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.
| |
|
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 keep the families and fellow law enforcement officers of Onondaga County Sheriff's Lt. Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen in your prayers.
- Please continue to keep Karen Chamis in your healing prayers. Our former Resource Presbyter broke her leg in February and suffered complications.
- 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: Port Byron Federated; First, Scipioville; Sennett Federated Church; First, Skaneateles
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.
| |
HR Committee Announcements | |
|
The HR committee will be nominating the Rev. Paul Rack for Stated Clerk. We are very excited to have Paul’s experience and expertise benefit our Presbytery.
His biography follows:
Paul was born in Bloomfield, NJ, in 1955, the son of a Presbyterian minister and grandson of a Presbyterian elder. After receiving degrees from The University at Albany (SUNY) and Princeton Theological Seminary, he was ordained by the Presbytery of Albany in 1981, and served as Pastor for 39 years in 11 churches, most of them as Interim/Temporary. He also was, for 18 years, the Stated Clerk for two different presbyteries (Elizabeth and Palisades, both of which were merged into a new presbytery in March, 2021). He became officially Honorably Retired in May 2020.
He and Susan were married at the Princeton Seminary chapel in 2007 (she was Pastor of a church he had formerly served). Together they enjoy the theater, wine, traveling, canoeing, camping (at the Wild Goose Festival), learning and teaching the Enneagram, and movies. They share a commitment to social justice.
Paul considers being “retired” as Act Three of his life, and is devoting his time to walking, riding his bicycle, reading, writing, singing, playing the trumpet, feeding the birds, meditating, learning how to be a clergy-spouse, and working around their new very old house and yard, including tending to the bees. He is a member of the COM of Geneva Presbytery. He has been the Recording Clerk of the Synod of the Northeast for several years and in 2023 he served as “Gap" Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Boston for a few months. He also does guest preaching, using this as an opportunity to work through one of the most intriguing books of the Bible: “The Song of Songs.”
| |
Presbytery Church Transformation Commission | |
|
Our Presbytery received a grant for $30,000 last fall from the Synod for the use of assisting churches with transformation. A Presbytery Church Transformation Commission (PCTC) was appointed by the Moderator to oversee the use of the funds. Commission members are Marissa Saunders, moderator (Park Central), Lynn Jacques, secretary (First United of East Syracuse), Ben Fitzgerald-Fye, treasurer (Scipioville), Jessica Gorman (Liverpool) and Shavonn Lynch (Auburn).
We have had monthly meetings since forming and are now ready to have the application available to our churches. Applications received by the 15th of the month will be reviewed that month and applications received after the 15th of the month will be reviewed the following month. A very important part of this application is that it must have Session approval. We are very pleased for the primary work done by our Interim Resource Presbyter to get the grant for us. We are now even more pleased to have the application process available to our churches.
Please feel free to contact any of the commission members with questions regarding the application.
CLICK HERE for Application
| |
Save the Date: Stated Meeting | |
From the Moderator: Changes to Bylaws | |
|
To help our presbytery leadership be more nimble and responsive, and help us resource congregations better, some changes to our committees are proposed. You can find these in the draft of the bylaws at this link. The proposed changes are in blue text.
Among other things you will find these proposals:
- A Coordinating Committee formed from committee chairs that will help guide and enable the work of our committees and other ministry opportunities that arise in between meetings of the presbytery
- The Vision and Strategy Committee to become Congregational Development and Presbytery Connections focus on how we resource and strengthen our local congregations
- Clearer definitions of membership and voting rights at presbytery meeting
These proposed changes are sent to our congregations and members as a first reading. They will be discussed and voted on at the May 18th presbytery meeting. To facilitate discussion and explanation of why these changes are needed I am offering Zoom meetings on these times.
April 30 at 6:30 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5133208068?pwd=blhLOFIxRGp1cExrQi85MVk5ZXcwQT09
May 1 at 1 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86388890763?pwd=c1g4cTQ2R1F0ai9ZZWJyL09ISVd5Zz09
May 2 at 9 a.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86388890763?pwd=c1g4cTQ2R1F0ai9ZZWJyL09ISVd5Zz09
| |
Save the Date: Presbytery Day | |
Interim Resource Presbyter Announcements | |
|
2024 Clergy Cards
The 2024 clergy cards are now available for minister members of Cayuga-Syracuse. Please contact interim resource presbyter, the Rev. Kathleen Dain, with your current address and your card will be mailed to you.
The Rev. Kathleen Dain can be reached via email at KDain@cayugasyracuse.org or phone at (315) 551-0413.
| |
|
The Ethiopia Mission Network of the PC(USA) invites you to attend the seventeenth annual Ethiopia Mission Network conference at the Oromo Fellowship Church of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on May 16 – May 17, 2024.
The Ethiopia Mission Network meets to:
- Share information, experience and wisdom and discuss common strategies and common interests
- Provide useful connections to anyone in a missional relationship with Ethiopians
- Make contact with all who share a common vision of relationship with the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY)
- Invite new participants into the network and encourage each other in the work of mission
Download Invitation
Download Registration Form
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
From the Nominating Committee | |
|
Greetings from the Nominating Committee,
The Nominating Committee greatly appreciates the work and dedication of all who serve on committees and commissions of the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery. We recognize that we cannot hope to live into God’s mission for us as a collective body without those who feel called to serve.
The Nominating Committee needs to establish a broader pool of names for consideration as we seek to populate committees and commissions. We are asking that pastors/churches provide the committee with a list of elders, especially those who are willing to serve on a committee on the presbytery level.
Currently, we are seeking people to serve on the following: Commission on Ministry, Committee on Representation, Social Justice, Human Resources, Finance and Property, Nominating Committee. Suggestions can be emailed to the Nominating Committee at lynchshavonn@yahoo.com.
Shavonn Lynch
Nominating Committee Chair
| |
|
The next "Can We Talk?" gathering will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 26th in the Lounge behind the Sanctuary at Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church, 5299 Jamesville Road in Syracuse.
Coffee and goodies will be served.
The gathering is for retired pastors and CLP's or for folks who are about to retire. First-timers are always welcome!
| |
|
What: Chicken & Biscuit Dinner
When: Saturday, April 27
4:30 - 6:00 PM (or until sold out)
Where: Amboy Belle Isle United Church, 6190-92 Airport Road, Syracuse
Cost: $12 per dinner
TAKE-OUT ONLY
Dinner includes: Chicken & Biscuit, applesauce, and choice of brownie or cookie for dessert
| |
This retreat opportunity will be led by Presbyterian ministers the Rev. Mary Anderson from Cayuga-Syracuse and the Rev. Laurel Nelson from Genesee Valley. Download flyer HERE. | |
|
July 21-25, 2024
What you need to know to decide if Summer Servants 2024 is for you:
- We will run this year's trip as an overnight experience.
- Each group will participate in 4 days of service in Syracuse.
- Groups will be comprised of 10-20 students and 2 adult leaders.
- Groups will serve at a variety of service sites.
- Students, leaders, and staff will all stay at the DeWitt Community Church in Syracuse
- After serving at the local sites each day, groups will participate in community Faith dialogues led by Kevin Frank and his team as well as participate in interactive workshops reflecting on their day of service and work in Syracuse. (These are extremely powerful - life changing!)
Registration is now open for Summer Servants.
Learn more or register here.
Have questions about the program? Contact Onondaga Hill Presbyterian Church Pastor Bob Langston at 315-492-2692 or pastorbob.ohpc@gmail.com
| |
The First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport is operating a free clothing giveaway at the church. It is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. All clothing is free and people are encouraged to take anything they can use. No questions asked. | |
|
Nancy Wind and Isaiah’s Table invite you to join them in their new book study at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays via Zoom. The book is "Everything Good About God is True" by Bruce Reyes-Chow. They will be using this book for the next 6 weeks.
You know what you don’t believe about the Bible, the church, and God. But what if someone asked: “What do you believe?” Reyes-Chow helps the reader to consider what it means to choose faith and how to create one’s own “faith montage.” What if we could articulate the gospel of love, humility, and justice? "What if everything about God is true?”
Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83276947441?pwd=dEIVL2c3UTducVIIUmdPYXRJdUVIZz09
Meeting ID: 832 7694 7441
Passcode: 065105
| |
|
Rita Hooper and Presbyterian Women invite you to join their book club on discrimination at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. They will be reading "The First Ladies" by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.
This is a novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune -- an unlikely friendship that changed the world. Many people know Eleanor Roosevelt but many have not heard about Mary McLeod Bethune. She was an educator, national civil rights pioneer and activist. Mary was a champion of African American women’s rights and advancement and an advisor to Presidents of the United States. She was one of three women among 27 men to serve in FDR’s Black Cabinet.
Zoom info: https://us02web.zooom.us/j/87193947627?pwd=SDZkanBOZFVDZFoybmczUOF4QWpNQT09
Meeting ID: 871 9394 7627
Passcode: 748784
| |
If your church has a book club via Zoom and are open to new members joining you, please contact Rita Hooper at twohoops2@gmail.com with your information. Please include Zoom information, day and time of meeting, name of book currently studying, contact person and anything else you find useful to know! | |
Practical Resources for Churches Webinars | |
|
Pew to Pulpit: How to Select Music
Thursday, April 25, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Leaders - Phillip Morgan, Karrie Rushing
Faith on Pointe: Ballet as Spiritual Language and Practice
Thursday, May 2, 2024
2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
Leader - Julie Hoplamazian
Raising Kids Beyond the Binary in Church
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Leader - Jamie Bruesehoff
How to Create Transformative Ministries Through Theological Innovation Workshop
Thursday, May 9, 2024
2:00 - 3:15 PM EDT
Leader - Meghan Hatcher
Practical Practices for Faith in Families NEW DATE
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Leaders - Elizabeth Christie, Johannah Myers
Pew to Pulpit: Children's Sermons
Thursday May 16 2024
2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Leaders -Debbie & Don Kolacki
| |
|
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.
| |
Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | |
|
Going green by going solar
University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio celebrates its fifth year as an Earth Care Congregation
By Shani E. McIlwain
Presbyterian News Service
Fifty-three years after its first observance, Earth Day is an annual reminder that what we do to the Earth matters. It matters to humanity, and it matters to God. Being an Earth Care Congregation brings a sense of joy that exudes to anyone you speak to who serves their respective congregation in this capacity.
Since 2020, University Presbyterian Church of San Antonio, Texas, has been an Earth Care Congregation. In 2019, the congregation began to discern what it would mean to embark on this journey. The application process invites congregations to ponder worship, facilities, education and outreach. In 2021, the church invested in solar panels, which greatly reduced the amount of electricity the church was using. Solar panels were installed in the carport, with the panels serving as the roof, and for shade from the hot Texas sun. Church administrator Anastasia Bernal said that using a local manufacturer helped boost the local economy with manufacturing, construction and engineering jobs.
Leaning into being an Earth Care Congregation has led UPC to think more intentionally about how to use its resources. The checklist helps to look at all the areas of church life that can help people become better stewards of the environment. Some of the initiatives that have been relatively easy to implement include joining a recycling program, installing LED lighting throughout the campus, adding bike racks and reducing paper consumption.
Continue reading...
| |
|
Grandparents take their seat ‘Around the Table’
For their sixth episode, podcast hosts reach out to a sage and seasoned pair of Presbyterian pastors
By Mike Ferguson
Presbyterian News Service
For its sixth episode, the hosts of the “Around the Table” podcast, the Rev. Michelle Thomas-Bush and the Rev. Cliff Haddox, turned to a pair of grandparents to share their wisdom on holding meaningful and helpful conversations with young people. Listen to their 46-minute conversation with the Rev. Robert Hay Sr. and the Rev. Dr. Sarah Reyes Gibbs here.
For Hay, the best part of grandparenting “is watching them grow up, and being in their lives so much, watching them turn into incredible people.”
“I am more of a storyteller than an academic intellectual,” said Reyes Gibbs, who counts among her children the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008). For her, a conversation starter might be, “What’s your gut reaction to the disciples being knuckleheads — and how do we fit with them?” she said.
Continue reading...
| |
P.O. Box 438, Syracuse 13214
(315) 632-5698
| |
"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
| | | | |
