What is the process by which a person can become our Presbytery Commission Member?

The synod standing rules state: “In order to fulfill the synod’s value of diversity, the Leadership Team shall nominate to the Synod Assembly names of those to serve on the Synod Mission and Ministries Commission in the following fashion: each presbytery shall be encouraged to nominate three persons of diverse backgrounds from which the Leadership Team shall select one name to submit to the Synod Assembly.”

We recommend this because it is easier to achieve diversity in the commission when there is the opportunity to select people across the 22 presbyteries.

What is the deadline for submitting the three names?

It is helpful to have the names sixty (60) days in advance of the synod assembly in order for the Leadership Team to select the names to be forwarded to the assembly for election.

Can a presbytery submit one name instead of three?

Yes. However, in 2014 when only two presbyteries submitted the three names requested, the commission did not end up with the diversity we know to be present in the Synod of the Northeast.

Can our current commission member continue to serve?

Yes. Synod Mission and Ministries Commission members are allowed to serve a total of six years or three two-year terms.

For 2017-2019 will there be a new set of YADs serving on the Commission?

Yes. The standing rules call for one-third of the presbyteries on a rotating basis to directly elect a young adult age 17 – 22 to the Synod Mission and Ministries Commission. We are rotating presbyteries in alphabetical order. For 2017-2019 the presbyteries eligible to elect YADs are: Hudson River, Long Island, Monmouth, New Brunswick, New York City, Newark and Newton.