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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Northminster Presbyterian Church held a food collection during lent supporting the Bridgeport Food Pantry. |
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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:
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Please pray for the Rev. Patrick Heery and his family as they make plans to move to Cincinnati this summer to be closer to family. Please pray for Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn as they make plans for an interim pastor and a search process.
- 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: First, Cazenovia; First, Chittenango; United Church of Collamer; Pebble Hill, DeWitt; First United Church of East Syracuse
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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You're Invited...
The Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse and The First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango cordially invite you to the installation of Rev. Justin Lee Marple as Pastor of The First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church is located at 118 Arch St., in Chittenango.
Reception follows in the Fellowship Hall.
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A Stated Annual Meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse has been called for 9:00 a.m., May 6, 2023. This meeting will be held in-person only at the First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango.
To prepare for this busy meeting, ALL REQUESTS FOR DOCKET TIME AND ALL MATERIALS/REPORTS ARE DUE BY 5:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26.
THE NAMES OF YOUR COMMISSIONERS AND ALL REQUESTS TO BE EXCUSED WILL NEED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE STATED CLERK BY THURSDAY, MAY 4.
***PLEASE NOTE***
We will be handling the proposed changes to the Book of Order at this meeting. The document link is below. This document was also sent with our last meeting materials. There is an abundance of information here and you will want to look it over ASAP and make sure your commissioners have it ASAP. All of the amendments will appear for approval on a consent agenda/omnibus motion. This means that any amendment that anyone wants to discuss or speak against will need to be pulled from the list for consideration separately. If you want this to happen for any amendment, please get the information together ASAP and be prepared to move for their consideration separately early in the meeting.
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The Presbytery voted to restructure itself in January 2023. This has opened up some amazing new opportunities to direct and serve our community as we move forward.
First and foremost, we are inviting people to serve on the Vision and Strategy Committee and the Nominating Committee. People will be elected to these two groups at the Presbytery meeting on May 5 in Chittenango. If you or someone in your congregation would be interested, please send names and contact information to Shavonn Lynch, Chair of the Nominating Committee: lynchshavonn@yahoo.com.
Future opportunities will include service on the Committee on Ministry, the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, and the Committee on Representation among others.
The Nominating Committee is great for anyone who enjoys the relationships and connections of the Presbytery and who values helping others discover their calling and gifts. The Vision and Strategy Committee is a totally new team and great for anyone who wants to dream, be creative, and move the Presbytery in a positive direction. Vision and Strategy will keep an eye on the "big picture" (or the mission, purpose, and vision) of the Presbytery, as guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ. To learn more about these and other committees, click here.
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The Presbyterian Women's Lighthouse Special Edition Spring 2023 is now available.
Please pass to the women of your church news about the upcoming Triennial Gathering of the PWSNE at Stony Point. There are scholarships available for those who might wish to attend. "We are celebrating our first in person gathering and hope you can join us," said Susan Silliman Smith Editor of Lighthouse. "We have an exciting program planned. Come join in the fun."
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Practical Resources for Churches Webinars |
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Thursday, April 20, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Leaders - Brittany Porch, Erin Wise
Come hear about two churches that have created a “Prayground” or an intentional space for children and their families to worship in their sanctuaries. Both of these churches have evidence of success and have developed best practices over the 5+ years of experience. Erin and Brittany will talk about how it all got started and what it looks like now.
Thursday, May 4, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT
Leader - Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund
A WISE congregation has joined the mission to being Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged in the Mental Health of the community and the wider world.
Thursday, May 11, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT
Leader - Beth Mueller
Learn how "A Common Sense Guide to the Enneagram for Youth Ministry" can help you - as an adult working with young people—understand yourself as a leader and cultivate a broader awareness of the motivations and obstacles of others. Drawing upon her decades of experience with the Enneagram and ministry with young people, Beth Mueller will help you see how this book can be a tool for better ministry and relationships. A Common Sense Guide to the Enneagram for Youth Ministry also introduces the Intimacy Triads, developed by Beth to help us better understand our intimate relationships with God and each other.
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New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Webinars
You can take this training any time during the year
3 - 4:30 PM
10 - 11:30 AM
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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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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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Please Note: Our new address change -- PO Box 438, Syracuse, NY 13214 -- also applies to mail sent to the Bookkeeper.
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Solo Pastor at Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church in DeWitt
Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church is currently seeking a solo pastor who is spiritually grounded, intellectually curious, compassionate, and forward-thinking. PHPC has a history of community engagement and a commitment to social justice. Our congregation thrives on preaching that enriches and propels us to expand our thinking and motivates action. We are nourished through inspiring music and the loving nature of our faith community. We seek someone who is flexible, has a sense of humor, and flourishes in contexts where collaboration in leadership is the norm.
Position tasks include worship leadership & preaching, pastoral care, oversight of Christian education, moderating the Session, representing the congregation to outside groups that use our facility, assisting committees with guidance and insights as needed, participating and motivating members to become more active in social justice and mission projects.
PHPC was formed in 1956 in a suburb of Syracuse, NY. The church is located less than five miles from Syracuse University and Upstate Medical University, along with other institutions of higher education, multiple hospitals, and successful manufacturing facilities. The church is also situated within a very strong K-12 school system. We enjoy the benefits of a city with close proximity to the Finger Lakes, a pleasant drive to the Adirondacks, and a multitude of hiking and biking options in the immediate area, including those associated with the Erie Canal corridor. Onondaga County is on the cusp of major growth due to its selection as the site for an investment of $100 billion over ten years by Micron computer chip company. Finally, Syracuse was recently identified by FEMA as the safest city in the U.S. from natural disasters.
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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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Annual Meeting - Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 9 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango
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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Humanitarian situation in Sudan worsens as fighting intensifies
Prayers requested amid appeals for peace
By Scott O’Neill
Presbyterian News Service
The capital city of Khartoum, along with adjoining cities Omdurman and Bahri, were hardest hit over the weekend as fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces intensified. At least 185 people have been killed and 1,800 wounded as a result of airstrikes and violence between the two factions, per a United Nations spokesperson. Power and water have been cut off in Khartoum, placing inhabitants in even greater danger.
Presbyterian World Mission’s Sharon Kandel, a mission co-worker serving in the Horn of Africa which includes Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, asked Presbyterians to join her in praying for justice, peace, and security in Sudan.
“In the last three days there has been open fighting in the streets of Khartoum and in other regions of the country. This recent outbreak of fighting is between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia,” said Kandel. “The conflict … appears to be the result of a power struggle between the leaders of these two armed groups.”
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The PC(USA)’s 1001 New Worshiping Communities explores spiritual formation for innovators
A Lenten program helped participants deepen their connections to Jesus and with each other
By Beth Waltemath
Presbyterian News Service
How do we surrender and seek freedom? How is Jesus both a friend to us and our Lord? How do leaders of worshiping communities tend to their souls while tending to others? How do innovators find spiritual community with companions in ministry?
These were just some of the creative questions explored in the opportunities for spiritual formation sponsored by 1001 New Worshiping Communities during Lent. The seven-week liturgical season has long been marked by the contradictions Jesus navigated in his ministry, especially during his final weeks and days as his message of love became a movement; the faithful presence he gave and inspired in his followers became a ministry; and his abiding connection with God — and as God — demanded he not cling to any of it, especially not to his life.
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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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