Scoop for a Cause: Sweet Success for King Ferry Food Pantry

The Scoop for a Cause Ice Cream Social was a heartwarming hit!

During the event the kids took the lead by scooping, serving and collecting donations. The event brought together community members of all ages in support of the King Ferry Food Pantry.

The result? Over $700 raised and countless smiles shared.

After their hard work, the kids celebrated in true summer style, running off to enjoy yard games and laughter-filled fun.

A sweet day with an even sweeter purpose!

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 keep all the kids returning to school or starting school for the first time in your prayers.
• Please keep Camille Bach (Whitelaw Presbyterian) in your prayers during her breast cancer treatment and her recent move to Florida.
• Please pray for 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. 
• 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

Loving God, we lift up our prayers today for yet another community that now knows the brutal impact of gun violence. We pray for the lives that have been lost, those who have been injured, and the families that will be forever changed. As we remember those impacted, we renew our commitment to build safer communities for every beloved child of God. Gun Violence Prevention & Response

We're Hiring: Assistant to Lead Presbyter for Transformation

The presbyteries of Cayuga Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley are seeking an individual to support the work of the Lead Presbyter as the two presbyteries begin their collaboration efforts in a merger process. They will work with the Lead Presbyter in spearheading these efforts between the two presbyteries, be capable of working with and assisting Pastor Nominating Committees in conjunction with the COM’s and develop and assist in elder, deacon and CRE training.

Qualities needed include a strong commitment to the vision of the presbyteries as they move forward, an independent thinker but also a team player, familiarity with the structures and committees of a presbytery, a clear communicator and a faithful disciple to the teachings of the good news of the gospel.

The successful candidate will be either a Teaching or Ruling Elder in the PCUSA. The position is 25 hours per week.

Read Job Description

Interested persons should forward their resume, cover letter and references to ldaboll1929@gmail.com.

Professor Dr. Osamah F. Khalil presented "Palestine-GAZA & West Bank History & Update" on Monday, August 25th at Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church. Khalil's presentation was livestreamed on YouTube. You can watch it here. You can view his PowerPoint presentation here.

The event was sponsored by the Joint Justice in Ministry and Mission Teams of Cayuga-Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley Presbyteries

Dr. Osamah Khalil is a Professor of History at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, chairing the International Relations Undergraduate Program. And Senior research Associate, Middle Eastern Studies Program.

Khalil is a historian of U.S. foreign relations and the modern Middle East. He is the author of "America’s Dream Palace: Middle East Expertise and the Rise of the National Security State" (Harvard University Press, 2016), which examines the influence of U.S. foreign policy on the origins and expansion of Middle East studies and expertise from World War I to the Global War on Terror. It was reviewed widely, including in the London Review of Books, Al Ahram, Publishers Weekly, the CIA’s Studies in Intelligence, Commonweal, and was named by Foreign Affairs as a Best Book of 2017.

He has also been a frequent media commentator and contributor, including for the Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Hill, Al Akhbar, and Al Jazeera. He teaches courses on the history of U.S. foreign relations, the Cold War, the history of international relations, America and the Middle East, and the Vietnam War and popular culture. In 2018, he received the Chancellor’s Citation for Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction.

KEEP WATCH FOR THE UPCOMING PRESENTATION ON RACISM

Program Director Rev. Ashley Detar-Birt from the Center for Jubilee Practice will be our presenter.

The Rev Ashley Detar-Birt, Program Director from the Center for Jubilee Practice, will be offering a presentation at our next Presbytery Meeting on September 17th. The presentation will be entitled: "What could Jubilee look like today?"

DeTar-Birt is the Program Manager for New York Unitarian Universalist Justice and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She obtained her Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, an MA in Theater Arts from the University of Pittsburgh, and a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University. During her time at Union Theological Seminary, she received the Malcolm Boyd Veritas Award which recognizes promise for the work of social justice on behalf of the LGBTQ community. She currently serves on ACQ+E (the LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Committee) and has previously served on the Racial Equity Advocacy Committee and the Disparities Experienced by Black Women and Girls Task Force for the PC(USA). An outspoken advocate for youth ministry and social justice, Ashley is a former Co-Moderator of the Board of Directors for More Light Presbyterians and has written for the NEXT Church blog, Believe Out Loud, Illustrated Ministries, and more. She lives in the Bronx, NY with her wife, Rev. Emily DeTar Birt, on Munsee Lenape land.

This presentation is organized by the Social Justice Committee.

The Presbytery has bulk ordered 2025-2026 Presbyterian Planning Calendars to get a reduced cost. The cost is $12.50 per calendar.    

Please note that the planning calendars have a new orientation: The calendar grid is now vertical instead of horizontal and will span across two pages for double the writing space for personal dates and notes. We have ordered 55 calendars, and they will be available on a first come, first served basis. Order Form: https://forms.gle/RB8XpA9Ft88bTcbz9

Questions can be directed to Kristin Schierer, Presbytery Bookkeeper at finance@cayugasyracuse.org.

Register in advance for this meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

A number of the churches in Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery are without a pastor; and some of them have been without a pastor for quite a while. Some churches may have a supply pastor or a pastor that has a limited schedule. One of the issues of concern for these churches is that Bible Study may not happen when there isn’t a pastor.

First United Church of Fulton is one of those churches. They are undertaking a ‘test project’ to hopefully solve this issue for the Fulton Church and others in similar circumstances. Gail Banks, Certified Lay Pastor, retired has agreed to do a four week Bible Study beginning October, 8 at 7pm,via ZOOM entitled HEAR JESUS’S WORDS.

Before Retirement, Gail served Amboy-Belle Isle Church. She held weekly Bible Studies for that congregation. Also, she led several retreats for the women of Morrisville Community Church. In 2006 she served as Moderator of Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery.

Throughout the years, Gail also preached at many churches as Pulpit Supply. If you as an individual or part of a church group are interested in taking part in this ‘experiment,’ or want more information, please contact Rita Hooper, 315-706-3564, twohoops2@gmail.com

It is hoped that if this experiment works we can continue it on into the future!



BETTER TOGETHER!

The end of August and beginning of September mark the start of the school year. Around the country, children, young adults, and teachers are returning to the rhythms of learning and play. As they do, adults have homework to do, and our churches have an opportunity to promote child safety in our communities by joining in Be SMART week 2025.

In 2020, firearms overtook car accidents and cancer to become the leading cause of death for children in the United States. It has remained the leading cause of child mortality since. The circumstances in which children are harmed or killed by firearms vary. Each year, hundreds of children in the United States gain access to loaded guns that are left unsecured in closets and nightstand drawers, in backpacks and purses, or just left out in the open. Tragically, naturally inquisitive children often pick up these unsecured guns and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else.

Learn More...

A Call to U.S. Churches to Confess Our Collective Role in the Genocide of Palestinians

• To prayerfully reflect on the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people;
• To confess our complicity in providing the moral, political, and financial capital without which the genocide could not take place; and
• To correct our ways — taking concrete steps together to stop the genocide.

Brief Theological Foundation

Palestinian Christian siblings implore us to open our eyes to their suffering. They, along with their non-Christian neighbors, are suffering unimaginable devastation in the most widely-broadcast genocide in world history. Many U.S. Christians are becoming aware of our complicity in the United States’ support of these killing fields of Gaza and our need for repentance.

The painful theological reality of these times is that each time we partake of the body and blood of Christ, we are partaking in an “unworthy manner” because of this complicity. We are reminded continually that we belong to the larger Body of Christ, a “world communion,” and that our faith, beliefs, language, and in our case, tax dollars have consequences. Our silence, as well, has consequences.

World Communion Sunday — October 5, 2025 — provides many U.S. churches a grace-filled opportunity for U.S. Christians to “examine” ourselves as we prepare our hearts, minds, and lives to share in this global remembrance. This confessional preparation is appropriate for all churches who observe the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist, Holy Communion).

Invitation to Congregations

1.     Use the week before, in a manner that works for each, to prepare their hearts and minds for communion: to pray, to study, to confess, and/or to take an action that represents repentance.

2.     In the World Communion Sunday worship service to use a prayer of confession, other prayers, a litany, a sermon, or some other liturgical means that expresses our own and the church’s confession of complicity in the killing and a call to action.

3.     And/or do some activity after the service that invites members to become more educated on the issues and engage in advocacy.

Hymnals Available

Westminster (Auburn) has multiple copies of the The Worshipbook (1972, hymns and liturgy) available to give away to any church, senior living center, organization who might want them.

Please contact office@westminsterauburn.org if you’re interested.

Learn More & Read Biographies

First Presbyterian Church Mexico Seeks Supply Leadership

An Important Message from the First Presbyterian Church Mexico:

Mexico First has joined the many congregations within our Presbytery who are in

transition. We know it is summertime as well and many are taking vacations during this

time.

We are seeking someone who could commit to at least one Sunday per month ongoing.

Any persons should contact Elder Susan Silliman Smith by text at 315-591-4623 or

email at august13sss@gmail.com. Text response is preferred. If responding by email, please put Supply Preaching in subject line.

Professional Development

July is a great time to evaluate, refresh, and prepare for the programmatic year ahead. Some of our favorite recorded picks to help you get the resources you need are:

Recorded Webinars: Ready to go whenever you have time! Pro tip- pop in an earbud, bring it up on your phone, and listen while you

• Out of the Pew and Into The Community
• Helping Newcomers Connect
• Talking With Kids About Injustices
• Leading Faithful Innovation
• Practical Practices for Faith in Families
• Legal and Tax Considerations for Space Sharing Agreements
• Building Collaboartive Teams for an Adaptive Church
• Know Your Rights 2.0: Welcoming the Refugee and Keeping Church Safe
• Get Set: Start the Program Year Strong

Mandatory New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Webinars

You can take this training any time during the year

charlaine@prcli.org

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

2:30 – 4 PM EST

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.

Helping worshipers who are neurodivergent feel right at home

‘Around the Table’ podcast welcomes the Rev. Dr. Michelle Junkin of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City

For the Rev. Dr. Michelle Junkin, the most recent guest on the Around the Table podcast, welcoming neurodiverse children to worship and helping families to feel like they belong in church “is learning how your church can walk alongside and unlock a world of sensory-friendly support within your own ministry.”

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Junkin, pastor of spiritual formation at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City and the co-director of Big Faith Resources, was hosted on Around the Table this week by the Rev. Michelle Thomas-Bush, associate pastor for youth and their families at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Rev. Cliff Haddox, pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Dayton, Ohio. Listen to their 44-minute conversation here.

Big Faith Resources began in the fall of 2024 after receiving a $1.2 million grant to empower churches to support neurodiverse children and their families with innovative resources for worship and Christian education. It’s based at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Continue reading...

Through a Lens: Presbyterian higher education

Archival photos of Presbyterian-affiliated seminaries highlighted for Special Emphases Day

Presbyterian-founded colleges, universities, seminaries and other such institutions for higher learning abound across the nation, and across the past. These photos from the Presbyterian Historical Society's Higher education digital collection (which consists of more than 500 items!) offer a peak into the hallowed halls of a handful of seminaries across the globe.

Union Theological Seminary in New York is the oldest independent seminary in the country. Founded in 1836 by nine members of the Presbyterian Church in the USA (PCUSA), the institution is open to students of all denominations and has seen several prominent thinkers graduate from amongst its numbers. It was in 1893 that the university became fully independent, as it rescinded the right of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church to veto faculty appointments. It houses one of the largest theological libraries in the world — Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary.



On a mid-October afternoon in 1949, the Rev. Clifford E. Barbour paid a visit to the New York campus and spoke to a group of students and faculty gathered in the Social Hall. Months earlier, in May 1949, Barbour was elected as Moderator of the 161st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the US (PCUS). He was the pastor of Second Presbyterian Church of Knoxville, Tennessee, where he served for more than 20 years.

Continue reading...

Sometimes life doesn't make sense. The path seems unclear, the answers feel out of reach, and our plans fall apart. But this verse reminds us: God sees the whole picture.

Let go of the need to figure it all out. Trust Him fully with your heart, not just your mind.