The Synod Mission and Ministries Commission meets quarterly between biennial Synod Assemblies.

It is charged with conducting the business of the Synod between assemblies. The Commission is composed of a members from each of the 19 presbyteries and elected representatives of racial ethnic caucuses and Presbyterian Women. In addition, a rotating third of our presbyteries are able to send a Youth Advisory Delegate. Term limits are a maximum of three two-year terms.

How are Commission members selected?

The Standing Rules of the Synod state:
“In order to fulfill the Synod’s value of diversity, the Leadership Team shall nominate to the Synod Assembly names of those to serve on the Synod Mission & Ministries Commission in the following fashion: each presbytery shall be encouraged to nominate three (3) persons of diverse backgrounds from which the Leadership Team shall select one name to submit to the Synod Assembly.”

This process helps the Commission to better reflect the rich diversity of our Synod Community, allowing us greater flexibility to achieve balance between ruling elders and teaching elders, as well as with age, race/ethnicity, and other diversities.

What is the deadline for submitting the three names?

We ask for nominations from presbyteries sixty (60) days in advance of the Synod Assembly to allow the Leadership Team to select those to forward to the Assembly for election.

Can a presbytery submit one name instead of three?

Yes, however, when presbyteries submit only one nominee, the Commission is less likely to reflect the full diversity we know is present in the Synod of the Northeast.

Can our current commission member continue to serve?

Yes. Synod Mission & Ministries Commission members are allowed to serve a total of six (6) consecutive years, or three two-year terms. (We reset the clock and began tracking terms at the 2014 Synod Assembly.)

How are Young Adult Advisory Delegates Selected?

The Standing Rules call for one-third of the Synod's presbyteries to elect a young adult (ages 17-22) to the Synod Mission & Ministries Commission. Electing presbyteries are rotated on an alphabetical basis, according to the following schedule:

2014-2016
     Albany
     Boston
     Cayuga-Syracuse
     Eastern Korean
     Elizabeth
     Genesee Valley
     Geneva

2017-2019
     Hudson River
     Long Island
     Monmouth
     New Brunswick
     New York City
     Newark
     Newton

2020-2022
     Northern New England
     Northern New York
     Palisades
     Southern New England
     Susquehanna Valley
     Utica
     West Jersey
     Western New York

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