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Dear Friends,
The concluding stanza of Louise Gluck's poem, "The Melancholy Assistant" describes and wonders,
Outside the snow was falling,
the landscape changing into a series of bland generalizations
marked here and there with enigmatic
shapes where the snow had drifted.
The street was white, the various trees were white --
Changes of the surface, but is that not really
all we ever see?
This Advent what changes are taking place within you or in the world that seem beyond others' ability to see? How might we sweep aside the "snow" of "bland generalizations" that have harmonized the landscape of salvation's story?
The next HH will be published on Thursday, January 8. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, January 6. Please send your submission along to [email protected]
P.S. Please note, some email services have been truncated Hudson Happenings, requiring users to click a "show more" button way at the bottom to reveal the whole issue. So check to make sure you're receiving all of Hudson Happenings! You can also always read the latest issue on http://hudrivpres.org .
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 News from the Presbytery | |
Lillian Daniel to Speak Dec. 8 
Choosing your own beliefs is like a beautiful bouquet. Looks nice, but not helpful when life gets tough," writes pastor and author Lillian Daniel. Join Lillian and members of Hudson River Presbytery at "Engaging the Spiritual, but not Religious from our Strengths" at Yorktown Presbyterian Church, Mon. Dec. 8, at 7:00pm.
Presbytery Gathering Dec. 9
The next stated meeting of the presbytery will be held on Tuesday, December 9 at the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Kisco. Following our Micah 6:8 theme for the year, this gathering will focus on "hesed./loving kindness" Registration and prayer begin at 9:30. The meeting will commence at 10:00 and run until 4:30pm. We welcome the Rev. Lillian Daniel, nationally recognized pastor and writer, who will lead us in reflecting upon testimony as well as preach during worship. Download the docket and all materials. Requests to be excused should be emailed to Jean Kaiser, [email protected] . Send your suggestions for the presbytery playlist to Noelle Damico by Friday, Dec. 5 at [email protected].
Beyond Ferguson, to Staten Island, to Us 
The Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, responded to the Ferguson Grand Jury decision with this statement. Prior to the decision, on November 20, 25 members of Hudson River Presbytery from various congregations gathered at White Plains Presbyterian for a conversation called "Beyond Ferguson." Read more about this deep discussion, access the resources they used, and the commitments that emerged. On December 5, a Grand Jury did not indict a white NYC police officer for using an illegal choke hold on Eric Garner, resulting in his death. Please take a moment and read the reflection on the Nov. 20th conversation and the resources that were used. That gathering was a model for your own congregational engagement in understanding the systemic issues and empowering all of us for action. Be in contact with the Rev. Sarah Henkel, [email protected], for suggestions on getting started.
Four Placed on Administrative Leave by PMA
Four PC(USA) employees accused of ethics violations related to the management of funds related to the ministry of 1001 Worshipping Communities were placed on paid administrative leave by the Presbyterian Mission Agency. A Nashville attorney has been retained to investigate these violations. Read more.
Call for Nominations: Congregational Leadership Awards
Is your congregation or a congregation in your presbytery doing innovative ministry? Union Presbyterian Seminary (UPSem) offers eight Congregational Leadership Awards annually. Each of the eight awards carries a $1,000 prize to support the congregation in its ministry. Learn more. The deadline for application is February 15, 2015.
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| Share Hudson Happenings | | |
Invite Others to Subscribe to Hudson Happenings!
Help your congregation's members stay abreast of the latest news and opportunities by subscribing to Hudson Happenings. A blurb with a link you can circulate electronically is below.
Are you in the loop?
Stay abreast of Presbyterian events, resources, grants, and opportunities. Subscribe to Hudson Happenings, the bi-weekly online newsletter of the Hudson River Presbytery. Subscribe by emailing [email protected] or by clicking thislink http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=jupymrgab&p=oi&m=1106537889417&sit=xehoquegb
For a hardcopy HH sign-up sheet that you can use, click here. If you do sign-up people by paper, please be sure to return them promptly to Noelle Damico, [email protected] or fax, 914-941-2263.
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| Living Our Values | |
Joy: Gilead and Hopewell Churches' Children Share Clear Message of Friendship
Through the Hamada Initiative, the Gilead Church's children created a direct link with children living in refugee camps on the borders of Syria and Iraq, as the church's children sent a message of friendship among all children which translated into Arabic and attached to soccer balls. The church collected 28 soccer balls and $140 for shipping. Hopewell's final tally was 14 soccer balls, 2 air pumps, 1 pkg. of "needles" (for the air pumps), all collected over just two weeks! How is your church building relationships of hope and joy in difficult situations?
Honesty: Conversing and Committing
"What is one hope and one fear that bring into this conversation tonight?" This is the question that opened our time together at the "Beyond Ferguson" conversation on the evening of November 20, 2014. Twenty-five people representing ten congregations joined together in the White Plains Presbyterian Church sanctuary to practice "creating space in our churches for hard conversations about race, racism, power & privilege." 
Many of those gathered expressed hope that conversations like this one would begin to shift systems of injustice in our communities and in country. Some expressed the fear that conversations like this one would be too few and far between to affect real change in a deeply divided nation.
We held these hopes and fears in tension as participants were guided by co-facilitatorsLeslie Mardenborough (Ruling Elder, White Plains Presbyterian Church), Erica Restaino (Member, First Presbyterian Church of Marlboro, Student - Fordham University, Sarah Henkel (Cross-Cultural Catalyst, HRP) and Rick Ufford-Chase (Ruling Elder, Stony Point Presbyterian Church, Executive Director, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship)- through an in-depth presentation of the historical, socio-economic, and political context of the tragedy in Ferguson, the killing of Michael Brown by Police Officer Darren Wilson, that was prepared by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Aymer. Continue reading and access resources.
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| Trainings, Retreats and Internships | |
Register by 12/5 for APCE Gathering Discount Rate
Begin your 2015 professional development at the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) Annual Event in Baltimore, February 4-7, 2015. Register for the event by the early discount deadline, Friday, December 5. However, registration remains open into January because APCE understands that your continuing education funding may be available at the first of the year.
Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference 
The 8th annual Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference will be held March 9-11 in Kansas City, MO. "Invest in Faith" is a must-attend event bringing together theological reflection, best practices, and the opportunity to network with Presbyterians from across the country.
HRP is a co-sponsor and the Presbytery's Stewardship Team offers six(6) scholarships for first time attenders on a first come basis that covers the Registration Fee of the Conference (which means you are responsible for travel, hotel and Tuesday evening meal). Learn more. For information on scholarships contact Charles Barton at [email protected] .
Save the Date: Ecumencial Advocacy Days
Join Presbyterians and other Christians from across the nation at 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 and scholarships. Stay tuned for more information on the PC(USA) Compassion, Peace and Justice Day-long training during the 17th, prior to the start of the conference.
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!
Save the Date for Presbyterian Women's
Churchwide Gathering 
The next Presbyterian Women's Churchwide Gathering, "One Body, One Spirit," will be held in Minneapolis, MN June 18-21. Learn more!
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Take Action | |
Pray for the Church in South Sudan
In the wake of a November 19th attack by the Sudanese government that destroyed the home of pastor Yahiya Abdel Rahim of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church, our partner church in the capital city of Khartoum is asking for prayers and solidarity. Read more and Take Action to protect religious freedom in Sudan.
Help PDA Address the Ebola Outbreak 
West Africa is experiencing the largest outbreak of the Ebola virus ever recorded. With a reported 6,000 dead and 17,000 infected, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is working with our partners on the ground, the West Africa Initiative and Action by Churches Together. Learn more and donate to support the church's work to assist our sisters and brothers.
Make the World Better With A Sweater
Walter Sturgis, a member of South Presbyterian Church, Dobbs Ferry, writes:
As you plan your Christmas parties, we found a great Save the Children program to help you to spice things up with a little extra fun and meaning! It's simple:
(1) Encourage congregants to wear their favorite (or most outrageous) holiday sweaters to the party.
(2) Ask that each person donate $5 for Save the Children.
(3) Take an "elfie" (a sweater selfie) and post it on Facebook or Twitter to encourage others to do the same.
It's Easy. Fun. Meaningful. Learn more and get the toolkit.
Donate Winter Coats for Children and Adults
As the freezing winds of winter lap at the door, your donations of coats for children and adults can make a big difference in the lives of others. Kathy Frost volunteers at Blue Door Thrift Store at the Patterson Community Church. Read the full story about how one boy came to Kathy asking if the "Christmas Coats" had come in. If you have winter coats for infants and children of all ages and/or adult coats that you would like to donate or if you would like to donate a couple of dollars so that Kathy Frost can buy some coats to give to thrift store patrons just call Kathy at 845-661-6240 or email her at [email protected].
Orange Your Neighborhood through Dec. 10
From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign Campaign is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world. This year, the United Nations Secretary-General's Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women invites you to "Orange YOUR Neighborhood. Take the UNiTE campaign to local streets, shops and businesses, and organize "Orange Events" in your own neighborhoods between 25 November and 10 December 2014. Orange your trees, your church buildings and more!
Donate Calendars for Prisoners
A very easy way to participate in prison ministry is to donate a calendar. 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 or her. The Presbytery's Prisoner Partnership will be collecting calendars from now through December. If you have some to contribute, they can be dropped off at Scarborough Church or the Presbytery office any time. If you need help to get them there, let Barbara Devir know and she will come and get them from you. For more information [email protected]. Read more about the impact of this ministry.
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| Resources for Education, Liturgy, Justice and more! | |
PC(USA) Store is Online
Shopping for books, curricula, downloadable resources, and the new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God, just became easier with the new PC(USA) Store, a seamless, one-stop web-shopping site featuring books and resources from Congregational Ministries Publishing (CMP) and Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC).
Order 2015 Lenten Devotionals
Presbyterians Today's new Lenten Devotional for 2015 invites you to journey with Jesus to his cross and resurrection with the help of the book of Psalms, often called the prayer book of the Bible. Along this journey, you'll sample a variety of spiritual practices and seek prayerful ways to draw nearer to God. Learn more.
A Home-grown Christmas Story 
Cliff Bartley, from Goshen Presbyterian Church, composed this home-grown Christmas tale. Enjoy!
The Bible and Belhar
The General Assembly Special Committee on the Confession of Belhar has made available The Bible and Belhar, a new resource co-authored by Stephen Hayner and Mark Labberton which addresses the biblical basis of the confession. The 220th General Assembly (2012) voted to begin the process of amending The Book of Confessions to include the Confession of Belhar, and Moderator Neal D. Presa appointed the special committee to study the confession and provide education throughout the church. Download the FREE study.
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| Events in the Life of the Presbytery | | |
Destiny/Destino Rural Women's Conf.,
Dec. 5-7
It is not too late to participate in or financially support a gathering of rural women and their allies at the Holiday Inn in Binghamton, NY this weekend. Sponsored by Rural and Migrant Ministries. Click here to learn more, offer scholarship support and register. Download the brochure.
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| Employment Opportunities and Connections |
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Children's/Youth Choir Director Needed
Germonds Presbyterian Church, in New City, NY, is seeking a part-time children's choir director. For more information, go to our church website at www.germondschurch.org or call 845-623-2120. Deadline for applications is December 31, 2014, or until position is filled. Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center Seeks a New Director The Center is located in Ossining and it is a full-time position. Applications are due by January 2, 2015. Read more.
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