Details from the fall classis meeting

Highlights of the 403rd meeting of Classis Hudson:Classis Hudson met on September 21-22, 2015 at the El Buen Pastor Church of Prospect Park, NJ.The Monday evening session was held jointly with delegates from Classis Hackensack to hear and celebrate a number of reports from church planters in our area of the East Coast, through the leadership of Mid-Atlantic Ministries.On Tuesday morning, delegates of both classes were introduced to Dr. Steven Timmermans, the executive director of the CRCNA.  He led in a devotional from John 15, calling church leaders to friendship leadership.  He then presented the (emerging) ministry plan for the CRCNA and led in a brief discussion of some of the highlights of this plan and desired futures for the denomination.Delegates were also presented with information on the joint work of our classes through Northeast Community Transformation, the regional Coffee Break ministry training opportunities, and the work of the CRC's denominational agencies.  Churches were urged to review the materials available through the Safe Church Office of the CRC, and invited to attend the second annual regional Prayer Summit to be held at Midland Park CRC on November 5-6.  The work of a number of CRWM missionaries sponsored by churches in our region was highlighted, and congregations were urged to be in prayer for these and others, especially those who work in regions of great strife.Classis Hudson then met separately to conduct its own business.  Rev. Albert Sideco led in opening devotions from Matthew 16, reminding all present that God will continue to build His church despite the challenges of our current age.Rev. Mary Stegink is appointed to serve as interim stated clerk for the next six months, replacing Rev. Joel Vande Werken who had completed his second three-year term in that position.Delegates are given updates on the work of classis in providing care and support to the Queens CRC congregation, and classis continues to keep this church and its retired pastor in prayer.Rev. Jim Kirk, a CRC church planter currently serving on loan to the Trinity Rivertowns Fellowship in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY is introduced to classis.  He has requested a transfer of his ministry credentials to our classis.  Classis also approves a two-year extension of his on loan status.Our delegates to Synod 2015 reported on the decisions and discussions held at the meeting this past summer in Sioux Center, Iowa.The classis meeting was closed with devotions from Rev. Rod Gorter, based on Ephesians 3, which encourages us to find our victory over discouragement by paying attention to our Caller rather than our critics, and to understand the vast radical reinforcements we have from one another in the body of Christ. The meeting was closed in prayer.