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Dear Friends,
E'mon Lauren's poem The Etymology of CHUUCH, opens
Think for a moment about that image -- the weigh/wait on the back and its inverse, a cup that holds, that runs over? What in your chuuch makes that homecoming sound "ahh?"
The next issue of Hudson Happenings will be published on Thursday, May 10. Please email your submissions to
[email protected]
by Tuesday, May 8.
Peace, Noelle |
From Your Interim General Presbyter
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Dear Friends,
Thank you! Thank you for the kind and generous affirmation at our presbytery meeting last week!
For those who missed it, it was shared that last week's stated presbytery meeting may be my last. MAYBE. Have I been called to a new position? NO.
As was reported by Rev. Laurie McNeill, chair of the General Presbyter Nominating Committee (GPNC) at the January 30th presbytery meeting, the GPNC had posted our Ministry Information Form (MIF) up on the PCUSA website. Laurie shared that the GPNC had been receiving Personal Information Forms (PIFs), and no doubt continue to do so, for your General Presbyter position. This being the case it is normal at this point in the process for the interim to begin looking for their next call... as few of us are independently wealthy. ;)
So, yes, there is a possibility that I will not be here for the next stated meeting on Tuesday, September 18. No, I have not yet been called to another interim position. Yet, some had the desire to share that possibility in order to lift up a word of appreciation for me and the ministry we have shared together. For that I am grateful. Read more.
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Pastoral Sabbath, April 25-26
If, in this time of celebration it seems that something is not enough, come to the Pastoral Sabbath and discover that you, yourself, are enough, just as you are. Twenty four hours for you to renew and restore. Wednesday, April 25, beginning with lunch, through Thursday, April 26, ending with the same. The sabbath time is led by the Rev. Leslie Mott and held at Stony Point Center. The Pastoral Sabbath is subsidized for ordained clergy through an HRP Challenge to Change grant.
Learn more and register.
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Your Help Needed!
Spread the word! More Light Presbyterians and Covenant Network are trying to identify the pool of people who were legally married or in legally recognized civil unions (any legally recognized relationship conveying inheritance benefits) and in which the partner who was a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s pension plan died prior to 2013 (the year the plan began offering eligibility for same-sex spouses/partners to enroll in the plan). The plan is to work with the Board of Pensions and other agencies to identify adequate funding to pay the equivalent of survivor benefits to those who, under today's rules, would have been eligible. Please read and share.
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Walkers from FPC Washingtonville |
Habitat Walk for Housing, April 22
Presbybuild invites you to the Walk for Housing on Sunday, April 22. Registration is at 12:30PM and the Walk begins at 1:30PM from
Washington's Headquarters, 84 Liberty St, Newburgh, NY.
The attached forms for Teams and Walkers provide information about forming Walker Teams and fundraising as we, a Resurrection People, put God's love into action by building houses, community, hope. . . and joy. Questions? Contact Deke Spierling [email protected]. General information about the walk may be found here.
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You've Got Talent! Shine for A Good Cause, May 19
The 12th Annual PresbyBuild Talent Show in support of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh will be held on Saturday afternoon, May 19th at First Presbyterian Church of Montgomery in Montgomery, NY. The show will run approximately from 3-4:30pm. Refreshments will be at 2pm.
We are seeking young and old, new and past performers. Many members of your congregation have donated their talents to this fundraising cause in the past and we would like to invite you and your congregation back so we will once again showcase a great afternoon of talent.
We ask that our PresbyBuild churches and friends submit the name of an act, which will represent their church or themselves. Please send the information by April 1st. Learn more!
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Want to get Solar on your roof and/or help your congregation solarize?-----HRP Green, a volunteer partnership of Hudson River Presbytery is working with two local solar providers, NYS Solar Farm and Sunrise Solar Solutions 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. Light snacks will be provided. And if you'd like more information but can't attend you can find out more at:
www.solarizeourcongregation.org or contact
[email protected].
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 donations will be processed at the end of the campaign.
Important Deadlines:
Residential customer contracts must be signed by June 4, 2018
Churches and commercial customer contracts must be signed by October 4, 2018
Information Sessions for Westchester and Rockland Counties -- all with Sunrise Solar
Information Sessions for Columbia, Orange, Ulster, Putnam, Dutchess and Sullivan counties - all with New York State Solar Farm
April 23 at 7pm at First Presbyterian Church of Marlboro
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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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Summer Camp at Holmes!
Holmes has wonderful camping opportunities for elementary, junior high and senior high youth. Day and sleep away options and diverse programming make it a favorite for families. Learn more about summer camp offerings at Holmes, our PC(USA) camp that has shaped Christian faith for more than 70 years.
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Congregational News and Events
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Roscoe Rummage Sale, April 18-21
2018 Roscoe Presbyterian Church is holding its
Semi-Annual Rummage Sale
April 18 to April 21, 2018 at the church, located on Old Route 17 at the intersection of County Road 179 and Stewart Ave. in Roscoe. The sale will be open
Wed. April 18: 9:30AM - 6:30PM
Thurs/Friday April 19/20: 9:30AM-5:00PM
Saturday April 21: 9:30AM - 1:00PM
For information or questions contact.
April McArthur - (845)292-4974 or
Nancy Nissen - (607) 498-5144.
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Five Wishes
& Community Meal, April 21
Do you want your dying to be consistent with your living, a reflection of who you are?
Having a living will is one way to help make it so. Please join us at Pleasant Plains Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 21, 2018, from 10:00am-2:00 pm for a workshop on the Five Wishes living will document. Five Wishes is unique among living wills, in that it speaks to the whole person, their emotional, spiritual and personal needs, as well as medical and legal issues. The workshop will guide participants through completion of the Five Wishes document, and offer advice about how to have those often difficult conversations with families and physicians. The event will finish with a community meal to celebrate everyone's accomplishment.
Thanks to a grant from the HRP Challenge to Change Fund, the event is free; space is limited, however, so registration is required. Please contact Church Coordinator Alayne at 845-889-4019 or
[email protected]
to sign up. Pleasant Plains Presbyterian is located at the corner of Hollow and Fiddlers Bridge Roads in Staatsburg.
What better way to "live resurrection" than to pull life-giving and life-affirming moments out of our final days? We hope to see you there.
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Coffee House to Support RMM, April 21
Annual Coffee House in support of Rural & Migrant Ministry is to take place at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 21 from 7:00-9:00PM. Also supported by the Church of St. James the Less (Episcopal) in Scarsdale. Come for a fun evening to hear talented musicians and some surprises. All proceeds will go to RMM to support programs for the young people in the Youth Arts Group (YAG) and the Youth Economic Group (YEG). Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. For more info contact Rene Thiel at 914-548-2163
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Regional and National News
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Gavin Meek joins Presbytery Leaders in Urging GA 223 to not increase per capita
From Presbyterian News Service -- A group of 40 mid council leaders has written a statement urging the 2018 General Assembly to vote down a proposed General Assembly per capita increase- saying the proposed increase of 39 percent from 2018 to 2019 and another 7 percent from 2019 to 2020 feels like "taxation without representation."
These mid council leaders contend the number of congregations not remitting per capita will "dramatically increase" if per capita goes up, and that presbyteries would bear the financial burden.
Read the full story and statement.
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Proposed Change from "racial ethnic" to "people of color" in PC(USA) parlance
The Advisory Committee on Racial and Ethnic Concerns and Racial Ethnic and Women's Ministries has recommended that GA 223 change PC(USA) nomenclature from "racial-ethnic" to "people of color."
The Rev. Thomas H. Priest Jr., vice chair of ACREC, said the committee worked with RE&WM and all agreed that the term "racial-ethnic" no longer represented the work and ministry for people of color.
The group reached the conclusion that based on their research, "people of color" better defined the work and ministry among people who are adversely affected by white supremacy and its components that perpetuate systems of white privilege and power.
Priest said, "Current and past ACREC members recognized that many racial concerns evolved from not being at the table where policy and governing decisions were/are made. Therefore, it is not about only addressing racial concerns but achieving racial equity by diverse voices participating in church governance."
Read the full Presbyterian News Service story and GA paper.
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Comments Sought on Proposed Rules of Discipline
The task force working on the first revision to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Rules of Discipline has completed its first draft and is seeking comments on it from throughout the church. The six-person group will receive feedback until September 15, 2018, when it will go to work on a second draft. Read the full PNS Story.
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Regional and National Events
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Class on the Hebrew Prophets by Renown Rabbinical Scholar, April 30-May16
All are welcome to attend the upcoming class called "A Journey in Love: The Subversive and Creative Wisdom of the Hebrew Prophets" at the Stony Point Center.
Rabbi Nahum is the Scholar-in-Residence at Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Fe, NM. He is a Fellow of the Rabbis Without Borders Initiative and a Rabbinic Mentor for the Clergy Leadership Incubator. He has offered workshops and classes across the country including at Stony Point Center and Union Theological Seminary.
Each class will begin at 7 pm and last two hours. Participants are asked to make an effort to attend all or most of the classes on the following dates: April 30, and May 3, 6, 8, 10, 14 and 16. Participants are invited to pay whatever they can afford up to $30 per session, and all proceeds benefit the Community of Living Traditions at Stony Point Center. Class size is limited, and registration is required.
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You're invited: "First Reformed" Film Premiere & Discussion featuring Dale Southorn, May 3
The Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco invites the Hudson River Presbytery to a special event at the Jacob Burns Film Center on May 3rd at 7pm.
Join us at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville for this very special evening of film, reflection and conversation. Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver and The Last Temptation of Christ) and the Burns Center have combined to invite the PCMK family and friends to an American premiere of this powerful, timely film about faith, corruption and the destruction of our environment. The movie at 7pm, will be followed by a panel discussion with writer and director Paul Schrader, Pastor Dale Southorn and JBFC Board President, Janet Maslin.
Click on the link to get your tickets for this special event
burnsfilmcenter.org
Check out the trailer!
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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.
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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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Attention Christian Educators!
Northeast Regional Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (NEACE) Annual Meeting will be May 1 - May 3 at Linwood Retreat Center in Rhinebeck, NY. It will focus on partnering with immigrant youth in social transformation and feature the Rev. Richard C. Witt Rural and Migrant Ministry's Executive Director and Andres Chammorro of RMM's Youth Empowerment Program.
Download the flyer with registration info and spread the word!
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Mediation Skills Training, May 7-11
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is sponsoring a Mediation Skills Training. Our HRP Mediation team highly recommends this educational event. The
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders (MSTI) will be held
Monday through Friday, May 7-11, 2018 at
Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church Street, Hartford, CT.
Clergy and all persons in positions of church leadership who are interested in learning skills that will equip them to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of church conflict
Please note that the deadline to register with a
$200 tuition discount
is April 6, 2018. Space is limited, so we encourage you to register early. For more information, visit
www.LMPeaceCenter.org
.
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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.
For Scholarship Information and/or to request a Scholarship for the Conference, please contact Charles Barton at [email protected].
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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!
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Help Raise $66K to Get Emergency Water to Flint, MI
A few days ago,
AFYA Foundation
received an extraordinary donation of 500 pallets of water. They reached out to Hitchcock Presbyterian Church to see if the church and others could raise the funds to transport it on 22 tractor trailers from NYC to Flint. Can you and your congregation donate to help get this desperately needed water to Michigan?
On 4/7, CNN reported that Flint Michigan was ending its free water bottle distribution program and residents are terrified. Lead testing remains high and the need for support is dire.
Local churches have served as distribution sites for bottled water and have run out. When they learned of this donation, they saw it as an answer to prayer. Read more
Afya has $265,000 worth of water ready to move and Hitchcock needs to raise $66,000 to make this happen. Two tractor trailers have already left for Flint but we need to move 20 more! Donate online and spread the word.
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Protect Children, Support HR 4391
From the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness: Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi just spent her 17th birthday in Israeli military detention. Tamimi was arrested by Israeli soldiers at her home in December, taken into custody, and charged with several offenses including some relating to her physically assaulting an armed Israeli soldier who entered her family's property on December 15. Like other Palestinian children arrested by Israeli forces in the West Bank, Tamimi is subject to Israeli military law under which, as human rights groups have documented, they routinely experience ill treatment.
OPW encourages you to send a message to Congress to support The Promoting Human Rights by Ending Israeli Military Detention of Palestinian Children Act (H.R. 4391) which would require the Secretary of State to certify annually that no funds obligated or expended in the previous year by the United States for assistance to Israel have been used to support prohibited practices under international law. Learn more.
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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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Resources for Education, Liturgy & More!
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Resist and Persist: Faith and the Fight for Equality
New from Westminster/John Knox Press! Patheos blogger and Disciples of Christ pastor Erin Wathan's book championsthe crucial role the church must play in advancing women's equality.
In a starred review, Publishers Weekly states, "Wathen looks at society and Christianity through a feminist and antiracist lens, mounting powerful arguments about why it's essential to raise boys as feminists and how social media can be especially dangerous for women.
Each of Wathen's chapters ends with a set of questions for discussion, a helpful tool for teachers and professors. This trenchant book is a much-needed manifesto for twenty-first-century Christian feminism."
Read more.
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Brand New PC(USA) Confirmation
The brand-new confirmation curriculum for the
PC(USA) is Big God Big Questions:
Confirmation for a Growing Faith
. Based on the findings of the Confirmation Project, it is focused on preparing youth to authentically answer the traditional membership questions. Learn more and download a sample!
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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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Do you have Older Hymnals to Share?
A PC(USA) congregation in Rincon Puerto Rico which is part of 1001 new worshipping communities, is trying to begin an English language worship. The church would be so happy to have about 25 hymnals in good condition -- could be the old blue hymnal or the New Glory to God. Does your congregation have some to donate? Contact Barbara Devir at
[email protected]
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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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Presbytery of Southern New England Seeks PT Stated Clerk
Southern New England Presbytery is seeking a part-time RE or TE as their Stated Clerk, 15 hrs weekly.
Learn more.
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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.
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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.
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RMM Seeks Regional Coordinator, Youth Economic Education Coordinator and Graphic Designer
Rural and Migrant Ministry, an HRP partnership and longstanding mission partner, is searching for a Hudson River/Catskills Regional Coordinator and also for a Youth Economic Education Coordinator.
Read more about both of these exciting opportunities. RMM is also seeking a Graphic Designer. Learn more
here.
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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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Reformed Church of Bronxville Seeks
Senior Minister / Head of Staff
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I've heard tell that several little piggies have headed, respectively, to market, to home, to dine on roast beef, and to bypass dinner entirely. But as for THIS little piggy, I'm interested in the latest news and events so I know where to go at any given moment to connect with Presbyterians and join in our collective witness! So I turn to Hudson Happenings!
HH is 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 this irresistible photo of me. (the link is embedded). |
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