Applications are now 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 1, 2025

Please email the completed Application Form to:

Lynn Jacques at lmjacques@verizon.net

The Little Church by the Bench:

Extending Love and Faith Beyond the Walls

Across the street from Liverpool First Presbyterian Church stands a peaceful bench surrounded by trees, shrubs, and flowers. It's a place of quiet reflection made possible by the children of the church through their fundraising efforts a few years ago.

This fall, that special spot has gained a new companion: the Little Church by the Bench. Built and lovingly placed by one of the church's members, this small structure holds devotionals, Bibles and a prayer box. Inside, you’ll also find an invitation to sit, meditate, or pray, and to visit the big church across the street for worship and community.

In addition to offering spiritual nourishment, the Little Church is also a place of giving and compassion. The church welcomes donations of hygiene products and non-perishable goods for those in need to take.

Liverpool First Presbyterian Church is excited to see how God will use this Little Church by the Bench to extend the life and mission of our congregation by reaching beyond the church's walls to share faith, hope and love with all who pass by.

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! 

In our prayers together this week:

• Please pray for Elder Linda Russell (Westminster-Auburn) and entire PPNK delegation as they embark on 10 day Korea Peace Journey.
• Please pray for pastors Steve and Saunda Thomas as Steve is undergoing cancer treatments. Please keep them in your prayers and cards can be mailed to 130 Wade Hampton Dr., Beaufort, SC 29907.
• Please pray Jerry Armstrong (Whitelaw Presbyterian) Jerry is 15 years old with recurrent bone cancer that has spread to his esophagus. Please continue to pray more than ever for both Jerry and his family. Cards can be sent to Jerry Armstrong at PO Box 414 Wampsville, NY 13163.
• 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 Sudan.
• All those in Ukraine.
• 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: United Church of Fayetteville; First United Church of Fulton; Jamesville Community Church; First, King Ferry.

A stated meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 6 p.m. on Zoom.

All requests for time on the docket and all supporting materials are due to the stated clerk by noon on Thursday, November 6th. The stated clerk can be reached via email at statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org.

Zoom registration information will be available soon.

Your F&C Team has been meeting regularly. Originally called the Vision Committee, we renamed ourselves as we believe the way forward is to focus on what the myriad needs are as we seek to merge our two presbyteries but just as importantly to coordinate with and seek the wisdom of the body.

We have been working on a vision statement while also keeping a keen eye on the strategies we will need to propel us down the road of this process. Our next step is to share our vision statement with the “councils” of both Cayuga-Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley in a joint meeting. Our intent is to then share our work with the two presbyteries seeking your feedback and counsel as well as hearing your questions and concerns in small group meetings.

After this period of information sharing and relationship building, we will begin the detailed work of developing a merger proposal for consideration.

Geneva Presbytery had expressed some interest in joining with our two presbyteries in exploring merger and in fact came to a couple of our meetings. However, at the present time they have decided to explore other options.

We ask that you hold us in your prayers as we continue to meet and strategize our way forward. We are excited and hopeful and it is our prayer that each and every member of our  presbyteries will choose to get involved in the coming months. We can all be assured there will be much to do and it is our goal to keep you informed of our progress as well as opportunities for involvement.

Draft Vision Statement:

We follow God’s call to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The presbytery will support this vision through dynamic collaboration with and support for our congregations and their leaders, encouraging them to reflect the Spirit’s gifts of love, grace and justice in their midst, in their communities and in the world at large.

FEEDBACK: Send your feedback to the committee by emailing Ricerobbiej@gmail.com

In anticipation of the Focus and Coordination Team of Cayuga-Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley Presbyteries to discuss a vision for a new Presbytery in the future, Greg Garis interviewed and videoed Presbytery, Mid-council, and GA staff to as they answered: What do you imagine the Presbytery to become in the future?

Watch Videos:

Mid Council and GA Leaders imagining the future of Presbyteries

Steve Huston structure of NENJ Presbytery

Sallie Watson

Rev. Cindy Kohlman

In October, a 4-week Bible study was held via Zoom aimed at churches without pastors. Up to eight people attended each week and all felt it beneficial and wanted to continue. The ‘experiment' was deemed a success! So we will take a few weeks off and resume after Thanksgiving.

Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 3, a 3 week Advent study, led by Gail Banks, retired CLP will start at 7pm. More information will be in next week’s C-S News. If you haven’t been able to come before or are looking to enrich your Biblical knowledge or give your spiritual life an uplift, give this short Advent study a try. Please let Rita Hooper know and she will put you on the zoom info list. Contact Rita at twohoops2@gmail.com

InterFaith Works is gathering Gift Baskets to give out to our clients that we serve through The Center for Dialogue and Action, The Center for Healthy Aging, and The Center of New Americans. These baskets will be distributed to vulnerable refugee families, individuals in nursing homes and families who receive addition support through food pantries.

All baskets must be returned to the InterFaith Works offices located at 1010 James Street Syracuse, NY 13202 by Friday, December 12.

Below are some suggestions for items to put into the baskets:

• Gift Cards (Walmart, Tops, VISA)
• Hygiene Products 
• Non-perishable food items (Kosher/ Halal Friendly)
• Blankets 
• Entertainment Items (Board games, card games, crosswords, etc)
• Toys (Balls, dolls, legos, etc)

Register Here

The First Presbyterian Church of Cazenoiva is planning a luminary memorial walkway on All Saint's Day Eve (Oct 31, 2025) to remember family members and friends who have gone on before us. The luminaries will be located on the walkway in front of the church. All are welcome to submit names to be included on the luminaries by filling out the form. Please submit names by Tuesday, October 28th.

The Collamer United Church is very pleased to announce that it will present a public

Drive-Thru Only

 Chicken & Biscuit Dinner

On Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Serving will be from 4:30 p.m. through approximately 6:15 p.m.

The church is located at 6865 Fly Road in Collamer (East Syracuse), just South of the intersection of Fly Road and Route 298 (about 2 miles East of Carrier Circle, or take Exit 7 off from Route 481).

This delicious chicken dinner will include homemade biscuits, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh cooked vegetables, and dessert. 

Collamer Church is well-known for its great cooks!

Tickets may be purchased at the door.

$15 for ALL adults

$6 for children under 10

(We apologize but we cannot accept credit cards)

Steeple Coffee House to Honor Memory of Kristin Gitler

Hosts Doubleheader with Bryan Dickenson and Melissa Grace Clark

Singer/Songwriters Bryan Dickenson and Melissa Grace Clark return to the Steeple Coffee House for the Kristin Gitler Festival. Kristin shared her love of music with others through teaching, recording and playing, particularly the Mountain Dulcimer. She also played in an Irish Fiddle Tune Group with David Goldman and they released CD's and books of traditional tunes.

Bryan Dickenson has been playing music for 60 years and songwriting for 50. A winner of the Indigo Productions Songwriters Series, he was featured at Oswego Music Hall's songwriter showcase 3 times. He has over 70 songs in various genres from pop to blues to country to folk. While he gigged for many years including large ensembles and duos, he now focuses on songwriting and performs solo.

Melissa Grace Clark brings her emphatic style to a cross section of American life in music. With a blend of Country, Folk, Rock, and Blues music, her throaty vocals, and hybrid style of guitar playing, she plays familiar cover songs and her originals, which come out of the same source whether singing of traditional American values, songs of self-esteem, or simple reflection. Melissa's music welcomes the listener and offers a friendly space.

Mark your calendars and come out to hear two amazing performers sing a variety of songs ranging from pop, blues, and rock!

Mark your calendars and come out to hear two amazing performers sing a variety of songs ranging from pop, blues, and rock!

Where: Steeple Coffee House is in the United Church of Fayetteville at 310 E. Genesee St. in Fayetteville, NY. Plenty of free parking behind the church with access from E. Genesee St., Chapel St., and Walnut St.

When: Saturday, November 8th - Show starts at 7:30 p.m. and runs until 9:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Cost: Tickets are $15 (cash) and include refreshments.

The McClendon Scholar Program is offering the follow event in-person and online. Registration required.

John Munayer, Palestinian theologian and author, will be with us on Thursday evening, October 30 at 7:00 PM EDT and you can register here for in person or to attend the webinar. His topic will be: “The Cross and the Olive Tree: A Palestinian Christian Reflection.”

Full Day VBS - it's not that scary!

Thursday, October 30, 2025

2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT

Leader – Kelsey DeCarlo

Can We Talk? What the Bible Can Teach Us about Dialogue in a Divisive Time

Thursday, November 6, 2025

2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT

Leader – Rev. Dr. Leah Schade

Creating Ministries for Neurogent Families

Thursday, December 4, 2025

7:00 – 8:00 PM EDT

Leader – Kim Pope-Seiberling

Mandatory New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Webinars

You can take this training any time during the year

charlaine@prcli.org

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 

4:00 – 5:30 PM EST

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 

2:00 – 3:30 PM EST

How to contact our Lead Presbyter, the Rev Greg Garis

Email: leadpresbyter@cayugasyracuse.org

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

More staff contact information is linked below.

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

Position Opening: Music Director

The Jamesville Community Church is seeking a part-time Music Director, who can play the organ, piano or guitar. The paid position is for an average of 7-9 hours a week. The

Director will assist the pastor with Sunday morning worship, special services, lead a

small choir and congregational singing and play both contemporary and traditional

worship music.

Competitive Salary.

Please prayerfully consider joining our faith community in worshiping God together.

Interested candidates can contact Church Office at 315-492-1465 or

admin@jamesvillecommunitychurch.org

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.

Leading faith-based, advocacy, and community organizations are calling on Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4) to do everything he can to protect the people of Sudan and El Fasher from ongoing genocide. Read letter.

Delegates to the 27th General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) heard a series of impassioned and reflective addresses earlier this month as they prepared to discern a Concept Note on Mission. About 400 delegates listened as four speakers offered perspectives on justice, faith, and the church’s evolving role in a changing global landscape. Read more.