According to Church tradition, there are three causes of evil: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Some years ago, I preached a sermon about the maxim “Three Monkeys.” The figures originate from the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, Japan. However, as with many maxims, others date the teaching as far back as the 8th century. The...
The 2022 Synod per capita billing for the presbyteries was sent out this past October. The Synod of the Northeast offers a discount if you pay the bill in full by January 31 giving your presbytery the opportunity to benefit from a 2.5% savings. Please contact the Synod office if your presbytery needs a copy of the billing....
The online application for the 2022-2023 Wurffel-Sills Scholarship and Interest-Free Student Loan Program will go live on February 1st! This application is open to all members of any church within the Synod of the Northeast. We are now accepting applications for the following students: Full-Time Undergraduate Students Full-Time and Part-Time (At least half-time) Seminary Students (MDiv...
The Synod Mission and Ministries Commission held a special called meeting on December 17, 2021, to close out business for the year. The following actions were taken. Based on data from various sources including the U.S. government, the Personnel Team and Administrative Working Group recommend a 5.9% cost of living adjustment for the staff for 2022....
A New York state law was enacted on November 8, 2021, that affects how congregations and presbyteries hold meetings. This prohibits the use of hybrid meetings by congregations, presbyteries and the synod which is incorporated in New York State. We are sharing information that the synod attorney, Ellen O’Connell, provided to us. Attorney Ellen O’Connell states:...
On January 17th we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King was a man of God, a man of peace, a man of courage, and a prophet in his time. It is particularly poignant this year to reflect on his sermons and speeches about nonviolence and love when violence and hatred have mushroomed against Black, Latinx, and Asian peoples. It is particularly poignant to remember that Dr. King was part of a movement for...
Today the country remembers the traumatic events of January 6, 2021. The day which revealed the deep political divisions in our country once again. Regardless of ideologies or political leanings, injustice cannot be masked as righteousness. Unresolved pain often reveals itself in acts of wrongdoing and the oppression of others. Prejudice exists in calling wrong right and right...
SYNOD OFFICE WILL CLOSE FOR THE HOLIDAYS The Synod office will close the weeks of December 20th and 27th. The Staff is taking their vacation time to be with family and loved ones. If you are in immediate need of assistance, you can reach Rev. Dr. SanDawna Ashley or Rev. Nancy Talbot through December 22nd and Fran Klaiber on December...
Greetings In The Name Of Christ Emmanuel! I pray that you and your families are well. Even as I write this message, I acknowledge that we are still waiting for the answered prayers that soon we will move beyond the Coronavirus, political divides, natural disasters, and the many questions about the future Church. The Advent and Christmas...
As we approach the holiday season, we do so knowing that some are still metaphorically standing by the waters of Babylon, grieved by the many losses over the last 18 months. Our prayers continue for those families, businesses, and communities. We pray that they will truly experience the promise that weeping endures for the night, but...