The RSMA Salary Schedule, Rules, and Guidelines have been published and are available for your information HERE. Each classis sets its own guidelines, using ours as a recommendation.
2016 Urban Ministry Grants
Urban Ministry Grant Applications for the year 2016 are due TODAY September 14, 2015. Urban Ministry Grant assistance is for ministries to, in, and/or for areas considered urban in geography of our regional synod. The minimum criterion is that it is a ministry to, in, and/or for the urban area with a vision, plans, and goals for outreach into the community. Those ministries applying for a grant that aren’t in a traditionally geographic urban setting should take into account that the ideal of the grant is that it be used for those living in geographically urban areas, multi-cultural areas, and lower socio-economic areas. The synod’s goal is to see lives changed through the work of Christ and the Gospel.
Grant Guidelines can be found by clicking HERE.
Grant Applications can be found by clicking HERE.
*Reminder, you can contribute to our Urban Ministry Fund by giving $4 per member in 2016.
The 2015-2016 Regional Synod Directory of Minsters and Churches has been updated and is available HERE.
Members of RCA churches are encouraged to serve on different commissions within the denomination. To be eligible, you need to have filled out a Profile form. The Profile form is available on the RCA website at http://www.rca.org/profile. (Also available at that address is a document entitled Commissions and Agencies Descriptions which contains brief descriptions of the various RCA commissions, agencies, and boards.) To guarantee consideration in this year’s process, the form should be submitted by November 27, 2015. This will provide adequate time to prepare materials for consideration at the Commission on Nomination’s January meeting.
The Missional Café is a gathering of missional leaders in the CRC & RCA. We are meeting at Christ Community Church (13400 Bell Road, Lemont, IL) on October 17, 2015 from 9 AM – 3 PM. LUNCH will be provided. The goal of this event is to gather missional leaders in the Chicagoland (including Northwest Indiana) region to spark momentum for church planting and church transformation.
The Missional Café is an intentionally designed time for people to engage in conversation with other leaders by gathering passionate missional leaders who are committed to leading churches that are gospel-centered, grow evangelistically and engage and impact their communities in redemptive ways. We want to help with discipleship, evangelism and initiative for churches. You will have plenty to take back to your church!
Dr. Soong-Chan Rah will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Rah is associate professor of church growth and evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. The American church is at a crossroads. Like the early church in Acts 15, we are faced with the challenge of prioritizing the gospel message over our own culture. Dr. Rah will talk about today’s culture and the current realities facing our churches. Dr. Rah spoke at a conference of RCA leaders in Phoenix in January of this year and also at General Synod in June.
Any questions, contact Rich Schuler.
News from Camp Manitoqua
Camp Manitoqua & Retreat Center is now hiring cooks, kitchen assistants and part-time housekeeping staff. Cooks must have food service experience; sanitation license preferred. Call 815-469-2319 for an application or contact salli@manitoqua.org for kitchen positions and don@manitoqua.org for housekeeping.
Teachers and Parents: Have your preschooler’s class attend our Fall Preschool Days, an edu-fun day for preschool groups, for an autumn hands-on learning experience, at Camp Manitoqua and Retreat Center, Tuesday, October 6, Wednesday, October 7, or Thursday, October 8. This outing includes a native animal hike, camp fire stories, playing our kid-sized Candy Land game, our pumpkin patch, and more – costumes encouraged! For more information visit www.manitoqua.org/events, or call our office Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5pm at 815-469-2319. RSVP required for this classroom attendance.
Experience the Oak Leaf Festival, an autumn event for families, youth groups, and more, at Camp Manitoqua & Retreat Center on October 10th, from 10am-3pm. Activities include tree & wall climbing, creation exploration, family scavenger hunts, campfire, inflatable jumpies, wagon rides, autumn arts & crafts, and food treats. $6 admission fee (2 and under are free), additional costs may apply for treats and climbing. All details available at our website: www.manitoqua.org/events.
Storm the base, capture the flag, and win the game! Camp Manitoqua and Retreat Center invites you out to one of the most epic days of paintball you will ever experience on October 24 from 10am – 4pm! Come play a full day of paintball on our wooded course. Space is limited; registration processed on first come first serve basis. Cost is $36 (includes gun and mask rental, 1000 paintballs, and a box lunch). Register online at www.manitoqua.org/events by RSVP by October 19. Ages: 7th grade and older. Questions: call the office at 815. 469.2319.
Camp Manitoqua & Retreat Center’s fall retreat season has begun. At this time, we are offering groups a 15% discount on any retreat booked for December 2015 or January 2016. Please contact Ken at 815.469.2319, or at ken@manitoqua.org for availability.
