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
Emeritation may seem an obscure word, but it simply has to do with retirement, and in the case of this year’s URCNA Synod, the retirement of ministers. Synod London 2010 formed a committee to study the issue and that committee brought its report to Synod Nyack 2012. The advisory committee made several editorial changes and … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-13: Emeritation
Members of the study committee on Doctrinal Commitment were evenly divided on the issue when the committee reported to Synod 2010 in London and were directed to come back this year with another report. They did. And Synod Nyack 2012 pretty much liked it. The recommendations from the advisory committee underwent some editorial changes, but … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-12: Doctrinal Commitment
The URCNAÂ has one chaplain, Andrew Spriensma, currently serving in Germany. But another chaplain who has close ties to the URCNA has been present on campus during Synod Nyack 2012. OPCÂ Chaplain Paul Berghaus, currently stationed at the US Military Academy at West Point, visited the Nyack campus on Wednesday evening, after leading a tour of delegate … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-11 Chaplains
The URCNA has suffered from a lack of coordinated efforts in missions and church planting efforts and Synod London 2010 set up a study committee to research and make recommendations regarding a permanent missions committee and coordinator options. The study committee’s report recommended the establishment of a permanent committee, representing all classes, and a full-time … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-10: Missions
Remember the childhood excitement of "Picture Day"? Yesterday was picture day at Synod. Immediately before lunch, the delegates stood in the auditorium for this group picture, which I took while standing in the balcony. The campus is hilly and provides lots of excellent (several steep) slopes, but the problem was getting the photographer high enough in front … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-9: Pictures
Delegates debated outdoors whether the large birds shrieking in nearby trees today were hawks or eagles. I vote for hawks, but they looked a lot larger than the red-tailed variety common in the Midwest. One appeared to be a parent and two looked like juveniles. The URCNA has churches in Canada and the United States and has … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-8: Finances
It's been a rather rainy afternoon here on the campus of Nyack College, but most delegates have been out of the rain while sequestered in advisory committee meetings. When Synod reconvened in plenary session at 3:30, a few committees had already submitted some reports. Some had even finished their work (at least for now). These … Continue reading URCNA Synod-3: Getting down to business
Synod Nyack 2012 of the United Reformed Churches in North America began on Monday evening, June 11, with a wonderful evening of prayer and worship. Delegates, wives, and others crowded the auditorium to pray for God's blessing and sing praises to him. Elder Steve Hanko, from Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church, described it best when … Continue reading URCNA Synod-1: Worship!
Stayed tuned for a continuing saga of Synod Nyack 2012!
Glenda Faye Mathes 