|
|
| From the Temporary General Presbyter |
Friends,
As the summer begins to wind down we enjoy cooler nights and think about fall programs and school starting.
I would like to note an important milestone for a few of our company of pastors.
Rev. Bruce Tischler and Rev. Bill Saum are celebrating 50 years of ordained ministry this year. There will be a recognition of these milestones at Huguenot Presbyterian Church on September 23rd.
In addition, Rev. Gary Fox of Campbell Hall is celebrating a 35th anniversary of ministry and Rev. Debra Bronkema is celebrating a 25th anniversary in ministry in the next month. What amazing ways God has used these servants. Take a moment to listen to their stories and be inspired.
As busy times begin, take a moment to pause and reflect about God's presence in your life and faith community. Relax and enjoy this snippet of a poem from George Macleod, founder of the Iona Community in Scotland. (From
Worship Now)
The morning is yours, rising to fullness;
The summer is yours, dipping into autumn;
Eternity is yours, dipping into time.
Peter Surgenor
Temporary General Presbyter
|
 |
Sept. 18 Presbytery Meeting to feature the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis
Mark your calendars! The Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis will join us at the
September 18th meeting of the Hudson River Presbytery at Holmes Camp and Conference Center. Rev. Theoharis is Co-Chair of the
Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival with the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II. She is the Co-Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice and a Founder and the Coordinator of the Poverty Initiative. She teaches At the September meeting she will preach in worship and offer an opportunity for us to engage in conversation with her about the church's call to solidarity with the poor.
|
|
Communion Training for Elders, Sept. 9 & 30
The Committee on Ministry will offer two training sessions in Regions 2 and 3 for elders.
Download the flyer.
Sunday, September 30, 2:00 pm
at Cornwall Presbyterian Church,
222 Hudson Street, Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY 12520
This training is for those elders whose training has lapsed (had training 2+ years ago)
, t
hose who haven't been trained yet
, those who have been authorized by their home-church Session (please bring a letter from Session with you to the training)
- Training in creating/officiating a service of Communion
- Introduction to the different parts of the service and what they signify
- Resource materials for creating the service
To register: Please call or email Jean Kaiser in the Presbytery office (914) 941-2100;
[email protected]
|
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.
For Scholarship Information and/or to request a Scholarship for the Conference, please contact Charles Barton at [email protected].
|
Pastoral Sabbath at Stony Point, Sept. 26-27
Led by Rev. Leslie Mott, the
Pastoral Sabbath Retreat is a time for clergy "to come away by yourselves and rest for a while," so that we may return renewed to those we serve.
Those attending receive materials for reflection and study and have the opportunity to engage in gentle yoga class, guided meditation, group and individual spiritual direction, and prayer.
In this second year of the two year Synod Innovation grant, in order to extend the grant funding as long as possible, it is necessary to introduce tiered pricing for the Pastoral Sabbath. The cost for a participant is approximately $150.00 for accommodations and four meals. A partial scholarship of $75.00 would be offered to those whose finances would otherwise preclude them from this opportunity, and a limited number of full scholarships will be available through the Fall. Please indicate on your
registration if you are in need of scholarship funds. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Leslie Mott:
[email protected].
|
|
The Rev. Peggy Howland to be Honored at Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Reception, Oct. 20 
|
|
Boundary Training for Pastors and CRE's, Oct. 23
On Tuesday 23 October 2018 the annual Boundary Training event for the Presbytery of Hudson River will be held at Holmes Camp and Conference Center. This mandated training is a PHR requirement set forth in policy enacted by the Presbytery.
If you have never attended Boundary Training, plan on attending from 2 PM to 8 PM. Dinner will be available at a cost of $15, by reservation. You will have received an e mail from the Presbytery office if you need to attend this training.
If you attended Boundary Training 5 or more years ago, you have reached the 5 year renewal anniversary for Boundary Training. Plan on attending from 5-8 PM. Dinner will be available at a cost of $15, by reservation. You will have received an e mail from the Presbytery office if you need to attend this training.
|
|
Leading Intentional Change for the Flourishing of Community, Oct. 27
"Building the new is a fundamentally different task than fixing the old," wrote
David Cooperrider
in Appreciative Inquiry. The HRP Council invites you and leaders within your congregation to join us for an "HRP Leadership Deep Dive" led by Deborah Rundlett. Debbie is a gifted coach and trainer who has served in business, the academy, and the church. For the last twelve years, she has served as General Presbyter of Muskingum Valley Presbytery and the Presbytery of Chicago, respectively. She is passionate about equipping leaders to serve as agents of change for the flourishing of their communities.
What An HRP Leadership Deep Dive
Who:
Pastors, Staffs, Congregational & Community Leaders
When: Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 8:30am-12:30pm
Cost Free for HRP Pastors & Congregations
(with suggested donation of $20
per person to cover the cost of assessments.
Who should come?
-
Any leader seeking to lead intentional change in their context.
-
Pastors, staffs, and leadership teams.
-
Cross-disciplinary teams committed to community-based transformation.
-
Leaders in the workplace seeking to connect soul with Source.
Read the
flyer to learn more and plan to bring a group of leaders from your congregation to this wonderful event that will truly empower and inspire!
|
Moderator Training, Nov. 10
HRP's Moderator training will be held at Stony Point Center on Saturday, November 10 from 9:00-3:00. This training is for:
- Elders who may be called on to serve as Session Moderators in churches without Pastoral leadership (especially in Regions 1 & 4); and
- Pastors not serving in pastoral positions who would like a stronger foundation for Moderating Sessions.
Learn more and share the flyer.
|
|
South Church, Dobbs Ferry Received an HRP Grant;
Your Church Can Too! 
Hudson River Presbytery offers several different grants to foster church renewal, justice partnerships and innovative programming.
Check out current grant offerings!
South Church, Dobbs Ferry received a former HRP grant called Vision 20/20 that was carefully managed has continued to gather church and community support. Back in 2010, HRP invited congregations to submit ideas for creative ways of doing ministry that live into the vision of the 21st century church. It asked groups to serve their community's hopes and needs and to invite non-believers into the journey.
South Church responded with an idea called Roots & Wing, tapping into the roots of our spiritual and agricultural traditions, giving wings to a sustainable future for our children and our planet.
They wrote in their proposal: "We want a path into a less energy-intensive lifestyle-a life that would bring greater intimacy with the natural world and its Creator-which could actually be richer and more enjoyable than what we have now. We want to meet our era's threats with the gospel's spirit of joy, rather than the guilt and anger behind most environmental activism."
Read more about how their grant led to the
Permaculture Training offered this September at South Church, Dobbs Ferry!
|
|
PC(USA) 2019 Grants for Church Seeding and Renewal
The Mission Development Resources Committee (MDRD) has a a number of grants
:
- New Worshiping Communities Seed
- Investment, Growth & Health Insurance Grants
- Presbytery Grants for Congregational Transformation and the Sam & Helen R. Walton Awards.
Information, timelines, and resources are available at
MDRD's website
.
|
HRP Youth and Youth Leaders: Save the Date for Presbyterian Youth Triennium, July 16-20, 2019 
Triennium is a truly amazing, once-every-three-year gathering of over 5,000 of Presbyterian Youth from across the US and the world. It is open to high school age youth from the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (entering 9th grade through graduated 12th grade). In 2016, the Hudson River Presbytery delegation members had a truly transformative experience as they were challenged to see all the ways that God is asking them to "GO" out into the world.
The theme of the 2019 Presbyterian Youth Triennium is "Here's My Heart", drawn from the words of the hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. Young people and their adult leaders are invited to "come experience God's love in a way so powerful and compelling that they, too, are moved to say, "Here's my heart". And together we will learn what it means to serve Christ with our intelligence, energy, imagination and love."
What do we need to get ready for Triennium 2019?
- Think about being a Delegation Leader or Adult Advisor if you are an adult - clergy, lay staff, or volunteer - who loves hanging out with Youth and wants to have a high energy, worship filled experience.
- Post information about Triennium where your Youth and their familes will see it - bulletins, newsletters, websites, email blasts, text messages, carrier pigeons, etc. The National Triennium office is looking for a rough head count of interested participants in October 2019.
- Check out www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org for more information about the event and graphics that you can use in your publications.
- Stay tuned for information on the registration process that will be available in the late summer/ early fall.
Please reach out with questions and interest (especially if you can help as a Delegation Leader) to Stephanie Hare, Director of Youth Ministries at FPC Yorktown, the 2019 Triennium Registrar for Hudson River Presbytery:
[email protected] or 914-826-1227.
|
|
Video Trainings for Clerks of Session & Church Officers are Now Online
The comprehensive trainings offered at the Spring 2018 semester of Hudson River
 University by HRP's Stated Clerk, Susan DeGeorge, and HRP's former Interim General Presbyter, Gavin Meek, are online.
You can use these in your own congregation to review important themes and to train others. The videos are segmented into 20 minute segments and have accompanying powerpoints embedded in them.
Check them out.
|
|
|
HRPGreen Visit to Chung Yen Monastery for Christian-Buddhist Environmental Dialogue, September 28
Join HRPGreen for an interfaith exchange on ecological issues with members of Chung Yen Monastery, located in Kent, NY, less than six miles from Holmes Camp. Starting at 10:30, participants will be treated to a Buddhist welcome ritual and a tour of Great Buddha Hall and Kwan Yin Hall, followed by lunch with members of the community. After our meal we will have a Buddhist-Christian dialogue about ecological issues and the potential for joint projects to address them. The visit will conclude by 2:30.
Download the flyer.
Our host for the day will be Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, an American Buddhist.
He obtained a PhD in philosophy from Claremont Graduate School (1972) and is the co-founder of Buddhist Global Relief. Space is limited so register now by emailing Kathy Dean, [email protected].
|
|
Youth from Rural and Migrant Ministry Need Your Help!
$5,010 down, $24,990 to go!
Meet the Youth Economic Group (YEG). This innovative group of high school students in Sullivan County meet to run a youth-led cooperative and to address issues of injustice that affect us all. Their van died (with 200,000+ miles on it) which means these youth who live in isolated rural setting can no longer get to their meetings. They hope to get a new van but need your help. Donate now! Even $10 would help! They've raised $5,010 of their $30,000 goal. Can you help with the $24,990 left to go?
|
|
HRPGreen Video Library for Congregations 
HRPGreen has assembled a wonderful Environmental Film library which will be available for congregations to borrow beginning August 7. Housed at the presbytery office,
all HRPGreen Environmental Films may be signed out by giving name of borrower, phone, email, congregation town, name of film and sign-out date. When the film is returned the borrower must indicate return date on sign-out sheet. The film may be kept for three weeks. Checkout the catalog of films with brief descriptions. Questions? Contact Kathy Dean at [email protected].
|
Spirit Fest at Peekskill Presbyterian, Aug. 25
Join members and friends of Peekskill Presbyterian Church at their annual Spirit-Fest! Meditation, Tai-Chi, Musical Groups, Spiritual Direction and more!
Come connect spirit, mind, and body, on Saturday, August 25, from 5:00-8:00pm at
Peekskill Presbyterian Church.
Download and share the
flyer!
|
|
Regional and National Events
|
NE Synod Assembly and Anti-Racism Training, Sept. 21-22 
The
Synod Assembly is our biannual NE Synod-wide fellowship gathering for celebration, business, and visioning. The Assembly will be held September 21-22 in Albany.
Learn more and register by August 24.
In addition to the Assembly itself, the Synod typically hosts a Pre-Assembly event. This gathering allows for further fellowship among the Synod community and an opportunity to delve into a subject more deeply together.Pre-Assembly Gathering.
On Thursday and Friday, September 20-21, 2018, we will once again be hosting
Crossroads Anti-Racism Organizing & Training to facilitate a seminar on race and dismantling racism at the
Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Albany, NY.
REGISTER for the Synod Assembly as well as Pre-Synod Anti-Racism Training.
|
|
Stony Point Center's Farm to Table Gala, Sept. 30
It's that time of year again. In just two months, the Farm-to-Table Gala will offer a chance for guest groups, neighbors and friends to support the continued development of Stony Point Center as
fertile ground
for cultivating, organizing, and transforming our world
. This year's theme is "seeding food justice" and the evening will feature the presentation of
the
Living Tradition Award
, as well as a delicious meal featuring farm fresh ingredients from our land and other local farms.
Always a down-to-earth gathering, the Gala is your chance connect with and contribute to the spirit that makes Stony Point Center shine. Please join the SPC Community from 4:00pm-8:00pm on Sept. 30th at Stony Point Center...and bring a few friends!
Purchase your tickets at
stonypointcenter.org/gala.
|
|
Awakening the Spiritual Heart: Contemplative Formation, Sept. 2018 - June 2019
This program offered at the Mariandale Retreat Center in Ossining is for those who long for a deeper spiritual life, who crave the silent place where the Spirit speaks, who hunger for a closer walk with God. It consists of 5 weekend retreats from September through June, 7 monthly small group meetings, at home spiritual practices, readings and journaling.
The cost including the weekend retreats is $1,990. For more information contact Bruce Baker, one of the presenters, at
[email protected]
or go to the Mariandale website.
The application deadline is July 30, 2018.
|
|
A Day with Brian McLaren, Oct. 13 
Join the Presbytery of Long Island for a day with Emergent Church leader Brian McLaren to explore "The Future of Christianity: Does Christian Faith have a future, and does the future have Christian faith?" Members and friends of Hudson River Presbytery are encouraged to come and hear this renown Christian thinker and practitioner. The program is Saturday, October 13. Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30, Program will run from 9:30 - 3:30. Cost is $20 and include breakfast and lunch. The program will be held at Arumdaun Presbyterian Church, 1 Arumdaun St., Bethpage, NY. Download and share the flyer.
To Register: Pay On-Line with MC, Visa or e-check at www.prcli.org
To receive an invoice & pay by check call 631- 486-4350
Mail checks and order forms to PRC, 42 Hauppauge Rd., Commack NY 11725
|
|
Got Sermon? Oct. 26 at Union Theological Seminary, in NYC
Got Sermon?
, Union Theological Seminary's biannual, continuing education event designed primarily for preachers, brings the gifts of our faculty to our alumni/ae, students, neighbors, and friends who are mainly serving congregations.
Please join the Union community on Friday, October 26, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., for Truth Telling in Shifting and Familiar Seasons with Dr. Lisa Thompson, Assistant Professor of Homiletics, Dr. Phyllis Trible, Baldwin Professor Emerita of Sacred Literature, and Dr. Brigitte Kahl, Professor of New Testament.
|
|
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is Looking for More Volunteers
With record numbers of natural disasters and in the wake of hurricanes and wild fires in the US, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is looking for volunteers to enlarge its ranks. Volunteers of all sorts and skills are needed.
Learn more about the need and how you can help this important ministry.
|
|
Community Organizing and Congregational Leadership Certificate
NEXT Church, Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, and Metro Industrial Areas Foundation have teamed up to offer a Certificate in Community Organizing and Congregational Leadership. The in-person training will be October 22-26, 2018 at Christ Lutheran Church in Baltimore, MD and there will be 12 distance learning sessions between Nov.-April.
This certificate program consists of a one-week intensive in-person training followed by a six-month distance learning cohort to integrate the training into your work. The program is open to clergy, laypeople, community leaders, seminarians, and others interested in organizing and community engagement.
Learn more!
|
|
New Online Degree and Courses from Dubuque Seminary
UDTS has introduced a new
online
degree, Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, that strengthens students' knowledge of Christian scriptures and the church's theological tradition, and equip women and men for missional service and leadership in their chosen vocations. A B.A. degree in any field is the pre-requisite. For more information, please contact Kimberly Burnett-Hackbarth, Direction of Admissions 563.589.3405 /
[email protected]
.
Click here to learn more
.
And don't miss Dubuque Seminary's online courses in Christian leadership that start June 4 and run for 12 weeks. They're a great form of education that will equip and empower church leaders.
|
|
PC(USA) Evangelism Conference, Oct. 15-19
The 2018 Evangelism Conference is set for Oct. 15-19 at Zephyr Point in Lake Tahoe. Join fellow 1001 New Worshiping Communities leaders and others focused on renewing the church.
This retreat experience will include time for reflection and renewal. Registration is now open.
Learn more!
|
|
Resources for Education, Liturgy & More!
|
PC(USA) Season of Peace Begins Sept. 2
The 2018 Season of Peace is a five-week pilgrimage designed to deepen the pursuit of peace for congregations, small groups, families, and individuals.
Through daily "Path of Peace" reflections, "Peace Cards" for children and families, Bible and book studies for adults, children's curriculum, an intergenerational peace fair, and other downloadable resources, Presbyterians are invited to define and deepen their calling as peacemakers. This season is a time of encouragement, challenge, inspiration, and education. Access Season of Peace Resources.
|
|
Holy Discontentment, PC(USA) Organizing Resource 
This free, updated resource from the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness serves as a blueprint for Presbyterians who wish to engage more deeply with civic life and move their community deeper into advocacy and organizing for just public policy.
Focused on legislative advocacy, the resource also connects you to further resources for in person training and reading. It provides sample interfaith worship services and much more.
Learn how to set a meeting with your Member of Congress, host a vigil, attend a town hall, and build your advocacy skills. Download Holy Discontentment.
|
Peace & Global Witness Offering, Sept. 2 - Oct. 7
The Peace & Global Witness Offering is received during the Season of Peace, which ends on World Communion Sunday, October 7.
A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice across the world. Individual congregations are encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this Offering to connect with the global witness of Christ's peace. Mid councils retain an additional 25% for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness.
.
Access resources including bulletin inserts, minutes for mission, social media images, and educational curriculum to help your congregation understand the importance of this annual offering.
|
|
Six, Free, Sturdy Pews
The white plains presbyterian church has six sturdy wood pews that are free for the taking!
For 50 years they served in a choir rehearsal room that is now being re-purposed as an important community room. Come and get them before they are gone! Contact the Rev. Jeffrey Geary at
[email protected].
|
Choir Robes Available!
First Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville has 17 choir robes available for free or freewill offering. Please contact
[email protected] for more information.
|
Hopewell Presbyterian is Seeking a Few Large Print Hymnals
and NSRV Bibles
Hopewell Presbyterian is look for a few copies of The Presbyterian Hymnal large print edition, along with a couple large print NRSV Bibles for immediate use to help members fully participate in worship. Might you have some hymnals and bibles to share? Contact Rev. Russ Ducan at
[email protected].
|
Huguenot Memorial Seeks PT Coordinator of Christian Ed
Huguenot Memorial Church is searching for a Coordinator of Christian Education. This is a part time position that will provide a lot of freedom and support. The position involves working mainly with Children and Youth while fostering community among them and their parents. Read the full job description. Interested applicants should contact the Rev. Jacob Bolton, [email protected].
|
Bedford Presbyterian Seeks Full-time Office Manager
The
Bedford Presbyterian Church
full-time Office Manager will provide administrative assistance to the Pastor, staff, and congregation and manage the church office to support the ministry and mission of BPC. Includes secretarial support, light bookkeeping, church database maintenance, facility scheduling and supervision of part time staff. Independent, can-do attitude, proficient in MS Office Suite, able to learn database and web management skills. Learn more.
|
Nauraushaun Church in Pearl River Seeks PT Office Manager
The Nauraushaun Church in Pearl River is seeking a part-time Office Manager for a one-person office to manage the office and maintain communications that are vital to the church's ministries and mission. This position is 12 hours per week (9 am to noon, Tuesday to Friday) with two weeks vacation per year and standard holidays. Required: good interpersonal, administrative and computer skills; as well as knowledge of office equipment. Familiarity with Presbyterian denomination a plus. Salary: $12,500. For more information or to apply, contact
[email protected] or call 845-735-4745.
|
All Souls Parish in Port Chester, Seeks Full-Time Solo Pastor
The All Souls
community consists of individuals at different points on their faith journeys who come together to join in worship, fellowship, small groups, and mission activities. We are looking for a pastor who will guide and encourage our involvement in both existing and new ministry and mission initiatives that evolve as a natural outgrowth of our vision to be more involved in the issues of hunger, poverty, social and environmental justice, and peace. Please see the
All Souls Parish Website
and
our
Ministry Information Form
or email the PNC at
[email protected]
for more information.
|
Hitchcock Presbyterian Seeks PT Youth Leader
Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale is seeking a fun and energetic part-time youth leader to work with our youth ministry team, under the leadership of our Director of Christian Education. This role will primarily consist of co-planning activities and having direct interaction with our middle school and high school youth groups, seeking to build community and relationships through meaningful conversation and play. Please direct inquiries and/or a resume to
[email protected]. A more detailed job description can be found at
www.hitchcockpresby.org.
|
Presby Church of Mt. Kisco Seeks Sunday School Coordinator
Sunday School Coordinator needed to help nurture the faith of the children of the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco. The position is approx. 10 hours per week with competitive salary. Experience in Christian Education in a Reformed church setting desirable. For more information, contact
[email protected]
or call 914.666.7001.
|
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.
|
Reformed Church of Bronxville Seeks
Senior Minister / Head of Staff
|
|
|
|
 More interesting than a squirrel on water skis, Hudson Happenings helps you and your church plug in to events, connect within and beyond your congregation, and discover useful and inspiring resources for life together.
Filled with links to local, regional and national news as well as information on fabulous educational and advocacy events, it's your "one stop" for interesting news and events in Hudson River Presbytery, Synod of the NE and PC(USA). So why not share it with your friends?! And with the link below, 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 this photo of me watersking (the link is embedded).
|
|
|
