Rev Ben Fitzgerald-Fye, our Stated Clerk, provides an update from the General Assembly:

Greetings all from balmy Milwaukee! GA is in full swing and business is moving despite the occasional technical issues that plague these things. I wanted to send an update because some exciting things happened with the passage of the Consent Agenda last evening. In case you aren't a polity/parliamentary procedure nerd, the Consent Agenda is a list of items passed out of committee with more than 75% support. Commissioners pulled 6 items off the agenda for later debate; but, tons of great stuff has passed already in the 64 items left on the approved Consent Agenda.



The Climate Justice Committee's entire body of work passed on the consent agenda!!! This is HISTORIC because it has NEVER happened EVER! Normally climate and environment resulted in ferocious floor debate at the larger GA and this action seems to indicate that we have taken our stance and the environment is now a standard part of PCUSA mission. This tracks with the developments in LGBTQ overtures which also don’t create much controversy. As I am always alluding to in our confessional statements, our evolution on issues and approaches to the world is right there for all to see. After years, if not decades, of sometimes contentious debates over both the environmental policies of divestment and the widening circle of the church community it appears we have decided where we stand.

Also of note on the Consent Agenda:

The Reformed Identity in the World committee was very busy and a few of there items were passed via the Consent Agenda. RIW-11asks us to reach out in concern to the Reformed-Presbyterian church in Cuba. RIW-03 highlights our opposition to Nuclear Arms. RIW-09 speaks to advocacy for religious minorities in Syria.

The Reformed Identity in the US committee also had some interesting items on the Consent Agenda. RUS-05 passed calling for the urging of the final abolishment of the Doctrine of Discover…a dialogue with Pope Leo and our Catholic siblings. RUS-13 asks congress to check executive power. RUS-14 condemns the cruelty of our immigration enforcement and defends the human rights of migrants.

The LGBTQ self-audit by churches was also in the Consent Agenda as well as the Disapproval of the unnecessary need to “study" the implementation of our recent pro-LGBTQIA actions.

That is all for now. I truly wish everyone could be here to see the larger church in action. We have a remarkable church with intentional, serious, witty, and determined members. They come here to debate and discern the future voice of the PCUSA here and abroad. This is an exciting place to be.

Hope this message finds you all well!!!!

Peace be with you always,

Pastor Ben

If you want to learn more about the business coming before the committees and the General Assembly or watch the live streams of their work, they will be found on the PCUSA website under the General Assembly page. Tune in.

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 (Electronic Google Form)

Printable Church Information Form (PDF)

Once submitted, it will be automatically sent to the Stated Clerk’s office.

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 

Spotlight on Whitelaw Presbyterian Church

 from the Assistant to the Lead Presbyter, the Rev. Mary Anderson.

Whitelaw Presbyterian Church

Celebrating 200 Years of Faithfulness

Honoring Donna Chapman’s Final Sunday of Service

June 28 was a day filled with gratitude, memory, and hope as Whitelaw Presbyterian Church celebrated its 200th anniversary and recognized Donna Chapman on her final Sunday of service. For this small but close‑knit community, the morning carried both the weight of history and the tenderness of transition.

Donna’s Liturgy and Loving Presence

Although Donna was unable to attend due to illness, her presence was felt throughout the service.

She prepared a beautiful liturgy that honored Whitelaw’s long legacy of faithfulness to its community — a gift shaped from her sixteen years of devoted ministry.

Her words guided the congregation through worship that remembered the past with thanksgiving and looked toward the future with trust.

Reflections from Three Pastors

Three pastors offered reflections that highlighted Whitelaw’s story across generations.

Lay Pastor Steve Stokes  

Steve, who grew up in the church, shared heart‑warming stories of pastors who shaped his life and faith. His memories reminded everyone of the deep roots that anchor this congregation.

Rev. Earl Arnold  

Rev. Arnold, who served Whitelaw for three years, spoke of the congregation’s resilience, strength, and unmistakable sense of fun — qualities that have carried them through challenges and celebrations alike.

Rev. Dennis Dorr  

Rev. Dorr, honorably retired from Chittenango Presbyterian Church and a longtime friend of the congregation, encouraged everyone to look ahead with hope.

Presbyterian Day at Hartwick College

Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 16, when the Summer Institute at Hartwick College celebrates Presbyterian Day. Our very own Mary Anderson (Assistant to the Lead Presbyter for Transformation) will be teaching a morning course at 9:00 a.m. on Grateful Living as a Spiritual Practice.

Following the class, all Presbyterians attending the Institute are invited to share lunch together. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow and connect with others from across our presbyteries. Lunch will be free for participants!

Come join us on July 16 for a day of learning, fellowship, and spiritual renewal.

Communion Training for Ruling Elders

Ruling Elders who would like to be trained to assist in serving Communion within their own congregations are invited to join a two‑part Zoom class led by Rev. Mary Anderson, Assistant Presbyter. The course will be offered in two Zoom sessions, providing both theological grounding and practical guidance. Whether you are newly ordained, stepping into new leadership responsibilities, or simply seeking a refresher, this training offers a supportive space to grow in confidence and understanding.

If you are interested, please contact Mary Anderson at asst.presbyter@gmail.com.

Cayuga Syracuse Presbytery Food Supplemental Grant

In order to address the November 1, 2026 SNAP reductions that will affect millions of people across the country, including here in our Presbytery and communities, the Cayuga-Syracuse Social Justice Committee has set up the Cayuga-Syracuse Food Supplemental Grant. 

This grant is designed to provide emergency funding of between $500 and $1,000 to a Presbyterian church that is engaging or planning to launch a food assistance ministry for families, children and the impoverished in their community. Funding sources for the grant are the Vanderkamp Funds.

To qualify for this funding, a church must be seeking to meet an emergent or recently developed need for those who are impacted by SNAP reductions beginning November 1, 2026. This food assistance ministry must be directly provided by your church. 

Applications must be sent in to the Cayuga-Syracuse Social Justice Committee by September 1, 2026. Applications are to be sent to the Social Justice Committee via Leigh Anne Herd at laherd02@gmail.com.

Download application here

The Social Justice Committee will review all applications and churches will be contacted by mid-September whether their application was accepted or not. Grant money will be distributed November 1, 2026. 

Cayuga-Syracuse Food Supplemental Grant Structure

• Year One:  Between $500-$1,000

Awarded based on a church’s launch or strengthening of ongoing food assistance ministries in their community

• Year Two:  Between $500-$1,000 (by reapplication)

Awarded based on a church’s demonstrated progress, meaningful impact, and evidence that their ministry is making a difference

The Cayuga- Syracuse Presbytery Social Justice Committee is committed to nurturing and fulfilling Jesus’s call found in Matthew 25 – “Come, you are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me ... As you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Lodi Summer Camp, the annual VBS camp for refugee children (ages 4-16+) in the Syracuse area, will be held from June 29^st through July 3^rd this year. It is hosted by the Korean Church of Syracuse.

Theme: Here Is Your God (Isaiah 40:9)

Date: June 29 (Monday) – July 3 (Friday)

Time: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

·Location: Syracuse Myanmar Baptist Church (1501 Lodi St., Syracuse, NY)

Content: Body worship, Bible class, Art class, Game class, and Snacks

Registration Fee: Free

Contact: 315-474-8346 or info@kcsyr.org

Last year, through the camp, we had the opportunity to share the love of Christ with more than 250 children. By God’s grace, over 160 of them responded to the gospel and professed faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Throughout the five-day camp, children explore God’s truth through Bible class, Arts class, Game class, Body worship and various activities. They learn about God’s wonderful creation, the reality of sin, God’s redeeming love revealed through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, and how to live and grow as followers of Christ.

This year, more than 100 volunteers are coming from Syracuse, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and many other areas to serve these children. They are generously giving their time, energy, and talents to share God’s love with refugee families.

Syracuse is a mission field where people from many nations live side by side. God has brought the nations to our neighborhood, giving us the privilege of sharing the hope of the gospel with them. The greatest gift we can offer is the message of Jesus Christ, and this calling belongs to all who follow Him.

Please join us in prayer:

• That every child and family attending the camp will encounter Jesus Christ and experience God’s saving love.
• That the Holy Spirit will empower all teachers, staff, and volunteers as they faithfully share the gospel.
• That God will provide protection, health, and safety for everyone throughout the camp.
• That the Lord will faithfully supply all financial and practical needs for the ministry.



Thank you for your prayers and partnership in reaching refugee children and their families with the gospel.

Now we are fundraising to do this God’s work and share God’s love with refugee children.

Please payable to “Korean Church of Syracuse” (please mention “Lodi mission” on memo) and send to “1800 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210”.

Are You Passionate about Social Justice? We Are!

It's not too late to register for the Summer Institute of Theology at Hartwick College!

Pastors, if you want to get a head start on anti-racism training (which will become mandatory if the amendments approved by the GA in RAC-04 are ratified by the presbyteries), this is an opportunity for you.

Learn More...