I will make the attempt here to create a glimpse of the work of the Regional Synod of New York, but you must accept that there is much going on within our wonderful Synod. The Lord is working mightily among us, and even though the Synod staff is only human we work with continuous and strong effort to remain barely within sight of God’s trail to view what the Almighty is doing among the churches, and to offer our assistance. Much has happened this past year of which we are aware, some of these events we can predict will have great impact on the future life of the churches, the classes, the Regional Synod and our Denomination as a whole. Much of what has been done continues good work that has proven over time to be helpful to the churches, the classes and the Denomination.

First, in this report, I would like to bring before our attention my answers to the question, How are we doing?

Second, I want to offer my observations of the spiritual forces at work within our Synod and my interpretations of their impact among us.

Third, I have recommendations, if sustained by the Synod, that I hope will positively influence, and encourage us all in the better service of our Lord.

FIRST - HOW ARE WE DOING?

In answer I would like to characterize all of our churches into one of three different camps: thriving, stable, in trouble. By far the greatest number of churches, in my opinion, falls into the table’s category. Their ministry goes on. Worship is carried out, education of children and adults is carried out, the outside world is attempted to be reached with the gospel, buildings are maintained and the bills are paid. However, it appears to me that this center group of churches is shrinking in two different directions. There is a movement of stable churches toward the thriving camp. The number of this healthy group of churches seems to be growing. Among these churches membership is growing, new and innovative ministries are being developed and put into practice, and there is an active attempt to evangelize those who do not know Christ.

At the same time, through my same set of eyes, I see that those churches that are in trouble also seem to be increasing. These churches face even greater difficulties this year and are plagued with fears of their own demise. In other words those doing well seem to be getting better and those hurting seem to be doing worse. And the numbers of those churches in between are growing smaller as it feeds these two outside extremes.

Actually this phenomenon has been going on for years and the work of the Regional Synod has been aimed at giving support to all three different kinds of churches. There is controversy as to where the Synod should concentrate its help. As with any family though such choices of distribution of support involves pain and strong emotion. To look at what the Synod has done over the past I have compiled the following breakdown of the Regional Synod of New York’s involvement in there vitalization of the churches within its bounds, and also the assistance it has given in starting new churches:

 For these reports please go to those reports entitled Revitalization and New Church Starts all soon this Web page listed under 'About Us.'

SECOND, SPIRITUAL FORCESAT WORK IN THE REGIONAL SYNOD OFNEWYORK

I am proud of what RSNY has done over the past twenty five years. It

It has carried out the dream of my predecessor, the Reverend Bert Bossenbroek. His dream was that the Synod should concentrate its help among the struggling and weaker churches. RSNY is different from the from the other Regional Synods within the RCA. We are smaller, older, more tightly congested, more racially and culturally diverse and financially one of the weaker Synods. And because of those differences we have chosen to support our weak with higher assessments, because in the past it has been shown that simple asking of the churches did not work. This procedure has always been controversial, over the years, but has proven to be a very successful model for carrying out the work of the church.

Because of the help that was offered to the weaker among the Synods churches, it can be claimed that we have 65 churches still existing within the Metropolitan New York City area. RSNY made a commitment not to leave the City and we are still there strong and I believe growing stronger. In contrast the city of Chicago has only one Reformed Church left within the bounds of the city. Refusal to meet the challenge of change caused by changing economies, racial configurations, cultural shifts and style variations slowly drained the life out of Chicago’s Reformed churches. But here in New York City, with the help of God’s Spirit, we have survived, and even better than that grown. We have more churches now in our time than we did 40 years ago. Oh yes, our total membership is less, but the outposts for bringing the gospel are growing and the variety of styles, the number of languages, and cultures represented among us is the envy of all within our denomination. Here we have staked out a position and believe united we stand together. We have not fallen to the temptation to care only about our own congregation’s problems.

And because we did not leave the city we were here, as a denomination to greet the huge gatherings of African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Africans that have moved those towns and regions where our churches have been for many years. Because we decided to stay our Synod now speaks twelve languages and now more completely represent the full rainbow of skin colors that God has created. Because we hung together in the difficult times we are now able to see God in all his wonder and majesty that the races and cultures bring to our perspectives.

Has this been an easy road to travel? NO! We have faced many trials and problems. And there is much to overcome in the future. Some want to say that problems we have faced could have been solved by the answers given by the business world. That the great problems are ones of money and organizations structure. Others have claimed our educational model has been weak. Still others shout out that the political over lords of our times have failed to support the church. Of course we have also heard about the deleterious effect of the movies, of television, and other outside influences bringing pressure on the church. But I believe these are all secondary issues. They are not at the heart of the matter. They only make the struggle a little tougher. But the real spiritual trouble facing our churches is that we keep looking for the source of our problems outside our own doors. We see the world outside our church door as our enemy, and we hole up in a defensive posture thinking that holding on to our traditions, and comfortable ways of doing ministry ought never to be challenged or changed. We feel the world should change and become like us. We find it so difficult to understand that the people outside our churches can뭪find it in their hearts to love the church which we love so much. As has been said by sages of the past,밫he enemy is us. It is our resistance to change, our fear of the unknown, and our unwillingness to accept what seem strange that holds us back. It is our lack of faith; we do not believe that God will lead us through the deserts of our lives to the promised land of thriving vitality.

And yet, in my twelve years as your Synod executive I have observed that the revitalizing churches within our Synod have all without exception chosen to modify their own behavior in order the meet the needs of those who are not members of their church. Instead of saying that the people outside the church must become like them, the members of the revitalizing church have altered their way of being the church so that those who do not know Christ can come to know Him in a way they understand.

They have allowed new styles of worship in their churches. They have encouraged and supported news of mission work to be embraced. They have sought out people who were different from themselves both racially and culturally. They have looked for the gifts of God everywhere, in every one, and they have seen God in a broader, fuller more wonderful way. God has blessed them in their willingness to change.

THIRD - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REGIONAL SYNOD OFNEWYORK

1.The Regional Synod of New York shall encourage among the churches and classes, in anyway that it can, what any church needs to know to witness to its faith. And that all standing committees and special committees of Synod shall incorporate these understandings in their work for the Synod.

KNOW YOURNEIGHBOR

a. Know your neighbors sense of self concept: is it positive or negative?

  b. Know both the surface and deep felt needs of your neighbor.

c. Know your neighbors preconceptions of others and of yourself.

d. Who are your neighbors primary source of reference.

e. What is the social unit that your neighbor belongs to?

  f. Timing is everything. Pray that you bring the gospel to a person when he or she is ready. Use good judgment by thinking of what the person may accept rather than your wish to give.

2.  The Regional Synod of New York shall encourage among the churches and classes, in every way that it can, the evangelistic heart encapsulated in the following Ten Commandments. And that all the standing committees and special committees of Synod shall incorporate these Commandments in their work for the Synod.

THE TENCOMMANDMENTS OF EVANGELISTIC COMMUNICATION

1.      YOU SHALLPREPARE

2. YOU SHALL ENTER THE WORLDOUTSIDE THE CHURCH.

3. YOU SHALL MAKE THECONNECTION

4. YOU SHALL BETRANSPARENT

5. YOUR SHALL LET YOURCONVICTIONS SHOW

6. YOU SHALL BEPRACTICLE

7. YOU SHALL USE YOURIMAGINATION

8. YOU SHALL BEENTHUSIASTIC

9. YOU SHALL ASK FOR THEORDER

10.  YOU SHALLEVALUATE

2. The Regional synod of New York wishes to thank and encourage the standing committees for their work and that they have taken up the challenge of the Synod of 2005: More and more churches are taking advantage of helpful tools such as Natural Church development and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator offered by the Synod Staff. The CCLD program has created a new workshop for pastors with ten year experience, and many leaders within our Regional Synod are taking part in working toward a healthy and meaningful resolution of the issue concerning Homosexuality facing our denomination. The Regional Synod wishes to challenge the committees to continue with this fine work and to report back next year any new initiatives they wish to introduce.

The Regional Synod of New York meets corporately twice each year, once in May and again in October.  At these meetings, the official institutional work of the Regional Synod is dealt with.  In between these meetings the Executive Committee of the Synod meets and carries on the business of the Synod. Currently, the Executive Committee meets five times per year.

The membership of this committee is made up of all seven Classis Presidents and Clerks, representatives from the minority councils, RCA women, the Warwick Center, the Synod Officers, the Executive Minister and one area minister, and the chairpersons of the standing committees of the Synod.

The Synod's current officers are:

                                 President                Wilbur Jones

                                                106-16 159th Street - Apt. 2D

                                                Jamaica, NY 11433

                                                (718) 291-1665

                                                 wiljones1@verizon.net

     1st Vice President                 Rev. Toni Macon

                                                Wallkill Reformed Church

                                                 P.O. Box 54

                                                 Wallkill, NY 12589

                                                 (845) 895-2181

                                                 tonimacon@yahoo.com

       Stated Clerk                        Rev. Conrad Strauch

                                                St. Paul's Reformed Church

                                                158 Phelps Lane

                                                North Babylon, NY 11703

                                                (631) 661-5562

                                                conradstrauch@optonline.net  

          Treasurer                        Susan Meaney

                                                7 Sutton Park Road

                                                Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

                                                (845) 462-8171

                                                 bean17@optonline.net

Standing Committees

There are four standing committees of the Regional Synod of New York.  They are:

                    * Spiritual Life and Education

                    * Missions, Outreach and Social Concerns

                    * Human Support

                    * Planning, Development and Revisioning

Spiritual Life and Education

The work of this committee is to foster in any way possible the work of the Classes and local churches in building up the spiritual life of the Christians within our churches and also their education in Christian knowledge.

This committee supervises the expenditures of Synod funds to the Warwick Center (our retreat center), the Summer Program and the After-School Program, both designed to assist in the education and inspire love of children within our churches.  It also supports SPECTRUM, an every other year event for high school aged young people, as well as other youth ministry. 

Contact Joyce Wyka at (845) 856-8702 for more information.

Missions, Outreach and Social Concerns

This committee has two main areas of concentration.  First, assisting our churches in their outreach to the many peoples within their various cultures surrounding our churches.  Currently, the Synod is sponsoring leadership training for pastors and lay leaders who wish to reach out to the many 'unchurched' people that could be touched with the good news of the Gospel.  There are four educational sites through the Synod where this education is going on.'

The second emphasis of this committee is to support various ecumenical and social causes that make for a more loving and cooperative general society.  Financial support is given to college chaplaincy programs, the New York City Council of Churches, the New York State Community of Churches, Rural and Migrant Ministry, Special Ministry to the Japanese, and various diaconal ministries.

Contact Rev. Thomas Goodhart at (718) 821-2700 for more information.

Human Support

This committee supervises various programs that are aimed at assisting the clergy and lay leaders within our churches.  Counseling and financial help is given to clergy contemplating their call to the ministry.  Various kinds of retreats and a lay recognition dinner are organized for leaders within our churches.  Special attention is given to those retired from the ministry.

Currently, a special program for clergy new to the Synod of New York is offered.  Ministers in crisis may seek the help offered by the Synod of New York at any time. 

Contact Rev. James Beukelman at (845) 331-2782 for more information.

Planning, Development and Revisioning

The work of this committee is to function hand-in-hand with the seven classes within the Synod in the revitalization of churches, the starting of new churches or the adopting of existing churches into the RCA.  Financial grants and/or loans are given to RCA churches within the Synod.

The process for assistance includes the completion of an application and Classis approval of the proposed plan.

Currently there is no chairperson of this committee.  If you are interested, please contact the Synod Office.

Supervises staff and ministries of the Synod. Serves as consultant for church redevelopment and new church starts. Staffs the Synod's program committees, acts as a resource to churches, leads retreats, pastors the synod's pastors, and represents the synod in ecumenical ministries.

Executive Minister

Rev. Jon Norton
42 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591
Telephone: (914) 332-1311; Fax: (914) 332-0460
Email: rsynod@aol.com

Synod Area Ministers

Assists classes and congregations in their various ministries; serves as a pastor to area pastors; and works cooperatively with other Synod area ministers in regional and denominational responsibilities.

Rev. Thomas Danney 

Synod area minister for the classes of the Mid-Hudson and Orange County

P.O. Box 565, Nyack, NY 10960

(845) 358-5518

tdanney@optonline.net

Rev. Clara Woodson,

Synod area minister for the classes of Brooklyn, New York and Rockland-Westchester Counties
317 Howard Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11233
(718) 953-6405

morwdson@aol.com

Rev. Thomas HungYong Song,

Synod area minister for the classes of Nassau-Suffolk and Queens
61-10 171st Street -3rd Floor, Flushing, NY 11365

Telephone: (917)838-9005
Email: pastoralcare123@yahoo.com

-----------------------------------------

Regional Synod of New York Officers

Susan Meaney,

Synod Treasurer Synod of New York

7 Sutton Park Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

(845) 462-8171

bean17@optonline.net

Conrad Strauch, Jr.

Synod Stated Clerk - St. Paul's Reformed Church

158 Phelps Lane, N.Babylon, NY 11703 

Telephone: (631) 661-5562

E-mail: conradstrauch@optonline.net

Micheal Edwards

Coordinator of the Summer Programs for Children

P.O. Box 824-Triboro Station, New York, NY 10035

Telephone: 212-337-6800

E-mail: michealedwards@compuserve.org

Shirley Smith

Coordinator of the After-School Program

4-21 Astoria Blvd., Apt.6C, Long Island City, NY 11102

Telephone: (718) 204-1493

Jane Konitz

Editor of the Synod News

4 Dennis Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

Telephone: (845) 297-5864

E-mail: c.konitz@verizon.net,

Jane Kuntz

Administrative Assistant to the Executive Minister of the Regional Synod of New York

42 North Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 

Telephone: (914) 332-1311

E-mail: Rsynod@aol.com

Regional Synod of New York

11/13/2006

1.      The Regional Synod meets twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall.  It receives reports from its executive committee, standing committees and staff.  It governs the entire work of the Regional synod.

a.       The Regional Synod is divided into five standing committees made up of members appointed by the seven Classes of the Regional Synod

        1)   The Spiritual Life and Education Committee

2)      The Mission, Outreach and Social Concerns Committee

3)      The Human Support Committee

4)      The Planning, Development and Revisioning Committee

5)      The Judicial Business Committee

       b.  An Executive Committee of the Regional Synod meets four times      

            during the years and hears reports from the four standing committees

       c.  The executive committee is divided into several committees

            made up from members of the executive committee itself and hears 

            reports from them.

                  1)     Finance committee which prepares a budget for the entire Synod.

                  2)     Promotions committee which promotes the Synod to 

                           the Classes and churches

          3)          Nominations committee which presents slates of   

                  candidates to the executive committee and to the entire  

                  Regional Synod.

        d.  The executive committee also hears reports from the staff.

        e.  Membership on the executive committee is made up of:

          1)      The Presidents and Classis Clerks of each of the seven Classes  

                within the Synod.    

          2)      A President, two Vice-Presidents, a stated Clerk, and a Treasurer

                elected by the Regional Synod

          3)     Representatives from the racial and ethnics councils sent by the councils.

          4)      General Synod Delegate sent by the General Synod

          5)      Representative of Warwick Conference Center

          f.  The Staff of the Regional Synod includes:

   1)  Full time executive minister    

   2)  Full time executive assistant and office manager to the   

        executive minister.

   3)  Full time Coordinator of Volunteers (Employed by the

        Synods of New York, and Mid-Atlantics, Warwick  

        Conference Center and the Denomination).

   4)  Three part time Synod Area Ministers

   5)  Part time administrator of the After School Program

   6)  Part time administrator of the Summer Program for Children

   7)  Part time administrator of the Church Leadership

        Development Program

   8)  Part time administrator of the RSNY Mediation Team

   9)  Part time Treasurer

 10)  Part time Stated Clerk

 11)  Part time Newsletter editor

 12)  Volunteer administrator of the Interim Ministry Specialists    

        Committee