April Synod Mission and Ministries Commission Summary

Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley reported. The synod is bringing people together to serve in public ministry -- how we live in the world and spread the gospel as partners with others.  During the conference at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, NY in March, eighty-five people came, with presenters from across the denomination, to talk about what it means to be a partner.  The synod received very positive feedback from participants. We are considering doing this again and expanding it, perhaps out in the Western New York area.  Our synod is a PCUSA model of a hybrid programmatic synod using flexibility.  We are moving to implementation, mobilizing direct services, repurposing church buildings, working with government, and grant writing.  Several articles were written about the synod for the Presbyterian News Service.  We are already looking ahead to a community organizing cohort of people who want to learn the skill set of public theology and community organizing, led by Rev. Patrick OConnor. 

Pathways to Mid-Council Leadership was held in Princeton, NJ.  There is a high turnover of Mid Council leaders, which the conference and other initiatives seek to address.  The event allowed people to learn about the various aspects of Mid Council leadership and gave them the opportunity to discern whether this is an area they might wish to pursue. 

The Commission VOTED to approve a $20,000/year grant for three years to the Iglesia Evangelical Presbiteriana Nueva for them to participate in the Small Church Residency Program, the first church to participate in this program.

Stated Clerk Rev. Nancy Talbot reported that the Leadership Team had approved Rev. Kyungmoon Yoon, from Boston to complete the required number of Synod Permanent Judicial Commission members.  The Commission VOTED to ratify her election.  She will serve on the PJC as part of the Class of 2030.   

Administrative Coordinator Rev. Dr. Nichol Burris reported that the Early Ministry Institute scheduled later in May has twenty-four participants including thirteen new pastors and six completing their third and final year.  The synod subsidizes the Early Ministry Institute; participants only pay $350.  The presbyteries also contribute. This year's topic is "Engaging Conflict."  James Fennimore and Carol Howard will be among the speakers.

Elder Virginia Champlin, Moderator of the Synod Presbyterian Women reported.  They are active, busy, and fulfilling their purpose.  The new Bible Study is out and available. 

The Commission VOTED to approve the following recommendations presented by the Administrative Working Group of the Commission: (a) to receive the Treasurer's Report, (b) to transfer restricted Wurffel-Sills money from Lipe and Dalton to New Covenant Trust Company when the Investment Review Committee determines the time is appropriate, (c)

to elect Rev. Marjory Roth, Elder Rob Heinze, and Rev. Ezequiel Herrera to serve on the Audit Committee; and Rev. Pieter Fischer, Elder Pat Osterhoudt, and Rev. Sarah Craven to serve on the Wurffel-Sills Review Committee. 

The Commission VOTED to approve an Emergency Migrant Grant request for the El Shaddai church in the amount of $5000. Rev. Brandi Wooten, Convener of the Connectional Ministries Working Group reported that Indigenous Mission Day at the Jimerson Presbyterian and Wright Memorial Presbyterian churches in Western New York is scheduled for June 14, 2025.  It will be a good time for relationship building and encourage people to sign up for the day. All are welcome.

At the recommendation of the Mission Working Group the Commission VOTED to move the Youth Service Night application to the Young Adult Leadership Development category and use the unused funds from the previous cycle to fund this application, totaling $4,000.

The Commission VOTED to accept the recommendations of the Mission Working Group to fund the applications below for the 2025 Innovation Grants.