The Synod Mission and Ministries Commission met September 18-20 at the United Church of Fayetteville in Fayetteville, New York. During the first twenty-four hours, members took part in a spiritual retreat which included an afternoon session led by Rev. Suzanne Haley who focused on how we reach out in good faith beyond those who think as we do and how we talk to one another across theological differences. Friday morning, we convened at Green Lakes State Park for Tai Chi followed by using prayer meditations as we walked various trails near the lake.
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When Delaney Hall in Newark, NJ re-opened to house people detained by ICE, the sidewalks outside filled with parents, partners, and children—often waiting hours to see a loved one. Members of Coastlands Presbytery, together with community groups, immigrant-rights advocates, and other faith partners, answered a simple, gospel-shaped question: How do we love our neighbors here and now?
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The season is changing, and God is still at work. The crisp air of fall carries with it not only the turning of the leaves but the beginning of a new Christian Education year. These moments call us to lift our voices in faith and say “Amen”—an affirmation that, even in uncertain times, God’s promises remain sure. Life may feel unpredictable, but our response is rooted in trust. We do not have to deny our fears or uncertainties; instead, we affirm together that God is present, steady, and calling the church to move forward with courage and hope.
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