The Book of Church Order states that regional synods:

1)     Exercise general superintendence over the interests and concerns of the classes.

2)     Exercise appellate supervisory power over the acts, proceedings and decisions of its classes.

3)     Form, combine and disband classes and may transfer churches from one classis to another.

4)     Shall create whatever organizations it desires for the furtherance of the work of the gospel within its bounds, providing such organizations do not infringe upon the prerogatives of the classes or churches.

A great part of the work falls under item 4, as we provide leadership or come alongside classes, churches, pastors and others in many areas of ministry.  In addition, the synod articulates regional concerns to the larger RCA family.  Below is a list of some of the work that is done or that has been initiated by the synod and its staff:

• Provided funding to initiate and develop the position of classis ministers.
• Created ministry teams in the areas of Revitalization, Multicultural Ministry, Prayer, and Church Multiplication.
• Sponsors training and educational events. 
• Upon invitation, visits and works with pastors, consistories, churches, and classes, providing education and/or learning events in the areas of Revitalization, Multicultural Ministry, Prayer, and Church Multiplication.
• May give grants for pastors and others to attend training and seminars in the areas of Revitalization, Church Multiplication, Coaching and Networking.
• Provides grants for new church starts, in conjunction with the classes and denomination, and provides coaching and mentoring support for church planters.
• Works diligently to maintain and share fresh methods of communication with classes and congregations.
• In conjunction with the Synod of New York, monetarily supports the Volunteer Services Coordinator who, along with volunteers, helps congregations in our region with repair work at their facilities, saving congregations hundreds of thousands of dollars since the program was implemented.
• When invited the Synod Executive provides one-on-one consultation with pastors and/or consistories.
• Continues to be the forum where judicial complaints and appeals are heard.
• Formed, supports and continues to work with three subsidiary corporations:
  • The Reformed Church Home – an assisted living and skilled nursing facility in Old Bridge, NJ
  • The Warwick Center – conference and meeting center as well as home to Camp Warwick
  • The Synod Foundation – provides low interest and emergency loans to churches, and limited grants for new ministry projects
• Sponsors or supports other events and ministries including: Crossroads Women’s Retreat, Lay Recognition Dinner, Retired RCA Pastors Luncheon, Freedom in Ministry, NJ Council of Churches, Metropolitan Council of Philadelphia, NJ Coalition of Inclusive Ministry, and Campus Ministries.
• Relates the issues and concerns of the churches in the East to the rest of the denomination through the Council of Synod Executives (COSE), the Program and Coordination Team (PACT), General Synod Council, and other assemblies.
• Provides a place to develop ecumenical relationships.

We invite you to explore our website or call our office at 908.393.2976 to learn more about how the synod can partner with your church.

A SPIRITUAL RETREAT: ENCOURAGING the NURTURE of a LISTENING HEART…

            To retreat is to step outside of our normal lives in order to reflect on where we have been and where we might be going; to catch a glimpse of how we might live differently; and to listen for the still, small voice of God that still whispers throughout the land. Using a variety of contemplative prayer practices we will nurture our desire for prayer, with a gracious rhythm of silence and sound, stillness and movement.  Individual Spiritual Direction will be provided.

Rest will be honored…Renewal encouraged

Retreat guides:             Ellen Ratmeyer, ordained Elder and Spiritual Director; Ella Campbell, ordained Elder and Spiritual Director; and Arlene Wilhelm, Minister of Word and Sacrament and Spiritual Director

MARCH 6-8, 2012

LINWOOD SPIRITUAL CENTER,  RHINEBECK, NY

COST: $150.00 PER PERSON (includes $50 non-refundable deposit)

MEALS: Tuesday lunch thru Thursday lunch

For more information and commuter rates: contact Arlene Wilhelm 845-240-1690 or sophiaarw@ yahoo.com

Registration is limited – Deadline to register is February 23, 2012

Resumes for this opening will be accepted from now until February 24th and can be submitted via either snail mail or email to the Rev. Christopher Heitkamp. Contact information is at the end of the job description.

   

Here are some examples of what we'll be talking about

• Proclaim: cloud based presentation solution for worship projection
• rightnow training materials for streaming small group studies
• vimeo and youtube for posting messages
• RSMAT website resources
• logos bible software  and for bible study and research
• android and ios mobile applications
• gotomeeting and skype for webinar meetings
• basecamp for team project coordination
• email newlsetters: mail chimp, constant contact
• dropbox for sharing files between teams
• evernote for collaborative development of notes
• prezi for innovative presentations and team collaboration
• mindjet and mindmeister for mind mapping and collaboration
• filemaker pro for online data applications

Have you ever wondered...

• how can our church use email?
• should we have a website?
• how can we connect with our members who are on facebook?
• could we use skype to hold meetings?
• what is available on the regional synod and denomination websites?
• what are you talking about?

This will be the first in what we hope will be a series of webinars to support our congregations in using electronic communication.

To participate, you will need to have access to a computer that has a video camera and a microphone. Most current laptops have this setup. If you don't have access or know if you have access, you can either ask around at your church about it, or email us and we can help you look for options. It is also possible to participate by phone if that is an option you prefer.

We will be using GoToMeeting, a popular webinar platform.
The entire meeting is conducted online, you don't need to travel anywhere. We will be able to visit websites together and talk about how to create free email newsletters, how to find information and news, how to create a facebook page for your church or group...

We will send out more information in the next weeks, but for now we encourage you to register your interest by clicking on this link and registering for the event. You can also use the form at that link to ask a question, or you can just reply to this email with your question. Knowing how many people intend to participate is important in our preparation.

Thanks, hope to see you online!

Freedom in Ministry is a weekend conference for clergy and their spouses from the Synods of Albany, New York and Mid-Atlantics to retreat into the scenic hills of Warwick, New York.  Rest is honored.  Renewal is Encouraged.  Fellowship is fostered. 

This year the theme of the conference is: “The Music of Our Lives: Understanding Our Calling.”  Our guest presenter and worship leader is Rev. Dan Griswold, pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Rochester, New York.  Dan shares,

One of the big challenges many of us face concerns identity.  "Who am I?" is not easy to answer, mostly because the answer cannot be short.  Identity has many parts, and personal identity is the sum of many roles.  One can be parent, child, sibling, employee, hobbyist, plus many other things besides, all at once.  This reality offers special complications for ministers and their spouses.  The role of "church leader," or of the supporter of such a leader, often tends to take over and push aside the other roles ... perhaps even that of "disciple of Christ" or "child of God."
In our time together, we will share with each other the varied roles that contribute to our identities.  Using concepts drawn from music, and actual music-making together, we will explore some models that may help us as we struggle with giving voice to the different facets of who we are.

The 2012 conference will take place Friday-Sunday, January 6th—8th at The Warwick Center.  The cost is $150.00. (or $100.00 for first time participants).   For more information contact Lorena Cuevas (lcuevas@rca.org) or Elaine Tetreault (etetreault@rca.org).

6:00 PM

Fair Lawn Community Church, 10-10 Maxwell Place (on the corner of Maxwell & Berdan) Fair Lawn, NJ

201-290-1456

We will be having pizza, games/ice breakers, praise music and a guest speaker by the name of Jack Redman. 

Jack has a well established ministry to the youth in our area.  He has been a leader for "Battle Cry" and also hosts a radio show.  He is author of the book, God Lives in Our City.  Everyone who comes to the event will receive a copy of his book. 

If possible please RSVP to Rev. Faith Link at revfaithlink@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

Conversations is an event designed to put a finger on the pulse of the RCA and allow us to share stories, learn from one another, and discern the future direction of the RCA. Come meet with others from throughout the denomination as we together discern the leading of the Holy Spirit.

During Conversations, you'll hear from RCA general secretary Tom De Vries, engage in small-group and large-group conversations, and celebrate the work of Our Call.

The message and/or communication that is developed at Conversations will be sent throughout the RCA.  All assemblies – consistories, classes, and regional synods – are invited to respond.  The communication and responses go to the 2012 General Synod for official action around the question, "Based on God's work within us and through us in our past and present and God's work ahead of preparing the future, 'What is God's continuing call on the RCA for the next decade?'"

The action of the 2012 General Synod will then be assigned to the GSC to come back to the 2013 General Synod with a response to the question: "Based on God's call, what adjustments is God asking the RCA to make?"  2013 General Synod establishes the next call.

For more information or to register for the event, visit the RCA website at: https://www.rca.org/conversations