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One in the Spirit

One in the Spirit
One in the Spirit is a monthly email from Linda Valentine strengthening community between the General Assembly Council and Middle Governing Bodies.

Select Read More to read what is in this month's edition.

If you would like to receive this email, please contact Linda by email

EKP's Top Stone Presbyterian Church is 2009 Walton Award Recipient

The Office of Mission Program Grants of the General Assembly Council has advised the Rev. David Yi, Pastor of the Top Stone Presbtyerian Church (Eastern Korean Presbytery) that the congregation has been selected as a 2009 recipient of the Sam & Helen R. Walton Award for New Church Development. The Walton fund was established by the late Walmart CEO Sam and his wife Helen to encourage the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in its commitment to new church development.  The Waltons' intent was to support new church development with a preference that the award is spent for site purchase, hoping that defraying initial capital costs would relieve some of the financial burden from a newly forming congregation.

The monetary aspect of the award is a contribution of $50,000.  The church's Session, the case of Top Stone, which is an organized congregation, will report the award's use, related to evangelism and church development, to the Mission Program Grants office;  information about the grant and the congregation will be shared with the public media as well. 

New England Presbyterian Campus Initiative Report

Kelsey Rice Bogdan
The report for the New England Presbyterian Campus Initiatve is now available to download.  The report was written by Kelsey Rice Bogdan, Project Coordinator for the initiative on April 25, 2009.

Click here to download Kelsey's report.

Equipping the Congregation for Outreach & Mission Training Event - October 17, 2009

Roderic Frohman
The Fab Five Presbytery Partnership Group (Presbyteries of Albany, Cayuga-Syracuse, Northern New York, Susquehanna Valley and Utica) are sponsoring the training event "Equipping the Congregation for Outreach & Mission" on Saturday, October 17, 2009, from 9:00am to 3:00pm.  The event will be at the First Presbyterian Church of Utica, located at 1605 Genesee Street ~ Utica, NY 13501.  The event will be led by the Rev. Dana Horrell and the Rev. Roderic Frohman.
Dana Horrell


This course helps outreach ministries expand by clarifying vision, drawing together "stand alone" ministries into a single whole, collaborating with community partners, and integrating ethical norms of justice.  through an assessment tool, disucssion and multi-media presentations, participants are provided examples of "best practices" in social ministry.

To register for the event, contact Brooke Newell, Fab Five ADvocacy Ministries Coordinator by phone at 518-793-3823 or email.

Click here to download the flyer.

Former Moderator's Service Celebrated with Award

The June 2009 edition of the Synod's Nor'E-News is now available.  This is a one page (front and back) communication instrument we hope you'll use to share information about the Synod's life and mission throughout your presbytery.
Nor'E-news Graphic


Please send it along to churches, ministers, CLPs and elders with the suggestion that they consider using it in one or more of the following ways:
1. Print and include with next church newsletter.
2. Attach front and back side by side to one or more bulletin boards.
3. Send as electronic attachment to the church mailing list.
4. Make copies and leave them in prominent places for people to pick up such as in a magazine rack, in the narthex, or at the rear of the sanctuary.
5. Use as bulletin insert on Sunday morning.
6. Print multiple copies for use as placemats during congregational dinners.
 
The newsletter contains the following articles:
 Former Moderator’s Service Celebrated with Award
 God in Calamity: Madagascar in Crisis
 From Guttenburg to Google
 The Prophetic Voice of Advocates: Speaking Truth to Power, A Report by Rev. James Poinsett
 Bloomfield Graduates Praise the College
 Auburn Theological Seminary Elects Katherine Rhodes Henderson to Succeed Barbara Wheeler as President
 
Click here to download the Nor'E-News.

Bloomfield Graduates Praise the College

In his address to those gathered at the President’s Dinner, Dr. Levao identified some of the outstanding achievements image:
President Richard Levao
Bloomfield College has experienced during 2009: Through a total of $50,000 from general mission contributions augmented by Partnership Group representing New Jersey presbyteries, the Synod of the Northeast contributes to the spiritual leadership and nurture on campus through its chaplaincy program. The Rev. Todd Shumpert is in his eighth year of service as Chaplain; Dr. Richard Levao has served as President since 2004, and h150as been recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (APCU).
The Rev. Todd Shumpert


Each college strives to accomplish its mission through a combination of academic and extra-curricular programs. While each school has its own distinct mission, there are some common themes:
  • Educating students intellectually, physically, socially and spiritually
  • Educating for depth and breadth — helping students to master a particular field of knowledge while understanding the wholeness of knowledge as a search for truth
  • Developing ethical and moral standards, spiritual values, social responsibility and respect for others
  • Preparing students for a world that is rapidly changing, global, diverse (multi-cultural) and technological
  • Equipping students with analytical, communication and leadership skills
  • Providing opportunities for interaction with faculty and for independent study
  • Providing opportunities for volunteer service, internships and study abroad
  • Helping students to appreciate aesthetic qualities and realize their creative potential
  • Preparing students to lead honorable, purposeful and successful live
Presbyterian colleges are independent, non-sectarian institutions with historic ties to one or more branches of the Presbyterian Church. Some place particularly strong emphasis on Judeo-Christian beliefs and Reformed traditions. All welcome students of all ages, faiths and cultural backgrounds.

President Levao's address to be posted soon.