Synod Assembly 2022 | Pre-Assembly Workshop : Planting the Seeds of Abundance

Workshop Description

In the Gospel of Matthew 26:11 Jesus says, “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.”  With their thoughts fixed on the liberatory interpretations of this passage, our three panelists will share about food production and distribution models that center on the vision, needs, and uplift of people living in poverty.  In the context of these initiatives, the panelists will envision and recount how we can grow, harvest, and share food in ways that enable people to experience the abundance of God’s provision.  Together with the panelists, participants will explore the central role of the church in sharing the resources - land, helping hands, a wealth of scriptural mandates to feed God’s sheep - that lead to a reality in which there is enough for all.

Panelists

Rev. Hollie Haile Thompson

The Rev Holly Haile Thompson, DD, a blood member of the Shinnecock Nation, Long Island, NY, studied at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, IA, was graduated in 1985, ordained by the Presbytery of Western Colorado in 1986 becoming the first Native American Woman to become Minister of Word and Sacrament/Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Holly taught PCUSA Polity at Cook College and Theological School in Arizona served congregations in Colorado and in New York State, and is a member of several churchwide committees including the Racial Equity Advocacy Committee (REAC), the Native American Consulting Committee (NACC), and the Doctrine of Discovery Speakers Bureau, all of the PCUSA. Currently, Holly volunteers with the United Methodist Church’s northeast Native American Ministries Committee - supporting the UMC ongoing ‘Act of Repentance’. Although Holly was Honorably Retired in 2011, she most recently concluded her service with 1st Presbyterian Church Potsdam, NY as Transitional/Supply Pastor to explore what an “Anti-Racist Church” might look like. She works with the Poor Peoples’ Campaigns of Northern New York and of Long Island. Holly is married to Kahetakeron Harry Thompson of Akwesasne, and together they share 7 children, 16 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Ruling Elder

Edgar Hayes

Edgar Hayes is a Ruling Elder and CRE candidate in the Hudson River Presbytery. He is a retired firefighter and cofounder of Freedom Farm Community in Mount Hope, NY. They grow organic produce to share with people in need, teach youth and young adults sustainable agriculture and living out one’s faith, and are dedicated to building the Beloved Community.

Rev. Sarah Henkel

Rev. Sarah Henkel and her family joined the Freedom Farm Community in June 2021. In addition to helping nurture the vision of Freedom Farm Community, Sarah serves as the pastor of the United Presbyterian Church in Middletown, NY, just down the street from Freedom Farm, and as Grants Coordinator for the Synod of the Northeast.