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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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:
- God of peace, guide our hands to make tools for peace instead of weapons of war. Let us learn war no more. Guide our hearts to break down walls of division, not with pressure sanctions and threats, but with love, humility and understanding. God, in solidarity with our siblings in Korea, help us to make a way where there is no way. Amen. (June 25th to August 15th is the “Season of Prayer and Reflection in the Korean Peninsula”)
- Please pray for everyone who is struggling with their mental health, mental illnesses and addiction.
- 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: United Church of Fayetteville; First United Church of Fulton; God’s Vision Christian Church, Hannibal; Jamesville Community Church; First, King Ferry
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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From the Interim Resource Presbyter |
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The Rev. Kathleen Dain, our Interim Resource Presbyter, has some suggestions for summer reading! Check them out!
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The headlines are clear: religion is on the decline in America as many people leave behind traditional religious practices. Diana Butler Bass, leading commentator on religion, politics, and culture, follows up her acclaimed book Christianity After Religion by arguing that what appears to be a decline actually signals a major transformation in how people understand and experience God. The distant God of conventional religion has given way to a more intimate sense of the sacred that is with us in the world. This shift, from a vertical understanding of God to a God found on the horizons of nature and human community, is at the heart of a spiritual revolution that surrounds us — and that is challenging not only religious institutions but political and social ones as well. Read more...
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'Gospel medicine' is Barbara Brown Taylor's metaphor for the power of God's word to heal and mend a broken world. In this collection, she practices the old-fashioned art of gospel home remedies, drawing strength and insight from biblical stories that can help us confront our weaknesses, revive our spirits and restore us to lasting wholeness. Read more...
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Jesus once said, "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty." So why are Christians still thirsty? We throw ourselves into church work, Bible studies, prayer, missions, fellowship. Yet still we search restlessly for something more. What are we missing?Perhaps the answer is, more of Jesus. Church meetings and programs, ministry, Christian counseling, and home groups are all good, but they are not him. It doesn't matter how devoted we are to these wonderful activities; they are not the same thing as communion with Jesus. Our souls crave him alone.In Sacred Thirst, author and pastor Craig Barnes brings us face-to-face with our desperate longing for God. Read more...
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Announcements from our Interim Resource Presbyter |
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From the Vision & Strategy Committee |
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Season of Prayer and Reflection in the Korean Peninsula
June 25th to August 15th is the “Season of Prayer and Reflection in the Korean Peninsula” in Presbyterian churches across the U.S. Seventy-three years ago, on June 25, 1950, war broke out on the Korean Peninsula. Although a ceasefire was signed in 1953, this war has never ended.
The PC(USA) Office of Public Witness urges Presbyterians to answer the call of our General Assembly to support peace in Korea and suggests two actions: 1) ask our members of Congress to support a bill in the House of Representatives: "The Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act, H.R. 1369;" and 2) participate in the Korea Peace Appeal signature campaign, a global effort which began last year and which Cayuga-Syracuse voted to support when we submitted our overture to General Assembly.
Signatures should be submitted by September 3, in time for KPA organizers to deliver them to the United Nations General Assembly this fall.
Please prayerfully consider how you will join the many voices around the world praying and acting for peace in Korea. For more information, contact Linda Russell, Overture Advocate and Co-convener, Presbyterian Peace Network for Korea (PPNK) (315.730.6930).
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Don’t miss your chance!!! The PCUSA 2024 Planning Calendars will be available in September.
To order through the presbytery and receive the bulk rate, please contact Lisa Bricault at Liverpool First Presbyterian: lfirstpr@twcny.rr.com or 315-457-3161.
Please let Lisa know:
- what congregation you represent
- how many calendars you are ordering (each PCUSA pastor receives a free calendar so don’t over order)
- email and phone number
You will receive a bill in the late summer or fall with payment instructions. We are hoping that the calendars will be available for pick up at the September presbytery meeting.
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Calling all retired pastors...
The next "Can We Talk?" gathering will be held at 10.30 a.m. on Friday, June 23rd in the Lounge behind the Sanctuary at Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church, 5299 Jamesville Road in Syracuse.
Coffee and goodies will be served.
The gathering is for retired pastors and CLP's or for folks who are about to retire. First-timers are always welcome!
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The First Presbyterian Church of Baldwinsville is pleased to announce that the Syracuse Lions Club will be hosting a FREE visual screening for adults and children at the Baldwinsville church on Monday, July 17th in its Christian Education Building. The event will be held from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Lions Club utilizes a RetinaVue 700 camera that allows them to detect different pathologies of the eye, including diabetic retinopathy and amblyopia. The Club will also financially assist with optometry consultations and the acquisition of glasses, if required. The screening takes only five to ten minutes. This is a wonderful opportunity for preventative care for the community, and a way to assist those who might not otherwise be able to take care of their eye health.
For questions, please contact Lion Doug Russell at (315) 9522136 or dgr899@aol.com.
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Book Release: N. Scott Cupp's "Come and See for Yourself" on sale now
N. Scott Cupp, a retired Cayuga-Syracuse pastor, has released his book "Come and See for Yourself The Gospel -- As if for the First Time." The book is on sale now.
About the Book:
People have been telling the story of Jesus ever since he was resurrected. In Come and See, author N. Scott Cupp offers a new perspective on this great story. Presenting a simplified narrative, it tells the gospel story from beginning to end in a chronological way unlike any other.
Answering a host of questions that arise throughout, Dr. Cupp shares the story as if meeting Jesus for the first time. Who was he, really? Did he really walk on water? Did he actually heal all those people? What was his message? Was he killed because he was proclaiming peace and love? Was he the message or the messenger? What is the message of the gospel for today, and how does it impact our world?
Presenting an understanding of Jesus’s life, Come and See for Yourself supplements what you’ve read and learned in your prior Christian studies. Dr. Cupp lets you decide what to think of the messenger.
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Practical Resources for Churches Webinars |
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Thursday, July 27, 2023
4:00 - 5:00 PM EDT
Leader - Jon Anderson
God continues to create in our lives, our congregations and our communities every day. Faithful innovation is part of God's creating work. Small Town and Rural Ministry requires both sustaining and disruptive leadership to serve the Gospel and fuel the love of all our neighbors.
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New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Webinars
You can take this training any time during the year
1 - 2:30 PM EDT
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM EST
3:30 - 5:00 PM EST
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Do you live-stream your service on Sundays?
droppable-1673496502490
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 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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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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This month's needs include:
- Tall kitchen garbage cans
- Dish strainers
- Twin sheet sets
- Twin and double blankets/comforters
- Toiletries (shaving cream, razors, deodorant, shampoo, soap, bathroom tissue, women's hygiene products)
- Cleaning supplies (laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, dish soap)
- Laundry baskets
Contact Rhonda Butler for drop off locations and times. Rhonda can be reached at
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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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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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