Dear Friends,

It was a joy to be present at the 227^th General Assembly (2026) as it gathered in Milwaukee between June 27 and July 2. 

The commissioners from Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery were Teaching Elder Eric Adamcick, who is responsible for giving a report to the Presbytery about this Biennial meeting of our denomination. He served faithfully, participating in Committees before the Assembly gathered and enduring the debate, conversation, and votes on many actions on the floor of the Assembly. Also in attendance was Stated Clerk Ben Fitzgerald-Fye. (Please see Ben’s updates on the 227th General Assembly in previous Presbytery Matters.)

As it has already been reported, most of the overtures that Susquehanna Valley and Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery gave to the Assembly were approved, and most of them did not make it to the floor of the Assembly. They were put on the consent agenda, which was approved. Even though Cindy and Doug will give you some details on some of the actions, there are a few that I’d like to mention that were on the consent agenda and did not receive any discussion on the floor of the Assembly. 

One overture came from our Synod: The Synod of the Northeast, which asked the Assembly to reinstate the position of Staff Attorney for immigration as a full-time role, filled by a licensed immigration attorney. For congregations that call an immigrant to be their pastor, this attorney will be extremely helpful. 

Another action put on the consent agenda was a new organization for mission for our denomination. For many years, our denomination’s mission and ministry were divided between the Office of the General Assembly(OGA) and the Presbyterian Mission Agency(PMA). The Unification Commission established by the 225^th General Assembly (2022) worked hard to put these two offices/agencies together, and they brought to the Assembly a new structure. This Commission proposed that this Assembly approve the “Presbyterian Life and Witness,” which will be the former OGA and the PMA. The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly will also be the Executive Director of the Presbyterian Life & Witness. This new entity is called as a partner to convene, connect, equip and empower the whole church as disciples journeying toward God’s wholeness – in the PC(USA) and beyond. The PL&W affirms that justice, love, equity and inclusion are embedded in the theology, polity and confessional life of the church. These foundational commitments guide the work of the Church. As the PL&W engages in its work, for core values ground their work and inform how these foundational commitments are lived out. 

• The values of PL&W are: Nimble, Trustworthy, Learning and Courageous.
• Their Responsibilities are: Vision, Strategy and Priority Setting; Denominational Leadership; Relationships (with other agencies and entities of the General Assembly of the PCUSA) and Faithful Stewardship of Donor Gifts.

The PL&W has an annual self-review as well as a General Assembly review, and there will be the Presbyterian Life & Witness Board. To see more about the Presbyterian Life & Witness and their ministry area click the following link: https://pcusa.org/about-pcusa/agencies-entities/life-witness/ministry-areas

Next week I’ll share some more decisions of the General Assembly that did not make it to the floor of the Assembly, but were approved by consent agenda. It’s some of these actions that might significantly affect our Presbytery and congregations. 

Grace and Peace,

Greg

General Assembly Overture Update

Overtures created or supported by Susquehanna Valley and Cayuga-Syracuse. 

(Compiled by Susquehanna Valley)

Susquehanna Valley Sponsored Overtures

• CLJ-02 – On Changing Course for a Green Future
• Committee Action – Approve as Amended
• Placed on the Consent Agenda; Committee Action ratified by passage of the Consent Agenda by voice vote

• CLJ-03 – On Establishing The Green Future Fund
• Committee Action – Approve as Amended
• Placed on the Consent Agenda; Committee Action ratified by passage of the Consent Agenda by voice vote

• CLJ-04 – On Regenerative Farming
• Committee Action – Approve as Amended
• Placed on the Consent Agenda; Committee Action ratified by passage of the Consent Agenda by voice vote

• CON-09 – On Ethical Conduct Training
• Committee Action – Approve as Amended
• Status – Committee Action ratified

• ORD-02 – On Preparation and Ordination
• Committee Action – Approve
• Status – Committee Action ratified

• ORD-04 – Overture on Ruling Elders Serving Beyond the Congregation
• Committee Action – Disapprove
• Status – Committee Action ratified

• RIW-08 – On Jeju in Korea
• Committee Action – Approve
• Status – Committee Action ratified

• RUS-03 – Overture to Reinstate Office of Theology and Worship
• Committee Action – Referral with Comment
• Status – Placed on the Consent Agenda; Committee Action ratified by passage of the Consent Agenda by voice vote

Cayuga-Syracuse Concurrences

• CLJ-02/03/04 (See above)

• CON-02 – On Prohibiting Non-Disclosure Covenants in Employee Relations
• Committee Action – Approve as Amended
• Status – Amended at plenary and Approved as Amended

• RIW-04 – On Recognizing that Israel has Violated the International Law Prohibiting Genocide
• Committee Action – Approve as Amended
• Status – Amended at plenary and Approved as Amended

• RIW-08 (See above)

• RUS-01 – On Taking Action to Repudiate Christian Nationalism and Affirm Our Faith Commitments
• Committee Action – Approve as Amended
• Status – Amended at plenary and Approved as Amended

Additional information about these Overtures can be found on Susquehanna Valley's website.

The Rev. Marta Pumroy-Cordero and the Rev. Dr. Kristopher D. Schondelmeyer elected as Co-Moderators by the 227th General Assembly

Pumroy-Cordero is border ministry coordinator for the Tres Rios Border Foundation in Tres Rios Presbytery. Schondelmeyer is pastor and head of staff at First Presbyterian Church of Davenport, Iowa, and moderator of the Presbytery of East Iowa.

More information can be found in this article from January (where the above sentence and photo came from). 

Watch Dr. Osamah Khalil's Remarks

If you missed the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship dinner at General Assembly on June 26, 2026, you can watch Dr. Osamah Khalil's thoughtful presentation on YouTube.

His remarks begin at approximately the 40-minute mark and offer insightful reflections on the challenges and opportunities facing the church's witness for peace and justice.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Declares Israel’s Assault on Gaza a Genocide, Urges Arms Embargo

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has voted overwhelmingly to recognize Israel’s war in Gaza as a genocide and to divest from Palantir Technologies and General Electric Aerospace over their ties to Israel’s military and intelligence services. A measure approved Tuesday by the General Assembly also calls on church members to boycott Israeli products and to lobby Congress for an arms embargo against Israel. This is the Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu Akel, a Palestinian American and former moderator of the Presbyterian Church who survived the 1948 “Nakba,” or mass displacement of Palestinians during Israel’s founding.

Rev. Fahed Abu Akel: “We have been silent on the destruction of most of the schools, universities, hospitals, mosques and churches — you know, one church was Orthodox, Catholic and also Baptist — all of which were done with our American-made weapons and dollars. Siblings in Christ, in the name of the living Christ, we cannot be silent on this matter any longer.”

Attention Ministers!

The new PCUSA Minister ID Cards are ready for distribution.

Here is how it is going to work ... insert suspenseful music here ... The cards will be mailed to the address I have on file. If there is no address on file, they will be mailed to churches when applicable. If there is no assigned church AND no address on file they don't get mailed and collect dust on my shelf until the next in-person presbytery meeting.

If you are unsure about which address we have on file, if we have an address on file, or if you know there isn't one, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT STATEDCLERK@CAYUGASYRACUSE.ORG BEFORE AUGUST 1. The cards will be mailed on August 1.

It is not the worst idea in the world to send me your current address and contact info anyway to make sure our records are up to date. 

Peace be with you!

Rev. Ben Fitzgerald-Fye 

Stated Clerk

Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse 

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 United Ministry of Aurora from the Assistant to the Lead Presbyter, the Rev. Mary Anderson.

The United Ministry of Aurora (UMA) worships in a beautiful English Gothic sanctuary built in 1860 by the Aurora Presbyterian congregation. The Presbyterians, first organized in 1811, replaced their original wooden church with the current brick and limestone structure designed by Joseph C. Wells and built by local master builder Samuel D. Mandell. Its stained glass windows -- some from Munich and others crafted in Buffalo -- were famously installed “by moonlight” the night before the church’s dedication.

In 1969, St. Paul’s Episcopal parish joined the Presbyterians, bringing three stained glass windows and three bells that now hang in the tower, forming a perfect chord with the original “G” bell.

Rev. Dr. Barbara Bloom, a UCC minister, has served UMA for six years. The congregation is an eclectic, open and embracing community of questioners, seekers and believers. UMA follows the teachings of Jesus, understanding that loving God means loving each other and all creation. The church is committed to service, addressing systemic injustice, and caring for the least fortunate in the community and beyond.

The 19th‑century sanctuary sits along Cayuga Lake, accompanied by a social hall, playground, labyrinth, chapel, and Memorial Garden -- spaces that reflect UMA’s longstanding commitment to hospitality. The Memorial Chapel of the Nativity, gifted in 1978, houses an antique Italian creche displayed each Christmas. The Memorial Garden, established in 2005, includes a labyrinth, columbarium, and amphitheater, with interment available to anyone.

UMA continues to value gathering in person, recognizing that shared presence -- seeing one another, laughing, and building community -- is central to its life together.

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.”

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...