Welcome to this week's edition of our e-letter, Presbytery Matters. | |
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Saving Sight
Baldwinsville church teams up with Lions Club to hold vision screenings
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First Presbyterian Church of Baldwinsville teams up with the Lions Club to host vision screenings for adults and children.
"We screen to help save sight," said Douglas Russell, a member of both the church and the Syracuse Host Lions Club.
So far their adult eye screening in Onondaga County has a 26 percent referral rate and 88 percent of the referrals are detecting very serious conditions.
"Which means if they did not get screened or get to a specialist immediately, they could go blind," Russell said.
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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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We are asking our churches to share this newsletter with your members each week. Click the button below to forward the email or to obtain the newsletter link.
Thank you!
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Joys and Concerns around the Presbytery | |
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In our prayers together this week:
- Pray for Pastor Bob Langston (Onondaga Hill Presbyterian Church) as he is undergoing treatment for a heart condition.
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Please keep the families and fellow law enforcement officers of Onondaga County Sheriff's Lt. Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen in your prayers.
- 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: Isaiah’s Table, Syracuse; Korean Church of Syracuse; Park Central, Syracuse; Robinson Elmwood United Church, Syracuse; First, Weedsport; Whitelaw
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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Our commissioners representing Cayuga-Syracuse at the General Assembly are busy preparing for the June gathering. As commissioners, they will be members of the governing body that helps shape the future of our denomination and presbytery.
You can show your support by sending a note of encouragement and thanks. Our commissioners are:
Marissa Saunders, Ruling Elder
Park Central Presbyterian
504 E. Fayette
Syracuse, NY 13202
Ben Fitzgerald-Fye, Minister of the Word and Sacrament
Scipioville Presbyterian Church
3428 Rt 34B
Scipio Center, NY 13437
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Rev. Garrett Anderson, Presbytery moderator, has called a special presbytery meeting at the request of Rev. Beth Dubois, Rev. Linda Even, Ruling Elder Nancy Wind and Ruling elder Linda Russell for the purpose of electing a stated clerk (See biography below) and forming a special review committee at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 6th.
The meeting will take place on Zoom.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsf-qhrD8sEtNtpYyWDtkwkP_MxCC6g5Sf
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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The HR committee will be nominating the Rev. Paul Rack for Stated Clerk. We are very excited to have Paul’s experience and expertise benefit our Presbytery.
His biography follows:
Paul was born in Bloomfield, NJ, in 1955, the son of a Presbyterian minister and grandson of a Presbyterian elder. After receiving degrees from The University at Albany (SUNY) and Princeton Theological Seminary, he was ordained by the Presbytery of Albany in 1981, and served as Pastor for 39 years in 11 churches, most of them as Interim/Temporary. He also was, for 18 years, the Stated Clerk for two different presbyteries (Elizabeth and Palisades, both of which were merged into a new presbytery in March, 2021). He became officially Honorably Retired in May 2020.
He and Susan were married at the Princeton Seminary chapel in 2007 (she was Pastor of a church he had formerly served). Together they enjoy the theater, wine, traveling, canoeing, camping (at the Wild Goose Festival), learning and teaching the Enneagram, and movies. They share a commitment to social justice.
Paul considers being “retired” as Act Three of his life, and is devoting his time to walking, riding his bicycle, reading, writing, singing, playing the trumpet, feeding the birds, meditating, learning how to be a clergy-spouse, and working around their new very old house and yard, including tending to the bees. He is a member of the COM of Geneva Presbytery. He has been the Recording Clerk of the Synod of the Northeast for several years and in 2023 he served as “Gap" Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Boston for a few months. He also does guest preaching, using this as an opportunity to work through one of the most intriguing books of the Bible: “The Song of Songs.”
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Presbytery Church Transformation Commission | |
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Our Presbytery received a grant for $30,000 last fall from the Synod for the use of assisting churches with transformation. A Presbytery Church Transformation Commission (PCTC) was appointed by the Moderator to oversee the use of the funds. Commission members are Marissa Saunders, moderator (Park Central), Lynn Jacques, secretary (First United of East Syracuse), Ben Fitzgerald-Fye, treasurer (Scipioville), Jessica Gorman (Liverpool) and Shavonn Lynch (Auburn).
We have had monthly meetings since forming and are now ready to have the application available to our churches. Applications received by the 15th of the month will be reviewed that month and applications received after the 15th of the month will be reviewed the following month. A very important part of this application is that it must have Session approval. We are very pleased for the primary work done by our Interim Resource Presbyter to get the grant for us. We are now even more pleased to have the application process available to our churches.
Please feel free to contact any of the commission members with questions regarding the application.
CLICK HERE for Application
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Save the Date: Stated Meeting | |
From the Moderator: Changes to Bylaws | |
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To help our presbytery leadership be more nimble and responsive, and help us resource congregations better, some changes to our committees are proposed. You can find these in the draft of the bylaws at this link. The proposed changes are in blue text.
Among other things you will find these proposals:
- A Coordinating Committee formed from committee chairs that will help guide and enable the work of our committees and other ministry opportunities that arise in between meetings of the presbytery
- The Vision and Strategy Committee to become Congregational Development and Presbytery Connections focus on how we resource and strengthen our local congregations
- Clearer definitions of membership and voting rights at presbytery meeting
These proposed changes are sent to our congregations and members as a first reading. They will be discussed and voted on at the May 18th presbytery meeting. To facilitate discussion and explanation of why these changes are needed I am offering Zoom meetings on these times.
April 30 at 6:30 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5133208068?pwd=blhLOFIxRGp1cExrQi85MVk5ZXcwQT09
May 1 at 1 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86388890763?pwd=c1g4cTQ2R1F0ai9ZZWJyL09ISVd5Zz09
May 2 at 9 a.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86388890763?pwd=c1g4cTQ2R1F0ai9ZZWJyL09ISVd5Zz09
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Save the Date: Presbytery Day | |
Interim Resource Presbyter Announcements | |
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The Ethiopia Mission Network of the PC(USA) invites you to attend the seventeenth annual Ethiopia Mission Network conference at the Oromo Fellowship Church of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on May 16 – May 17, 2024.
The Ethiopia Mission Network meets to:
- Share information, experience and wisdom and discuss common strategies and common interests
- Provide useful connections to anyone in a missional relationship with Ethiopians
- Make contact with all who share a common vision of relationship with the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY)
- Invite new participants into the network and encourage each other in the work of mission
Download Invitation
Download Registration Form
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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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SPECIAL GUESTS: On Sunday April 28, Liverpool First Presbyterian hosted the youth vocal and bell choir from Abington Presbyterian Church near Philadelphia. Liverpool was a last minute addition to their weekend tour, which included 1st Presbyterian Wilkes-Barre and a performance at a rehabilitation and nursing home in Buffalo. They wanted to get a couple hours closer to Philadelphia for their return trip and final home concert. They stayed overnight in the church and then provided all the music for worship before joining us for a meal to send them on their way. (Multiple conversations were had regarding NOT taking their bus on the Onondaga Parkway to get to I-81!) | |
From the Nominating Committee | |
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Greetings from the Nominating Committee,
The Nominating Committee greatly appreciates the work and dedication of all who serve on committees and commissions of the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery. We recognize that we cannot hope to live into God’s mission for us as a collective body without those who feel called to serve.
The Nominating Committee needs to establish a broader pool of names for consideration as we seek to populate committees and commissions. We are asking that pastors/churches provide the committee with a list of elders, especially those who are willing to serve on a committee on the presbytery level.
Currently, we are seeking people to serve on the following: Commission on Ministry, Committee on Representation, Social Justice, Human Resources, Finance and Property, Nominating Committee. Suggestions can be emailed to the Nominating Committee at lynchshavonn@yahoo.com.
Shavonn Lynch
Nominating Committee Chair
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The Presbyterian Manor in Skaneateles is hosting its annual Mother's Day flower sale to raise funds for a new dishwasher.
Flowers are available on Sunday, May 12th at the Skaneateles Presbyterian Church from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for $25.
There will be geraniums, ferns, lantana and petunias for sale!
Email skaneatelesmanor@gmail.com to pre-order or just pick them up on Mother's Day!
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This retreat opportunity will be led by Presbyterian ministers the Rev. Mary Anderson from Cayuga-Syracuse and the Rev. Laurel Nelson from Genesee Valley. Download flyer HERE. | |
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July 21-25, 2024
What you need to know to decide if Summer Servants 2024 is for you:
- We will run this year's trip as an overnight experience.
- Each group will participate in 4 days of service in Syracuse.
- Groups will be comprised of 10-20 students and 2 adult leaders.
- Groups will serve at a variety of service sites.
- Students, leaders, and staff will all stay at the DeWitt Community Church in Syracuse
- After serving at the local sites each day, groups will participate in community Faith dialogues led by Kevin Frank and his team as well as participate in interactive workshops reflecting on their day of service and work in Syracuse. (These are extremely powerful - life changing!)
Registration is now open for Summer Servants.
Learn more or register here.
Have questions about the program? Contact Onondaga Hill Presbyterian Church Pastor Bob Langston at 315-492-2692 or pastorbob.ohpc@gmail.com
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The First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport is operating a free clothing giveaway at the church. It is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. All clothing is free and people are encouraged to take anything they can use. No questions asked. | |
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Nancy Wind and Isaiah’s Table invite you to join them in their new book study at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays via Zoom. The book is "Everything Good About God is True" by Bruce Reyes-Chow. They will be using this book for the next 6 weeks.
You know what you don’t believe about the Bible, the church, and God. But what if someone asked: “What do you believe?” Reyes-Chow helps the reader to consider what it means to choose faith and how to create one’s own “faith montage.” What if we could articulate the gospel of love, humility, and justice? "What if everything about God is true?”
Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83276947441?pwd=dEIVL2c3UTducVIIUmdPYXRJdUVIZz09
Meeting ID: 832 7694 7441
Passcode: 065105
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Rita Hooper and Presbyterian Women invite you to join their book club on discrimination at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. They will be reading "The First Ladies" by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.
This is a novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune -- an unlikely friendship that changed the world. Many people know Eleanor Roosevelt but many have not heard about Mary McLeod Bethune. She was an educator, national civil rights pioneer and activist. Mary was a champion of African American women’s rights and advancement and an advisor to Presidents of the United States. She was one of three women among 27 men to serve in FDR’s Black Cabinet.
Zoom info: https://us02web.zooom.us/j/87193947627?pwd=SDZkanBOZFVDZFoybmczUOF4QWpNQT09
Meeting ID: 871 9394 7627
Passcode: 748784
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If your church has a book club via Zoom and are open to new members joining you, please contact Rita Hooper at twohoops2@gmail.com with your information. Please include Zoom information, day and time of meeting, name of book currently studying, contact person and anything else you find useful to know! | |
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
Click Here for a list of Past Editions of Presbytery Matters
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Are you hiring?
If your church is hiring, please send an announcement and job description to Communication Coordinator Sarah Buckshot at caysyrnews@gmail.com
Please Note: Hiring announcements will run in Presbytery Matters for 3 weeks and then moved to our website. If you have a hiring announcement from 2023 and are still looking to fill it in 2024, please send a new announcement.
Thank you, Sarah Buckshot, Communications Coordinator.
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Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | |
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‘Lean in and look up’
Two retiring University of Dubuque administrators inspire seminary graduates with their commencement talks
By Mike Ferguson
Presbyterian News Service
Dr. Mark Ward and the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Bullock, two retiring administrators at the University of Dubuque, were anything but retiring Saturday, speaking to graduates during commencement exercises at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary with passion and honesty.
Watch the 71-minute commencement ceremony here.
Ward, Saturday’s featured speaker, is retiring this summer after 14 years as the university’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty. Bullock, the university’s president since 1998, is stepping down and will be succeeded by Dr. Travis L. Frampton on June 1.
Ward read from Romans 8:19-31, which includes these familiar words from Paul: “We know that the whole Creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, and not only the Creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”
Continue reading...
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The Rev. Jihyun Oh is the nominee to be the next Stated Clerk
Commissioners to the 226th General Assembly will vote on Oh’s nomination this summer
By Mike Ferguson
Presbyterian News Service
The Rev. Jihyun Oh, director of Mid Council Ministries and an Associate Stated Clerk in the Office of the General Assembly, is the selection of the Stated Clerk Nomination Committee to be the next Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Oh’s first name is pronounced “Jee-hun.” If elected, the 1.5 generation Korean American, who was born in South Korea and raised in Kansas, would be the first Korean American to serve in the PC(USA)’s highest ecclesial office, only the second woman, and the first woman of color.
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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