Summer Issues of
Hudson Happenings
will be published on
August 2
August 23
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From Your Interim General Presbyter & Council
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Letter from the Rev. Gavin Meek, Interim General Presbyter
June 14, 2018
To HRP, its Minister Members and Congregational Leaders:
Yesterday, with a mixture of joy and sadness, I shared with the Council of HRP that I have accepted the invitation of the Guiding Council of the Presbytery of New Harmony, upon the recommendation of their search committee, to be their Transitional Executive Presbyter/Stated Clerk beginning August 1. This presbytery includes the 11 counties in the northeast corner of South Carolina, consisting of 65 congregations; 19 African-American, 1 Korean and 45 majority white worshiping communities. [Read the full letter]
Letter from HRP's Council
June 25, 2018
To HRP, its Minister Members and Congregational Leaders:
We want to share with you that the Council met to officially receive Interim General Presbyter Gavin Meek's notice. Due to accumulated vacation and study leave, Gavin's
 last day working will be Monday, July 9th
.
We also want to share with you the
good and exciting news
that the Council approved
Rev. Peter Surgenor
as the
Temporary General Presbyter
, serving until the call of the next installed General Presbyter. Peter will begin July 1. However, you all know that Peter does not need any orientation to HRP. He joined HRP the beginning of 2000 when he was called as the Director of Holmes Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center, retiring last September. He has served in many capacities within HRP, most recently on the Transition Team that called Gavin as the Interim General Presbyter and that led the presbytery through its time of transition. [Read full letter]
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GA 223 Update and Summary of Key Actions
The 223rd General Assembly concluded on June 23th. Many of the overtures generated by Hudson River Presbytery or with which the presbytery concurred, were either passed or referred to committee with the notable and lamentable exception of the overture from HRP recommending PC(USA)'s divestment from fossil fuels. Visit
http://hrpga223.wordpress.com
for a summary of key decisions, to get front-line reports from HRP Commissioners and staff, as well as to link directly to overtures (on the overtures page) to see their final language.
From the Rev. Dr. Susan DeGeorge, Stated Clerk
Gavin and I want to thank the wonderful commissioners who represented Hudson River Presbytery at GA this year-Moderator Keith Brokaw, Moderator-Elect Lori Knight-Whitehouse, TE Martin McGeachy, RE Besty Bostwick, and YAAD Austin Kim. They worked hard in both committee meetings and plenary sessions (on one or two occasions working through the dinner hour or into the wee hours of the morning), they participated actively in each task put before them, they wrote regularly for our presbytery's blog so you could hear personal accounts of what they were doing and deciding, and they did it all with great patience and grace. If you haven't read their
posts on the blog, it's worth the time to do so to get a firsthand account of what it's like to be at General Assembly.
We also want to thank our Overture Advocates from Hudson River-- Kathy Dean, Jeromey Howard, Peggy Howland, Margery Rossi, Billye Zoe Steinnagle, and Rick Ufford-Chase. Overture Advocates also put in long hours strategizing and becoming experts on the overtures we've passed as a presbytery. They then pay for all their own costs to and at GA so that they can represent us before the appropriate committee. We are very grateful for their passion and commitment to these pieces of justice work!
Susan De George
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Pastoral Sabbath, Stony Point, July 25-26
Pastoral Sabbath is available at Stony Point Center, July 25 and 26th.
Register today.
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.
Cost is subsidized by HRP and SNE for ordained clergy.
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HRP/PW Promotes The Crayon Initiative
Presbyterian Women of Hudson River Presbytery invite you and your congregation to participate in
The Crayon Initiative which was promoted at the PW Synod of the Northeast Triennial. More than a half-million pounds of crayons are discarded every year, turning into a waxy sludge that clogs our landfills and never biodegrades. The Crayon Initiative collects donated crayons from restaurants, schools and homes across the country, then melts them down and re-manufactures them, reducing waste. The recycled crayons are distributed to art programs at children's hospitals across the US. You can
drop off your crayons at AC Moore Craft Stores from June 24 - Aug. 4.
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Help Commission Young Adult Volunteers for Service at Your Congregation, Sun. Aug. 26
The Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program is excited to invite your congregation to consider hosting a group of YAVs on Sunday, August 26, 2018 for Commissioning Sunday.
Commissioning Sunday is a reminder to both the volunteers and our Church that we 'do not go alone' in God's mission.
The 2018-19 YAV class will gather at Stony Point Conference Center from August 20-27 before embarking on their year of service for a week of orientation. Our hope is that a representative from your congregation will commit to picking up a group of YAVs at Stony Point Conference Center, transporting the YAVs to your worship service, commission the YAVs during the service, host a meal following the service and return the group to Stony Point by 4 pm that evening. If you would like to set aside time in the service for each YAV to briefly introduce themselves, say where they'll be serving and the work they'll be doing, that is something we encourage as well. To host a YAV, contact Blake Collins, [email protected].
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Communion Training for Elders, Sept. 9 & 30
The Committee on Ministry will offer two training sessions in Regions 2 and 3 for elders.
Download the flyer.
Sunday, September 9, 3:00 pm
at Yorktown Presbyterian Church
,
2880 Crompond Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
Sunday, September 30, 2:00 pm
at Cornwall Presbyterian Church,
222 Hudson Street, Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY 12520
This training is for those elders whose training has lapsed (had training 2+ years ago)
, t
hose who haven't been trained yet
, those who have been authorized by their home-church Session (please bring a letter from Session with you to the training)
- Training in creating/officiating a service of Communion
- Introduction to the different parts of the service and what they signify
- Resource materials for creating the service
To register: Please call or email Jean Kaiser in the Presbytery office (914) 941-2100;
[email protected]
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HRP Youth and Youth Leaders: Save the Date for Presbyterian Youth Triennium, July 16-20, 2019 
Triennium is a truly amazing, once-every-three-year gathering of over 5,000 of Presbyterian Youth from across the US and the world. It is open to high school age youth from the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (entering 9th grade through graduated 12th grade). In 2016, the Hudson River Presbytery delegation members had a truly transformative experience as they were challenged to see all the ways that God is asking them to "GO" out into the world.
The theme of the 2019 Presbyterian Youth Triennium is "Here's My Heart", drawn from the words of the hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. Young people and their adult leaders are invited to "come experience God's love in a way so powerful and compelling that they, too, are moved to say, "Here's my heart". And together we will learn what it means to serve Christ with our intelligence, energy, imagination and love."
What do we need to get ready for Triennium 2019?
- Think about being a Delegation Leader or Adult Advisor if you are an adult - clergy, lay staff, or volunteer - who loves hanging out with Youth and wants to have a high energy, worship filled experience.
- Post information about Triennium where your Youth and their familes will see it - bulletins, newsletters, websites, email blasts, text messages, carrier pigeons, etc. The National Triennium office is looking for a rough head count of interested participants in October 2019.
- Check out www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org for more information about the event and graphics that you can use in your publications.
- Stay tuned for information on the registration process that will be available in the late summer/ early fall.
Please reach out with questions and interest (especially if you can help as a Delegation Leader) to Stephanie Hare, Director of Youth Ministries at FPC Yorktown, the 2019 Triennium Registrar for Hudson River Presbytery:
[email protected] or 914-826-1227.
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Regional and National Events
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Welcoming the Stranger, Crossing the Border, A Retreat for Clergy, Aug. 5-8
In the midst of our call to welcome the foreigner, clergy are increasingly finding it difficult to discuss immigration within their congregations, let alone take action.
Rural and Migrant Ministry invites you to a Retreat for Clergy at Liturgia Rural Worker Education Center in Lyons, New York. For 3 days, in the midst of the Northern Border and a region filled with farmworkers and the Border Patrol, we will pray, share stories and strategies, hear the stories of immigrant workers and reflect on our call to welcome and love the stranger. The inspiration for the Retreat will be the teachings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Retreat Leader:
Rick Ufford-Chase
Co-director of Stony Point Center, Stony point, NY & Former Moderator of the PC(USA).
For more information and to register, please contact: West Cosgrove, Western New York Coordinator, Rural & Migrant Ministry, [email protected], 915-443-4146 or the Rev. Richard Witt, Ex. Director, Rural & Migrant Ministry, 845-706-0536.
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Fabulous Summer Courses for Laity and Church Administrators at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond!
The Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary is excited to announce that registration for classes in our online Pathways to Learning and Leadership program is now available.Who are these classes for? Everyone!
- Church members who want to learn in more depth about the Bible and increase their ability to teach and even preach
- Those who are called to ministry as a Commissioned Ruling Elder and need the educational component. Learn more! And...
Union Presbyterian Seminary's Leadership Institute offers seminars in Church Business Administration. Whether you plan to pursue certification as a Church Administrator through our partnership with The Church Network, or you are already certified and need to take some classes for retention, or you just want to take a few seminars to see how to better serve in the administrative functions of your congregation, you are welcome.
Learn more!
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Awakening the Spiritual Heart: Contemplative Formation, Sept. 2018 - June 2019
This program offered at the Mariandale Retreat Center in Ossining is for those who long for a deeper spiritual life, who crave the silent place where the Spirit speaks, who hunger for a closer walk with God. It consists of 5 weekend retreats from September through June, 7 monthly small group meetings, at home spiritual practices, readings and journaling.
The cost including the weekend retreats is $1,990. For more information contact Bruce Baker, one of the presenters, at
[email protected]
or go to the Mariandale website.
The application deadline is July 30, 2018.
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Community Organizing and Congregational Leadership Certificate
NEXT Church, Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, and Metro Industrial Areas Foundation have teamed up to offer a Certificate in Community Organizing and Congregational Leadership.
The in-person training will be October 22-26, 2018 at Christ Lutheran Church in Baltimore, MD and there will be 12 distance learning sessions between Nov.-April.
This certificate program consists of a one-week intensive in-person training followed by a six-month distance learning cohort to integrate the training into your work. The program is open to clergy, laypeople, community leaders, seminarians, and others interested in organizing and community engagement.
Learn more!
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New Online Degree and Courses from Dubuque Seminary
UDTS has introduced a new
online
degree, Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, that strengthens students' knowledge of Christian scriptures and the church's theological tradition, and equip women and men for missional service and leadership in their chosen vocations. A B.A. degree in any field is the pre-requisite. For more information, please contact Kimberly Burnett-Hackbarth, Direction of Admissions 563.589.3405 /
[email protected]
.
Click here to learn more
.
And don't miss Dubuque Seminary's online courses in Christian leadership that start June 4 and run for 12 weeks. They're a great form of education that will equip and empower church leaders.
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Save the Date for Stewardship Kaleidoscope, Sept. 24-26! 
Meet us in St. Louis for Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2018 September 24-26, 2018! With keynotes by Diana Butler Bass and Chick Lane and worship led by Larissa Kwong Abazia, you'll be inspired and equipped for effective and joyful stewardship.
For Scholarship Information and/or to request a Scholarship for the Conference, please contact Charles Barton at [email protected].
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PC(USA) Evangelism Conference, Oct. 15-19
The 2018 Evangelism Conference is set for Oct. 15-19 at Zephyr Point in Lake Tahoe. Join fellow 1001 New Worshiping Communities leaders and others focused on renewing the church.
This retreat experience will include time for reflection and renewal. Registration is now open.
Learn more!
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Resources for Education, Liturgy & More!
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Peace and Global Witness Offering 
Webinar for Congregational Leaders, August 8
OnAugust 8, 2018 at Noon EDT
, the PC(USA) Office for Special Offerings will provide a webinar for
Congregation Leaders. A link to participate in the webinar or to view the webinar afterwards will soon be available on the office's website
http://specialofferings.pcusa.org/. Meanwhile you can find other helpful resources for this offering which is usually taken in during the Season of Peace, Sept - October, on that website.
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Free Educational Resources from
The Thoughtful Christian
Many congregations have subscribed in order to use resources from The Thoughtful Christian for adult and youth educational programs.
But did you know The Thoughtful Christian also has free resources? It's true. You can check them out
here.
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PC(USA) Resources for Youth Ministry, Confirmation and Education
As young people mature in faith and life, they search for greater understanding of themselves and their world.
Provide your church with resources that teach teenagers and young adults they can turn to their Bible and the Reformed tradition to find guidance throughout their lives. Explore PC(USA) resources for youth ministry and education.
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Six, Free, Sturdy Pews
The white plains presbyterian church has six sturdy wood pews that are free for the taking!
For 50 years they served in a choir rehearsal room that is now being re-purposed as an important community room. Come and get them before they are gone! Contact the Rev. Jeffrey Geary at
[email protected].
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Choir Robes Available!
First Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville has 17 choir robes available for free or freewill offering. Please contact
[email protected] for more information.
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Communion Sets for Donation
Beacon Presbyterian Church has two, silver communion sets that are in excellent condition for donation to a congregation who many need them. Read more about each set and the pieces it contains. Interested? Contact Beacon Presbyterian Church at
(845) 831-5322 or
[email protected].
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Nauraushaun Church in Pearl River Seeks PT Office Manager
The Nauraushaun Church in Pearl River is seeking a part-time Office Manager for a one-person office to manage the office and maintain communications that are vital to the church's ministries and mission. This position is 12 hours per week (9 am to noon, Tuesday to Friday) with two weeks vacation per year and standard holidays. Required: good interpersonal, administrative and computer skills; as well as knowledge of office equipment. Familiarity with Presbyterian denomination a plus. Salary: $12,500. For more information or to apply, contact
[email protected] or call 845-735-4745.
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All Souls Parish in Port Chester, Seeks Full-Time Solo Pastor
The All Souls
community consists of individuals at different points on their faith journeys who come together to join in worship, fellowship, small groups, and mission activities. We are looking for a pastor who will guide and encourage our involvement in both existing and new ministry and mission initiatives that evolve as a natural outgrowth of our vision to be more involved in the issues of hunger, poverty, social and environmental justice, and peace. Please see the
All Souls Parish Website
and
our
Ministry Information Form
or email the PNC at
[email protected]
for more information.
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First Congregational Church of Ridgefield Seeks Senior Pastor
The First Congregational Church of Ridgefield, United Church of Christ, a 650 member multi-staff church in suburban Fairfield County, CT, is seeking an experienced Senior Pastor to serve as spiritual leader and head of staff. Please contact Rev. Michael Ciba, Senior Regional Minister of the Connecticut Conference, for more information:
[email protected]
860-921-8204
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Presbytery of Southern New England Seeks PT Stated Clerk
Southern New England Presbytery is seeking a part-time RE or TE as their Stated Clerk, 15 hrs weekly.
Learn more.
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Hitchcock Presbyterian Seeks PT Youth Leader
Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale is seeking a fun and energetic part-time youth leader to work with our youth ministry team, under the leadership of our Director of Christian Education. This role will primarily consist of co-planning activities and having direct interaction with our middle school and high school youth groups, seeking to build community and relationships through meaningful conversation and play. Please direct inquiries and/or a resume to
[email protected]. A more detailed job description can be found at
www.hitchcockpresby.org.
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Presby Church of Mt. Kisco Seeks Sunday School Coordinator
Sunday School Coordinator needed to help nurture the faith of the children of the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco. The position is approx. 10 hours per week with competitive salary. Experience in Christian Education in a Reformed church setting desirable. For more information, contact
[email protected]
or call 914.666.7001.
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RMM Seeks Regional Coordinator, Youth Economic Education Coordinator and Graphic Designer
Rural and Migrant Ministry, an HRP partnership and longstanding mission partner, is searching for a Hudson River/Catskills Regional Coordinator and also for a Youth Economic Education Coordinator.
Read more about both of these exciting opportunities. RMM is also seeking a Graphic Designer. Learn more
here.
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Germonds Church Seeks PT Music Director
Germonds Presbyterian Church seeks a part-time (10-13 hrs/wk) Director to lead our church music program and adult choir. Degree in Music Education, with experience conducting and developing choral and instrumental ensembles required. Candidate should be proficient in teaching and leading adults in church music. Salary commensurate with education and experience; 4 weeks paid time off. Professional development funds available. Read the full position description.
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Reformed Church of Bronxville Seeks
Senior Minister / Head of Staff
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 Are you and your friends up to your neck in information and trying to stay afloat? Hudson Happenings will orient you to all the latest and greatest curated news to help you and your church 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 photo of me, the momma capybara, and my darling children (the link is embedded). |
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