Synod 2012

Synod 2012 • June 11^th–15^th • Nyack College

(Last updated July 16, 2012)

How good and pleasant is the sight
When brethren make it their delight
To dwell in blest accord;
Such love is like anointing oil
That consecrates for holy toil
The servants of the Lord.

A synod is a church meeting.  Every two or three years, each congregation within the United Reformed Churches in North America sends two delegates (ministers and/or elders) to discuss and vote on issues pertaining to our federation.

The 2012 synod of the URCNA was held on June 11-15 at Nyack College in Nyack, New York.  Since many of the items that came before Synod 2012 pertained directly to the music of our churches, URC Psalmody closely followed this meeting.  Although synod’s work is now complete, here is the list of related URC Psalmody articles for your continued reference.

Before Synod

• “One Month to Synod” (May 11): An introduction to the workings of synod, including four reasons why this is such an important event in the life of the church.
• “URCNA Synod 2012 Agenda Summary” (May 22): A reference to Glenda Mathes’s summary of the Synod 2012 agenda.
• “A New Hymnbook: Voluntary or Mandatory?” (May 25): A consideration of Appeal #1 from Living Water URC and its implications for the federation.
• “Two Weeks to Synod”(May 29): An outline of URC Psalmody’s treatment of the upcoming meeting.  The following agenda items were discussed in subsequent articles:
  • Overture #4 (Hymn Selection) from Classis Southwest US (May 30)
  • Overture #5 (Hymn Changes) from Classis Southwest US (May 31)
  • Overture #6 (Musical Suggestions) from Classis Southwest US (June 1)
  • Overture #8 (Modify Songbook) from Classis Western Canada (June 2)
  • Overture #9 (Publish Songbook) from Classis Western Canada (June 3)
  • Report of Church Order Committee (June 6)
  • Report of Psalter Hymnal Committee (June 7)
  • Report of CECCA (June 8)
• “A Pre-Synod Meditation” (June 9): A collection of inspirational passages from the psalms and the Psalter Hymnal applicable to Synod 2012.

During Synod

• “A Personal Response to the Hymn Proposal” (June 11): An article on some personal comments regarding the flaws of the Hymn Proposal.
• “A Virtual Welcome to Synod” (June 11): Descriptions and pictures from the first day of synod.
• “Synodical Prayer Meeting” (June 12): More pictures, and a summary of Monday night’s prayer service.
• “Keeping Up with the Joneses, Reformed Style” (June 13): A critique of the new CRC/RCA songbook, in comparison to the URC/OPC joint Psalter Hymnal project.
• “Wednesday Update” (June 13): News highlights and a description of the West Point “day away” at synod–with pictures!
• “Ben Franklin on the Psalter Hymnal” (June 14): A surprisingly relevant address from the Constitutional Convention by Benjamin Franklin–and how it relates to the Psalter Hymnal project.
• “Thursday Update” (June 14): News highlights with a few pictures.
• “A Lesson from New Zealand” (June 15): A commendation of the RCNZ’s new Psalter Hymnal, especially its musical manual, and how this relates to the URCNA.

After Synod

• “An Extraordinary Synod” (June 16): News highlights from Friday’s deliberations, and some personal thoughts on the entirety of synod.
• “Synod Music” (June 19-July 16): A collection of YouTube videos of the music from Synod 2012.
• “Synod Wrap-Up” (June 20): A summary of the musical decisions of Synod 2012, and some final comments.

–MRK