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Dear Friends,
I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
These audacious words surprise and invite us to confess, not our sin, but the beauty and possibility of ourselves. Far from narcissistic self-promotion, where me and my accomplishments trump yours, Whitman lures us to consider how, when we truly celebrate ourselves we celebrate our neighbor as well. In this many-stanzaed song he considers how our very selves are created from our communities, the earth and the ones for whom we long. How might you celebrate yourself today, recognizing that every atom which belongs to you belongs to another as well?
The next HH will be published on Thursday, June 25. Please send your submission along to
noelle@hudrivpres.org
by Tuesday, June 23.
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 News from the Presbytery |
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Ordination of Luanne Panarotti, June 14 
The Presbytery of Hudson River cordially invites you to a service of ordination for Luanne Panarotti to Minister of Word and Sacrament. Luanne will be serving as Stated Supply for the Pleasant Plains Presbyterian Church. The service will take place on Sunday, June 14 at 4:00pm at the church, which is located at 2 Fiddlers Bridge Road, Staatsburg, NY 12580. All are welcome A reception will follow and for that an RSVP would be appreciated; 845-889-4019, pleasantpchurch@optimum.net.
Young Adult Volunteer Mission Placements Open
The YAV program is a one year service opportunity for young adults ages 19-30. YAVs live in intentional Christian community, deepening and developing their faith while serving in alongside local mission leaders. There are placements in the US and around the world. Learn more!
Face to Face Opportunities, June and July 2015
The Church Leadership Connection (CLC) a ministry of the Office of the General Assembly will host two Face to Face Events in 2015. Montreat NC: June 25-26 & 29-30; Charlotte, NC: July 9-11. Registration is now open for the Montreat dates.
Each event will include call seeker's training, networking opportunities, interviews with search committees, vocational coaching, one-on-one PIF views, and other educational opportunities for call seeker's and calling organizations. All call seekers (teaching elders, candidates, ruling elders, and other church professionals) may participate. Search committees for all position types (i.e. installed and temporary pastors and program staff positions) are encouraged to attend. Learn more.
PMA Board announces departure of 4 PMA Staff Following Investigation
As of June 1, none of the four men who have been involved with a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) investigation involving the 1001 New Worshipping Communities program still works for the denomination...One of those leaving is Roger Dermody, the PC(USA)'s deputy executive director for mission - who had been one of two deputy directors serving directly under Valentine, and who on May 29 filed a defamation lawsuit against the denomination. Read full article.
Scholarships for Big Tent, July 30-Aug. 1 
The Advocacy, Education and Networks Team of HRP is making $250 scholarships available for people interested in attending Big Tent, the national Presbyterian Gathering focused on living missionally. Just complete this application. Programs for children through older adult are featured. View all scheduled events, including pre-conference activities. Learn more.
1001 Worshipping Communities Grants
The 1001 Worshipping Communities program of the PC(USA) is now offering three different grants to better enable new initiatives to foster and grow. Learn more about these "seed," "investment," and "growth" grants.
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| Share Hudson Happenings |
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| Share Hudson Happenings and  Sign-up for other E-Updates!
Things always get better when we share! Now you can invite people to subscribe to Hudson Happenings and other HRP E-Updates, like that of the new Presbytery Prisoner Partnership or the Cross-Cultural Network. Click or share
http://tinyurl.com/m2l9kpj
And yes, you've been snagged by another cute animal photo into paying attention. But you have to admit the "aw" factor is pretty high on this one.
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| Living Our Values |
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Passion: Planting New Worshipping Communities 
Four people from Hudson River Presbytery joined about ten from Newton Presbytery for a conversation with Vera White, Coordinator for 1001 New Worshiping Communities, on Monday June 1 at the Newton Presbytery office.
Jamel Haight and Dan Harrison from Peekskill, Eugee Whyte from Stony Point, and Rhonda Kruse from presbytery staff learned how God's Spirit is moving throughout the Presbyterian Church (USA), inspiring new models, fresh vision, and an awareness that the most effective evangelism tool is to start new communities of faith. These new worshiping communities are the most strategic way to reach new generations, new residents, and new populations that established churches are not reaching. We look forward to seeing the seeds planted here develop in the life of Hudson Valley.
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| Trainings, Retreats and Internships |
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Officer Training for Elders and Deacons, June 13
A basic officer training will be led by Stated Clerk Susan De George on June 13th from 11-1 at the Lake Huntington Presbyterian Church (County Route 116, Lake Huntington NY 12752). At the meeting we will cover basic polity (including specific duties of elders and deacons, how the connectional system works, basic procedures and rules for meetings at the committee and congregational level, and more. Elders or deacons from any congregation are invited to attend but preregistration is required and should be done by emailing Pam Allen (pastorp@hancock.net ). Those attending should plan to bring a brown bag lunch and their questions and experiences to share.
Making Room for Mission for your youth!
If your congregation has too few youth to organize your own summer mission trip, Huguenot Presbytery still has space on their trip to Nicaragua, July 11-19. You'd have to organize your own flight down, but once there could join with the workgroup from the church that will be volunteering with Bridges to Community. Interested? Contact Jacob Bolton as soon as possible to learn more, jbolton@huguenotchurch.org.
Summer Camp at Holmes 
Day camps, elementary camps, junior and junior high camps, senior high camps, grandparents camp, Holmes has it all. Check out the wonderful opportunities for a memorable summer experience that will build young people's esteem, deepen their spirituality and be just a whole lot of fun! Learn more.
Margaret Aymer to Speak at Women Ministers' Assembly, July 20-23
The International Association of Women Ministers for ordained, licensed, certified rostered and all professiona
l women in ministry and students, is holding its annual assembly at Stony Point in July. The Rev. Margaret Aymer, Ph.D, Associate Professor of New Testament at Austin Theological Seminary will speak on "Making the Connections:
The Bible and Today's Challenges for Ministry." Learn more and register now.
Youth Food Justice Corp to Launch 
Food Justice Corps is a 10 month internship program sponsored by the Stony Point Center and the Food Justice Network, for youth ages 14 to 21 who want to learn more about developing a sustainable food systems. Join us twice a month in the summer and once per month, during the school year for hands-on farming and educational experiences that look at the environment, fair labor practices, advocacy, hunger and more.
Modest stipends may be available for all member (Funding Pending.) For more information see our flyer and application or contact Lori Hylton, lori@hudrivpres.org or 347-276-2606.
Certification Course for Church Business Administration, July 2015
The Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond VA is again offering the core courses necessary for certification as a Church Business Administrator through The Church Network (NACBA). Learn more.
Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Conference
October 13-16 the POAMN will meet in Albuquerque to explore how "The Spirit Sustains: Purpose, Call Ministry and Mission." Download the brochure. Details and registration are online.
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| Take Action |
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Indian Point Convergence, June 7
Since July of 2011, Stony Point Center has been the home of a growing movement of citizens in the Hudson Valley and NY Metro Area who are concerned about the safety of Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant and want to see it shut down. The plant is now forty years old and operating one of its reactors without a license. Join the Indian Point Convergence each first Sunday of the month from 2 to 5 pm for an afternoon of strategizing and coordinating a grassroots effort to close the plant. For more information, call Marilyn Elie 914-954-6739.
Advocate for the Farm Worker Fair Labor Practices Act 
On May 19th social justice interns with the Pleasantville Presbyterian Church travelled with their pastors and Lori Hylton, HRP's Hunger Action Enabler, to advocate in Albany for the Farm Worker Fair Labor Practices Act. Learn more about this bill that HRP has been supporting with our partner Rural and Migrant Ministry. Take by sending postcards in support of the bill to elected officials. To order postcards for your congregation, contact Brian O'Shaughnessy of Rural and Migrant Ministry at rmmbrian@gmail.com.
Gift Cards to Support Native American Family Center
The 2015 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women will be held in Minneapolis, MN June 18-21. PW's mission project involves collecting Target store gift cards for the American Indian Family Center's Wakanyeja Kin Wakan Pi (Our Children Are Sacred) program. If you would like to contribute, you can give your gift card to,Judy Wasen judypwhrp@gmail.com, or send a $10 Target gift cards to: PW Business Office,100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396
Help PDA Respond Following Earthquake in Nepal
The death toll from the massive earthquake in Nepal continues to rise. Nearly 4,000 are known dead and more than 6,000 were injured when the 7.8 quake struck just west of the capital of Kathmandu on April 25. The quake, the worst in more than 80 years, along with many serious aftershocks has also caused damage in parts of India and Bangladesh. Help PDA work with partners on the ground to bring needed food, water, supplies and medicine. Make an online donation.
Will You Hold a Courageous Conversation about Domestic Violence?
Are you a clergyperson who would be willing to preach, teach, or have a service of healing this October (Domestic Violence awareness month)? Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk, and Shannon Beck, Mission Catalyst for Reconciliation, hope to have at 100 churches on the roster-and at least one in every state. If so, please send the following information to Shannon Beck at shannon.beck@pcusa.org: Pastor name and title, Physical address, Church and presbytery, Email.
Children's Service Projects on Sundays
The HRP Christian Education Network has been encouraging Christian Educators to consider undertaking community service projects with children during summer church school. Scarborough Presbyterian children are stuffing "kongs" (dog treats/toys) for the SPCA in Briarcliff. What service project might your children undertake?
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| Resources for Education, Liturgy, Justice and more! |
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Presbyterians Today Resource Guide for Ministry 
Now Available! The Resource Guide covers dozens of subjects, including disaster response, fundraising and stewardship, the ins and outs of building a website and using social media, children's/youth/ collegiate/young adult ministry, church planting, grant and scholarship sources, evangelism, worship... and much more. Check it out.
New UKirk Liturgy and Lectionary Resources
Written by chaplains and designed to follow the academic year, these online resource might be just the inspiration you're looking for in your local church or campus ministry. Seriously, there are weeks of excellent liturgical resources that are a boon to worship planners. Check out the free online version.
Great Eco-Theological Book and Workbook for Congregations  Jeff Geary, Senior Pastor of White Plains Presbyterian Church and GreenFaith fellow, recommends Patricia Tull's "Inhabiting Eden: Christians, the Bible and the Ecological Crisis" from Westminster/John Knox 2011. A special bound companion workbook makes this ideal for personal study, small groups and worship. It also has an accompanying blotspot for further reflection.
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| Events in the Life of the Presbytery |
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Interfaith Youth Presentation, June 8
On June 8 from 12:30-2:00 at the Church Center for the United Nations in NYC, Rockland U.N.I.T.E. for Harmony, an interfaith group comprised of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim teens, will speak about breaking stereotypes and creating positive interfaith interactions as well as unveiling a short documentary. Light refreshments will follow. The program will be held in Tillman Chapel at the Church Center, 777 UN Plaza, Corner of E. 44th St. and 1st Ave. (Enter on E. 44th). The event is presented in partnership with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations and the Office of the Chaplain at the Church Center for the United Nations.
Unique Opportunity for First-hand Update: Fundraiser Post-Earthquake to feature Bedford Presbyterian PeaceCorp member Stationed in Nepal, June 14 
On Sunday, June 14th from 5:30 - 7:00, Bedford Presbyterian Church is hosting a fund raiser for relief efforts in Nepal. It will include a dinner provided by a Nepali restaurant in Yorktown and a program on Nepal and the effects of the earthquake by Ben. Wagner, a church member who has served the last 20 months in the Peace Corp in Nepal and who was there when the earthquake struck. He will return to Nepal soon thereafter. The cost of the meal is being covered. We are asking for a minimum donation of $25.00/adult and $10.00 for students. There is no cost for children. 100% of the donations will go to relief efforts in Nepal. Please share this information and if you plan to attend, do RSVP to info@bedfordpreschurch.org.
Calvary Health Fair, July 11 
On Saturday, July 11, from 11:00-4:00, stop by the Calvary Presbyterian Church 120 South St and Grand in Newburgh to learn more about creating your own healthy and affordable choices when it comes to food, health, and life balance. Download the Flyer.
Congratulations to Rene Thiel on RMM Award 
Rene Thiel, Rural and Migrant Ministry board member and Ruling Elder at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, was honored for her more than 20 years of dedicated advocacy for farmworker justice at RMM's Sowing Seeds of Justice dinner, May 28, at Riverside Church in New York. Members of Hitchcock and Lori Hylton, Hunger Action Enabler for HRP, celebrated Rene's contributions at the event. (Rene is in the center in the white blouse.)
Caribbean Club of FPC Mt. Vernon Honored 
The Caribbean Club which was formed 24 years ago at FPC Mt. Vernon was honored by the Westchester County Board of Legislators on June 1 as a part of Caribbean American Heritage Month. The Caribbean Club works to depend the spiritual life in the church and community and to awaken mission locally and in the Caribbean community globally. The Club has provided scholarships to college-bound students, financial aid in times of disaster, assistance to students in Jamaica and restoration projects at FPC Mt. Vernon. Here Rev. Betty Griffin receives the County Proclamation. We extend the congratulations of the presbytery to FPC Mt. Vernon on this wonderful ministry and celebrate its recognition.
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| Employment Opportunities and Connections |
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Manager of Administration Sought for PC(USA)
Office of the General Assembly
The Office of the General Assembly seeks a Manager of Administration for the Office of the General Assembly to provide administrative leadership within the Office of the General Assembly in the areas of human resources, financial management and policy. The successful candidate will have significant administrative leadership experience in office operations, budget development, and personnel administration. Skills in problem solving, team building and interpersonal relations are beneficial. This position is full-time. This job reports to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and pays a salary of $53,000.00 - $68,000.00 per year, plus benefits. Relocation is provided and travel is required occasionally. The application deadline is July 1, 2015. Contact Bobbie Montgomery, bobbie.montgomery@pcusa.org , Office of the General Assembly, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202.
Bedford Presbyterian Seeks Staff Person
Bedford Presbyterian Churchis looking for a staff person to resource their Board of Deacons, provide staff support for our Bedford Connections program and to assist the pastor in ongoing pastoral care in the congregation. Expected hours are 10/12/week and it is a contract staff position. Resumes can be sent to: Bedford Presbyterian Church, PO Box 280, Bedford, NY 10506, Attn: Paul Alcorn.
Elizabeth Presbytery Seeks a Stated Clerk
As Elizabeth Presbytery moves from 'regulatory' to 'relational,' they're looking for a Stated Clerk who will bring creativity and flexibility to the implementation of our polity. As they re-purpose the presbytery to strengthen congregational mission, they want governance that's life-giving. Learn more about this 30 hour a week position.
Volunteer Treasurer Sought by White Plains Presbyterian
The White Plains Presbyterian Church is seeking a part-time volunteer church treasurer to oversee the stewardship of the congregation's finances, prepare reports to share with the church council, and complete all tax forms. The treasurer will work with the business manager and financial secretary. Please contact Jeff Geary, pastorgeary@optonline.net if you may be able to help or know someone who can.
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