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Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse
5811 Heritage Landing Dr., 2nd Floor
East Syracuse, NY 13057
(315) 632-5698
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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.
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Serving up food & fellowship
Volunteers from the United Church of Fayetteville serve meals at Brown Memorial Methodist Church several times a year.
Every Sunday afternoon parishioners and friends come to Brown Memorial United Methodist Church on Davis Street in Syracuse for a donated meal served by community members.
Recently UCF members purchased and prepared a meal at the church. It's wonderful day of service and fellowship.
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We want to hear about the mission stories from our Presbytery's worshiping communities. What mission work are you involved in? How are your members working in the community? What story would you like to share with others in the Presbytery?
Send any mission stories from your congregation that you would like to
 share to:
CaySyrNews@gmail.com.
Deadline is 12 p.m. on Wednesdays for the current week's edition of
Presbytery Matters.
 We want to share your stories, missions, activities and more.
Also, make sure to like our Facebook page by clicking the "Like us on Facebook" tab at the top of this letter.
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Joys and Concerns around the Presbytery
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I
n our prayers together this week...
- Please pray for Julie McCollister as she recovers from a serious bout of pneumonia. Julie is a ruling elder at First Presbyterian Church of King Ferry and wife of pastor Dan McCollister. Cards may be sent to Julie at 301 Johnson Road, Apt. D, Freeville, NY 13068.
- Please pray for Elder Pat Neumann of King Ferry. She has been diagnosed with bone cancer and is receiving palliative care at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca.
- Please pray for the family and friends of ruling elder Joyce Short who passed away recently. Joyce was a long-time member of Auburn-First, a faithful member of our Presbytery, and a good friend of many.
- Pray for Jim Russell as he continues his fight with esophagus cancer.
In the cycle of prayer for our Presbytery, please pray for these congregations, faith communities,and individual:
Port Byron Federated; First, Scipioville; Sennett Federated Church; First, Skaneateles
If you'd like to share a particular joy or concern with the Presbytery, please contact:
CaySyrNews@gmail.com.
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First Presbyterian Church in Auburn collected 133 turkeys during the
Turkey Trot for Calvary Food Pantry. Learn more on the church's Facebook page.
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To have your photo considered for
"Photo of the Week" post it to your church's Facebook page and tag the Presbytery of Cayuga Syracuse's
Facebook page.
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Statement from Presbytery leaders
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Over the last month, at least a dozen bias-related incidents have occurred on the campus of Syracuse University.
As people of faith from Cayuga, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties who make up the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse, we rise to reaffirm our condemnation of racism and white supremacy.
As people of faith we draw upon scripture and the historic confessions of the church, which clearly asserts that all of us are made in the image of God, and that all are children of God.
As people of faith we acknowledge our own complicity in the systems that have created and sustained systemic racism, and pledge that we will continue to work to challenge our own failure as a church to react in meaningful ways.
As people of faith we stand with the students, faculty and employees of Syracuse University demanding that effective reform measures that support a more inclusive academic community be implemented.
Signed,
Karen Chamis, resource presbyter Ben Fitzgerald-Fye, stated clerk Tom Oak, moderator Monica Styron, vice-moderator |
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Resource Presbyter's Mobile Office Day
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Our Resource Presbyter, the Rev. Karen Chamis, will be working remotely at the following locations:
Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Robinson Elmwood United Church, 126 S. Terry Road, Syracuse
Date: Monday, December 9, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Salt City Coffee, 509 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse
Please note: Karen will be on hiatus for the rest of December, but will be back doing Mobile Offices beginning in January.
Feel free to drop in for a conversation - or just to say hello
Karen can be reached at 315-632-5698 (option 1) or kchamis@cayugasyracuse.org
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From the Associate Stated Clerk
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 Attention Clerks of Session...
The season for annual statistical reports begins Friday, December 6, 2019. On that date everything you need for completing the annual statistical report of 2019 data for your church will be available online.
The link for "Statistical Reporting and Frequently Asked Questions is:
http://oga.pcusa.org/section/churchwide-ministries/stats/statistical-reporting-faq/. On that page, c
lick the link for "Go to the Online Statistics Entry System" to enter the Church Statistics System. The deadline to submit your report is February 1, 2020.
Thank you so much for your service! Last year all of our churches submitted their reports and Cayuga-Syracuse was one of a handful of presbyteries that achieved 100% compliance. Let's do it again! Be sure to let me know if you have any questions. I can be reached at lsruss@aol.com or 315-730-6930.
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Cozy Senior Living in Skaneateles
 Are you looking for affordable senior housing?
The Manor, in the village of Skaneateles and within walking distance of shops and restaurants, may be just what you or someone you know may have in mind.
The Manor is comprised of six suites that include a bedroom, living room and private bathroom. The house has large common areas as well. A house manager/cook provides daily meals. There are laundry facilities on site and limited parking in a detached garage.
The Manor is a mission of the Presbyterian Church in Skaneateles. However, residency is open to all denominations. Call the church office at 315-685-5048 for more information
. There are two suites available.
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 What: Annual Soup Cafe
When: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 6
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia, 27 Albany Street, Cazenovia NY 13035
Tasting cups available and a variety of sizes.
Gourmet soups include a loaded potato soup, a seafood frogmore stew, cheddar broccoli, shrimp bisque and buffalo chicken wing.
Come early; the soup goes quickly, and the desserts are wonderful. Eat in or take out.
For more information, call (315) 655-319
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 What: Annual Christmas Shoppe
When: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: First United Church of East Syracuse. 823 Franklin Park Dr., East Syracuse
Children ages 5-12 are welcome to shop for their families.
Prices range from $0.25 to $5. "Elves" will be waiting to assist your children with their purchases and wrapping. Enjoy refreshments and relax while waiting for your children to finish their shopping.
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 What: Annual Brass and Bells Concert
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Where:
United Church of Fayetteville, 310 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville
Enjoy the afternoon with friends and family as both ensembles, SU Brass and the UCF Handbell Choir, will play tunes
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A free-will offering will be taken for the Cayuga-Syracuse Haiti Educational Mission Partnership (HEMP) to purchase books and workbooks for children in Paulette, Haiti and, as always, folks are encouraged to donate non-perishables for the Fayetteville-Manlius Food Pantry.
A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.
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 What: Annual Cookie Walk
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14
Where: First United Church of East Syracuse, 823 Franklin Park Dr., East Syracuse
Cost: $8 per pound.
Come one, come all and pick out your holiday favorites.
Pies will also be available for $10.
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December 16-17 Synod's Presbytery Leadership Forum at Stony Point
December 23 GA commissioner names due to OGA
December 23 Leadership Team Christmas gathering, home of Karen Chamis
February 15 Presbytery Stated Meeting at First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
February 24 Leadership Team meeting
March 23 Leadership Team meeting
April 27 Leadership Team meeting
May 12 Presbytery Stated Meeting
July 23-24 Thrive Seminar (for clergy aged 50+) by the Board of Pensions
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Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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Seeking Jesus
in today's world
Cindy Kohlmann delivers closing sermon at Moderators' Conference
By Rick Jones
Office of the General Assembly
The story is a familiar one in the Bible. The Gospel of Luke tells of two men on the road to Emmaus following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. As they discuss the events that occurred, Jesus joins them for the walk, but they did not recognize him.
The Reverend Cindy Kohlmann, Co-Moderator of the 223rd General Assembly (2018) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), preached from Luke during the closing worship of the Moderators' Conference in Louisville last weekend. She told how Jesus interacted with them about the crucifixion and how Jesus later revealed himself before vanishing from sight.
"They listened as the stranger told them his story. Clearly, they listened with hearts that were open. When it looked like the stranger was going to keep going on, they urged him to come with them," Kohlmann said. "It is because these two people, walking down the road, encountered a stranger and didn't turn their backs and as a result, they were changed. What would have happened if they didn't ask the stranger to stay with them? They would have missed their eyes being opened if they hadn't opened their hearts to a stranger on the road."
Drummers from the Beechmont Presbyterian Church in Louisville performed during worship at the Moderators' Conference.
Photo by Rick Jones.
Kohlmann refers to the theme of the upcoming 224th General Assembly (2020), "Called to a Movement Beyond Institution."
Continue reading...
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Unbound will unwrap a new look first day of Advent
PC(USA) Christian social justice journal launching redesign and new features on Sunday
By Rich Copley
Presbyterian News Service
On Dec. 1, readers will be greeted by a clean, white, newspaper-like design with organized columns, topical dropdown menus, and a flexible new logo featuring a breaking chain.
"The goal was definitely to kind of strip it down in some ways, to consolidate, to make it a little more accessible, and provide a platform that is easy to navigate," said Lee Catoe, the newly-appointed managing editor of the journal. "It's going to be very minimalistic, but very much concentrated on the content itself."
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5811 Heritage Landing Dr., 2nd Floor
East Syracuse, NY 13057
(315) 632-5698
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"I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them
bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
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