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Dear Friends,
In his compact poem "The Elephant," Hilaire Belloc writes
When people call this beast to mind,
They marvel more and more
At such a little tail behind,
So large a trunk before.
The few lines contrast sharply with the sheer magnitude of the creature described. Although acquainted with the animal, marvel overtakes us as we see the creature through Belloc's eyes. It is hard not to smile, no? When has marvel last overtaken you -- causing you to laugh, or sigh, or cry at the world's absurd beauty?
The next issue of Hudson Happenings will be published on Thursday, December 10. Please send your submission along to
[email protected] by Tuesday, December 8.
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 Presbytery News and Events |
Nominate Youth for HRP's Delegation to Youth Triennium
Deadline: November 30
Hudson River Presbytery is sending a delegation of youth
 (entering high school through graduated seniors) to the
2016 Triennium. We look forward to meeting and hearing from interested youth nominated by your church who wish to learn and grow in faith through the experience of attending the Youth Triennium in 2016.
Legacy Fund Encourages Applications
The Legacy Fund Team is now anticipating four applications from churches/organizations that had submitted concept papers and sent representatives to the Project Development Workshop in October. Completed applications can be considered at the team's
December 10, 2015 or the
January 12th meeting. New concept papers will also be reviewed on those meeting dates. [
Read more about how to apply and the second project planning workshop in April.]
Invite Church Leaders to Presbytery, Dec. 8 Meet our new Interim Presbyter
Participate in Community Conversations
On December 8th HRP's new Interim General Presbyter, the
Rev. Gavin Meek, will be with us. It's a great opportunity for church leaders to meet him and also to participate in stimulating community conversations!
When HRP began holding community conversations during the first half of presbytery gatherings our hope was not only to deepen conversation but to broaden it. At each gathering these conversations provide forums where church members who might not otherwise come to presbytery could come and engage in a topic of interest as well as stay, if they wish, for the presbytery meeting. Have you invited members of your congregation to community conversations? Why not do so for Dec. 8th?!
One of the Community Conversations at the Dec. 8 Presbytery Gathering will be about how congregations can become involved in work for prison reform and explore case studies Sing Sing & the Successful Newburgh Reentry program. Bobby Lane, the Exodus Newburgh director pictured below,
will discuss the new re-entry program for men and women returning from prison and encourage the development of other reentry programs as more people return to our area. The whiteboard to which Bobby is pointing indicates the numbers of people who have become employed following prison. The program's success is astounding! The conversation will also include recent film material from Sing Sing rehabilitation programs. Please let your congregation know of this opportunity to learn more and to meet Bobby Lane.
Another conversation will be led by t
he Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Hudson Valley Chapter, which offers presentations and panel discussions on a small or large scale and training for church leaders to help congregants become more welcoming and accepting of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community (which includes potential new and present members and some youth in our churches). This conversation will introduce participants to GLSEN and provide information about how congregations and their members can become visible and vocal allies to their local LGBTQ community.
Hope to see you and many from your congregation at presbytery on December 8th!
Give Online to HRP
Did you know that you can
donate online to the ministries of Hudson River Presbytery? Your gift helps congregations share God's love within and beyond Hudson River. Gifts may be given generally or designated for the Presbytery's Prison Partnership, Hunger Action or for other ministries.
Holmes Christmas Camp, Dec. 27-30 
Do you know a child or youth who would enjoy a few days away from home, playing and learning with others their own age, surrounded by God's creation?
During Christmas Camp, campers from 2nd grade through 12th grade will spend their time in small Family groups with other campers their own age, as well as time together with the whole camp. We will play games, create art, bake cookies, worship together and more! If the weather allows, we'll enjoy campfires, go sledding and explore Holmes in the winter! Learn more.
Calvary Presbyterian Community Healthcare Enrollment Event, Nov. 20
Need affordable healthcare? Come to Calvary Presbyterian's Community Health Care Enrollment on Friday, Nov. 20, from 1-5pm.
Read more.
Congregational Leadership Awards
Is your congregation doing innovative ministry? Union Presbyterian Seminary offers eight Congregational Leadership Awards annually. Each of the eight awards carries a $1,000 prize to support the congregation in its ministry. More information. The deadline for the 2016 awards is February 15, 2016.
HRP Congregations Provide a Heifer Ark! 
On November 8, representatives of the Presbyterian Church (USA) of Sullivan and western Orange Counties celebrated, that together, they raised enough money to buy a Heifer Ark ($5,000) and more to send breeding animals to poor communities all over the world.
We extend congratulations to the 18 churches in the Presbytery's Region 4, all of Sullivan County churches: Monticello, Liberty, Jeffersonville, Roscoe, Bethel, Lake Huntington, Livingston Manor and Hortonville, and the churches in Western Orange County: Denton, Goshen, Otisville, Hopewell, Middletown, Scotchtown, Florida, Chester, Port Jervis and Pine Bush.
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PC(USA) Partner in Syria Urges Prayer, Peacemaking and Resistance to ISIS 
The Rev. Fadi Dagher, general secretary of the
National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon
, sent a letter to the PC(USA) urging continued prayers, peacemaking efforts and resistance to the so-called Islamic State, or ISIS. Read the full text.
Stated Clerk: "Choose Welcome, Not Fear"
"As U.S. governors pledge to refuse Syrian refugees within their states and some presidential hopefuls promise to abandon the refugee program altogether, we the people have a choice to make," writes PC(USA) Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons. "We can choose to follow those who would have us hide in fear or we can choose hope."
Read his call to conscience in this stirring public letter released on Nov. 17.
PC(USA) Call to Prayer Following Attacks
Following the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beruit and Baghdad, the PC(USA) issued a
call to prayer.
YAV Applications
Early Decision Deadline
Dec 1
The early decision deadline for the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program is December 1, 2015. Submit your application early; sites do fill up!
Watch a short video. Learn more and apply now.
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Regional and National Events
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Restorative Justice Program, Nov. 21 
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Joanne Blaney spent many years in Brazil developing a unique Restorative Justice program. Learn more about this promising approach of rehabilitation. Join for presentation Saturday November 21, 10-12 noon at Walsh Building, at the Maryknoll Campus, 75 Ryder Rd, Ossining, NY.
Download flyer.
Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference in Israel/Palestine, April 2016
Registration Deadline extended until filled
We are called to be witnesses to and for peace in the Holy Land. In faithful and hope-filled response, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program's Mosaic of Peace conference, April 4-16, 2016, invites Presbyterians to experience this remarkable and troubled region, encounter its diverse people, explore its rich history and complex current situation, and engage with those who seek its peace.
Learn more.
APCE National Gathering, Jan. 27-30
The Annual Gathering of the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators, "God's New Thing," will be held in Chicago, Jan. 27-30. Early Bird registration deadline is Dec. 4. Learn more.
Mediation Training, April 25-29, 2016 
The Synod of the Northeast Mediation Network's Training, "Are You Called to be a Peacemaker?" will be led by the Lombard Mennonite Institute and held at Stony Point Center.
Making Space for God, Evangelism Conf.,
Jan. 18-21 
Don't miss the Nov. 1 deadline for early bird enrollment in this year's national Evangelism Conference, "Making Space for God" which will explore spiritual practices while enjoying the Tradewinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete, FL.
Learn more.
Save the Date: EADS April 15-18, 2016
Ecumenical Advocacy Days gathers Christians from across the country for a time of learning and advocacy on issues of national import. Presbyterians have always had a constituency of several hundred strong. This coming year's gathering is "Lift Every Voice: Racism, Class and Power." Mark your calendars and look for more information to follow in coming months. Read more about EADs.
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| Living Our Values |
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Hospitality
The following reflection was written by the Rev. Carol Miller, Pastor of First United Presbyterian Church of Pine Plains. As you read it, think about how hospitality is part of  compassionate
action - how we are made vulnerable and made strong at the same time when we offer hospitality to another. When have you experienced this in your own or your congregation's ministry?
There was a tribe of Indians who lived a long time ago in the state of Mississippi. They lived next to a very swift and dangerous river. The current was so strong that if somebody happened to fall in or stumbled into it, they could be swept away downstream. One day the tribe was attacked by a hostile group of settlers. They were greatly outnumbered and their only chance for escape was to cross the rushing river. [
Read on].
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| Take Action |
Give a Calendar to Men at Sing Sing Correctional Facility 
"...I was in prison and you visited me." Matthew 25:36
It's that time of year again. The calendars have started to arrive in the mail. Last year, churches in our Presbytery collected calendars and gave them to the men who reside at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. These calendars were distributed through the chaplain's office. Last year we collected 400 calendars. But there are about 1700 men at Sing Sing, which means we could use a lot more calendars.
When someone receives a calendar and hangs it on a cell wall, there is a reminder each and every day, for an entire year that someone in the community thought of him. Won't you reach out? Won't you share? If you receive more calendars than you can use, collect them at your church. Bring the calendars to the Dec. 8th Presbytery Gathering and they will be taken to Sing Sing. There they will find a home where they will be appreciated.
Please help. It's really easy. Hope is the most wonderful gift you can give. Contact
Barbara Devir,
[email protected]
, for more information.
Orange the World!, Nov. 25- Dec. 10 
From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (and Orange Day), to 10 December, Human Rights Day,
the
16 Days of Activism
against Gender-Based Violence Campaign
is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls. Check out the link above for ideas on how you can contribute!
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| Resources for Education, Liturgy, Justice and more! |
PC(USA) Resources for World AIDS Day 
The Presbyterian AIDS network has provided a host of resources for marking World AIDS Day on December 1 including data, bulletin inserts and other educational material.
Learn more.
Short Video on Impact of Development + Advocacy
Check out this brand new video of Jed Koball, Mission Co-Worker in Peru, where he talks about the work of Red Uniendos Manos (Joining Hands) in Peru, and its impact at the local, national and international level. It is short video (3:42 m) and great for showing the impact that combining development work with advocacy can have.
The Art of Rehabilitation
Don't miss this moving article in the current issue of Presbyterians Today by Hans Hallundbaek about HRP's support of prison rehabilitation and re-entry programs as a part of the Presbyterian Prison Partnership.
Presbyterian Giving Catalog
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25 dollars buys a kitchen kit for families who've lost everything in a disaster
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The 2015-2016
Presbyterian Giving Catalog is an opportunity for Presbyterians to support their church's ministries through alternative giving. From purchasing agricultural tools for a family in the developing world to supporting bus passes for YAVs, the catalog provides a wide range of gifts at different prices that promote the well-being of people and the earth. Consider the
catalog as a source for your gift giving.
Brief Videos from HRP Green on the Bible
HRP Green's videos are great devotionals, conversation starters
and biblical resources. Two new videos: Gaye Hartwig shares how Psalm 23 calls her to take steps to reduce her carbon footprint and Jeff Farley discusses how Genesis 1:1 calls us to enjoy God's creation.
Reflexiones acerca de la salud de la iglesia 
El nuevo libro del Rvdo. Héctor Rodríguez, ya está disponible en pre-venta. La visión de una iglesia saludable no debe estar basada en estadísticas, sino en reflexiones teológicas y bíblicas acerca de la misma. En este libro, el Rvdo. Dr. Rodriguez ofrece diagnósticos sobre los padecimientos que retan a la iglesia en este momento y explora los posibles remedios que se presentan como promesas de renovación espiritual que ayudarán a sanar la iglesia. Ordenar ahora.
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| Seeking and Finding |
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Lake Huntington Presbyterian Seeks a Gently Used Organ
Lake Huntington Presbyterian Church needs a new organ. Might your congregation have a used one to give? The church is looking for a used, late model organ in excellent working order. Two keyboard (without rhythm embellishments) is desired with side or full foot pedals. Their greatest fear is securing a used instrument that will need work, so please, no klunkers! Contact person: Joy Bertsch at (845) 932-7973.
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| Employment Opportunities and Connections |
First Presbyterian Church of Ossining
Seeks Organist/Director of Music
This position will soon be listed; in the meantime, contact the Rev. Perry Wooten to learn more at
[email protected] and phone is 914.244.0131.
First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Vernon Seeks a Minister of Music
The First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Vernon is seeking a musician/organist who loves interpreting the Christian faith through music, teaching, and working with a diverse congregation of children and adults of many ethnicities. Could this be your calling?
Learn more!
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| Share Hudson Happenings |
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Let's Talk Turkey
Hudson Happenings is the one place you can get the scoop on what's happening in our presbytery and the wider church. From events to resources to reflections on living our values, you just can't beat it.
So this garrulous turkey invites others to subscribe to Hudson Happenings and other HRP E-Updates, like those from the Presbytery Prison Partnership or the Food Justice Network.
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