Nov. 11 Enews: Synod Assembly Recap, Mixing Politics and the Pulpit

	Nov. 11, 2021 The Synod of the Trinity Being More Together Synod of the Trinity Calling of new executive highlights Synod Assembly The 2021 Synod of the Trinity Assembly gathering was held online in late October. Among the highlights was the naming of a new Synod Executive in Forrest Claassen, saying goodbye to current Transitional Executive Susan Faye Wonderland and hearing Jimmie Hawkins, the Director of the PC(USA) Advocacy Offices, Office of Public Witness & Ministry at the United Nations, speak on “Covenantal Righteousness and Justice.” At this link are the highlights of the meeting and links to corresponding videos and paperwork. ______________________________ In Case You Missed It Forrest Claassen named new Synod executive The Rev. Forrest Claassen, co-executive and stated clerk of the Presbytery of Los Ranchos, was unanimously voted to become the Synod's new executive, effective Jan. 1, 2022. A full release with more details is available by clicking here. Webinar Opportunity Living Out Our Missional Identity in Christ – Yes, Even During Covid On Saturday, Nov. 13, the Synod welcomes the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson (the Coordinator for the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People Program (SDOP) and the Convener for the Education Roundtable), who will hold a webinar titled "Called out to Serve: Living Out our Missional Identity in Christ – Yes, Even During Covid." The webinar will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until approximately 12:15 p.m. More information and registration are available by clicking here. Samaritan Counseling, Guidance, Consulting Webinar: Sustaining Your Pastor for the Long Haul Last month, the Rev. Graham Standish from Samaritan Counseling, Guidance, Consulting led a workshop on "Sustaining Your Pastor for the Long Haul." This gathering of church elders and members offered an opportunity for churches to consider how churches can minister to their pastors so that they feel renewed and restored for ministry. You can watch a recording of the webinar by clicking here. Additional Resources Click these links for videos on how to: Reduce Your Pastor's Load Value Your Pastor Create a Better Context West Virginia Rev. Stephen Baldwin balances pulpit with public service Imagine being a pastor in 2021, with the coronavirus pandemic changing many aspects of how church is now done and creating more stress on congregational leaders. Imagine being a politician in this day when you are either loved or hated based simply on your political affiliation. For the Rev. Stephen Baldwin Jr., he doesn’t have to image either of these situations because he is living out both scenarios right now. Stephen is the pastor at Ronceverte Presbyterian Church (pronounced Ron-se-vert) in West Virginia as well as a Democratic state senator from Greenbrier County. Being able to meet both challenges is something Stephen has always aspired to do. For more on this unique call, click here. Synod of the Trinity What's your Synod up to? Ends Progress Report explains. The Synod’s Policy Governance Manual directs the Synod Executive to report on how she/he is directing the Synod staff to meet the Synod’s six secondary ends (or purposes) throughout the year. This report is presented to the Governing Commission during quarterly meetings. Click here to view the report that was presented to the Governing Commission at its September meeting chronicling the ends work achieved during the prior six months.
Triennium Grant available for 2022 event The 2022 Presbyterian Youth Triennium is moving to the Indiana Convention Center and housing all participants - ALL participants! - in air-conditioned hotels (for the whole time!). All who have ventured into the world of the Triennium know that the late-night HEAT in the dorms can be brutal! This means that the cost for the Triennium will increase as delegations take on hotel stays beyond the event charges, and many presbyteries may not be quite ready to absorb, or fundraise for this increase! Let us share some of that cost with you! The Synod is offering a Triennium Grant. More details are available by clicking here. Synod PW seeking mission projects, holds election The Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Trinity are soliciting applications for its 2022 Mission Project. The nominated project should be a project within the Synod of the Trinity, if possible. Send two typed copies of the completed application (available here) to Judith Jerry, 450 Stevens Drive, Apt. 204, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. Also send a copy via email to peabody636@verizon.net. The deadline for submission of the application is Dec. 10, 2021. For more information, contact Judith A. Jerry, Mission Interpretation Coordinator, at the above email address. The PW also named new officers after elections were held recently. For more information on the Synod's PW, including a listing of the new board members, click here. New regions for Board of Pensions reps The Board of Pensions has shifted assignments for some of its Church Consultants, and one of the regions affected is the Synod of the Trinity. Doug Portz has added the presbyteries of Donegal, Lehigh, Lackawanna and Northumberland to his territory, and Carrie Mitchell is now in charge of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. The Synod has a dedicated web page that lists those who cover our presbyteries for the Board of Pensions, Presbyterian Foundation, Presbyterian Mission Agency and Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program. Find the information by clicking here. Pittsburgh Seminary inaugurating new president Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will hold an online inauguration and installation this week for the Rev. Dr. Asa J. Lee as president and professor of theological formation for ministry. A service of prayer and praise will be held Thursday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. (Eastern). On Friday, Nov. 12, the inauguration and installation service will be held at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern). At 3 p.m. (Eastern), tune in to the panel discussion “Forming Tomorrow’s Clergy: Exploring Ecologies of Formation for the 21st Century.” More information on this celebration is available by clicking here. Stephen Ministries offers new training Stephen Ministries is now training caring ministry leaders through a live, interactive online training experience called the Bridge Leader’s Training Course (BLTC). This event fully trains Stephen Leaders — the pastors, church staff and lay leaders who begin and lead Stephen Ministry in their congregation. For more information about the Bridge Leader’s Training Course, click here. Giving Tuesday set for Nov. 30 “Giving Tuesday”  allows people to dedicate a day to give to their favorite organizations as a kickoff to the giving season. In 2021, Giving Tuesday falls on Nov. 30. The Synod of the Trinity is challenging Presbyterians, their congregations and the presbyteries in our region to join in the Giving Tuesday spirit. By clicking here, money can be donated to the Synod of the Trinity through Presbyterian Mission Exchange. Money donated will support peacemaking grants, campus ministries or the many other ministries of the Synod.
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