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Dear Friends,
Dylan Thomas in This Bread I Break, writes
This bread I break was once the oat,
This wine upon a foreign tree
Plunged in its fruit;
Man in the day or wine at night
Laid the crops low, broke the grape's joy.
Once in this time wine the summer blood
Knocked in the flesh that decked the vine,
Once in this bread
The oat was merry in the wind;
Man broke the sun, pulled the wind down.
This flesh you break, this blood you let
Make desolation in the vein,
Were oat and grape
Born of the sensual root and sap;
My wine you drink, my bread you snap.
Thomas connects the gifts of God with their blossoming and harvest in nature, highlighting (hu)man's role: laying, breaking, pulling. He invites us to imagine the life of Christ as the life in oats and grape as they flourish, connecting Christ with their wild life -- the sensual root and sap as he puts it -- of these plants in their own right. Interestingly, when looking at human interactions with oat and grapes,Thomas bypasses the role of (hu)mans in planting and nurturing. Are we only those who lay low, break and pull -- like the bread is torn and the cup poured during communion? How would this poem change if it also included planting, cultivating, nursing -- those sensual, necessary actions of human care toward the gifts of the earth? Thomas invites us to hear the sacrificial rending of the bread as the natural "snap" of the oat. But I wonder, what might change if nurturing interactions missing from his poem were echoed in our sacramental observance?
The next issue of Hudson Happenings will be published on Friday, March 9. Please email your submissions to
[email protected]
by Tuesday, March 6.
Peace,
Noelle |
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From Your Interim General Presbyter
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What has the presbytery done for us lately? 
I hear that on occasion. Your Council, through its Strong Transformative Leadership Team, and I have an answer: HRU!
Do you want to create an easy way for your congregational members to give a bequest to the church in their will? Then register for the Planned Giving class.
Does your stewardship committee need new ideas that are tested, solid and effective? Then register for the Stewardship classes. [Read More]
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Get Innovative! Challenge-to-Change Applications Due March 15
Each year Challenge-to-Change grants offer congregations and ministries within the presbytery the opportunity to try something new, as long as they are congruent with the presbytery's vision statement. So how about it?! Challenge to Change offers grants of from $200 to $7000 dollars to help bring Christ's love to others in new ways -- from helping start a community dinner program to an interfaith discussion group to renovating unused space for a new, broader purpose; your imagination is the only limit. The grants are awarded annually and may be renewed for up to three years. So start innovating! Applications are due on March 15, 2018. To learn more, check out the Challenge-to-Change grant information and application. Questions? Contact the Rev. Cathy Surgenor, Chair of the HRP Grants Committee.
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Want to get Solar on your roof and/or help your congregation solarize?-----HRP Green is working with two solar providers, NYS Solar Farm for Columbia, Orange, Ulster, Putnam, Dutchess and Sullivan counties and Sunrise Solar Solutions for Westchester and Rockland to answer your questions and provide solar installations. If you are interested in learning if your church, residence or business would be a good candidate for solar you can schedule your own personal solar feasibility assessment at a church information session (see below) . Light snacks will be provided.
The Solar Installers will make a $240 donation to a church for each residential or commercial installation by a member/friend/contact of the church. The dona-
tions will be processed at the end of the campaign.
Upcoming Information Sessions
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Are You Going to General Assembly?
If you are planning to attend the 223 General Assembly of the PC(USA) which is meeting in St. Louis from June 16 - June 23, 2018, please let Stated Clerk Susan DeGeorge know by emailing her at [email protected].
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Take 5 min
utes...and think!
HRP is seeking administrative assistant for 12 hours a week. We believe the ideal candidate may well be in your pews or among your associates. Please take just 5 minutes of dedicated time to think about whether you know a good candidate. Then encourage that person to apply!
Details on the position.
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Annual Clerk of Session Workshop and Minute Reading, Mar. 17
This year, Clerk of Session Day will be part of Hudson River University that will take place at Stony Point Center on March 17th. There will be three parts to the Clerk Day.
Session 1 will give new clerks (and any other clerks who would like a review) will learn basic information needed for their work. Session 2, required of all current Clerks of Session, will both provide some current updates on polity and legal situations and also include a Q&A. Session 3, also required of all current Clerks of Session, will be the tradition minute reading period.
Clerks should 1) register ahead of time for HRU; 2) complete the Session Records Review Checklist ahead of time; 3) bring the completed checklist, along with the minute book and their updated roll book
with them to HRU.
If a clerk of Session is unable to attend, someone else appointed by the session must attend instead, doing steps 1-3 above. If you have questions, please contact Susan DeGeorge, [email protected].
And since you're coming anyway, why not bring a carload of folks from your congregation with you!
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Check out PW's Newsletter
PW's first-quarter newsletter is now available! F
ind the latest Churchwide Gathering news, Bible study preview, Birthday Offering update, and much more, including advice for starting a new PW group and the recent PW/ACWC statement on sexual harassment and violence.
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March 17, 2018
HRU's is back for a spring semester! There are 5 majors: Clerk of Session Day, Officer Training for Deacons and Elders, Christian Education, Social Justice Advocacy, and Planned Giving. It's a great day with fabulous faculty and take-aways that will benefit your congregation and its leaders. HRU will take place from 9:00am-3:00pm at Stony Point Center.
Download the flyer and share it with your church's members!
Register now!
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Applications for PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteers, due Mar. 1
A transformative year of service at more than 20 sites worldwide awaits young adults ages 19 to 30 through the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program - now in its 25th year!
March 1 is the final deadline to apply to serve at one of five international YAV sites. After that date, limited spots will be available at sites within the U.S. Learn more.
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Attention Undergraduate Students and Seminarians!
Wurffel-Sills Scholarship and Interest-Free Loan, Deadline April 1
Learn more about the 2018-2019 Wurffel-Sills Scholarship and Interest-Free Loan Program Application. The application is open to
all members of any Presbyterian Church within the Synod of the Northeast who will be attending school beginning in the Fall of 2018 for either
undergraduate or seminary studies only.
Please share this information with all of your churches, members, and anyone you know of who could use a little financial assistance with their higher educational goals. If you have questions, please contact Stacey Galloway
at the synod office 315-446-5990 or email at [email protected].
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Regional and National News
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Presbyterian Leaders Reach Out to Parkland, FL After Shooting
"There are no words that can capture the depth of despair we hold after the violence that took place at the school," said the Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena, general presbyter of the presbytery. "With you, I watched the television reports, interacted on social media, and sat in silence. I heard an interview with one student who said 'We can mourn. We can grieve. But we've got to push forward.' I heard the resolve in his voice and I'm claiming that resolve for us to push forward."
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network have reached out the Tropical Florida Presbytery which has accepted their help.
"There is no way a troubled teenager should have had access to an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and what was described as 'countless magazines' full of high-powered bullets," read the statement. "Even as we mourn this unnecessary loss of life, we call on our lawmakers to shake off fear of the gun lobby, distractions of other legislative matters, and the paralysis of hyper-partisanship and take action to ensure universal background checks be enacted and high powered weapons be taken off the streets of our nation."
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PC(USA) Justice Advocacy Committees Raise Strong Objections to The Way Forward Commission's Report to GA
The Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns (ACWC) and the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC) issued an open letter to the Way Forward Commission on February 16th, expressing "profound concern" of proposed actions that may segregate "the material voice and vote of the advocacy committees." [Read story].
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Stated Clerk Calls for Prayer and Action for Sub-Saharan Migrants Facing Torture, Trafficking during Political Instability
Following CNN's program focused on the torture and trafficking of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its regional partners in near Niger and Libya, including the All Africa Council of Churches, have called on governments around the world to stop slavery and slave markets in Libya, but they realize it is only the first step in addressing the larger issues.
There is a need for comprehensive immigration reform, programs that respond to the negative effects of climate change, increased efforts to provide quality education and employment for youth, and governmental reform that promotes democracy, human rights and economic development.
PC(USA) Stated Clerk the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II is asking Presbyterians to join in prayer against these acts of injustice. "As we attempt to deal with the many social and political challenges facing our own nation, including issues of basic necessities for so many, we dare not forget God's call to care for those in other lands who struggle against all odds for dignity and daily bread. We must also respond to this crisis that is bringing exploitation and death to millions of our African sisters and brothers. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us pray and act now on behalf of those who are victims of this growing tragedy." [
Read the full story.]
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Presbyterian Mission Agency Sends Per Capita Increase Recommendation to GA
With no debate, the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board voted Feb. 9 to approve a sizeable proposed increase in General Assembly per capita - from $7.73 per member in 2018 to $10.71 in 2019 and to $11.45 in 2020.
That would amount to a 39 percent increase from 2018 to 2019 and a 7 percent increase from 2019 to 2020. The proposal now will go to the 2018 General Assembly in June in St. Louis for its consideration. [Read full Presbyterian Outlook story.]
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Presbyterian Foundation Seeks Responsible and Proactive Ways to Encourage Environmentally Sound Future
For the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), climate change is not just a conversation to be had, but a pressing issue to be addressed. As stewards of God's creation, the church is asking how it can be both responsible and proactive in its attempts to stem the rising tides.
The Presbyterian Church is not alone in such concerns. Hundreds of denominations, private endowments and institutional investors are studying how their investments can best be leveraged and how to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. Since 2015, the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Foundation has sought a positive approach to addressing these concerns. [Read the full PNS story.]
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Regional and National Events
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Conference at Vassar College on The Art of Living to feature
Prof. Stephanie Pausell from Harvard Divinity School, Feb. 22
The Art of Living: Practices for Flourishing in a Fractured World
February 22, 7pm Villard Room, Main Building,
Vassar College, 124 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie NY
How do practices
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the simple things we do each day
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shape a way of life?
Professor Stephanie Paulsell from Harvard Divinity School will open the program by introducing the concept of "practice" as a shared way of addressing basic human needs-actions that are both generative in themselves and that qualitatively transform our experience of time.
Following Paulsell's talk,
faculty will share approaches to some of the simple daily practices
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writing, moving, reading, contemplation and activism
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t
hat
bring them meaning, healing, friendship, and joy.
Contemplation | Paul
Kane, "Paying Attention: Modes of Contemplation"
Moving | Carolyn Palmer, "Moving, Sensing, Connecting"
Writing | Akta Kaushal, "Sensing the Sacred"
Activism |
Shane Slattery-Quintanilla, "Reclaiming Hospitality: Community Arts and Activism"
Reading | Vanessa Zoltan, "Picking a Sentence from the Orchard of Harry Potter"
Note! Space in each workshop will be limited. Please arrive early to ensure your first choice.
For detailed descriptions of each workshop, please
click here
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Please join
All In Together, in partnership with
Hope's Door, for a
Gretchen Carlson Leadership Initiative Community Workshop on
addressing Gender Based Violence on
Saturday February 24 from 9:00am-12:30pm at the White Plains Library. This educational program aims to bring women's civic leadership training to thousands of women across the country, with a special focus on empowering women who care deeply about issues related to gender-based violence and harassment. During this program, you'll gain:
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A better understanding of
how government works.
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Tools, resources and tactics to raise
your voice and
influence political change.
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The motivation to
take action on the issues you care about most
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Insight from local leaders on
policy solutions to address gender-based violence and harassment.
...and featured remarks from journalist and women's advocate,
Gretchen Carlson! All in a safe space with other women who also care deeply about ending gender-based violence and harassment. The Rev. Noelle Damico will be one of the featured speakers.
The program is free of charge and free breakfast and childcare are provided!
Learn more and register.
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NEXT Church National Conference, Feb. 26-28
The Desert in Bloom: Living, Dying, and Rising in a Wilderness Church, is the theme of the NEXT Church national gathering in Baltimore, MD. Hans Hallundbaeck of the Presbytery Prison Ministry will be presenting a workshop "Blooming Prisons." Learn more. |
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Holy Land Travel Study, 2018
The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program is offering individuals an opportunity to visit the Holy Land through its Mosaic of Peace Conference in Israel/Palestine,
April 29 - May 12, 2018. Learn more.
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Free, Pastoral Sabbath,
Feb 28-Mar. 1
The Pastoral Sabbath is available for you, a day of reflection, rest, and renewal of yourself as a Beloved of God at Stony Point Center, thanks to a grant from HRP.
There is no cost to you, only benefit.
Learn more and register.
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Nat'l Assoc. of Presbyterian Clergywomen Triennial, April 23-26, 2018
The National Association of Presbyterian Clergywomen will be hosting its Triennial in April 2018 at Montreat Retreat Center. Registration is now open. (N.B. NAPC's website has three pages on the Triennial, two with information and one with the registration form. Look on the upper right side of the menu for Triennial Conference to access these pages).
We invite you to share this information with all clergy as well as lay leadership within your Presbytery.
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Princeton Youth Ministry Forum, April 24-27
The Forum gathers Christian leaders who are passionate about young people and the church. Youth ministers, Christian educators, pastors, ministry innovators, and emerging scholars from the USA and beyond gather annually for this 4-day event on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary. This year, our theme is IMAGE. We will explore what it means to practice youth ministry in a visual age.
Hear from speakers like Matthew Milliner, Brian Bantum, and Katie Douglass. Renew your energy for ministry as you create vocational friendships, stretch your imagination, and give Sabbath to your soul.
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Save the Date for Stewardship Kaleidoscope, Sept. 24-26! 
Meet us in St. Louis for Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2018 September 24-26, 2018! With keynotes by Diana Butler Bass and Chick Lane and worship led by Larissa Kwong Abazia, you'll be inspired and equipped for effective and joyful stewardship.
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 Join the Farmworker Freedom Fast and Time's Up Wendy's March in NYC, March 11-15
In a moment of national reckoning with sexual harassment in the workplace, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and allies will be holding a 5-day fast on the doorstep of the Park Ave. offices of Wendy's Chairman and largest shareholder, Nelson Peltz to say "Time's up, for executives who have the power to end sexual violence in their supply chain by joining the Fair Food Program and refuse to do so." CIW is a longstanding mission partner of the PC(USA) and the PC(USA) was the first denomination to endorse the Wendy's boycott.
What can you do?
The
Fair Food Program is ensuring humane wages and human rights for farmworkers harvesting tomatoes, bell peppers and strawberries in Florida and six additional states along the east coast. Its unparalleled success in eliminated endemic abuses including forced labor, sexual harassment and assault and wage theft for tens of thousands of workers, has garnered international recognition. Fourteen corporations including Walmart, McDonald's, Yu! Brands, Burger King, and Subway, already belong to the Fair Food Program. But Wendy's, the third largest hamburger chain in the world, has instead, abandoned Florida growers in the Fair Food Program and shifted its purchases to Mexico, where violent abuses are well-documented and widespread. Read
CIW's Why We Fast.
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Support the Cake Ministry at Sing Sing Correctional Facility
Each year member churches in our presbytery provide cakes to help celebrate the graduations at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. There are three of them: a high school graduation, a college graduation and a graduate degree graduation. What makes them really special is that many of those receiving diplomas entered prison without even a high school diploma.
Would your church consider making a donation of $100 to fund this ministry? Checks may be made out to Hudson River Presbytery and earmarked "Cake Ministry." If 10 churches choose to participate, the celebration can continue.
More importantly, people from your church are invited to come and share the celebration, to break cake together with the graduates and their families. The graduations take place in the spring, but if your congregation is interested, reach out now with your interest or any questions to Barbara Devir, [email protected]. Download Barbara's full invitation to this ministry and share it with your congregation.
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Rural and Migrant Ministry: good news and next steps on FFLPA!
On February 12, the New York State
 Senate moved the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act out of the Labor Committee and into the Agricultural Committee.
If you live in an Agriculture Senate Committee district, please call your State Senator and leave the following message,
"Hi, my name is _________. I am a constituent and I urge the Senator to vote 'Yes' to pass the Farmworker Bill, Senate Bill 2721, currently under review in the Agricultural Committee. It is time farmworkers are given the same rights and respect as every other worker in the state! Farmworkers feed New York."
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Resources for Education, Liturgy & More!
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Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment
As our nation again tries to process yet another deadly mass shooting at a high school in Florida, it can seem as if we are caught in a roundabout of talk and inaction.
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz's book, "
Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment" examines the roots of the right to bear arms in the US. Recommended by the Rev. Jeffrey Geary, pastor at White Plains Presbyterian Church, because, he says, "it is both disturbing
and necessary history for us to understand."
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PC(USA) Resources for Youth Ministry, Confirmation and Education
As young people mature in faith and life, they search for greater understanding of themselves and their world.
Provide your church with resources that teach teenagers and young adults they can turn to their Bible and the Reformed tradition to find guidance throughout their lives. Explore PC(USA) resources for youth ministry and education.
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OGHS Webinar to Discuss Congregational Resources, Feb. 21
The Office of Special Offerings is hosting a Webinar to discuss the 2018 One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, its themes and resources, and ways to encourage your church to participate! Wed. Feb. 21 at Noon (EST).
Register here.
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Communion Sets for Donation
Beacon Presbyterian Church has two, silver communion sets that are in excellent condition for donation to a congregation who many need them. Read more about each set and the pieces it contains. Interested? Contact Beacon Presbyterian Church at
(845) 831-5322 or
[email protected].
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FPC Wappingers Falls Seeks Help with PowerChurch Plus
FPC Wappingers Falls recently purchase new software, PowerChurch Plus, to streamline the financial and administrative management of the church. We currently use it for recording weekly contributions, income, etc., but, now, we need help setting it up for treasurer input/financial statements.
Does anyone out there use PowerChurch Plus? If so, we'd really like to talk to you! Please contact our church administrator, June Goldman, at the church office, 845-297-2800 or by email at
[email protected]
; or Clerk of Session, Lucille Holohan by email at
[email protected].
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HRP Seeks Part-Time Administrative Assistant
HRP is seeking a part-time administrative assistant to work Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 hours each day in the HRP Office in Scarborough.
Read the full position description. Do you know someone who would be a good fit? Contact Jean Kaiser,
[email protected].
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Germonds Church Seeks PT Music Director
Germonds Presbyterian Church seeks a part-time (10-13 hrs/wk) Director to lead our church music program and adult choir. Degree in Music Education, with experience conducting and developing choral and instrumental ensembles required. Candidate should be proficient in teaching and leading adults in church music. Salary commensurate with education and experience; 4 weeks paid time off. Professional development funds available. Read the full position description.
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Hudson River Presbytery Seeks Treasurer
The Treasurer is a volunteer position to provide oversight for the financial activities, procedures, policies, reports and statements for the Presbytery of Hudson River (HRP) and its corporation in consultation with the Budget Finance and Property Committee/Trustees (BFP) and the Council. The position requires knowledge of General accounting procedures; QuickBooks and computer skills; follow through; and confidentiality.
Read the full position description
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The Larchmont Ave. Church seeks Dir. of Christian Education
The Larchmont Avenue Church (a Presbyterian congregation), located in Southern Westchester County (NY), is seeking a Director of Christian Education. This position entails direction of our Sunday School (110 youth, preschool through 8
th
grade); assistance with associate pastor with middle school ministry, and development of education ministries with pastors and members. LAC is a vibrant congregation of 700 members - wide-ranging in all groups, younger-older, with an energetic pastoral and musical program staff. The LAC DCE position is 20 hours per week, competitive salary. To apply, please send cover letter and resume to Rev. Elizabeth Smith-Bartlett at
[email protected]
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Reformed Church of Bronxville Seeks
Senior Minister / Head of Staff
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| Hudson Happenings -- as fascinating and provocative as a long-nosed fish! So why not invite your friends to subscribe ?! With links to local, regional and national news as well as information on fabulous educational and advocacy events, it's your "one stop" for the latest and greatest news and events in Hudson River Presbytery, Synod of the NE and PC(USA). And with this link, your friends can also subscribe to other e-updates from the Presbytery! Again, just invite them to go to http://tinyurl.com/m2l9kpj or send along this lovely profile of our fine finned friend. (the link is embedded). |
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