Friendsgiving on Thanksgiving Day: A time for friends, food and giving back!

Park Central Presbyterian Church in Syracuse, in partnership with Boss Queen LLC, a community-based organization, hosted for the second year a Friendsgiving on Thanksgiving Day. 

More than 25 volunteers from the community and the Park Central congregation decorated tables, cut up five cases of collard greens, roasted turkeys, cooked, served and shared a full Thanksgiving meal with more than 30 people. Attendees included Syracuse University students, unhoused individuals and families who didn’t feel like cooking, but wanted to spend time together. 

Afterwards, volunteers delivered hot meals and bottled water to the Academy at Freedom Commons, which is a program that offers housing for individuals recently released from incarceration, Catholic Charities Men’s Shelter, a shelter for unhoused men, and the Rescue Mission, shelter for unhoused men/women.

Through the generous donations and the heart of many volunteers, 150 people were fed in total, according to Marissa Saunders, Ruling Elder at Park Central Presbyterian Church.

"We are grateful for the many people God brought through the doors of our church to volunteer, to break bread and the laughter we shared together," Saunders said. "Next year we are partnering with more community members with a goal of feeding even more people."

In our prayers together this week:

• Please pray for the family and friends of Anne Reynolds. Anne was a former moderator of the Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Northeast. She was a PWSNE mentor for 20 years and active in the synod for decades. Funeral arrangements to be announced.
• Please 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.

During the season of Advent, we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for Christ’s coming again.

Recently our Presbytery received a grant for $30,000.00 from the Synod for the use of assisting churches with transformation. A Presbytery Church Transformation Commission (PCTC) has been appointed by the Moderator to oversee the use of the funds. Commission members are: Marissa Saunders, Moderator (Park Central), Lynn Jacques, Secretary (East Syracuse) Ben Fitgerald-Fye (Sipioville), Jessica Gorman, (Liverpool) and Shavonn Lynch (Auburn). 

Two of our members, Marissa Saunders and Ben Fitzgerald-Fye, will be attending a Matthew 25 Summit in Atlanta Georgia at the New Life Presbyterian Church, College Park on January 16-18, 2024. Our Interim Resource Presbyster, Kathy Dain, is also attending. The Commission is offering three full scholarships for other members of our Presbytery to attend. This includes registration fee, air fare, hotel accommodations, and meals.  

If you are interested in attending this Summit, please send an email to Lynn Jacques at lmjacques@verizon.net expressing the desire to attend by telling who would attend, why they want to attend, what they expect to learn from the Summit and how they would use what is learned at their church to further the Matthew 25 initiative. 

More information on the Summitt can be found at https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/matthew-25-summit-an-invitation-to-innovation/.

The deadline for submitting reservations is January 2, 2024. The Commission is asking that all interested people email their request to Lynn by December 13, 2023. Individuals will receive notice between Dec 15 and 20 if they have received the scholarship.

Wishing you all a Blessed Advent Season,

Lynn Jacques,

Secretary, PCTC

“Many hands make light work...”



The Vision & Strategy Committee is in the process of forming two working groups of 3-4 people each in support of our committee work.

1. Community & Fellowship Workgroup. The focus of this group is to develop ways, programs, events, etc. to foster a sense of community and connection between all the members of presbytery—that is, all of you--those who work, serve, and worship in the congregations that make up the body of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse.

2. Communications Workgroup. The purpose of this group is primarily to support our Communications Director in her work of reaching out to churches and sharing information and good news with our congregations.

We would appreciate volunteers and/or suggestions of people to ask to serve on these workgroups.  Contact: Rev. Deb Thomas email/text/call: revrndeb@gmail.com or 315-657-0147

Worship the Lord in gladness and make a joyful noise!

Thank you to all who participated in November’s presbytery worship service. Vice Moderator Lynn Jacques gave an inspiring sermon on resilience and flexibility, calling us to have deep roots of faith and bend in the storm like the palm tree. The communion liturgy was sung by Lynn and enacted by Rev. Ken Wonderland with the congregation singing in response. AND our new choir debuted under the direction of Mary Heather Harrington setting a worshipful tone with Dona Nobis Pacem and leading us in a joyful song of thanksgiving. We ended by passing the peace after standing on the promises instead of “sitting on the premises.”

If you would like to join your voice to the choir at the next presbytery worship, please give a call or send a note to Mary Heather to receive info about upcoming rehearsals. No long term commitment required. maryheatherharrington@gmail.com or 607-793-0430.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Romans 10:14

Congratulations to the following people who completed the Basic Preaching Class for Elders with flying colors:



Betty Armstrong (Whitelaw)

Sam Dance (Onondaga Hill)

Tom Eckrote (Baldwinsville)

Eliezer Hernández (Auburn Westminster)

Lynn Jacques (East Syracuse)

Jill Kilts (Whitelaw)

Susan Smith (Mexico)

Missed it??

Another class may be offered in the spring depending on interest. Topics covered are Sermon Preparation, Sermon Writing, Sermon Delivery and Foundations of Reformed Theology. Class size will be limited. The purpose of the class is to equip elders with tools, skills and confidence to fill in at their own church with invitation by their pastor or session. Those who complete the class may choose also to apply to COM for permission to be on the pulpit supply list. To find out more, contact Rev. Deb Thomas. revrndeb@gmail.com or text/call 315.657.0147.

At a recent meeting of the Presbytery Vision and Strategy Committee, there was much discussion around communication and connections, two things that come up regularly in both church and non-church groups. To facilitate communication and being a connectional church, Rita Hooper has volunteered to find out what churches have a Bible Study or topic study group and are willing to have others, who are not part of their worshipping community, join them. These groups may be live and in person or via Zoom or be a hybrid model. You are asked to send your information to:

Rita Hooper

210 Meadowbrook Circle

Fulton, NY 13069

or

twohoops2@gmail.com

For questions, text or call her at 315-706-3564.

Information Needed:

Book of Bible you are studying

Bible Study you are using (Title, Author, Publisher) if you are using one.

Topic you are studying eg: the border, Palestine-Israeli situation, Ukraine, Christian Nationalism, literacy,homelessness, refugees, aging, discrimination of any and all kinds etc

When the group meets eg. third monday at 10am, weekly on Tuesdays at 7 pm etc.

Where they meet - church name and location

Zoom information

Contact information (name, phone, email) of person who is responsible for this group 

We are family and we are better together … help us share the good things happening in Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery.

Don’t wait for someone else to do it … if you know the info, please let Rita know, she would rather get it 5 times than not at all! 

Your Story

If a photo is worth a thousand words, than a video is worth a million!

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.

The Rev. Kathleen Dain can be reached via email at KDain@cayugasyracuse.org or phone at (315) 551-0413.

We've extended our deadline:

Applications are still being accepted

for the Benevolent Care Grant Funds.

“The purpose of this fund shall be to provide benevolent grants to assist in the care of elderly persons within the bounds of Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery.”

Criteria:         

1. Applications must be submitted by churches/sessions/boards or institutions. If an institution, a worshiping community within the Presbytery must indicate concurrence with the request.
2. A financial need must be clearly stated. i.e., sample budget
3. Grants will be awarded for benevolent care of the elderly residing within the bounds of Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery.

Download Application HERE

Applications must be received by November 26, 2023.

Please email the completed Application Form to:

Lynn Jacques at lmjacques@verizon.net

WE Sunday!

Liverpool First Presbyterian Church’s interactive, intergenerational "WE Sunday” celebrated and challenged ourselves to use the treasures we’ve received from the Lord.

Westminster welcomes temporary pastor

Westminster is pleased to announce the arrival of the Rev. Dr. Pamela Masten as our Temporary Pastor beginning January 1! Pam will be with us for a four-month period January through April 2024 to provide full-time pastoral leadership while the Pastor Search Committee continues its search for a new installed pastor. We are delighted to welcome Pam and pleased to introduce her to you. 

Pam is a “reverse snowbird”! She comes to us from Fort Lauderdale, FL, but she is a native of Cayuga County. She grew up in the Scipioville Presbyterian Church, where her parents are still active members. She’s been in Florida for most of her adult life, earning her BS from the University of Florida and her MBA from the University of South Florida. She also earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div) from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) from Drew University.

Rev. Shawn Reyburn from the Columbian Presbyterian Church in LaFayette is wondering if there are other congregations who would be willing to share the 25 count offering envelopes. Shawn says his congregation does not need all 25 and wants to split the cost and the envelopes with another congregation in the same spot. 

Interested? Contact Shawn Reyburn at (315) 663-6851

Fellowship Hall Rental

The Collamer United Church fellowship hall is available for rent for special occasions, meetings, and other activities. Maximum capacity is 140. We have seating for 122 people. We also have a very nice commercial kitchen which is available for an extra charge.

Please contact the church office for information.



Collamer United Church

6865 Collamer Road

East Syracuse, New York 13057

(315) 463-4939

collamerunitedchurch@verizon.net

Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Northeast - Read the Special Edition of The Lighthouse HERE

Horizons Bible Study

On April 3, 2020, the Presbyterian Women’s Bible study committee selected Olive Mahabir’s proposal to write a study about the person and work of Jesus Christ in Luke-Acts. The result of three years of hard work—during the pandemic no less—is Sacred Encounters: The Power and Presence of Jesus Christ in Luke-Acts.

Learn More...

New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Webinars

You can take this training any time during the year

charlaine@prcli.org

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

  Tuesday, February 13, 2024

7: 00 - 8:30 p.m.

 Wednesday, March 6, 2024

10:30 am - 12:00 p.m.



Wednesday, April 17, 2024

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Do you live-stream your service on Sundays?

We are compiling a list of live-stream links to feature in Presbytery Matters. This will allow others to join in on your services.

Please send links to CaySyrNews@gmail.com

The Rev. Kathleen Dain, Interim Resource Presbyter, can be reached by emailing KDain@cayugasyracuse.org or by calling (315) 551-0413.

The Rev. Amy E. Loving-Austin, Acting Stated Clerk, can be reached by emailing statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org

Sarah Buckshot, Communications Coordinator, can be reached by emailing caysyrnews@gmail.com or by calling (315) 877-8271.

Kristin Schierer, Bookkeeper, can be reached by emailing finance@cayugasyracuse.org

Our Address: PO Box 438, Syracuse, NY 13214

Part-time Pastor Search

My sheep, pastured in Fulton, 40 minutes north of Syracuse have come together as a united flock of American Baptists and Presbyterians. They are looking for a part-time, interim, bridge, tentmaker shepherd who has that spirit of adventure and is looking for new fields to share their skills and talents with.

If you would like to talk about this position please contact me at 1Godlovesya or my assistant Rick Casella at rickccasella@gmail.com or 315-440-9115. 

Hoping to hear from you, 

Thanks, God.

Seeking Nursery School Director in Baldwinsville

The First Presbyterian Nursery School of Baldwinsville is beginning a search for a nursery school director for the Fall 2024. The position is part-time from 8:30am-12:30pm on Tuesday through Friday. A qualified candidate will ideally have a Bachelor’s degree in the field of education and experience working with 3,4 and 5 year old children.

Some of the responsibilities performed by the director are as follows:

• Organize and maintain all student files
• Oversee the preschool program and offer support and guidance to classroom teachers
• Collect and keep tuition records & expense records for the school
• Assemble and mail all summer communications to families
• Day to day operations of program and building

Email resume to Baldwinsville Presbyterian office: admin@presbville.com

Seeking a Creative and Caring Pre-School Teacher

Friends in Faith Christian Preschool is seeking a compassionate, and creative individual to team teach three-year-olds. Individuals who love working with children and creating an educational experience that develops curiosity and kindness for others should apply. The position requires experience working with children, a commitment to modeling love and respect, knowledge in child development, and effective communication skills.

The position is 8 to 10 hours per week with a salary range of $15.50 to $16.00 per hour. Please submit resume to Tracie Folley, Director, Friends in Faith, 603 Tulip Street, Liverpool, NY 13088 or fifcps@gmail.com

First United Church Fulton seeks pastor

First United Church Fulton is a small Presbyterian and American Baptist congregation, 40 minutes north of Syracuse. They are seeking a pastor who is looking for a part-time, interim, bridge, tentmaker position. 

The church's last permanent pastor retired 8 years ago. Since then they have had two transitional pastors, Covid, one short time, installed pastor and a series of Sunday pulpit supply.

"Flexibility and change have become our middle name," according to a church spokesperson.

Please contact Rick Casella at rickccasella@gmail.com or (315) 440-9115 for more information. First United Church Fulton is located at 33 South Third St in Fulton.

ALL DRESSED UP FOR ADVENT: Robinson Elmwood United Church members stayed after worship on Sunday to decorate the Sanctuary!

Friday, December 1: World AIDS Day - Presbyterian HIV Awareness

Sunday, December 3: 1st Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 10: 2nd Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 17: 3rd Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 24: 4th Sunday of Advent - Christmas Eve

Monday, December 25: Christmas

NOW HIRING:

OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK

Learn More

A message from Nancy Talbot, Synod Stated Clerk:

As you know all councils of PCUSA are now required to have Anti-Racism and Harassment Policies that have been approved by the council. In an effort to make sure that each individual council does not have to start from a blank page, a group of mid council leaders without our synod came together and developed draft policies for your presbyteries and churches to use in whatever way you see fit. They are basically templates that allow you to include the information you deem appropriate and necessary as you develop your policies. 

Download Anti-Racism policy

Download Harassment policy

Many thanks to the people who gave their time and effort to provide these templates to the rest of us. The groups even met during meals at the Polity, Benefits and Missions Conference in St. Louis to accomplish this task. Steve Shussett, facilitator, Kate Jones-Calone, Kathy Dain, Becky Kindig, Mary Westfall and Jean Woodman created the Anti-Racism policy template. Steve Houston, facilitator, Becky Kindig, Steve Shussett, Mary Westfall, and Jean Woodman created the harassment policy. As you can see, there was a quite a bit of overlap of these dedicated folks between the two groups.  

Volunteer at GA226 +

Without any doubt, the success of any large event depends largely on the dedication and selfless contributions of volunteers—the incredible individuals who give generously of their time, energy, and unique talents.

For the upcoming hybrid 226th General Assembly (2024) which will gather both virtually and in-person from June 25 through July 4, 2024, we are inviting a diverse group of individuals to support both the remote and onsite portions of the assembly. From zoom and help desk support to parliamentary support to equity managers to committee assistants and more, we welcome both seasoned volunteers and those who are newly interested in supporting the assembly in this important way.

A listing of the various support roles and a volunteer interest form is now available. Persons who wish to be considered for service as a volunteer are encouraged to submit the volunteer interest form as soon as possible, and no later than January 2, 2024.

A Presbyterian in the US Senate who answers to a higher calling

By Mike Ferguson

Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — U.S. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, one of 11 Presbyterians in the Senate, spent an hour with the Rev. Jim Wallis Tuesday talking about how his faith has helped carry him this far. Listen to his conversation with Wallis, director of Georgetown University’s Center on Faith + Justice, by going here. Coons appeared as part of the Center of Faith + Justice’s “Higher Calling” series.

Coons, who grew up in the Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware, completed his graduate studies at the Yale Law School and the Yale Divinity School at the same time. “I often kid my friends he is the only theologian senator I know,” Wallis said, until Georgia voters elected the Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock as one of their senators in 2021. “Chris Coons is a public servant who knows what the phrase ‘higher calling’ means.”

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Your photos tell your story

The Presbyterian Planning Calendar for 2024–25 will feature photos on the cover and throughout the monthly calendar pages showing the best of what our churches are doing in mission and ministry. Your photos are invited!

By way of photo submission, Presbyterians are invited to tell the world the ways their church, worshiping community, mid council or organization is carrying out the Matthew 25 Invitation.

The Presbyterian Planning Calendar, a beloved publication of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is once again seeking photo submissions from congregations and worshiping communities, mid councils, camps, conference centers and education centers for use in its 2024–25 edition.

The deadline to submit photos for the upcoming Presbyterian Planning Calendar is Feb. 14, 2024.

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