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Dear Friends,
Hudson Happenings has a new format!
Over the last year as more and more people are reading and contributing to HH it has grown in size. Given the sheer amount of information within each issue, and after consultation with presbytery members and staff, HH is sporting new section headers I hope will help you scan information quickly and navigate more easily.
Navigation was always a difficult art,
Though with only one ship and one bell:
And he feared he must really decline, for his part,
Undertaking another as well.
Our goals shape our choices in navigation. Paths not taken exist side by side with the path taken; alternate possibilities swirl in the eddies we create as we prowl and plow through for what we seek. And the snark is elusive and cunning! Lewis's "children's poem" invites us to reflect on what it is we search for in life and how we go about it. On a practical level let me know how these new HH headers are working for you as you seek to find information in this publication, by dropping a line to
[email protected].
The next issue of Hudson Happenings will be published on Thursday, November 19. Please send your submission along to
[email protected] by Tuesday, November 17.
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 Presbytery News and Events |
Training for Ruling Elders to Moderate Sessions/Councils, Nov. 7 
On Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9:00 am - 2:00pm, at Stony Point Center, HRP is offering training to any Ruling Elders who are interested in learning how to moderate a Session/Council that is not their own. Currently, there are a number of congregations within HRP without pastors and their Sessions/Councils need moderators. The training is free and includes a free lunch as well. Space is limited. Please contact Jean Kaiser at
[email protected]
or 914-941-2100 to register.
Download the flyer
.
Training for Ruling Elders to Administer the Lord's Supper, Nov. 9 
Many congregations in Hudson River Presbytery are currently without pastoral leadership. These congregations routinely find themselves frustrated by their inability to celebrate the Lord's Supper when a properly trained and authorized worship leader is unavailable. Ruling Elders are permitted, in this circumstance, to officiate at communion if they have been properly trained by the presbytery.
If your congregation would like to have one or more Ruling Elders trained to administer the Lord's Supper for your congregation,
the Commission on Ministry would like your session to identify, endorse, and send Ruling Elders to be trained to administer the Lord's Supper.
The training will be held Mon. Nov. 9
, 7:00-9:30pm at New Hempstead Presbyterian Church. Elders must bring a letter of recommendation from their session/council with them. Read more. RSVP to
[email protected]
.
Prayer Breakfast to Feature Presbyterian UN Leader, Nov. 7
Mark Koenig, Director of the Presbyterian Ministry at theUnited Nations, will speak on "Following Jesus in a Violent World" at the White Plains Presbyterian Church's annual prayer breakfast, on Saturday, November 7 at 9:00am. Breakfast is provided and the congregation requests a $10 donation. To RSVP call 914-761-8585 or email
[email protected].
Download the flyer.
Health Insurance Education Event, Nov. 8
Come and spread the word about a free workshop on understanding and creating your healthcare choices at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 120 South and Grand Sts, Newburgh, on Sunday, Nov. 8 from 3:00-5:00pm. The Affordable Care Act put in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that have improved access, affordability, and quality in health care for Americans. Open enrollment begins November 1, 2015.
Download the flyer.
"Dreamers Among Us" Westchester Showing, Nov. 8
The Youth Arts Group of Rural and Migrant Ministry is pleased to announce the Westchester County debut of their award-winning film, "Dreamers Among US" on Sunday, November 8, from 4-6pm at Temple Beth Abraham in Tarrytown. The film will be accompanied by a panel discussion.
Download the flyer for more information.
Pastoral Sabbath Days at Holmes Nov. 11-12 
Do you need 24 hours to: do sermon planning, decompress, exercise, study, or relax? Come spend 24 hours at Holmes! Private rooms for the first 12 registrants, yoga and spiritual direction is available, and there are study spaces with Wifi. The cost is $100 for four meals, Agape lodging and space.
Learn more.
Nominate Youth for HRP's Delegation to Youth Triennium
Deadline: November 30
Hudson River Presbytery is sending a delegation of youth
 (entering high school through graduated seniors) to the
2016 Triennium. We look forward to meeting and hearing from interested youth nominated by your church who wish to learn and grow in faith through the experience of attending the Youth Triennium in 2016.
Learn more and access the application form for youth you would like to nominate to participate in the Presbytery delegation. There is no limit on the number of youth a church may nominate, so please make copies as needed. All youth nominated should be well known to you, and demonstrate maturity and responsibility as assessed by the congregation, and endorsed by the pastor or clerk of session. Read more about Triennium and further details about the application process.
Congregational Leadership Awards
Is your congregation doing innovative ministry? Union Presbyterian Seminary offers eight Congregational Leadership Awards annually. Each of the eight awards carries a $1,000 prize to support the congregation in its ministry. More information. The deadline for the 2016 awards is February 15, 2016.
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Annual Enrollment Period in BOP Healthcare,
until
Nov. 13
If you are covered by the Board of Pensions healthcare plan, this is the time to make changes to your coverage level or enroll in optional or supplementary benefits.
Learn more.
Stated Clerk Urges Kerry to Help Stop Violence in Israel, Occupied Territories 
On Oct. 23, Gradye Parsons wrote, "On behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I write to urge you to use every means at your disposal to help quell the wave of violence that is sweeping Israel and the Occupied Territories. The murderous, random attacks by Palestinians and the violent response to them by Israeli police and military, as well as by vigilante groups of Israeli citizens, have escalated to the point that many wonder where it will end."
Read the full letter.
Dermody files appeal against PC(USA)
The lawyer for Roger Dermody, former deputy executive director for mission at the Presbyterian Mission Agency, has filed an appeal in his defamation suit against the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation. The appeal was submitted to the Court of Appeals of Kentucky on Oct. 21, 2015. Dermody's original suit had been dismissed with prejudice.
Read more.
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Regional and National Events
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PC(USA) Fair Trade Delegation to Nicaragua,  Jan. 23-30,
Deadline: Oct. 30
Applications are available now for the Presbyterian Hunger Program's delegation to Nicaragua to deepen knowledge about the items we buy from coffee to clothes to sweat-free t-shirts.
Learn more.
Apply for the Commission on Status of Women,
Deadline: Nov. 3
The Commission on the Status of Women is a functional Commission of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) and currently scheduled for March 14-24. The Commission meets annually to promote women's equality and rights. This year's 60th session will focus on women's empowerment and its link to sustainable development. Apply or encourage others to apply to be a part of the Presbyterian delegation to the Commission.
Read more.
Online Certificate in Theology and Ministry
Princeton Theological Seminary is offering the Certificate in Theology and Ministry again in 2016. The seminary is accepting applications through November 2, 2015. The first course begins in January.
Information about the faculty and courses for 2016.
Join the Conversation, Now - Nov. 13
Discuss the identity and purpose of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as part of a church-wide conversation initiated by the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly. Talk individually or in groups using a discussion guide downloadable at
pcusa.org/discussionguide. Also share thoughts using an online form available until November 13 at
pcusa.org/identity, and join Larissa Kwong Abazia, Vice Moderator of the 221st General Assembly (2014), in Twitter chats. She'll be
@LarissaLKA using the hashtag
#pcusaidentity on Thursday, November 12, 9-10 p.m. (EST).
Making Space for God, Evangelism Conf.,
Jan. 18-21 
Don't miss the Nov. 1 deadline for early bird enrollment in this year's national Evangelism Conference, "Making Space for God" which will explore spiritual practices while enjoying the Tradewinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete, FL.
Learn more.
Save the Date: EADS April 15-18, 2016
Ecumenical Advocacy Days gathers Christians from across the country for a time of learning and advocacy on issues of national import. Presbyterians have always had a constituency of several hundred strong. This coming year's gathering is "Lift Every Voice: Racism, Class and Power." Mark your calendars and look for more information to follow in coming months. Read more about EADs.
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| Living Our Values |
Partnership 
Cathy Surgenor reflects on the way the legacy fund and the training workshop held recently enable our congregations to effectively practice resurrection.
Potential grant recipients attended a "terrific" workshop on October 24 on how to flesh out a project concept and successfully apply for grants. The well-attended, lively event, which was held at the Calvary Church in Newburgh, focused on the critical need for grant applicants to understand the mission the grant funders are trying to achieve. Applicants should be sure that their project is such a good fit with the funder's mission that it will help accomplish that mission.
The workshop leader, Catherine Hoselton, an administrator at SUNY New Paltz, pointed out that the
Legacy Team is actively seeking applications that will help the Hudson River Presbytery fulfill God's call to go into the world, "To live resurrection and be engaged in mission within the communities we serve that incarnate the values of partnership, hospitality, justice, passion, curiosity, honesty, joy and generosity." The mission of the Legacy Fund is to "enable creative effective ways of transforming our church through new visions of ministry and mission for the 21st century." Key words here are: creative, effective and transforming. Read more.
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| Take Action |
Give a Calendar to Men at Sing Sing Correctional Facility 
"...I was in prison and you visited me." Matthew 25:36
It's that time of year again. The calendars have started to arrive in the mail. Last year, churches in our Presbytery collected calendars and gave them to the men who reside at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. These calendars were distributed through the chaplain's office. Last year we collected 400 calendars. But there are about 1700 men at Sing Sing, which means we could use a lot more calendars.
When someone receives a calendar and hangs it on a cell wall, there is a reminder each and every day, for an entire year that someone in the community thought of him. Won't you reach out? Won't you share? If you receive more calendars than you can use, collect them at your church. Calendars should then be sent to Presbytery and will be taken to Sing Sing in December. There they will find a home where they will be appreciated.
Please help. It's really easy. Hope is the most wonderful gift you can give. Contact
Barbara Devir,
[email protected]
, for more information.
Have You Heard About Cents-Ability? 
Cents-Ability originated in 1976 as "Two-Cents-A-Meal," a project begun by Presbyterian Women to involve individuals and families in a corporate response to world hunger. Over the years, presbyteries have participated in this program under different names like Pennies for Hunger, Nickle-A-Meal, etc. All of these are part of Cents-Ability.
These programs benefit local hunger ministries as well as the national and international projects of the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) with 25% of what you raise staying your congregation to support your local hunger ministry. Cents-Ability is a small first step in the battle against hunger and poverty. Read more.
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| Resources for Education, Liturgy, Justice and more! |
In ministry with young adults in college?
UKirk provides professional support, empowerment and community for those engaged in campus ministry on behalf of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Learn more and check out their new daily devotional app.
Order Your 2015 Advent Devotion Books
This year's Advent Devotional, "Proclaiming the Good News of God's Peace," is organized and edited by the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, former moderator of the General Assembly. Order your copies today!
Presbyterian Giving Catalog
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25 dollars buys a kitchen kit for families who've lost everything in a disaster
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The 2015-2016
Presbyterian Giving Catalog is an opportunity for Presbyterians to support their church's ministries through alternative giving. From purchasing agricultural tools for a family in the developing world to supporting bus passes for YAVs, the catalog provides a wide range of gifts at different prices that promote the well-being of people and the earth. Consider the
catalog as a source for your gift giving.
Brief Videos from HRP Green on the Bible 
Interested in hearing more about how the Bible calls us to be concerned about climate issues? Watch Teaching Elder Cathy Surgenor explain Psalm 104's mandate to care for the earth.
This video is part of an ongoing series of brief videos developed by HRP Green. Great for worship, discussion starters, or to simply share as a devotional meditation with members of your congregation.
Reflexiones acerca de la salud de la iglesia 
El nuevo libro del Rvdo. Héctor Rodríguez, ya está disponible en pre-venta. La visión de una iglesia saludable no debe estar basada en estadísticas, sino en reflexiones teológicas y bíblicas acerca de la misma. En este libro, el Rvdo. Dr. Rodriguez ofrece diagnósticos sobre los padecimientos que retan a la iglesia en este momento y explora los posibles remedios que se presentan como promesas de renovación espiritual que ayudarán a sanar la iglesia. Ordenar ahora.
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| Seeking and Finding |
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Lake Huntington Presbyterian Seeks a Gently Used Organ
Lake Huntington Presbyterian Church needs a new organ. Might your congregation have a used one to give? The church is looking for a used, late model organ in excellent working order. Two keyboard (without rhythm embellishments) is desired with side or full foot pedals. Their greatest fear is securing a used instrument that will need work, so please, no klunkers! Contact person: Joy Bertsch at (845) 932-7973.
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| Employment Opportunities and Connections |
First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Vernon Seeks a Minister of Music
The First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Vernon is seeking a musician/organist who loves interpreting the Christian faith through music, teaching, and working with a diverse congregation of children and adults of many ethnicities. Could this be your calling?
Learn more!
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| Share Hudson Happenings |
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No Tricks! All Treats!
Invite others to subscribe to Hudson Happenings and other HRP E-Updates, like those from the Presbytery Prison Partnership or the Food Justice Network.
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