News from the June 2016 Commission on Mission and Ministries

by Nancy Talbot, Stated Clerk

After using the April Synod Mission and Ministries meeting for a retreat in which we reflected upon the synod’s foundational text Isaiah 43:19, the Commission went back to business the last weekend in June. We began with the unveiling of our new synod video, which in many ways is an expression of the Isaiah text. If you haven’t had the chance to see our new website or video, take a look and see the new things we are doing.  

The Commission passed a Child Protection Policy now required of all councils and began work that will culminate in the Synod Assembly in October. 

The Commission also approved the following grants for 2016:

Campus Ministry
Northern New England Presbytery:  
Maine Christian Association of Northern New England Presbytery -- $1,000
Cooperative Christian Ministry at the University of Vermont -- $2,000

New Brunswick Presbytery:  
Westminster Foundation at Princeton-- $7,000

Innovation Applications
Sand Hills Community Wellness Center of New Brunswick Presbytery -- $6,405

Boston Food Justice YAV Program of Boston Presbytery -- $15,000

South End Neighborhood Tutors of Albany Presbytery -- $6,405

Rural and Migrant Ministries of Albany Presbytery -- $15,000

Community Chaplain for Trenton of New Brunswick Presbytery -- $15,000

Networks
The Commission also approved a two-year renewal of the Coaching Network including $9,000 for 2017 and $10,000 for 2018.