2016 Winter Quarterly Meeting Synod of the Northeast Mission and Ministry Commission January 29-30 in Albany, New York Out of 22 Presbyteries - 19 were present, 3 YAAD were present (7 eligible Presbyteries eligible), 1 Racial Ethnic Caucus present, Presbyterian Women, 5 staff, Geneva’s TE David Ashby moderated Overture on Amending G-2.0301, “Ruling Elder Defined,” To Allow for Individually Commissioned Ruling Elders (The entire Amendment document will be attached) Wingo is increasing Synod visibility: social media, improved web site, developing video. Working on Fundraising. PDA is focusing on three regional trainings: New Jersey, Boston, and Western New York. TE Leslie Latham is setting this training up for us in her Presbytery-Western NY. Plan to attend when this 2 day event is scheduled. o PDA has just released some information about their response to the toxic waste problems in Hoosick, Albany Presbytery. Final report of the Geneva Special Administrative Review Committee was available. It was recommended reading to learn how reconciliation and healing has come about. The Palisades SARC submitted their preliminary report. A little more work and then the Newark Presbytery SARC will begin pull-back. The Synod is partners with PCUSA Immigrant on an Advocacy training and network “An Open Space” being held April 7-9 at Stony Point. Synod Assembly is set for October 14-15 @ The Desmond, Albany, NY Administrative Working Group o Youth Triennium – will fund $100 per participant for youth as well as chaperones. o Established the Robert L. Washington Fund for the training of racial ethnic emerging leaders. o Authorized a loan of $30,000 to the Presbytery of Northern New England to support a racial ethnic ministry within its bounds o Presbytery Support New Beginnings Program for MLK Church in Southern New England Presbytery $6,000 Samaritan Counseling Center – Albany Presbytery - $1,500 o Synod Partners Bloomfield College, Newark Presbytery - $40,000 Mission at the Eastwards, Northern New England Presbytery - $20,000 Parity, New York City Presbytery - $20,000 o Peacemaking – Up to 12 Peacemaking scholarships for $500 each for people to attend Ecumenical Advocacy Days o Recinded funding to First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth Presbytery - $25,000 (in 2015) Black Presbyterian Caucus - $20,000 (in 2014) may reapply in 2016 Network Working Group o Gun Violence Prevention and Response is the newest network. Recommends everyone begin by viewing the PDA produced video “Trigger.” o Mediation Network Training will be held April 25-29 @ Stony Point. TE Kathryn Griffis is planning on attending. Others welcome! o Prison Ministry Network Conference: May 6-7 @ Stony Point Mission Working Group Ecumenical Cabinet o Vermont - $500 Maine - $500 o Massachusetts - $2000 New Hampshire - $500 o New Jersey - $10,000 o New York State Council of Churches- $5000 for Director of Social Witness Campus Ministry o Genesee Valley Presbytery: Eastman Campus Ministry — $5,000 University or Rochester - $10,000 o Long Island Presbytery: Protestant Campus Ministry at Stony Brook University — $8,000 o Susquehanna Valley Presbytery: Cornell Protestant Community — $2,500 Ithaca College Protestant Community — $2,500 Protestant & Interfaith Ministry at SUNY Cortland — $2,500 SUNY Delhi Campus Ministry — $2,500 o Western New York Presbytery: Campus Church ConneXion (Campus Church Coalition) — $8,000 Innovation Grants o Hudson River Presbytery: Nyack Project — $8,000 o Monmouth Presbytery: Genesis Center -- $40,000 over 2 years $20,000 o Northern New England Presbytery: PC Shekinah Fellowship — $20,000 o Albany Presbytery: Adirondack Church Without Walls — $20,000 Funds to use with a larger grant for an opportunity for strategic adaptive change in congregational leadership within the Presbytery — $8,000 o New York City Presbytery: Not So Churchy -- $10,000 Rendall Memorial PC to undo Racism between a historically African-American Church & an European-American “tall-steeple” church - $75 over two years o Boston Presbytery: Boston Food Justice YAV Program — $5,000 Respectfully Submitted, RE Virginia Champlin Geneva Presbytery Mission & Ministry Commissioner .