2015 MINUTES
The Regional Synod of Albany
Reformed Church in America
Annual Assembly
Lakeview Community Church
Rochester, New York
May 4, 2015
DIRECTORY
ALBANY SYNOD OFFICE
1790 Grand Boulevard, Schenectady, NY 12309
Phone (518) 374-4573
E-mail:
Website: www.albanysynod.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Rev. Richard Dykstra President
Rev. Nancy Ryan Vice President
Mr.Brad Lewis Past President
Rev. Robert Hoffman Stated Clerk
Mr. Jim Pettis Finance Committee
Rev. Jeff Kelley Overtures and Judicial Business
Mr. Tom Patterson Personnel Committee
Rev. Nancy Mc Clure-Long Synod Ministries Board
Ms. Becky Hudak Fowler Ministries Board
Ms. Nancy Landrigan Albany Classis
Rev. Rudolph Visser Columbia Greene Classis
Ms. Jill Snyder Montgomery Classis
Rev. Sarah Palsma Rochester Classis
Rev. Rich Scheenstra Schenectady Classis
Ms. Sue Smith Schoharie Classis
Rev. Abby Norton Levering Synod Ministries Coordinator
Rev. Kent Busman Fowler Executive Director
Ms. Sandy Narusky Finance Manager
SYNOD EMPLOYEES
Albany Synod Office
Synod Ministries Coordinator Rev. Abby Norton Levering
Synod Administrator/ Stated Clerk Rev. Robert Hoffman
Finance Manager Ms. Sandy Narusky
Synod Communications Coordinator Rev. Annie Reilly
Administrative Assistant Ms. Virginia Manning
Fowler Camp and Retreat Center
Fowler Executive Director Rev. Kent Busman
Fowler Executive Assistant Ms. Debra FitzGerald
Fowler Camp and Retreat Center Manager Mr. Mark Hughes
Fowler Bookkeeper Mr. Trevor Clark
BOARDS
Fowler Board of Trustees
Dawn Olsen (Columbia Greene) 2016+
John Manahan (Rochester) 2016+
Becky Hudak (Albany) 2016
Brian Engel (Montgomery) 2016
Jenna Pearson (Schoharie) 2017+
Judi Markessinis (Columbia Greene) 2017
Tom Mc Ilroy (Albany) 2017
Rob Hielman (Schenectady) 2017
Jana Di Piazza (Rochester) 2018
Brenda Jones (Montgomery) 2018
William Ports (Schenectady) 2018
Jenni Yeske (Schoharie) 2018
Kent Busman Fowler Executive Director
Mark Hayes Operations Manager
Debra FitzGerald Administrator
Trevor Clark Fowler Bookkeeper
Bob Hoffman Synod Administrator
Synod Ministries Board
Andy Mondore (Albany) 2016
Patti Varga (Columbia Greene) 2016
Jason Fulkerson (Rochester) 2016
Lynn Gilgore (Schenectady) 2016
Nancy McClureLong (Columbia Greene) 2017
Brian Dykema (Schoharie) 2017
Annie Reilly (Schenectady) 2017
Betsy Westman (Montgomery) 2017
Roger Krutz (Albany) 2018 +
Shirley Hermann (Montgomery) 2018 +
Sue Smith (Schoharie) 2018
Dave Borland (Rochester) 2018
Brad Lewis Albany Synod Past President
Rich Dykstra Albany Synod President
Nancy Ryan Albany Synod Vice President
Kent Busman Fowler Executive Director
Abby Norton Levering Albany Synod Ministries Coordinator
PERMANENT COMMITTEES
FINANCE
Ms. Sherrie Gray (Schoharie) 2016
Ms. Betsy Westman (Montgomery) 2016
Mr. Jim Pettis, Jr., chairperson (Schenectady) 2017+
Ms. Jill Cullen (Schoharie) 2018+
Rev. Susan Kerr (Albany) 2018
PERSONNEL
Mr. Tom Patterson, chairperson (Columbia Greene) 2016+
Rev. Peggy Funderburke (Albany) 2016
Rev. Kent Mc Heard (Schenectady) 2017+
Mr. Bill Dergosits (Schenectady) 2018+
Rev. Daniel Herrick (Columbia Greene) 2018+
OVERTURES AND JUDICIAL BUSINESS
Rev. Robert Hoffman Stated Clerk
Rev. Jeff Kelley (Schoharie) 2016
Mr. Robert Kruger (Schoharie) 2017
Mr. Leighton Burns (Montgomery) 2018
Rev. Al Janssen (Albany) 2019
Rev. Steve Norden (Rochester) 2020
NOMINATIONS (stated clerks)
Rev. Robert Hoffman, Chair Synod Clerk
Ms. Nancy Landrigan Albany
Rev. Gary DeWitt Columbia Greene
Rev. Nancy Ryan Montgomery
Ms. Anita Manuele Rochester
Ms. Carol Troost Schenectady
Rev. Becky Town Schoharie
+ denotes second term
2014 Minutes
THE REGIONAL SYNOD OF ALBANY
The annual assembly of the Regional Synod of Albany convened on May 4, 2015 at the Lakeview Community Church in Rochester, New York. Mr. Brad Lewis, president, presided.
I. GATHERING
President Brad Lewis called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. The gathering litany was led by Elder Delegate Beth von den Driesch and Rev. Karen Patterson offered the opening prayer.
II. FORMATION OF SYNOD
Twenty four (24) ministers and Twenty four (24) elders, including the president and vice president signed in as delegates, making a total of forty eight (48) voting delegates and officers in attendance.
DELEGATE ROSTER
MINISTERS ALBANY ELDERS
Tim Van Heest Tom Orsini
Roger Krutz Christine Torey
Eric Bogerd Bob Goodman
Susan Cox Peter Mahoney
COLUMBIA GREENE
Gary De Witt Joan Garnar
Rudolph Visser Nancy Rasweiler
Norman Hamm Cindy Smith
Joanna Christian-Tipple Beth von den Driesch
MONTGOMERY
EJ de Waard Betsy Westman
James Claggett Randy Karcher
Nancy Ryan John Butcher
Patricia Simmons Diane Reynolds
ROCHESTER
Mike Beckerink John Stratton
Erin Beckerink Dave Borland
Dan Griswold Sharon Hann
Susan Hodges Theresa Geist
SCHENECTADY
Annie Reilly Miranda Rand
Craig Hoffman Christopher Murphy
Jake Marvel Clara Lasselle
SCHOHARIE
Tim Alicki Jerri Mattice
Karen Patterson Joan Youmans
Mike Meyer Veen Bonnie Tryon
Brian Dykema Sue Smith
President Brad Lewis
Vice President Richard Dykstra
A minister and an elder delegate from Schenectady Classis were unable to attend the meeting.
The following staff, board and committee members and guests were welcomed and granted the privilege of the floor:
· Synod and Fowler Staff: Rev. Robert Hoffman, Rev. Abby Norton Levering, Ms. Virginia Manning and Rev. Kent Busman.
· Board and Committee members: Nancy Landrigan, Richard Doyle and Nancy Mc Clure-Long, Synod Executive Committee.
· Guests welcomed were: Jim Raymond, Charles Tijou, Jim Dalberth, John Setchell, Sharen de Waard, Julie Landrigan and Sarah Palsma.
III. THE AGENDA
8:30am Delegate Sign In and Refreshments
9:00am Call to Order – Gathering Litany Brad Lewis
Delegate Introductions Robert Hoffman
Welcome to Guests and Privilege of the Floor
Agenda Review and Approval
Reading of the Minutes of May 5, 2014 (by title)
Summary of Major Actions (Executive Committee/ Boards of Trustees)
9:30 am President’s Report Brad Lewis General Review Committee Report (Handout)
10:00 am Synod Ministries Board’s Report Brian Dykema
10:10 am Synod Ministries Coordinator’s Report Abby Norton Levering
General Review Committee Report
10:30 am Breakout Session I
10:50 am Breakout Session II
11:15 am Nominations Committee Robert Hoffman
Election of President
Introduction of Nominees for Vice President
11:30 am Worship (in the sanctuary) Resolutions Committee
12:30 pm LUNCH
Gathering Prayer
1:30 pm Camp Fowler Report
Election of Vice President Robert Hoffman
Boundaries Task Force Report Nancy Ryan
General Synod Council Report Gary De Witt
New York State Council of Churches Report
Synod Administrator’s Report Robert Hoffman
General Review Committee Report (Handout)
Committee Reports
1. Committee on Accounts
2. Overtures/ Judicial Business Committee
3: Resolutions Committee
Unfinished Business
Commissioning of Officers Brad Lewis
3:30 pm Adjournment
MOTION: To approve the agenda. (CARRIED)
IV. THE MINUTES
The minutes of the May 5, 2014 assembly of the Regional Synod of Albany were reviewed by the synod’s officers on June 5, 2014. Official copies were signed by the president and clerk and sent to General Synod. Copies were distributed to the classes of the Regional Synod of Albany and posted on the synod’s website.
MOTION: To approve the reading of the minutes of the May 5, 2014 assembly of the Regional Synod of Albany by title. (CARRIED)
The minutes of the May 5, 2014 assembly were read by title.
V. APPOINTMENTS
STANDING and REVIEW COMMITTEES
The following standing and review committees were appointed by the Nominations Committee and approved by the Executive Committee.
Committee on Accounts (two ministers and three elders): This committee reviews the Financial records of the RSA, the audit report for 2014, and recommends the budget for 2016 and the per member assessment.
Elder Minister
Tom Orsini Eric Bogerd
Christopher Murphy Norm Hamm
Theresa Geist
General Review Committee (four ministers and four elders): This committee reviews the President’s Report and the Synod Ministries Board Report and advises the synod concerning any recommendations in said reports.
Elder Minister
Nancy Rasweiler EJ De Waard
Betsy Westman Erin Beckerink
Miranda Rand Craig Hoffman
Sue Cox
Resolutions Committee: This committee formulates appropriate resolutions to the regional synod including the time and place of the next annual meeting.
Elder Minister
Joan Garnar Dan Griswold
Beth von den Driesch Karen Patterson
Dave Borland Mike Meyer Veen
Tellers (two ministers and two elders): The tellers assist in distributing materials during the synod meeting and tally any votes on matters at the synod meeting.
Elder Minister
Sharon Hann Tim Alicki
Bob Goodman Roger Krutz
Classis Minutes Review Committee (consisting of the stated clerks of the synod): The committee reviews the minutes of each classis and reports irregularities to the synod.
Nancy Landrigan Gary De Witt
Anita Manuele Patricia Simmons
Carol Troost Becky Town
VI. Summary of Major Actions
The following summary was shared with the delegates for information.
Regional Synod of Albany Executive Committee
The Albany Synod Executive Committee (ASEC) met six times following the May 5, 2014 annual assembly. In person meetings were held on June 5, 2014, November 20, 2014 and March 12, 2015. Electronic meetings by e-mail were held on June 20, 2014, August 21, 2014 and September 11, 2014
The following is a summary of the major actions approved in the course of those meetings:
· Appointed the Synod President, Vice President and the Stated Clerk as signatories on all Synod bank accounts.
· Approved the classis appointments to the Synod Ministry Board and the Fowler Board of Trustees.
· Referred recommendations from the annual assembly to appropriate boards or committees for action.
· Approved the 2015 Authorization Schedule as presented by the Synod Finance Committee.
· Appointed individuals to fill vacancies on the Fowler Board of Trustees, the Overtures and Judicial Business Committee and the Finance Committee.
· Appointed chairpersons of permanent committees of the Regional Synod of Albany: Tom Patterson as Personnel Committee chairperson, Jim Pettis as Finance Committee chairperson and Jeff Kelley as Overtures and Judicial Business Committee chairperson.
· Approved liquidation of invested funds for the following purposes:
o $20,500 from the Revitalization Restricted Funds to fund the Ridder and Faithwalking endeavors of the Regional Synod of Albany in 2015,
o $40,000 from the Revitalization Restricted Funds for two congregational revitalization endeavors within Montgomery Classis
o $13,000 from the Revitalization Restricted Funds for a congregational revitalization and seminarian scholarships within Schenectady Classis.
· Appointed corresponding delegates (youth and woman) to represent Albany Synod at General Synod in 2015
Regional Synod of Albany Board of Trustees
The Albany Synod Board of Trustees (SBOT) met in person three times following the May 5, 2014 annual assembly. These meetings were held on June 5, 2014, November 20, 2014 and March 12, 2015. The following is a summary of the major actions approved in these meetings:
· Appointed the Synod President, Vice President and the Stated Clerk to be signatories for the Albany Synod’s investments.
· Approved liquidation of invested funds for the following purposes:
o $15,000 from the 2014 income, dividends and other earnings on the Synod Investments to replenish the Synod Ministries Grant Fund,
· Approved amendments to the Synod of Albany Investment Policy Statement as presented by the Finance Committee.
Fowler Board of Trustees
May 2014 – April 2015
Financial
· Approval to withdraw $25,000 from investments (action 14-13, May 21, 2014)
· Updated Authorization schedule to enable the Synod Administrator to pay bills in the Directors absence to ensure all bills are paid on time (action 14-20, September 17, 2014)
· Updated signatories to Jenna Pearson (moderator) and Tom McIlroy (clerk) as signatories to the Fenimore and NBT accounts (action14-18, July 25, 2014)
· Approval of 2016 Budget (action 15-3, March 18, 2015)
· To have a full audit conducted for 2015 of books (action 14-23, December 6, 2014)
· Approval to maintain the same rental rates from 2014 (action 15-4, March 18, 2015
Personnel
· Approved staff handbook (action 14-21, September 17, 2014)
· Approved the new plan on HRA (action 14-24, December, 6, 2014)
· Hired Trevor Clark to new bookkeeper position (action 14-25, December 22, 2014)
· Approved following staff salaries for 2015: Executive Director - $51, 807.60 (salary) and $28,220.40 (housing allowance); Camp Administrator - $43,844; Fowler Manager - $42,855; Chi Rho Cook/Housekeeper - $31,050; Chi Rho assistant - $10/hour (action 14-25, January 5, 2015)
· Approved to adjust previous noted salaries for 2015 based on updated information: Executive Director - $53,200 (salary) and $26,800 (housing allowance); Chi Rho Cook/Housekeeper - $22,387.05 (action 14-25, February 1, 2015)
· Approved Kent Busman an unrequested 30-day intermittent paid leave of absence for the rolling year effective February 1, 2015 to be used to address his needs towards the recovery and rebuilding of his home (action 15-1, February 25, 2015)
Property
· Approval to purchase solar proposal for Fenimore and Chi Rho (action 15-5, March 18, 2015)
Development
· Approval to pursue ACA accreditation (action 14-14, May 21, 2014)
Governance
· Elected Tom McIlroy as clerk to complete Miriam Barnes term concluding May 2015 (action 14-16, June 24, 2014)
VII. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President, Mr. Brad Lewis, offered the following report to the delegates.
“On the Perfect Garage and a New Narrative”
I want to thank you for the honor of being President of the Regional Synod of Albany this past year. Thanks to all of you I’ve worked with or visited this year for your good cheer, efforts, and collaboration. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Abby Norton-Levering and Bob Hoffman for their aid and good counsel and very effective work for the Synod during my Presidential year. And I want to thank all of you for your presence here and the work you do for Christ’s kingdom.
When my parents finally retired, they moved back to Aurora, Illinois, the city where they had grown up, 40 miles from the Chicago Loop. They looked for and found what for them was an ideal retirement home. It was one story, with two bedrooms, a really nice living room and kitchen and den, and a spacious two-car garage. But this was not just any two-car garage. The floor was very well sealed with an excellent surface, and it sloped gently toward one corner in which there was a good-sized drain. There was an inside faucet to which you could hook up a hose. This garage had a separate side entrance so in bad weather you wouldn’t have to tromp through the rest of the house to get in or out. It was even completely climate controlled.
Why did this house have the Cadillac of garages? The prior owner had customized it for a particular activity that he did exceptionally well. Every day, rain or shine, summer or winter, he washed his car. Given the northern Illinois weather he often washed it inside the two-car garage. It was perfect—a selling point for the house.