From Your New Synod President... I have been extremely busy fielding phone calls and e-mails from colleagues and constituents attending General Synod in Holland, MI. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our past president, Elder Mary Linge, for her leadership and bold effort to question anything that represented or appeared to be “business as usual.” As we know, her questions became our forum to develop and implement the Year of Listening as we attempted to hear our own heartbeats throughout the region. Though we will miss Mary dearly, we know that there are other forums and boardrooms that eagerly await her participation. As a prelude to General Synod, Jon Norton and I conducted a Pre-Synod Meeting on May 30th at the Synod Office for fourteen voting delegates. Participants were given an overview of what to expect and how to participate as new/former delegates at this year’s most exciting to date General Synod! The delegates expressed their eagerness to arrive there knowing that they were well-versed and informed on the many issues and overtures that would be brought before them. I implored them to remember the Scripture – Luke 10:21-24 – respectfully, Blessed are the eyes which see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. These are encouraging words that I believed would help the delegates as they journeyed through their days at GS. In closing, I am still digesting the scope of work yet to be done. However, with the assistance of our current Executive Committee and Staff, I will continue reviewing past policies and goals, while looking forward to discussing new ideas and goals for the Regional Synod of New York. May the Peace of the Lord be with you, Wilbur Jones
The Camp Warwick Staff Alumni Reunion is scheduled for June 19-21, 2009. All registration information for the event can be found at www.campwarwick.com. Camp Warwick still has space for campers! There are scholarships available to help cover the cost of tuition. Visit www.campwarwick.com for more information about the dates and costs. If you know someone that has never been to camp, please encourage them to set up a tour with us! 3 for free! Just find 3 friends who have never been to summer camp at Camp Warwick. Have them put YOUR name on their registration form in the space marked 3 For Free Friend and send it in. It’s that easy. Once you have all been to camp, we will send you a refund for 100% of the cost of your week of camp.
RURAL & MIGRANT MINISTRY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF OVERNIGHT CAMP…Are you looking for a great VBS Mission Project or perhaps a summer Congregational Special Mission Emphasis? Some items needed for approximately 100 campers and 40 staff – Medium size beach towels (1 for each camper); Water Bottles (Does anyone know of a bank or Dr,’s office that uses these for advertising that might donate some?; T-Shirts @ $6.50 each (You collect the funds, we will have them printed). Counselors are desperately needed…are there some young adults (must be at least 18 years of age) or adults in your congregation that would volunteer for the week of August 23 – 29 at Camp Kutz in Warwick? For more information, please call us at 845-485-8627 or contact Jane Konitz, 845-297-5864 . UP-COMING PROGRAMS AT THE WARWICK CENTER ELDERHOSTEL: July 12 – 17 Global Warming and Nature’s Fury, The Long Road to Iraq and Afghanistan 1959 – The Best on Broadway, In Hollywood and in Popular Song July 19 – 24 Global Warming and Nature’s Fury, The Roosevelts: Teddy, Franklin & Eleanor And the Music and Emotions of World War II July 26 – 31 discover Everything Dutch in the Hudson Valley from 1609-2009 August 16 -- 21 The British Monarchy, the Unabashed Brilliance of Leonard Bernstein, Grounds for Sculpture August 23 -- 28 The Rockefeller Dynasty, the History of West Point and Move to the Sound of the Big Bands LEISURE STUDY: June 7 – 12 Prime Time Fellowship Spring Fling: Learning the Stories of Scripture through Stained Glass Windows and The Masterful Pipe Organ and Hymnody August 9 – 14 Revisit Woodstock, The Long Road to Iraq and Afghanistan, Introduction to Basic Bridge For additional site and program information, contact Arlene Tenckinck at 845-... or e-mail programs@warwickcenter.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED… Cuddybackville from Tuesday, August 23rd through Friday, September 18th…There is much painting to do. Paul Nulton will be replacing the steeple roof using a 90’ man lift. He needs one person used to working at heights to assist him in the cage. A safety harness must be worn by law. The ancient cedar shakes installed when the church was constructed must be removed and replaced with plywood, and then shingled. This work will be done from the man lift. Other volunteers are needed to paint the fellowship hall and church, with some shingling on low roofs. For more information, contact Paul Nulton, RSNY Volunteer Coordinator, at 845-598-1407 (Cell) or 845-986-2052 (Office) or e-mail: pnulton@warwickconferencecenter.org THE SCHOOL for CHRISTIAN LIVING AND SERVING, a ministry of the Classes of Mid-Hudson and Orange bids a fond farewell to Board President and Preaching Elder Michael Sweeney. Michael has been a faithful servant with vision and passion for the school. We wish him well as he devotes his time to attending classes at New Brunswick Seminary. The new Board President is longtime Christian Educator, Jane Konitz. Preaching Elder Janice Melichar-Utter will take over Jane’s former role as Curriculum Chair for the School. Congratulations ladies! Eighty-one course certificates were presented at the spring celebration of worship on Thursday, June 11th. Twelve courses, including two all day workshops on the Belhar Confession, were offered during this program year. ABOUT THE SYNOD…
Tiffany Houck-Loomis, Classis of New York, and James Steward II. James was the RSNY Youth Delegate to the 2008 General Synod.
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