Welcome to this week's edition of our e-letter, Presbytery Matters. | | | |
A Living Legacy of Light and Song: Honoring Lili McCormick
For decades, Lili McCormick was a dynamic and beloved member of the United Ministry of Aurora. Her life was a testament to faith, hospitality and joy. Last summer, at the age of 94, Lili passed peacefully after spending the day doing what she loved -- gardening at the church she served so faithfully.
As long as anyone can remember, Lili honored her cherished German tradition of a cappella carol singing during the Twelve Nights of Christmas. Each evening, she welcomed different friends and community members into her candlelit home. Together, they sang hymns from her lovingly handmade songbooks, surrounded by the soft glow of candles on her Christmas tree. The evenings always concluded with conversation, laughter and delicious, unique German cookies—another gift from Lili’s generous heart.
This year, the United Ministry of Aurora joyfully continued Lili’s tradition with a beautiful a cappella, candlelit Christmas sing held in the church Social Room. Voices rose together in harmony, light filled the space and the spirit of connection Lili cultivated so effortlessly was felt by all.
Through this tradition of song, light and welcome, Lili McCormick’s memory lives on. Her mission reminds us that faith is shared, love is passed forward and even one life can illuminate a community for generations.
Rev. Dr. Barb E. Blom
Minister, United Ministry of Aurora
| | |
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 keep Doug Russell, of Baldwinsville Presbyterian Church, in your prayers as he battles cancer. Pray for strength, healing, and peace for Doug and his loved ones during this difficult time.
-
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: Columbian, LaFayette; First, Liverpool; First, Marcellus; First, Mexico; Morrisville Community Church
| | |
A stated meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 on Zoom.
All requests for time on the docket and all supporting materials are due to the stated clerk by 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 11th. The stated clerk can be reached via email at statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org.
NO MATERIALS OR REQUESTS WILL BE HONORED AFTER THE DEADLINE!
Zoom registration information will be available with meeting materials.
| | From the Lead Presbyter for Transformation | | |
Dear Friends,
I am grateful to have Rev. Mary Anderson filling the role of Assistant to the Lead Presbyter. Mary’s job description describes her responsibilities. They are categorized into two sections:
Spiritual Leadership
1. Support the work of the Lead Presbyter for Transformation in regard to geographical pastor cluster groups and the development of church relationships, by participating in gatherings or visitation as needed.
2. Assist in elder, deacon and CRE training.
3. Provide new pastor orientation.
4. Visit pastors in hospital and in other times of need.
Administrative Leadership
1. Spearhead collaboration efforts as part of the merger process, within both the committee structure and other organic activities, by looking for and promoting opportunities, capturing data from events and updating the Lead Presbyter for Transformation.
2. Work with and assist Pastoral Nominating Committees in conjunction with Committee on Ministry (COM). Provide training to COM liaisons as required.
3. Attend presbytery committee meetings as appropriate.
4. Provide administrative support in regard to scheduling and oversight to move all programs and initiatives forward.
Mary is working part-time 25 hours a week.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Grace and Peace,
Greg
| |
Meet and welcome the Rev. Mary Anderson,
Assistant to the Lead Presbyter
I’ve been serving as an ordained pastor since 2003, and my pastoral journey began alongside my husband, Garrett, when we served together as co-pastors at Brick Presbyterian Church in Perry, New York.
Since 2011, I’ve been a member of the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery, and one of my most formative calls was as pastor of Weedsport Presbyterian Church, where I served until 2020.
I live in Liverpool with Garrett and our son, Sam, who’s a music education major at Syracuse University. Outside of ministry, I find deep joy and renewal in the outdoors. Hiking, kayaking, birdwatching, and gardening are among my favorite pastimes, and I resonate deeply with the quote: “Spending time in nature softens everything and brings us closer to God.” This certainly has been true in my life.
Along with my pastoral education, I also received training in Spiritual Direction and Retreat
Leadership during seminary through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Center for Spirituality. My M.Div. included a concentration in Spiritual Direction, which reflects my deep desire to walk alongside others as they listen for where God is moving in their lives.
I am excited to begin my new role as Assistant to the Lead Presbyter for Transformation. I
look forward to collaborating with Greg and working alongside the churches and work groups within our Presbyteries as we seek faithful and imaginative ways forward together.
I welcome your prayers as I learn, grow, and step into this new season of ministry. Thank you!
| | |
Steeple Coffee House Gets Ready to Shake Off the Winter Blues with Jess Novak!
The Steeple Coffee House at the United Church of Fayetteville begins the Winter/Spring Season on January 10th with Jess Novak, a new name to Steeple Coffee House.
Jess Novak is a formidable performer - a triple threat singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist who brings choice covers and soulful originals to every stage. With 14 original albums to date, Novak is a prolific writer and fierce instrumentalist. Come prepared for powerful vocals, shredding electric violin and songs that will stay stuck in your head. Having played shows from Vermont to Florida to California, Novak knows how to entertain any crowd.
And if that isn’t enough, Jess Novak is the organizer of the F.I.R.E. Festival (Females Inspire, Rock, Empower) and the author of Dare to Begin and The House Musician! For more, visit www.jessrocknovak.com
Where: Steeple Coffee House is in the United Church of Fayetteville at 310 E. Genesee St. in Fayetteville, NY. The venue is Accessible. Plenty of free parking behind the church with entries from E. Genesee St., Chapel St., and Walnut St.
When: Saturday, January 10th Show starts at 7:30 PM and runs until 9:30 PM. Doors open at 7:00 PM
Cost: Suggested donation is $15-20 (cash) and includes refreshments
| | |
How to contact our Lead Presbyter, the Rev Greg Garis
Email: leadpresbyter@cayugasyracuse.org
How to contact our Assistant to the Lead Presbyter, the Rev. Mary Anderson
Email: asst.presbyter@gmail.com
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 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
| | |
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.
| | Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | | |
World Communion of Reformed Churches calls for solidarity and justice amid Venezuela crisis
It is ‘a strategy for truth-telling, awareness and action’ says WCRC president
The World Communion of Reformed Churches strongly condemns the illegal act of aggression by the United States of America in Venezuela earlier on Saturday. It further expresses deep concern over the growing political, economic, and social pressures facing Venezuela, including the threat of occupation by the United States. It calls for an immediate end to military interventions and for international law to be respected by the United States.
Guided by the Accra Confession, which critiques systems of empire, domination, and exploitation, the WCRC emphasized that Venezuela’s crisis cannot be understood solely as a domestic political matter and calls for a consideration of the global implications of militarization in general and Saturday’s aggression in particular. The country’s vast oil reserves and strategic importance have made it a focal point in global power struggles, increasing the risk that coercion, manipulation, or military threats could be normalized as tools for reshaping sovereign states. Such actions are an affront to human dignity and a direct challenge to God’s justice.
The WCRC recalls the binding principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly Article 2(4), which states that nations must refrain from threats or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. Respect for these principles is essential for peace with justice.
Continue reading...
| | |
Liberating feminine wisdom from Christian patriarchy
Author and spiritual coach Angela J. Herrington stops by the ‘A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast’ virtual studio
It turns out that the proverbial old witch in the woods has much to teach the faithful about liberating feminine wisdom from Christian patriarchy.
Angela J. Herrington, a spiritual coach and author whose “Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods” was published in October, was the most recent guest on “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast.” Listen to her 62-minute conversation with hosts the Rev. Lee Catoe and Simon Doong here.
The majority of Christian theology is “rooted in this idea that the first woman broke the world by being disobedient, by being selfish and manipulative,” Herrington told the hosts. “That’s what we’re taught.”
In the Bible, the second main pillar is Mary, the mother of Jesus, “who is the exact opposite, we’re told, of Eve,” Herrington said. “Either we’re perfect or we break the world. We bounce back and forth between ‘I want to be good, but oh, I’m made bad.’”
Women are taught “that it’s very tempting to flip to the other side and be the evil woman, the manipulative woman, if it serves us,” she said. “We’re raised to be responsible not only for ourselves, but for all the people around us, without ever acknowledging that other people are responsible for themselves.” That can leave women “depleted and edgy and spiritually can be just devastating.”
Continue reading...
| | As part of their Epiphany traditions, many Presbyterians choose "star words" to guide their spiritual lives throughout the coming year. What is your star word for 2026? | |
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
| | | | |
