Come To The Table 2023

October 20, 2023 - October 22, 2023

 In the Synod of the Northeast, Come to the Table is a time when we gather every other year, embracing the opportunity to learn, grow, and be inspired by the transformative missional and ministry innovations unfolding across our region. In the year 2023, the theme that guides our hearts and minds is "When Did We See You?: Removing the Blinders." As we gather at this sacred table, we embark on a collective journey to expand our vision, to remove the blinders that hinder us from recognizing the divine presence in one another and the world around us.

In this narrative, we are challenged to transcend our preconceptions and biases, to remove the blinders that limit our understanding and prevent us from truly seeing and acknowledging the inherent worth and dignity of all God's creation. As we shed these blinders, our vision becomes clearer, enabling us to recognize the face of Christ in the faces of those often marginalized and invisible in our society.

Through engaging workshops, enlightening keynote addresses, and interactive sessions, "Come to the Table" invites us to explore the innovative missional and ministry endeavors that are breaking down barriers and fostering inclusion. We learn from each other and hear about the congregations that are daring to challenge the status quo, dismantle systemic injustices, and create transformative spaces where all are invited to partake in God's abundant love.

At the heart of "When Did We See You?: Removing the Blinders" is a recognition that our faith calls us to be courageous, to step out of our comfort zones, and to engage in compassionate action. By removing the blinders that limit our perspective, we open ourselves to the transformative encounters that reveal the divine presence in unexpected places and are empowered to respond with love, justice, and grace.

 SCHEDULE

Come to the Table Agenda

Friday – October 20

2:00 p.m.                           Mission Packaging

4:00-5:00 p.m.                 Check-in

5:30 p.m.                           Dinner

7:00 p.m.                           Welcome and Opening Worship – Livestreamed. 

Rev. Ruth Santana-Grace preaching

8:00 p.m.                           PCUSA Co-Moderator, Rev. Ruth Santana Grace, Q&A

Saturday – October 21

7:30-8:30 a.m.                 Breakfast

9:00-9:45 a.m.                 Bible Study

10-11:15 a.m.                  Keynote and Q@A with Dr. Felicia LaBoy

11:15-12:15 p.m.            Free time

12:15-1:30 p.m.              Lunch and Reflection Time

1:30-2:15 p.m.                 1st Set of Workshops

2:30-3:15 p.m.                 2nd Set of Workshops

3:30-4:15 p.m.                 3rd Set of Workshops

4:15 p.m.                           Break

5:30 p.m.                           Dinner

7:00 p.m.                           An Evening of Fellowship and Fun

Sunday – October 22

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.              Breakfast

10:00 a.m.                        Closing Worship – Livestreamed – Rev. Scott Williams preaching and Farewell

ACCOMODATIONS

LOCATION: SILVER BAY YMCA RETREAT CENTER

87 Silver Bay Rd.
Silver Bay, NY 12874

Facts about Silver Bay YMCA

• Silver Bay YMCA is over 100 years old.

• It is thought that Jabez Patchin built the first structure on the property, a one-room cottage, around 1800.

• The bell in the auditorium tower is a 500-pound Meneely bell, cast in 1909.

• In 1910 the Lakeshore Trail and Council Ring was the site of the first Scout Master’s Training School, known as today as the Boy Scouts of America.

• In 2015, Silver Bay YMCA was the first to seek a Low Impact Development certification from the Lake George Waterkeeper.

• Silver Bay serves as the host site for more than 150 educational, cultural, environmental, religious, public groups, and family reunions each year.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

WORKSHOPS

Session: Q&A With the Co-Moderator

This year’s Come to the Table will open with dinner followed by worship. We are delighted to announce that The Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace, PCUSA Co-Moderator, will preach and serve Communion. After worship we will engage in a session called “Q&A with the Co-Moderator.”

After serving ten years as Executive Presbyter of San Gabriel Presbytery in California, in 2014 Ruth came to the Philadelphia Presbytery as its Executive Presbyter. Soon after arriving, she launched the Ministry and Leadership Incubator – the umbrella equipping arm of the presbytery focused on strengthening congregational leaders and their ministries. Ruth brings a deep conviction that God is creatively at work in our midst, calling us to reflect the Gospel in ways that bring hope, justice, and mercy into this world. With her leadership the presbytery has leaned into a significant arena: Public Witness and Response Initiative focused on areas such as immigration, gun violence, racism, and natural disasters. This ministry and her experiences bring great depth to her leadership as the PCUSA Co-Moderator along with Co-Moderator Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis.  

 WORKSHOP: Ekklesia: Reclaiming the Church’s Public Ministry To The World

Description: The church in America has a "branding" problem because we do not engage the world with the fullness of our witness to the new creation. Rev. Daniel Pryfogle describes this lack of the “fullness of a critical and creative witness”  when he writes:

• We critique unjust systems but neglect the creation of countercultural ventures. The critique is the basis of theological education, the focus of faith-rooted community organizing, and the content of much congregational teaching and preaching. But the Church has little to say about the creation of ventures that heal the world….

• Consider that we advocate for living wages, but who will create the jobs? We push for policies to protect the environment, but who will create the new technologies that reduce carbon emissions, recycle waste, and harness sustainable sources of energy? We critique the unjust systems that trap people in poverty, but who will create the enterprises that build wealth in the broken places?

• Our partial witness spiritualizes the new creation. Lacking the imagination to see God’s “new thing” as a material thing, the new creation is other-worldly. Yet the new creation concerns the whole of the created order. The new creation is not a replacement but a recovery project. It is the tikkun olam, the repairing of the world. The prophetic vision is nothing but concrete. Highways are made straight. Cities are rebuilt. Streets are restored as places in which to live (Isaiah 58).[1]

This workshop aims to provide participants with tools that help them develop the “new creation,” through faith and asset-based community and economic development.  Participants will leave with tools that help them:

• Identify opportunities for community engagement that takes into consideration the church’s resources;

• Identify potential partners to address community issues and opportunities; and

• Create imaginative projects that inspire the entire community to bring financial and human resources to take steps towards healing relationships and community issues and opportunities.

[1] Daniel Pryfogle, “Ekklesia As Enterprise: Discovering the Church at Work,” Review & Expositor, 115 no 3 (2018), 372-377

Workshop Leader: Rev. Felicia LaBoy

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WORKSHOP: Creating a Culture of Innovation

Description: How can we lead our congregations to be more innovative? To take chances on new initiatives? It's a steady journey, not a quick fix. We'll explore some possibilities taken from our own story of moving a congregation forward and hopefully give you ideas that you can adapt to your particular context.

Workshop Leader: Rev. Richard Hong

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WORKSHOP: Awakening Abundance: Granting Writing and Grassroots Fundraising for Faith Communities

Description: Join Rev. Sarah Henkel, Grants Coordinator for the Synod of the Northeast in a collaborative conversation about how to raise funds for new initiatives within your churches and faith communities. Rev. Henkel will share best practices for writing grants for Synod and other denominational funds. Together, participants will discuss and practice grassroots fundraising techniques to inspire generosity and financial partnership.

Workshop Leader: Rev. Sarah Henkel

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WORKSHOP: Welcoming the Stranger

Description: Welcoming the stranger, especially the refugee, is central to our Christian mission, but how do congregations discern ways of welcome appropriate for their community context?

Workshop Leader: Rev. Dr. Ellen Clark Clemot

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WORKSHOP: Paralyzed By Anxiety

Description: Most individuals feel anxious at some point in their lives, especially when they are responsible for the care and wellbeing of others. Having anxiety, however, is different and involves becoming fixated on thoughts that lead to more anxiety, which is often coupled with physical symptoms as well an inability to move forward. Clergy and church leaders are not immune to feeling anxious or having anxiety. 

This workshop will explore behaviors, symptoms, treatments and coping strategies associated with anxiety. This workshop is for you whether you deal with anxiety or want to learn more about how to help members of your congregation, family, or friends.

Workshop Leader: Rev. Terrlyn Curry Avery

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WORKSHOP: Project Care - Addition and Faith

Description: Educating Clergy and Church patrons about Substance Use Prevention and Addiction Recovery Support. 

Workshop Leader: Elder Patricia Osterhoudt, C.A.R.C, C.R.P.A., I.T.S.C.

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WORKSHOP: Running Brooks Project Cope

Description: Keeping God’s Children Safe until they know His Love. Harm Reduction is our first line of defense. Recognize the signs of an Opioid Overdose and learn how to reverse an overdose using the lifesaving medication, Narcan. 

Workshop Leader: Elder Patricia Osterhoudt, C.A.R.C, C.R.P.A., I.T.S.C.

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YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTEER WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP: UNVEILING FAITH | Young Voices on Service and Scripture

Description: Engage with passionate young adults hailing from Scotland, Texas, and North Carolina who are serving as Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) in NYC. Participate in a dialogue where they elaborate on their roles and their commitment to community, equity and justice within the YAV program. Delve into the crossroads of their spiritual growth, their vocation as YAVs, and Matthew 25's compelling call to action that prompts us to 'shed our blindfolds'. Become an active participant in this stirring discussion and witness how faith is embodied through action!

Workshop Leader: Young Adult Volunteer Coordinator, Maureen Anderson

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PANEL WORKSHOP

PANEL WORKSHOP : "Contextual Conversation Around Matthew 25: Reflections and Wrestling with Ministry to the Least of These from Three Pastors"

Description: Pastors, Emily Brewer, Jeniffer Rodriguez, and Dakota Whitaker lead a conversation around what the Matthew 25 initiative looks like in their own ministry contexts. They will discuss opportunities, challenges, and roadblocks that come with identifying ourselves as Matthew 25 communities. In addition to sharing about their own experiences, the panel hopes to invite cross-cultural dialogue around whether the Matthew 25 label is helpful and conducive to ministry “to the least of these” across multiple ministry contexts. 

Workshop Duration: 45 Minutes

Panelists: Rev. Jennifer Rodriguez, Rev. Emily Brewer, Rev. Dakota Whitaker

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 MATTHEW 25 BIBLE STUDIES

Bible Study Topic 1: The 10 Bridesmaids

Leader: Rev.,Stephen Park Choi

Bible Study Topic 2: The Son of Man Will Judge Nations

Leader: Dr. Gayle Griffin

Bible Study Topic 3: The Talents

Leader: Rev. José González-Colón

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 REGISTER TODAY

Registration is now open for Come to the Table scheduled for October 20 – October 22. We will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday with dinner and end at 12 noon on Sunday with worship. Please note that each person is required to register individually. If you wish to share a room with someone, you should include that person’s name on your registration form and vice versa. Single or double occupancy rooms with a private bath are available on a first come, first served basis. We are delighted to announce that the Synod is providing a subsidized registration fee of $225. This includes each person’s lodging and all meals except for Sunday lunch. If you wish to stay for Sunday lunch, there is an additional $15 fee.

For Ministers of the Word and Sacrament to feel free to attend Come to the Table and remain through Sunday, the Synod will livestream the worship service from Silver Bay on Sunday. This will allow congregations to worship even if their pastor is at Come to the Table. This weekend is always beautiful at Silver Bay with the trees in full fall colors. We hope to see you there.