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Classis Zeeland RCA - the Church Effect
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Welcome to Your Week:
June 4, 2019

Coming Home

This past weekend, four of our six children were home. A family friend’s wedding drew Luke and Laurel home from Costa Rica; the end of the college year brought Caleb home; and Cheri chose to visit, All of this meant a great weekend for us, as parents. As part of this weekend, it seemed that “coming home” or being “at home” was spoken quite often. That raised the question: What does “home” feel like to you? For me, it’s a place of belonging. I belong at home because it is familiar to me. I belong there because the people I love and are connected with are there. I belong at home because it is a part me – even inseparable from me. So, other than my family visit, why is this something I’m reflecting on today?

We have some news to share with you about Jusarang and Disciple Churches – congregations of Zeeland Classis located in the Atlanta suburb of Suwanee. Over the last two years – but particularly since September of 2018 – we have been in conversations with Jusarang (Billy and Cecilia Go) and Disciple (Sung Howie Kim) regarding their place and home in the RCA. After 10 years of being in Zeeland Classis, it was clear that we have not been able to enfold them or give them a home. Zeeland Classis has worked at it, but distance, language and context have worked against us.

During this conversation, we discovered that Jusarang and Disciple churches had connections with a Korean cohort of churches located in the Classis of the Greater Palisades (Newark, NJ area). In fact, they had even engaged in pulpit exchanges with pastors from that group of churches which was unknown to us until we were in this discussion. The Classis of the Greater Palisades also has a Korean staff person who coordinates an annual retreat and coaches leaders. In January of 2019, Jusarang and Disciple asked if they might transfer to the Classis of the Greater Palisades. With the support and blessing of all parties – supported by a 3-year financial commitment by Zeeland Classis with the Classis of the Greater Palisades – the decision to approve the transfer of Jusarang and Disciple to the Classis of the Greater Palisades will be confirmed at General Synod 2019.

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 Zeeland Classis 

Special Session 

June 9 -
Special Session - Niekerk CRC 
          Ordination - Jason Pierce 
      
Please note the dates for the upcoming Sessions of Classis Zeeland - we look forward to gathering together! 
Delegates to General Synod 

Thank you to the following individuals who will be delegates to General Synod from Zeeland Classis. Please be in prayer for them as they travel, spend the week listening, discerning and being in fellowship with delegates from across the country. 

Kurt Baird (North Blendon) 
Ruth Berghorst (Second) 
Rev. Tom Grabill (Foundry) 
Rev. Gary Jarvis (South Blendon) 
Cal Karsten (Fellowship) 
Rev. Mary Merrill (Pine Rest) 
Rev. Greg TenBrink (Community) 
Mike Teunis (South Blendon) 
Michael VanBragt (Dunningville) 
Rev. Barbara Yandell (Hope for the Nations) 

News & Events

Laughter Is Sacred Space
Saturday, June 8, 7:00 p.m. 
Christ Memorial Church
(595 Graafschap Rd, Holland, MI) 

Join us for an evening of powerful, soul-searching comedy and tragedy, and the search for meaning and truth in the midst of both

I’d like to personally invite you to a special evening of laughter and insight with performing artist Ted Swartz. The work of Disability Concerns around suicide prevention and mental health issues (in conjunction with the other sponsoring organizations) will be undergirded through this outstanding event, which is open to all.

In "Laughter Is Sacred Space," Ted Swartz explores a paradox: working with best friend and comedic partner Lee Eshleman, who struggled with bipolar disorder and ended his life in 2007, and the challenge of writing and performing stories about God while experiencing the absence of God after Lee's death. This gritty, dramatic, one-man play promises to be a rich and rewarding experience!


Terry DeYoung
Coordinator for RCA Disability Concerns

Prayers 

Pray for the Reformed Church in America assembly meetings over the next month leading to, and including, General Synod.  Pray for the Holy Spirit's presence and leading in these meetings. Ask God to provide listening ears and hearts in the context of decisions that the RCA is facing regarding its future.  
Pray for the 2020 Vision Team. Elder Ruth Berghorst created this resource from the prayer requests shared by the team. 
For Jason Pierce as he is ordained and installed as pastor at Niekerk CRC. 
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