Bringing June with us

Through videos, parades, worship and shared meals, Room for All has been overjoyed to be a part of so many of our congregations’ celebrations this year.

As LGBTQIA+ Pride month comes to a close, we know the work for inclusion and need for connection continues. Community that  manifests the Christian value of simply loving our neighbors is holy and life saving, and we’re proud to continue to build it with you.

What were the highlights of your Pride month? If you, your church or community has pictures from your Pride celebrations, keep sharing them with us at [email protected]. If you’re interested in hosting a workshop or conversation in the months ahead, reach out to Mitch at [email protected].

At the beginning of Pride month, RfA sent out a letter asking for your support as we continue to resource and educate congregations and people across the RCA for a more inclusive future. Donations of any size are welcome and can be made a number of ways.

We need YOU to help us continue making room for all. Thank you!

General Synod 2023 Recap

General Synod 2023 is complete, and RfA’s Executive Director Cameron was there as the moderator of the RCA’s Commission on Christian Action. Here’s a brief rundown of some of the major items the delegates discussed or voted on in Pella, IA.

• With originally only 90 minutes scheduled for small groups to discuss the restructuring team’s proposal, a motion was made to amend the schedule and add an hour for open full-plenary discussion. This time was used for delegates to express questions, concerns, or appreciation for the first draft of the team’s proposal, but what became clear is that people across the “political spectrum” shared similar concerns and pushback. The restructuring team will take this feedback and that given in the small groups to continue their work.

• The RCA celebrated 5 decades of the recognition of women’s gifts for ministry in the RCA! The offices of elder and deacon opened to women in 1972, and the office of minister of Word and sacrament opened in 1979. We praise God that this critical justice movement has flourished for 50 years, and look forward to the day when all barriers to these offices are torn down in the RCA.

• Significant changes to how theological education is done and who deems a candidate prepared for ordination were approved. Read more in depth here.

• The RCA has shifted from assessments to covenant shares, which will take effect in 2024. Whereas assessments were calculated on a per-member basis, the covenant shares model looks more like tithing, based on a percentage of the contributions received by each church within the bounds of a classis.

• The Commission on Christian Action brought recommendations ranging from worker’s rights to advocacy on peace in Israel/Palestine to issues of spiritual abuse. The original report of the CCA along with the language of the recommendations (some of which were altered by the body before approval) can be found here.

• The Commission on Theology presented a paper, named “Together in Difference,” (page 228)  as a model for how we can discuss issues on which we disagree. This specific paper was the commission’s reflection on the New Brunswick Classis paper, “Affirmed and Celebrated,” presented to General Synod 2022 and referred to the Commission. The motion to formally share “Together in Difference” with the RCA was not passed.

• The Board of Benefit services wrote a paper, “An Equitable Future,” for churches and assemblies to study and address systemic racism and the barriers presented to historically non-white congregations and leaders in obtaining employment benefits. 

• Rev. Dwayne Jackson (New Jersey) led us as President, with Rev. Judy Nelson (Michigan) serving as Vice President (now President-elect of General Synod 2024). Rev. Joshua Scheid (Long Island, NY) is the Vice President of General Synod 2024.

While the meetings of General Synod this year were primarily low-intensity and much less fraught than some recent years, there were moments of tension and sometimes ungracious words spoken. The major theme of the General Synod seems to be that there is a lot of uncertainty and concern over the restructuring of the denomination, many questions left unanswered, and a deep hunger for community and in-person relationship building.