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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Good food and good company are good for the soul!
The United Ministry of Aurora hosted 40 seniors for a Polished Silver Senior Luncheon catered by Treleaven Winery Chef Cookie on January 17th.
Winter months can be difficult, especially for senior citizens. This was a wonderful opportunity for seniors to get out of the house, enjoy a delicious meal at an affordable price and socialize with old and new friends.
Lots of laughter and fun was had, which is good for the soul, mind and body!
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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:
- Please keep the families, friends and classmates of Brexialee Torres-Ortiz and Ava Wood in your prayers. Brexialee, 11, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Syracuse on January 16th an Ava, 14, was killed in an apparent murder-suicide by her father. Both tragedies have left two school communities in mourning.
- Please keep all those who are battling sickness in your prayers. COVID, the flu, cold viruses and stomach viruses are continuing to impact so many in our churches and our communities.
- Please keep Communications Coordinator Sarah Buckshot in your prayers. She's 34 weeks pregnant with her second set of twins, who are due to arrive on Valentine's Day. Please keep her in your prayers as she deals with complications due to another high risk pregnancy.
- Please pray for Frank Campagna from the Cazenovia Church. Frank was diagnosed with cancer. Please keep him, his doctors and his family in your prayers.
- Please pray for everyone who is struggling with their mental health and mental illnesses.
- 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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A Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse has been called for 6:00 p.m. on January 31, 2023.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MODERATOR HAS CHANGED THE START TIME OF THIS MEETING TO 6:00 P.M.
This meeting will be held online via Zoom.
Things to know:
- This is an online meeting.
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To register for this meeting CLICK HERE.
- The Zoom meeting room will open at 5:45 p.m.
- BE SURE TO REVIEW ALL MEETING MATERIALS PRIOR TO THE MEETING
Things to anticipate:
- Worship
- Final consideration of the proposed new presbytery structure
- New ministers joining our family
- YAV Update
- Interfaith Works Update
- Other items of business and Presbyterian fun!
Papers for this meeting can be found here, and include:
***PLEASE NOTE: Presbytery minutes are edited as part of the meeting process. Edits by email or other means WILL NOT be accepted prior to the meeting. This, my friends, is how the sausage is made.
ALSO, below you will find a link to the proposed amendments to the PCUSA constitution that require votes by presbyteries. We will be voting on these at our next stated meeting; but, you will want to begin reviewing them now.
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The Can We Talk Group of retired pastors will meet at Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church on Friday, January 27, 20223 at 10:30 a.m. for the first time since October.
The group will gather in the lounge behind the sanctuary. As usual, there will be coffee and goodies to go along with whatever is on your mind.
First-timers are welcome as are folks who have not been around for a while!
Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church is located at 5299 Jamesville Road in DeWitt.
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First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango welcomes new Pastor
The Rev. Justin L. Marple comes to our presbytery from the Presbytery of Western New York where he has been serving since 2009. Until coming to Cayuga-Syracuse, he was serving on the Discipleship & Nurture Resource Team of the Presbytery of Western New York. Previous service to that presbytery includes teaching elder commissioner to the 220th and 222nd General Assemblies (2012 & 2016), moderator of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, and moderator of one administrative commission and secretary of another administrative commission. Before coming to Western New York, Rev. Marple served on the Social Witness & Mission Committee of the Transylvania Presbytery in eastern Kentucky.
Rev. Marple was ordained by the Presbytery of Baltimore at Christ Our King Presbyterian Church (Bel Air, MD) in 2005. He has served as the Pastor of Peter Creek Presbyterian Church (Phelps, KY) and Shepard Memorial Presbyterian Church (Stopover, KY) -- a yoked call. He was also the chaplain of Cedar Creek Assisted Living (Pikeville, KY) and Good Shepherd Nursing Home (Phelps, KY). His second call was to Niagara Presbyterian Church (Niagara Falls, NY). After serving there for seven years, he filled the pulpit every Sunday at MacAlpine Presbyterian Church (Buffalo, NY) for about two years and then pulpit supply in various churches until accepting the call to First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango.
Justin and his wife, Shelby, are licensed foster parents with Niagara County. Until the end of the school year, they continue to live during the week in the City of Niagara Falls with their children, Josiah (15), Arwen (almost 13), Chloe (3), and Lilly (1), and sometimes provide respite for other foster parents. The family is very involved in scouting, community theatre, Tae Kwon Do, dance, and music. Shelby is graduating in May from Daemen University with her second B.S.—this one in law. She already has an MBA and plans to continue to law school. Rev. Marple graduated from Gettysburg College (Gettysburg, PA) in 2002 with a B.A., having double-majored in history and political science, and Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, PA) in 2005 with a M.Div. in Pastoral Studies. In their “spare time” the Marple family loves to travel together—usually to beaches or warm places and even to a certain magical castle with an enchanted mouse and friends.
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Congregational Learning Day - March 4, 2023 |
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Registration is now open: Register HERE
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In the absence of a Resource Presbyter, please contact the following individuals:
And, as always, questions regarding church polity, minutes, parlimentary procedure should be directed to our Stated Clerk, Rev. Ben Fitzgerald-Fye (statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org)
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FUN TIMES: The Liverpool First Presbyterian Church held a taco lunch and bingo party on Sunday. The event was sponsored by the deacons and featured great food, fellowship and fun times!
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Do you live-stream your service on Sundays?
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We are compiling a list of live-stream links to feature in Presbytery Matters. This will allow others to join in on your services.
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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 Manor is an affordable senior living community located at 49 West Genesee St. in the village of Skaneateles. It is intended for well seniors and includes all meals prepared by our staff. All suites include a private bath. Internet access and cable TV are included in the price. The Manor is located within the heart of the Village and is a short walking distance to lake-side parks. It is located on bus route serving the central New York and Syracuse vicinity. Local transportation services are available.
The Manor is a non-profit mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles and is operated by an independent board of directors. It is maintained through the volunteer efforts and monetary donations of the church and community members who take a personal interest in The Manor and its residents, visiting and hosting regular social gatherings and holiday events.
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Ben Fitzgerald-Fye, Stated Clerk, can be reached by emailing statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org OR by calling or texting (315) 604-8535. Ben will be out of the office from Monday, December 26, 2022 through Monday, January 9, 2023.
Sarah Buckshot, Communications Coordinator, can be reached by emailing caysyrnews@gmail.com. Sarah will be on vacation from Sunday, December 25th to Saturday, December 31st.
Please Note: Our new address change -- PO Box 438, Syracuse, NY 13214 -- also applies to mail sent to the Bookkeeper.
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Administrative Assistant
Jamesville Church seeks energetic administrative assistant, 10 hours/week, $15/hour. Perfect for someone with children in school! Mature faith, skilled in MS Office, people lover, self-starter, good planner, team player, problem solver, task finisher.
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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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Stated Meeting - Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 7 p.m. on Zoom
Annual Meeting - Saturday, May 6, 2023. Time and Location TBA
Stated Meeting - Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 7 p.m. Time and Location TBA
Stated Meeting - Saturday, September 16, 2023. Time and Location TBA
Stated Meeting -Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.
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Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) |
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Stated Clerk mourns those lost in two mass shootings
J. Herbert Nelson once again calls for stronger gun control laws
The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is once again calling on lawmakers and the Biden administration to take a strong stance on gun control. The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II offered his comments following the mass shootings in recent days that have left as many as 18 people dead.
In a statement, Nelson said, “This is happening way too often and despite cries of families, friends, communities and churches, there is still no action from those who have the power to make real change on gun control.”
Nelson said more than enough blood has been shed for lawmakers to recognize that the situation is out of control, and he urges leaders on both sides of the political aisle to “come to the table” and find a solution.
The Stated Clerk also said that gun control is not the sole problem, adding that more needs to be done to address mental health issues, ensuring that those who need the support from local, state and national governments get it.
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New seven-week PC(USA) Black resistance Bible study launches on Feb. 1
Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries has scheduled a compelling clergy lineup
By Layton Williams Berkes
Presbyterian News Service
The Bible study is being coordinated by the Rev. Michael Moore, RE&WIM’s African American Intercultural Associate for Congregational Support. In addition to his work for the denominational offices, Moore has more than 24 years of ministry experience as both parish pastor and chaplain. His work has primarily focused on addressing racism, poverty, and systemic injustice -- especially in urban contexts. He was instrumental in the establishment of Presbytery of Baltimore’s “Dismantling Racism” policy and program, which mandates training for clergy, staff and those in the ordination process.
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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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