September 13, 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.

  In our prayers together this week...

• A Prayer For 9/11 Anniversary:God of grace and God of glory, on this anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, grant us the wisdom to remember the lessons from that tragic day that make us more Christ-like. Drive away from us any vengeful urges, any hate-filled sentiment, any whisper from within or without that goads us to return evil for evil. We pray for those whose lives were forever changed on September 11, 2001. Grant comfort to those who grieve. Strengthen those who struggle with questions that remain unanswered. Assure those who worry that they should have said or done something differently that you gather up all the fragments of our lives, bless and use them in ways that nourish. Click here for full pastoral prayer. 
• Pray for all those in the path of Hurricane Florence, a monster of a storm that is headed towards the Carolinas. Please watch over all the people and animals in the storm's path. Florence is one of the strongest storms on the Eastern Seaboard in decades. Pray for all those who are headed to the areas to help. May God comfort and lead us.
• Pray and rejoice for all the teachers, students and youth educators returning to Sunday School this week and this month.

If you'd like to share a particular joy or concern with the Presbytery, please contact: CaySyrNews@gmail.com.

Open Mic Night  

What: An open mic is a live show, usually at a coffeehouse or pub, where audience members who are amateur performers or professionals looking to try out new material are given the opportunity to perform onstage.
When: 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, September 14
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Baldwinsville,
64 Oswego St., Baldwinsville

Feel like performing? Sign up when you arrive, or email fundraising@presbville.com for more information or to reserve a slot. The church welcomes performances of all kinds - original poetry, acoustic music, singing, small A Capella groups, comedy and more.

Are you more interested in being a spectator? Come on out and show your support for our local artists in a fun and safe atmosphere. Click here for more information.  

 

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Secretary/Receptionist/

Administrative Assistant

Needed for the United Church of Fayetteville

 

310 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville 

 

 

Details:  

• About 20 hours per week
  (14 hours in July & August)
• Coordinate operations of church office
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, social media, & technology skills required for newsletters, weekly bulletins, database & website entries. 
• Must be self-motivated, organized, exhibit teamwork & confidentiality.
• $15 per hour
• Job description at  United Church of Fayetteville's website 

_____________________________________________________________________________

Click here for more information

 

 

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Westminster is creating a new youth space in the church

and is looking for a foosball table and/or air hockey table in good condition.

If you have one you'd like to donate or sell, please contact jill.w.fandrich@gmail.com.

 

College coffeehouse provides safe space for race conversation

 

Cal Poly students envision a healthier community

By Paul Seebeck

Presbyterians Today

 

When racially insensitive photos surfaced at Cal Poly University in the spring, Front Porch, a coffeehouse and 1001 worshiping community in San Luis Obispo, California, began engaging students - many of whom were disgusted by what they saw.

An Instagram photo showed Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity members flashing gang signs while dressed as gangster stereotypes. In another photo, a student was in blackface. Ten days later, another photo surfaced of Sigma Nu members holding Corona bottles and wearing clothes that apparently were meant to impersonate Hispanics.

Front Porch, which is owned by Santa Barbara Presbytery, is next to the entrance of Cal Poly. Thousands of students walk by Front Porch every day, with some 500 dropping in for free coffee and conversation.

"We became the place for students to process and grieve," said Front Porch ministries director Joel Drenckpohl.

Congregation restructures its committees and thrives

More members getting involved, greater excitement

By Jeannie Hunter

Presbyterians Today

 

First Presbyterian Church in Dickson, Tennessee, was in a rut. The pastor of more than 30 years had retired a year before, and the six-member session was keeping the church together. But they were barely surviving. It was all they could do to keep up with their regular tasks, let alone start any new creative ventures.

Throughout this time of transition, there was growing confusion among the congregation about who did what. Who did a member contact to reserve the fellowship hall? Who did a person call to put an event into the newsletter?

Something needed to be done.