Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Did you know there are more than 900 Refugees seeking Asylum that had been housed in four hotels in the Capital Region since last August?  This includes about 90 kids.  There are additional sites in Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo, as well as in New York City.  These are just the people under the jurisdiction of the Doc.Go state funded program, there are others sponsored by other companies and groups.  

When they first arrived by bus last August, those housed at the Rotterdam Super 8 faced a group of protestors that shook the bus and even broke off a mirror.  Many were afraid to get off the bus.  They lived in the small motel rooms as families, with only a mini fridge and microwave, for 10 months, receiving pre-packaged food each day, waiting for their cases to be reviewed and their requests for asylum and temporary work permits to be acted on.  The Rotterdam Super 8 had frequent issues with the fire alarm system, finally resulting in an evacuation near the end of May that resulted in being bused for many hours to three different hotels.  They were turned away by two of these hotels as soon hotel management found out they were a part of the "migrant" asylum seeking group.  At one hotel, they were checked in and were getting settled when they were then asked to pack back up and leave.  

Recently Niskayuna Reformed and Lynnwood Reformed were able to mobilize quickly to help the last two of the Rotterdam families get settled in apartments.  Lynnwood filled a UHaul with furniture and household items, assisting the Migrant Relocation Assistance Program in setting up the apartments for these families.  

Are you or your congregation interested in learning more and getting involved with helping refugees and asylum seekers?  Please let Sherri Meyer-Veen know as efforts are ongoing.  

Albany School of Ministry

Details...

The School of Ministry (SoM) will offer six courses over the span of the next two years, fall 2023 through spring 2025: ● RCA Doctrinal Standards ● Old Testament Introduction and History ● New Testament Introduction and History ● Biblical Exegesis ● Preaching and Sermon Preparation ● Systematic Theology ​ These courses will cover the subjects that the RCA Book of Church Order requires potential preaching elders to study, prior to their commissioning. All SoM classes will all be taught primarily online, making it possible for students from the farthest flung corners of Albany Synod to participate by videoconferencing. There will be eight 3-hour evening sessions per subject. A central gathering may be requested by the instructor on occasion and will be announced prior to registration. ​ The School of Ministry classes will cost $300 due at the time of registration. Students are encouraged to seek scholarship assistance from their local church and classis. ​ Albany Synod School of Ministry Board The School of Ministry is overseen by the Albany Synod Ministries Board: Rev. Matthew J. van Maastricht, Rev. Steven Rodriguez, and Elder Lois Fiegl. ​ Who should sign up for SoM classes? ● those in training to be preaching elders (PE) ● those in training to become Commissioned Pastors (CP) ● Anybody else who is interested in the subjects offered! Church leaders, elders, deacons, Christian educators, pastors etc. ​ Potential PEs and CPs should be aware that their classes may require additional work in these subject areas beyond completing the SoM class. Classes also will conduct their own examinations of PE and CP candidates, to explore their mastery of the subject matter. PE and CP candidates who are under care of their classes must submit a written classis endorsement as they register for SoM classes. Classes will be updated by the School of Ministry administrator of the student’s performance and course completion. ​ A note to potential Commissioned Pastors and their classes: In addition to the six courses listed above, CPs must also be examined in church history, the constitution (including polity, sacraments and liturgy), practices of ministry and pastoral ethics. If classes and candidates express sufficient interest and need for courses in these subjects, the SoM board will undertake to provide them.

Preaching Elder Circle

A monthly Preaching Elder Circle led by Rev. Richard Otterness is offered on Zoom. Current preaching elders gather for learning and support with one another. To join, contact Sandy Cornwell, SOM Administrator at her email below.

Interested in more information? contact: Sandy Cornwell School of Ministry Administrator crccsandy@gmail.com