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 and 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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Teamwork for Fall Cleanup | |
Boy Scouts and River of Joy volunteers worked together to cleanup and get the church grounds ready for colder weather at Jamesville Community Church. | |
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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 "Facebook" icon at the top of this newsletter.
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Joys and Concerns around the Presbytery | |
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In our prayers together this week:
- Prayers for Neil Rotach and family on the death of her brother.
- Please pray for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
- Keep all those who battling cancer in your prayers. Please ask God to be by their side and to be with their doctors and families.
In the cycle of prayer our Presbytery, please pray for these congregations, faith communities, and individuals: our Presbytery (the Leadership Team, Work Groups, Committees, and Mission and Ministry Teams), the Synod of the Northeast, General Assembly staff.
If you'd like to share a particular joy or concern with the Presbytery, please contact: CaySyrNews@gmail.com. Please note, prayers will be featured for three weeks, unless a specific time frame is requested.
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Applications are now being accepted for the Benevolent Care Grant Funds.
“The purpose of this fund shall be to provide benevolent grants to assist in the care of elderly persons within the bounds of Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery.”
Criteria:
- Applications must be submitted by churches/sessions/boards or institutions. If an institution, a worshiping community within the Presbytery must indicate concurrence with the request.
- A financial need must be clearly stated. i.e., sample budget
- Grants will be awarded for benevolent care of the elderly residing within the bounds of Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery.
Download Application HERE
Applications must be received by November 1 each year.
Please email the completed Application Form to:
Lynn Jacques at lmjacques@verizon.net
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Please watch your email for details regarding new voting procedures for both in-person and Zoom-in commissioners. | |
From the Interim Resource Presbyter | |
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Autumn is my favorite season. I love the rich hues of changing leaves; the crisp air that greets your morning walk, or the faint aroma of a nearby bonfire. Yet, as much as I love this season, I am reminded that this is also a season of dying. Our fields lay fallow, and before long, all will be covered in a blanket of white. As the teacher of Ecclesiastes wrote, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”
One of my observations as your interim resource presbyter has been an undercurrent that our presbytery is living within a season of winter. There is a great deal of anxiety about dwindling membership, aging buildings, and the scarcity of financial resources. These worries are not uncommon as statistics demonstrate a decline in church membership across all denominations. Yet, as I listened to speakers last week at the Mission, Polity, and Benefits conference, I was filled with a sense of hope. Hope, not as a means of denial of the very real issues facing the church, but hope in the one who called the Church into being.
In his concluding message to the assembly, the Rev. Dr. Jerry Cannon used the metaphor of a thermometer and a thermostat. A thermometer takes your temperature, but a thermostat sets the temperature. Dr. Cannon said, “The believer’s strength, the believer’s capacity, the power to believe ... Don’t let public opinion determine how you think. Be a thermostat. Don’t let circumstances dictate how you feel. Be a thermostat ... God is doing things that will blow your imagination, if you will let God be God.”
There were so many messages of hope during the course of the week that I kept thinking, “I want our presbytery to hear this.” Guess what? You can. Thanks to the gifts of technology and the generosity of our PCUSA leaders, many of these speakers are available to join us via zoom on a regular basis.
What issues would you like addressed by these leaders that would be helpful to your congregation? The presbytery recently received a grant from the PCUSA towards church transformation. How can these financial resources be used to effectively live into our vision as a Matthew 25 presbytery? Below, is a brief survey to determine your interests and willingness to participate. In this season of winter, what are we willing to undertake to raise the thermostat of our presbytery’s mission and ministry? I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
In Christ’s Peace,
Kathy
Rev. Kathleen Dain
Interim Resource Presbyter
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Interim Resource Presbyter Announcements | |
Please join us TONIGHT -- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19TH | |
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We hope you can join us for this special evening!
7 p.m. Thursday, October 19, 2023
Zoom Link:
https://zoom.us/j/92703649541?pwd=NUsycXZFNEV3VWp0aWFLbmNNYlEvQT09
Dr. Towner was ordained at First United Presbyterian. Prior to her ordination, she worked at East Genesee Street (now the Korean Church) and remembers when the sanctuary was dedicated. Her ordination was featured in Life Magazine. Prior to ministry, she was a photographer at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
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Your Story
If a photo is worth a thousand words, than a video is worth a million!
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Under the new guidelines from the Book of Order, boundary training is required every three years for: Ministers of Word and Sacrament, Certified Christian Educators (CCE), Certified Christian Ruling Elders (CRE) and Inquirers before moving to candidacy.
The presbytery has contracted with SafeGatherings https://safegatherings.com for the online boundary training course. To learn more, or to register for the course, please contact your committee chair or the interim resource presbyter.
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Background checks for incoming Ministers of the Word & Sacrament are now conducted through Praesidium.
https://www.praesidiuminc.com
To request a background check, please contact your COM liaison.
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Vision & Strategy Committee | |
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Roses are red
Violets are blue
November’s worship
Will have something different for you!
The newly formed Worship Planning Workgroup (a.k.a. subcommittee) of the Vision & Strategy Committee is hard at work planning creative and Spirit-filled worship services for upcoming presbytery meetings. We hope that every worship service will nurture and renew your spirit as we gather to work and worship together in joyful community with one another and to the glory of God. We also plan to model creative and different ways of worship that will not only inspire you, but offer ideas that you can take with you and adapt for worship at your church.
Although the November presbytery meeting will have a zoom option, we hope you will make an effort to join us in-person that evening to support the debut of the new presbytery choir and also to experience a very special surprise. Watch for hints in upcoming issues of Presbytery Matters about the surprise we have planned. Then come on 11/14 at 5:30 pm to see if you figured out the clues. Until then, look in the e-news for such gems as these:
When the sun goes to bed,
The sky is starry
If you miss presbytery worship
You’ll be very sorry
P.S. It’s not too late to join the choir. We’re just getting started and new members will always be welcome. E-mail director Mary Heather Harrington to find out more info about where and when to join rehearsals. maryheatherharrington@gmail.com
Worship Planning Workgroup:
Karen Wolff
Lynn Jacques
Mary Heather Harrington
Neil Rotach
Deb Thomas
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SPOOKY VIBES : Pastor Ben at Scipioville Presbyterian Church sure knows how to dress the part for October! | |
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Susquehanna Valley Presbytery organized the following workshops for Small Churches and you're invited to join:
Saturday, Oct. 14, 10–11:30am, “How the Season of Advent Can Attract Visitors” presented by Rev. Phillip Blackburn — on Zoom or come to an in-person watch party*.
Saturday, Oct. 28, 10am–12pm, “Finding Our Way Through This Year’s Advent Lectionary” presented by Rev. Allen Presby — in person at Nineveh Presbyterian Church, 2997 NY Route 7, Nineveh, NY 13813, or on Zoom.
Thursday, Nov. 16, 7–8:30pm, “Fresh Expressions for Small Rural Congregations” presented by Rev. Shannon Kiser — on Zoom or come to an in-person watch party*.
AND
Church Manual of Operations workshop
Tuesday, October 24, 7pm at Masonville Federated Church or on Zoom
Mark your calendars and check back next week for Zoom information!
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Practical Resources for Churches Webinars | |
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Now and Next for Youth Ministry
Thursday, November 2, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Deech Kirk
What does the latest research tell us about children, youth, and families? What does it all mean as we approach youth ministry in our post-Covid era? Deech Kirk of the Center for Youth Ministry Training describes some of the common challenges confronting youth ministry today and some of the characteristics of the newer, innovative ministry models that are taking shape.
Mission Possible for the Small Church: Simplifying Leadership & Structure
Thursday, November 9, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Kay Kotan
Small churches also have what we refer to as a superpower that large churches can’t touch: the ability to be highly relational from the get-go. Too often, small churches concentrate on what they can’t do. We offer this resource to lift up what small churches can do! For example, smaller churches have greater percentages of participation, giving, and engaged members than larger churches, according to the 2020 FACT study. Unfortunately, many resources for churches and church leaders are created for larger churches.
This resource has been created specifically for the small church to learn how to leverage their superpowers and live into their callings as vital, healthy churches having God-sized impact in their communities.
Holy Work with Children: Children’s Spirituality
Thursday, November 16, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen
Children are theologians with the ability to recognize and respond to God’s presence in their lives. Listening to the stories of children helps us to understand how children make meaning out of God’s presence and reveals tools that children use as they claim their faith. With this knowledge, adults can then better promote and encourage children’s spiritual growth.
● How does listening to children teach us about God and faith formation?
● What wisdom and insight do children offer to all of us by how they seek understanding of God and God’s presence in their lives?
● How can we guide and support the children in our communities in this work?
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Restorative Conversations
Date: December 12th, 2023
Price:
- $139 if registering as an individual or a group up to 3
- $124 if registering as a group of 4 or more
Location: Online via Zoom
Workshop Description:
This one-day workshop introduces church leaders to the key concepts of circle processes and ways in which circles can be used within their congregations. Restorative conversations are useful when working through difficult or polarizing topics, processing shared painful experiences, building community, and dealing with certain levels of conflict in the church setting.
Register Here
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Journey Toward Healing
Date: December 18th, 2023
Price:
- $99 if registering as an individual or a group up to 3
- $84 if registering as a group of 4 or more
Location: Online via Zoom
Workshop Description:
In this workshop you will gain a better understanding of your own conflict style, what the congregational mediation process looks like, how to find healing in mediation, and explore different conflicts.
Register Here
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Do you live-stream your service on Sundays?
We are compiling a list of live-stream links to feature in Presbytery Matters. This will allow others to join in on your services.
Please send links to CaySyrNews@gmail.com
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Join in on these services virtually on Sundays:
Faith United Oswego - Live on Zoom (Meeting ID: 207 196 571)
Isaiah's Table will send a link for people to join our hybrid worship at 10 a.m. on Saturdays. Send email to isaiahtable@gmail.com by Friday evening.
Scipioville Presbyterian Church - Live on Zoom (Meeting ID: 836 3163 8403
Passcode: SPC13147)
More to come...
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The Rev. Kathleen Dain, Interim Resource Presbyter, can be reached by emailing KDain@cayugasyracuse.org or by calling (315) 551-0413.
Sarah Buckshot, Communications Coordinator, can be reached by emailing caysyrnews@gmail.com or by calling (315) 877-8271.
Our Address: PO Box 438, Syracuse, NY 13214
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First United Church Fulton seeks pastor
First United Church Fulton is a small Presbyterian and American Baptist congregation, 40 minutes north of Syracuse. They are seeking a pastor who is looking for a part-time, interim, bridge, tentmaker position.
The church's last permanent pastor retired 8 years ago. Since then they have had two transitional pastors, Covid, one short time, installed pastor and a series of Sunday pulpit supply.
"Flexibility and change have become our middle name," according to a church spokesperson.
Please contact Rick Casella at rickccasella@gmail.com or (315) 440-9115 for more information. First United Church Fulton is located at 33 South Third St in Fulton.
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Westminster, Auburn seeking Temporary Pastor
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn, NY is seeking a full-time Temporary Pastor to work with the church while it seeks a new installed pastor. The church will consider a part-time position with responsibilities and compensation negotiated and adjusted accordingly.
Position tasks include worship leadership and preaching, moderating the Session, pastoral care, serving as head of staff, administrative leadership, assisting boards, committees, and teams, and other duties as needed (funerals/weddings, representing the congregation with outside organizations, assisting with communications, occasional leadership of educational programs, assisting with mission, outreach, evangelism efforts, etc).
Effective Salary will be commensurate with experience, with benefits and mileage to be included as negotiated individually. Starting date will be on or before January 1, 2024. Please send a letter of introduction and resume to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 17 William St, Auburn, NY 13021 Attn: Temporary Pastor Search Team or by email at office@westminsterauburn.org. More information about the church can be found at www.westminsterauburn.org or facebook.com/westminsterauburn.
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Two East Syracuse churches seek to share Presbyterian pastor
The Collamer United Church and the First United Church of East Syracuse are two separate churches seeking to share a full-time solo Presbyterian pastor. Our churches are both located in East Syracuse, New York, only 2.3 miles apart. We are both united Presbyterian and Methodist denominations. We are blessed to have a hard-working core of active participants in both churches who manage the church business, coordinate the worship services (one at each church building), and hold mission events. We are working together and sharing some staff and resources. We believe this to be a very supportive environment. In addition, we believe that Central NY can provide an attractive quality of life, with our parks, culture, and quality schools.
The pastor’s duties would include worship leadership and preaching, pastoral care, oversight of Christian education, moderating the Sessions, guidance with mission projects, and representing the congregation to outside groups. We are mindful that we are two churches and do not expect a pastor to provide full-time services to each church.
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Are you hiring?
If your church is hiring in 2022 or still looking to fill a position from 2021, please send a new or updated announcement and job description to Communication Coordinator Sarah Buckshot at caysyrnews@gmail.com
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Hybrid Stated Meeting - Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom at in-person at First United Church of East Syracuse.
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Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | |
Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Serving Faithfully
Making a Meaningful Difference
in the World
In the Directory for Worship of the Book of Order, the charge, as a part of the act of sending, is described in this way: “We are blessed to be a blessing to others. The charge calls the church to go forth as agents of God’s mission in the world” and because “ruling elders have oversight of the church’s faithfulness to God’s mission, it is fitting for a deacon or ruling elder to speak the charge.” (W-3.0502)
The report of the Special Committee on Racism Truth and Reconciliation approved by the 225th General Assembly (2022) ends with this charge from Isaiah 58:6:
Listen now, God’s people!
Let us repent for those we have harmed.
Let us repair spirits we have crushed.
Let us restore those we have broken.
This is the fast that God has chosen for us.
(The Inclusive Bible)
As we listen to this charge and God’s call, how might we become agents of transformation of creation and humanity?
As a 10-year-old girl from Leland, Mississippi, Ruling Elder Willye Bryan fled the South with her family and became one of almost six million people who, during the six-decade-long Great Migration — the Black Migration — fled the South for cities in the North, East, and West to escape the segregation and oppression of Jim Crow laws.
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Crises in Afghanistan and Libya draw humanitarian response from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Support is needed after earthquakes and flooding
By Darla Carter
Presbyterian News Service
Earthquakes in Afghanistan and massive flooding in Libya have left scores of people in need of humanitarian aid.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is among those providing help through partners active in the affected areas.Afghanistan suffered a 6.3-magnitude earthquake in western Afghanistan’s Herat Province Oct. 7, followed by a series of aftershocks and more recent quakes. Media reports have stated that at least 2,000 people have died, although an Oct. 15-16 update from the World Health Organization lists the number of deaths at 1,480 as of Oct. 13.
In 11 villages in the Zindajan district, 100% of the houses were destroyed and hundreds of people are said to be missing, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
PDA is providing an initial emergency grant to support the efforts of its partner, whose name was not released. Those efforts will include emergency shelter, cash assistance for various purposes, winterization kits as well as quality and accountability resources and training.
Continue reading...
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P.O. Box 438, Syracuse 13214
(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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