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475 Riverside Drive Suite 1600, New York, NY 10115
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Happenings In & Around the Presbytery of NYC
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his newsletter is published on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. All items for potential inclusion must be submitted via email to
newsletter@presbynyc.org
by noon on the Wednesday before the newsletter in published. the next issues of the newsletter will be published on September 28th and October All items are subject to review and editing. Timely submission does not guarantee inclusion.
Information, articles and links in this newsletter are provided for information only to the congregations and members of the presbytery. Nothing in this message should be construed as the official position of the presbytery unless noted as such.
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From the Executive Presbyter
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E
ach morning the sounds of car horns, buses, and student conversations outside my Bronx apartment building reminds me summer vacation is over. Photos posted on Facebook of the children of my nieces and nephews reflect more interest than dismay entering for the first time, or returning, to their schools. I hope you can feel that fresh perspective as you return to your churches and the mission we undertake together as a presbytery in our love for and faithfulness to Jesus Christ.
The
Synod of the Northeast’s biennial Assembly
meets in Albany September 21-22. Synod will install RE Jacinth Hanson from First, Newtown as Moderator after RE Warren McNeill completes two years of service as Synod moderator. We send four commissioners and a YAAD. A pre-assembly workshop led by Crossroads on anti-racism training we be held from noon Sept 20 to noon Sept 21. The PCUSA’s new executive director preachers at this Assembly. See
http://www.synodne.org/synod-assembly/
The
Presbytery of New York City
meets at the
Riverdale Presbyterian Church
Sept 29. We gather for worship; to discuss our 2019 budget for strategic mission priorities we are pursuing and hear from a team explaining their efforts for us to work toward sustainable mission funding around our priorities; to review revisions to our Standing Rules; to meet the new camp director at Holmes, our new Young Adult Volunteers, and national staff working with us on Self Development of People projects; to vote on actions from presbytery committees; and to share a meal, conversations, and fellowship.
This fall the
Justice Ministries Committee
(Committee for Witness to Society and the World) will be hosting Self Development of People national staff, a Palestinian International Peacemaker, and national staff from the Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC. See details in this newsletter or on the
Facebook page for Freedom Rising: NYC
.
The
Committee on Congregational Ministry & Nurture
(CMN) reminds you of the 2019 Youth Triennium in Purdue, Indiana to which youth in entering grades 9-12 are invited to attend. CMN also hosts a day of learning and worship together at Brick Presbyterian Church November 3
rd
(Cong. Resource Day).
NYC Presbyterians
also are networking with other ministries as the Poor People’s Campaign, the New Sanctuary Coalition, Sponsoring Refugees, NYC’s Bed Stabilization Program and Supportive Housing for those without a home, Mental Health First Aid Training, aiding those devastated by wars, storms, and personal hardships. All the while as you help others, I know our members and pastors lead people in worship and connecting with God, learning what Jesus has taught us is good news, and inviting people into spiritual renewal. Thank you.
Whether you are wondering how to start something for the first time or why to do it for the hundredth time, as you go forward remember what A.A. Milne has Christopher Robin telling Winnie the Pooh: “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” You are blessed by God.
Robert Foltz-Morrison
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Trip to Ghana for New York City Presbytery
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ev. Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, ex-Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Designated Pastor of the Emmanuel Presbyterian Reformed Church in the Bronx, has organized with Rev. Dr. Foltz-Morrison a trip to Ghana October 15-25. We will be leaving from JFK Airport and spending the first few days in Accra, visiting our Reformed family PCG headquarters and the area before heading to Kumasi—the region of the Asante Kingdom and visiting the Manhyia Palace, and worshiping in churches in Kumasi. We then spend a couple days on Cape Coast reflecting on Ghana’s experience of colonialism and slavery, before heading back to Accra and returning to the United States. There is limited space for about 18 persons and a $200 deposit to be paid to the Emmanuel Presbyterian Reformed Church by September 15. We currently have four PNYC congregations led by Ghanaian church leaders and thank Dr. Frimpong-Manso for organizing this trip and furthering our relationship with our sister denomination in Ghana. For more information call Dr. Frimpong-Manso (914-920-8354) or Ishmael Hodanu (347-506-8041).
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From the Committee on Witness to Society and the World and the Advocate for Justice Ministries
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Upcoming events from the Committee on Witness to
Society and the World
Save the Dates!
Close Rikers
One August 15th the Mayor's Office initiated the formal land use process to move forward their proposal to close Rikers and move to a system of borough-based jails.
See
the Mayor's proposal
including a timeline (on the last page) for the proposal approval process.
From September 20th - October 3rd, the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice will hold Scoping Hearings on this proposal, one in each borough. Please plan to attend and, if possible, bring directly impacted people. Participate in the borough(s) where you're based, have members, or otherwise have skin the game.
The hearings will include a presentation from the Mayor's staff, and public comment. The #CLOSERikers campaign is seeking people to speak during public comment, and to be part of the general audience to demonstrate the strength of the movement to close Rikers.
Sign up for hearings
and for information on prep calls. These hearings will be crucial to ensure the quick closure of Rikers and advance our vision of justice system transformation in NYC.
Self-Development of People
The Rev. Alonzo Johnson and Margaret Mwale, staff to the
Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People
(SDOP) will join us at the September 29 stated meeting of the Presbytery of New York City. This is an opportunity to learn more about SDOP. They will lead a
community workshop
on Sunday, September 30 at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church for grassroots groups and Presbyterians interested in learning more about SDOP grants.
International Peacemaker
The Rev. Alex Awad will be in the presbytery on October 7-9. Watch for details on specific times and locations of public events. The Rev. Awad served as
Dean of Students and full-time instructor at Bethlehem Bible College in Bethlehem for 24 years; he also served as senior pastor at East Jerusalem Baptist Church. In his retirement, he has moved to the Pacific Northwest, but he returns to the Middle East on a regular basis.
Advocacy Day
Presbyterian Mission Agency staff from the Office of Public Witness and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations will join us on Saturday, November 10 for a day of workshops, training, and worship about advocating for justice in the name of Jesus Christ. The day will be at First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Watch for more details.
The Poor People’s Campaign
Stand with immigrants in New York
The New Sanctuary Coalition is powered by hundreds of volunteers. The Coalition stands up for hope over hatred by bringing support and accountability to a system that tries to isolate our friends and take away their basic rights.
Learn how you can act and make a difference
.
The Coalition needs BILINGUAL (English/Spanish) volunteers for the office. The main duty will be answering the phone and talking to friends. There are also (always) other light office duties like filing/mailing to be done in between calls. If you are bilingual in English and Spanish and can help during the day please sign up
here
for upcoming time slots.
For more information about any of these events, or to have your congregation’s event on social justice included in future email newsletters, contact
Mark Koenig
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New York City Young Adult Volunteers Have Arrived!
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The NYC Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) 2018-19 have arrived!! They've had their NYC YAV Orientation last month. We went on a river boat tour, to the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney, and Puffs the Musical. As well, we learned about one another’s faith journeys, how to budget, and get around our great city! Let me introduce them: Carson Smith hails from Flushing, Michigan, is a second year YAV and will be at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. He spent his first year in Colombia, South America. Kori Robbins comes from Anaconda, Montana, and is a first year YAV. She will working with the Presbytery of NYC and at Church of the Living Hope. Jonathan Favors-Grimes is a first year YAV and was born and raised in Decatur, Georgia. He will be with Broadway Community. We’re excited for the new year. We’ll see you all at the September 29th Presbytery meeting!
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2019 Presbyterian Youth Triennium - July 16-20, 2019
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“Here’s my heart” – our young people are saying to us, to the church, to the world! “Here’s my heart!” God says right back to us.
Get READY for the 2019 Presbyterian Youth Triennium – a gathering for high school age youth from the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (entering 9th grade through graduated 12th grade) that occurs every three years. The 2019 event is July 16-20, 2019 at Purdue University. The theme for the 2019 event is “Here’s My Heart”.!
Find more about registration, event plans and travel information from the various tabs found on this site. All participants must be registered through a local presbytery or church delegation.
Learn more.
A classic melody for a new generation’s voice!
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Lewis Center for Church Leadership
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he Lewis Center is committed to helping congregations and denominations thrive and grow by providing ideas, research, resources, and training for vital and fruitful leadership. Through Leading Ideas, they share vignettes of leaders and congregations, book reviews, leadership quotes, and helpful “right questions” built around the premise that leaders don’t need answers — they need to know the right questions.
Their weekly e-newsletter
Leading Ideas
offers articles by thoughtful, cutting edge leaders on subjects you care about--- navigating change, reaching younger people, financing your ministry, communicating effectively — to help you be the leader God is calling you to be. Articles from this weeks newsletter include:
- 6 Ways to Maximize Your Church's Home Field Advantage in Giving
- Try a New Adult Education Study This Fall
- Learn to Optimize Your Annual Financial Campaigns
- 50 Ways to Encourage Faithful Giving
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An Invitation - A Celebration Luncheon Honoring Peggy Howland
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The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship invites you to the 2018
Barstow-Driver Award Celebration
where they will honor Rev. Peggy Howland. The celebration luncheon will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018, 11:15 AM at Stony Point Camp and Conference Center in Stony Point, NY. The Rev. Dr. Janie Spahr will be the keynote speaker and there will be a special viewing of the film "Out of Order"
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Five Things That Matter to Most Church Visitors
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TAKING THE GUESSWORK OUT OF GUEST RELATIONS
By Aaron Wilson
Did we make a good impression?
I wonder what they thought of us?
Will they be back next week?
Questions like these are on the minds of church leaders each week as they watch first-time visitors leave service.
To help get answers, churches around the country employ the services of Faith Perceptions—a company that sends real people from a church’s mission field to visit and share feedback on their experience. This allows leaders to see their church through the eyes of a visitor and learn what can be improved so guests will be more likely to return.
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Scholarship Fund Created to Honor the Late
Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon
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he Presbyterian Mission Agency has created a scholarship fund to honor the name and legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon, a pioneer and legend in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Women’s Ministry Fund (E049991) supports Presbyterian women of color, clergywomen, college women, and other women with opportunities for leadership and spiritual development as well as mission opportunities in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Gifts in memory of Dr. Cannon can be made online or by mail.
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An Answer to the Volunteer Predicament
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H
ow can I “get more volunteers.” Church leaders continue to ask what they can say or do to convince people to serve. What are the best recruitment methods? How do I get more people to say yes?
Inspiring people for volunteer service requires more than a new sales pitch. Activating people into the life of the church involves making changes to the foundation—the culture. Culture is the soil that prepares people for service involvement.
Oddly, while churches struggle to find volunteers, volunteerism overall in our country has held its own. Volunteering is actually very popular right now. It’s become the standard for corporate America...
Full story
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The Third Annual Interchurch Center Conference: Mission Driven Development
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he Third Annual Interchurch Center Conference will take place on
Thursday, November 8
th
at the Interchurch Center, at 475 Riverside Drive
in New York. Below is the link to register for this
FREE
event through
Eventbrite
. The conference is organized by the Council of Church Advisors, Interchurch Center and Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld.
This all day event will focus on “Mission Driven Development”. The conference, which attracts an attendance of over 300, is particularly valuable to administrators and clergy, but all are welcome to attend. Participants will be offered t
imely, educational sessions on how to achieve a mission for sustaining a congregation. including:
- Developing a Mission Plan
- Fundamentals of Effective Space Planning
- Understanding Project Feasibility & Potential Deal Structure
- Designing the Church of Tomorrow
- Financial Sustainability
- Construction Process
There will be networking breaks and lunch served, and the event will conference will conclude with a reception in the Interchurch Center art gallery.
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Presbytery Meeting Dates and Material Deadlines
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Stated Meeting
Sat., Sept. 29, 2018
Tues., Nov. 27,2018
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Location
Invitation Needed
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Material Due
(by 5:00 PM)
Fri., Sept. 14, 2018
Fri., Nov. 9, 2018
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Committee on Ministry Meeting Dates and Material Deadlines
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All material for COM's consideration must be emailed to the committee at
com@presbynyc.org
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COM Meeting Dates
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
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COM Material Due Dates
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
*FRIDAY, December 21, 2018 (early)
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
*EARLY DUE TO CHRISTMAS
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On Calling a Pastor
,
is a resource for pastor nominating committees and mid councils is now available.
Each section of the manual builds upon the next to walk users through the call process highlighting the partners in the call process, polity, using the CLC system, and emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment. The resource is in PDF format. It may be read online or downloaded and printed. "On Calling a Pastor" includes videos, links to online resources, case studies, and "teach the teacher" Power Points for those training pastor nominating committees. Download the full handbook or individual chapters. You may also watch supplemental videos. To access the video links from within the PDFs, click on the icons found in the various chapters.
The Church Leadership Connection staff is here to serve you. If you need any assistance or have questions, contact them by phone at 888-728-7228, ext. 8550, or by email at
clcstaff@pcusa.org
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Employment Opportunities Within and Around the Presbytery of NYC
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Congregational Searches
The following congregations in our presbytery are currently engaged in active searches:
- Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church - Solo Pastor, Part-time
- First Presbyterian Church of Flushing - Christian Educator
- First Presbyterian Church of Flushing - Youth Director
- Fort Washington Heights Presbyterian Church - Solo Pastor, Part-time
- St. Augustine Presbyterian Church - Solo Pastor, Part-time
More information on these positions can be found on the PC (USA)'s Church Leadership Connections (CLC) website.
Click here for CLC's website
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Siloam Presbyterian Church -
Assistant Sexton/Facilities Coordinator,
Learn more
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Stay Connected to the Presbytery of NYC
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Help your congregation's members stay connected with the latest news and opportunities in and around the presbytery by subscribing to Happenings In & Around the Presbytery, the Presbytery's electronic newsletter. Keep members updated and apprised of Presbyterian events, resources, grants, and opportunities. Have members fill out the contact information form so that their email addresses can be added to our subscribers list.
Click here
for the Contact Information Form. Once completed return the form to the presbytery office or email it to
Yzette Swavy-Lipton
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Need an address or phone number for a church or a member of the NYC Presbytery? No need to call the office to get that information. You only need to log into the Presbytery
ACS Database System
and viola, the information is right at your fingertips.
If we have your contact information in our database you only need to
create an account
within the ACS System.
If we do not have your contact information
click here
for the Contact Information Form. Once completed return the form to the presbytery office or email it to
Yzette Swavy-Lipton
so that you can be added to the database.
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475 Riverside Drive Suite 1600
New York, NY 10115
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