Hudson Happenings
H u d s o n  R i v e r  P r e s b y t e r y
In This Issue
From Your Interim General Presbyter
Presbytery News and Events
Events in HRP Congregations
Regional and National News
Regional and National Events
Living Our Values
Take Action
Resources for Education, Liturgy, Justice & more!
Employment Opportunities
Share Hudson Happenings
Quick Links
05.05.16
Dear Friends,

In " Earbud," poet Bill Holm writes,

Earbud-a tiny marble sheathed in foam   
to wear like an interior earring so you   
can enjoy private noises wherever you go,   
protected from any sudden silence.   

He later muses

You are safe now from other noises made   
by other people, other machines, by chance,   
noises you have not chosen as your own.   

What other voices are we blocking out?  What private noises are we keeping for our own enjoyment?  Solipsism or solace?  Take a moment and read the whole poem.  Let us pray that we not shrink our world, not shrink from our world, our beautiful world that longs for our attention.

The next issue of Hudson Happenings will be published on Thursday, June 16.  Please send your submission along to noelle@hudrivpres.org  by Tuesday, June 14.

From Your Interim General Presbyter

"For the times they are a' changin'!" We know Bob Dylan's words are true. We see and experience this in our world and nation, in our society and in our culture, in our families and relationships, and in certainly in our presidential politics. We see change in our churches, which I need not detail for any of you here, and we see change in our presbyteries.  Read more
Presbytery News and Events 
Don't Go Hungry at Presbytery!

TODAY (5/26) is the Deadline to Reserve Lunch for the June 4 Gathering
Don't go hungry at presbytery!   Lunch reservations must be received by TODAY!  
If you do not reserve lunch, then you will need to bring your own with you.  So be sure to register for the gathering and reserve lunch.  
If your elder commissioners do not receive emails from the presbytery, please, please register them and reserve lunch for them.  Learn more about the June 4 Presbytery Gathering at FPC Jeffersonville in Sullivan County.


Presentations on Changes to the Board of Pension Plan in 2017
Allison Seed, our regional representative with the Board of Pensions, will provide two presentations on the new changes to the Board of Pensions plan here in HRP. Both will take place on Tuesday, July 12. One presentation will occur at 1 p.m. at Stony Point and the second at 7 p.m. at our White Plains church. Following each presentation, there will be opportunities to ask questions. If you have staff and/or a pastor covered under the Plan or are considering changing your church employee coverage or covering for the first time your church employees, you will want to attend.  Learn about the BOP's redesigned and restated Benefits Plan. 


Farmworkers and Allies Marching 200 Miles
for Justice!
Ben Larsen-Wolbrink, Pastor of First Presbyterian Beacon writes:  The Rural and Migrant Ministry's March for Farmworker Justice stopped for lunch at FPC Beacon on their 200-mile journey from Long Island to Albany to advocate for fair rights.  We were blessed by their presence and challenged to remember the conditions of those who work in the fields to bring food to our tables.  We thank God for their labor, and we're grateful to those who came out to prepare the meal and cheer them on!  Learn more about the march which is still going and how you can support it!


Summer Camp at Holmes is for Everyone!
Camp isn't just for children, it's for youth and families too!  From Family camp to Saddle-Up Horseback riding camp, from teen canoe trips to You and Me camp for 1-3rd graders and an adult companion, Holmes is your place for spiritual nurture and outdoor adventure.  Read more about camp offerings for this summer .  
CallMe

Call me, Maybe?
OK.  Seriously folks.  We have heard that some of you are going to GA but you've not yet told Susan DeGeorge, HRP's Stated Clerk.  Or perhaps in the last week you've gotten excited and are suddenly thinking: I'm going to go! If you're one of these people...

Here's her number: 914-941-2100; 
call her, maybe?!!  Or email susandegeorge@hudrivpres.org.  Let her know you will be there whether you're going for the whole kit and kaboodle or just for a few days.  SDOP


Community Workshop for SDOP Grant Applicants, June 11
Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson  of Newburgh is a 2015 SDOP grant recipient.
Do you know of an excellent  community group that is led by people who are economically poor or otherwise disadvantaged and is working to change these conditions?  Do invite them to the SDOP Community Workshop! 

This public meeting is an opportunity for prospective applicants who anticipate applying for a  Self-Development of People Grant.   The workshop is on Saturday, June 11, from10:00-12:00noon at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 120 South St., Newburgh.  For more information contact the presbytery office at 914-941-2100.  

Just this week the presbytery received news that Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson, a 2015 SDOP grant recipient, had won a major victory -- the Public Service Commission Funding has dramatically increased funding in their low-income energy assistance proposal by $69 million, and eligibility has been expanded by 550,000 households.  This demonstrates the power and importance of advocacy by groups led by low-income people.  Read the stirring story!  What community group could you let know about the upcoming SDOP workshop?


Bruce Baker's Retirement Celebration, June 12
All Souls Presbyterian Church of Port Chester encourages you to save the date for Rev. Bruce Baker's Retirement Celebration.  The luncheon celebration will be held on Sunday, June 12, from 12:00-4:00pm.   Download the flyer.  More information will follow.



Looking for Hymnals?
Rye Presbyterian Church has, for the asking, three different hymnals/songbooks.  We simply ask that the receiving church or organization pick them up, or pay for shipping. 

Items available:   Approximately 500 copies of Rejoice In The Lord, 1985, Eerdmans, (Reformed Church in America) - Red.  Imprinted with "Rye Presbyterian Church" on cover.
Approximately 100 copies of The Presbyterian Hymnal, 1990, Westminster/John Know, (PCUSA) - Blue (no imprint).
Approximately 200 copies of Wonder, Love and Praise, 1997, Church Publishing, (Episcopal) - Green. Paperback. (no imprint).   All or most books are in good condition.   For more information, contact Jason Charneski, Director of Music, at jcharneski@ryepc.com .
Events in HRP Congregations
On Saturday, May 28, spend an hour learning the history of some of the most intricate, colorful, spectacular church windows in Orange County, including the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Tours begin at 9:30, 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00am at the Presbyterian Church, 60 Sussex St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. Donation of $10 per person will go to support the Presbyterian Youth Fund and the Port Jervis Council for the Arts Scholarship Fund.  Light refreshments served.  Download the flyer.


Westchester Chorale's "Jubilant June 5" Concert
Joyful, Jubilant and Jazzy - That's what they are saying about the June 5 concert by the Westchester Chorale. The repertoire includes two 21st century Masses: Carol Barnett's The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass and Bob Chilcott's A Little Jazz Mass. Who knew that church music could be so much fun? Neither of these two jaunty pieces has ever been performed in Westchester County.  Backup music will be provided by bluegrass and jazz ensembles, featuring Larchmont Avenue Church's own David Brandom Quartet.  The performance will take place at 4 pm Sunday, June 5th, at Larchmont Avenue Church, 60 Forest Park Avenue, Larchmont, NY.  Tickets may be purchased through Eventbrite link.  For further information or directions: WestchesterChorale.org or call 914-237-9546.


Handbell Concert, June 5
Don't miss the "Make a Joyful Noise" English handbells concert at Union Church, Newburgh, on Sunday, June 5 at 3:00pm. Free will offering.   Download the flyer.
Regional and National News
PC(USA) Marks 60 Years of Women's Ordination
Don't miss this retrospective on the amazing pioneering women who have shaped the church and helped it answer God's call.  HRP's own Peggy Howland, the third woman ordained to the ministry of Word, Sacrament and Order (as it was known), is featured!
GA222


GA 222 Committee Previews
As the 222 General Assembly draws nearer, Presbyterian News Service is putting out a series of "Previews" which provide an overview of items to be considered by various GA committees. 

Read the previews released so far for:

Committee 3, General Assembly Procedures
Committee 4, The Way Forward
Committee 6, Church Polity and Ordered Ministry;
Committee 7, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations;
Committee 9, Immigration and Environmental Issues
Committee 10, Mission Coordination
Committee 12 Peacemaking and International Issues; 
Committee 13, BOP, PILP, PPC and the Foundation
Committee 14, Theological Issues and Institutions


Multi-faith Conference on Non-Violence
Stony Point Center's Community of Living Traditions participated in Louisville's annual Festival of Faiths.  The conference featured globally recognized speakers and was a wonderful opportunity to connect work going on here in HRP with work afoot world wide for peace.  Read more.YAV
Regional and National Events
Apply to be a Young Adult Volunteer by June 1
The final application date for national placement in the PC(USA)'s Young Adult Volunteer program is June 1. YAV offers an opportunity for young adults (ages 19-30) to experience a year of service, from August to July, for a lifetime of change.  Student loan repayment assistance is available during service.  Learn more and spread the word!


Worship with GA via Livestream!
For anyone not attending GA, here's an opportunity to join in worship.  The entire GA will be livestreamed including worship -- which is a majestic affair with thousands of people.  But just imagine the tens of thousands more who you will be worshipping with as you link into the livestream.  We encourage you to participate as an individual or to consider gathering your congregation to watch and worship together.  Read more.


El Salvador Trip with Presby Hunger Program
Working toward Food Sovereignty --  Experience the struggles of Salvadoran communities to restore a broken food system to wholeness, and explore ways to partner with them for positive change.   Dates: July 7-14, 2016.   Registration Deadline: June 5, 2016.  Contact Eileen Schuhmann for more information.


Cultivating Prospective Pastoral Imagination  
Deadline for application extended until May 31.  Do you wonder:  Where is my ministry going?  How can I anticipate the future?  What can I do to respond to the changing needs of my community?  Beginning in the Fall of 2016, Union Theological Seminary will launch it's second cohort for early/mid-career pastors (4-12 years in ministry). Its program, Vision: Cultivating Prospective Pastoral Imagination, is generously funded by the Lilly Endowment. Learn more.


Developing and Using Your Power With Authority
A small learning and development group is forming for clergywomen to explore their relationship to their own power, the power of others, and their power and vulnerability and begin to use their power with authority. Personal and interpersonal, cultural, positional, projected and spiritual power will be covered and worked with.  The group will be lead by Frances Unsell, a Presbyterian Minister, organizational consultant and psychoanalyst.  Learn more.


Church Business Administration Seminar, July
Whether you are a pastor, a church administrator, or a lay volunteer, these eight seminars will give you skills and tools to keep your church financially healthy, in compliance with IRS laws for churches and clergy, knowledgeable in the best ways to work with employees, risk factors with your facilities, the best ways to communicate within and outside your church, and much more.  As a bonus, you'll develop relationships with others who serve in the church with these same issues. The seminar is sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary and held on their Richmond Campus, July 19-28.  Day-long, week-long and two-week long options available.  Learn more.


Save the Date:  Stony Point Gala,  Sept. 18
Get excited! SPC's Gala is scheduled for Sunday evening, September 18, 2016.  At this friendly, informal fundraising dinner event, SPC will be honoring someone with our third annual Living Traditions Award. HRP friends have had a lot of fun in previous years with great farm-to-table food fresh from our gardens, great music and fellowship.  Mark your calendars now!
ValuesCtCGrantLiving Our Values
Passion

Jeff Geary, Pastor of White Plains Presbyterian Church, reflects on the passion that has taken hold within his congregation to work on ending the racial caste system upon which the war on drugs and mass incarceration system is built.  By reading, sharing in conference sponsored by Stony Point, sending hymnals and calendars to men who are incarcerated, participating in the legislative push to Raise the Age for criminal responsibility in NY to 18, and working with the Presbytery Prisoner Partnership, the Holy Spirit is moving to bear witness to human dignity.  He writes:
 
During Lent, the White Plains Presbyterian Church studied Michelle Alexander's book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. We finished out Lenten journey with a commitment to continue our current forms of prison ministry:
  • helping imprisoned adults give gifts to their children during the Christmas holidays;
  • writing letters to and mailing sermons to those who are incarcerated;
  • responding to specific requests, like the one we found in Hudson Happenings seeking 100 Presbyterian hymnals for the chapel at Sing Sing Correctional Facility; and
  • supporting the prisoner re-entry programs with which our presbytery is involved.
But we also ended our four weeks of study with a new commitment to work for the abolition of the mass incarceration system itself - and not simply because it has become too expensive to maintain, or a political albatross, but for the purpose of ending the racial caste system upon which it has been built. We have committed [ Read more]   Refugees

 
Help through PDA:  Burundi Refugee Crisis
Nearly 240,000 people have fled Burundi since political unrest and violence began in April 2015.Following increased unrest in December, thousands of refugees are moving from their homes seeking safety.In addition to persecution because of political and social group affiliation, Burundians increasingly face food insecurity and environmental degradation as a consequence of civil unrest.  Learn more, pray, and give to PDA's efforts to help refugees.


Rural and Migrant Ministry 200 Mile March 
Sign the Petition to Gov. Cuomo
Marchers at South Presbyterian Church, Dobbs Ferry on Mon.
From May 15th- June 1st farmworkers and their allies will march from Long Island to Albany to bring attention to the need for legislative action to end the inequality that currently burdens farmworkers in the state.   Farmworkers in NY are excluded from basic protections such as the right to collective organizing, overtime pay, and a day of rest. Too many still face indignities, such as a lack of bathrooms and clean drinking water in the fields. Now is the time to demand Justice.  There are many ways you and your congregation can help.  Sign the petition to Governor Cuomo calling him to support the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act. March for a few hours or a few days; help with logistics (food and housing for marchers) and spread the word.  Learn more.


Oct. Trip to Peru -- Space Still Open!
On this 8-day reflection and action trip, participants will learn about the systemic root causes of environmental health crises that plague the Peruvian countryside.  They will visit communities impacted by the extractive industry; converse with leaders and experts on mining and the environment; examine relevant health, environmental, economic and trade policy, reflect on ethical and Biblical imperatives and implications to care for God's Creation. Dates: October 15-23, 2016.  Sign Up Deadline: July 31, 2016. Cost: $750 plus airfare to/from Lima.  For more information, contact PC(USA) mission co-worker, Jed Koball:  jed.koball@pcusa.org.


Keep up the Prayers for South Sudan
The Rev. Philip Akway Obang, general secretary of the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SSPEC) is sending regular updates about the changing situation in South Sudan and has asked for support of his American brothers and sisters. Most recently he said prayers are urgently requested for South Sudan.  There is some hope that the warring factions are making an effort to enforce the peace treaty, but the peace is fragile and there is much work to be done.  Read more. 
Resources for Education, Liturgy, Justice and more!
ACSWP Social Witness Policy Overview 
As the PC(USA) prepares for General Assembly, the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy has prepared this helpful topical summary of important social witness policy.    See the overview.


Presbyterian World Mission Stories
Need a story for Sunday school? Looking for a sermon illustration? Find stories from PC(USA) mission workers, such as Sarah Henken, regional liaison for the Andean Region of Bolivia. Sarah writes about God's Kingdom. Missionary in residence, Nancy Dimmock, used letters and stories from mission co-workers to illustrate Sunday New Testament reading for the Revised Common Lectionary.  Access the stories!


Unbound
Have you read the PC(USA)'s online, interactive, social justice magazine, Unbound?  It's full of in-depth articles, opinion-pieces and history that help Presbyterians understand and discern God's call to "do justice" today.   http://justiceunbound.org .


Ayudas liturgicas para este mes
La oficina de Recursos y Relaciones con las Constituyentes Hispano/Latinas trabaja con las Publicaciones de Ministerios Congregacionales en la produccion de materiales en español. También trabaja con la oficina de Desarrollo Congregacional Hispano en la promoción de estos materiales a través del establecimiento de relaciones con la constituyente a la cual servimos a través de presentaciones, talleres y desarrollo de liderazgo. Para obtener más información sobre los servicios que brinda esta oficina comunícate con la Rev. Marissa Galvan-Valle.


Religion and Civics Project

Are you looking to promote civil discourse and democracy? Check out these resources from NYU's Religion and Civics Project which catalyze religious conversation about pressing issues of our time and invite congregations to deeper public engagement.  These free videos and discussion guides are a great way to engage your congregation.   Learn more.  


The Thoughtful Christian
Thethoughtfulchristian.com is an ecumenical online and hardcopy publisher that is supported by the PC(USA) and other denominations.  TC has downloadable studies on a wide variety of issues facing the church for a wide variety of audiences. From parenting, to embracing interfaith cooperation, to sex and bible studies, check out their resources which may be helpful for your congregation.


United Way Help Line on Food, Housing...
Thousands of people in our area need help but don't know where to turn. The  United Way's 2-1-1 help line is a free, confidential, multilingual information and referral helpline open 365 days a year, 9am-7pm.

United Way's knowledgeable call specialists are here to listen, to care, and most of all, to give you the information you need on:  food, housing and shelters, abuse prevention, government services, senior services, health& mental health, child care, job assistance and more. To speak to someone dial 2-1-1 from any phone.
Employment Opportunities and Connections
Part-time Youth Minister Sought, Wilton CT
Wilton Presbyterian Church, Wilton, CT is seeking a youth minister for 25 hours a week. For more information or to submit resumes, please contact Rev. Shannon White at: shannon.white@wiltonpresbyterian.org. Open to both ordained and non-ordained candidates.
 

RMM Seeks Development Coordinator
Rural and Migrant Ministry, a longstanding partner of Hudson River Presbytery, is seeking a full-time Development Coordinator who will be responsible for the coordination and enhancement of donor development within the organization, and will coordinate the development and implementation of the yearly Strategic Plan.   Learn more.

Share Hudson Happenings

Hey there, take it from me, Hudson Happenings has all the news you're looking for...and a little bit of attitude too! Let your friends know that they can subscribe to Hudson Happenings and other HRP E-Updates, like those from the Presbytery Prison Partnership or the Food Justice Network.   Just share the photo (the link is embedded) or this URL  http://tinyurl.com/m2l9kpj   Check "general interest" to subscribe to Hudson Happenings.  Stay sly, yo', stay sly...

Peace,
Noelle

The Rev. Noelle Damico
Director of Communications
Hudson River Presbytery
noelle@hudrivpres.org
http://hudrivpres.org
914-941-2100