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:
- Please pray for all those who have been impacted by Hurricane Idalia.
- Communication Coordinator Sarah Buckshot and her family are sending a heartfelt thank you to all those who have reached out, prayed and sent donations after a house fire on August 7, 2023. The family asks for continued prayers for strength as the renovation process begins.
- 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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Merciful God,
We are grateful for the resilience, innovation and determination our students, teachers, school staff, parents and administrators demonstrated and developed over the past year. We begin this new school year in prayer because we are anxious for our students to resume school in person, yet still be safe from COVID-19.
We pray for a better year; for a safe return to classrooms; for the health of students, teachers and school staff; for school boards and administrators under pressure to make difficult decisions; and for parents exhausted by the uncertainty and constantly changing plans.
Help us, Holy God, to bear with one another in love as we face the new challenges this year will inevitably bring. We pray that our teachers banked enough summer renewal to face any new disruptions. We ask that the hard lessons students learned in since the start of this pandemic will give them the confidence and courage to face whatever lies ahead. With confidence in your ability to do more than we ask or imagine, we pray that faith will deter fear and hope will bring new life.
Bless us, Holy God, in our efforts to protect and care for students so they can focus on their healthy development and their studies. Lead us all to health and healing. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
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A Stated Meeting of the Presbytery has been called for 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023.
This in-person meeting will be held at Weedsport First Presbyterian Church, 8871 South Seneca Street in Weedsport.
Registration will occur on site by signing in.
PLEASE NOTE: All requests for docket time and all material/reports are due by 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. No items or requests will be accepted after the deadline expires.
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In 2022, the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. overtured to radically change the composition of the Book of Order formally called “The Rules of Discipline” to new governances under the heading, “Church Discipline.” Those presently serving on session, especially clerks of session, are strongly encouraged to familiarize yourselves with these changes. The Synod of the Northeast is hosting a one day gathering on October 17th at First Presbyterian, Skaneateles to train Presbyterian leaders, committee members, elders, clerks and all others who might benefit from this training. The gathering will be led by Flor Vélez-Díaz, manager of Judicial Process for the PCUSA. Registration is required. Click Here to Register
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From the Resource Presbyter |
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Survey Says!
Vocabulary.com defines identity as, “the individual characteristics by which a thing or person is recognized or known” or “the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity.” With these definitions in mind, how do we identify ourselves as the Presbytery of Cayuga Syracuse? What are the characteristics of our presbytery? How are we recognized or known within the counties of Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, and Cayuga?
Last month I posed the question of what our logo says about who we are as a people of faith. About 16.5% of our regular readership responded by completing the online survey. The process and responses offered opportunities for further discussion. Some respondents questioned the colors of the logos, or if spending energy on a new logo was the best use of time. Others welcomed the possibility of change and offered thoughtful commentary on what they perceived within the graphics. Which brings us back to how we identify ourselves as a presbytery.
Some time ago, our members chose to become a Matthew 25 Presbytery - a PCUSA initiative which strives to break down the barriers of social and racial injustice. Put simply, the Matthew 25 movement is our commitment to make the gospel relevant within our communities and interactions. This is imperative as the love of Christ and the commitment to our neighbors is the antigen to an increasingly polarized society.
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The logos presented within the survey were designed using the Matthew 25 color pallet. The designs were intended to show inclusion, the love of Christ, and welcoming nature of life together.
So, what’s next?
Will any of the logos offered become our next logo? That is entirely up to the members of the Presbytery. Our weekly e-news only reaches 30% of our total presbytery membership. Certainly, there is more work to be done to further engage our membership.
Is branding important? Yes! How many of the logos shown below are easily recognizable?
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A logo should be a symbol that easily identifies who we are -- our personality and the characteristics of who we reflect. Perhaps, discussions surrounding something as simple as a logo will lead to greater conversations and understanding on how we called to live out our faith as the Presbytery of Cayuga Syracuse.
In Christ’s Peace,
Kathy
Rev. Kathleen Dain
Interim Resource Presbyter
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Thank you to all those who participated in the survey. The results and comments have been shared with the Vision and Strategy Committee. |
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Seeking delegates to the 226th General Assembly
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA is the gathering place for commissioners from around the country to worship, serve, and collectively discern the will of God for the people of God. The General Assembly “reviews the work of synods, resolves controversies in the church, is responsible for matters of common concern for the whole church, and serves as a symbol of unity for the church.”
The 226th General Assembly, which is being held in Salt Lake City, Utah will take place from June 25, 2024 to July 4, 2024. This year the GA will be hybrid with both online and in-person attendance. From June 25th to 27th all commissioners and advisory delegates will attend their assigned committee meetings online (no travel is required). However, the General Assembly will require in-person attendance from June 29th to July 4th. During this time the assembly will meet to discuss recommendations and vote on matters that are brought to the attention of the assembly. More information regarding the 226th General Assembly can be found at the following website: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - Resources - 226th General Assembly (2024) Fact Sheet (pcusa.org).
The work of the General Assembly is important for the life of the church body as a whole.
The Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse is looking for people interested in attending the 226th General Assembly as delegates. The presbytery needs a minister commissioner, minister commissioner alternate, an elder commissioner and alternate, and a youth delegate. If you are interested in serving as a commissioner or alternate, please submit your name and a brief explanation as to why you would like to represent Cayuga-Syracuse as a delegate. Names can be submitted to the Nominating Committee by September 4th. Email Shavonn Lynch at lynchshavonn@yahoo.com.
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Announcements from our Interim Resource Presbyter |
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Continuing Education Opportunity for Clergy
Montreat Conference Center is offering a continuing education opportunity to clergy on October 9-12, 2023 in North Carolina.
Here's more from the website:
"As we emerge from our homes and return to our places of worship, we’ve discovered a world that has fundamentally shifted. While some transitioned from the pew to the couch to engage and nurture their spiritual lives, others disappeared altogether. Longstanding trends of declining church membership accelerated during the pandemic and have found exhausted church staff working harder than ever to connect with their congregations. Habits changed, theology was challenged, and connections were severed, pointing to an unavoidable truth: The church we know is at a critical crossroads.
As we gaze upon the pews, what truths have been revealed about our Church? Who has returned to worship? Who has come, maybe for the first time? Who is missing? How will these new realities for our programs, finances, and mission be sustainable? Where does our faith lead to hope for what is to come? Is it possible to see these challenges as possibilities – as a “Holy Shift?” "
Holy Shift participants will explore the implications of this seismic ground shift and learn to navigate the possibilities in a church where God’s call on our lives grows louder and deeper. LEARN MORE HERE.
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Presbytery Choir: It’s a GO!
Thanks to all who have responded positively with interest in forming a Presbytery Choir. We have the makings of a small choir to begin with, and still need a director, but it looks like we have enough people to get started.
Special thanks to Mary Heather Harrington (organist at King Ferry) for volunteering to organize and accompany. Please contact her at (607) 793-0430 or send an email to maryheatherharrington@gmail.com if you’d like to be a part of this new adventure.
Other accompanists are also welcomed to share and collaborate in planning. If you have already expressed an interest, Mary Heather has your contact info. You should be hearing soon about plans to possibly debut at the September presbytery meeting.
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Breaking News! The Preaching Class for ruling elders/lay leaders is full. Registration is now closed.
If you missed your chance to sign up, the Rev. Debra Thomas may be able to squeeze one more person in. If that person is YOU, please let Deb know immediately. Text/call 315-657-0147 or email to revrndeb@gmail.com
Note: Due to the early and quick response filling up the class so early, your pastor or church leader did not receive the info that would otherwise have been sent out by the end of the month.
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HAPPY RETIREMENT: Sennett Federated Church held a fun, happy, bittersweet outdoor church service on Sunday. It was Tractor Sunday with a blessing of the tractors as well as a retirement celebration and picnic for Pastor George. Pastor George has served eight years at Sennett Federated Church and over 40 years as an ordained American Baptist minister. He will miss you!
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Practical Resources for Churches Webinars |
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Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Tom Sine
Many pastors and lay leaders in this post pandemic time are looking for creative ways: 1. to secure greater involvement from their laity: 2. to make a difference in their communities & 3. to engage their young people. This webinar will draw on concrete examples from Futures Creativity workshops and the book 2020s Forecast: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change.
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Teresa J. Stewart
Small congregations have powerful worship strengths that can’t be used in big settings. Explore lavish worship that fits your gifts and reveals the kingdom of God already among you.
In this webinar, you’ll learn:
● How to start with your small-setting strengths instead of endlessly adapting resources that don’t fit.
● The difference between a performance approach and a participation approach to worship. (Spoiler alert: participation is an overlooked superpower of small settings).
● A new way of worship planning—the Stone Soup model—that increases lay participation, decreases planning time, and invites local gifts.
Registration includes Stone Soup planning forms. With examples for an upcoming liturgical season.
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Teresa J. Stewart
Explore two small-setting worship strengths. Each builds upon the participation advantage. Each creates a new expression for your community. And each is rooted in practices of the Early Church.
In this webinar, you’ll learn to shift worship from observation to collaboration with two powerful practices.
● Worshiping with Conversation: Worship itself is a conversation--a call and response with God and the gathered. Discover how to include actual conversation to deepen worship.
● Contact: Liturgy is literally the work of the people. Explore practices that put worshipers to work with hands-on, full-body, creative, collaboration.
Registration includes a guide and planning form for each of these strengths. With examples for an upcoming liturgical season.
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Teresa J. Stewart
Small congregations don’t have the same limitations as big ones. Explore these two distinctive, deeply-forming strengths. Learn how to diagnose your local gifts and curate lavish worship with them.
In this webinar, you’ll learn to deepen worship with and for your community.
● Co-creator Gifts: Worship is not limited to sitting, standing, and singing. Imagine new ways to include local interests and talents as actual worship gifts.
● Widening the Word: Sermons are one way to proclaim the good news. But our tradition has so many others that can be celebrated in small settings.
Registration includes a guide and planning form for each of these strengths. With examples for an upcoming liturgical season.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT
Leader - Pat Baker
Join us to explore the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's as well as normal aging vs. dementia. We’ll look at the 5 key messages about dementia and how to communicate with someone who is facing the challenges of having dementia. Finally, we’ll delve into how your congregation can support people with dementia and their caregivers, and create a welcoming environment.
Thursday, October 5, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Chris Pomfret
Aging is a reality of life that unites all humans, irrespective of race, creed, location…. We tend to overlook the challenges of aging either by accident or design, and as a result, our later lives can be consumed by “surprises” or issues that could have been handled with prior preparation. Ignoring the realities of aging can also adversely affect the lives of our loved ones. It is imperative therefore that we strive to embrace our aging, especially in our Third Thirty (ages 60-90) and be at peace with the typical inevitabilities. The webinar will discuss how we can Pray, Plan and Prepare for our own aging journey so that the last chapters of our lives can be the best possible, both for us and our loved ones. Getting rid of our “stuff”, downsizing, discussing with our extended family our end of life wishes and discerning what God wants us to do with our post-retired life are just some of the topics that will be covered.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Panelists - Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Rev. Dr. Sherry Molock, Rev. Deanna Hollas
Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan is the executive director of the Ohio Council of Churches. As an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Dr. Sullivan’s anti-death penalty activism stems from his interest in ending cycles of violence, a concern he has known all too well after the 1997 murder of his sister, Jennifer, in Cleveland, OH. Rev. Dr. Sullivan is an ardent supporter of civil rights, gun violence reduction, mental health advocacy, and LGBTQ+ rights. He has given leadership to numerous religious, civic, and social organizations in Ohio, Washington State, and other communities where he has resided and served.
Rev. Dr. Sherry Molock, associate professor of clinical psychology at the George Washington University, has studied the impact of depression and trauma on young African Americans who attempt suicide. As a pastor at a predominantly Black church in Maryland, she’s heard the voices of parishioners in crisis, from mothers whose children have experienced violence to families struggling with mental health challenges. She’s the co-principal investigator (PI) of an innovative new program integrating churches into suicide-prevention efforts among Black youth. The project, dubbed “HAVEN: A Multi-Generational Suicide Prevention Program Embedded in African American Churches,” aims to head off a crisis of suicide among African American adolescents by building on deep-rooted connections between churches and communities.
Rev. Deanna Hollas is the Gun Violence Prevention Ministry Coordinator with the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and a founding member of Everytown For Gun Safety’s Interfaith Advisory Council. In her role with the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, Rev. Hollas empowers individuals and congregations across the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination to embody Jesus’s call to love God and love neighbor by being informed and active in the prevention of gun violence.
Thursday, November 2, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Deech Kirk
What does the latest research tell us about children, youth, and families? What does it all mean as we approach youth ministry in our post-Covid era? Deech Kirk of the Center for Youth Ministry Training describes some of the common challenges confronting youth ministry today and some of the characteristics of the newer, innovative ministry models that are taking shape.
Thursday, November 9, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Kay Kotan
Small churches also have what we refer to as a superpower that large churches can’t touch: the ability to be highly relational from the get-go. Too often, small churches concentrate on what they can’t do. We offer this resource to lift up what small churches can do! For example, smaller churches have greater percentages of participation, giving, and engaged members than larger churches, according to the 2020 FACT study. Unfortunately, many resources for churches and church leaders are created for larger churches.
This resource has been created specifically for the small church to learn how to leverage their superpowers and live into their callings as vital, healthy churches having God-sized impact in their communities.
Thursday, November 16, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen
Children are theologians with the ability to recognize and respond to God’s presence in their lives. Listening to the stories of children helps us to understand how children make meaning out of God’s presence and reveals tools that children use as they claim their faith. With this knowledge, adults can then better promote and encourage children’s spiritual growth.
● How does listening to children teach us about God and faith formation?
● What wisdom and insight do children offer to all of us by how they seek understanding of God and God’s presence in their lives?
● How can we guide and support the children in our communities in this work?
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New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Webinars
You can take this training any time during the year
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
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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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Stated Meeting - Saturday, September 16, 2023. Weedsport. 9:30 a.m.
Stated Meeting - Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.
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Around the Synod of the Northeast |
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Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) |
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Hurricane Idalia threatens multiple presbyteries as it pummels Florida
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance coordinating with disaster assistance networks
By Darla Carter
Presbyterian News Service
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been keeping a close watch on Hurricane Idalia, which pummeled Florida and other areas Wednesday, bringing strong winds, rain and dangerous storm surge.
Hurricane Idalia grew into a major Category 4 storm before diminishing to a still-powerful Category 3 early Wednesday before making landfall along the coast of Florida’s Big Bend near Keaton Beach at about 7:45 a.m. Eastern Time, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
“We hold all those in harm’s way and all those who are and will be responding in our prayers,” the Rev. James Kirk, PDA’s Associate for National Disaster Response, said Wednesday morning.
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Building ramps toward belonging: tools for PC(USA) leaders and volunteers
Disability Inclusion Sunday is Sept. 10
By Dr. Evelyn Worth McMullen
Special to Presbyterian News Service
In my disability ministry work with congregational leaders, the question I have heard most often is not, “How can each person experience the love of God?” The question I hear most is, “How can we meet the needs of this family? We can’t start a disability ministry. We don’t even have the volunteers we need for our ‘regular kids.’”
If this is your question, you may be experiencing a common barrier to inclusion in ministry. We may think disability ministry is about building physical ramps into our buildings or starting a major new ministry initiative. Let’s begin to build ramps toward belonging: inclusive relationships.
Presbyterians for Disability Concerns is excited to highlight a new set of videos, tools to help you build those ramps toward belonging. In these three videos, Katie Snyder guides congregational leaders through important ways to engage people of all abilities in ministry. She effectively demonstrates that there is no “one size fits all” strategy for disability inclusion. She shows leaders how to begin with the particular needs of the people in their congregation and then to develop strategies to help them engage with and use their gifts in ministry.
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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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