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Dear Friends,
At this past week's Presbytery Gathering, we were invited to listen and hear. What is the Spirit saying to the church, as we wondered, we attended, we inclined toward both silence and sound. Poet Robert Pinsky's reading of "The Shirt," is an
elegiac homage to the sinister and masterful embedding of people's suffering into an article of men's clothing. I felt my heart squeeze as the poem's relentless, articulate rhythms pounded forward. Its phrases now rattle in my head; and I am unable to relieve my conscience. What will you hear? Listen.
The next HH will be published on Thursday, June 4. Please send your submission along to
[email protected]
by Tuesday, June 2.
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 News from the Presbytery |
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Robert Anderle to be Installed, May 31 
The Presbytery of Hudson River cordially invites you to a service of installation for the Rev. Robert Anderle as Designated Pastor of Scotchtown Presbyterian Church.
The service will take place on Sunday, May 31 at 4:00pm at the church, located at 376 Blumel Rd., Middletown, NY 10941. All are welcome.
Young Adult Volunteer Mission Placements Open
The YAV program is a one year service opportunity for young adults ages 19-30. YAVs live in intentional Christian community, deepening and developing their faith while serving in alongside local mission leaders. There are placements in the US and around the world. Learn more!
Face to Face Opportunities, June and July 2015
The Church Leadership Connection (CLC) a ministry of the Office of the General Assembly will host two Face to Face Events in 2015. Montreat NC: June 25-26 & 29-30; Charlotte, NC: July 9-11. Registration is now open for the Montreat dates.
Each event will include call seeker's training, networking opportunities, interviews with search committees, vocational coaching, one-on-one PIF views, and other educational opportunities for call seeker's and calling organizations. All call seekers (teaching elders, candidates, ruling elders, and other church professionals) may participate. Search committees for all position types (i.e. installed and temporary pastors and program staff positions) are encouraged to attend. Learn more.
Scholarships for Big Tent, July 30-Aug. 1 
The Advocacy, Education and Networks Team of HRP is making $250 scholarships available for people interested in attending Big Tent, the national Presbyterian Gathering focused on living missionally. Just complete this application. Programs for children through older adult are featured. View all scheduled events, including pre-conference activities. Learn more.
1001 Worshipping Communities Grants
The 1001 Worshipping Communities program of the PC(USA) is now offering three different grants to better enable new initiatives to foster and grow. Learn more about these "seed," "investment," and "growth" grants.
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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
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| Living Our Values |
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Partnership: Turning the World Right-side Up
The Rev. Paul Alcorn of Bedford Presbyterian Church reflects, 
I believe it was the community organizer Saul Alinsky who said,
"Do you think your way to new ways of acting or do you act your way to new ways of thinking."
For me, more often than not, it is the later. It is experiences which push back the self imposed boundaries around my life which lead to reflection which, in turn, leads to new ways of thinking and living. Here is what I mean.
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| Trainings, Retreats and Internships |
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Margaret Aymer to Speak at Women Ministers' Assembly, July 20-23
The International Association of Women Ministers for ordained, licensed, certified rostered and all professional women in ministry and students, is holding its annual assembly at Stony Point in July. The Rev. Margaret Aymer, Ph.D, Associate Professor of New Testament at Austin Theological Seminary will speak on "Making the Connections: The Bible and Today's Challenges for Ministry." Learn more and register now.
Youth Food Justice Corp to Launch 
Food Justice Corps is a 10 month internship program sponsored by the Stony Point Center and the Food Justice Network, for youth ages 14 to 21 who want to learn more about developing a sustainable food systems. Join us twice a month in the summer and once per month, during the school year for hands-on farming and educational experiences that look at the environment, fair labor practices, advocacy, hunger and more.
Modest stipends may be available for all member (Funding Pending.) For more information see our flyer and application or contact Lori Hylton, [email protected] or 347-276-2606.
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!
Certificate for Spiritual Direction Offered at Columbia Theological Seminary
Applications for the first cohort of the Certificate in Spiritual Direction will be accepted through May 30, 2015. The first residential session will begin in the fall of 2015. More information and the application can be accessed here. This program of study is designed for individuals who discern a call to the practice of Spiritual Direction. Grounded in the tradition of Christian Spirituality, the curriculum includes four one week-long residencies on the Columbia Theological Seminary campus, individual reading and reflection, and supervised practice in the art of spiritual direction. Organized on the cohort model, the certificate is intended to be completed in two and a half years.
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.
Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Conference
October 13-16 the POAMN will meet in Albuquerque to explore how "The Spirit Sustains: Purpose, Call Ministry and Mission." Download the brochure. Details and registration are online.
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| Take Action |
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PresbyBuild: 10th Annual Talent Show, May 9
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. The event starts with and hour of sweet treats from 6-7pm, and then the Talent Show at 7pm. Tickets are $15.00. All proceeds go to PresbyBuild in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Newburgh. Advance tickets and information: Patricia Parker at 845-534-7643, or the CPC Office @ 845-534-2903.
Help PDA Respond Following Earthquake in Nepal
The death toll from the massive earthquake in Nepal continues to  rise. Nearly 4,000 are known dead and more than 6,000 were injured when the 7.8 quake struck just west of the capital of Kathmandu on April 25. The quake, the worst in more than 80 years, along with many serious aftershocks has also caused damage in parts of India and Bangladesh. Help PDA work with partners on the ground to bring needed food, water, supplies and medicine. Make an online donation.
Sign-on to HRP Letter Opposing TransPacific Partnership
The Peru Partnership of HRP invites you to sign onto an HRP letter to let our NY Congressional representatives to oppose Fast Track and the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement. These matters are under discussion right now in Congress and the letter is timely. If you would like to sign on, simply send your name, street address (with city, state and zip) and church affiliation to Rev. Pam Lupfer. For background on HRP involvement in this issue, see the resolution passed by HRP in 2014.
Will You Hold a Courageous Conversation about Domestic Violence?
Are you a clergyperson who would be willing to preach, teach, or have a service of healing this October (Domestic Violence awareness month)? Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk, and Shannon Beck, Mission Catalyst for Reconciliation, hope to have at 100 churches on the roster-and at least one in every state. If so, please send the following information to Shannon Beck at [email protected]: Pastor name and title, Physical address, Church and presbytery, Email
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| Resources for Education, Liturgy, Justice and more! |
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Presbyterians Today Resource Guide for Ministry 
Now Available! The Resource Guide covers dozens of subjects, including disaster response, fundraising and stewardship, the ins and outs of building a website and using social media, children's/youth/ collegiate/young adult ministry, church planting, grant and scholarship sources, evangelism, worship... and much more. Check it out.
New Book on Mr. Rogers and Non-Violence 
In Peaceful Neighbor: Discovering the Counter-Cultural Mr. Rogers, author Michael G. Long examines Fred Rogers's theological commitments and how they led him to develop a public platform from which to teach children about caring nonviolently for one another, animals, and the earth. Westminster/John Knox Press writes, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, it turns out, is far from sappy, sentimental, and shallow; it's a sharp political response to a civil and political society poised to kill."
Kids Advocate
This brief National Geographic story about elementary aged students in Hong Kong who are addressing the illegal ivory trade, is a great example and conversation starter about young people taking action. Here twelve-year olds at the Hong Kong International School partner with Elephant Voices, a Kenya-based NGO to raise public awareness. How are children and youth in your congregation empowered to take action on things that matter to them?
Re-examining our Nation's Responses to Drugs 
Don't miss the current issue of Unbound, the PC(USA)'s online justice journal, which features a close examination of drug policy in the US. It discusses the new taskforce set up by the General Assembly to re-examine this policy at a local, state and national level, and key information about the relationship between the prison industry and drug policies.
The Drug Policy Reform Taskforce has established and is continuing to add to an extensive bibliography of resources on this topic. You are invited to explore, share and also suggest publications as the church engages this critical issue.
ACSWP Releases Critical Report on Tax Justice
On April 14th, the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy released a critical report calling for tax reform to ensure the common good in a time of increased concentration of wealth and income in our nation. "Tax Justice: A Christian Response to a New Gilded Age," uses the five lens established by the General Assembly to analyze our current tax system: progressively, transparency, social solidarity, sustainability, and adequacy.
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| Events in the Life of the Presbytery |
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Concert to Benefit Holmes Camp, May 16 
The First Presbyterian Church of Mahopac presents an evening of classical music on Saturday, May 16th, featuring cellist Peter Seidenberg and pianist Hui-Mei Lin. All proceeds from the free will offering will go to support Holmes Camp and Conference Center. Download and share the flyer.
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| Employment Opportunities and Connections |
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Holmes Camp is Hiring Counselors, Lifeguards... 
Do you know any young (or young at heart) adults looking for a rewarding summer job? Someone who is dedicated to their faith, and interested in sharing that with children and youth? Someone who loves spending the summer outside, surrounded by God's creation? Holmes Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center is looking for them!
We are hiring quality Christian staff who are interested in serving children and youth as counselors, lifeguards, challenge course facilitators, assistant program directors, chaplain or environmental educator. Those interested should be at least 18, and available from mid-June through mid-August. If you know someone (maybe even yourself!) who might be interested, they can apply directly from our website: www.holmescamp.org! Or they can contact Natasha Taylor, Summer Camp and Youth Programs Director.
Bedford Presbyterian Seeks Staff Person
Bedford Presbyterian Churchis looking for a staff person to resource their Board of Deacons, provide staff support for our Bedford Connections program and to assist the pastor in ongoing pastoral care in the congregation. Expected hours are 10/12/week and it is a contract staff position. Resumes can be sent to: Bedford Presbyterian Church, PO Box 280, Bedford, NY 10506, Attn: Paul Alcorn.
Elizabeth Presbytery Seeks a Stated Clerk
As Elizabeth Presbytery moves from 'regulatory' to 'relational,' they're looking for a Stated Clerk who will bring creativity and flexibility to the implementation of our polity. As they re-purpose the presbytery to strengthen congregational mission, they want governance that's life-giving. Learn more about this 30 hour a week position.
Volunteer Treasurer Sought by White Plains Presbyterian
The White Plains Presbyterian Church is seeking a part-time volunteer church treasurer to oversee the stewardship of the congregation's finances, prepare reports to share with the church council, and complete all tax forms. The treasurer will work with the business manager and financial secretary. Please contact Jeff Geary, [email protected] if you may be able to help or know someone who can.
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