Come to the Table - Standing in the Breach: Rooted in Our Faith

For the first time, the Synod held Come to the Table virtually.  The theme was “Standing in the Breach: Rooted in Our Faith.”  What a marvelous event it was.  Grounded in worship, over the course of two days we had Bible Study led by Gerald Liu, Director of Collegiate Ministries, Initiatives, and Belonging for the Global Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, and two services with PCUSA Co-Moderator Elona Street-Stewart and Rev. Betty Tom preaching.  Each provided us with scriptures that spoke to the gathering’s theme as well as thought-provoking and challenging sermons to move us into action. 

This was the first opportunity for the Synod’s Transitional Leader, Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashely to come before a synod-wide gathering with her vision and priorities for her work with us.  Be sure to listen to her presentation to get a sense of who SanDawna is as a leader and what is on her mind.  The link will be available as soon as it has been edited. 

Before the gathering, we had the opportunity to see the film, Conscience Point, the story of the Shinnecock Nation located in Eastern Long Island and their struggle to maintain their land, ancestral burial grounds, and their traditions against the backdrop and encroachment of one of the wealthiest vacation settlements in the United States.  This is a film not to be missed.  You may see it by clicking here and using the code CONSP31 thru Nov. 30th.

The main panel was, “A History of Colonialism:  The Doctrine of Discovery and Its Impact on Native Peoples.”  The Synod is blessed by four Native Congregations: Wright Memorial Presbyterian in Western NY (Seneca), Jimersontown Presbyterian in Western, NY (Seneca), Shinnecock Presbyterian Church on Long Island (Shinnecock), and Brook Presbyterian Church in Hudson River (Ramapough- Lenape), people from each tribe took part in this discussion.  The PCUSA 222nd General Assembly (2016) called the church to confess its complicity and repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery. At that time the overture also called for a review of the history of the doctrine and the writing of a report on the doctrine.  You may find that report online. This is the first time as a synod that we have begun to engage in this discussion, but it will not be the last. We are currently considering ways to engage more thoroughly with the tribes that are connected to churches within their presbyteries as well as ways to continue to engage with the Doctrine of Discovery.    

While we hope to be able to meet in person for the next Come to the Table in two years, those of us who attended found this gathering to be very rich and to feed our souls.  Thank you to all who participated.  Links to various parts of the gathering will be available on the Synod’s Youtube Channel.