Hudson Happenings
H u d s o n  R i v e r  P r e s b y t e r y
In This Issue
January 10, 2019
Presbytery News & Events
A Confession for Such a Time as This
At the Synod of the Northeast gathering in October, a group of young ministry leaders wrote and presented "A Confession for Such a Time as This." Synod Assembly Commissioners voted to commend this document to churches of the Synod for study as a contextual statement of what Reformed faith can look like, lived out in this place at this time in history.

Hudson River Presbytery encourages all of its congregations to undertake a study of the document. You will see that the confession cites biblical references which will assist gospel communities in their study.
 
Commissioners discussed the confession by answering the following questions below. Your congregation may wish to explore these questions as a way to begin their study.
  • In what ways does the Confession "grate against" the borders we have created in our understanding and practice of "church" and being Christian?
  • What did it stir up for you personally and in your context?
  • In your presbytery, congregation and community:
    • How do the claims of this confession resonate, present challenges, call out a need for change?
    • How can we live into this confession in work, worship and community life for such a time as this?
Installation of Kathy Genus, Jan. 13

The Presbytery of Hudson River cordially invites you to attend the installation of the Rev. Kathy Genus as Pastor at All Souls Parish/The Presbyterian Church.

Service of Installation
January 13, 2019 
3:00 pm
All Souls Parish/The Presbyterian Church 
55 Parkway Dr. Port Chester, NY 10573

Reception to follow.

RSVP would be helpful to the church office
if you plan on attending the reception 914-939-4300 or by email 1allsoulsparish@gmail.com
Remembering Ruling Elders and Ministers Who Died in 2018
Please send information to presbytery by Jan. 15
At our January 29th presbytery meeting we will be remembering ruling elders and ministers who died during the past year. 

If your congregation has Ruling Elders (those who served on a session at any point in their lives) who died during 2018 and so should be included in this 2018 necrology, please send Jean Kaiser ( jean@hudrivpres.org) their names by January 15, 2019.  Jean will need the following information 1) the name and location of your congregation; 2) the Ruling Elder's name; and 3) the date of death.
Pastoral Sabbath at Stony Point, Jan. 23-24
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:  revleslie@optonline.net.
File Your Congregation's 2018 Statistical Report by Feb. 14
From Stated Clerk Susan Degeorge:  Your congregation's  2018 statistical report should be entered in the denominational database by Thursday, February 14, 2019. To file the report, go to http://oga.pcusa.org/section/churchwide-ministries/stats/statistical-reporting-faq, where you'll find both frequently asked questions and the option of entering the Online Statistical Entry System.

To enter the system, use the same church user name and password as in past years. (If you don't remember that information, please call the presbytery office and someone will provide it for you.)  Also note that the Session (not the congregation) must approve the report before it is filed.           
 
The report is different this year in several ways.  First, rather than having a separate booklet that explains each question, the explanations are now put right next to the questions themselves.  
 
Second, after you've done the basic statistical report that is similar to past years' reports, there is a separate tab that will take you to supplemental questions to be completed. 

I have been in touch with both the PCUSA's Manager of Statistics and their lawyer in the Office of Immigration Issues about concerns raised at the December presbytery meeting around these supplemental questions.  I have been assured that information on the supplemental question will be kept and used in generic terms as a whole. If it is shared at all, it would be as national statistical data, not specifying where the people represented are located. While this seems to answer the concerns expressed at the meeting, if your session is still uncomfortable with one or more of these supplemental questions, then I would advise you not to answer those questions. Filing the regular statistical report itself is, however, mandatory.
Get Innovative:  Challenge-to-Change!  Applications due Mar. 15
Each year Challenge-to-Change grants offer congregations and ministries within the presbytery the opportunity to try something new, as long as these ideas are congruent with the presbytery's vision statement.  So how about it?  Read how Pleasant Plains received a Challenge-to-Change grant and hosted a Five Wishes workshop.

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, 2019.  To learn more, check out the Challenge-to-Change document on the HRP website under the "Grants" tab. Questions?  Contact the  Rev. Cathy Surgenor, Chair of the HRP Grants Committee.

Presbyterian Women's Retreat

Ash Wednesday, March 6 

Stony Point Center

Save the date!  More information to come!
Save the Date!  Hudson River University, Mar. 16
Vital Communities of Faith:
Inside Resources, Outside Ministry Opportunities
Are you a congregational leader who needs help with Christian education, stewardship or doing social justice ministry in your church?

Saturday, March 16, 2019
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Stony Point Center

Opening Worship and Keynote Speaker, the Rev. Aquellah Ligonde, Pastor at Far Rockaway Presbyterian Church and Consultant with Youth Ministry Architects. Workshops at 11:00am and 1:00pm

This university is open to all... old and young... any church members, officers or friends from any of our HRP congregations! The best part is that tuition is FREE!!! There will be a cost for lunch ($15) but any and all instruction and materials will be at no charge.
Registration coming soon!  
Make a Difference
Souper Bowl of Caring, Feb. 3
Since 1990, young people have been leading the charge and inspiring others to collect dollars and food weeks leading up to the Big Game. Teaming up with local partners, these groups give 100% of donations to local charities, changing the nation's largest weekend of football into the largest weekend of caring.

A great youth group activity, Souper Bowl of Caring resources include bible studies, skits, online promotional memes, and how to's!  Learn more
Help CA Wildfire Recovery 
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is working with Santa Barbara Presbytery, Sacramento Presbytery and the Presbytery of the Pacific to respond to the recent wildfires in California. PDA has deployed National Response Team members to the Presbytery of the Pacific to be embedded into the American Red Cross shelters as Disaster Spiritual Care Providers. Grants are being disbursed and more deployments are forthcoming.  Pray;  donate; and prepare Gift of the Heart kits.
Learn more and help.  
Congregational News
PleasantPlainsPleasant Plains "Five Wishes" Workshop
What Could A Challenge to Change Grant Help You Do? 
The Pleasant Plains PC in Dutchess County recognizes themselves as a "greying" congregation with a surrounding demographic much the same, where families try to make end-of -life decisions without knowing the loved one's wishes. Five Wishes is an advance directive that can help avoid some of this confusion and distress. It is unique among living wills in that it speaks to the whole person: not only their medical issues, but also personal, emotional and spiritual needs. The workshop guides participants through completion of essential documents, and also offers advice on how to structure conversations with families and physicians. Their proposal was to offer a free workshop to about 50 participants from their congregation as well as the surrounding area on Five Wishes, and also host a community meal at the end. Of their anticipated $2,000 budget, they applied for, and received, $1,045.95 through the 2017 Challenge to Change grant program.  Read more.
Regional and National Events
Is God Calling Me?  January 12
This workshop is designed to help you connect with the uniqueness that makes you, you!  It is intended to help you deepen (or claim for the first time) the call that is uniquely yours that you might be FULLY ALIVE! 

Led by Dr. Deborah Rundlett, this seminar will provide an opportunity for you to honor your life's story and explore your purpose.  Saturday, Jan. 12, 9:00am - 12:00pm, Ridgebury Congregational Church. RSVP to Jennifer Wilson at jlwilsn@gmail.com. Download the flyer.


PC(USA) Peacemaking Seminar Trips to Central America and Philippines/Hong Kong in 2020

Central American Migrant Trails, Feb. 17-28, 2020
aims to help concerned Presbyterians better understand the immigration context we are facing in the US with our Central American brothers and sisters and why they take the risk of embarking on this dangerous journey north with children in tow. Learn more.

Root Causes and Current Challenges of Forced Migration and Labor Trafficking, May 4-15, 2020
Since 1974, the Philippine government systematized its labor export program, in response to increasing unemployment and underemployment and social unrest...
Almost 7000 workers per day, leave the Philippines to work in land-based and sea-based jobs. The labor force of Hong Kong domestic workers consists mostly of Indonesian and Filipina women. Learn more. 
Holmes Logo
See What's Coming at Holmes Camp and Retreat Center in 2019!
Check out all the great 2019 programs planned for adults, youth and children at Holmes Presbyterian Camp.

From weekend retreats to week-long camps, there's something for everyone!

Learn more at http://holmescamp.org

Resources for Education, Liturgy & More!

Gun Violence Prevention Kit for Presbyterians
February 14 marks the one year anniversary of the Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.  Presbyterian Peace Fellowship has prepared a study-worship-action resource for congregations.  We invite your congregation to observe the Universal Day of Prayer for Students on Sunday, February 17.  Download the resource.
Webinar Series: Money Conversations in the Church
The Presbyterian Foundation is offering a series of webinars in 2019 on engaging church givers in stewardship and money-related conversations. Pastors, business administrators, stewardship chairs, treasurers, session clerks, and others involved in the financial life of the church are invited to register. The workshops are free. You can sign up for the whole series, or just topics that interest you the most. Learn more.
Recovering from Un-natural Disasters
New from Westminster/John Knox, Recovering from Un-Natural Disasters is a must-read handbook for pastors and church leaders of communities who could or perhaps already have experienced an un- natural disaster, such as gun violence, suicides, or sexual abuse.

Unlike natural disasters, un-natural disasters deal with the concept of sin and require a different recovery strategy. In this book, readers will explore the four phases of human- caused disaster - Devastation and Heroism, Disillusionment, Reforming, and Wisdom - and receive step-by-step suggestions to use with their faith community during the recovery process. Example worship resources, including prayers, music suggestions, and sermons that are appropriate to use during periods of trauma and recovery, are included.  Learn more.
Employment Opportunities
Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Seeks PT Comms. Manager
The Communications Manager will compellingly represent PPF's values and priorities through written and visual communications; develop and carry out a communications strategy and plan through social media, the website, and written materials; maintain the website; and manage the internal communications of PPF.  Learn more about this 10 hour a week position.
FPC Yorktown Seeks PT Adult Childcare Provider
Child Care Help Needed-The First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown is seeking an adult childcare provider for 2-3 Sundays/month and for "special services as needed". Must be 18 or older. The position reports to the FPCY Childcare Coordinator, and works alongside co-caregivers, from 8:15am-noon. Pay is $15/hour. Contact Michele Mosca 914-227-7237 or michann731@gmail.com.
PT Interim Music Director Sought by FPC Yorktown
Seeking part-time Interim Music Director to provide musical leadership to Presbyterian Church in northern Westchester County. Music Director will direct and rehearse choir on Thursday evenings and provide service music on piano and organ at two Sunday Morning services. Send inquiries, or resume and cover letter to:
InterimMusic@FPCyorktown.org, or mail to: Interim Music Director Search, First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown 2880 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598.

Share Hudson Happenings
Rescue your friends from the jaws of disappointment! If you share HH with them they'll never be surprised by a missed presbytery event again!  HH will help them 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 toothy photo as an incentive!