a Pastor who listens and is led by the Spirit of God. Be blessed and know that we have been in prayer for you.

With Blessings,

Stanton Reformed Church Search Committee

Learn more about SRC at https://www.stantonrc.org/

WARWICK CONFERENCE CENTER, A SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION OF THE REGIONAL SYNOD OF THE MID-ATLANTICS AND THE REGIONAL SYNOD OF NEW YORK, IS CREATING A NEW EMAIL LIST. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN THOSE EMAILS, PLEASE OPT-IN USING THE FORM BELOW.

[city-classis] Pastor for Community Life Search

Dear friends and colleagues,

We have opened up a search at the congregation which I serve, City Church San Francisco, for the role of Associate Pastor for Community Life. I would be grateful if you could share the position description throughout your networks. 

Primary areas of responsibility include:

• Designing and leading a Deacon Board

• Building networks for hospitality and community building within a congregational context

• Strengthening connections and relationships with service and justice partners in SF

• Shepherding our LGBTQIA ministries

Beyond the position responsibilities, I am looking for someone who... 

1) Is a natural connector of people.

2) Has a deep love for ministry in an urban context and enthusiasm for building networks for shared power and change for the common good.

3) Has a passion for, and experience in, creating community and opportunities for people to serve.

4) Has a passion for, and experience with, providing pastoral care, shepherding, and guidance for LGBTQIA-identified persons as they reconcile faith with identity.

5) Can offer a Jesus-centered articulation of their sense of vocational call and commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, anti-racist practices, and social justice

If you have any questions at all, of course, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Gratefully,

Emily

--

Rev. Emily McGinley

She/Her/Hers (what’s this?)

Senior Pastor | City Church San Francisco

www.citychurchsf.org

Robin Suydam, a member of the Regional Synod, is a board member at Creation Justice Ministries as a representative of the RCA. There are many resources available on their website.

Dear NJIC3/CIC family and friends,

I'm happy to share the news that we'll soon be launching a new virtual book club!

You're invited to join us as we read and discuss Maggie Bruehl's book, "Suspended: Living With Dying," a memoir of her cancer journey. The insights, reflections, and stories shared will resonate with you regardless of whether you've personally experienced a cancer diagnosis or you've supported a loved one as they navigated a cancer journey.

If you're interested in the group, please visit https://rebrand.ly/NJIC3-LWD-book-club for more information, to vote on a meeting day and time, and to complete the sign-up form. Email me at austin.njic3@improvingnj.org with questions that aren't answered on the sign-up form.

Feel free to share this email with any friends and family who might be interested in joining the group. (And remember, since it's a virtual book club, it's accessible to your friends and family no matter where they live. (Delivery of books will be arranged for out-of-state participants.))

Have a good evening,

Austin

JOB POSTINGS

SLACKWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SEEKS A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ASSISTANT, PART TIME