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!

Now Available! Handbook for Collaborative Ministry!

The CMLC on retreat at Camp Fowler: Greg Town, Paige Convis, Becky Town, Sherri Meyer-Veen (RSA staff), and Jennifer Legg. Not pictured: Chuck Wiessner, who participated in the retreat by zoom.

Over the past year, Albany Synod's Collaborative Ministry Learning Community (CMLC) has been meeting, studying, researching, interviewing, and writing about all they've learned as they have explored many of the paths that Collaborative ministry can take. You can read the benefits of their work by exploring the Handbook for Collaborative Ministry they produced. Any church that is considering how to work together with another church or agency in ministry would benefit from studying this terrific handbook.

Here are some excerpts from the introduction to the Handbook:

The CMLC emerged from the recommendations of the Adaptive Change Task Force of the Regional Synod of Albany, recognizing the need for new approaches to ministry in an ever-changing landscape. We are committed to exploring innovative models of shared ministry—reimagining what has been done before and discovering what has yet to be tried.

We see ourselves as pioneers and practitioners in collaboration, embracing both the successes and setbacks that come with experimentation. Our role is not just to implement what is already known, but to test, adapt, and refine models of ministry that respond to the needs of today’s church. We believe that collaboration is not merely a practical necessity for churches and ministers, but a theological and missional calling - a way of being the body of Christ together.

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Through this handbook and the ongoing learning of many who are involved in collaborations of various kinds, we aim to equip and encourage congregations, pastors, and church leaders as they step into collaborative ministry. We believe that when churches work together—sharing leadership, resources, and mission - they become stronger, more resilient, and better able to serve their communities.

Whether you are just beginning to explore shared ministry or are looking to strengthen an existing partnership, our goal is to walk alongside you, offering insights, encouragement, and practical tools to navigate the journey ahead.

Are you feeling intrigued? What are you waiting for, go check out the Handbook! Bring it to your consistory, read it together, and then let us know how your discernment process progresses! The CMLC will be continuing to work together for the foreseeable future, and they'd love to hear from you how you make use of the Handbook.

To offer an edit, add a story of your own, offer the addition of a resource you’ve found useful, or just give your feedback, please email Greg Town at gnbtown@gmail.com This handbook will be continually edited and added to, in order to build on and deepen our shared learning in the collaborative work to which we’re all called to enter.  Peace!

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