The Regional Synod of New York

The Regional Synod of New York includes classes and congregations that are urban, suburban, and rural; large, medium, and small; black, white, Asian, Hispanic, and multiracial; progressive, moderate, and conservative—as well as those that don’t comfortably wear such labels. United in and through Jesus’s saving love, we rejoice in the diversity of our family of faith and we delight in the inclusive message of the Gospel. We honor Scripture as authoritative and divinely inspired, even as we recognize that we may have differences in faithful interpretation. Recognizing that our love is our response to God’s love and our grace a reflection of God’s grace, we welcome all.

Pictured above: Photo of Rev. Joyce Stedge held by Debbie Stedge, standing with Rev. Amy Nyland and Rev. Julia Doellman-Brown

STORY OF THE WEEK

Remembering Reverend Joyce K. Stedge

With thanks to Debbie Stedge (pictured centrally above with Rev. Amy Nyland (R) and Rev. Julia Doellman-Brown (L)) and our friends at the United Church of Spring Valley this photo of the Reverend Joyce K. Stedge will hang at the Regional Synod of New York office! Rev. Stedge, Debbie's mother, was the first woman ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Reformed Church in America, paving the way for the broad witness and service of women in

Lenten Message: “Already/Not Yet”

I have been thinking lately about the phrase, “already/not yet.” It’s a phrase I learned my very first week of seminary in my New Testament class. The professor, Dr. Jim Brownson [1], was one of the most influential people on my journey to ordination. He taught our class about the nature of God’s kingdom or reign as already/not yet; it has already come to earth with the person of Jesus Christ and it has not yet come in its fullness --