Greetings in this season of wonder and anticipation! Recently, I heard someone say we measure our lives by seasons and the thought intrigued me. I did not know the individual, however the phrase “we measure our lives in seasons” ruminated in my thoughts throughout the day. At the close of each year, I do reflect and...
Greetings in the name of Christ! Happy Thanksgiving! How would you answer the question: What are you thankful for? I am thankful for being alive. I do not mean just on the other side of the grave. I mean fully living in the knowledge of who I am as a child of God. This understanding supersedes...
Every year, the Synod of the Northeast has worked with our Presbyteries to find new and innovative ways to “provide unencumbered spaces for the Holy Spirit to move among us, breathing new life into us and strengthening us to work for the realm and reign of God.” This is reflected not only in our budget with...
The Commissioners and YAADs had a full agenda of issues to consider and vote upon during Synod Assembly. At the beginning of the Assembly during worship Rev. Stephen Park Choi was installed as the Moderator of the Synod. The Moderator put the Constitutional Questions to Rev. Park Choi and prayed with him. Elections Elder Lisa...
The Commission approved the following meeting dates for 2023: Commission will meet January 27-28, April 28-29, and September 15-16. Come-to-the-Table is scheduled for October 20-21. The Commission approved the following Emerging Gospel Communities grants: 1. Connect.Faith — Hudson River Presbytery $10,000 2. Cross Street Community – New York City Presbytery $10,500 3. For People...
Workshop Description Mission at the Eastward’s (MATE) mission is to love our neighbors through volunteer home repairs, transitional housing, and youth outreach to create lives of hope, security, and dignity in Central Western Maine. Of the households we serve, 85% have income of less than $20,000 per year. Many households are dealing with devastating effects of...
Workshop Description The pandemic did not change the direction of society; it accelerated trends that were already well underway. Not only will we not go back to the way things were, more change is likely to come. Congregations can thrive by creating a culture of continual change that seeks to discern, anticipate, and adapt to their...
Workshop Description We will present a model that is based on small, mixed-group conversations on race and systemic racism between members of historically Black and historically White churches. The small-group format fosters the growth of trust over time and allows for honest discussion about current and past issues related to systemic racism in this country. While...
Workshop Description CJP will offer a primer on the idea of reparations, healing and repair to help participants visualize concrete actions that congregations and mid-councils can take to respond to structural racism. This work is both grounded in scripture and in the ethos of what it means to be Presbyterian. How is the work of healing...
Workshop Description In the spring of 2020, the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford, NY, was simultaneously calling a new Pastor, launching the VCI program, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite serious setbacks in the VCI program due to the pandemic, the church was able to maintain interest and enthusiasm in it. By modifying it to...