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The holiday season calls us to celebrate joy, but what does joy truly mean? Unlike happiness, which ebbs and flows with our circumstances, joy is a deep, abiding presence within us. Rooted in relationship and nurtured by experience, joy is not easily taken away—it must be surrendered to fade. Even when it feels as though it has slipped away, joy is often only forgotten, waiting patiently to be rediscovered. 

Howard Thurman's poignant poem, "I Will Light Candles This Christmas," paints a vivid picture of joy as an act of resilience and hope: 

I will light candles this Christmas. 

Candles of joy, despite all the sadness. 

Candles of hope where despair keeps watch. 

Candles of courage where fear is ever present. 

Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days. 

Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens. 

Candles of love to inspire all of my living. 

Candles that will burn all the year long. 

Thurman's words invite us to embrace joy not as a fleeting emotion but as a bold declaration of trust and defiance in the face of hardship. Joy is not something we conjure through sheer willpower or personal fortitude. Instead, it is a gift of faith—a light that shines within and through us, even in the darkest times. 

The story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, illustrates this beautifully in her song, the Magnificat: "My soul magnifies the Lord, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant" (Luke 1:46-55). Despite the uncertainty and challenges of her journey, Mary's faith anchored her joy and magnified her hope. 

In a sermon I preached years ago, The Scandal of Christmas, I reflected on the struggles Mary must have faced as whispers of doubt swirled in her community. "Why this one? Isn't she a nobody? Can you believe the story she is telling—visitation from an angel? Can you imagine Joseph standing by her? It doesn't take much to imagine what Mary endured before the nation would call her 'blessed.'" 

The prophet Isaiah centers joy and hope in God's steadfast presence: 

Surely God is my salvation; 

I will trust and not be afraid, 

for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; 

He has become my salvation. 

With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:2-6) 

This season, I am leaning on these truths in a deeply personal way. Last year, my family experienced the profound loss of our daughter-in-law in a tragic accident. As the anniversary of her passing approaches, I find myself needing to practice what I preach—to rediscover joy, to light candles of hope and courage, even amidst sorrow. 

The holiday season often amplifies grief, disappointment, and fear, but it is also a time for reflection and renewal. When we pause to light candles of joy, hope, courage, and love, we resist the weight of despair and affirm God's enduring presence in our lives. As we move through this season, let us pray for those who are grieving, struggling, or afraid. Let us extend love and support to those around us, shining as beacons of God's light in the world. 

The year's closing brings challenges and opportunities, but it also offers us a chance to step forward with hope. There is a time and a season for everything under the sun—a time to laugh and a time to dance. May you experience both this holiday season. This Christmas, may we light candles of joy that burn brightly, not just for the season, but all year long. 

God's peace and joy be with you now and always. 

Rev. Ashley and Family 

New Grants Coordinator

The Synod is pleased to announce our new Grants Coordinator, Commissioned Lay Pastor, Michael Yeoman. Michael currently serves the First Presbyterian Church of Oneida. One of his responsibilities is to oversee grant applications and grant management. To prepare himself for this work, Michael took two semesters of Grant Writing and Management at Mohawk Valley Community College. Currently, Michael is the Moderator of the Presbytery of Utica and has served on their Committee of Ministry as well as a Commissioner for Synod Assembly for two terms. As the Synod continues to roll out the Foundant Grants Application and Management Software, Michael will provide webinars on how to write a strong grant application and how to use the software. He will also train the various Synod Commission review groups on reviewing grants within the Foundant system. Michael will begin on January 2, 2025, and will also serve as the resource person for the Synod Commission Mission Working Group who will make recommendations on Campus Ministries and Youth and Young Adult Leadership Development grants at the January 24-25 Commission Meeting. 

You may reach him at michael.yeoman@synodne.org beginning on January 2^nd. 

Welcome, Michael! We look forward to your joining the Synod Team.

Webinar Immigration Concerns and Sanctuary Congregations

JAs immigration enforcement concerns remain a pressing reality, it is vital that we come together to support vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. We invite you to join Amanda Craft, Manager of Immigration Advocacy for the Office of the General Assembly, for a gathering addressing Post-Election Immigration Concerns and Sanctuary Congregations on January 7, 2025, 11am-12:30pm.

This will be a compassionate space for expressing concerns, sharing experiences, and building resilience. 

January 7 Webinar Highlights

• Identifying and addressing the unique needs of your community. 
• Advocacy actions and organizing for care and support. 
• Developing actionable rapid response and care plans. 
• Exploring ways the General Assembly-level Office of Immigration Issues can assist. 

Who should attend?

• Individuals directly affected by immigration enforcement and their families. 
• Pastors and leaders with members who may be impacted. 
• Mid Council Leaders
• All who are ready to stand in solidarity with immigrants in your congregations, mid councils, or communities?

These conversations are pivotal to organizing, advocating, and providing care for those most at risk. Together, we can take actionable steps to ensure our congregations and communities are sanctuaries of support and hope. 

Amanda Craft, manager of immigration advocacy in the Office of the General Assembly, will lead the discussion. As national staff, Amanda trains leaders in immigration advocacy policy efforts in their contexts through work guided by immigrant-led organizations and interfaith coalitions. She has lived and served in Central America and along the U.S.-Mexico border. Amanda lives currently with her husband and two sons in Kentucky and is completing a Doctor of Ministry program at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Connection to Transformation: Creating a Partnership Culture in Faith Communities

March 14 - 15, 2025

For generations, churches have served as the heart of community life, acting as catalysts for change and beacons of hope. This conference builds on that legacy, offering faith communities the empowering tools to harness their unique strengths and foster transformative partnerships.

Participants will be part of a collaborative effort, exploring strategies for engaging with local organizations, nonprofits, and community leaders to address pressing challenges and create lasting impact. Through dynamic workshops, inspiring speakers, and collaborative sessions, the event will equip church leaders, members, and organizers with actionable tools to strengthen relationships, expand their reach, and cultivate a thriving culture of partnership rooted in shared faith and a commitment to addressing common needs.

Hosting Organizations:

This event is hosted by the Synod of the Northeast in collaboration with Reverend Patrick O’Connor (First Presbyterian Church, Jamaica, New York), the Tree of Life Nonprofit, and other civic and community leaders.

Conference Themes and Goals

• Explore the pivotal role of faith in fostering partnerships and driving community transformation, woven throughout plenary presentations, workshops, and panel discussions.
• Learn practical strategies for engaging with community organizations and repurposing church spaces, supported by case studies of successful partnerships with nonprofits, health centers, housing initiatives, and educational institutions.
• Simplify the process of public grant writing with accessible guidance.
• Discover effective ways to engage with local governments, civic organizations, and interfaith partners.
• Address challenges and opportunities in mobilizing resources and building sustainable church-community partnerships, with open discussions and shared solutions.
• Gain actionable strategies for mobilizing missional direct services and creating meaningful community change.