A Vision of Love

Baldwinsville missionary brings eye care to Colombian children

Johana Russell, a member of Baldwinsville First Presbyterian Church, recently returned from Sibaté, Colombia where she was doing missionary work with several schools screening children's eyes.

While there she found out the children at one school only received protein in their meals once a week. After doing the eye screening she asked her driver to take her to a store where she purchased beans and other protein. She returned to the school the next day with the protein to be distributed to the children.

Johana also arranged for eye glasses to be provided to the children who need them at $10 per pair, with the exception of one child whose glasses were $80 due to his higher needs. Johana is generously covering the cost of the glasses for the children.

They know we are Christians by our love!

We Love a Parade!

Marcellus First Presbyterian Church shares its good works at community event

Members of Marcellus First Presbyterian Church designed and built a float for the 2025 Marcellus Olde Home Days and then marched in the parade on June 7th.

As the only church-sponsored float in the parade, the “steepled” and “stained glass” mobile stage made a significant statement. As members marched in front of and alongside the float, they carried posters proclaiming the church’s good works and invited the public to check out the church on the corner of Main and North streets.

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.

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! 

In our prayers together this week:

• Please pray for Jerry Armstrong (Whitelaw Presbyterian) Jerry is 15 years old with recurrent bone cancer.
• Let us pray together for justice, peace and unity, especially during these times of turmoil and uncertainty.
• Prayers for peace for the people and country of South Korea.
• Pray for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
• The voiceless.
• All those who have been separated from their families.
• All those in America.
• Our brothers & sisters in Haiti.
• All those in Sudan.
• All those in Ukraine.
• All those in Lebanon.
• All those in Israel and Gaza.
• All displaced people.
• All those who are homebound.
• All those who battling addiction and their loved ones.
• Keep all those who battling cancer and other chronic illnesses in your prayers. Please ask God to be by their side and to be with their doctors and families.
• Please pray for all those who are dealing with the painful grief of losing a beloved family pet.

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

We're pleased to announce that the Rev. Ben Fitzgerald-Fye, our Stated Clerk, has been appointed as one of three Presbyterian representatives to the New York State Council of Churches. This ecumenical body brings together leaders from across denominations to support public witness, shared ministry and faithful advocacy for justice throughout the state.

Rev. Fitzgerald-Fye brings a deep commitment to justice and inclusion in both church and public life. He is honored by the invitation to serve and looks forward to listening, learning, and offering a Presbyterian voice to the Council's collaborative work.

Please keep him and the work of the Council in your prayers as they seek the common good in challenging times.

SUMMER EDUCATIONAL WEBINARS

Sponsored by the Joint Justice in Ministry and Mission Teams of two Presbyteries

Cayuga-Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley

Being Transgender: Medical History, Church, Society, and Families

June 30, 2025, 6:30pm

Via ZOOM

Presenters:

Dr Carolyn Wolf-Gould, is the founder of Bassett's Gender Wellness Center, a rural-based interdisciplinary center for transgender healthcare, clinical training, advocacy, and research in upstate New York. She is co-editor of the book “A History of Transgender Medicine in the United States: From Margins to Mainstream,” published by SUNY Press in February of this year–– a critical moment in the struggle for transgender rights. Sweeping in scope and deeply personal in nature, this groundbreaking volume traces the development of transgender medicine across three centuries, centering the voices of transgender individuals, debunking myths about gender-affirming care, and empowering readers to grasp the complexities of this evolving field.

Stephanie Nawyn is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Michigan State University (MSU). Her research and teaching expertise are in migration, gender and refugees. She is the former director of MSU’s Center for Gender in Global Context, where she oversaw the Women’s and Gender Studies program and supported research and activities related to sex, gender, sexuality, and feminist studies. She is also the mother of two wonderful young men, Henry (age 20) and Zach (age 16).

Zach Nawyn-Hellinga is a high school junior who aspires to study engineering in college. He enjoys robotics and building electronic devices, biking, and theatre. He has participated in a community children’s theatre program since he was very young, performing on stage and working on the crew (especially building sets).

Please REGISTER

Join Zoom Meeting for June 30, 2025, 6:30pm

Meeting ID: 872 1730 2511

Passcode: 691603

We Are In this Together: Opportunities for Growth 

 The Rev Ashley DeTar Birt, Presbyterian Minister from The Center for Jubilee Practice that works with churches, mid-councils, and Christian organizations seeking to consider their legacy of liberation and develop and implement restorative communal practices. We will explore our history and present day, identify harms we as a church have caused and foster healing of our communities through concrete practices of full inclusion, reparations, and care for creation.

First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia welcomes new members from its confirmation class: Sam Kagey, Abi Brooks, Leah Bell, Connor Bell and Nicole Rose-Moore. Congratulations!

Onondaga Hill Presbyterian Church's youngest Sunday School students recite The Lord's Prayer for Celebration Sunday 2025

CELEBRATING IN RED: Westminster in Auburn had a spirit-filled and inspiring Pentecost on Sunday, June 8th.

Dissolution of a Religious Corporation: How to Secure your Legacy

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:00 – 3:00 EDT

Leader – William McManus

In this webinar, an overview of the process for dissolutions of religious corporations in New York, specifically the considerations and information necessary for Plans of Dissolution, will be provided. Other topics include: reviewing dissolution provisions in a religious corporation’s corporate document, dispositions of assets in connection with a dissolution, and legacy planning.

William McManus’ practice focuses on advising not-for-profit, religious, and tax-exempt entities on matters of corporate governance, compliance with state and federal not-for-profit regulations, internal investigations and regulatory enforcement actions. William is experienced in guiding New York not-for-profit and religious corporations in their formation and governance, and regularly advises clients on tax-exemptions and regulations of tax-exempt organizations. Before joining Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld, William worked as a Special Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Economic Development Division of the New York City Law Department. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Auburn University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Know Your Rights – ICE 

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 

2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT 

Leader - Rev. Dr. Ellen Clark Clémot 

Churches seeking to carry out a mission of welcome and creature care for refugees and other new migrants are faced with frightening challenges in this new era. Knowing your rights and how to implement them is a first step to preserving the basic elements of our religious freedoms in the US. In her webinar presentation, Rev. Dr. Ellen Clark Clemot provides insights to protect church staff and the sanctity of church property in face of new legal challenges, as well as practical tips on how to help the refugee feel more secure in seeking assistance and engaging in community life.

Ellen Clémot works with churches and other faith-based organizations to navigate laws that affect their mission. As a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and as an attorney in New York City, she has first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing not-for-profit organizations. Apart from the ongoing concerns for revenue generation, preservation of tax exempt status, and deferred maintenance issues, churches are facing heightened scrutiny in carrying their traditional mission of welcoming the stranger, especially the refugee. Through her writing, speaking, and preaching, Ellen provides advice on how to safely protect campus spaces, church staff, and the people in need of care.

Her award-winning book, Discerning Welcome – (Cascade 2022), addresses asylum legislation in the United States as informed by principles of law, ethics, and the Reformed faith tradition. The book is based on her experience serving

congregations in the Presbyterian Church (USA) as Senior Pastor and Head of Staff for over 12 years. Addressing the need for protecting migrant populations, Ellen has returned to law practice as well as teaching church governance (Presbyterian Polity) at Princeton Theological Seminary as an adjunct professor. Her law practice supports churches redeveloping their property in New York State for more sustainable community uses and mission outreach, including supportive housing, senior day care, charter schools, as well as providing modernized worship space. Her clients include the Episcopal Synod of New York and of Long Island, the Lutheran Synod, and the United Methodist Church with many exciting projects underway.

JOIN PRC's ONLINE BOOK CLUB

THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon

July 12, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy yet remains nearly forgotten to this day.

Click here to register

Mandatory New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Webinars

You can take this training any time during the year

charlaine@prcli.org

Wednesday, August 20, 2024

7 – 8:30 PM EST

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

2:30 – 4 PM EST

How to contact our Stated Clerk, the Rev Ben Fitzgerald-Fye

Office Phone: 315-291-0360 (call or text)

Email: statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org

Mail received at:

Scipioville Presbyterian Church

Attn: Pastor Ben

3428 State Route 34B

Scipio Center NY 13147

More staff contact information is linked below.

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

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.

From the Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley:

As we reflect on the past year, we are pleased to share the 2024 Annual Report of the Synod of the Northeast. Rooted in the theme "In Us, Through Us, Among Us," this report bears witness to the Spirit's work in our shared life and ministry.

Inside, you will discover stories of renewal, highlights from key initiatives, and vivid examples of how the Spirit continues to shape, move through, and dwell among us as a connectional community.

We invite you to read, reflect, and celebrate with us all that God has made possible through our shared witness.

Read Annual Report Here

Faith groups denounce travel bans as contrary to values

The Interfaith Immigration Coalition, which counts the PC(USA) as a member, denounces travel bans and restrictions announced this week

President Trump again invoked national security to declare new travel bans and restrictions impacting 19 nations, which will disrupt the lives of tens of thousands of close family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents as well as countless non-immigrant visa applicants.

A failed policy of the first Trump administration, prejudicial travel bans led to historically significant litigation and an outpouring of moral opposition from faith communities. While in office, President Joe Biden issued an executive order targeted toward “ending discriminatory bans on entry to the United States.”

Amid a nationwide deportation campaign, President Trump has continued to espouse anti-migrant and inflammatory language. Polling by the National Immigration Forum and the Bullfinch Group shows that Americans strongly prefer political candidates who focus on solutions for our immigration system rather than employ negative rhetoric about immigrants. People of faith believe all human beings are created in the image of God. This core belief underpins opposition to sweeping bans that categorize immigrants and travelers to the U.S. as potential threats to the American public.

Continue reading...

Setting aside old wineskins

The Rev. Dr. Ray Jones III says our hearts must be broken before needed change can occur

Relying on Matthew 9:14-17, Jesus’ admonition not to put new wine into old wineskins, the Rev. Dr. Ray Jones III spun a hopeful and pastoral sermon Wednesday for those in the Interim Unified Agency attending Chapel Worship online.

“There’s change everywhere, y’all,” said Jones, director of Theology, Formation & Evangelism in the IUA. “There’s change in our lives and in our country. Lord have mercy.”

Immigrants seeking a better way of life or fleeing oppressive regimes “are being met with cruelty under a lie they are criminals coming to this country. This breaks my heart,” Jones said. But we’re promised new life in Christ, the title of Jones’ homily, the promise of a new thing that goes back at least to Isaiah. “I think that’s a good word for us today,” Jones said. “God is doing a new thing among us today, in our world and in our church.”

There’s no single program or strategy to make the new thing happen, of course, but we already have the three things we need, according to Jones: one another, the Holy Spirit, and the way of Jesus.

The way of Jesus “is all about new life, about God doing something new,” Jones said. “I love Matthew 9. To me, it’s like a rushing stream of new life,” with accounts of Jesus healing a man dealing with paralysis, a girl restored to life and a woman healed, and healing for two men with blindness and another who was possessed by demons and was mute.

Continue reading...