By Mark Bennett
~June 2, 2022
Through the African American Leaders and Congregations Initiative, The Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS) is requesting your help in documenting the Black individuals that live, work, and witness in our denomination.
Blog
Home / Blog
- All Posts
- Blog
- Coaching
- COVID-19
- December 2025
- December 2025 Newsletter
- Early Ministry Institute
- February 2026
- Grants
- Innovation Grants
- January 2026 Newsletter
- Matthew 25 In Action
- News
- Newsletter
- Non-Profit - null
- November 2025 Newsletter
- PHS
- Synod Assembly
- Visioning Process
- Wurffel-Sills
By Mark Bennett
~June 2, 2022
The Synod of the Northeast recognizes financial hardships have greatly affected some presbyteries and they are not able to adequately support congregations and pastors. The Synod Commission on April 30, 2022, voted to designate 200k from the budget for the next three years to provide needs-based support grants.
By admin
~May 26, 2022
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for; a conviction of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1 The foundational scripture for the 225th General Assembly On Saturday, May 14, I was driving through the Adirondack mountains, listening to music, eager to arrive at my sister’s house. Another sister called me, frantic, asking if I was safe. Because...
By admin
~April 14, 2022
Greetings in the name of the risen Lord! In the season of Easter, we celebrate not gift giving or the commercial side of hope. Instead, we rejoice that nothing in life, death, Hades, or the grave can limit God’s care for us. An unknown author wrote, “Easter is not a time for groping through dusty, musty...
~March 18, 2022
The month of February has been a time of first within the Synod. The staff and conveners gathered in retreat at Honor’s Haven, Ellenville, NY, February 22nd – 24th. The conversation was facilitated by LeaderWise Consultant Dr. Okokon Udo. During the retreat, I had the privilege of meeting the leadership for the first time in person....
By admin
~March 18, 2022
The Synod Mission and Ministries Commission held a special called meeting on February 18th to consider overtures for the 225th General Assembly and took the following actions: 1. Approved and forwarded two overtures sponsored by the Synod of the Northeast. a. On Amending G-2.0301 to Allow Congregations to Elect Members as Ruling Elders for Service to...
By admin
~March 17, 2022
As you know, the 2022 Triennium was canceled. However, several presbyteries are considering sponsoring Triennium alternatives this year so that this opportunity is not missed. The Synod is committed to contributing the same funding to these alternatives as we would have if Triennium had been held. This includes $100 scholarship for all youth participants as well...
By admin
~February 21, 2022
My grandfather would often say, “Don’t believe everything you read or much of what you think you see.” As a man growing up in the South, he spent much of his adult life weeding through the stories he was told. Our dinnertime conversations were a summation of what he learned at school and church. The life...
By admin
~February 20, 2022
The Synod Mission and Ministries Commission held its first meeting of 2022 on January 28-29. Because of the New Jersey reorganization, new commission representatives were welcomed — Rev. Sara Craven (Southern New Jersey), Rev. Sue Smith (Coastlands), YAAD Brielle Lacroix (Coastlands), and Elder Lisa Gray (Highlands). Rev. Laurena Will (Northern New York) attended as an observer. ...
By admin
~January 23, 2022
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...