ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

It's never too late to take part in the Lent 2025 Sharing Calendar! This calendar has easy activities and prayers to do during Lent. Download this free calendar today and use it for yourself or even with the children in your life.

Thursday: Social support and connection are important parts of being healthy. Give a gift of gratitude for one person or place that offers welcome to you.

Friday: Teaching healthy food choices and food safety can change the health of an entire community! Make a gift for the healthy foods you had today.

Sunday: Loving God, help us to learn from what others have seen, so that we might grow in understanding across lines of difference. Amen.

Monday: Using the online map, locate a ministry in a country far away from you. What needs are being addressed there? Say a prayer for the people involved in these ministries.

Tuesday: Without the right nutrition in the first two years of life, a child’s physical and mental development is compromised. Make a gift to help ensure healthy food for infants.

Wednesday: The vulnerable are often the most impacted in emergency situations. Visit pcusa.org/GOHkits and ask your church to assemble kits for such emergencies.

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. He is now at Sloan Kettering in New York City and they are doing very aggressive treatments. His leg was recently amputated. Donations can be made online here. Also see event below. Cards can be sent to: Jerry Armstrong, 245 E. 63rd St. # 35G, New York, NY 10065
• Jamesville Community Church is asking for prayers for Robert Anderson.
• 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.
• Pray for all those who are struggling with current events in our community, in our country and around the world.
• 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

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. "

Dear Ones in Christ,

There is such power in knowing we are not alone.

God IS with us – that steadfast Rock that allows us to have firm footing despite life’s storms – but there’s also something powerful in being with one another.



Christmas Eve was a magical time for me as a child at Kenmore Presbyterian. Each year seemed to get better. It wasn’t the incredible choir, or the preacher (sorry, Tom!)… it was the growing connection that I felt with my siblings in Christ as we lifted our candles against the shadows.

I know I’ve shared this story before, but I do so again because it still speaks. One of the last years I was able to attend the service with my folks, I sat next to my dad. At some point in the service, I dropped my candle, and it rolled down the sloped floor toward the front of the sanctuary. I was devastated. As the lights dimmed, and it came time to light our candles and sing Silent Night into the night, my dad took my hand and wrapped it around his.

We held that light together.

I’ll confess, there have been times since January 20th when I’ve dropped my candle. What helps me hold off the dark are those who gracefully share their light with me. This is what we do, church. We share the Light until we can’t, and then we trust those around us to bear the Light until we are able to shine it again ourselves.

This Saturday, I’ll be attending the rally in Forman Park (Syracuse) with other Presbyterians. We won’t be holding candles, but we will be bearing witness to the Light together. We will gather at Park Central and begin our walk to the rally at 12:30. Other details, as well as a gracious invitation from the folks at Park Central, are elsewhere in this newsletter.

I hope to see you there!

Karen Chamis, Bridge Pastor with OHPC

Join other Presbyterians who have had enough! A group of pastors, church leaders and church members from our Presbytery will be attending the Hands Off rally on Saturday, April 5th in Forman Park in the city of Syracuse. Those interested are invited to meet up at the Park Central Church, where the group will walk together at 12:30 p.m. to the park on East Fayette Street. This rally is one of hundreds taking place across the country this Saturday.

Those who wish to come early are invited to bring supplies for signs and a bag lunch, beginning at 11 a.m. Parking is limited, and carpooling is awesome. Park Central Presbyterian Church is located at 504 E Fayette St. See a note from the church below.

Questions? Contact the Rev. Karen Chamis at kchamis@eastern.edu

A note from Park Central Presbyterian Church:

Saturday, April 5 will be a mass mobilization day across our country. People will gather in Washington, DC and in their own communities to show support for the most vulnerable among us and to demand the end of chaotic and harmful actions by the current administration.

Here is some updated information about our church participation:

• Come and meet at the church anytime between 11:00 and 12:30 p.m.. We will be making signs and also welcoming folks from other Presbyterian churches in the area. We have encouraged people to carpool, but be aware that parking spaces may fill up quickly.
• At 12:30 p.m., we will pray together and walk as a group to Forman Park (about 3 blocks from the church).
• The demonstration is scheduled to run from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the park. During the demonstration, there will be people providing hospitality at the church in case someone needs to come back early to take a break or use the restrooms.
• If you are not able to walk or stand for a long period of time, you can participate by serving as a welcoming host for any period of time at the church. You can also commit to praying for everyone involved either at the church or at your home. 

The local organizers are reporting that about 1,200 people have signed up so far. You can use the following link to sign up so that organizers will know how many people to expect: https://mobilize.us/s/aE2eKf

With prayers for this peaceful time of action!

Sennett Federated Church held the Installation of its new minister, the Rev. David Harris, on Sunday. Welcome, David!

CHILDREN GOING HUNGRY in our communities…

It is likely that more children in our communities will be hungry this summer with no summer child feeding programs available. In the past, schools and other community organizations have offered summer programs to feed children who eat at school during the rest of the year. Because of funding cuts for families receiving SNAP and for schools, food banks, and other community organizations that have fed children in the past, child hunger will be more common this summer in our communities.

The JOINT JUSTICE TEAM urges CHURCHES to begin making plans now, themselves or in partnership with other churches and groups, to offer a feeding program for children in their community this summer.

ACTIONS:

1. The New York State Budget is officially late. That means that the fight for a just budget continues - and it’s critical that Gov. Hochul and legislative leaders hear from us! Call on Gov. Hochul and the Senate and Assembly leaders to demand they include the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council's recommendations and pay for them by fairly taxing the ultra-wealthy! Learn More
2. Send Mission Funds to the Central NY Food Pantry and support your local Food Pantry. For donations to Children assistance foodbankcny.org

The Social Justice Committee of Cayuga-Syracuse is now meeting with the Justice in Ministry & Mission Team of the Susquehanna Valley Presbytery (now Joint Justice Team).

Jewish Voice for Peace Syracuse and the Syracuse Peace Council are pleased to offer a local screening of the Academy Award-winning documentary "No Other Land" on Thursday, April 3rd  at The Palace Theater 2384 James Street in Syracuse. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the film will start promptly at 7 p.m. Brief discussion to follow. Seating is first come, first served. The first floor seating of the theater is wheelchair accessible.

This extraordinary film has won several international awards and tells the story of residents of Masafer Yatta, a region in the Palestinian West Bank that has been a target of the Israeli military for decades. Residents in these villages are constantly evicted, terrorized, and have their homes destroyed by the Israeli military and Israeli settlers.

Please note: Online tickets are sold out so one must go early to see what is available at the door (no shows etc). 

In light of the current events in Palestine, a large number of filmmakers have made their films about Palestine available online for free. See the list on our website.

In July 2025, the Presbyterian Church (USA) will welcome thousands of its high school age youth and their adult youth workers to Louisville, Kentucky for four days of worship, recreation, bible study, outreach, and faith formation all around the theme of “As If We Were Dreaming”. New this year are two tracks for young adults.  Young Adults (YA) who are 19-23 years old can participate as part of the “Service Track,” (formerly known as Work Crew) working behind the scenes of the event, or “Leader Lens Track,” focused on developing leadership skills, theological exploration and experiences for a new kind of church leader.

The Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse is currently coordinating a delegation alongside other presbyteries in Central and Upstate NY. It is the expectation of this delegation to do a 2-day bus trip going to and from the event, departing on Sunday, 7/27 and returning home on Friday, 8/1. 

The Rev. Courtney Steininger has created an interest form for individuals to fill out if they have a youth or young adult interested in attending Triennium. This is not a commitment, but is necessary for coordinating with the other presbyteries.

Here is that form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pHaHWbelyMFtxassjzg2Yft84RbdIof0IfrOr7Op4G8/edit

Undivide Us film at Auburn Public Theater 

UNDIVIDE US is a film and structured discussion meant to improve communication and understanding in a world where our differences sometimes overshadow our shared humanity. The film will be shown April 10 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Auburn Public Theater, with a brief break for drinks & snacks, then small group discussions from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Westminster Auburn and United Ministries of Aurora and other local churches as sponsors of this event. 

"YOUTH-RUN": First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia youth led worship service on Sunday and the morning went off without a hitch! Great job to all the youth who pitched in to make a wonderful service!

Legal and Tax Considerations for Space Sharing Agreements

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

2:00 – 3:00 pm EDT

Leader – Renato Matos & Alexandra Columbo

This webinar will explore important legal provisions to consider when negotiating Lease Agreements and Use and Occupancy Agreements. Special attention will be given to understanding potential tax consequences when churches share their space with third parties. 

Alexandra Columbo practices in the area of Real Estate, Corporate and Commercial Transactions, and Religious and Charitable Organizations. Alexandra represents religious and not-for-profit clients in various types of real estate transactions including sales and acquisitions of properties, long-term leases and other types of use agreements.

Alexandra regularly advises religious corporations and not-for-profit corporations on navigating the statutory approval process for the sale and other disposition of real property assets, including the submission of applications to the Office of the New York State Attorney General and the Supreme Court of the State of New York, pursuant to Not-For-Profit Corporation Law Sections 510, 511 and 511-a, and Religious Corporations Law Sections 12 and 18.

Renato Matos is the Managing Partner of the firm. Since joining the firm in 2009, Renato has primarily focused on the Real Estate and Religious and Charitable Organizations areas of our practice. Renato routinely represents religious and not-for-profit corporations on complex real estate transactions including purchases and sales, long-term ground leases, air rights transfers, joint ventures and affordable housing development projects.

Renato earned his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Hofstra University School of Law. In 2015, Renato was selected by the New York Law Journal as a Rising Star—one of 50 lawyers under the age of 40 who have established a record of accomplishments and demonstrated that they are top contributors to the practice of law and their communities. Renato is active in the community and regularly donates his time and expertise to numerous charitable organizations. He is president of the board of directors for the Council of Church Advisors.

Imagining Good Futures on Church Property

Tuesday May 6, 2025

2:00 – 3:00 pm EST

Leader - Mark Elsdon

The closure and repurposing of 100,000 church properties this decade presents both a crisis and an opportunity. What happens next is up to us. Churches often wonder how to better serve their neighbors and use buildings and land that is empty much of the week. Drawing upon stories from around the country and insights from his two books, Rev. Mark Elsdon, will help expand our imagination for what is possible using church buildings, land, and investment assets for housing and social enterprise projects that transform neighborhoods.

Rev. Mark Elsdon lives and works at the intersection of money and meaning as a serial social entrepreneur, strategic executive, and author. He is a national thought leader and speaker on subjects of faith-based impact investing, social enterprise, and property development. Mark is the author of We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry. and editor of the book, Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition. Mark holds degrees from the University of California, Berkeley; Princeton Theological Seminary; and the University of Wisconsin School of Business. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, USA and serves as co-founder of RootedGood and principal at Threshold Sacred Development. Mark lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his family.

Legacy Giving 101

Thursday May 8, 2025

2:00 – 3:00 pm EDT

Leader – Cesie Scheuermann

Legacy giving is often called “low-hanging fruit.” People usually want to leave a gift to an organization they love – once they have gone to their great reward – but they don’t know how. Or worse, they aren’t asked. Universities, hospitals, and animal shelters do a great job of reminding and asking people to leave a gift in a will. But what about the church? In this one-hour webinar, you’ll learn how to start a basic legacy program for your congregation. It’s easier than you think..

Cesie Delve Schuermann - As a consultant in stewardship, development, and grant writing, Cesie has helped raise more than three million dollars for numerous non-profit organizations. For more than 20 years, she’s been working with churches and non-profits to increase and celebrate generosity.  She is a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship and her Inspiring Generosity blog helps clergy and lay people learn about fundraising and overcome their fear of asking for money, and she loves thanking donors

Mandatory New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Webinars

You can take this training any time during the year

charlaine@prcli.org

        Thursday, April 10, 2025

2 – 3:30 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

WE'RE HIRING: Part-time secretary position in LaFayette

The LaFayette Columbian Presbyterian Church is seeking a part-time secretary. Interested candidates must have basic computer skills, able to answer phones, work copier and meet with the public. The position is 12 hours per week, Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., but flexible. Hourly rate is $17. Please contact Cpresbyt@gmail.com or (315) 677-3293

HELP WANTED: Part-time Christian Education Coordinator in Baldwinsville

The First Presbyterian Church of Baldwinsville is seeking a part time Christian Education Coordinator. 

The paid position shall be 10 to 15 hours per week and will assist in developing Christian Education programs, materials, and classes for both adults and children. This position shall work closely with the pastor in the development of a church-wide Christian Education program for everyone.

Minimum Requirements:   Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively teach Reformed Theology with knowledge of a wide variety of curriculum. Must possess the necessary theological and spiritual insights in order to prepare and present youth education and activity programs. Ability to effectively prepare lesson plans, demonstrates high organizational skills and flexibility, and has the ability to maintain a good rapport with children, their parents, and within the wider community.

Preferred but Not Required: Experience in Godly Play methodology. Prior experience in Christian Education teaching.

If interested contact us at; The First Presbyterian Church of Baldwinsville, 64 Oswego St., Baldwinsville, NY 13027. Call 315-635-9964

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.

The 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) urgently called upon the Government of the United States to respond to the dire humanitarian crisis in Cuba by removing Cuba from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT).

Unfortunately, on January 14, 2025, Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) reintroduced the FORCE Act (HR 450) which is now in committee. This bill would block any U.S. president from removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) list unless Cuba meets a series of sweeping political demands. Currently, the decision to remove a country from the list is based on national security assessments made by the State Department. But the FORCE Act would transfer authority to determine its removal from the list from the Executive Branch and the State Department to the Congress and legislative action. This transfer of authority and the imposing of additional conditions will make it almost impossible for Cuba to be removed from the SSOT list. It would lock in devastating sanctions that hurt everyday Cubans—making it harder to access food, medicine, and necessities—and strip future presidents of the ability to ease these restrictions.

Presidents Obama and Biden removed Cuba from the SSOT after multiple exhaustive studies indicated that Cuba is not engaging in terrorist activities. In fact, Cuba continues to make international commitments to combat international terrorism, has ratified numerous international terrorism conventions, and has signed a bilateral agreement with the United States on counter-terrorism. Cuba has worked with the U.S. on other efforts, such as providing access to Cuban airspace to deliver aid to Haiti. Despite these facts, both Trump Administrations have put Cuba back on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism without any evidence that Cuba qualifies as a sponsor.

Beyond the already far-reaching US legislative sanctions and embargo imposed on Cuba since 1961, the SSOT further chokes and restricts the Cuban economy. The SSOT imposes draconian financial restrictions by prohibiting U.S. and international banks from supporting trade and financial transactions, and by limiting the export of any goods to Cuba which contain more than 10% of US-made parts. The result has been the inability to import needed food, medicines and medical supplies, and equipment to repair and build the economy. 

Cuban Presbyterian pastors have said that people are starving and dying for lack of medicine; doctors must choose which children will receive cancer treatment; there is no equipment to perform surgeries; jobs are lost for lack of materials, such as flour for bakeries.



Please speak up for the Cuban people today and urge your member of congress to oppose the FORCE Act (HR 450)!

International partners in transgender visibility

PC(USA) partner in Sarajevo reveals need for global advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights

In January, executive orders to recognize only two genders on the basis of biology issued by the United States’ new presidential administration underscored the constant threat of invisibility that people who identify as transgender face, as well as the tenuous rights of LGBTQIA+ people.

The International Trans Day of Visibility, celebrated annually on March 31, resists this foundational act of oppression that renders particular groups of human beings invisible, through the celebration of their existence and their contributions to families, churches, communities and nations across the globe. In addition to creating educational resources on transgender identity and inclusion, the Interim Unified Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) addresses the need for international advocacy and healing for LGBTQIA+ people through global ecumenical partnerships like a recent one formed in Eastern Europe.

“We are currently navigating an incredibly uncertain period, not just in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but globally. The political climate has significantly transformed, demanding organizations like ours to be more resilient, adaptive and committed to human rights, ” said Amina Imamović (ona/they), program director of Sarajevo Open Center, a new global partner of the PC(USA). “Our work is crucial because we continue to create spaces of support, visibility and empowerment for LGBTIQ+ individuals and women, even when societal and political pressures seem overwhelming.“

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The gift of Sabbath

‘Everything is breath,’ says 1001 New Worshiping Communities associate

When the Rev. Jeff Eddings took a first four-month sabbatical in 2014 from his thriving new worshiping community in Pittsburgh, he stopped checking his email account, opened up an alias email called “sabbaticaljeff” and read only from the book of Ecclesiastes. His only agenda was to seek more spaciousness and to be more present to the moment. In his time away, he set aside quality time with his wife and took his boys, who were teenagers, to several national parks. The drive from Pennsylvania to the Western states enhanced his sense of spaciousness and how it spoke to a deep need of the soul.

Eddings, associate for coaching and spiritual formation for the 1001 New Worshiping Communities movement, spoke to his colleague, the Rev. Sara Hayden, on the “New Way” podcast this week.

For the 12th season of “New Way,” Hayden is speaking with leaders and innovators about practices that deepen what Howard Thurman described as “the sound of the genuine” in their lives.



Against the vast plains and the solid mountain ranges, Eddings considered the wisdom of Ecclesiastes that everything we construct is meaningless, even our schedules. Rather than embracing nihilism, Eddings sought spaciousness even in this realization.

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Have a Blessed Week!