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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United Church of Fayetteville’s Steeple Coffee House supports food pantry, outreach programs
Since 2005 members of the United Church of Fayetteville (UCF) have planned and held over a dozen concerts each year in their Fellowship Hall to to raise funds for the Fayetteville-Manlius Food Pantry and other church outreach programs.
UCF members John Price, Janet Press and Cindy Burke originated the idea of having a Saturday evening coffee house for the community. They wanted to provide folks with Sammy-award-winning musicians and groups ranging from Indie to blue grass to contemporary folk to favorites to jazz. The community can enjoy the concerts and mouth-watering desserts prepared by UCF congregants and coffee or tea -- all for a suggested donation that helps musicians and is also used to help neighbors in need.
UCF members and friends also work in the kitchen and set up Fellowship Hall. John helps plan the concerts and sets up the dates. The 2023-24 season is the 18th season of the Steeple Coffee House and UCF has already hosted Loren and LJ Barrigar and a tribute to Kristin Gitler with Bryan Dickenson, Melissa Clark and David Goldman.
The next concert is on November 11th when Dave Novak and his All-Star Band will perform. Check out the event calendar for the 2024 schedule! Tickets are available at the door the night of each performance for a suggested donation of $15. This includes the performance, dessert and beverage. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the event begins at 7:30 p.m. UCF is located at 310 E. Genesee Street in Fayetteville.
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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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The Rev. Diane Monger and the Rev Tom Oak are asking you to keep them in your prayers because they are moving! Diane and Tom are moving back home to Wichita, Kansas. The sold their house outside of Cazenovia. They're hoping to be home by Thanksgiving!
- Prayers for Neil Rotach and family on the death of her brother.
- 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: 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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A Stated Meeting of the presbytery has been called for Tuesday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. This will be a hybrid meeting. The physical meeting will take place at the First United Church of East Syracuse. Zoom information and other online attendance information will be sent at a later date.
Registration will occur by email to statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org and can be sent anytime before November 12. Requests to be excused can also be sent to the same email.
ALL REQUESTS FOR DOCKET TIME AND ALL MATERIALS/REPORTS ARE DUE BY 9:00 a.m. Today -- Thursday, November 2.
This is not a flexible deadline and no items or requests will be accepted after the deadline expires.
All requests for time, materials, and requests to be excused can be sent to statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org
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Interim Resource Presbyter Announcements | |
The gathering will take place at First Presbyterian Church Baldwinsville at 64 Oswego Street in Baldwinsville. | |
Your Story
If a photo is worth a thousand words, than a video is worth a million!
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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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Vision & Strategy Committee | |
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Pssssst...in case you didn’t hear...
Worship at the upcoming presbytery meeting promises to be a very special service. If you haven’t marked your calendar for 5:30 PM on November 14, what are you waiting for? Please plan on the in-person option if at all possible.
This week you get TWO clues. Can you guess what new thing will take place during worship?
It’s not ordinary
It’s not commonplace
We’ll do a different way
To experience grace
The bread and cup
Raised in joyful song
Commune with God
And know you belong
Worship Planning Workgroup:
Karen Wolff
Lynn Jacques
Mary Heather Harrington
Neil Rotach
Deb Thomas
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The Collamer United Church is very pleased to announce that it will present a public
Drive-Thru Only
Chicken & Biscuit Dinner
On Saturday, November 4, 2023.
Serving will be from 4:30 P.M. through approximately 6:15 P.M.
The church is located at 6865 Fly Road in Collamer (East Syracuse), just South of the intersection of Fly Road and Route 298 (about 2 miles East of Carrier Circle, or take Exit 7 off from Route 481).
This delicious chicken dinner will include homemade biscuits, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh cooked vegetables, and dessert.
Collamer Church is well-known for its great cooks.
Tickets may be purchased at the door.
$13.00 for ALL adults
$6.00 for children under 10
(We apologize but we cannot accept credit cards)
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Peacemaking Efforts - Zoom | |
From the Rev. Monica Styron: | |
Join the Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon and the Rev. Dr. Rob Dalrymple via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 8th in discussing the war in Gaza and how the church must cry out for justice. Mae and Rob will update us on the latest info and discuss what peace looks like in the midst of this seemingly intractable conflict. Learn more on Churches for Middle East Peace website. Learn more about a petition for peace on Change.org. | |
Practical Resources for Churches Webinars | |
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Now and Next for Youth Ministry
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.
Writing a Protection Policy that Works for Children, Youth, & Vulnerable Adults
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Leader - Elizabeth Christie
Does your church have a safe sanctuary or youth protection policy in place? Does it actually work? Safeguarding the most vulnerable among us is not only required by our insurance and denominations, it's our duty as human beings. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to update/edit a current policy, join us to learn about writing a policy that actually works for your congregation.
Elizabeth Christie has been working in the field of children’s and family ministries for over two decades. She has served in a variety of ministry settings as both staff and consultant, finding great joy in helping make lifelong faith formation transformational for all. Her particular passion is making ministries inclusive for all of God’s children. Elizabeth has presented at children’s ministries conferences, written resources on special needs ministries, led webinars on a wide variety of topics in children’s and family ministries, and learned on her feet as she worked through the pandemic, helping a congregation grow their children’s and family ministries over 300 percent. She is currently serving at The Cathedral of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth has been married to Tom, a college librarian, for almost 23 years, sharing their lives with their seven amazing children.
Mission Possible for the Small Church: Simplifying Leadership & Structure
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.
The Gospel of Loneliness: For Clergy Working With Congregations
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Leader - Dwight Lee Wolter
Was it out of loneliness that God created humankind in God’s own image? Were Adam and Eve lonely for Eden after their abrupt eviction? Surely, they were lonely for their child, Abel. Is there a lonelier image than Jesus on the cross saying, “Why have you forsaken me?” Loneliness has been declared an epidemic in America. And yet, loneliness is still stigmatized and seldom mentioned in the pulpit and the pew. People suffer needlessly and alone.
Perhaps they fear that exploring loneliness will make them even lonelier. Clergy may feel that mentioning their own loneliness will make them appear needy and vulnerable. Loneliness did not begin with the pandemic. If rebuilding community was the solution to loneliness, why have we not resolved it after 2,000+ years? This webinar will offer clergy ways to explore loneliness as a portal to transformation.
We will, of course, explore loneliness within ourselves and our congregations; but we will also explore taking “Loneliness Field Trips” to museums, theaters, and restaurants. We provide a template for listening to “The Loneliest Songs in the World” together and discussing their source and beauty. Though sometimes a serious matter, exploring loneliness, ironically, can also be creative and a lot of fun.
This webinar will enable clergy to meet a vital and relevant need of their congregations in a way that may also attract people outside the church to enter the church and engage with kindred spirits. It offers specific ways of embracing loneliness as a destigmatized, creative, enjoyable path to self-actualization, social outreach, and community-creating.
SEE PART TWO below
Dwight Lee Wolter is the author of the newly-released, “The Gospel of Loneliness” (The Pilgrim Press). He is also pastor of the Congregational Church of Patchogue on Long Island, New York; and author of several other books.
Holy Work with Children: Children’s Spirituality
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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Restorative Conversations
Date: December 12th, 2023
Price:
- $139 if registering as an individual or a group up to 3
- $124 if registering as a group of 4 or more
Location: Online via Zoom
Workshop Description:
This one-day workshop introduces church leaders to the key concepts of circle processes and ways in which circles can be used within their congregations. Restorative conversations are useful when working through difficult or polarizing topics, processing shared painful experiences, building community, and dealing with certain levels of conflict in the church setting.
Register Here
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Journey Toward Healing
Date: December 18th, 2023
Price:
- $99 if registering as an individual or a group up to 3
- $84 if registering as a group of 4 or more
Location: Online via Zoom
Workshop Description:
In this workshop you will gain a better understanding of your own conflict style, what the congregational mediation process looks like, how to find healing in mediation, and explore different conflicts.
Register Here
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Do you live-stream your service on Sundays?
We are compiling a list of live-stream links to feature in Presbytery Matters. This will allow others to join in on your services.
Please send links to CaySyrNews@gmail.com
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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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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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First United Church Fulton seeks pastor
First United Church Fulton is a small Presbyterian and American Baptist congregation, 40 minutes north of Syracuse. They are seeking a pastor who is looking for a part-time, interim, bridge, tentmaker position.
The church's last permanent pastor retired 8 years ago. Since then they have had two transitional pastors, Covid, one short time, installed pastor and a series of Sunday pulpit supply.
"Flexibility and change have become our middle name," according to a church spokesperson.
Please contact Rick Casella at rickccasella@gmail.com or (315) 440-9115 for more information. First United Church Fulton is located at 33 South Third St in Fulton.
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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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Hybrid Stated Meeting - Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom at in-person at First United Church of East Syracuse.
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Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | |
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Matthew 25 workshop shows how to stand alongside international partners for long haul
Moderator: ‘There are no quick fixes’
By Darla Carter
Presbyterian News Service
Earlier this week, a Matthew 25 workshop on eradicating systemic poverty focused viewers’ attention on the importance of being willing to dig in “for the long haul” to help address deeply rooted problems in international communities.
The hourlong workshop by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) featured a panel moderated by Eileen Schuhmann of the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP), who connected the overall topic — international accompaniment for sustainable development — with the church’s Matthew 25 invitation.
“Matthew 25 speaks to the importance of addressing systems rather than symptoms, and systems have been built over time; therefore, systems take time to address,” said Schuhmann, associate for Global Engagement and Resources for PHP. “There are no quick fixes in systems work. It can take years, decades or even longer for progress to be seen in systems work, so if we’re serious about eradicating systemic poverty, then we should be serious about committing to the long-term accompaniment of communities working for change.”
She tossed questions to a panel that included PHP’s Valéry Nodem, formerly of RELUFA, the Joining Hands Network in Cameroon; the Rev. Sarah Henken, a PC(USA) mission co-worker who collaborates with the Peace Commission of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia; and Dr. Rolando Pérez, an associate professor at Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, who collaborates with the Peace and Hope Association, a Christian human rights organization in Peru.
Continue reading...
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Remembering the victims in Lewiston, Maine mass shooting
Acting Stated Clerk shares grief over recent act of gun violence
Office of the General Assembly
It has happened once again. People are dead and injured in a mass shooting. This is a scenario that we see and hear about way too often. An individual lashes out, taking as many lives as possible with a senseless, brutal act of violence. Individuals who are simply going about their lives find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
As the investigation unfolds, we will hear from local, state, and federal leaders asking us to remember those who died and who are still suffering. We’ll hear the calls for gun control and stronger background checks, as well as the need for effective mental healthcare in this country. But if history repeats itself once again, within a few weeks we will move on until someone else decides to pick up a firearm. We are caught in a vicious cycle that will not change until we, as a nation, take proactive steps to make those changes. Our hearts cry out for justice, for change, for real action that will save countless lives.
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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