Peace by Piece Tour: Churches for Middle East Peace

Want to learn more about peace-building in the holy land?

Destiny Magnett from Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and Suzan Sahori from Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans will be in the Albany area November 2 and 3. These two will be presenting on topics related to peacebuilding and economic justice, with particular focus on the current tensions in Israel-Palestine. With handmade crafts available for purchase, the night will offer a unique opportunity to support Christian-led Palestinian craftspeople while fostering dialogue about shared paths toward peace and justice in the Holy Land.

You are invited to join us at one or more of the following events:

Sunday, Nov. 2: 5:30 PM

Delmar Reformed Church 383 Delaware Ave. Delmar NY. All are invited to gather and contribute to an "appetizer" themed potluck at 5:30 pm, or simply join the presentation from 6:15-7:00 pm.

Monday, Nov. 3 7-8:30 PM

Niskayuna Reformed Church. 3041 Troy Schenectady Rd., Niskayuna NY. Refreshments provided.

These presentations and discussions will help us:

• Gain deeper understanding of life in the Holy Land beyond headlines

• Learn about the critical situation of decline facing Christian communities in Holy Land

• Discover how supporting artisans creates sustainable livelihoods in marginalized communities

• Support local artisans through economic empowerment and storytelling

• Connect personal faith journeys with the pursuit of justice and reconciliation

• Learn approaches for peacebuilding in your own context and community

  
  

About the presenters:

Destiny Magnett is the Programs and Outreach Manager at Churches for Middle East Peace where she serves as the primary liaison for church partners. She will be leading a CMEP trip to the West Bank for the Christ at the Checkpoint conference in May 2026. 

Suzan Sahori is a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem who serves as the executive director of the Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans (BFTA).

Learn more about the Peace by Piece tour at this link.

Think Globally, Make Peace Locally: Building Skills for Interfaith Dialogue in a Rapidly Changing World

Hello, friends in the Regional Synod of Albany,

Many Albany Synod congregations support the Al Amana Centre in Oman. For many years, the Al Amana Centre, and Oman itself, have been carefully working at peacemaking in the midst of the conflict in the Middle East, demonstrating hospitality and serving as facilitators of difficult conversations. 

Two Al Amana staff--Justin Meyers, Executive Director, and Joshua Bode, Director of Operations and Ecumenical Affairs--will be in our region on July 13, leading a workshop open to all. 3-5 PM, Delmar Reformed Church. More details below in the flier. They'll be teaching some of the skills taught and employed at the Centre. Come do some learning and also check in with Justin and Josh about how their work is evolving, given the recent troubling developments in the Gulf and Levant. 

No RSVPs are necessary but I still appreciate hearing from you that you're coming--email me at nortonlevering@gmail.com to give me a heads up.

--Abby Norton-Levering, Synod Ministries Coordinator

PS Invite your friends! Even and especially if they're of another faith tradition!

Update from the Albany Synod Executive Committee re: Synod Staff

April 14, 2025

Dear Members of the Churches and Classes of the Regional Synod of Albany,

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.

We, the Albany Synod Executive Committee (ASEC), wish to share an important update regarding our recent decisions about Synod staffing.

As many of you know, on March 13, ASEC voted to conclude all current staff positions as of September 30, 2025. That decision was made because of anticipated structural changes and a desire to provide clarity and a timeline for transition. However, after hearing from many of you—through letters, conversations, and expressions of concern—we recognize that we acted too quickly and without adequate discernment or consultation with the wider Synod community.

In response, ASEC called a special meeting held on April 10th for deeper reflection and renewed discernment. We took time to listen carefully to your feedback, to prayerfully reconsider each role individually, and to reflect on how best to honor both the needs of the Synod and the people faithfully serving in these positions. As a result, we have rescinded our original decision and adopted a revised plan that reflects both continuity and care.

The following positions will continue until, at least, May 31, 2026:

• Synod Administrator currently staffed by Robert Hoffman

• Synod Program Coordinator currently staffed by Lindsey De Kruif

• School of Ministry currently staffed by Sandy Cornwall

The following positions will continue through December 31, 2025, with possible special contract extension for continued work on key initiatives like Churches Learning Change:

• Ministries Coordinator currently staffed by Abby Norton-Levering

• Minster for Renewal currently staffed by Sherri Meyer-Veen

We acknowledge that our initial decision, though made with the intent to provide clarity for staff, caused confusion and pain. We regret the swiftness with which we acted and offer our sincere apologies for not pausing to listen more fully before making such a consequential decision. We are grateful for your feedback, your grace, and your ongoing engagement.

As we continue this season of transformation, we commit to clearer communication, collaborative discernment, and prayerful leadership. Thank you for walking with us. We welcome your continued input and questions as we seek to be faithful stewards of this unfolding journey together.

In Christ’s peace and hope,

The Albany Synod Executive Committee