Welcome to this week's edition of our e-letter, Presbytery Matters. | |
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Making a Difference This Christmas
Below is a list of some of the organizations that our churches and worshiping communities are supporting during the month of December. Together we can help our community! Together we can make a difference! Merry Christmas!
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For the past 23 years, the First Presbyterian Church in Mexico sponsors, houses and
organizes the Operation Reindeer community program that serves infants to 18 year old
children within the Mexico Central School District. This small congregation, unites other
churches, individuals, civic organizations, school groups, school staff, local businesses and corporations to brighten the Christmas for children in need with throws, hats, mittens or gloves as well as educational toys and other toys.
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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 pray for all of those who are struggling with the loss of a loved one or heartbreak or loneliness this holiday season. Please keep these people in your prayers.
- 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: Minister members of the Presbytery who are engaged in specialized ministries, who are at-large members, or who are retired
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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During the season of Advent, we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for Christ’s coming again. | |
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The Presbytery Office will be closed from December 25 through January 1.
OUR STAFF WILL BE ON VACATION!
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A Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse is scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2024.
Please send all written reports, motions from committee, requests for time on the docket, and other business to the Stated Clerk via email at StatedClerk@CayugaSyracuse.org no later than 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.
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Interested in joining a Bible Study Group? Here are few available now!
In 2024, PW Churchwide’s Justice and Peace Committee is hosting book discussion groups again. Consider participating in one or all of the book discussions! The discussions will be held on Zoom, bimonthly, on the second Monday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It’s free to participate, but registration is required. You will receive questions for reflection/discussion and a Zoom link 24 hours before each session. Learn more.
Scipioville Bible Study - "Beverages and Bibles" meets at 7 p.m. on Thursdays in December. Register Here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing needed information.
Isaiah’s Table meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m. It is part of their adult education program and concentrates on Spiritual Nurture and Social Justice. During Advent they have been reading The First Advent in Palestine by Kelley Nikondheha. Join Zoom.
Meeting ID: 838 0808 2621
Passcode: 203109
A Presbyterian Women’s Group (that sometimes has men join them) began during COVID to keep PW of C-S together … The group includes members from New Jersey, Connecticut and Iowa, and about half are Presbyterian. (God does have a sense of humor!) The group focuses on books that tend to deal with discrimination. Sometimes they even read novels! Contact Rita at twohoops2@gmail after the first of the year if you would like to check this out! They meet Thursdays at 7 p.m.
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Does your church have a Bible Study, book clup or topic study group and are willing to have others? You are asked to send your information to:
Rita Hooper
210 Meadowbrook Circle
Fulton, NY 13069
or
twohoops2@gmail.com
For questions, text or call her at 315-706-3564.
Information Needed:
Book of Bible you are studying
Bible Study you are using (Title, Author, Publisher) if you are using one.
Topic you are studying eg: the border, Palestine-Israeli situation, Ukraine, Christian Nationalism, literacy,homelessness, refugees, aging, discrimination of any and all kinds etc
When the group meets eg. third monday at 10am, weekly on Tuesdays at 7 pm etc.
Where they meet - church name and location
Zoom information
Contact information (name, phone, email) of person who is responsible for this group
We are family and we are better together … help us share the good things happening in Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery.
Don’t wait for someone else to do it … if you know the info, please let Rita know, she would rather get it 5 times than not at all!
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Interim Resource Presbyter Announcements | |
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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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Park Central Church in Syracuse received a ReKindle Grant from the Columbia Theological Seminary which allowed the church to provide a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)training with their congregational leadership and members this fall. The funding also gives the church the ability to offer this training in the Spring to congregational leaders from other local Presbyterian churches.
The trainings are in-person for 5 weeks and end with an all day in-person retreat at Christ the King Retreat Center in Syracuse.
Two virtual information sessions have been scheduled for Monday, January 8 at 11 a.m. and Thursday, January 11, at 6 p.m. You only need to attend ONE of the information sessions. If you are interested in learning more about the trainings please send an email with your desired information session date/time to Marissa Saunders at niaministriesworldwide@gmail.com to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.
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Rev. Shawn Reyburn from the Columbian Presbyterian Church in LaFayette is wondering if there are other congregations who would be willing to share the 25 count offering envelopes. Shawn says his congregation does not need all 25 and wants to split the cost and the envelopes with another congregation in the same spot.
Interested? Contact Shawn Reyburn at (315) 663-6851
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Fellowship Hall Rental
The Collamer United Church fellowship hall is available for rent for special occasions, meetings, and other activities. Maximum capacity is 140. We have seating for 122 people. We also have a very nice commercial kitchen which is available for an extra charge.
Please contact the church office for information.
Collamer United Church
6865 Collamer Road
East Syracuse, New York 13057
(315) 463-4939
collamerunitedchurch@verizon.net
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Practical Resources for Churches Webinars | |
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Our Address: PO Box 438, Syracuse, NY 13214
Click Here for Staff Contact Information
Click Here for a list of Live Streams from our churches
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Part-time Pastor Search
My sheep, pastured in Fulton, 40 minutes north of Syracuse have come together as a united flock of American Baptists and Presbyterians. They are looking for a part-time, interim, bridge, tentmaker shepherd who has that spirit of adventure and is looking for new fields to share their skills and talents with.
If you would like to talk about this position please contact me at 1Godlovesya or my assistant Rick Casella at rickccasella@gmail.com or 315-440-9115.
Hoping to hear from you,
Thanks, God.
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Seeking Nursery School Director in Baldwinsville
The First Presbyterian Nursery School of Baldwinsville is beginning a search for a nursery school director for the Fall 2024. The position is part-time from 8:30am-12:30pm on Tuesday through Friday. A qualified candidate will ideally have a Bachelor’s degree in the field of education and experience working with 3,4 and 5 year old children.
Some of the responsibilities performed by the director are as follows:
- Organize and maintain all student files
- Oversee the preschool program and offer support and guidance to classroom teachers
- Collect and keep tuition records & expense records for the school
- Assemble and mail all summer communications to families
- Day to day operations of program and building
Email resume to Baldwinsville Presbyterian office: admin@presbville.com
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Seeking a Creative and Caring Pre-School Teacher
Friends in Faith Christian Preschool is seeking a compassionate, and creative individual to team teach three-year-olds. Individuals who love working with children and creating an educational experience that develops curiosity and kindness for others should apply. The position requires experience working with children, a commitment to modeling love and respect, knowledge in child development, and effective communication skills.
The position is 8 to 10 hours per week with a salary range of $15.50 to $16.00 per hour. Please submit resume to Tracie Folley, Director, Friends in Faith, 603 Tulip Street, Liverpool, NY 13088 or fifcps@gmail.com
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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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REASON FOR THE SEASON: It was truly JOYful last Sunday as the First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango continued to reflect during this season of Advent. | |
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The youth at Sennett Federated Church took part in a pageant on Sunday!
Great job, kiddos!
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Sunday, December 24: 4th Sunday of Advent - Christmas Eve
Monday, December 25: Christmas
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Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | |
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Survey to help Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) determine its carbon footprint
Congregations, presbyteries and synods are urged to participate
By Darla Carter | Presbyterian News Service
Congregations, presbyteries and synods have a new opportunity to help the planet by participating in an effort to reduce the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s carbon footprint.
The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) is urging them to take the Energy Use and Carbon Footprint Survey, which is available online and takes just 10 to 15 minutes to fill out once the required material has been gathered.
The survey springs from action taken during the 225th General Assembly (2022) to help protect the environment by taking steps to reduce the church’s carbon footprint by 25% in four years. As part of that, the Presbyterian Mission Agency was directed to conduct a survey of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) buildings to help determine the denomination’s current footprint.
“In order to be mindful and intentional in reducing our carbon footprint as a denomination, it’s important that we get as best a sense as possible of our ‘baseline’ carbon footprint in the ways that we can,” said the Rev. Rebecca Barnes, PHP’s Coordinator. “Collecting building energy use data will help us to establish our sense of our current baseline of energy consumption. The more congregations filling out the survey, the better, to give us a good representative sample of how Presbyterian property energy use currently stands.”
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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