posted Feb 15, 2012 7:20 AM by Jon Norton
Greetings from the Reformed Church in America Volunteer Office !
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A PROJECT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS? We were recently contacted about a project in Federal Way, WA. The Lighthouse Korean Reformed Church purchased a new building and they are in the process of renovating the existing structure. They would love to have volunteers come and help with this renovation any time between now and the end of April, 2012. If you are interested in helping or would like more information, please contact Nancy Ellens in the RCA Volunteer Office. (This is listed in our February Current Volunteer Opportunities listing, which has been posted on the volunteer website. www.rca.org/volunteers
Nancy
Nancy Ellens
Reformed Church in America
Mission Volunteer Program/Global Mission
4500 60th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Phone: (800) 968-3943 or (616) 698-7071 extension 243
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posted Jan 13, 2012 10:27 AM by Jon Norton
George Washington Returns to New Utrecht
BROOKLYN -- George Washington is coming back to Bensonhurst, and Friends of Historic New Utrecht invites you to meet him, in the person of experienced Washington portrayer Michael Grillo, at the New Utrecht Reformed Church Parish House, 18th Ave. and 84th St., on Tuesday, February 7, at 7:30 p.m.
Admission is free.
Mr. Grillo, Education Director at the Van Cortlandt House Museum in the Bronx, has been appearing as Washington for over 12 years at historic sites and events. Mr. Grillo’s presentation about Washington’s career will include discussion of the Battle of Brooklyn in August 1776, his victorious return to New York in November 1783, his inauguration there in 1789 and his visit to New Utrecht in April 1790, when he had lunch at Barre’s tavern (84th St. and 16th Ave.) and greeted students from the village school nearby.
President Washington will have an escort of two Revolutionary War reenactors in the uniform of a New York State militia unit, one of whom will give a brief talk about the life and equipment of a Revolutionary War soldier. A Q&A session with the audience and a reception with light refreshments will follow the presentation. Parking is available in the church lot.
On the morning of Feb.7, Mr. Grillo will portray President Washington before an audience of more than 600 students, 4th and 5th graders from public, parochial and private schools, also sponsored by the Friends of New Utrecht, in the New Utrecht High School auditorium. In the afternoon he is scheduled to perform and respond to questions from intermediate and high school students.
The New Utrecht Parish House stands next to the church's sanctuary building which dates from 1828 and is undergoing extensive repair and restoration. On the front lawn a Liberty Pole, the last of its kind in the nation, is the sixth to be erected at the site. The first was in 1783 by New Utrecht patriots celebrating the end of the Revolutionary War and the withdrawal of the British troops.The church, which today is a member of the mainline Protestant Reformed Church in America (RCA), was founded in 1677.
For more information about the free Washington program or the history of New Utrecht, please contact the Friends of Historic New Utrecht at 1-718-256-7173 and at historicnewutrecht.org.
The Friends organization’s program of historical and cultural events is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and from the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.
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posted Jan 10, 2012 9:41 AM by Jon Norton
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Reformed Church in America is a fellowship of congregations called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. Our shared task is to equip congregations for ministry—a thousand churches in a million ways doing one thing—following Christ in mission, in a lost and broken world so loved by God.
Position: Loan and Savings Certificate Operations Date: December 22, 2011
Administrator
Classification: 13 Incumbent:
Summary of Position:
Depending upon where the person is domiciled, this position would work under the supervision of the Executive Director or Loan Officer for the Reformed Church in America Church Growth Fund, Inc (CGF). This person shall be responsible for the overall function of the loan and savings certificate operations programs
Nature and Scope:
The Operations Administrator should have demonstrated oral and written communication skills and successful experience and ability to interact with internal workers and provide exceptional service to CGF customers. Experience with and knowledge of banking loan and deposit operational systems is essential as well as an ability to accurately manage and work within such systems. The person should also have the ability to evaluate and learn new operating software systems, and to suggest approaches and solutions to existing situations. Strong customer service orientation.
General Responsibilities:
1. Ongoing maintenance of internal and / or external operating systems including contact with the appropriate systems liaisons and general maintenance, upgrades, and backup of servicing software
2. Perform all tasks necessary for the ongoing maintenance of funded loans, including (a) disbursement on construction loans with lien waivers and sworn statements, (b) processing and distributing payment books and / or periodic loan bills, (c) processing new loans and payments as received, (d) with the RCA Finance office, balance the loan ledger system and reconciling it to the general ledger system, (e) producing periodic reports including quarterly delinquency, year end activity or internal use and outside auditors,
3. Sending maturing notices to savings certificate investors
4. Processing new savings certificates, renewals, and redemptions
5. Resolving questions and issues with loan customers and savings certificate investors
6. Assist with documentation preparation relating to loan closings
7. Perform other tasks as may be assigned from time to time in order to carry out the mission of the CGF
Education and Experience Requirements:
1. High school degree and technical studies with specialized training in banking operations
2. Committed personal relationship with Christ and an active member and participant in a Christian community of faith
3. Minimum three years of bank loan and deposit operations experience
4. Proven track record of problem solving and providing high quality customer service |
posted Jan 9, 2012 6:25 AM by Jon Norton
Reformed Church in America
Following Christ in Mission
A Spiritual Retreat: Encouraging the nurture of a listening heart
March 6-8, 2012
Linwood Spiritual Center, Rhinebeck, New York
Retreat guides:
Ellen Ratmeyer, ordained Elder, and Spiritual Director
Ella Campbell, ordained Elder, and Spiritual Director
Arlene Wilhelm, Minister of Word and Sacrament and Spiritual Director
Cost: $150.00 per person,
includes $50 non-refundable deposit
meals Tuesday lunch through Thursday lunch
single occupancy lodging and program
(commuter rates available)
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
Arrive at Linwood Spiritual Center after 10:00 am (in time for lunch at noon) on Tuesday, March 6, 2012. The retreat ends after lunch on Thursday, March 8, 2012.
To register, complete the attached form and mail to Linwood Spiritual Center, 50 Linwood Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 along with $50 deposit (balance to be paid on arrival). Deadline to register is February 23, 2012 (registration is limited)
For more information on special commuter rates, contact:
Arlene Wilhelm, sophiaarw@yahoo.com, 845-240-1690
For directions, check out Linwood Spiritual Center website: http://linwoodspiritualctr.org/
REGISTRATION FORM
A SPIRITUAL RETREAT:
ENCOURAGING THE NUTURE OF A LISTENING HEART
March 6-8, 2012
Please register me for the March 6-8, 2012 Spiritual Retreat. Enclosed is my check in the amount of $50.00 (non-refundable/non-transferable deposit). Balance to be paid on arrival.
Make check payable to LINWOOD SPIRITUAL CENTER
NAME__________________________________________________________
(Last Name) (First Name)
Church _________________________________________________________
ADDRESS________________________________________________________
(Street) (City/Town) (State/Zip)
PHONE: Day __________________________ Night_____________________
E-Mail ________________________________________________________
Program Title A Spiritual Retreat: Encouraging the Nuture of a Listening Heart
Date: March 6-8, 2012 Deposit $50.00
RETURN FORM TO: Linwood Spiritual Center
no later than February 23 to: 50 Linwood Road
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
For inquiries regarding reservations contact:
Rose Anne Boyle, Administrative Assistant
Linwood Spiritual Center
(845) 876-4178 Ext. 301 or fax (845) 876-1920
Office hours: Monday – Friday 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
For directions to Linwood Spiritual Center: http://linwoodspiritualctr.org/
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posted Jan 3, 2012 10:16 AM by Jon Norton
From Rev. Victor Michael Singletary:
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I hope this email memorandum finds you in good health, spiritually and physically.
In response to an increasing number of significant prayer requests for healing (physical, mental, emotional and relational) and favorable outcomes amidst life’s daily challenges, we gather each First and Third Tuesday of the month at Cambria Heights Community Church for intercessory prayer.
Your brothers and sisters in the Cambria Heights Community Church family and I invite you to join us in our important spiritual quest for encouragement and empowerment to face life’s challenges with authentic faith and genuine spirituality. We believe in the power of prayer to Almighty God, the Creator and Father of humankind. We hope you will join us regardless of your faith tradition. As children of God, let’s utilize the best of our spiritual and religious practices to support our brothers and sisters in their existential challenges.
We assemble for an extended period of intercessory prayer. We pray for persons who submit myriad requests for healing and other matters in accordance with James 5:13-16, Romans 4:18-25, Ephesians 3:20 and many other relevant biblical texts. I invite you to submit names and appropriate details of persons whom you know to need prayer. We remain and pray for each person by name. I compile a comprehensive list for the prayer service. Feel free to join us or to send names and requests.
Genuinely, we will pray to Almighty God with humble petitions to graciously grant healing to our brothers and sisters. We will pray for freedom from pain, provision of excellent medical care and requisite financial resources, inner comfort and peace, loving support of caretakers, family and friends, and a greater revelation of countless biblical promises of God’s unfailing love and unquestionable faithfulness.
Whether today or some other time, I welcome any petitions you have. I pledge our faithfulness in lifting your heartfelt concerns in prayer to our Heavenly and Holy Father. Today, my heart feels a particular concern and burden for my fellow clergy and communities of faith. Share any appropriate prayer concerns you may have relating to a desire for maximum effectiveness in ministry and the growth of relationships which enable success and excellence in ministry. As I pray for my colleagues, I greatly solicit your prayers for the CHCC family and me as we more clearly grasp God’s will for our ministry and proceed to accomplish it.
I hope you will be able to join us for this service of healing and prayer.
Victor M. Singletary
The Reverend Victor Michael Singletary, Pastor
Cambria Heights Community Church
116-02 220th Street
Cambria Heights NY 11411-1607
(718) 528-2138 - phone
(718) 527-7177 -fax
revvms@aol.com
www.ephesians320faith.blogspot.com
www.inthepastorsstudy.blogspot.com
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posted Dec 29, 2011 8:50 AM by Jon Norton
Rob Williams, pastor of the United Church of Spring Valley (Rockland-Westchester) asked to include the following on our website:
“I am excited about one of the best Christmas presents I have ever received. On Wednesday, December 7th, Clark & David Cameron-Gonzalez allowed me to perform their wedding at our church (the United Church of Spring Valley). I had truly married them nine years before at the Marble Collegiate Church, but this wedding, on the ninth anniversary of the original, has the force of New York State law. Hallelujah!”
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posted Dec 20, 2011 8:17 AM by Jon Norton
When & Where: March 12 - 16, 2012
Training: Phoenix CRC
2438 East Earll Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Lodging: Hampton Inn (included in registration)
601 North 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Who Should Attend:
- Church Planters who have been assessed and approved by their regional synod leaders
- Church Planters' Spouses
- Church Planters' Coaches
- Members of church planting teams
Note: If you do not fit into one of the above categories but have been encouraged to attend, please contact Mel Farrand at mfarrand@rca.org
What is Thrive!?
Thrive! is a training event for church planters, planters' spouses, coaches and church planting teams. This event is called Thrive! because our focus is on equipping church planters and their teams as healthy people to start healthy churches that reproduce!
Registration is on-line at http://tinyurl.com/Thrive-March 2012 by Friday, February 10, 2012. Once your registration is submitted, you will be contacted regarding payment and the next steps you will need to take.
For further information, contact Mel Farrand at 616-698-7071 ext. 274 or mfarrand@rca.org. |
posted Dec 15, 2011 9:47 AM by Jon Norton
The following was written by Cindy Tether, RSNY's representative on the Warwick Board. This is as good a definition of Warwick's situation from Hurricane Irene.
I wanted to give you some additional information on the situation at the Warwick Conference Center that I learned during my recent visit there for the December Board of Directors meeting. The Warwick Conference Center’s total loss due to Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and the fast-and-furious “flash snowstorm” in October that blanketed Warwick with between 18”-20” of snow amounted to $81,413. Part of that figure was due to loss of income from school, church and Elderhostel class cancellations. However, the actual “hard-dollar,” out-of-pocket expenses amounted to $35,000, itemized below:
Lower road and campground road repair: $25,000 (The washed-out hole in the road on Warwick’s property created by the storms was 12’ wide by 50’ long and over 6’ deep. Warwick’s Executive Director, the Reverend Ken Tenckinck, said that, when he stood in the hole in the road, the rest of the road was over his head...and he’s 6’1” tall.) The road needed to be repaired immediately since it leads to the reservoir and wells used by the Warwick complex, and road access is required 365 days/year to comply with chlorination and other standards. This expense has not been paid, and Warwick does not have the funds to pay it.
6 picnic tables ($500 each) washed away by the flood created when Waywayanda Creek overflowed its banks by 4’. Cost of 6 missing picnic tables: $3,000 (Of the 7 original picnic tables, only one remains.)
Overtime wages to staff: $1,500
Branch and Tree Removal: $6,000
As mentioned in an earlier note, Reverend Tenckinck has contacted Warwick’s insurance company to recoup what he could and was not able to recover for the expenses suffered. Also, Warwick’s utility company, Orange and Rockland Utilities, would not pay for their losses unless a substation or transformer were hit by lightning and thereby disabled. In this case, the power outages and associated losses were due to trees falling on power lines, and the resulting damage was, therefore, considered an “act of God.”
The downturn in the economy has also affected Warwick’s bookings and group size. In order make ends meet, several of Warwick’s staff have been laid off, and most of the remaining staff has been furloughed one day/week, which amounts to a 20% pay cut. Reverend Tenckinck has been closely monitoring on-going expenses, and by his own admission, being of stout Dutch ancestry, he “can make the Buffalo on a nickel squeal.” Among other conservation measures, he has reduced the water temperature in the hot-water heaters and insulated doors as well. Having said that, I think it’s of notable significance that, as a further effort to maintain Warwick’s solvency, Reverend Tenckinck has declined his salary for the last 15 months! (He’s done this out of his love for Warwick and his passion to keep Warwick’s doors open to all who come in Christ’s name. Although Reverend Tenckinck has accepted his housing allowance, he’s taken no salary for more than a year!)
The Warwick Conference Center has provided spiritual nourishment to the youth of The Reformed Church of Bronxville through confirmation classes and retreats for over 50 years. Now, in its time of need, I hope we can enthusiastically show our appreciation through our financial support for their ministry to our Church and the others who walk through its welcoming doors.
Blessings to all, especially during this season of Advent,
Cindy Tether |
posted Dec 15, 2011 9:29 AM by Jon Norton
How does your church and faith community fit into the big picture of the RCA? As the denomination moves forward into new horizons of mission and ministry, we want to hear what's going on in your life and the life of your church. We've embarked on a discovery process to get a clear direction of where the church is going, and your voice is key as we find out how God is working in us, through us, and ahead of us.
Registration for Conversations is now open!
The Details
- Conversations needs leaders from across the denomination--every church, church plant, chaplains, specialized ministers, emerging leaders, seminarians, and retired ministers.
- The event runs from Friday evening, February 10 through Sunday morning, February 12. See the schedule here.
- 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.
- On Saturday night we will gather to hear from Efrem Smith, an Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) minister who planted a church called Sanctuary in North Minneapolis in 2003, launched a community development corporation out of the church, and now serves as the superintendent of the Pacific Conference of the ECC.
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. Meet us in Orlando as we together discern the leading of the Holy Spirit.
In preparing for Conversations, a team is compiling a 40-day preparation guide. Watch for it coming soon!
What happens after Conversations?
- The message and/or communication that is developed at Conversations is 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 is 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
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posted Dec 12, 2011 7:36 AM by Jon Norton
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
To help assist in weekly pick ups of materials and donations for flood relief.
Wednesdays
3 to 5 hours.
If you are able to help, please contact
Thank you! |
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