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Dear Friends,
In his new rendering of the ancient tale Gilgamesh in English verse, poet David Ferry writes these revealing words,
Gilgamesh spoke and said to the old man then:
"When I looked at you I thought that you were not
a man, one made like me; I had resolved
to challenge you as one might challenge a demon,
a stranger-adversary. But now I see
that you are Utnapishtim, made like me,
a man, the one I sought, the one from whom
I might find out how death can be avoided."
When have you recognized a stranger as family; as "made like you" and holding the key to life?
The next HH will be published on Thursday, April 2. Please send your submission along to [email protected] by Tuesday, March 31.
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| News from the Presbytery |
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Challenge to Change Grants 
The Challenge to Change Fund, a legacy of the Calvin United Presbyterian Church, was designed to provide funds for exciting new ministry projects that you feel called to initiate. Average grant awards are between $1,000 - $5,000 and the deadline for applications is March 31, 2015. Read more and access the application.
Please Register Yourself and Any Guests for the March 21 Presbytery 
In order to honor the host church, we strongly encourage you and any guests you may be bringing with you to register now online so you can indicate whether you will be purchasing lunch. We are anticipating a full day as we bid farewell to our General Presbyter Susan Andrews and the Vice Moderator of the General Assembly, Larissa Kwong Abazia will be with us. Register now. View and download the Docket.
PC(USA) Leaders meet with President of Syria
In February representatives from the PC(USA)'s World Mission and Disaster Assistance ministries had the opportunity to join Syrian church partners in a private meeting with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. "Our response to this should not only be humanitarian but our response also should take into consideration the foreign policy of our government," said Amgad Beblawi, World Mission's Coordinator for the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe. Read about this historic meeting.
PC(USA) Sends Delegation to UN Commission on Status of Women, March 9-20
Hear from a delegate who is attending the 59th Commission and pray for the work of the gathering. Learn more about this Beijing +20 meeting which will address key topics including violence against women and girls.
Pension Boards Newsletter
Did you know that recently, the Healthcare Committee recommended to the full Board that, for 2016, the Board of Pensions maintain both its current dues and the current dues minimum and maximum for Traditional Program medical coverage? Follow the conversation and more in the Spring 2015 issue.
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| Share Hudson Happenings |
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| Share Hudson Happenings and Sign-up for other E-Updates! 
Now you can invite people to subscribe to Hudson Happenings and other HRP E-Updates, like that of the new Presbytery Prisoner Partnership or the Cross-Cultural Network. Click or share http://tinyurl.com/m2l9kpj
And why the cute cat photo, you ask? Mostly to get your attention. Scientific studies have shown, no one can resist a cute cat photo! After all, you looked. Gotcha.
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 Living Our Values |
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Curiosity
- Who is our church for?
- What is God calling us to do at this critical point in time?
- When do we invest and spend our riches as good stewards responsive to God's will?
- How do we attract new members as disciples of our Lord and Savior?
- Why is it necessary to have a critical mass of people in our pews on Sunday mornings?
Bryn Mawr Park Presbyterian in Church in Yonkers, is asking these provocative questions and many more as a part of the New Beginnings Congregational Self-Assessment Process. "This past year in the life of the church, we embodied the very essence of change and transition inherint in our decision as a congregation to embark on the New Beginnings process," says Pastor Win Peacock.
"We remain faithful in our commitment to enriching the spiritual lives of our congregants while at the same time, acknowledging the needs of the community in which we are located. This enhanced, unified awareness posits certain questions to us in a radical, disarming way. We're grappling with the questions above and many more. What questions are giving life and direction to your congregation?
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| Trainings, Retreats and Internships |
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Train to Visit Women at Bedford Hills Correctional Center, April 12
Woman 2 Woman, Bedford Presbyterian Church's visiting program at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, is continuing to grow. There are now 44 women visiting at Bedford Hills and they have recently expanded to Taconic as well. As a result of continued interest, W2W has decided to offer another training session, to be held on Sunday, April 12th from 2-4 at Bedford Presbyterian Church. Please note that in order to become a Woman 2 Woman visitor, you must attend a training session. Learn more.
Scholarships Available for "Breaking the Chains" Advocacy Training in DC, April 17-20
Join Presbyterians and other Christians from across the nation at Ecumenical Advocacy Days, a three-day education and advocacy event in Washington, DC April 17-20, 2015. This year's theme is "Breaking the Chains: Mass Incarceration and Systems of Exploitation." Click here to learn more about the event. Scholarship Information: HRP's Advocacy, Education and Networks Team is offering scholarship of $250 each. Please complete this HRP scholarship form and email it to Rhonda Kruse, [email protected]. In addition, the Synod of the NE is offering $500 scholarships. Click for SNE application (and ignore the Feb. deadline which no longer applies).
Registration is now open for the PC(USA) Compassion, Peace and Justice Day-long training during the 17th, prior to the start of the conference. Learn more and register for CPJ Day at which our own Presbytery Prisoner Partnership will be speaking!
Come to the Waters,
May 5-7
Presbyterian Women will host Judy Record Fletcher, author of the 2015-2016 Horizons Bible Study, for a retreat at Stony Point, May 5-7. Learn more and register.
Stony Point Young Adult Summer Institute 
The Stony Point Summer Institute is seeking Jewish, Christian and Muslim young adults, ages 19-29, who are grounded in their religious tradition, serious about spirituality and the state of the planet, and excited by social activism in a multireligious context. The Institute takes place June 1 - July 23, 2015. Learn more and share with young adults you know!
Certification Course for Church Business Administration, July 2015
The Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond VA is again offering the core courses necessary for certification as a Church Business Administrator through The Church Network (NACBA). Learn more.
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| Take Action |
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Give to Assist Churches in Syria 
Help the PC(USA)'s efforts with partner National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL) to assist Christian refugees fleeing ISIS and support leaders ministering amidst terrifying and overwhelming violence. Read this recent letter from Dr. Mary Mikhail of NESSL to the PC(USA). Give directly to the NESSL's work. Learn more about Presbyterian Disaster Assistance's ongoing work in Syria here.
Order Eco-Palms for Palm Sunday! 
It is estimated that nearly a thousand congregations across the country will be waving 1 million ecofriendly palm fronds as Holy Week observances begin this year. As churches of all denominations remember Christ's arrival in Jerusalem, palm fronds will play a key role. But will your palm fronds provide a living wage to harvesters and ensure the sustainability of palm trees and land? Learn more about eco-palms and order your eco-palms today!
PresbyBuild: You've Got Talent!
The 10th Annual PresbyBuild Talent Showcase in support of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh will be held on Saturday evening, May 9 at Cornwall Presbyterian Church in Cornwall-On-Hudson. Won't you share your talent for this good cause? Accordion players, tap dancers, rappers, jugglers, stand up comics...all that's missing is you. Sign up now to share in this night of fun that will help a great deal.
Orange Day, March 25th 
On Monday the New York Times reported that the "UN Reveals 'Alarmingly High' Levels of Violence Against Women." About 35 percent of women worldwide - more than one in three - said they had experienced physical violence in their lifetime, the UN report finds. Many congregations in our presbytery, throughout the PC(USA), and around the world mark Orange Day on the twenty-fifth of every month. The UN encourages people worldwide to wear and display orange and to work to end violence against women and girls. What is your congregation doing to raise awareness and respond?
Let us Break Cake Together! 
Would your congregation be interested in helping ensure graduation cakes for graduates of the New York Theological Seminary's Masters program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility? Read Barbara Devir's article on this ministry and learn how to get involved.
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| Resources for Education, Liturgy, Justice and more! |
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What's it Like to be a Refugee? 
Children and adults may wonder. The
United Nation's Balloon Game gives elementary school aged children - senior highs the opportunity to imagine the many things recent refugees in a new country must juggle.
Older children may also enjoy this interactive computer game, Against All Odds, that simulates the encounters and choices refugees face.
Jan Richardson: Artistic Liturgical Resources
Some of you may be familiar with
Jan Richardson,
a gifted artist, poet and minister who has produced achingly beautiful liturgies and prayers for all seasons of the church year. As you journey through the liturgical year, you may wish to use some of her work in your congregations worship. When you visit her website, you'll see she also is conducting an online retreat for Lent and Easter which could be a great resource, particularly for members who are in college, home-bound, or afar. Thanks to Rachel Thompson of FPC Bedford, for suggesting Jan's resources.
Organizing and Educational Forum...1, 2, 3! Many of us know of pressing issues of justice in the community, but aren't quite sure how to get started in learning more and conversing about these important matters.
Check out this planning resource from Interfaith Worker Justice. It's a great "how to" page for organizing a meaningful and informative educational forum within a congregation.
Theological Book Network 
Have you wanted to cull your library and wondered what organization might accept, even value (!) theological books? Glenn Henricksen has found a great resource, the Theological Book Network which will "turn your excess into access" for international religious partners worldwide.
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| Events in the Life of the Presbytery |
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Special Called Presbytery Meeting on April 26,
Celebrating the Ministry of Susan Andrews
Mark your calendars now for a memorable and heartfelt celebration of the ministry of our General Presbyter, Susan Andrews, who is retiring after nine years with HRP and a distinguished history of service to the church.
The event will be held Sunday, April 26 from 3:00pm-5:00pm at Holmes Camp and Conference Center. Susan's celebration is a specially called presbytery meeting with the only piece of business being her honorable retirement. Because it is a presbytery meeting, all teaching elders and ruling elder representatives from each congregation should plan to attend. Those who are unable to attend should submit their requests to be excused to Lori Hylton, [email protected].
View the invitation.
Rockland Churches Worship & Ministry Fair, April 19 
Join 9 Presbyterian congregations in Rockland county for joint worship, fellowship and a ministry fair. Learn more. Event will take place at Central Presbyterian Church, 98 Hudson Avenue, Haverstraw.
Chocolate 5K Run for Mission
Bethlehem Presbyterian has put a sweet twist on their 5K fundraiser for mission...chocolate! Young and old are invited to put on their running/walking shoes and join in the fun on Sunday, April 26th. Learn more!
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| Employment Opportunities and Connections |
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Rye Presbyterian Seeks Music Director
Rye Presbyterian Church, an 1,100-member church in Rye, NY, is seeking a full-time Director of Music/Organist. The candidate must be an exceptional musician with a broad musical background capable of stretching the palette of our congregation's high expectations. He or she should embrace the challenge of enriching our worship, and extending our ministry of music beyond worship services and outside the walls of our sanctuary. In addition to the necessary talents at the organ and as a choir director, the candidate must be a strong leader with an infectious enthusiasm for the ways in which sacred and secular music can shine into the hearts of our parishioners and cast a welcoming net into our community. A strong personal Christian commitment and a collegial relationship with our co-pastors and staff are key components for this position. For more information contact Dr. John Miller at [email protected].
Director of Music Sought by FPC Katonah
The First Presbyterian Church of Katonah, NY is seeking a full-time Music Director. Interested candidates must be highly qualified to play the organ and the piano, as well as direct the vocal choir and the junior and senior handbell choirs. Read full description and requirements.
Sunday Childcare Provider at Mt. Kisco
Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco is looking for someone to provide childcare to infants and toddlers on Sunday mornings. Pay is $15-20 based on experience. Must pass background check. Send resume by email to [email protected].
PC(USA) Seeks Special Offerings Ambassadors
Fifty ambassadors are being enlisted and trained to meet with churches throughout the denomination on behalf of the PC(USA) Special Offerings. Each ambassador will commit for one year to work with 20 to 50 churches in their area. There are also options for people who are interested in one specific offering. The commitment for these ambassadors is a few hours a month for a great investment in our congregations. Visit the Special Offerings Ambassador page for information and the application.
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