TURMOIL IN MADAGASCAR

Wednesday, February 10 2010, 02:23 PM EST

By NLomberk -- Views: 168

Please keep PC(USA) mission worker Dan Turk and his wife Elizabeth in your prayers, along with the country of Madagascar and the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM) with whom the Synod of the Northeast is a partner. Church journalists from the FJKM have been jailed in recent months. Other church leaders feel threatened. Although the international community has been trying to help the country move forward in a process that will restore constitutional governance, the way forward since the coup d’etat by Andy Rajoelina in March 2009 has been difficult. February 10 marks an important date because the European Union will be meeting to decide whether to impose sanctions on the Rajoelina government. Below is an update from Dan, distributed with his permission:

Madagascar

Madagascar Update, 8 February 2010

Dear Friends,

We are doing fine, though Madagascar is slipping, slipping.

On Saturday 6 February the 15-day window expired for the 4 mouvances (those led by Rajoelina, Ratsiraka, Zafy, and Ravalomanana) to respond to the proposals of the International Contact Group for Madagascar (ICG). The ICG is led by the African Union (AU) and includes the United States, France, European Union, SADC, UN, and others. The deal from the ICG is simple: agree to the Maputo Accords and Addis Ababa Additional Agreement or face sanctions. The Maputo Accords and Addis Ababa Additional Agreement provide for a consensual transitional government to hold the reigns of power while legislative and presidential elections are held. It appears that Andry Rajoelina continues to reject important provisions of the Maputo Accords (even though he signed them) so Madagascar awaits sanctions. Will sanctions really happen? If so, what, and when? The European Union is holding a meeting on 10 February in which it may decide on sanctions. The African Union and United States could decide on sanctions any day now.

New England Women Ministers Association Retreat & Annual Meeting ~ April 27-29, 2010

Tuesday, March 09 2010, 03:08 PM EST

By NLomberk -- Views: 33

Donna Colletti Lowre

he Retreat and Annual Meeeting of the New England Women Ministers Association (NEWMA) will be on April 27-29, 2010 at the Miramar Retreat Center. The Center is located at 121 Park Street in Duxbury, MA 02331. The theme this year is The Warrior Wisdom of Sophia within Each of Us. The facilitator is Donna Colletti Lowre. Donna will use her powerful and empowering one-woman play, In Her Own Voice, as the centerpiece of the retreat.

NEWMA was founded in 1838 and is an ecumenical gathering of women in ministry, including ordained women, lay women, and women religious.

Click here for the schedule and registration form.

Ministering to the Missing Generation on March 21-23, 2010 at Stony Point Conference Center

Tuesday, March 09 2010, 02:44 PM EST

By NLomberk -- Views: 14

Carol Howard Merritt

What about those young adults who are "Missing In Action"? Just how can the church re-connect in authentic ways with this active generation? How might people of faith become deep listeners for those who are searching for meaning? For answers to these questions, attend the Ministering to the Missing Generation on March 21-23, 2010 at the Stony Point Conference Center. The Reverend Carol Howard Merritt will share her insights and experience on reaching out to those who are leaving the church as they leave their parents' home.

The registration fee is $230.00 and covers meals and a shared double room in one of Stony Point's lodges.

Click here for more information on the event.

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Early Ministry Institute - May 2-6, 2010

Friday, March 05 2010, 10:38 AM EST

By NLomberk -- Views: 352

Early Ministry Institute will begin Sunday, May 2nd and conclude Thursday, May 6th. There is an option in the planning stages to provide an overnight spiritual retreat concluding Friday May 7th, at your own expense.

StonyPointSign-EMI Promo

The goal of Early Ministry Institute (EMI) is to help assure an effective and healthy ministry experience for the new pastor and the congregation. Through EMI the Presbytery and the Synod share a commitment to provide a personal support system and skills training in an environment where community is built among pastors.

Click here for a copy of the Brochure and Registration Form.

The plans for the mission trip to New York City and Broadway Play will be announced shortly.

For more information, please contact Nancy Lomberk by phone at 315-446-5990/800-585-5881, Ext. 214 or by email.

2010-2011 Wurffel-Sills Applications Being Accepted

Friday, March 05 2010, 10:05 AM EST

By NLomberk -- Views: 531

Interest-Free Loans and Scholarships are available to all active members of a Presbyterian Church in the Synod of the Northeast for the upcoming school year (2010-11) from the "The Karl, John, Elizabeth Wurffel Memorial Fund" and "The Allie L. Sills Memorial Fund." Applications must be received in the Synod Office by April 1, 2010.

Wurfell-Sills Scholarship & Loans

Individuals who are or will be pursuing higher education goals and will be attending seminary, graduate or undergraduate or educational programs at accredited institutions on a full-time basis, within the United States and Canada are welcome to apply.

All applications for the upcoming school year are reviewed by the Individual Grants Task Force. Three applications are chosen for scholarships. Those not chosen for the scholarship program will be reviewed for an interest-free loan.

Click here to download the application for New Applications or Re-Applicants along with the brochure.

For more information, contact the Synod Office at 315-446-5990/800-585-5881.

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2010 WOMEN OF FAITH NAMED

Friday, February 26 2010, 01:50 PM EST

By NLomberk -- Views: 147

PC(USA)

Four women have been named recipients of the 2010 Women of Faith Awards by the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Recipients were approved by the council at its meeting on Feb. 26. The women will be honored at the Women of Faith breakfast, July 4, during the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. One of the women named is a member of the Synod of the Northeast.

Reverend Margaret E. Howland, Yonkers, N.Y., Hudson River Presbytery, Synod of the Northeast. Howland was one of the first women ordained in the denomination as a minister of the Word and Sacrament and is the retired pastor of South Presbyterian Church in Yonkers. Her career and life are characterized by her commitment to fighting sexism, racism, poverty and violence. At the 218th General Assembly (2008), concurrently with the 50th anniversary celebration of her ordination, she was awarded a special Peaceseeker Award by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship.

The Women of Faith Awards were established in 1986 to honor women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) whose lives exemplify their Christian commitment through witness, service and leadership. The theme for this year’s awards is “Women with a Peaceful Heart: Guiding Paths to Peace” and therefore honors women who have helped the church grow in its witness and commitment to peacemaking.

REVIVE! - JUNE 11-13, 2010

Thursday, February 25 2010, 11:53 AM EST

By NLomberk -- Views: 144

Revive 2010

Revive! is three days of Christian proclamation and celebration that will transform lives and renew the Church. Revive! will be held on June 11-13, 2010, at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral at 801 W. State Street ~ Trenton, NJ 08618 ~ 609-392-3805.

Revive! will gather Christians from diverse backgrounds and perspectives who are passionate about our Lord and who claim justice as an imperative for Christian discipleship and mission. We seek to inspire and challenge through an event of Christian proclamation and celebration - a revival - that will feature outstanding preaching, teaching, and musical leadership.

Revive! will focus on two issues that deeply distress and divide our society: incarceration and immigration. We will ask: how may we faithfully follow our Lord Jesus Christ for the sake of justice and in service to prisoners and immigrants?

Click here to download the letter to the pastors about Revive and a brochure.

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NEW JERSEY COUNCIL OF CHURCHES & INTERNATIONAL SOLES 4 SOULS CAMPAIGN

Wednesday, February 24 2010, 01:04 PM EST

By NLomberk -- Views: 170

The New Jersey Council of Churches is working with the International Soles 4 Souls Campaign to collect new and gently used shoes for the people of Haiti. As we all know, the people of Haiti are in great need. For many, the shoes they put on their feet the day of the earthquake are the only shoes they have.

Shoes

Individuals who want to contribute should go to the Soles 4 Souls website at www.soles4souls.org and enter your zip code to get information on the drop off center nearest you.

Churches can also participate by joining the Barefoot for Haiti Program. Go to www.Barefoot4Haiti.com for more details.

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SUPPORT SENATE BILL 2925 RE: TRAFFICKING

Wednesday, February 24 2010, 12:47 PM EST

By NLomberk -- Views: 156

The Synod's Public Policy Advocacy Network encourages Presbyterians in the Synod of the Northeast to email and fax letters to United States Senators supporting Senate Bill S.2925 "Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2009." This law would provide crucial fudning to develop and enhance comprehensive, collaborative efforts to combat the commcerical sexual exploitation of children in the United States. Child victims are severely overlooked in most state approaches to fight human trafficking. This bill would help correct the imbalance.

Children of the World

Click here to download sample letters and addresses.

Background: In August of 2005, the Synod of the Northeast held a Presbytrerian United Nations Seminar on the Issue of Child Trafficking, as a result of which, in October 2005, the Synod approved a GA Overture on the Issue of Trafficking in Women and Children that was approved by the 2006 General Assembly. Carol Smolenski, Executive Director of ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) in the United States, was one of the presenters and sent the above request for advocacy.

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PRESBYTERIANS URGED TO REGISTER FOR ECUMENICAL ADVOCACY DAYS ~ MARCH 19-22, 2010

Wednesday, February 24 2010, 09:10 AM EST

By NLomberk -- Views: 438

Ecumenical Advocacy Days
The eighth annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days gathering will take place in Washington DC March 19-22, 2010. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) helped to found this event and continues to provide leadership, each year registering over 100 participants, including many youth and young adult attendees. Presbyterians attending Advocacy Days will have several opportunities for denominational networking and community-building, including a lunchtime meeting on Saturday and a dinner on Saturday night.

The theme for this year's conference is "A Place to Call Home: Immigrants, Refugees, and Displaced Peoples". Policy makers, expert speakers and representatives from global regions will join church leaders and grassroots activists in reflecting on this theme, while a variety of workshops and training sessions will focus on shaping U.S. immigration and refugee policies and doing advocacy at home on these topics. The program will also include visits to Capitol Hill and meetings with Members of Congress and their staffs.

Registration and more information about Ecumenical Advocacy Days is at http://www.advocacydays.org on the Web. You may also contact Mary Cooper at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington Office, Mary.Cooper@pcusa.org, if you have specific questions.

Limited funds are available for scholarship help from the Synod's Public Policy Advocacy Network (PPAN). Scholarship help is maximum of $500 per person (ask for less if you need less). If you come from a smaller membership church, less than 150 members, we can request special funds for you from the Synod's Mary Wallingford Fund.

Student scholarships are available, visit the Young Adult Page or email scholarships@advocacydays.org.

Click here to go to the Ecumenical Advocacy Days website for registration and hotel information.