Synod 2013 welcomed visitors from other denominations that have ecumenical relations with the Christian Reformed Church.
Denominations represented this year were the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Netherlands Reformed Churches, Presbyterian Church in Canada, and Reformed Church in America. A representative from the World Communion of Reformed Churches was also present.
“You help us understand how the issues we deal with in North America are paralleled in a significant way in your context,” synod president William Koopmans told Pieter Sinia of the Netherlands Reformed Churches.
The CRC actively pursues ecumenical relations with similarly minded denominations and sends representatives to their synods. The CRC also participates in the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).
After the guests were welcomed by Synod 2013, there was a special luncheon in their honor.
Pictured (l-r): Rev. Stephen Kendall (Presbyterian Church in Canada); Rev. Pieter Sinia (Netherlands Reformed Churches); Rev. Gerrit Dawson (Evangelical Presbyterian Church); Dr. Stephen Lytch (World Communion of Reformed Churches); and Rev. Thomas De Vries (Reformed Church in America).
Synod 2013 is meeting at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. from June 7-14. For continuous Banner coverage of Synod 2013, please follow The Banner on Facebook or @crcbanner on Twitter. You can find more tweeting by following hashtag #crcsynod. News stories will be posted at www.thebanner.org several times daily. For CRC Communications releases, webcast, and live blogging, please visit www.crcna.org/synod. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are by Karen Huttenga.
About the Author
Roxanne VanFarowe is a freelance writer who claims both Canadian and American citizenship and grew up in the Christian Reformed Church. She is a member of Blacknall Presbyterian Church in Durham, North Carolina.
