Change

A simple word with significant meaning. There is little doubt that change will occur over a lifetime, and often the result of necessity. The changes taking place within the MFCA are the results of necessity and inevitability. We can grasp on to the old or embrace the new with vigor, looking expectantly for all that will emerge. Jeff Munroe wrote the following in a short meditation, “We witness the struggles of our society and many institutions that have guided us in the past – like denominations and political parties. I wonder if we aren’t living through a death while we wait for something new to be born.” Jesus too speaks to the necessity of change, death of the old, in John 12:24 which states that a grain of wheat must go into the ground and die before something new can be born, and produce much fruit.

Our own denomination of the RCA is in a transitional phase, and many staff and those within the denomination have been commenting and writing about it regularly. It is molding, stretching and reforming us; bringing us to fresh realizations and innovative understandings. Something new is materializing, looking ever so mysteriously like a New Creation in Christ Jesus.

The staff at the MFCA has also been living in the tension of change and modification. We are not immune to the transformation taking place around us and I for one have had to unclasp my hands, releasing time-honored routines and methods of working and presenting courses, only to find that the mystery of Christ is bringing about something new in attitude and outlook.

A change of which some of you may be unaware is that the staff has fully transitioned to working remotely from home. This change took place over the summer of 2022 and was completed by October 1, 2022. Kelly Talsma and Amy White are located and communicating with you from Southern California, while Dave Schutt is located in either Iowa or Arizona, depending on the time of year.

As you read further in this News Feed, you will discover that the method of offering our courses will dramatically change this fall. There will be joy in working and interacting with folks from New Brunswick Theological Seminary and Western Theological Seminary. There may be unforeseen glitches, but the MFCA staff is working diligently to anticipate and circumvent them. Please be aware that you will continue to register and communicate with the MFCA as a candidate needing to take courses. More information will come through emails.

Commentary by Amy White 

Events and Courses

RCA General Synod
GS will hold its annual Synod gathering at Central College in Pella, Iowa this summer. It will begin on the afternoon of Thursday, June 8, at 3:00 pm Central Time and will adjourn by noon on Tuesday, June 13.

MFCA/TEA Dinner – Hosted by MFCA at General Synod.
The dinner will be held in a private room at Central College, on the evening of Monday, June 12, 2023. All who have an association with the MFCA/TEA, or would simply like information about the MFCA, are welcome to attend. Look for an announcement while at the GS Meetings.

General Synod Seminarian Seminar (GS3)
Each year the MFCA is invited to send candidates to General Synod to participate. GS3 participants will be required to engage in a full day of orientation prior to the start of Synod, on Wednesday, June 7 with RCA minister Rev. Tim TenClay.

MFCA Certification Committee Meetings
Via Zoom communications, the next Committee meeting will take place on June 15 and 16, 2023, for the purpose of engaging in mid-certification interviews, recommendations around final reviews and the receiving CFM candidates into the MFCA Process. If you have questions concerning any of the above agenda items, please feel free to contact Kelly Talsma ktalsma@rca.org or Amy White awhite@rca.org for questions or clarification.

MFCA Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees will meet the Tuesday following the Certification Committee Meeting, June 20, 2023. It will take place via Zoom communications where all final decisions for granting CFMs to each petitioning candidate will take place.

RCA Worship DL Summer 2023 – Instructor, Dr. Ronald Rienstra, commences Monday, July 10 and ends on Friday, July 21.
​​The course requires time before and after the intensive section, for preparation, reading and book reports. RCA Worship is a required course for MFCA candidates seeking the CFM, and draws from Scripture, Reformed confessions and liturgies. It offers a wide range of worshipping traditions and will present, discuss, clarify and apply a Reformed vision of worship to congregational settings in the RCA. Tuition cost of $250 – CFM Qualification only

*Please contact Kelly Talsma if you did not receive registration information and would like to participate in RCA Worship.

MFCA Fall 2023 Courses* ** ***

* The below schedule is a change in available offerings and accessibility of MFCA courses. Please take note of locations.
** Registration information will be provided to MFCA students BY MFCA staff, NOT the seminaries. Do not register through the seminaries.
*** Plan in advance for the fall courses, as students are being asked to register by July 31st for the fall semester, which begins on August 28 or 29.

Accessible through New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS)
August 28–December 16, 2023
RCA Standards & Polity*–Instructor, Dr. M. van Maastricht, offered as a DL course, Tuesdays, 6:30–9:00 pm (EST)
Biblical Hebrew I*–Instructor, Dr. Terry Ann Smith, offered as a DL course, Wednesdays, 6:30–9:00 pm (EST)
*Fully Online Section–Synchronous & Asynchronous online learning

Accessible through Western Theological Seminary (WTS)
August 29–December 16, 2023
New Testament Greek I–Instructor, Dr. N. Johnson, offered as an online intensive (A 3-day on-campus intensive will be part of this course.)
RCA Standards and Polity–Instructor, Dr. David Komline, offered as a DL course

Awarded the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry

At its March 2023 meeting, the MFCA Board of Trustees granted The Certificate of Fitness for Ministry through the Reformed Candidates Supervision and Care (RCSC) to the following candidate:

Joshua Jalandoon, Classis of the City

Announcements

The MFCA staff would like to joyfully honor the following people and make the subsequent announcements:

With deep gratitude, we name and acknowledge our “current” professors who have faithfully served and taught MFCA students, enabling them to achieve their goals toward ordination in the Reformed Church in America. They are:

Rev. Dr. Wayne Brouwer
Rev. Dr. Verlyn Hemmen
Rev. Dr. Cornelis Kors
Rev. Dr. Chad Pierce
Rev. Dr. Ronald Rienstra
Rev. Dr. Dennis Voskuil

Jane Carlson expressed her gratitude toward classmates and professors who assisted her along the way toward her ordination and installation as the associate pastor at Bethany Reformed Church in Sheboygan, WI on September 18, 2022. Well done, Jane!

The ordination ceremony for Ming-Jen Henry Chiang took place on March 12, 2023, @ 4:00 pm. The service was held at Grace Christian Church in Bayside Hills, New York. Congratulations Henry! We celebrate God’s faithfulness along with you.

In concert with the consistory of City Church San Francisco, Joshua Jalandoon enjoyed an ordination ceremony at City Church, San Francisco on Sunday, May 7 @ 4:30 pm. Well deserved, Joshua, and congratulations on this significant achievement.

Please keep in mind that Dave, Kelly or Amy are always willing and happy to meet with you via Zoom or phone, upon your request. We will walk with you through your questions or redirect you as necessary, so do not hesitate to ask.

Update your email preferences or unsubscribe from all RCA communication. 

Winter/Spring 2023 Courses

RCA Credo – Instructor: Dr. Wayne Brouwer

The Credo course for Spring 2023 will commence on January 9, 2023, and run through early May 2023. RCA Standards is a prerequisite. The Credo course is offered for credit or CFM qualification.

Basic Hebrew Tools and NT Exegesis – Instructor: Dr. Chad Pierce

Hebrew Basics will begin on January 9, 2023. This course is intended for AAR candidates; however, RCSC candidates may register with approval from their classis. The MFCA requires approval, in writing. This course is offered for CFM Qualification only, with a tuition of $250.

RCA History and Missions – Instructor: Dr. Dennis Voskuil

MFCA/RCA History and Missions will also commence on January 9, 2023, and end in early May. The course is offered for 3.0 credit units, which will be recorded by Western Theological Seminary for a cost of $1,545, or it can be taken for CFM qualification, with a tuition of $250. Courses taken for CFM Qualification meet RCA requirements if you do not need the credit toward a degree.

​​​​​​MFCA Seminar for Pastoral Formation – Instructor: Dr. Verlyn Hemmen 

The Seminar for Pastoral Formation is designed as an alternative to meet the requirement for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and will be offered as a distance-learning course. It will begin in mid-February and conclude with a week-long intensive in May via distance-learning as well. The seminar will be offered for credit (tuition of $1,545), as well as CFM qualification (tuition of $250). 

Registration information will be sent out in mid-November. If you do not receive the registration material and would like to, please contact Kelly Talsma (ktalsma@rca.org) or Amy White (awhite@rca.org) for this information.

Mid-Certification Interview

Allow us to remind you that the MFCA mid-certification interviews take place twice a year during the Certification Committee meetings, typically held in January and June. The interviews are currently being held via Zoom. If you anticipate the need to be interviewed or have been asked by staff to engage in the process, please be aware that you must have a completed Personality Assessment, with a report having been submitted to the MFCA office. We use the services of Dr. Chuck DeGroat, and the assessment does take some time, so plan ahead and begin work on it as soon as you are able. 

If you would like to begin the process of the Personality Assessment and do not have proper contact information or are uncertain of the procedure, contact Amy White at awhite@rca.org. 

If you do not know if you qualify or are ready to engage in the mid-certification interview, please feel free to ask MFCA staff about it.

Awarded the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry

At its Friday, October 28, 2022 meeting, the MFCA Board of Trustees granted the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry through the Reformed Candidates Supervision and Care (RCSC) to the following candidates: 

Gent Grush, Classis of the City

Sonny Kang, Classis of British Columbia

Shelly-Ann Richmond, Classis of Brooklyn

Announcements

Anna Langholz, having been recently granted the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry, was ordained on October 9, 2022, at Pillar Church in Holland, Michigan. 

Jason Nelson was commissioned for his new role as campus pastor of Willow Creek Wheaton. This took place on Sunday, September 11, 2022, and Jason stated on the Willow Creek Homepage, that it was “one of the most moving times in ministry for our family.” Jason started his ministry in the Chicago area as a church planter with the sponsorship of Third Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa, where he had served as executive pastor, while he was in the MFCA program. 

MFCA staff would like to acknowledge that Sherri and Mike Meyer-Veen were installed as the new co-pastors of Niskayuna Reformed Church of Niskayuna, New York, on October 23, 2022. The church is a historic Dutch Reformed church built in 1852. The Meyer-Veens are alumni of the MFCA.

Essays written in honor of Rev. Dr. Cornelis Kors have been published in a festschrift titled, Shepherding a New Generation of Leaders. We are pleased and thrilled to announce that the long-awaited book has been published. It can be found and purchased on Amazon. Cor faithfully served the MFCA as director for 30 years. Well done, Cor!

Speaking of long and faithful service, our registrar, Kelly Talsma, has walked over the line of her 30th year of service to the MFCA and RCA, as of September 1, 2022. She continues to be the ever-present backbone and treasury of knowledge for the MFCA, having gone through many changes and continual learning while working alongside Cor Kors. Please celebrate her tenure along with us.

The MFCA Board of Trustees welcomes three new board members: Mr. Gerald Baraza, Rev. Susan Converse, and Ms. Devonna Cousins join the existing board made up of Rev. Dr. Scott Christiansen (moderator), Ms. Norma Coleman-James, Rev. Shirley Lin, Rev. Frances Nelson, Mr. Willie Si, and Rev. Cathleen Wolff.

Lastly, of interest to our readers may be Faithward, the RCA’s website dedicated to moving faith forward, which has now reached more than 2 million people. The RCA digital content coordinator, Grace Ruiter, states, “Faithward had more than 130,000 visitors in the month of September (our second highest monthly reach ever), and we’re seeing major growth in Spanish traffic, especially to the Women of the Bible Study pages.”

If you have been unaware of Faithward, and might like to take a look or subscribe, you can visit the website at www.faithward.org.

Fall Courses

RCA Credo – Instructor: Dr. Wayne Brouwer

The Credo course for fall 2022 will begin August 15 and run through December 10, 2022. RCA Standards is a prerequisite.

Basic Greek Tools and New Testament Exegesis – Instructor: Dr. Chad Pierce

Greek Basics will begin on September 6, 2022. This course is intended for AAR candidates; however, RCSC candidates may register with approval from their classis. The MFCA must have that approval on file in writing. This course is offered for CFM qualification only, with tuition of $250.

RCA Polity – Instructor: Dr. Cornelis Kors

RCA Standards – Instructor: Dr. Wayne Brouwer 

The MFCA offerings of RCA Polity and RCA Standards, online, will begin on September 6, 2022. These two courses are offered for 3.0 credit units, which will be recorded by Western Theological Seminary for a cost of $1,545. They can also be taken for CFM qualification to meet RCA requirements if you do not need the credits transferred toward a degree, for a cost of $250.

If you are interested in registering for one of the above courses, but did not receive the registration information, please contact Kelly Talsma or Amy White for this information.

Mid-certification Interview

The MFCA mid-certification interviews take place twice a year during the MFCA Certification Committee meetings. The interviews are currently being held via Zoom and will continue in this format until further notice. If you anticipate that you will need to be interviewed, please be aware that you must have a completed Personality Assessment, with a report submitted to the MFCA office. This is a process that does take time, so please plan ahead and begin work on it as soon as you are able. 

If you would like to begin the process of the Personality Assessment and do not have proper contact information or the information on how it works, contact Amy White at awhite@rca.org. 

Events

The MFCA will host a group Zoom meeting for Regional Synod and Classis Care Leadership Teams on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The purpose of the meeting will be to address and discuss uncertainties surrounding the transitions taking place in the RCA. The meeting will involve discussion of how best to direct candidates whose churches or classis may be leaving the denomination. 

If you fit into one of the above invited categories but did not receive a “save the date” notice, you are welcome to contact Amy White at awhite@rca.org for more information or invitation. The gathering will be recorded, so please contact Kelly Talsma at ktalsma@rca.org if you would like a copy of the recording.

Awarded the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry

At its June 6, 2022, meeting, the MFCA Board of Trustees granted The Certificate of Fitness for Ministry through the Reformed Candidates Supervision and Care (RCSC) to the following candidates: 

Eric Burrows-Stone, Classis of the City

Nicole Contreras, Classis of Greater Palisades

Zach DeWitt, Classis of Minnesota

Anna Langholz, Classis of Holland

Ciro Romero, Classis of Greater Palisades

Announcements

The MFCA Board of Trustees, at its June 6, 2022, meeting, acknowledged the work of the Rev. Dr. James Brownson over a period of 27 years. He brought his immense resources to TEA and the MFCA Certification Committees since 1995. The Board of Trustees, MFCA staff, and Certification Committee hold a deep debt of gratitude for his faithful years of service and invaluable time devoted to the candidates seeking their Certificate of Fitness for Ministry (CFM). The impact Dr. Brownson has made on so many MFCA students, staff, and committees cannot be measured, as he wisely directed them with his knowledge, intuition, encouragement and books over these 27 years. 

Thank you, James! You have served us well, and we are honored to have been the recipients of your time and knowledge.

The Rev. Dr. Chad Pierce, the moderator of the Pastoral Formation Oversight Board (PFOB), brought a recommendation to General Synod after several years of discernment about changing the certification process, including a name change to the CFM. Chad explained the recommendation during his PFOB report at the June General Synod meeting. Read the explanation and details here. 

The Doctor of Ministry degree (DMin) has been conferred on MFCA graduate Rev. Sandeep Jadhav, pastor of New Life Community Church in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, through Carey Theological College. The title of his thesis project was “Homiletical Hospitality: Exploring the Metaphor of Meal Hospitality as an Illuminating Resource for Preaching.” Congratulations, Sandeep!

The Rev. Adriene Thorne, who has led First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn since 2016, was voted in by the congregation of the historic Riverside Church of New York City. She will be the eighth senior pastor of Riverside, beginning October 1, 2022.

Eric Burrows-Stone was ordained at Resurrection Philadelphia as a minister of Word and sacrament on July 3. Congratulations, Rev. Burrows-Stone!

Evan Meester was ordained at the First Reformed Church in Meservey, Iowa, as minister of Word and sacrament, on Sunday, July 24, and is serving at Saint John's Lutheran in Frederika, Iowa. Congratulations, Rev. Meester!

The Rev. Dr. Chuck DeGroat, who engages with our candidates and processes the majority of MFCA Personality Assessments for them (see above section on the mid-certification interview), has written several books and is currently working on a new one. The MFCA staff has either read or listened to When Narcissism Comes to Church. Suffice it to say, it is revealing, interesting, and filled with insight. Read it for yourself. Book list and details found here.

The MFCA staff would like to acknowledge the Rev. Judy Marvel, who passed away in early April 2022. She was an alumna of the MFCA and held the unique distinction of having two sons who also completed the CFM process with the MFCA: Rev. Jacob Marvel and Rev. Judson Marvel. We know Judy is missed by her loved ones and friends, and we offer our condolences.

Please visit the MFCA website for more information and past newsletters.

Certainly, this season of Lent has brought much cause for lament, especially as we observe from afar the suffering imposed on people in other parts of the world. Our greatest comfort is knowing that our Jesus suffered, too; he understands and weeps along with those who are lost in the horror. We pray: God Almighty, have mercy on our world and interfere in your strength. Our “hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”

Courses

RCA Worship DL 2022 – Instructor: Dr. Ronald Rienstra

Commences on Monday, July 11, and ends on Friday, July 22. The course requires two weeks before and after the intensive section (July 11–22) for preparation, reading, and book reports. RCA Worship is a required course for MFCA candidates seeking the CFM and draws from Scripture, Reformed confessions, and liturgies. This course offers a wide range of worshiping traditions and will present, discuss, clarify, and apply a Reformed vision of worship to congregational settings in the RCA.

RCA Worship is offered for CFM qualification; the cost of the course is $250. Please contact Kelly Talsma if you desire to register for the course.

RCA Polity – Instructor: Dr. Cornelis Kors. Offered fall 2022.

RCA Standards – Instructor: Dr. Wayne Brouwer. Offered fall 2022.

RCA History and Missions – Instructor: Dr. Dennis Voskuil. Offered spring 2023.

Credo Course – Instructor: Dr. Wayne Brouwer. Offered fall 2022 and spring 2023.

Seminar for Pastoral Formation – Instructor: Dr. Verlyn Hemmen. Offered spring 2023.

The above schedule is a change in available offerings of MFCA courses. Please take note of the changes so you are able to plan accordingly. 

Events

Good Friday: April 15, 2022

Easter Sunday: April 17, 2022

RCA General Synod

General Synod will be held at Central College in Pella, Iowa. It will begin on the afternoon of Thursday, June 9, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time and will adjourn by noon on Tuesday, June 14.

General Synod Seminarian Seminar (GS3)

The MFCA is invited to send candidates to General Synod to participate. GS3 participants will be required to engage in a full day of orientation on Wednesday, June 8, with RCA minister Tim TenClay. Travel and lodging is paid for. Please email Kelly Talsma if you wish to take part in this opportunity.

MFCA Certification Committee Meetings

Via Zoom, the committee will be meeting June 2 and 3, 2022, for the purpose of engaging in mid-certification interviews, recommendations around final reviews, and receiving CFM candidates into the MFCA process. If you have questions concerning any of these agenda items, please feel free to contact Kelly Talsma (ktalsma@rca.org) or Amy White (awhite@rca.org) for questions or clarification.

Awarded the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry

At its March 2022 meeting, the MFCA Board of Trustees granted the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry through the Reformed Candidates Supervision and Care (RCSC) to the following candidates: 

Jane Carlson, Classis of Wisconsin

Peter Kolb, Classis of West Sioux 

Announcements

The MFCA hosted a group Zoom meeting for candidates; the general secretary was our guest at the March 2, 2022, meeting. Eddy Alemán graciously answered all questions, and attending candidates seemed to appreciate this opportunity. The gathering was recorded, so please feel free to contact Kelly Talsma (ktalsma@rca.org) if you would like a copy of the recording.  

The MFCA staff is pleased and delighted to announce the following:

• Ryan McCormick, having completed all requirements for ordination, was ordained as a minister of Word and sacrament at Resurrection, Philadelphia on January 29 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

• Andrew Garbarino, having completed all requirements for ordination, was ordained as a minister of Word and sacrament at Resurrection, Philadelphia on January 29 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

• Keith Hoekstra has accepted a call to Hope CRC in Hull, Iowa. 

• Tara Woodward celebrates a call as chaplain to the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George, Canada. Her ordination service took place at St. Columbia Presbyterian Church in South Africa on Saturday, March 26, 2022.

Lakeview Community Church Reformed, located in the town of Greece, a suburb of Rochester, New York, on the shores of Lake Ontario, is seeking a solo pastor to shepherd their Lakeview family of some 100 devoted Christians. Their mission states: “To have hearts centered on Christ and hearts open to our neighbors.”

• The above church profile is available on the RCA website (www.rca.org/jobs). A resume or profile may be submitted via email to lakeviewchurch3@gmail.com or by mail to:
  Lakeview Community Church

• Attn: Rebecca Hibbard or Richard Ives, Pastoral Search Committee Chairs

• 30 Long Pond Road
  Rochester, New York 14612

Please visit our MFCA website for information and past newsletters.

Dear friends of the MFCA,

As we journey through the Advent season awaiting the Christ child, may your eyes and hearts be opened to his restorative peace and glory. Merry Christmas, and may the peace of Christ be with you in the new year.

Courses

RCA Credo – Instructor: Dr. Wayne Brouwer

The Credo online course for spring 2022 will begin January 10, 2022, and run through May 13, 2022. RCA Standards is a prerequisite. The course can be taken for 3.0 credit units, which will be recorded by Western Theological Seminary for a cost of $1,545. The course can also be taken for CFM qualification to meet RCA requirements if you do not need the credits transferred toward a degree, for a cost of $250.

Basic Hebrew Tools & NT Exegesis – Instructor: Dr. Chad Pierce

Hebrew Basics will begin January 10, 2022. This course is intended for AAR candidates; however, RCSC candidates may register with approval from their classis. The MFCA must have that approval on file in writing. This course is offered for CFM qualification only, with tuition of $250.

RCA History and Missions – Instructor: Dr. Dennis Voskuil

RCA Polity – Instructor: Dr. Cornelis Kors

RCA Standards – Instructor: Dr. Wayne Brouwer 

The MFCA is offering RCA History and Missions, RCA Polity, and RCA Standards via distance learning, beginning January 10, 2022. These three courses are offered for 3.0 credit units, which will be recorded by Western Theological Seminary for a cost of $1,545. They can also be taken for CFM qualification to meet RCA requirements if you do not need the credits transferred toward a degree; tuition is $250.

If you are interested in registering for one of the above courses, but did not receive the registration information, please contact Kelly Talsma or Amy White for this information.

Events

MFCA Certification Committee Meetings

Via Zoom communications, the Committee will be meeting in January 2022 for the purpose of engaging in mid-certification interviews, recommendations around final reviews, and receiving CFM candidates into the MFCA Process. If you have questions concerning any of these agenda items, please feel free to contact Kelly Talsma (ktalsma@rca.org) or Amy White (awhite@rca.org) for questions or clarification.

Awarded the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry

At its October meeting, the MFCA Board of Trustees granted the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry through the Reformed Candidates Supervision and Care (RCSC) to the following candidates: 

Richard M. Downey, Classis of Mid-Hudson

Andrew Michael Garbarino, Classis of the City

Ryan Matthew McCormick, Classis of the City

Evan Paul Meester, Classis of Pleasant Prairie

Tara Ann Woodward, Classis of East Sioux

 Announcements

Rev. Johnson (Chao-Jui) Huang of the Queens Classis was ordained and installed at the Reformed Church of Newtown in Elmhurst, New York. The service took place on November 7, 2021, and he praises God. We celebrate with him and praise God for his ministry. 

On November 15, 2021, Rev. Keith Henry Poppen of El Dorado Hills, California (MFCA alumnus, 2002), left his earthly home to meet his heavenly Maker. Services were held for Keith on December 11, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Celtic Cross Church in Citrus Heights, California.

Akiko Van Antwerpen shares the wonderful news that she will be ordained in the Reformed Church in America on December 27 at 9:00 a.m. (Japan Time), which is December 26 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The service will take place at Kobe Union Church. She says, “It’s been a very long journey, but I am grateful to God for guiding me and for your support and prayers. I give thanks to God.”

Faith Reformed Church in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, is seeking a lead pastor. Faith Reformed has celebrated 100 years of ministry. If you are interested in the pastor profile you are welcome to contact the MFCA or the search committee. 

• Erick Braaksma: 715-570-2142

• Donna Dewitt: 715-213-1621

Winnebago Reformed Church is a multicultural church located in Winnebago, Nebraska. Winnebago Reformed has been without a pastor for two years, has developed a plan, and has now posted a church profile on the RCA website. If interested in more details about the church and the position of pastor, you are welcome to contact the MFCA or the following people:

• Nancy Gillis: 712-259-7675 (cell), 402-846-5907 (home)

• Kenny Mallory: 402-878-4278 (home) 

The MFCA staff invited board moderator Dr. Scott Christiansen to be our guest at the candidate open Zoom gathering on November 17 in order to debrief candidates surrounding the outcome of the 2021 General Synod. Scott was available to answer questions that pertained to the meetings and put to rest MFCA program concerns based on General Synod decisions. Dave Sippel, one of MFCA’s AAR students, also present at the event and at General Synod, graciously offered his perspective as well. We are grateful for Dr. Christiansen’s time at this informational session, along with Dave Sippel’s input. 

Upcoming in the new year, our guest for a group Zoom gathering will be Rev. Eddy Alemán, RCA General Secretary. We will keep candidates updated on information as it is finalized. We look forward to the opportunity and appreciate Rev. Alemán’s willingness to join us.

In closing, we happily include this article in the Reformed Journal written by Cor Kors as a lament and a reflective piece following General Synod. If you have not already read it, you can access it here. Thank you for your thoughts and reflection, Cor.

Please visit our MFCA website (mfca.rca.org) for information and past newsletters.

Courses and Events

RCA Credo – Instructor: Dr. Wayne Brouwer

The Credo online course for winter 2021–2022 will begin on October 11, 2021, and run through February 28, 2022. RCA Standards is a prerequisite.

• The course can be taken for 3.0 credit units, which will be recorded by Western Theological Seminary, for a cost of $1,545. The course can also be taken for CFM qualification to meet RCA requirements if you do not need the credits transferred toward a degree, for a cost of $250.

General Synod 2021 in Tucson, Arizona

Begins on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. and ends on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. If you are not attending the event in person, you will be able to video stream General Synod via the RCA website at www.rca.org/synod. We encourage you to follow the activities as you are able.

MFCA Certification Committee Meetings – via Zoom

The committee will be meeting on Thursday and Friday, October 21 and 22, 2021, to engage in mid-certification interviews, recommendations around final reviews, and receiving CFM candidates into the MFCA process. If you have questions concerning any of these agenda items, please feel free to contact Kelly Talsma (ktalsma@rca.org) or Amy White (awhite@rca.org) for questions or clarification.

Save the Date

November Zoom Gathering

We are planning for our next Zoom gathering on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. We plan to gather for a follow-up discussion based on the results of General Synod actions. 

We will end our Zoom session with a Q & A time for general questions about the MFCA process. We look forward to you joining us, the MFCA staff (Dave Schutt, Kelly Talsma, and Amy White), for this open Zoom meeting on November 17.

Announcements

Dean G. Ulmer, an alumnus of the MFCA, entered his eternal home with his Lord, Jesus Christ, on August 7, 2021, following a 14-month battle with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska. Dean touched many lives through his years of ministry and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. 

James Earley passed his final examinations with Minnesota Classis on July 13, 2021, and enjoyed an ordination and installation service at Peace Reformed Church on August 22. James received a call from Peace to be their pastor of connections and equipping. Congratulations, James! We celebrate along with you.

Cornelis Kors will be honored at the 214th session of the General Synod (October 14–19, 2021, in Tucson, Arizona). The Board of Trustees declared Kors “Executive Director Emeritus” after his 29 years of service to the agency of the MFCA and its church. This took effect at his retirement. The Rev. Dr. Cornelis G. Kors will be declared a General Synod Professor Emeritus as of October 19, 2021. 

The MFCA report to the General Synod, including the full resolution that Dr. Cornelis Kors be declared General Synod Professor Emeritus, can be found in the MFCA report in the General Synod Workbook.

Please visit our MFCA website for information and past newsletters.

Fall 2021 RCA/MFCA Courses

·       RCA Credo – Instructor, Dr. Wayne Brouwer

The Credo On-Line Course for the Fall of 2021 will begin August 16 and run through December 10, 2021. RCA Standards is a prerequisite.

·       Basic Greek Tools & NT Exegesis – Instructor, Dr. Chad Pierce

Greek Basics will begin September 7, 2021. This course is intended for AAR candidates, however RCSC candidates may register with approval from their classis. TheMFCA must have that approval on file in writing. This course is for CFM Qualification only, with tuition of $250.

·       RCA History & Missions – Instructor, Dr. Dennis Voskuil

·       RCA Polity – Instructor, Dr. Cornelis Kors

·       RCA Standards – Instructor, Dr. Wayne Brouwer

The MFCA is offering RCA History & Missions, RCA Polity and RCA Standards via distance learning, beginning September 7. These three courses are offered for 3.0 credit units, which will be recorded by Western Theological Seminary for a cost of $1,545. They can also be taken for CFM qualification to meet RCA requirements if you do not need the credits transferred toward a degree, for a cost of $250.

If you are interested in registering for one of the above courses, but did not receive the registration information, please contact Kelly Talsma or Amy White for this information.

Awarded the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry

The Certificate of Fitness for Ministry through the Reformed Candidates Supervision and Care (RCSC) has been awarded to the following candidates:

William Barlow                              Classis of Queens

James Earley                             Classis of Minnesota

Grant Hoekstra                              Classis of Minnesota

Benjamin Lee                            Classis of Greater Palisades

Pearl Liao                                       Classis of Queens

Zach Pearce                                   Classis of Orange

Keith Sietstra                             Classis of West Sioux

Toby Thomack                              Classis of Wisconsin

The Certificate of Fitness for Ministry through the Approved Alternate Route (AAR) has been awarded to the following candidates:

Kelli Glasgo                                   Classis of West Sioux

Akiko Van Antwerpen                   Classis of New Brunswick

Announcements

We happily announce the ordination plans of Zachary Pearce, who will be ordained on Saturday, August 28th at 10 AM Eastern at Deerpark Reformed Church. An installation service will very likely take place on Sunday, October 3 at 4:00 PM Eastern at Ellenville Reformed Church in Ellenville New York. We celebrate along with Zach.

Cecilia Go and Rev. Billy Go are happy to announce the birth of baby Justina a couple of weeks ago.

Riana Shaw Robinson, announced her transition from Oakland City Church to a new and inspiring challenge. As Riana steps away from OCC she plans to gather with a team of women to pray about birthing a new church community centering around women of color. She writes, “As mothers, workers, leaders, and followers of Christ, it is hard to find the spaces that affirm and speak to our unique experiences. This new community will unapologetically center the belovedness and brilliance of women of color while offering the spiritual and practical resources to support and strengthen us”.

We support and encourage Riana, and her four children and husband, in this new endeavor, and pray for God’s rich blessing during this transitional time of building community.

Congratulations to MFCA candidate Anna Langholz, who has been granted a Beth Marcus Scholarship award for the 2021-2022 year.

In June the MFCA Certification Committee accepted RCSC petitions for the CFM for Luke DeKoster, Joshua Jalandoon, Ross Van Kley and Samuel Yoo. Vincent Hanke was declared eligible for the Approved Alternate Route for the CFM process. We welcome these individuals.

We are pleased to announce that Cornelis Kors will be honored in October at the 214th session of the General Synod 2021, October 14-19, in Tuscon, AZ. After 29 year of service to the agency of the MFCA and its church, the Board of Trustees declared Kors “Executive Director Emeritus.” This took effect at his retirement. The Rev. Dr. Cornelis G. Kors will be declared a General Synod Professor Emeritus as of October 19, 2021.  

The General Synod MFCA report, including the full resolution that Dr. Cornelis Kors be declared General Synod Professor Emeritus, can be found in the General Synod Workbook.

Events

Zoom Informational Gathering

We experienced a very good turnout for our first Zoom Call Gathering, and we hope that those of you who came, found companionship of conversation with other candidates as well as answered questions.

As promised, we are planning our next gathering, set for Wednesday, June 9, and look forward to your joining the MFCA staff, Dave Schutt, Kelly Talsma, and Amy White, for the open office style meeting via Zoom at 1:00 PM (Pacific), 4:00 PM (Eastern).

We will be joined during the first 30 minutes, by the Rev. Dr. Wayne Brouwer, who instructs our Credo Courses and RCA Standards. Dr. Brouwer is an expert on all things “Credo.” He will provide an overview of the course and what to expect, as well as his wisdom and insight for Credo writing and its importance. He will be prepared to answer your questions.

During the second half of our time together, we will break up into small groups of 4-5 allowing time to connect with others in the program, returning for a Q & A session with MFCA Staff.

If you desire further information on this event or the below listed courses, please contact

Amy White at awhite@rca.org or Kelly Talsma at ktalsma@rca.org.

Courses

RCA/MFCA Worship

The MFCA plans to offer RCA Worship as an online course, starting Monday, July 12, running through July 23, 2021. This online intensive will be taught by Dr. Ronald Rienstra, and will require work each day and throughout the weekend. Mark your calendars if you have interest in engaging this course, and contact us if you did not receive the registration email, but would like to take the course.

Clinical Pastoral Educational Collaborative

CPE will be offered as a distance learning collaborative through Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. The CPE is scheduled to commence on Friday, May 21, and will continue through October. This course meets the MFCA requirement for a CPE unit, and has proven to be very successful. It is headed by Rev. Karl Van Harn, Director of the Department of Pastoral Services & CPE at Pine Rest. If you are interested and have questions, please contact Karl Van Harn: karl.vanharn@pinerest.org or 616-281-6363, ext. 2902.

Future Fall 2021 RCA/MFCA Courses

·       RCA Credo

·       Greek Basics – Bible Works & Biblical Exegesis

·       RCA History & Missions

·       RCA Polity

·       RCA Standards

Announcements

Eric Mitchell, having completed all requirements for ordination, will be ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament on May 16, 2021 at Liberty Church, Collingswood, NJ. We celebrate along with Eric.

Chaplain John D. Barry was recently promoted from First Lieutenant to the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army. Chaplain Barry is currently serving at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Fort Campbell, KY. Well done, John. Congratulations.

Rev. Alan “Blues” Baker, RCA Supervisor of Chaplain Ministries, authored a recently released book; Foundations of Chaplaincy, published by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. The book is available through Amazon Foundations of Chaplaincy and at Barnes & Noble Foundations of Chaplaincy by Alan Baker.

A Prayer of Praise and Adoration – Loosely based on Psalm 16

Weekly, as a staff, the MFCA has been reading and briefly discussing through a chapter or a section of a Psalm. Coming out of this past year and motivated by our readings, I was inspired to write a prayer of adoration and thanksgiving. Amy White

____________________________________________________________________

God Almighty, you are the One in whom I find formidable shelter and protection. You are good, and I live in you and for you. I can find nothing before, beyond or better than you. Loving Lord God, you are enough!

My heart overflows and pumps with delight in you. Who alone can grant security within safe boundaries, assuring me, each step along the rocky passage to my eternal inheritance. Running after idols assures me of nothing. You, loving Father are enough!

My hands raise in praise to you, Lord. You have become my counsel, wisdom and instructor. My gaze will not be averted because you steady me with your strong right hand of advocacy. Therefore, my heart is glad, restful and at peace. Oh Lord, you are enough!

Oh faithful One, you are my vision, my guide and companion. You are my path, my life and joy. In you I find my footing and eternal life. Almighty God, you are enough! There is none like you, no not one.

Amen.

Courses

RCA/MFCA Worship

The MFCA will be offering RCA Worship as an online course, starting Monday, July 12, running through July 23, 2021. This online intensive course will require work throughout the weekend as well. Mark your calendars if you are interested in engaging this course, and the registration information will be sent to potential participants in May. 

Clinical Pastoral Educational Collaborative

CPE will be offered as a distance learning collaborative through Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education.  The CPE is scheduled to commence on Friday, May 21. This offering will continue through October and will meet the MFCA requirement for a CPE unit. 

There has been great success and very positive reviews about this program, which is headed by the Rev. Karl Van Harn, Director of the Department of Pastoral Services & CPE at Pine Rest. If you are interested and have questions, you may contact the MFCA office or Karl Van Harn: karl.vanharn@pinerest.org or 616-281-6363, ext. 2902.

Events

It’s a Q & A Party and you are invited!

Monday, April 12

10:30 a.m. Pacific/11:30 a.m. Mountain/12:30 p.m. Central/1:30 p.m. Eastern 

Zoom Call

We look forward to you joining the MFCA staff—Dave Schutt, Kelly Talsma, and Amy White—for an open office style gathering via Zoom on Monday, April 12, from 10:30 a.m. PDT to 11:30 a.m. PDT.

Meet other candidates from around the country, and bring your MFCA related questions. All people and questions are welcome!

When we complete a brief time of meet and greet, the session will be open to an all-group Q & A. 

It is our plan to offer more sessions, set at differing days and times, in order to provide more convenience of opportunity. We will be providing the link and reminders to our candidates a couple of weeks prior to the event.

For further information on any of these events, please contact 

Amy White at awhite@rca.org or Kelly Talsma at ktalsma@rca.org.

Announcements

Beth Marcus Scholarship Opportunity for Female Candidates

All students in an MDiv, MA, MTS, or equivalent master's degree program candidates are invited to apply here: www.rca.org/equipping-congregations/womens-transformation-leadership/scholarship/.

Applications are being accepted, with a deadline of April 30. This scholarship has blessed many MFCA female candidates over the years, and we strongly encourage you to apply.

We invite you to take a look at other resources at www.rca.org/women and the new Lavish Hope podcast (available on all players).

Susan Converse Ordination

On Sunday, March 21, Susan Converse will be ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament, as Associate Minister for Congregational Care at the Reformed Church of Locust Valley, her home church. We are thrilled that her process has led her back to where she started. Congratulations, Susan!

Courses

MFCA is in the process of receiving registration for the following RCA Courses which are scheduled to commence on January 4, 2021. All courses will be offered online, using Canvas Learning Management System. Registration material has been sent via email, from Kelly Talsma. If you did not receive this information and registration material, but would like to register for one of the courses, please contact the MFCA Registrar, Kelly Talsma at ktalsma@rca.org. The courses beginning in January are as follows:

• Basic Hebrew Tools and Exegesis – Rev. Dr. Chad Pierce, Instructor

• RCA History & Missions – Rev. Dr. Dennis Voskuil, Instructor

• RCA Polity - Rev. Dr. Cornelis Kors, Instructor

• RCA Standards – Rev. Dr. Wayne Brouwer, Instructor

• Credo Spring 2021 Session – Rev. Dr. Wayne Brouwer, Instructor (Pre-requisite: RCA Standards)

___________________________________________________________________________

Registration material will be sent in early January for MFCA Seminar for Pastoral Formation, an alternative course to the requirement for CPE. The course will be offered online including the intensive closing week. The course commences on March 1, 2021 with the intensive week running May 10-14, 2021.

RCA Worship will be offered this summer in an online format under the instruction of Rev. Dr. Ron Reinstra. The MFCA staff encourage our candidates to consider taking the Worship course, as it may be a once a year offering. The dates for the course offering are July 12-23, 2021 and will include required work through the weekend.

Events

MFCA Certification Committee Meeting (via Zoom) – January 21 & 22, 2021

The MFCA Board of Trustees Meeting (via Zoom) – March 5, 2021

Announcements

Due to recent changes with the agency and budgetary restrictions, annual in-person meetings with the director are no longer feasible. We ask our candidates to be proactive in initiating communication with MFCA staff as needed. We will continue our regular communication with all candidates, but if you need consultation, clarification, or have specific questions, do not hesitate to contact staff.

·       Rev. Dave Schutt – dschutt@rca.org

·       Kelly Talsma – ktalsma@rca.org

·       Amy White – awhite@rca.org

Our Saviors Corner of Hope Church in Lakewood, Colorado is searching for a Senior Pastor. If you feel this may be a good fit and you are interested in more information, you may contact Amy White (awhite@rca.org) for the Church Profile. You are also welcome to contact the Search Committee Chairperson.

Chair of Search Committee: Rick Boer
E-Mail address: rickylee25@hotmail.com
Website: www.oschurch.com  

Sponsorship for Dr. Cornelis Kors’ Festschrift

Thank you to all who have graciously contributed to sponsor the production of a Festschrift (a collection of essays) in honor of Cor, who tirelessly served the RCA for 29 years. We at the MFCA have received notice of each of your contributions and want to express our gratitude. For those of you who desire to be a part of the sponsorship, you may still do so. 

This festschrift entitled, Shepherding a New Generation of Leaders: Essays in Honor of Cornelis G. Kors, is being edited by Dr. Bradley G. Lewis, and published as part of The Historical Series of the Reformed Church in America. 

The MFCA Board of Trustees and staff (Kelly Talsma and Amy White) invite you to become a sponsor of this volume by contributing $50 toward its publication. If we receive your gift by December 31, 2020, your name will be listed in the initial pages as a sponsor, and we will send you a copy.

To make your donation and reserve your book, please do one of the following:

• Donate online: https://www.rca.org/give/ministerial-formation-certification-agency-mfca/ 

• Mail check:

Reformed Church in America
MFCA/Cor Kors Festschrift
4500-60th St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI  49512

Course Updates

RCA Worship was the last course offered only once a year as a week-long intensive in June. Due to COVID-19, along with the passing of the Rev. Dr. Gregg Mast (one of the RCA Worship Instructors), the intensive was cancelled.

The MFCA had a number of candidates whose only remaining requirement was RCA Worship, therefore, Dr. Kors managed to make alternative arrangements for this course prior to his retirement in July.

RCA Worship was offered for the first time via distance learning and we are grateful to the Rev. Dr. Tim TenClay for stepping up at the last minute. The course is now complete and we await the final grades.

MFCA has determined that “in-person” intensives will no longer be offered. This will include the Seminar for Pastoral Formation, which has historically been offered via distance learning with a week-long in-person intensive to conclude the course. The Rev. Dr. Verlyn Hemmen had to make adjustments this past summer to complete SPF via Zoom. Next year Dr. Hemmen has agreed to teach SPF with the intensive week once again being a virtual component of the course.

MFCA is extremely grateful for the creativity and commitment of all the professors contracted to teach our courses.

• Basic Greek Tools and Exegesis / Basic Hebrew Tools and Exegesis – Rev. Dr. Chad Pierce

• RCA History & Missions – Rev. Dr. Dennis Voskuil

• RCA Polity  -  Rev. Dr. Cornelis Kors

• RCA Standards / Credo – Rev. Dr. Wayne Brouwer

• RCA Worship – Rev. Dr. Tim TenClay

• Seminar for Pastoral Formation (CPE Alternative) – Rev. Dr. Verlyn Hemmen

Courses & Events

Credo DL- Winter session – Commences October 12, 2020 (Pre-requisite: RCA Standards)
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Wayne Brouwer

Certification Committee Meeting (via Zoom) – October 15-16, 2020

Board of Trustees Meeting (via Zoom) – October 30, 2020

Please contact the MFCA Registrar, Kelly Talsma regarding registration (ktalsma@rca.org)

Announcements

For those involved in Candidate Care Teams with the assorted RCA Classes, as well as potential candidates wondering if the MFCA will continue to receive petitions of those seeking the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry (CFM), we offer the following information. This past spring, the General Synod Council voted to dissolve the MFCA, which will require a process. After receiving permission to operate with our reserve funds through approximately March of 2022, the MFCA Board determined that MFCA will continue to receive new candidates. The staff will assist in transitioning any candidates who have been unable to complete the program during this time frame into a new process, which will be established by the PFOB. The Rev. Dave Schutt, MFCA part-time Interim Director, will be actively involved in the decisions made by the PFOB, along with the two RCA seminaries.

At this writing, all three staff, Kelly Talsma, Amy White and Dave Schutt plan to work through the dissolution and to assist candidates in completing the process in a timely manner. We look forward to receiving new candidates and working with classes and candidates.

Director's Travel Schedule

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the GSC staff, which includes the MFCA, will continue to work from home and will not be expected to return to work in any of the RCA offices through December 31, 2020.

All GSC staff travel and gatherings remain suspended, therefore the MFCA Interim Director, Rev. Dave Schutt will not be travelling for in-person consultations. Candidates desiring to have a phone conversation or a face to face Zoom video conference meeting with an MFCA staff member, can do so by contacting Amy White (awhite@rca.org), to set up an appointment.