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Dear Friends,
In "A Brave and Startling Truth," poet Maya Angelou painstakingly describes our yet-unfufilled capacity to make peace. She imagines our arrival at the day of peacemaking writing,
When we come to it
We, this people, on this minuscule and kithless globe
Who reach daily for the bomb, the blade and the dagger
Yet who petition in the dark for tokens of peace
We, this people on this mote of matter
In whose mouths abide cankerous words
Which challenge our very existence
Yet out of those same mouths
Come songs of such exquisite sweetness
That the heart falters in its labor
And the body is quieted into awe
This day of peacemaking, is not something quixotic, something compromised, some half-a-loaf truce Angelou reminds us, but rather something urgent, intricate, comprehensive. The immense range of our human capacity to harm and to heal startles and provokes. What will we choose to make possible?
The next HH will be published on Thursday, May 29. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, May 27. Please send your submissions along to [email protected].
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| From the Presbytery Office | |
Presbytery Meeting, Tues. May 20 
HRP's May Presbytery Meeting will be held at United Presbyterian Church in Middletown. The Micah 6:8 theme is "love kindness" (hesed). Registration and prayer gathering begin at 2:00pm. The meeting begins promptly at 2:30pm. Access papers.
Celebrate Calvary-Newburgh's New Beginning, May 18
All are invited to a Service of Dedication for the Rev. J. Edward Lewis, Sr. as part-time Stated Supply Pastor for Calvary Presbyterian Church in Newburgh on Sunday, May 18th at 3:00pm. This will be a joyous celebration of the new relationship between J. Edward and Calvary, and the new beginning for the congregation's mission and ministry to the Newburgh community. Read more about how Calvary-Newburgh discerned God's calling to share food and seek justice together with their neighbors.
Ordination of Ruth Herron Smalt, June 8 
The Presbytery of Hudson River warmly invites you to the
Service of Ordination of Dr. Ruth Herron Smalt to Minister of Word and Sacrament. The worship service, open to all, will be held at the Rye Presbyterian Church, 882 Boston Post Rd. Rye, NY on Sunday June 8, 2014 at 4:00pm. The Rev. Michael Lindvall will be preaching. A reception at the church will follow.
White Plains Presbyterian to Celebrate  300th Year, May 18
On Sunday, May 18, the White Plains Presbyterian Church will celebrate the 300th anniversary of its founding in 1714 with a 10:00am service of worship followed by the ground-breaking of its new community garden, Groundswell, and a reception. Under the banner "Faith in the City," the church will not only mark its storied history but confirm and deepen its work for the common good of White Plains and the wider world. All are welcome!
Presbyterian Historical Society Can Help You Preserve Church Records Check out this great video from the Presbyterian Historical Society that shows what happens to church records when they are sent for storage. It's important to work with the historical society to preserve these documents and this link not only explains, but shows why and how you can get started! Imagine the Presbytery of 2024! Join us on Thursday, May 29th as we begin the process of exploring how to allocate significant funds from existing endowments and future property sales for our faith adventure. As we follow the promptings of God's Spirit how do we support new visions of our presbytery family? "Imagine" will be held at Holmes Camp from 9:30-2:30pm. Lunch is provided for $10. Please RSVP by May 27 to Jean Kaiser, 914-941-2100.
Is Your Congregation Connected? 
Help your congregation's members stay abreast of the latest news and opportunities by subscribing to Hudson Happenings. A blurb with a link you can circulate electronically is below.
Are you in the loop?
Stay abreast of Presbyterian events, resources, grants, and opportunities. Subscribe to Hudson Happenings, the bi-weekly online newsletter of the Hudson River Presbytery. Subscribe here http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=jupymrgab&p=oi&m=1106537889417&sit=xehoquegb
For a hardcopy HH sign-up sheet that you can use, click here. If you do sign-up people by paper, please be sure to return them promptly to Noelle Damico, [email protected] or fax, 914-941-2263.
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| Living Our Values | |
Passion 
On May 4, FPC Wappingers Falls celebrated a "Don't Just Go to Church, Be the Church" Sunday. After gathering for a short worship service with communion (and a benediction ending "God bless you all - now get outta here!"), 45 church members and friends split into teams to go out into the world or work at the church: painting the playground at their neighboring elementary school [see photo]; studying the Psalms with residents at a nearby nursing home; packing up supplies for a local women's shelter; and doing some outdoor work at the church. Then our laborers in the field returned to "'break bread with glad and generous hearts, praising God'" and sharing their joy," said pastor Rev. Lindsay Borden, "and we certainly felt the Spirit's presence! As we continue to discern our "New Beginning," we're planning more opportunities to Be the Church in the world." How are you being the church?
Justice  About twenty members of the Hudson River Presbytery went to Albany on Monday, May 5th, to advocate for prison reform and farmworker justice.
HRP members, organized by the Presbytery PrisonPartnership, advocated variety of prison reforms including end to solitary confinement, mass incarceration, racial profiling, and abusive prison conditions. Professor Cornel West addressed advocates prior to their march to the State House to engage elected officials. Summing up why he was there, Hans Hallundbaek coordinator of PPP said, "Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly, says
 the gospel of John. And he meant life abundant for all." Meanwhile across the park, HRP members organized by our partners in the Rural and Migrant Ministry, marched and advocated for the right to a day of rest, the right to overtime pay, and the right to bargain collectively.
Throughout the day, members of the presbytery urged legislators to pass the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act. See and share photos at HRP's Facebook page and stay tuned for next steps in both campaigns. Partnership  Presbyterians were out en masse for Habitat Newburgh's Walk for Housing on April 27th. PresbyBuild is the active partnership between HRP Presbyterians and Habitat for Humanity. Deke Sperling reports, "I counted at least 12 PresbyBuild-related groups, which means that there must have been 70 or more of us among the 700+ walkers. The Walk garnered more than $65,000 overall!" How is your congregation partnering with others for the common good in your community?
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| Grants and Stewardship Opportunities | |
Self Development of People Grants 
SDOP grants are available now for projects that promote human dignity and grassroots, long-term solutions to systemic problems that keep people oppressed and poor. The Grant application deadline is Nov. 30, 2014 but the process has multiple steps. Read more and contact the Rev. Carol Miller of HRP's SDOP Committee to assess eligibility at 845-235-3569 or [email protected].
Scholarships, Grants & Loans for Presbyterian Students
Did you know that the Office of Financial Aid for Studies awards more than 1 million dollars annually to students pursuing undergraduate, and graduate degrees? Learn more.
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| Trainings and Retreats | |
 June 6-7
Looking for a place to build skills on how churches and non-profits can use technology to build community? The Rev. Jack Lohr, Interim Pastor at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, recommends the Organizing 2.0 Conference to be held in New York City, June 6-7.
Jack writes, "In 2011, I attended the "Congregations 2.0" version of the program with a "techie" from the church. Back then they had workshops on how to select a membership database; how to work with a vendor; what you need to know about web development; making quality home-made videos to tell your story; and using technology for effective fundraising.
The model is to bring people together to share ideas, with a topic presenter who's actively engaged in the field. Check out the website (where you can also register) and you'll get the flavor of it. Very useful!" Thanks for the tip, Jack! Is there a recurring conference that you've found to be helpful? Drop us a line and we'll share your recommendations with others in Hudson Happenings.
10 Scholarships for Evangelism Conf.
The Congregational Change Ministry is offering 10 scholarships of $800 on a first come, first served basis for the Evangelism & Church Growth Conference (ECG) 2014. The theme this year is taken from Matthew 28:16-20: Go... Disciple... Live... The Conference will be held at the Tradewinds Resort on St. Pete Beach, FL on August 11-14. The Evangelism Track of ECG2014 will explore what it means that Jesus has changed our lives, calls us to follow, and sends us into our neighborhoods to share faith and serve others. Contact Rhonda Kruse for scholarship information. There is a maximum of 2 scholarships per congregation and the expectation that you will share your learnings within the presbytery.
PC(USA) Multicultural Conference; 
10 Scholarships Available!
This year's National Multicultural Church Conference's theme, "Journeying and Awakening into God's Diverse World," is a call for the church to be open to change and innovation.
The 15th annual Multicultural Church Conference will meet July 31-Aug. 3 in Fort Worth, Texas. Registration is now open and the Congregational Change Ministry is offering 10 $800 scholarships on a first come, first served basis. Contact Rhonda Kruse for more information. there is a maximum of 2 scholarships per congregation and the expectation that you will share your learnings within the presbytery.
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| Take Action | |
Justice Education Resources
What is the theological basis of the church's relationship to government? How can our public actions and words bear witness to God's intention for shalom in our world?
Check out this new "Thoughtful Christian" adult study that explores the relationship between Christian faith and political authority by HRP's moderator, Rob Trawick who is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at St. Thomas Acquinas College.
And share this provocative guest column in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Firearms Unwelcome in Sanctuary" by the Rev. Gary W. Charles, Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. HRP originated an overture to the 221st General Assembly, "Overture Concerning Gun Violence Prevention" which takes up this issue. This column witnesses powerfully to the church's decision to welcome everyone, but not firearms.
Extend Help to Areas Harmed by Tornadoes
National Response Team (NRT) members are en route to Arkansas at the request of the Arkansas Presbytery to offer support in assessing the damage and developing a response to the severe thunderstorms and 30 tornadoes that moved across the Central and Southern United States April 25 through April 28, 2014. PDA has been in contact with mid councils in the affected areas, and One Great Hour of Sharing funds and funds designated for disaster response in the United States are available for immediate disbursement. Learn more and donate to help.
Be a Mentor to Formerly Incarcerated Neighbors
The second series of Breaking the Chains of the Past program workshops will begin in early June and continue throughout the summer months and September on Wednesday evenings from 6-8:30pm. Share your humanity and experience with formerly incarcerated neighbors living in and around Ossining, referred by Westchester County Department of Parole and The District Attorney's Office. Learn more!
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| Youth Resources and Opportunities | |
Making Room 4 Mission
Pastor Ann Wood of First Presbyterian Church, Jeffersonville, made a wonderful suggestion that churches who have planned mission trips but might have room additional participants let the HRP office know so that youth from smaller churches who may not otherwise have an opportunity might participate. So we're going to try to compile and publish a list of such opportunities (see below for the first one!) If you have room on your mission trip, send the information to Noelle Damico.
Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens
Looking for an engaging youth resource? The Rev. Jeff Geary of White Plains Presbyterian recommends, "Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens," a book with a companion interactive website (which includes a free resource for planning). The book was developed and written by teens and adults who spent three years practicing together. "I've used this book to plan retreats, given it as a gift to confirmands and used it to develop sustained commitment to Christian living. In youth group we would introduce a practice, like forgiveness or hospitality or honoring our bodies, and stick with it for many weeks, going deeper into the practice. Check out Way to Live.
"Read to Feed" Children's Resource  from Heifer Project
Explore this curricula from Heifer Project which encourages children from pre-K through middle school to read and provides nutrition to children in need around the world.
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| Events in the Life of the Presbytery | |
Taconic Opera Debut of "Jonah", June 1 
The Taconic Opera will debut and record the world premier of a new Oratorio based on the Old Testament prophet Jonah at White Plains Presbyterian Church at 3:00pm. Jonah is not really about a whale! It is about a complex man trying to reconcile justice and mercy in his dealings with other human beings.
Information and tickets.
Organ Recital to Benefit Homeless, June 8
To honor the retirement of Tom Wainwright, organist at Germonds Church for 23 years, the congregation is holding an organ recital on Sunday, June 8 at 2:00pm, which will benefit Helping Hands of Rockland County. Helping Hands offers homeless men and women alternatives to life on the streets and is a mission dear to Tom. Stewart Holmes, organist and music director at Old Reformed Church in Ridgewood, NJ will be the featured organist. Learn more.
Blue PC(USA) Hymnals Offered for Free
The First Presbyterian in Goshen has about 200 good copies of the blue Presbyterian Hymnal free to anyone who could use them. Contact D.C. Kingsley.
Bibles Available
The Jeffersonville Presbyterian has purchased new Bibles and now has NIV, Good News, and Contemporary English Bibles available to anyone who could put them to good use spreading God's word. Contact Ruth Duncan at [email protected] for more information.
Travel to Ghost Ranch for an Adventure in Faith, Art and History, Sept. 29 - Oct. 5  Bedford Presbyterian Church invites you to join them on an excursion to Ghost Ranch in the heart of the New Mexican desert. Enjoy a time of exploring your own interests in art, paleontology and more while gathering periodically together with the group. Learn more. |
| Employment Opportunities |
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Synod Networker Position
The Synod of the Northeast is seeking someone who will connect individuals, churches, and/or presbyteries sharing a common passion; encourage and promote the development of Synod networks; and become a storyteller, sharing stories of hope, innovation and growth throughout the Synod. This will be a full-time position with benefits. Learn more.
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