July 16, 2020

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.

• Pray for all those who seeking healing due to decisions made about Vanderkamp.
• Pray for school leaders who work to prepare plans to safely allow students to return to school.
• Please pray for James Russell, a member of Westminster Syracuse. His esophagus cancer has returned.
  
• Pray for all the doctors, nurses and medical staff on the front lines fighting to save COVID-19 patients.
• Please pray for all those who are sick with COVID-19 and all those who have lost loved ones.
• Pray for our leaders and officials as they continue to make difficult decisions regarding social distancing and COVID-19.

 

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.

Dear Friends,

 

And just like that, a vote is cast and it is the end of an era.

 

Whether our vote is to close a church, end a marriage, choose hospice or to sell a camp there is always a mix of emotions and second-guesses. We wonder what would have been. We find ourselves thinking of all the "should haves" and "could haves." We cast blame on others, as well as on ourselves.

 

There should be finality to it, but there's not. Even if something should happen that suddenly offers the opportunity to reverse the decision -- everything is forever changed.

 

And so we grieve.

 

We grieve not for what we've lost, but for what might have been. Perhaps with the right pastor, or an infusion of cash ... perhaps with more counseling or an effective treatment things could have been different. We mourn the past as well as the future.

 

At last night's Presbytery meeting we voted to sell Vanderkamp. It was the sort of vote that cut to the heart of many even as we recognized that there were no other options. In order to purchase the camp from the other two partners, we'd need to spend every cent we had ... and find another 300K. The necessity of the sale doesn't make it any easier, or more palatable.

 

The good news is that we are a resurrection people. We know that the end is not always the end.

 

Last night spoke a great deal to who we were as we made that decision ... what happens next speaks to who we will be as God's people after this decision. The funds from the eventual sale will echo the values of Vanderkamp (as per NYS non-profit law). Because of this, there will be a legacy that honors those who first had a vision for that sacred ground as well as those who laughed and cried there and those that gave time, talent and treasure to its mission.

 

There are other ways to continue the legacy. Rita Hooper is coordinating the "Friends of Vanderkamp." If you'd like to join their efforts, you can find them on Facebook or by emailing her at twohoops2@gmail.com. I'm also working on developing a website that celebrates the camp in stories and photos. It's still in the rough stage (it won't be quite right until you send me your own story!) but you can find it here: www.celebratingvanderkamp.org. We will also try to find time to gather safely at the camp for one last campfire.

 

Prayers for us all during this difficult season and particularly at this difficult time --

 

Karen

 

Stated Clerk Open Office Hours

Greetings friends! In order to keep some consistent communication and to offer you the best service possible, I am posting the following as the "official" office hours for the Stated Clerk:

Also, in order to foster more personal connections and fellowship, please feel free to request a Zoom meeting during the office hours to discuss any issues of process, polity, etc. with your friendly neighborhood Stated Clerk.

I hope you are well and send you peace!

Rev. Ben Fitzgerald-Fye 

Stated Clerk

We all acknowledge that these are unprecedented times. Everyone has been impacted by the pandemic, including clergy. The Committee on Ministry encourages pastors and Sessions to read the following article and to reflect on how we might encourage one another:

I don't want to be a prophet of doom, but as a minister in touch with many ministers, I see a coming pastoral crash. And I'm not sure we can stop it. The impact of the world response to COVID-19 will be felt for many years to come. It will be felt in every career field and in every home. This post does not diminish the hard work and adjustments being done by first responders, law enforcement, health care workers, and the educational structures. But from my perspective, those who serve in ministry are, in my thinking, in particular danger for several reasons.

 

They are serving in ways for which they have no training or experience. At first, this is energizing and sparks our creative thoughts. This energized feeling does not last, however. It is neither exciting for the minister nor the congregants after a month or so.

 

They are doing their best, but unable to keep it up. Frankly, it is draining. Ministers fall into the comparison trap. Some ministries were already online and have everything they need in place. Many of us, however, did not. We look at what other churches are producing and that makes our efforts feel not worth it.

 

They are worried about ministries that are unable to operate, and if they will be able to operate later. Some of the ministries that are very important such as support groups, specialized Bible classes (ladies, mens, teens), and Bible camps and retreats are unable to meet. The people who utilize those kinds of ministry need the support still, they are just unable to be in the same room together. Young people are missing out on the fellowship that can strengthen their young spiritual walk. The mental and physical health of our congregations is a huge concern.

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Churches should mail their checks to

Paula Lamberson, bookkeeper of Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery, at the following address:

Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse

5811 Heritage Landing Drive, 2nd floor

East Syracuse, NY 13057

Please DON'T write "c/o Synod of the Northeast" on the envelope due to it causing confusion at the post office. Thank you!

Isaiah's Table seeks partners  

to help families in need

   

Isaiah's Table is partnering with PEACE Inc. to supplement their weekly food distribution on the Near Westside of Syracuse. Each month they hand out toiletries. In their first distribution in June, they supplied 66 family units totaling 171 children and adults with toilet paper, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant and activities for youth and Spanish speaking adults. Isaiah's Table wants to continue this distribution once per month while the neighborhood is in such tremendous need. Each family pack costs from $5-$10 depending on the size of the household.

Isaiah's Table is hoping that some folks in the Presbytery might want to partner with them in this endeavor. Any donation would be appreciated -- it will directly support families in need in the neighborhood of Isaiah's Table. Donations can be sent to: Isaiah's Table, 223 Marcellus Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 or can be made through its website. Please contact Nancy Wind at  isaiahtable@gmail.com for more information.

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Send to:             The Syracuse Peacemaking Project

July 23-24         Board of Pensions Thrive Seminar (for clergy age 50+)

August 11         Presbytery Stated Meeting, TBD  

November 14    Presbytery Stated Meeting, Westminster-Auburn

Reimagining public safety

Union Presbyterian Seminary panel talks about how a just society looks and acts

By Mike Ferguson

Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE - Last week, a panel convened by Union Presbyterian Seminary discussed how Christians can respond to unjust policing, On Tuesday, a different panel sought to reimagine what public safety might look like in a just society.

The Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler, an associate professor of Bible at the seminary and the director of its Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation, moderated the panel, which also included:

Sadler opened by asking panelists for two things they'd do to reimagine the current system of public safety. Arjona said he'd embrace the prophet Isaiah's vision of universal disarmament and "envision a system that prioritizes the well-being of all people, including those in charge of public safety." Stewart said she'd like to see universal health care and the decriminalization of all drugs. Dawkins said that until the nation addresses white supremacy, "we are only moving pieces around on a chess set." Robert proposed establishing "a new system governed by community values" and "holding churches accountable" for, among other things, "the ways in which our ecclesiology and theology don't allow us free spaces to discuss" possible solutions.

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Next online Matthew 25 event planned for July 29

 

With a focus on dismantling racism, churches can take steps to bring about racial justice

By Melody K. Smith

Presbyterian News Service

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