COVENANT
between
BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE
and
THE SYNOD OF THE NORTHEAST
01.00.00 |
Preamble |
01.01.00 |
The
purpose of this Covenant is to articulate the
nature and scope of the relationship between Bloomfield
College
and the Synod of the Northeast. In an atmosphere
of mutual respect for each others’ unique role and
mission, Bloomfield College and the Synod of
the Northeast enter into this Covenant in order
to advance their
common mission in higher education.
|
01.02.00 |
Bloomfield
College was established by Presbyterians in 1868
to provide theological education first to German-speaking
students and later to other ethnic immigrant
groups. Located
in the New Jersey-New York metropolitan region, it
continues to serve students in a multiracial, multicultural
context. Throughout its history it has been a
Presbyterian-related institution of higher education. As
a liberal arts college with a diverse mission,
Bloomfield College maintains and values the historic
church-related
foundation upon which its present life is built,
and seeks to strengthen its ties with Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) through its covenant relationship
with the Synod of the Northeast. |
01.03.00 |
The
Synod of the Northeast, as a governing
body of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.), maintains its confession of
Jesus Christ as Lord at the center of
its life, and its confessional
declarations at the forefront of its identity.
The Synod is charged with the responsibility
of maintaining a covenant with Bloomfield College
on behalf
of the
whole church. |
01.04.00 |
The Synod
of the Northeast and Bloomfield College,
recognizing that each has its own unique mission
and role, are
intimately bound to one another in their
common heritage and in the contemporary expression
of their common
values. As each understands its own distinctive
role, the mission of the other will be
enriched and strengthened. |
01.05.00 |
The
College seeks to share its corporate
life, including academic excellence, community service,
and campus
life, encouraged by the church. The Synod seeks
to support the College in its efforts
to live out its identity as a Presbyterian-related
institution
through
financial support and participation in
the life of the College. |
02.00.00 |
Intentions
of the Covenant - Bloomfield College |
02.01.00 |
Bloomfield
College, as a multi-dimensional institution
of higher education, intends to strengthen the church-related
dimension of its identity. The intentions of
the College under this Covenant, implemented
through its Board of Trustees, are: |
02.02.00 |
To
maintain its standards of excellence and academic
freedom as an educational institution
in the liberal arts tradition. |
02.03.00 |
To
build upon its strong commitment to prepare students
to function effectively in a multiracial/multicultural
society. |
02.04.00 |
To
build educational esteem through academic achievements
among students who have previously been educationally
disenfranchised. |
02.05.00 |
To
identify and find expression for the
dimensions of its life that demonstrate the College’s
church-related character and its connection with
the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) |
02.06.00 |
To
instill in its graduates a dedication to service,
a concern for the moral and ethical dimensions
of life
and work, respect for all persons, and the stewardship
of all creation. |
02.07.00 |
To
offer a curriculum and co-curricular
program that reflects the highest values of Judeo-Christian
faith as expressed
in the Reformed tradition, which seeks
to integrate faith and learning, and provides depth,
coherence,
and meaning in students’ lives. |
02.08.00 |
To
recognize itself as an educational resource for
the whole Synod, making its personnel
and facilities available
to Synod as appropriate. |
02.09.00 |
To
solicit direct financial support for the College
from units of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), after consultation
with the presbytery within whose bounds the effort
is to be made. |
02.10.00 |
To
receive and elect, in consultation with the Synod,
three members of the Board of Trustees, one in
each class, one of whom shall report annually in writing
to the Committee on Leadership Development at the Synod’s
Fall meeting. |
03.00.00 |
Intentions
of the Covenant – Synod of the Northeast |
03.01.00 |
The
Synod of the Northeast intends to strengthen
the ties and expressions of support between itself
and Bloomfield
College. The intentions of the Synod of the
Northeast under this Covenant, implemented through
its
Committee on Leadership Development,
are: |
03.02.00 |
To
encourage and assist the College as it identifies
and finds expression for the dimensions
of its life which
demonstrate its church-related character and
its connection with the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.). |
03.03.00 |
To
assist the College in identifying its ministry
to the changing needs of persons in contemporary
society,
and in strengthening its unique contribution
to higher education and to society. |
03.04.00 |
To
cooperate with the College in the recruitment
of students and assist in efforts toward
raising awareness of Presbyterian-related
colleges. |
03.05.00 |
To
utilize the resources and capacities of the College
in various areas of Synod ministry and mission. |
03.06.00 |
To
assist the College in approaching the Synod,
and its presbyteries and congregations,
with the interpretation
of the educational goals and mission of the
College. |
03.07.00 |
To
provide annually from its mission budget funds
to support and enhance the programs of the
College. |
03.08.00 |
To
nominate and endorse, in consultation with the
College, members of the Board of Trustees,
one in each class,
one of whom will report annually to the Synod. |
03.09.00 |
To
provide opportunities for reports from representatives
of the College at meetings of the Synod and
its units. |
04.00.00 |
Hopes |
04.01.00 |
The
Covenant between Bloomfield College and
the Synod of the Northeast is an expression of the
hope that the
relationship between them shall continue
and be strengthened in ways which enhance the unique
mission and role of
both the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
and the College. The
hopes for the future of this Covenant
relationship include: |
04.02.00 |
The
continuation and strengthening of the
position of a full-time Bloomfield College Chaplain
so that the role
of the church in the life of the College
might
be explicitly present. |
04.03.00 |
The
expansion of opportunities for Christian and
Interfaith Mission and a thoughtful exploration
of the Christian
faith and vocation. |
04.04.00 |
The
inclusion of this Covenant, or a summary thereof,
in the interpretive literature of the College. |
04.05.00 |
Increasing
opportunities for the interpretation
of the College’s
mission to and among the presbyteries
and congregations of the Synod. |
04.06.00 |
The
support by Synod and its member presbyteries
of the Westminster Foundation Advisory
Board with prayers,
the selection of Westminster Foundation Board
Members, and the designation of an annual
financial pledge. |
04.07.00 |
A
clear understanding between the College and the
Synod concerning the strategies for fund-raising
among Presbyterian
churches and individuals. |
05.00.00 |
Approval
of the Covenant |
05.01.00 |
This
Covenant shall be renewed and effective
upon formal approval of the Board of Trustees of
Bloomfield College
and the Synod of the Northeast, at their
respective meetings in the Spring of 2001. This
covenant shall again be reviewed in 2004 in preparation
for its renewal in 2005. |
