To the Synod of the Northeast Community,
Below is a summary of actions taken by the Synod Mission and Ministry Commission, which met from January 30-31 on Zoom:
The Commission approved the distributed Minutes of the following meetings through an omnibus motion.
Synod Assembly, November 2025
Synod Mission and Ministries Commission, September 2025
Synod Mission and Ministries Commission, April 2025
The Commission voted to overture the 227th General Assembly to direct the Unified Agency to reinstate the position of Staff Attorney for Immigration as a full-time role, filled by a licensed immigration attorney.
That Synod directed its Stated Clerk to recommend that the General Assembly Administrative Commission on Mid-Councils concur with the request of the Presbyteries of Albany and Northern New York and transfer of nine congregations from the Presbytery of Northern New York to the Presbytery of Albany.
· First Presbyterian Church of Rouses Point
· First Presbyterian Church of Chateaugay
· Chazy Presbyterian Church
· First Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh
· Peru Community Church
· Adirondack Presbyterian Church [Lake Clear]
· First Presbyterian Church of Saranac Lake
· United Community Church of Tupper Lake
· Mt. Moriah Presbyterian Church [Port Henry]
The Commission VOTED to approve the proposed staggered class years for the new assembly.
Administrative Working Group
The Commission VOTED to appoint an Audit Committee, with members Betsy Jay (Utica), Gladys McNish (New York City), and Pat Osterhoudt (Hudson River), to review and recommend action on the 2025 financial audit prepared by Lumsden and McCormick.
The Commission VOTED to Recommend that the appointed Audit Committee is charged with responsibility to develop a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 2026.
The Commission VOTED to Approve the highlighted changes in Section IX. Fitness for Service/Duty in the Synod of the Northeast Personnel Policies and Guidelines. (p.21-22)
The Commission VOTED to Approve the highlighted changes in Section XI. Policy Regarding Substance Abuse and Other Drug-Dependent Synod Staff and their Families, A. Alcohol or Chemical Dependency in the Synod of the Northeast Personnel Policies and Guidelines (p. 24).
Mission Working Group
The Commission VOTED to deny funding to the Rutgers Protestant Campus Ministry program.
The Commission VOTED to fully fund the remaining eight campus ministry grant applications fully at $2500 each:
University of Albany – Protestant Campus Ministry in Albany Inc.
University of New Hampshire – United Campus Ministry to the UofNH
Union College – Campus Protestant Ministry
Princeton University – Princeton Presbyterians of the Westminster Foundation
Plymouth State University – United Campus Ministry at PSU
Ukirk TCNJ – Princeton Presbyterians of the Westminster Foundation
Cornell University – Protestant Cooperative Ministry at CU
Campus Ministry at Sage
The Commission VOTED to fully fund Youth & Young Adult grant applications at $7500 each:
Second Mile
Princeton Presbyterians — Pilgrimage to Taizé,
Johnsonburg Camp— Leadership and Service Training, and
School to Life Summer Employment Initiative.
The Commission VOTED to fund at $5K each:
Youth & Young Adult Grant applications from Camp Wilmot and UKirk Ewing — Spring & Fall Retreats.
Total for grants approved today: $60K.
There was an application for a General Assembly Grant to New York City Presbytery that needed synod endorsement which was in error not submitted. There was also another 2025 synod grant that went unused. The commission VOTED to give these unused funds to the Presbyterians for Earth Care Congregations in New York City Presbytery. This transfer totals $4500.
The Commission VOTED to approve the ecumenical grant application from Kingston Presbyterian Church Books and Breakfast program providing meals and other benefits for unhoused people for $2500.
The Commission VOTED to approve the following new criteria and questions for the Ecumenical/Interfaith Grant Application. Rev. Wooten explained that the new criteria give new, clearer guidelines and criteria for grants, and that the working group adjusted questions directed to applicants. The new criteria is in Appendix C of these minutes.
I would like to extend a thank you to all who participated in this meeting. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at statedclerk@synodne.org
Peace,
Rev. T. J. DeMarco, Temporary Stated Clerk
Synod of the Northeast
