Synod Mission and Ministries September Commission Meeting Summary

The Synod Mission and Ministries Commission met September 18-20 at the United Church of Fayetteville in Fayetteville, New York. During the first twenty-four hours, members took part in a spiritual retreat which included an afternoon session led by Rev. Suzanne Haley who focused on how we reach out in good faith beyond those who think as we do and how we talk to one another across theological differences. Friday morning, we convened at Green Lakes State Park for Tai Chi followed by using prayer meditations as we walked various trails near the lake.                        

After lunch we began the commission meeting with a general discussion of the concepts included by the Discernment Team in the new vision for the Synod. The final report will be available to Synod Assembly Commissioners and Presbytery Leaders on October 15th. According to the Standing Rules all documents for the Special Meeting must be available 30 days before the meeting scheduled for November 15th.   

 

The following actions were taken at the Commission meeting: 

 

The Commission VOTED to approve the distributed Docket for this meeting.

Before breaking out into working groups, The Rev. Aaron Frank(Mission Working Group Convener) presented a motion: that the Commission approve using the remaining 2025 funds from Youth/Young Adult Leadership Development and Campus Ministry totaling $52,500 in addition to the $50,000 available from Emerging Gospel Communities to provide a total of $102,500 for Emerging Gospel Community grant applications. The Commission VOTED to approve the motion.

 

Meeting Dates:

 

2026 Commission Meetings                 2027 Synod Assembly Meetings

January 30-31 (Zoom)                          January 29-30 (Zoom)

April 24-25 (in person)                            May 13-15 (in person with retreat)

September 18-19 (Zoom) or                   October 22-23 (in person)

September 11-12 (Zoom)                                 

1st Synod Assembly

 under the new vision –

October 23-24 or October 16-17

(in person)

 

A possible change is listed above. If we cannot secure suitable accommodations for October 23-24, 2026, we may need to reschedule the Synod Assembly for October 16-17. This change would require us to move the September 18-19 meeting to September 11-12. The Commission VOTED to accept the proposed meeting dates and to allow the Synod to finalize the September/October 2026 dates based upon the availability of sleeping accommodations near by.

 

Mission Working Group:

The Synod received 15 applications that totaled $284,825 in requests for the 2025 Emerging Gospel Community Grant. The group recommended awards of $102,500 to 8 applicants as shown:

 

EGC-25-09-01

Parent Oasis: Faith & Family Table (Year 1)

First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica (New York City)                                                    Recommended: $12,500

 

EGC-25-09-03

The Steeple School (Year 1)                

The Steeple School at Setauket Presbyterian Church (Long Island)

Recommended: $7,500

 

EGC-25-09-05                                       

Transformations (Year 2)                     

Connect Faith, Inc. (Hudson River)                                             

Recommended: $15,000

 

EGC-25-09-06                                        

La Iglesia del Pueblo (Year 2)                                                     

(New York City)

Recommended: $20,000

 

EGC-25-09-08

Aboga por Su Causa (Advocate for Their Cause) (Year 1)                                                                                                        (Coastlands)                                                                                                                                Recommend: $5,000

 

EGC-25-09-10                                        

Finding Our Way Home (Year 1)                                                                                                        (Hudson River)                                                                                                                          Recommended: $12,500

 

EGC-25-09-13                                                

Bridges of Belonging (Year 1)                                                                                                        Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville (Coastlands)                                                                                                                                                                                            Recommended: $15,000

 

EGC-25-09-14                  

Madres con Esperanza (Mothers with Hope) (Year 1)                             

Fort George Presbyterian Church (New York City)                     

Recommended: $15,000

 

The Commission VOTED to accept the recommendations of the Mission Working Group to fund the above-listed applicants for the 2025 Emerging Gospel Community Grants at the recommended amounts.

 

Connectional Ministries Working Group Report

The commission held an Indigenous Mission Day in June. Although it was planned to include two Presbyterian Churches in the Seneca Nation: Wright Memorial Church in Irving, NY and Jimersontown Presbyterian Church in Salamanca, NY, unfortunately, a gas leak prevented Jimersontown Presbyterian Church from participating. They are in the process of setting a new date. Tasks accomplished were cleaning the sanctuary and kitchen, organizing a storage closet, repairing the handicap ramp, and landscaping the front of the church. In addition, it was gratifying to see relationships being created.  Conversations
cr between church members and volunteers included storytelling, sharing experiences and laughter.

 

The Commission VOTED to approve the Ecumenical Grant application by the New York State Council of Churches in the amount of $5,000.

 

Administrative Working Group Report:

 Treasurer’s Report: The Commission VOTED to:

  • Receive and accept the Treasurer’s Report as of July 31, 2025.

  • Recommend to the Synod Assembly approval of the proposed 2026 budget.

  • Receive the 2024 Audit prepared by Lumsden McCormick

  • In accordance with the Synod’s Standing Rules, the Investment Review Committee requested that the Synod Leadership Team approve the recommendations of the committee on conclusion of its interviews with potential Investment Managers and when all discussions with references are completed. The Commission VOTED to approve this motion.

 

Personnel Report: The Commission VOTED to:

  • Recommend the proposed staffing structure to Synod Assembly.

  • Recommend approval of job descriptions for the new positions of Mid Council Resident and Fund Development Intern.

  • Recommend to the Synod Assembly that the following recommendation from the Personnel Team be approved: change Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley’s role from Transitional Synod Leader to Synod Leader effective January 1, 2026, for a five-year term. This vote was unanimous.

  • Recommend that the Synod Assembly approve the new Synod Leader Position Description.

  • Updates were made to the Personnel Policy. Work will continue on the Personnel Policy with a final complete document to be approved at the January 2026 Commission meeting.

 

Announcements:

Elder Lisa Baker announced that Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield, MA will hold a grand reopening at 4 p.m. on November 16, 2025. A fire set by an arsonist destroyed the entire church at Christmas five years ago. The FBI and Attorney General believe this to be a hate crime.  The case is still pending. This reopening will be a wonderful celebration.   

 

Worship

Worship was led by Rev. Brandi Wooten. The Commission VOTED to adjourn after worship.

Mark Bennett