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:
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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: Amboy Belle Isle; First, Auburn; Westminster, Auburn; United Ministry of Aurora; First, Baldwinsville
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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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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Guest Message: The Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even |
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Human in Need of the Holy -
An Easter Reflection
As many know, Christians are celebrating their most important festival of the year, Easter’s Resurrection. During the forty days and six Sundays before Easter (Lent), we prepare for Easter by reflecting on what it means to be human standing before a holy God.
One of the recommended scriptures for us this year was Ezekiel 37:1-14, the story of the prophet’s vision of a valley of dry bones. Ezekiel stood silently in the face of such overwhelming devastation. He did not attempt to explain, justify, or diminish the horror. He waited for a Word from God. He was rewarded for this wisdom, patience and humility. He was given a Word. What a Word! By the power of God’s Word, uttered through the
mouth of Ezekiel, the bones were restored with flesh, muscle and animation. However, humans are not alive without HOPE. So, the final Word of God Ezekiel preaches to the people is the Word of God’s HOPE.
Easter is a witness to Christians of God’s power of life over death; God’s power to instill HOPE for that which is humanly impossible. It is that hope which gives us life and being beyond merely being physically animated. It is that HOPE which inspires and challenges us to not just to speak HOPE but to enact that HOPE in places where despair reigns. Easter promises that death and despair will never be more than God’s second to last Word. It is that promise of HOPE in which we live and serve.
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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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The Interfaith Conference for Action and Healing (ICAH) is hosting a spring conference on the diverse religious, faith and spiritual traditions and beliefs that inform our thoughts and actions around Creation and our care of the Earth.
Please join us for Faith, Spirituality and Religion: How Do They Inform Our Care of Creation? on Saturday, April 15 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at Zabriskie Hall, Wells College, Aurora, NY 13026 (location is handicapped accessible).
The day will include presentations and a panel discussion on our theme from various religious and faith traditions and includes morning refreshments and lunch. We are asking participants for a donation of $25 to fund the lunch and additional expenses though all are welcome and encouraged to attend regardless of the ability to make a donation. Additional donations are also welcome to help fund our expenses.
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Easter Fun: First Presbyterian Church of Mexico held an Easter egg hunt for children. They are shown here with their stuffed prizes!
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Practical Resources for Churches Webinars |
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Tuesday, April 18, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Leader - Debbie Bronkema
We all want wholeness, to feed our souls and connect with the life-giving power of God.But there are parts of our stories that are opaque to us. We often lack the words to access those parts of ourselves that need healing; the stories are too difficult to tell straight on. Writing Toward Wholeness guides you on a journey at the intersection of creative and spiritual formation.
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
7 - 8:30 PM
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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Hundreds gather in prayer across Louisville following Monday’s mass shooting
Stated Clerk joins mayor in citywide vigil
By Rick Jones & Mike Ferguson
Presbyterian News Service
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, J. Herbert Nelson, speaks at the community vigil in Louisville on April 12, 2023, two days after the mass shooting.
Hundreds of people gathered outside of the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, on a warm, sunny Wednesday afternoon to remember those killed and wounded in Monday’s mass shooting. This time of the year usually finds the city preparing for a massive influx of attention for the Kentucky Derby with visitors and media from around the world, but not on this occasion.
The community vigil entitled “Reflect & Remember” was organized by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg to “unite as a city to reflect and remember our loved ones.” Five people died and eight others were wounded Monday morning when a lone gunman walked into the Old National Bank building downtown and opened fire on employees inside. The shooter, also a bank employee, was identified as 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon who, according to police, legally purchased an AR-15 style weapon within the past week. He was shot and killed by police within minutes of the shootings.
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Stated Clerk mourns those lost in fire at immigration detention center
J. Herbert Nelson calls for increased asylum protection for migrants
World Council of Churches worship at the border between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in November 2019. Photo by Amanda Craft.
The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is calling on Presbyterians across the denomination to pray for the victims of a recent fire at an immigration detention center along the Mexico/Texas border.
In a brief statement released Tuesday, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, spoke out against living conditions at detention centers and urged U.S. officials to do more to protect those seeking asylum in this country.
As many as 40 people died and more than two dozen were injured in the blaze two weeks ago. The Estancia Provisional de Ciudad Juárez sits on the border across from El Paso, Texas. Authorities say six people have been charged for allegedly lighting a mattress on fire to protest upcoming deportations. There are also reports that some security guards walked away when the fire broke out and made no attempt to release those inside the cell.
“We lift to God those who died in the fire in the immigration detention center in Ciudad Juárez. We ask God to work through professionals to provide excellent medical care for those who are in the hospital,” said Nelson. “We pray for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one or struggling to be present as others recover from this tragedy."
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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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