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...
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...
Rev. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley Today we celebrate First Nations people upon whose land we stand. As American history is told with more accuracy, the renaming of Columbus Day signifies many first steps in the right direction. We now know that the story of Christopher Columbus discovering America is biased. As is often the case, the one...
Most of us can finish the statement “When life gives you lemons…make lemonade.” Given that it is Fall, it would make more sense to be speaking about pumpkin and apple drinks. However, I cannot stop thinking that we need to think about lemonade. No one imagined that in September 2021, we would still be stymied by...