Gary Fisher was reappointed as the URCNA webmaster. The Website Oversight Committee was asked to develop documents detailing his duties as well as guidelines for posting material to the site. The consistory of Grace URC in Waupun will continue to oversee the Website Oversight Committee until the next synod. Synod reminded the churches to update … Continue reading Keeping the website accurate and up-to-date
Those who have attended previous synods know the confusion created by the adoption of documents without a clear definition of how they are to be regarded by the churches. Synod London 2010 had asked the Ad Hoc Synodical Rules Committee to address this issue. That committee drafted a document that defines synodical actions and describes … Continue reading URCNA Synod: Defining the meaning of synodical actions
The URCNA has two standing committees dealing with ecumenical relationships. CERCU (Committee for Ecumenical Relations and Church Unity) and CECCA (Committee for Ecumenical Contact with Churches Abroad). Both committees brought to Synod reports containing recommendations, which advisory committees passed on to the floor. Although most recommendations were adopted quickly and unanimously, it seemed like Synod … Continue reading URNCA ecumenical relationships: Phase Two with the RPCNA awaits ratification
When a retiring minister moves to another location and begins attending a different church, there may be some confusion as to which church ought to be holding his ministerial credentials. Additionally, there exists within the URCNA a wide range of discrepancy in the practice of funding ministers’ retirement funds. One study committee brought its recommendations … Continue reading Sorting out the emeritation process
In the URCNA, missions is a given. What was not a given, however, was how to do it, organizationally, that is. That delegates clearly desired to promote missions and church planting was evidenced by the quick adoption of the recommendations to establish a Missions Committee and to ask the existing Ad Hoc committee to serve … Continue reading The changing face of URCNA missions organization
Participants and observers say that one of the best things about Synod is the singing. Hearing hundreds of men wholeheartedly praising God fills hearts with grateful awe. The URCNA loves singing aesthetically pleasing arrangements of biblically articulate hymns and psalms. And over the next few years, the URCNA will be cooperating with the OPC toward … Continue reading URC to collaborate with OPC on songbook
Although it's rather old news by now, I intend to post my Christian Renewal reports on the URCNA Synod Nyack 2012 now that they've appeared in print. The following overview appeared on pages 6-7 and 10 of the July 11, 2012, issue of Christian Renewal. My picture of the delegates appeared as a nice two-page spread (pp 8-9), large … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012: A prayer-full gathering near the Hudson
One of the best things about synod meetings is chatting with old or new friends over meals or on walks between buildings. And one of the most interesting conversations for me this year at Synod Nyack 2012 was a brief discussion about writers with Rev. Leo DeVos, the fraternal delegate from the Reformed Churches of New … Continue reading Discovering Ngaio Marsh
When Frodo and his friends first set eyes on unfamiliar territory as they leave the Shire, he recites a bit of poetry that reminds him of Bilbo and says: He used often to say there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: its springs were at every doorstep, and every path … Continue reading Synod saga: There and back again
The available copies of my book Little One Lost: Living with Early Infant Loss sold out at Synod Nyack 2012, but publisher Reformed Fellowship plans to have more copies available for purchase next week. The books will be available online from the Reformed Fellowship website or through Amazon as well as in retail bookstores. I hope to post … Continue reading Little One Lost: Living with Early Infant Loss
Glenda Faye Mathes 