Welcome to this week's edition of our e-letter, Presbytery Matters. | | | |
Syracuse Memory Cafe – A Caring Ministry of Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church
Where people with memory changes can go to have a cup of coffee, laugh, meet new friends and not have to explain anything
The Syracuse Memory Cafe was started from a desire to help individuals with memory changes and their caregivers as they navigate the challenges associated with dementia. At that time Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church had a number of members with Alzheimer’s disease and wanted to do something to help them and others in the community living with dementia.
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It's not a specific disease, but rather a group of symptoms caused by various brain diseases. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Symptoms can include memory loss, difficulty with language and problem-solving, and changes in mood and behavior.
What is a memory cafe?
A Memory Cafe is a social gathering for people living with memory loss, dementia, or cognitive changes, and their caregivers or family members. These cafes provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for socialization, friendship and community.
Where did memory cafes start?
Memory Cafes originated in the Netherlands. Dr. Bere Miesen, a Dutch psychiatrist, is credited with establishing the first Memory Cafe, or Alzheimer's Cafe, in 1997. The aim was to create a welcoming space for individuals with dementia and their caregivers to socialize, reduce stigma, and provide support. The concept later spread to other European countries and eventually to the United States.
What happens at the Syracuse Memory Cafe?
Pebble Hill's first cafe was held on January 11, 2017 with eight guests. Almost nine years later our cafes draw 30+ guests, and we measure our success by smiles and laughter. Each cafe begins with guests enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. When everyone is settled in we kick the cafe off with a welcome and announcements and then sing to people celebrating a birthday or anniversary during that month. There is always a joke followed by a riddle and poem, an ice breaker, and then everyone joins in singing a few well known songs. We then transition to some type of activity or entertainment. Examples include chair yoga or tai chi, musical performances by Salt City Ukulele, A Brass Act (trombone quartet) and Harp and Soul, a magician, flower arranging, our annual picnic and Halloween bingo. The morning is topped off with a delicious lunch and time for people to sit and talk. Each cafe runs from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the second Wednesday of each month and there is no charge for people to attend.
"Thanks to the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery Benevolent Care Grant we were able to offer our guests four outings in 2025. In July we went to Pete’s Polar Parlor for ice cream and listened to Salt City Ukulele. In August we went to a Syracuse Mets game and in September we took the group to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Our last outing of the year will be a movie at the Manlius Cinema on November 20th."
| | Listening to Our Neighbors: Stories of Strength and Hope | | |
More than 35 people gathered at the United Ministry of Aurora to hear the powerful stories of two immigrant farm workers who are part of our local community.
One of the speakers shared about her family’s experience following the Cato immigration raid. Her aunt was detained, and she now cares for her three young cousins, all of whom attend Southern Cayuga Schools. As their family faces court proceedings in hopes of keeping their mother in the country, the community continues to surround them with care and support.
These are good neighbors and hardworking people who pay taxes, support local businesses and contribute to the vitality of our towns. They came here seeking safety from violence in their home countries and a better future for their children.
A recording of the conversation is available for those who would like to listen and learn more. To access the recording or find ways you can help, please email revbarbe@gmail.com.
| |
|
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!
| | Joys and Concerns around the Presbytery | | |
In our prayers together this week:
- 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: Northminster, North Syracuse; Onondaga Hill; Faith United Church of Oswego; Presbyterian Church of Otisco; New Hope, Parish
| | |
2026 Estimated Per Capita Amounts
If you would like to know what your estimated Per Capita bill will be for 2026, Please contact the bookkeeper Kristin Schierer (finance@cayugasyracuse.org), and she’ll be happy to let you know.
| | During the recent Korea Peace Journey sponsored by the Presbyterian Peace Network for Korea, Linda Russell visited the headquarters of Okedongmu Children in Korea (OKCK), an NGO dedicated to preparing a peaceful future for the children of North and South Korea. OKCK has been granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2008 and is currently holding an exhibition at the UN in NYC. Titled “Drawing Hope: Children’s Art for Peace”, the exhibit features artwork inspired by the 1998 project “Hello, My Friend!”, which connected children from South Korea with children in North Korea during cross-border visits. More information here. | | |
InterFaith Works Announces New President/CEO
Chris Foley appointed to
succeed Beth A. Broadway
Linda Ervin, Chair, and the Board of Directors are pleased to announce the selection of Chris Foley as the new President/CEO of InterFaith Works. He will begin his new position on Monday, November 10, 2025. Foley brings impressive experience to the job, having dedicated more than 20 years to advancing community well-being through international development and grassroots service. Foley stated, “At the heart of each role has been the same purpose that guides InterFaith Works: mobilizing resources, building partnerships, and ensuring that vulnerable populations have the support needed to thrive.”
Foley spent the last 17 years working for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) before the agency closed in July 2025. Most recently, he served as Deputy Mission Director in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His previous USAID roles include Director of Partnerships for the Power Africa program (Washington, D.C.); Director of Program Resource Management for Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Pacific Islands, and Mongolia; and Project Development Officer in Zambia. Earlier, he served as Program Officer in Afghanistan, Brazil, and the United States. Before joining USAID, Foley served as a Career Field Consultant and Assistant Director of Career Services for James Madison College at Michigan State University, as well as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay and the Dominican Republic, and Peace Corps Campus Recruiter for the US.
Foley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Richmond and a Master of Science in Resource Development from Michigan State University. A resident of the Syracuse area, Foley is committed to investing his energy into strengthening equity, dialogue, and community resilience in Central New York as he steps into his new role.
Foley’s appointment follows the retirement of Beth A. Broadway on October 31, 2025, whose involvement in InterFaith Works spans thirty years, the last 15 of which have been as President/CEO. Reflecting on Foley’s appointment, Broadway stated, “Chris’ breadth of experience as a team leader, community builder, and project manager gives him the management skills we need. His diplomacy, international communications, and humbleness give him the relational skills needed to be President of IFW. His sincere interest in our Capacity Growth Campaign, his understanding of what it has taken to grow the agency, and what it has meant to lose the refugee program, are extraordinary. I am confident that Chris’ leadership and vision will ensure the agency’s continued growth and impact for many years to come.
| | Focus and Coordination Team | | |
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
| | The Bible Study Experiment Continues | | |
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. 3rd, 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
| | |
Steeple Coffee House presents Ashley Cox!
Music with a Mission
United Church of Fayetteville
Saturday, November 22, 2025
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
$15 cash at the door
Includes concert, dessert & coffee or tea
Supports outreach programs
www.theucf.org
Accessible!
Ashley Cox is a seasoned musician hailing from Syracuse, New York. With five recordings under her belt, she's a versatile artist who plays keyboards, guitar, and sings from her heart. Over the past 20 years, Ashley has been a vibrant presence in the Central New York music scene, earning two SAMMYS ( Syracuse Area Music Awards) along the way. She’s very active in the Silver Arrow band, and Alt Rock duo Professional Victims (with husband Shawn Sullivan). She can be seen performing a handful of solo shows each month as well, now that she recently left her day job to pursue music full time again. Whether on stage or in the studio, her passion for music shines through in every performance.
| | |
Amboy Belle Isle United Church
(6190-92 Airport Road, Syracuse, NY 13209)
will be having their annual
Christmas Bazaar
{NO Luncheon this year}
Bake Sale, crafts, Basket Raffle and more
Saturday, November 22nd
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
| | |
CNY Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition presents:
Welcoming the Stranger
What Our Faith Traditions Teach and Call Us to Do
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
May Memorial Unitarian Society
3800 E. Genesee St.
Syracuse, NY 13214
Speakers from Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions will present perspectives with brief time for comments and questions about how we respond, especially during this troubled time. Tabling by groups involved will present concrete opportunities for involvement. All are most welcome!
| | GIFT OF BLESSINGS: The First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango's blessing box had many visitors last week, with people both giving and taking what they need. Shout-out to Pete O. for his donation of the wood and construction of the box, missions committee for the paint, and Todd & Deb R for doing the finishing work, painting, and signage. 1 Peter 4:10 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.” | | |
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.
| | |
Veterans Day is a time to pause and honor all the men and women who have served our nation with courage and sacrifice. Your service reflects the words of John 15:13:
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
We are deeply grateful for your dedication and for the freedoms we enjoy because of it -- yesterday, today and tomorrow.
May God bless our veterans and their families with peace, strength and joy. Thank you for your service.
| | Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | | Last week the Rev. Dr. Derrick McQueen led participants in the Synod of the Covenant’s Equipping Preachers series in a master class on preaching from the perspective of a biblical character. Read more about the webinar here. | |
Small churches, big impact
The Presbyterian Giving
Catalog empowers mission in congregations of all sizes
What difference does a church of 50 members make? A big one, it turns out.
At its November meeting, the session of Villisca Presbyterian Church in Iowa found themselves asking a familiar question: Why do small churches feel like they’re too small to make a difference?
“We’ve always had the attitude of ‘whatever we have, we can share,’” said the Rev. Sandy Wainwright Rossander, pastor of Villisca Presbyterian Church. “A small gift is just as significant as a large one.”
Rossander, who once served as moderator of the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley, has seen firsthand how many congregations underestimate their ability to make an impact. But for her and the Villisca church, located in a town of just 1,500 people, smallness has never been a limitation.
“Even in our smallness, we can still make a difference in the mission of the church,” she said. That conviction has become central to the church’s identity.
For more than 10 years, churches, mid councils and individuals have been turning to the Presbyterian Giving Catalog — available in English both in print and online — as a tangible way to provide real and positive impact around the world.
But this congregation in Villisca, Iowa, had generosity in their hearts before the catalog was in their hands.
Continued reading...
| | |
It takes courage to change
The Rev. Jihyun Oh shares her thinking with mid council leaders
Speaking on “Changes, Curiosity and Councils” on Monday, the Rev. Jihyun Oh told mid council leaders she suspects they’ve been addressing those realities as much as she has over the past year or so.
“You are stewarding and midwifing change too, as the church seeks to be faithful to the changes we are experiencing almost daily,” the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Executive Director of the Unified Agency told those gathered online and at the Presbyterian Center for the Mid Council Leaders Gathering, which continues through Wednesday. Oh named a few of those changes: society undergoing deep polarization, the rise of white Christian nationalism, the worsening climate crisis, and increasing marginalization.
“We need to shift because … things can no longer being assumed,” she said, and the PC(USA), through its unification process, must “get to a place where we are structured for the 1-million member denomination we are and not the 3.5-million member denomination we once were.”
Continue reading...
| |
P.O. Box 438, Syracuse 13214
(315) 632-5698
| |
"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
| | | | |
