Albany Synod Executive Committee
The Albany Synod Executive Committee consists of our President, Vice President, Past President and Stated Clerk.
In addition to these stated positions, there is also one representative from each classis, the chairpersons of our standing committees (Personnel, Finance, Overtures Judicial Business) and a liaison from the Synod Ministries Board and the Fowler Trustees.
Rev. Matthew van Maastricht, President
Matthew is the pastor at the Altamont Reformed Church in Altamont, New York. In addition, he is the general editor of the Congregational History Series of the Reformed Church in America, and serves as an adjunct instructor at New Brunswick Theological Seminary.
Matthew is the chair of Overtures and Judicial Business for the Classis of Schenectady, a member of the Overtures and Judicial Business committee for the RCA, as well as serving the Albany School of Ministry both on its board and as an instructor.
Matthew lives in Altamont with his wife, Marie, and their young son. He can usually be found surrounded by piles of books.
Becky Town, Vice President
Rev. Matthew van Maastricht, Vice President
Matthew is the pastor at the Altamont Reformed Church in Altamont, New York. In addition, he is the general editor of the Congregational History Series of the Reformed Church in America, and serves as an adjunct instructor at New Brunswick Theological Seminary.
Matthew is the chair of Overtures and Judicial Business for the Classis of Schenectady, a member of the Overtures and Judicial Business committee for the RCA, as well as serving the Albany School of Ministry both on its board and as an instructor.
Matthew lives in Altamont with his wife, Marie, and their young son. He can usually be found surrounded by piles of books.
Rev. Matthew van Maastricht, Vice President
Matthew is the pastor at the Altamont Reformed Church in Altamont, New York. In addition, he is the general editor of the Congregational History Series of the Reformed Church in America, and serves as an adjunct instructor at New Brunswick Theological Seminary.
Matthew is the chair of Overtures and Judicial Business for the Classis of Schenectady, a member of the Overtures and Judicial Business committee for the RCA, as well as serving the Albany School of Ministry both on its board and as an instructor.
Matthew lives in Altamont with his wife, Marie, and their young son. He can usually be found surrounded by piles of books.
Steve Norden, Past President
Rev. Steve Norden serves as the Past-President of the Regional Synod of Albany. He retired as Founding Pastor of New Hope Church in Powell, Ohio in early 2022 and has relocated to Holland, Michigan with his wife, Jean.
Rev. Bob Hoffman, Stated Clerk
Bob has been the pastor at First Reformed, Berne since 1976. He is a member of Schoharie Classis and serves on the Congregational Support Committee. He also participates in the Classis Clergy Coached Network. Bob works part-time as the Regional Synod of Albany Administrator, which includes being staff to the Finance, Personnel, OJB, and Nominations Committees of the Synod. He also serves on the Synod Mediation Team.
Bob is an avid Cubs Fan. He also does cross stitch (look for his latest baby blanket in the Camp Fowler, Harvest Gathering silent auction) and he finds a lot of satisfaction in landscaping, particularly around the Synod Office. When they aren't traveling, Bob and his wife Becky reside in Berne.