Welcome to this week's edition of our e-letter, Presbytery Matters. | | | |
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!
| | Joys and Concerns around the Presbytery | | |
In our prayers together this week:
- Please pray Jerry Armstrong (Whitelaw Presbyterian) Jerry is a teenager with recurrent bone cancer. Please continue to pray more than ever for both Jerry and his family. He is back in NYC for another clinical trial and will be starting radiation again soon for the tumors in his lungs. Cards can be sent to Jerry Armstrong at PO Box 414 Wampsville, NY 13163.
- Please pray for Doug Russell, of Baldwinsville Presbyterian Church, in your prayers as he battles cancer. Pray for strength, healing, and peace for Doug and his loved ones during this difficult time.
- 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 Cuba.
- All those in Sudan.
- All those in Ukraine.
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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: Port Byron Federated; First, Scipioville; Sennett Federated Church; First, Skaneateles
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The Annual Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church Auburn, 112 South Street, Auburn, and on Zoom. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m.
All requests for time on the docket and all supporting materials are due to the stated clerk by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 5th. The stated clerk can be reached via email at statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org.
Requests to be excused and Commissioner's names should be sent to the Stated
Clerk via email statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org.
NO MATERIALS OR REQUESTS WILL BE HONORED AFTER THE DEADLINE!
Zoom registration information will be available with meeting materials.
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Guest Speaker Dr. Alic Czachowski to share journey
at Annual Meeting
Dr. Alic Czachowski will be speaking at the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbyterian meeting on June 13. They are a guest speaker invited by the Social Justice Committee to speak on their experiences as a person who is transgender. Here is a bit of information on Alic.
Alic Czachowski (he/they) is originally from Liverpool, NY. He has lived in Philadelphia, New Orleans, and currently resides in New York City. Alic attended SUNY Oswego for his BA in Public Justice, Temple University for his Masters in Public Health, and Northern Illinois University for his EdD in Adult and Higher Education. Alic is the Senior Executive Director of Alice Health Promotion, part of Columbia Health at Columbia University.
Alic knew he was different from other kids from a very young age, but did not have the words for what it was until he was older. He first came out as transgender in his late 20s and began his social and physical transition in his 30s. He has wonderful and supportive family and friends who support him! He enjoys spending free time with family and friends, his dog McKinney, traveling, ghost hunting, indulging in anything Star Wars, and going to Broadway shows.
We hope you will join us for this special opportunity to listen, learn, and grow together.
| Help Us Keep Our Presbytery Records Current! | |
We’ve made the Church Information Form easier than ever — it is now completely digital.
Each church is asked to complete the updated form so we can maintain accurate contact and leadership information throughout the presbytery.
✅ Takes only a few minutes
✅ Easy online submission
✅ Helps us serve your congregation better
Please click the link below, complete your church’s information, and submit the form.
Church Information Form
Once submitted, it will be automatically sent to the Stated Clerk’s office.
A Microsoft Form version is currently under development but is not yet ready for publication.
Please complete this form as soon as possible. This will become an annual process moving forward.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org.
If you or your church do not have access to the digital form or the necessary technology --or if you know of a congregation that does not -- please let me know. I will gladly provide a physical copy of the form.
Thank you all for your cooperation. I truly appreciate it.
Rev. Ben Fitzgerald-Fye
Stated Clerk
Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse
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Spotlight on First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia from the Assistant to the Lead Presbyter, the Rev. Mary Anderson
Spotlight on the Oldest Church in Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery: First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia
The Cazenovia Church has been a cornerstone of faith and community since 1799, when early settlers—living in what was then still wilderness—gathered to form a congregation and install their first minister, the Rev. Joshua Leonard. Worship began in homes, schoolhouses, and even a tavern before the first Meeting House was built in 1803.
As the village grew, the church grew with it. The building was moved to its current location on the public square in 1828, expanded with a Session House in 1854, and later with the Meeting House wing (1953) and Wendell House (1965). Christian education has always been central, from the first Sunday School in 1818 to the ongoing commitment to children and families today.
Women’s leadership also blossomed over time -- from early service organizations in the 1870s to full participation on Session and the Board of Trustees by the mid‑1950s.
Across more than two centuries, the congregation has navigated familiar challenges -- finances, building care, and partnership with Presbytery -- while remaining a steady, faithful presence in the community.
On May 16, Cazenovia Church graciously hosted both presbyteries, offering hospitality and space for shared worship, discernment, and connection. It was a beautiful continuation of their long tradition of service and welcome.
Cazenovia Church Through the Years
1798 — Community gathers for the first formal congregational meeting; six trustees elected.
1799 — Rev. Joshua Leonard installed as first minister; eight members sign the Covenant and Confession of Faith.
1803 — Congregation votes to build its first Meeting House on the Green.
1828 — Church building moved intact to its current location on the public square.
1854 — Session House (later called the Chapel) constructed.
1869 — Major interior remodel; new windows installed and galleries removed except the choir loft.
1870 — Burr and Mrs. Wendell donate the pipe organ.
1870s–1880s — Women’s leadership expands through the Ladies’ Christian Association and Torrey Circle.
1876 — Sunday School enrollment reaches 150 children.
1953 — Meeting House wing added to support Christian education.
1955–1956 — Women added to Session and Board of Trustees.
1965 — Wendell House added for additional program space.
1966 — Director of Religious Education position established.
2026 — Cazenovia Church hosts both presbyteries on May 16, continuing its long tradition of hospitality and leadership.
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Confession in a Time of Reconciliation: Tell Congress to Vote No on This Reconciliation Package
The current reconciliation proposals make these priorities unmistakably clear. There is significant new funding toward enforcement and militarization, including $38.2 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and between $22 and $26 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), along with additional funding for the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Secret Service. Altogether, this package represents approximately $72 billion in new spending. At the same time, the broader budget framework calls for $1.2 trillion in additional defense spending over the next decade, including nearly $250 billion in increased spending—about a 27 percent surge—in a single year.
At the same time, the recent reconciliation policy—and the trajectory this package continues—has required deep sacrifices from programs that sustain human dignity:$700 billion in cuts to Medicaid, limiting access to healthcare, a $90 billion cut from SNAP, and $294 billion in changes to student loan programs. Meanwhile, tax policy has reduced federal revenues by $4 to $5 trillion over the next decade. Learn More...
| | Instead of Chicken BBQs, have you ever tried Turkey BBQ? It's delicious. | | |
Wee Kirk Conference 2026
October 12–14 at Laurelville Retreat Center, Mt. Pleasant, PA
Registration is open for Wee Kirk 2026. This conference is for church leaders of smaller congregations — pastors, session members, deacons, committee members, and anyone involved in leading the ministry of their congregation.
Wee Kirk is a gathering of church leaders for education, renewal, and fellowship. Its purpose is to inspire, equip, motivate, and encourage small churches and to provide rest and refreshment for pastors and church leaders like YOU!
Small church leaders play a critical role in the faithful work of God’s kingdom, and Wee Kirk is an invaluable means of support, learning, innovation, and encouragement for you.
Learn more and register at wee-kirk-ne.org.
Conference brochure
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How to contact our Lead Presbyter, the Rev. Greg Garis
Email: leadpresbyter@cayugasyracuse.org
How to contact our Assistant to the Lead Presbyter, the Rev. Mary Anderson
Email: asst.presbyter@gmail.com
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
How to contact our Bookkeeper, Kristin Schierer
Email: finance@cayugasyracuse.org
More information is linked below:
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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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Director of Music Ministries / Organist / Choir Director
The United Church of Fayetteville, N.Y. seeks a part-time Director of Music Ministries for our strong music program. UCF is a warm and welcoming church, committed to serving our community and loving our neighbors. As DMM, you would provide music for Sunday worship, direct the church’s vocal choir and handbell choir, incorporate guest instrumentalists into worship as needed, and participate in weekly rehearsals and the weekly worship service.
Candidates should be proficient piano and organ accompanists and choral/handbell conductors. We will consider separate candidates for the positions of organist and choir director. UCF has a 27-rank Johnson pipe organ, a four-octave set of Schulmerich handbells, and an extensive music library. Learn about our community at www.theucf.org. Please send a letter and resume to employment@theucf.org or Music Search Committee, The United Church of Fayetteville, 310 E. Genessee St., Fayetteville, N.Y. 13066.
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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. If the position remains open after 3 weeks, please resubmit.
Thank you, Sarah Buckshot, Communications Coordinator.
| | Around the Synod of the Northeast | | |
Grant Opportunity
The 2026 Emerging Gospel Community Grant is a unique opportunity for emerging Christian communities to receive support and funding to bring their Spirit-led ideas to life. The grant provides up to $20,000 per year in funding, renewable for a second year through reapplication, and focuses on creating spaces for healing, justice, and community building. The application cycle opens June 1, and a full listing of application criteria and guidance will be available at that time. This grant aligns with the Synod's core values of diversity, inclusion, justice, and community, and is a key part of the Synod's mission to foster a grace-filled, accessible community centered on justice, equity, and spiritual growth.
The application cycle for the Emerging Gospel Community Grant opens on June 1, with a full listing of application criteria and guidance available at that time.
Apply Now
| | Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | | |
Office of Public Witness' May Advocacy Hour webinar addresses gun violence prevention
The webinar focused on Extreme Risk Protect Orders and secure firearm storage
In advance of Gun Violence Awareness Month in June, the Office of Public Witness (OPW) within Presbyterian Life & Witness (PL&W) dedicated its May Advocacy Hour webinar to the topic. The webinar, called “God, Guns, and Building Safer Communities: Safe Storage, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and Church-based Advocacy” took place on Thursday, May 28 via Zoom and brought in partners from Everytown for Gun Safety's Be SMART program and Johns Hopkins’ National ERPO Resource Center.
The Rev. Christina Cosby, OPW's representative for domestic and environmental concerns, welcomed more than 100 webinar attendees before introducing Dr. Andrew Peterson, OPW's representative for Peacemaking and a program called The Decade to End Gun Violence.
Peterson mentioned two timely resources for Gun Violence Awareness Month: a new prayer book called "How Long, O Lord" and a grant program for churches and faith communities looking to host gun violence prevention programs.
Continue reading...
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Gender & Sexuality Justice Committee to consider wide swath of proposals, many related to healthcare
General Assembly committees meet online June 22-24
Nine items of business and a review of minutes await members of the 227th General Assembly’s Gender and Sexuality Justice Committee, meeting online June 22-24.
The Rev. Olivia Lane of Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery will moderate the committee, while the Rev. Matthew Henderson of Northeast Georgia Presbytery will serve as vice-moderator.
GEN-01, an overture from the Presbytery of Cascades, is on confession, repentance and renewed theological engagement regarding HIV/AIDS and human sexuality. It seeks the church’s confession and repentance for participating in the rise of the HIV/AIDS pandemic “through harmful theological frameworks and heteronormative assumptions” and for “participating in the isolation and stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS through rejection, judgment and abandonment.” The overture includes development of “a comprehensive theological framework addressing human sexuality and relationships in contemporary contexts” and “examining the full spectrum of relational and family structures and exploring ethical approaches to consent, mutuality and care …”
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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