Conversations are the basis for our lives and every relationship. Improving our ability to listen for understanding and speaking to be heard increasing our love and discipleship. It is work we all need to practice, regardless of our experience and skill level. Come join the Synod Mediation Team in practical learning and practice together. All are welcome!
Updated: May 14
Albany Synod held its annual assembly on May 3 and 4 (Read the minutes). Nearly 75 delegates and guests attended a celebration of the synod’s ministries and staff on Sunday evening at the Helderberg Reformed Church. The worship time included a litany of Remembrance, Communion and Hope for the Regional Synod of Albany, written by Rev. Chris VandeBunte, music selections provided by the Lynnwood Reformed Church Music Team, and storytelling by Rev. Kent Busman. Noreen Fargione shared greetings from former and current staff. (Want to learn more about the history of Albany Synod, check out this summary of Albany Synod minutes since 1933 prepared by Bob Hoffman).
On Monday, May 4, the delegates gathered at the Lynnwood Reformed Church for the business meeting of the assembly. Reports were shared by synod staff on the various ministries of the synod, as well as partners of the synod (Camp Fowler, New York State Council of Churches, and the General Synod Council). Worship was led by Rev. Immanuel Van Tonder, Vice President with accompaniment from the Lynnwood Reformed Church Music Team. (Hear the vice president's sermon.)
Some of the major decisions made by the synod included:
Extended the terms of the current officers, board and committee members through the end of the year.
Approved the Financial Review document prepared by Mr. Phil Beckett, CPA.
Approved an assessment schedule for 2027 to help the middle assemblies begin with a financial base and to assist congregations in their 2027 budget planning process.
Approved the distribution plan for Albany Synod assets (financial and physical).
Heard, discussed and approved the process necessary to blend the requirements of NYS Not for Profit and Corporate Laws with those of the Book of Church Order to bring together our existing classes and form two middle assemblies.
Heard summary statements from both middle assembly transition teams on their progress toward developing their ministries and the structure to support it.
Approved a number of resolutions of thanks and recognition of the synod’s volunteers, staff, officers and ministries.
Received an inspiring report from President, Rev. Dirk Gieser. (Hear the president's report)
Special thanks go to the membership and staff of the Lynnwood Reformed Church for their fine hospitality.
The Niskayuna Reformed Church has been filling needs in our community by participating in the Care Portal platform with Justice for Orphans.
Niskayuna Reformed Church joined Care Portal through Justice for Orphans in November of 2024. As of March 2026 the NRC team has responded to 17 requests that served 42 children and translates to an economic impact of over $14,855!!
“We have provided alarm clocks to schools to be distributed to help strengthen student attendance. We’ve provided lice kits to schools for families that cannot afford them. We’ve provided bed frames, mattresses, furniture, bedding, linens, cleaning products, and medicine lock boxes to help keep kids in safe homes. Often times these requests have helped kids stay with various family members and out of the foster care system. A team delivered and assembled a crib for a toddler so he wasn’t sleeping on the floor. Most recently, we provided a bus ticket for a homeless mother during dangerous temperatures here to travel to Georgia to be with her extended family and daughter.”
All of the requests on the Care Portal come from agencies that have already vetted the cases and sometimes assisted to the best of their ability. Case workers, school counselors, or other social workers noted additional needs not covered by other agencies still exist for their clients and put the request in the Care Portal. Niskayuna Reformed has a small group of volunteers that sees the requests and decides which ones we are able to fulfill. We started sharing with the congregation some of the common items we have seen on the care portal, and congregation members began donating items. We created space in one of our storage closets for such items, which now makes it even easier for volunteers to respond to requests as we know what we already have on hand.
This picture is of Lizbeth Amorelli, one of our Care Portal team members and the Chair of our Mission and Service committee. Lizbeth recently shared with the congregation the impact of participating in Care Portal in a “Moment for Mission” on a Sunday morning. In addition to sharing the specifics above, Lizbeth reported, “The teams making deliveries are not just bringing physical items, they are also delivering hope and making meaningful connections in our community. Mission and Service thanks you for your continued generosity and we plan to answer many more requests in the coming years. “
Other churches, such as Kinderhook and Germantown, have been participating in Care Portal for even longer than Niskayuna Reformed and have wonderful stories to tell. Care Portal is a national platform to connect churches with their community. It is administered by a local non-profit organization. Justice for Orphans is that non-profit for
the Capital Region.
