 |
|
In this together, for good
|
|
|
We know that you're busy, so we keep our news short and to the point. Follow any links provided to learn more about the stories that interest you.
|
|
Why Worship?
Regional Synod of Albany
Worship Symposium:
Why Worship
October 20, 2018
A Day of learning surrounding the Why, What, How and Who of Christian Reformed Worship. All those who are involved in leading/ planning /overseeing worship in their communities are invited to join us at First Reformed Church of Schenectady on
October 20, 2018 from 9AM-4PM
Plan to join us for this day of engaging around worship. $25/person or $100/church gets you lunch, great worship and creative workshops like "Worship as Dialogue" "Green Worship"and "Role of Elders". We will also be introducing the New Reformed Hymnal-Lift up your Hearts, and give you a chance to experience it.
We are delighted to welcome the Rev. Dr. Lynn Japinga from Holland, Michigan as our keynote preacher and presenter and the Rev. Dr. Tim TenClay as event organist.
|
|
Invitation to the Regional Synod of Albany Task Force
on
Unity in Mission and Ministry
Rev. Dr. Kent McHeard, in his President's Report at the most recent meeting of the Regional Synod, called for the synod to explore a ways for the synod to continue forward in united mission and ministry given our diversity of theology regarding human sexuality.
Please prayerfully consider if you are called to serve on this task force. We are seeking participation from all corners of our synod. The first meeting will take place in late September or early October, depending on the availability of the participants.
If you have questions or would like to join this task force, contact
Kent McHeard:
Kent@mcheard.com or
Bob Hoffman: hoffmanclerk@aol.com
|
Last Chance to Register for the
Christian Educator
Summit
September 22, 2018
9am - 4pm
Fort Plain Reformed Church
Join us for a day of learning together with keynote speaker Rev. Kent McHeard; workshops, lunch; display tables; fellowship and interaction with other Christian Educators from our Regional Synod of Albany and beyond. $5 a person, $25 for a team of 5 or more.
For more information and to register, please email Sandee Clark at atgramto6@yahoo.com
|
|
Retirees Luncheon
Wednesday, October 3
11:30 - 2:00pm
Regional Synod of Albany Office
1790 Grand Blvd, Schenectady NY, 12309
All retired clergy and spouses of the Regional Synod of Albany are invited to this luncheon for fellowship and food! If you are not able to attend, we encourage you to send a written update for your colleagues to Ali Stone synodalbany@gmail.com and we will share those at the luncheon
|
|
Call for Volunteer Chaplains
Particular high request for Female Chaplains
The Albany County Jail is holding about 350 immigrant detainees in their custody. They are being provided with legal services, but are in great need of pastoral services. Are you willing to be a volunteer chaplain to this community? Details are still being worked out, but as of this newsletter, preparations for chaplain visits are almost complete. You can start the process of becoming a chaplain to this community by filling out the form indicating your interest
HERE
This effort is being organized by the New York Labor and Religion Coalition.
|
|
Recommendations from the 2018 General Synod
General Synod cannot direct or require classes to act on these items, but it can and frequently does encourage classes to take action. A few of these are listed below, along with supporting information.
For the full list of General Synod 2018 actions and items referred to classis for consideration, please look
HERE
.
To bring any action or discussion to your classis, reach out to your clerk for more information.
CA 18-3 (MGS 2018, pp. 234-235)
To urge congregations, classes, and regional synods to host showings of 30-minute videos and discussion groups provided by the Interfaith Drone Network; and further,
To encourage those concerned about drone warfare to construct a quilt to represent those who have died in drone strikes and to use quilts as a point of discussion about drone warfare; and further,
To invite concerned RCA members to prepare faith-based op-eds and letters to editors for publications.
The videos and study guides referenced in the recommendation can be found at
www.interfaithdronenetwork.org
.
H 18-3 (MGS 2018, p. 289)
To commend the paper "Ecumenism in the RCA" to all consistories and classes, and to invite them to enter into discussions over the paper, encouraging them to send responses to the questions below to
rgasero@rca.org no later than February 1, 2019.
- What does it mean that ecumenism has been such a key element to our identity in the past?
- How does and should this understanding shape the future ministry of the RCA?
- How is your congregation engaging in ecumenical relationships in your community?
"
Ecumenism in the RCA" can be found on pages 284-289 of the 2018 Minutes of the General Synod.
RE 18-1 (MGS 2018, p. 303)
To continue to actively encourage congregations, classes, regional synods, GSC, the racial/ethnic councils, and the commissions to intentionally recruit more racial/ethnic members to serve on commissions, particularly the Commission on Church Order, the Commission on History, and the Commission on Judicial Business.
The Commission on Nominations asks that prospective commission and board members fill out a
profile form. The form as well as descriptions of the work of the various commissions and boards can be found at
www.rca.org/profile.
W 18-3 (MGS 2018, p. 317)
To urge every classis to have a sexual harassment training in place by General Synod 2019 and to have a plan for sustained accountability through continued education.
Liz Testa, the RCA's coordinator for Women's Transformation and Leadership, would be happy to offer support and resources to any classis interested in implementing a sexual harassment training. You can email her at
ltesta@rca.org.
|
|
The Regional Synod of Albany
is on Instagram
Check us out @inthistogetherforgood and follow us to see photos posted from events all over the Synod.
Want to 'gram your event for the Synod? Contact Reilly at rsa.comscoordinator@gmail.com to guest host our Instagram account!
|
|
Grants are Available for You!
Do you have a new ministry that needs a little seed money? Is it focused on discipleship, mission, or revitalization?
Apply for a Synod Ministries Grant for up to $1,000.
The grant for can be found
HERE. Once completed, it will be reviewed by the Synod Ministries Board and you will be notified quickly about your request and if your application was approved. Most projects receive funding within a month of their application.
Questions? Contact Reilly at rsa.comscoordinator@gmail.com
|
|
Regional Synod of Albany
1790 Grand Blvd
Schenectady, NY 12309
|
|
|
|
|
|
