Pastor's Pondering...

The Reformed Church in America is undergoing a reorganization. Back in December of 2025, a letter from the Albany Synod went out to help Consistories and congregations understand what is happening. Bethany’s Consistory has decided to share this letter to keep everyone informed of the process. At some point, the Consistory, with input from the congregation, will have to make a decision in regards to which Middle Governing Body it will align with.

Please take the time to read the following letter and check out the FAQ document, which is online (see the end of the letter). In the Spring, a Congregational Meeting will be held to discuss this.

Dear Partner in Christ,

This Thanksgiving it was a joy to have my two college-aged sons home for a wonderful feast, fun games, putting up Christmas lights, and most importantly - staying connected as a family. For those who have been part of the RCA for many years, gathering at a Classis meeting can feel a little like that: familiar, comfortable, and full of people we know and love. Our structure - anchored by a high-functioning Regional Synod and well-connected Classis bodies - has served
us well and feels like home.

The structure, familiar to ministers and Classis delegates, will be different on January 1, 2027. For some, this might feel like coming home for the holidays only to find the house completely remodeled – but know that the most important things will still be there. While things are changing, I want to assure you of this: every congregation and minister in the Regional Synod of Albany will have a “home”. Additionally, not only will your congregation have a Middle Assembly to call home, there is nothing happening which will negatively impact your ability to be who you are and do what God is calling you to do.

So, what is happening and what do you need to do? To understand where we’re going; it helps to look back briefly. Our work is part of a denomination-wide restructuring which you can read about on the RCA website. It has been unfolding in our region over the past two years. In May, our Regional Synod agreed to pursue the formation of two Middle Assemblies for our region. These Middle Assemblies will become the bodies between Consistories and the General Synod, taking on the responsibilities that currently belong to Classes and the Regional Synod.

Two Transition Teams are working to define the values, vision, distinctives, and structures of these Middle Assemblies. Their initial introductory documents are attached so you can begin to see how the “renovations” are taking shape. The Northeastern Middle Assembly (NEMA), and the Abiding Middle Assembly (AA), will be the new “homes” for most of our congregations - different in some important ways from what we currently have, yet still recognizably familiar. Our commitment is that by October 1, 2026, every congregation in the Regional Synod of Albany will have a clear, mutually agreed upon plan for which Middle Assembly they will be part of. No congregation will be forced into a home they don’t want, and no congregation or minister will be left without a place to call home.

The spirit behind everything we’re doing is simple: to support your consistory, enable God - honoring ministry, and be as clear and caring as possible along the way. The good news right now? Your Consistory does not need to make any decision right now. There is time. Many details are still emerging, and we expect to be able to provide much more clarity in the new year through emails, website updates, and regional presentations by the Transition Teams.

For now, I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the introductory documents from the two Transition Teams, ask questions, extend grace, and be open to God’s leading.

Both Middle Assemblies will be grounded in the Book of Church Order and shaped by the ministry that already exists in this region, so in many ways they will feel remarkably similar. At the same time, each will have important distinctives that we hope will make one or the other a better fit - and a more fruitful home - for particular congregations. This is not a competition, but an intentional effort to create assemblies where every congregation can feel comfortable and thrive in meaningful ministry.

I pray that God enables you and your congregation to shine as a beautiful light in your
community.

In Christ,
Dirk Gieser
President, Regional Synod of Albany

UPDATED INFORMATION & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) ONLINE:
https://www.albanysynod.org/restructure