Dear Friends of Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery,
Welcome to this week's edition of our e-letter, Presbytery Matters. Our goal is to highlight things going on throughout the Church: within our Presbytery, in our congregations, as well as in the Synod of the Northeast and across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We hope that these are things that will be helpful, informative, challenging, encouraging and supportive. In other words, we hope that these things will matter. Your input is valued, and your comments are always welcomed.
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Executive Director of the Benjamin House Ministries in Uganda spoke at the Auburn Rotary.
Joakim Matende said there are very few people over 25 in Uganda, most have been killed leaving many young people on the streets, hungry and turning to drugs.
The Rev. Dr. Barb E. Bloom invited Joakim to United Ministry of Aurora to learn more about his work getting these young people off the streets and reunited with family.
On November 5, local store owner, Kathleen Gangley who owns Bountiful Treasures in Union Springs, and has visited the Benjamin House on several mission trips will be speaking at UMA about how we can help.
To learn more https://www.benjaminhouse.net/
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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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Joys and Concerns around the Presbytery | |
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In our prayers together this week:
- Please pray for everyone who is struggling with their mental health, mental illnesses and addiction.
- 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: minister members of the Presbytery who are engaged in specialized ministries, who are at-large members, or who are retired
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.
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From the Interim Resource Presbyter | |
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We hope you can join us for this special evening!
7 p.m. Thursday, October 19, 2023
Zoom Link:
https://zoom.us/j/92703649541?pwd=NUsycXZFNEV3VWp0aWFLbmNNYlEvQT09
Dr. Towner was ordained at First United Presbyterian. Prior to her ordination, she worked at East Genesee Street (now the Korean Church) and remembers when the sanctuary was dedicated. Her ordination was featured in Life Magazine. Prior to ministry, she was a photographer at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
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Your Story
If a photo is worth a thousand words, than a video is worth a million!
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The Rev. Kathleen Dain visits Morrisville Community Church.
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Protecting Places of Worship: Six Steps to Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence
Resources on Website
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In 2022, the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. overtured to radically change the composition of the Book of Order formally called “The Rules of Discipline” to new governances under the heading, “Church Discipline.” Those presently serving on session, especially clerks of session, are strongly encouraged to familiarize yourselves with these changes.
The Synod of the Northeast is hosting a one day gathering on October 17th at First Presbyterian, Skaneateles to train Presbyterian leaders, committee members, elders, clerks and all others who might benefit from this training. The training will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Registration is required as lunch will be served. No cost to participates.
The gathering will be led by Flor Vélez-Díaz, manager of Judicial Process for the PCUSA. Registration is required. Click Here to Register
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FALL FUN: Pumpkin painting fun today during Sunday School at First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango. | |
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Susquehanna Valley Presbytery organized the following workshops for Small Churches and you're invited to join:
Saturday, Oct. 14, 10–11:30am, “How the Season of Advent Can Attract Visitors” presented by Rev. Phillip Blackburn — on Zoom or come to an in-person watch party*.
Saturday, Oct. 28, 10am–12pm, “Finding Our Way Through This Year’s Advent Lectionary” presented by Rev. Allen Presby — in person at Nineveh Presbyterian Church, 2997 NY Route 7, Nineveh, NY 13813, or on Zoom.
Thursday, Nov. 16, 7–8:30pm, “Fresh Expressions for Small Rural Congregations” presented by Rev. Shannon Kiser — on Zoom or come to an in-person watch party*.
AND
Church Manual of Operations workshop
Tuesday, October 24, 7pm at Masonville Federated Church or on Zoom
Mark your calendars and check back next week for Zoom information!
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Practical Resources for Churches Webinars | |
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Making the Best of our Third Thirty
Thursday, October 5, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Chris Pomfret
Aging is a reality of life that unites all humans, irrespective of race, creed, location…. We tend to overlook the challenges of aging either by accident or design, and as a result, our later lives can be consumed by “surprises” or issues that could have been handled with prior preparation. Ignoring the realities of aging can also adversely affect the lives of our loved ones. It is imperative therefore that we strive to embrace our aging, especially in our Third Thirty (ages 60-90) and be at peace with the typical inevitabilities. The webinar will discuss how we can Pray, Plan and Prepare for our own aging journey so that the last chapters of our lives can be the best possible, both for us and our loved ones. Getting rid of our “stuff”, downsizing, discussing with our extended family our end of life wishes and discerning what God wants us to do with our post-retired life are just some of the topics that will be covered.
Gun Violence: How Churches Can Be a Part of Prevention
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Panelists - Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Rev. Dr. Sherry Molock, Rev. Deanna Hollas
Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan is the executive director of the Ohio Council of Churches. As an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Dr. Sullivan’s anti-death penalty activism stems from his interest in ending cycles of violence, a concern he has known all too well after the 1997 murder of his sister, Jennifer, in Cleveland, OH. Rev. Dr. Sullivan is an ardent supporter of civil rights, gun violence reduction, mental health advocacy, and LGBTQ+ rights. He has given leadership to numerous religious, civic, and social organizations in Ohio, Washington State, and other communities where he has resided and served.
Rev. Dr. Sherry Molock, associate professor of clinical psychology at the George Washington University, has studied the impact of depression and trauma on young African Americans who attempt suicide. As a pastor at a predominantly Black church in Maryland, she’s heard the voices of parishioners in crisis, from mothers whose children have experienced violence to families struggling with mental health challenges. She’s the co-principal investigator (PI) of an innovative new program integrating churches into suicide-prevention efforts among Black youth. The project, dubbed “HAVEN: A Multi-Generational Suicide Prevention Program Embedded in African American Churches,” aims to head off a crisis of suicide among African American adolescents by building on deep-rooted connections between churches and communities.
Rev. Deanna Hollas is the Gun Violence Prevention Ministry Coordinator with the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and a founding member of Everytown For Gun Safety’s Interfaith Advisory Council. In her role with the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, Rev. Hollas empowers individuals and congregations across the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination to embody Jesus’s call to love God and love neighbor by being informed and active in the prevention of gun violence.
Now and Next for Youth Ministry
Thursday, November 2, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Deech Kirk
What does the latest research tell us about children, youth, and families? What does it all mean as we approach youth ministry in our post-Covid era? Deech Kirk of the Center for Youth Ministry Training describes some of the common challenges confronting youth ministry today and some of the characteristics of the newer, innovative ministry models that are taking shape.
Mission Possible for the Small Church: Simplifying Leadership & Structure
Thursday, November 9, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Kay Kotan
Small churches also have what we refer to as a superpower that large churches can’t touch: the ability to be highly relational from the get-go. Too often, small churches concentrate on what they can’t do. We offer this resource to lift up what small churches can do! For example, smaller churches have greater percentages of participation, giving, and engaged members than larger churches, according to the 2020 FACT study. Unfortunately, many resources for churches and church leaders are created for larger churches.
This resource has been created specifically for the small church to learn how to leverage their superpowers and live into their callings as vital, healthy churches having God-sized impact in their communities.
Holy Work with Children: Children’s Spirituality
Thursday, November 16, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Leader - Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen
Children are theologians with the ability to recognize and respond to God’s presence in their lives. Listening to the stories of children helps us to understand how children make meaning out of God’s presence and reveals tools that children use as they claim their faith. With this knowledge, adults can then better promote and encourage children’s spiritual growth.
● How does listening to children teach us about God and faith formation?
● What wisdom and insight do children offer to all of us by how they seek understanding of God and God’s presence in their lives?
● How can we guide and support the children in our communities in this work?
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Restorative Conversations
Date: December 12th, 2023
Price:
- $139 if registering as an individual or a group up to 3
- $124 if registering as a group of 4 or more
Location: Online via Zoom
Workshop Description:
This one-day workshop introduces church leaders to the key concepts of circle processes and ways in which circles can be used within their congregations. Restorative conversations are useful when working through difficult or polarizing topics, processing shared painful experiences, building community, and dealing with certain levels of conflict in the church setting.
Register Here
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Journey Toward Healing
Date: December 18th, 2023
Price:
- $99 if registering as an individual or a group up to 3
- $84 if registering as a group of 4 or more
Location: Online via Zoom
Workshop Description:
In this workshop you will gain a better understanding of your own conflict style, what the congregational mediation process looks like, how to find healing in mediation, and explore different conflicts.
Register Here
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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
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Join in on these services virtually on Sundays:
Faith United Oswego - Live on Zoom (Meeting ID: 207 196 571)
Isaiah's Table will send a link for people to join our hybrid worship at 10 a.m. on Saturdays. Send email to isaiahtable@gmail.com by Friday evening.
Scipioville Presbyterian Church - Live on Zoom (Meeting ID: 836 3163 8403
Passcode: SPC13147)
More to come...
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The Rev. Kathleen Dain, Interim Resource Presbyter, can be reached by emailing KDain@cayugasyracuse.org or by calling (315) 551-0413.
Sarah Buckshot, Communications Coordinator, can be reached by emailing caysyrnews@gmail.com or by calling (315) 877-8271.
Our Address: PO Box 438, Syracuse, NY 13214
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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.
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Westminster, Auburn seeking Temporary Pastor
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn, NY is seeking a full-time Temporary Pastor to work with the church while it seeks a new installed pastor. The church will consider a part-time position with responsibilities and compensation negotiated and adjusted accordingly.
Position tasks include worship leadership and preaching, moderating the Session, pastoral care, serving as head of staff, administrative leadership, assisting boards, committees, and teams, and other duties as needed (funerals/weddings, representing the congregation with outside organizations, assisting with communications, occasional leadership of educational programs, assisting with mission, outreach, evangelism efforts, etc).
Effective Salary will be commensurate with experience, with benefits and mileage to be included as negotiated individually. Starting date will be on or before January 1, 2024. Please send a letter of introduction and resume to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 17 William St, Auburn, NY 13021 Attn: Temporary Pastor Search Team or by email at office@westminsterauburn.org. More information about the church can be found at www.westminsterauburn.org or facebook.com/westminsterauburn.
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Two East Syracuse churches seek to share Presbyterian pastor
The Collamer United Church and the First United Church of East Syracuse are two separate churches seeking to share a full-time solo Presbyterian pastor. Our churches are both located in East Syracuse, New York, only 2.3 miles apart. We are both united Presbyterian and Methodist denominations. We are blessed to have a hard-working core of active participants in both churches who manage the church business, coordinate the worship services (one at each church building), and hold mission events. We are working together and sharing some staff and resources. We believe this to be a very supportive environment. In addition, we believe that Central NY can provide an attractive quality of life, with our parks, culture, and quality schools.
The pastor’s duties would include worship leadership and preaching, pastoral care, oversight of Christian education, moderating the Sessions, guidance with mission projects, and representing the congregation to outside groups. We are mindful that we are two churches and do not expect a pastor to provide full-time services to each church.
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Are you hiring?
If your church is hiring in 2022 or still looking to fill a position from 2021, please send a new or updated announcement and job description to Communication Coordinator Sarah Buckshot at caysyrnews@gmail.com
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Stated Meeting - Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.
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Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | |
Acting Stated Clerk issues
call to prayer
Hundreds dead and thousands injured in latest Israeli/Palestinian conflict
The Rev. Bronwen Boswell
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Bloodshed has come once again in the latest clash between Israelis and Palestinians with declarations of war and revenge coming from Israeli leaders. As hundreds lay dead and thousands injured, we grieve. We stand in shock that this long, battle-scarred conflict has taken yet another deadly turn.
We pray for those that have died, are dying, and wounded on both sides. We ask the Holy Spirit to intervene to bring calm and reason when vengeance and hatred now appear to have taken control.
We pray for our mission co-worker who must navigate this ever-changing landscape and for our partners who have placed their own safety on the line, not only seeking solutions to the ongoing crisis in the region, but also those in Gaza, at the hospitals that are overwhelmed with the dead and injured. We pray that leaders on both sides can step back and consider a peaceful and just solution that benefits all.
While these events continue to unfold, we come to you, O Lord, for your calm voice and guiding hand. Even in the midst of fire, destruction, and the cries of pain from both sides of this horrific scene, we know you are in the midst. May your Spirit dwell among them and guide them to a peaceful outcome for all.
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Presbyterians join many faith organizations to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day
By the Rev. Irvin Porter
Special to Presbyterian News Service
October 12, 1792, was the first observance in the United States of America of what we now know as “Columbus Day.” The Columbian Order of New York, better known as Tammany Hall, held a commemoration of the 300th anniversary of his historic arrival in the “New World.”
There are many Italians in both the United States and in Italy for whom “Columbus Day” is a celebration of heritage and not of the man himself. It was first hallowed as a legal holiday in the U.S. through the advocacy of Angelo Noce, a first-generation Italian, living in Denver, Colorado.
In 1892, the 400th anniversary of the voyage, after a lynching in New Orleans where a mob murdered 11 Italian immigrants, President Benjamin Harrison declared “Columbus Day” as a one-time national celebration to appease Italian Americans and ease diplomatic tensions with Italy. It was a time celebrated by observances and teaching moments to raise patriotism nationwide. This included instituting the use of a Pledge of Allegiance as composed by Francis Bellamy.
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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