A Collaborative Conference with the New York State Council of Churches

The Synod of the Northeast, in collaboration with the New York State Council of Churches, is excited to present:

Connection to Transformation: Building a Partnership Culture in Faith Communities Conference

Saturday, October 25, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church

315 N. Cayuga Street

Ithaca, New York

This gathering will bring together ecumenical and interfaith pastors, lay leaders, organizers, and community advocates from across the Central and Western New York region to explore how transformational partnerships can emerge when faith communities center connection, collaboration, and mutuality. Through worship, storytelling, interactive workshops, and keynote conversations, participants will reflect on how churches can move beyond transactional relationships toward deeper engagement that reflects the love and justice of Christ in our small towns and rural communities.

Whether you serve in a local congregation, a nonprofit ministry, or an ecumenical initiative, this conference will offer tools and inspiration for building a culture of authentic partnership rooted in shared purpose and faith.

Join us as we listen, learn, and reimagine the future of the Church and the communities we are called to serve. Together, we move from connection to transformation.

Draft Schedule

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration and Networking 

9:00 AM – 9:10 AM: Opening Prayer, Bishop Lee Miller 

9:10 AM – 9:20 AM: Welcome – Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley & Rev. Peter Cook 

9:20 AM – 9:30 AM: Special Greetings – Marjorie Ackerman, Geneva Presbytery 

9:30 PM – 10:30 PM: Plenary Session I - Public Ministry - Dr. Kathrine Threadgill, Columbia Seminary 

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Morning Break 

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM: Fiscal Policy – Ron Deutsch, Director of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness 

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM: Workshops  

1. Immigration: What You Should Know About Legal Advocacy – Juana Cortes de Torres  

1. Grant Writing - Eileen Linder,  

1. Social Justice for Churches and Mid-Level Judicatories - Peter Cook, Executive Director NY State Council of Churches & Rashida Tyler, (Deputy Executive Director, NY State Council of Churches –  

1. Building Connections with Community Partners – Larry Beasley 

12:45-1:30 PM: Lunch & Table Conversations 

1:30 PM – 1:45 PM: Prayer for Peace – Rev. Dr. Greg Garis, Presbyter Susquehanna Valley 

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM: Plenary III – Community Redevelopment - Henry-Louis Taylor, Jr., Prof. Urban & Regional Planning and Founding Director of the UB Center for Urban Studies 

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM: Workshops (3) 

1. Rural & Migrant Ministry -Rev. Richard Witt, Executive Director of Rural and Migrant Ministry 

1. Community Mapping – Rose Niles, Presbyterian Foundation 

1. Rural Housing, Micheal Borges, Executive Director of Rural Housing Coalition 

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM Break 

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Plenary – TBA 

5:00 PM – 5:15PM Closing Remarks, Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley 

Registration will open in July! Stay tuned for registration details and speaker announcements.