January 23, 2018

Dear Friends of Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery,

Welcome to this week's edition of our e-letter, Presbytery Matters.  Our goal is to highlight things going on throughout the Church:  within our Presbytery, in our congregations, as well as in the Synod of the Northeast and across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  We hope that these are things that will be helpful, informative, challenging, encouraging, supportive. In other words, we hope that these things will matter.  Your input is valued, and your comments are always welcomed!

Deadline for Session Annual Statistical Report Submission

The deadline for submission of the 2017 Session Annual Statistical Report is February 8, 2018. Information in each session's report will be combined with that from other PC(USA) congregations to become the "OGA Statistics" that appear annually in the General Assembly Minutes, Part II, Statistics. This information is also used in assessing each congregation's per capita; as such, accurate information is essential to ensure that your congregation is assessed its per capita equally and fairly.

 

Please note that the Session needs to approve the report as early as possible after December 31, 2017. This is a session report and DOES NOT require approval at a congregational meeting.

 

315-632-5698, extension 2.

In our prayers together this week...

• Pray for Carol Beasley, wife of Stated Clerk Larry Beasley, as she recovers from foot surgery.
• Pray for Amy Jorolemon, a member of Sennett Federated Church, whose dad John Lusk died.
• Pray for Rev. Karen Dimon, pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Syracuse, whose mom's memorial service was last weekend. Lorraine Dimon's life was celebrated and remembered at the United Church of Fayetteville last Saturday.

In the cycle of prayer for our Presbytery, please pray for these congregations, faith communities, and individuals: Taunton, Syracuse; Westminster, Syracuse; First, Weedsport; Whitelaw.

If you'd like to share a particular joy or concern with the Presbytery, please contact Patrick Heery:  pastor@westminsterauburn.org.

From the New Worshiping Communities Workgroup:

We are excited to welcome Michael Gehrling, 1001 New Worshiping Communities Associate for the Northeast Region from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) to our Presbytery on Friday and Saturday, Feb 9 & 10. Here are some opportunities for you to meet Michael, and learn more about New Worshiping Communities:

 

Friday, February 9th: Pull up a chair, order some food or a drink, and enjoy a very casual conversation with Michael. We will have a table at Gordon Biersch (Destiny USA) on Friday night beginning at 6:30pm. Food and drinks are on your own, and we will supply the conversation! Michael is a church planter, and was one of the co-founders to The Upper Room, a New Worship Community in Pittsburgh, PA.

 

Please RSVP for the Friday night event, so that we have enough chairs.  Kindly email Dan DeBrucker-Cota @ ddebrucker@gmail.com by Friday afternoon (2/9)

 

Saturday, February 10th: We continue our visit with Michael. He will lead our Presbytery in Worship and conversations. We are very fortunate to have him in our midst during this season of visioning and revitalization across our Presbytery.

 

From Isaiah's Table

Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? ~ Isaiah 43:18-19a

Isaiah's Table is once again focusing on one of our foundational scriptures. We indeed WERE perceiving that God was doing a new thing, but didn't quite know what it meant. Our neighborhood is changing. Our food pantry is getting used much less. Fewer people are coming on Saturday mornings. Yet during this period of contraction, we have been growing much deeper. We added people to our covenant relationship roll (membership). Our worship and study has been even more meaningful and soul full. And during Advent we ordained our first Covenant Partner (our equivalent to an Elder).

Now we understand what this new thing is... we are being called to move away from 620 West Genesee Street. Because of the blessing of the growth of two of Missio Church's Immigrant communities, they need our space and have asked us to find a new home by the end of June.

Our leadership is excited about the possibilities. We are enthusiastically entering into a time of discerning where God is calling us to be. Please pray for our discernment. We honor your support and partnership as we journey forward to a new neighborhood. Please contact Nancy Wind isaiahtable@gmail.com with any ideas to add to our list. January is our time of listening. We will be doing prayer walks in different neighborhoods beginning in February. Thank you so much.

Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community

Because the beloved community is what God intends for us, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is engaging in an ongoing campaign to share a wealth of antiracism resources with the greater church. As part of the Facing Racism campaign, books, worship suggestions, studies, training sessions and other resources are posted here to assist in equipping congregations in their work against racism.

This month, the PC(USA) is offering a variety of antiracism resources from Presbyterian-related organizations, including NEXT Church, Presbyterian Women and Covenant Network of Presbyterians.

Call to action: Plan an educational event with your congregation using resources related to this month's featured resources.

Let the denomination know if your congregation is hosting an event focusing on antiracism, diversity or racial justice. Please submit your event information by emailing facing.racism@pcusa.org so we can feature it on the Facing Racism web page.