Posts tagged Hospitality
Leaning Into Courage

by Harold Delhagen

Preface:
Two years ago, the Synod of the Northeast partnered with two very different congregations in a project we called “Undoing Racism.” The original partners were the Rendall Memorial Presbyterian Church, an historic a African American congregation in Harlem, New York, and First Presbyterian Church in Morristown, NJ, an historic, majority white congregation. Recently this initiative has included the First Presbyterian Church in Rutherford, NJ as well.

These congregations have made deep and lasting covenants to learn, worship, and fellowship together in order to undo the bonds of racism. It was my privilege to share the Word with these saints last Sunday, June 3rd. Here is the sermon and a few photos of this beautiful event…

Read More
Harold DelhagenFirst Presbyterian Church of RutherfordAnti-Racism, Community, Education, Hospitality, Racial Justice, Sermon
An Open Letter to the Community of the Synod of the Northeast and Those We Serve

by Harold Delhagen

Dear Friends,  

As with many of you, I have become weary and sad at the constant flow of hateful speech and racist rhetoric from our president and his followers. The daily barrage of these words,  and devastating actions that follow them,  leaves me exhausted and wondering how to best use my public voice in ways that don’t simply add to the constant  flood of exchanges around them.  

This morning as I rise from morning prayer  there is a fire in my  bones that I cannot quench. It rises from the deepest part of my spirit and compels me to speak a word that makes it clear that there are regular episodes of our current president’s behavior  that  are undeniably immoral and contrary to the teachings of Jesus.

Read More
Harold DelhagenSynod of the NortheastOpen Letter, Anti-Racism, Hospitality, New Way Forward, Welcome, Community, Racial Justice, #TippingPoint
Something Old & Something New: Emerging Leaders Gather Around Ancient Practices

In the midst of an autumn coldsnap, around twenty church leaders who are between the ages of 25-40 gathered in upstate New York at the Silver Bay YMCA Camp & Conference Center for the 2017 Emerging Leaders Gathering. Though the weather was chilly, the community was not!

The Synod of the Northeast is blessed with a strong cohort of younger leaders, and while only a fraction of their number attend the annual Gathering each year, they consistently report that the community it fosters is crucial to their ongoing energy and enthusiasm for ministry.

Read More
Margaret MitsuyasuSilver Bay YMCALeadership Development, Resourcing, Welcome, Young Adults, Hospitality, Representation, Community, Young Ministry Leaders
Presbyterian Women Mission Exchange to Indonesia

by Virginia Champlin

The eighteen women from across the United States who comprised the delegation of the Churchwide Presbyterian Women’s 2017 Global Exchange to Indonesia traveled south and west to “Build the Bridge of Understanding” as sisters in Christ. Over the two and a half weeks of September 12-29, 2017, we accomplished the program's two main goals: we learned how to live respectfully in a multi-faith culture, and encouraged and accompanied one another as together we are seeking a more peaceful and just world.  The communities we visited were Jakarta, Solo, Yogyakarta on the island of Java, and Bali.

Read More
Virginia ChamplinEducation, Hospitality, Presbyterian Women, Welcome, Community