During our worship service on November 16th, Judy Hartley shared a celebration: she represented the Albany Presbytery at a special meeting of the Synod of the Northeast the previous day and was thrilled with the energy, the vision, and the leadership affirmed at the event.
“It felt like a new day,” she declared.
During the meeting, the Synod took two historic steps: they officially installed the Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley as Synod Leader, and they overwhelmingly approved a new vision document titled “Reimagining the Church in the World.”
What does this mean for Westminster?
The Synod is our regional denominational body—connecting presbyteries across the Northeast. Often, this layer of the church can feel like distant bureaucracy, but this new vision is designed to change that. It shifts the Synod’s focus away from being “middle management” and toward directly resourcing local congregations like ours.
This vision has deep roots in our own community. I had the privilege of serving on the discernment team during the first two years of this process, helping to lay the groundwork for these changes. It was wonderful to have Elder Judy Hartley there to vote on the final result!
Resources for Our Ministry
Importantly, the vision affirms the core programming that has already blessed our church family. It ensures the continuation of the Coaching Network, a program that has provided scholarships for professional coaching to myself, Belinda Quaye, and Chris Price. It also renews support for the Early Ministry Institute, a vital training ground for new pastors where I currently serve on the planning team.
The Synod will also maintain a dedicated focus on the next generation, with specific grant funding allocated for Youth and Young Adult Leadership Development. I’m considering applying for one of these grants to support our Youth Corps next year.
These grants could be vital as we dream about the future. For example, the vision includes a restructured Innovation Grant that provides up to $25,000 over two years for churches trying bold new ministries. Could Concordia 518, the youth music school that Chris Price has been planning, be a candidate for one of these grants?
An Invitation to Lead
The Synod’s new vision requires hands and hearts to make it a reality. The report emphasizes that leadership shouldn’t just be for “officials,” but should include diverse voices from across the church. The Synod is actively creating space for “at-large members”—Elders, Deacons, and laypeople—to serve on teams that will implement this new vision. If you have a passion for regional ministry and organizational change, there may be a role for you! We’d love to see our congregation continue to be represented.
I encourage you to take a look at the full vision report to learn more about the direction we are heading together.
Read the full “Reimagining the Church in the World” Report
We are grateful to Judy Hartley for her service as a commissioner and to the Synod leadership for charting this faithful path forward!
