Dec 2  - Luke Huron Presbytery Meeting—Flushing, MI (Ruth-Aimée) Dec 5 - Vacation Begins (Chip) Dec 12 - Western Reserve Presbytery Christmas Celebration—Cleveland (Ruth-Aimée) Dec 14 - Calvary Presbyterian Church Celebration of Life—Detroit, MI (Ruth-Aimée) Dec 15 - Vacation Begins (Ruth-Aimée) Dec 24-31 - All Synod Staff on Vacation   If you would like Executive Chip Hardwick or Associate Executive Ruth-Aimée Belonni-Rosario to come to your church or ministry to preach

Blessed Advent Co-Heirs with Christ!   As we begin the new liturgical year (and wind down the calendar year) there are several presbyteries evaluating their CRE programs or taking them in a new direction. This is also a time where seminaries have updated their training programs for CREs, while others are beginning to develop new programs. And of course, with General Assembly around the corner, there could be additional changes and updates to CRE training and support!   I have

H appy New Year! As we begin a new liturgical year and enter into the Advent season, we are excited to share with you that the Synod will once again produce a pre-recorded post-Christmas virtual worship service for use on the Sunday following Christmas (Dec 28th).   We offer this service because we know that the Sunday after Christmas is one of the more difficult times to find pulpit supply. Our hard-working and diligent pastors, preachers, musicians, liturgists and the many

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” — Desmond Tutu “Lament is not despair. It is not a cry into a void. Lament is a cry directed to God.” — Walter Brueggemann “We are called to learn the anguished cry of lament.” – Center for Action and Contemplation The season of Advent is upon us. Advent is my favorite liturgical season. The hymns, songs, scripture readings, and sermons are filled with hope, joy, peace, and a sense of wonder. Over th