Delegates Continue Committee Work

Synod 2013 convened this morning for a short plenary session that opened with worship. The message was brought by Rev. Mary Stegink of Ridgewood, N.J.

Synod president Rev. William Koopmans expressed condolences to Banner editor Rev. Bob DeMoor, and Rev. Jeffrey Dykema from Classis Arizona, who have both left synod for the funerals of family members.

Elder Gerrit DenHartog, Classis Grandville, has been appointed as synod’s sergeant at arms. His role is to encourage delegates - sternly if necessary - to return to their seats promptly after coffee breaks.

Synod also elected people to various denominational boards and committees.

Delegates will spend the rest of today meeting in their in advisory committees. This evening they will enjoy a picnic hosted by Calvin College president Michael Le Roy and his wife, Andrea, after which they will resume committee work.

After breakfast on Sunday morning they will board buses to Roosevelt Park CRC, the host church of Synod 2013, for a service of prayer and praise. In the afternoon, they are invited to a film and discussion on the topic of hunger in America that is sponsored by the Office of Social Justice and World Renew.

Sunday evening will feature “Song Festival” – a community-wide festival of song in the Calvin College chapel, co-hosted by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and Woodlawn CRC. There will be a live webcast of this service, starting at 7 p.m. EST.

Plenary sessions are scheduled to resume on Monday morning, starting at 8:15 a.m. EST.

For continuous coverage of Synod 2013 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod.