A Monthly Publication of the Regional Synod to help keep all members of our churches informed about the -work of their Synod.  Please download and share this information.

 

REGIONAL SYNOD WEBSITE IS UP and RUNNING…The address is www.nysynod.org.  It contains the latest news and events, columns, prayer chapel, picture gallery, media player, and even your local classis pages.

You may also find pictures of your pastors and friends on the site.  Check it out!!!

 

FROM THE RSNY PRESIDENT…The General Synod meeting in June was definitely one that was blessed with God’s presence.  As we all continue to work toward the goals of Our Call, we must remain mindful that we are not yet there, but continue to move ever closer.  General Synod addressed many issues sensitive to all.  As the Regional Synod of New York continues to strive in its efforts to reach EVERY church within its bounds, let’s acknowledge and pray that The race is not given to the swift, nor the strong, but to those who endure to the end.  Our work is before us. We will conduct our Synod Executive Committee and Committee Meetings knowing that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is present with us!

            The Peace of the Lord be with you all throughout the days to come.   - Wilbur Jones

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL SYNOD PRESIDENT…All pastors and leaders are encouraged to make sure that ALL our members have an opportunity to read, reflect on, and discuss the Belhar Confession.  The General Synod 2009 voted to adopt the Belhar Confession as a fourth standard of unity for the Reformed Church in America.  If ratified by two-thirds of our classes, the Belhar Confession will take its place alongside the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort and the Heidelberg Catechism.  This vote is important because our confessions reflect who we are and what we believe.  Questions??? Contact Earl James (ejames@rca.org or 616-916-8077) or Doug Fromm (dfromm@rca.org or 212-870-3247).  More resources for study and reflection can be found on The Belhar Study Center on the RCA website at www.rca.org/belhar.  - James L. Seawood

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING…

-          The Castle, an off-Broadway play, will be presented on Sunday, September 27^th at The Reformed Church of Bronxville, 4:30 p.m.  This hour long eye-opening production shares the challenges ex-offenders face once their debt to society is paid and the time has come to reintegrate into a now unfamiliar world.  The Castle kicks off the church’s Coming Home initiative, a mentoring program for recently released offenders who have earned college degrees.  The cast – three men and one woman – tell their life stories from childhood, crime, prison and homelessness to the joy of becoming tax payers.  Tickets are available at www.reformedchurch.org or by contacting Louanne, 914-337-6776, Ext. 153.

-          Historical Records and Archives Workshop sponsored by the Church Life Committee of the Classis of Mid-Hudson will be held on Saturday, October 3^rd at Old Dutch Church, Kingston, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Rev. Russell Gasero, Archivist for the RCA, will lead participants through the The 5 W’s of Archives: A Journalistic Approach.  Registration fee is due by September 21^st: $10.00/ RCA church or $10.00/person for all other churches or individuals. Make checks payable to: Classis of Mid-Hudson and mail to: Rev. Arlene R. Wilhelm, 25 Henry W. DuBois Drive, Apt. 30, New Paltz, NY 12561.  Questions?? Contact Arlene, 845-255-8870.

-          Is your church in need of Children & Worship training this fall?  The Woodstock Reformed Church (Mid-Hudson) needs at least 5/6 more participants to join them in the coming month or two.  Please call Rev. Josh Bode (518-860-9888) if you are interested in teaming up with the Woodstock learners.

 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS…

·         Summer & After School Grant Applications are available through the Synod Office.  They have been mailed to those churches that participated in the past or requested them.

·         All PD&R Grant Applications MUST be returned to the Synod Office – APPROVED BY CLASSIS – immediately following classis meetings in October.

If you need Grant Applications or have questions, please contact the Synod Office at 914-332-1311 or RSynod@aol.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW…The Regional Synod of New York’s Fall Meeting on Saturday, October 24^th will be a business meeting.  Therefore, all delegates to Synod committees and executive committee member are expected to attend.  The meeting will be held at the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns and carpooling or mass transit is STRONGLY suggested.  Further information will be mailed later in September.

 

UP-COMING DATES TO NOTE AT THE WARWICK CENTER

ELDERHOSTELS:

October 18 – 23                                         America’s Landscape Painters: the Hudson River School; Move to the Sound of the Big Bands, The Rockefeller Dynasty

October 25 – 30                                         Wine, Wineries and The Culinary Institute of America; Autumn Secrets and Spectacles, The World of Classical Music

LEISURE STUDY PROGRAMS:

October 11 – 16                                         Prime Time Fellowship/Autumn Adventure: The Bible’s Most Extraordinary Cast of Characters, Kern and Arlen – Their Songs Live On!

2009 WARWICK OPEN HOUSE…MONDAY, OCTOBER 12TH & TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13TH            

The Warwick Center will wrap up its year-long 50^th Anniversary Celebration. The Rev. Kathleen Edwards-Chase, Senior Pastor of  First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains will deliver the message: Appreciating What Is: No Excuse Living.  The music director will be Lorraine Nelson Wolf, award winning composer, singer and pianist.

For additional information, call 845-986-1164 or e-mail programs@warwickcenter.com

        

ABOUT THE SYNOD…

• Rev. Jennifer Bendelius was ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament on July 26^th at the Woodstock Reformed Church. There will be a special ‘Commissioning’ at the Flatbush Reformed Church, Saugerties (Mid-Hudson) on Sunday, September 20^th, 4:00 p.m.
• Rev. Tiffany Houck-Loomis will be ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament at the Fort Washington Reformed Church, September 27^th at 3:00 p.m.  (New York)
• Rev. Adrian Thorne will be ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament on Sunday, October 11^th.  Time and place TBD
• Rev. William Hanousek will be installed as pastor of the Community Church of Queensboro Hill (Queens) on Sunday, October 11^th at 4:00 p.m.
• Rev. Jeffrey Gargano has accepted the Call to the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns (Rockland/Westchester) and will be installed at a time and date TBD
• Rev. Ed Schreur has accepted the Call to the Greenville Community Church, Scarsdale (Rockland/Westchester) and will be installed on aSunday in October  - exact time and date TBD.
• Claryville Reformed Church (Orange) will celebrate its 160^th Anniversary on Sunday, October 18^th  with as special service of worship at 10:00 a.m.!  Rev. Paul Nulton serves as M/C to this church family.
• The Reformed Church of Huguenot Park will celebrate their 160^th Anniversary on September 13^th.

 

YOU ARE INVITED on Sunday, September 13, 2009, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. to the Dedication and Grand Opening of the Workplace Education Center of Sullivan County at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Monticello.  The Center, through educational programs that link and benefit both workers and businesses, is working to improve living standards in Sullivan County.  This Center is a unique partnership of seven organizations: The Kairos Project, New York State Labor-Religion Coalition, Rural & Migrant Ministry, St. John’s Episcopal Church, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, United Food and Commercial Worker’s Union 342 and the Worker’s Rights Law Center.  For more information, contact Rev. Dr. David Montanye at 845-485-8627 or davidmontanye@yahoo.com.