October 8, 2026

Welcome to this week's edition of our e-letter, Presbytery Matters.

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Joint Presbytery Gathering – Music & Mission

The Presbyteries of Cayuga‑Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley invite you to a special joint gathering focused on Music and Mission.

📅 Date: Saturday, October 17

🕥 Time: 10:30 am – 2:30 pm

📍 Location: Nineveh Presbyterian Church

2997 State Route 7

Nineveh, NY

Come hear inspiring music, enjoy mission snapshots from congregations across both presbyteries, and celebrate the creative ways our churches are serving their communities.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn, and be encouraged by the ministries happening all around us as we grow together and imagine what God may be calling us to become as one new presbytery in the future.

There will also be a dedicated time to share the emerging vision for ministry that will guide our next steps.

RSVP by October 12, 2026

Please share our flyer with your congregation:

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Mission Stories

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.

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Joys and Concerns around the Presbytery

In our prayers together this week:

Please pray for Rev. James Junior Korantang as he continues his journey in ministry, that God would guide, strengthen, and encourage him with wisdom, compassion, and joy. Please also pray for the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Baldwinsville, that they may journey alongside James with grace, faith, and unity as they grow together in Christ’s service
Jerry Armstrong (Whitelaw Presbyterian) Jerry is a teenager with recurrent bone cancer. 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.
Please pray for 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.
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 Cuba.
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: Port Byron Federated; First, Scipioville; Sennett Federated Church; First, Skaneateles

Celebrating Our Clergy This October

October is Clergy Appreciation Month, and we’re taking time to celebrate the dedicated, hardworking, and inspiring clergy who faithfully serve throughout the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery!

Our pastors give so much of themselves to their congregations and communities by offering guidance, encouragement, compassion, leadership and a steady presence through all of life’s seasons. This month is a wonderful opportunity to let them know just how much they are appreciated and valued.

How are you celebrating your pastor this October? We’d love to celebrate with you!

Send us your photos, stories and information about how your congregation is recognizing your clergy to caysyrnews@gmail.com so we can join in the celebration and praise.

Let’s make October a special month of gratitude for the wonderful clergy who serve among us!

Stated Meeting - Anti-Racism Training

Gathering for Restorative Practices: Listening, Learning, and Growing Together

Following the Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Whitelaw Presbyterian Church and via Zoom, members gathered for a 90-minute workshop led by the Rev. Ashley DeTar Birt of the Center for Jubilee Practice.

Ashley guided the group in a thoughtful conversation about restorative practices and how the church can acknowledge and respond to harm, both from our history and in the present day. The workshop offered an opportunity to listen deeply, learn together, and consider how restorative practices can shape the life and ministry of the church.

We are grateful to the Social Justice Committee for organizing this meaningful opportunity for members of the Presbytery to engage in learning and conversation together.

The workshop was recorded and is available for members of the Presbytery to view here.

Please note: This training video is being shared for internal training and educational purposes. Please do not share or distribute the video beyond the Presbytery without prior permission.

Halloween Bible Study

An Invitation from the Rev. Ben Fitzgerald-Fye, pastor of Scipioville Presbyterian and your Spooky Stated Clerk

I love horror movies!

Not just because I enjoy being scared -- although I do -- but because good horror has a way of bringing us face-to-face with things we would often rather avoid. The unknown. The thing we cannot see. The person we are afraid of. The darkness itself.

The Bible knows those fears too.

For four Thursday evenings, I’m opening our regular online Bible study to anyone who would like to join us for The Things That Scare Us, a special Halloween-season exploration of some wonderfully strange, difficult, and surprisingly timely biblical texts.

We’ll encounter Saul desperately seeking answers from the dead when God seems silent. We’ll descend into the depths with Job and the terrifying Leviathan. We’ll stand beside Ananias as God sends him directly toward a man he has every reason to fear. And finally, we’ll sit with Psalm 88—one of the darkest prayers in Scripture—before hearing John proclaim that the light still shines in the darkness.

I sometimes describe my Christian vocation through one of my favorite verses of Scripture: “Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” — Romans 13:12

But putting on the armor of light does not require us to pretend the darkness isn't real.

Perhaps it requires the opposite.

Perhaps faith gives us enough courage to look honestly at the things that frighten us -- not because Christians have an easy answer for every fear, but because we trust that there is nowhere we can go, nothing we can encounter, and no darkness we can name that lies beyond the presence of God.

You don't need to be a horror fan. You don't need to know much about the Bible. You don't need to belong to our church or any church. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and perhaps a willingness to be a little unsettled.

Thursdays at 7:00 PM on Zoom

Began on September 24 and continues through October 15

October 8 — The Other

Psalm 27:1–6, 11–14 & Acts 9:10–19

October 15 — The Darkness

Psalm 88 & John 1:1–5

Registration is free and open to everyone. Register once and you'll receive the Zoom information for the series:

All who DARE are welcome.

— Rev. Ben Fitzgerald-Fye

Pastor of Scipioville Presbyterian and your Spooky Stated Clerk

Benevolent Care Grants

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:

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.
A financial need must be clearly stated. i.e., sample budget
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, 2026

Please email the completed Application Form to: Lynn Jacques at lmjacques@verizon.net

Save the Date

Retiree Luncheon

You’re cordially invited to the Retiree Luncheon hosted by the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse/Susquehanna Valley and the Board of Pensions of the PC(USA).

The event will feature an informational session on the latest Board updates pertinent to retired members, followed by lunch fellowship and an opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues.

📅 Date: Friday, October 30, 2026

🕥 Time: 10:30 am

📍 Location: United Presbyterian Church of Cortland

25 Church Street

Cortland NY 13045

Some of the topics to be discussed during the informational session, led by our regional Church Consultant Rev. Luke Choi, includes the new Post-Retirement Medical Plan, related resources & educational opportunities, transition, and Assistance Program.

Please kindly confirm by replying to Luke Choi (LChoi@pensions.org) with your full name (and your spouse’s name if attending), phone number, and home address. We hope you can join us for this meaningful time together.

For more questions, please email Luke Choi or Greg Garis, Lead Presbyter.

Survey

The Thoughtful Christian is exploring new resources to support lay pastors and preachers in preaching, worship, and congregational leadership. Help us understand what training may be missing, what challenges arise in ministry, and what resources would be most useful.

Whether you’re a lay preacher, pastor, educator, or denominational leader, your perspective matters. Take their short survey and help shape what comes next.

Attention Pastors

Are you receiving our Pastors' Connection email?

This special email goes out a few times each month with important information specifically for pastors, including, and most importantly, luncheon invitations!

You won’t want to miss these updates and opportunities to connect with fellow pastors across the Presbytery.

Not receiving Pastors' Connection? Please let us know by emailing caysyrnews@gmail.com so we can make sure you’re added to the mailing list.

We look forward to staying connected with you!

The Johnson Amendment

A GUIDE FOR CHURCH LEADERS

THE JOHNSON AMENDMENT

What your congregation can - and cannot - do during the 2026 election season

THE BOTTOM LINE: The Johnson Amendment remains in federal law for the November 3, 2026 election. The 2025 proposed settlement did not take effect, and the Fifth Circuit has not ruled on the pending appeal. Churches may speak boldly on public issues, but a 501(c)(3) congregation may not support or oppose a candidate for public office.

Shared Merger Coordinator

Cayuga‑Syracuse Presbytery & Susquehanna Valley Presbytery (Upstate and Catskill Region of New York State)

Contract Position – One Year (with possibility of extension)

Purpose of the Position

The Shared Merger Coordinator supports two neighboring Presbyteries as they develop and implement a plan for formal merger. This role focuses on the detailed, practical, relational, and communication work required to bring Cayuga‑Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley Presbyteries together in a way that strengthens their shared ministry. The Coordinator will help guide the formation of one new presbytery -- honoring each presbytery’s history while cultivating a new, shared identity and a faithful witness to God’s reign in this region.

Accountability

The Merger Coordinator is accountable to the Lead Presbyter for staff oversight. They will also work closely with both presbyteries’ governing bodies in collaboration with the Focus and Coordination Team and the HR/Personnel Committee. A monthly summary of work will be submitted to the Focus and Coordination Team.

Key Responsibilities

Overall Coordination

Develop and manage a comprehensive merger schedule that guides expectations, timelines, and committee work.
Support Presbyteries,and leadership as they move toward a unified structure and shared mission.
Work collaboratively with the Lead Presbyter, Assistant to the Lead Presbyter, Synod leadership, and Presbytery committees.

Manage the Four Dimensions of the Merger

1. Relational Merger

Support the Focus and Coordination Team in creating opportunities for leaders and committees, to build deeper connections.
Encourage shared identity formation and collaborative ministry.

2. Fiscal Merger

Work with treasurers and accounting staff to assess both Presbyteries’ financial status.
Facilitate the merging of financial records, policies, and procedures.
Ensure clarity, transparency, and accuracy throughout the process.

3. Ecclesiastical Merger

Collaborate with the Lead Presbyter and Stated Clerks.
Coordinate with the Synod and the PC(USA) General Assembly Administrative Commission on Mid Councils.
Support committees in meeting target approval dates:
Initial approval: 2027 Synod Assembly
Final approval: Quarterly meeting of the Administrative Commission on Mid Councils by end of 2027

4. Legal Merger

Work with Presbytery attorneys to merge the two legal corporations in accordance with New York State law.
Ensure compliance with all required filings, documentation, and legal processes.

Skills & Qualifications

The successful candidate will:

Be a self‑starter who works well with others and provides structure, clarity, and direction during transition.
Collaborate effectively with the Lead Presbyter, Stated Clerks, Moderators, Councils, and Committees of both Presbyteries.
Bring a pastoral approach to problem‑solving, with sensitivity to diverse theological perspectives and cultural backgrounds.
Manage multiple tasks simultaneously and maintain focus across several merger components.
Be familiar with Presbyterian polity, including the Book of Order and presbytery governing documents.
Understand financial and legal processes, working comfortably with treasurers, accountants, and attorneys.
Maintain awareness of timelines and keep the merger process moving forward.

Terms & Compensation

This is a contract position for a one‑year term, with the possibility of extension following a comprehensive review.
Compensation is commensurate with experience.
Travel and professional allowances will be provided.

Apply To:

Send resume and cover letter to asst.presbyter@gmail.com

Grant

APPLICATION DEADLINE TODAY!

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 October 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.”

Training

Communion Training Opportunity for Two Presbyteries – Saturday, October 24

Ruling Elders from Cayuga‑Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley Presbyteries are invited to a joint Communion Training course led by Rev. Allen Presby, a beloved retired pastor from Susquehanna Valley known for his gentle teaching style and deep love for the sacrament.

The training will take place on Saturday, October 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at

United Presbyterian Church of East Guilford 2699 County Rd 35, Bainbridge, NY 13733. Participants will share pizza for lunch, and a good‑will offering will be available for those who wish to contribute toward the meal.

PLEASE REGISTER HERE

This course will cover the theology of communion, practical guidance for serving, and space for questions and conversation. Ruling Elders who complete training and are endorsed by their sessions -- and then commissioned by their presbyteries -- are authorized to preside at communion within their own congregations.

This gathering offers a wonderful opportunity for Ruling Elders from both presbyteries to learn, connect, and deepen their understanding of communion.

Around the Presbytery

Northminster Presbyterian Church has several copies of the Worshiping Hymnal. They would love to give them to another church.

If you are interested, please contact Irene Allman at (315) 458-0393 or at npc7444@nmpres.org to make arrangements to pick them up.

Wednesday Bible Study in Auburn

This October, the Rev. Dr. Shavonn Lynch will lead a Wednesday Bible study based on her dissertation, exploring the lives and stories of four unnamed women of the Bible.

The study will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Auburn and is open to the public.

Bring your lunch or coffee and join the conversation. Those interested in participating are invited to email Pastor Lynch at Pastorfpcsouthst@outlook.com.

Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Northeast

From October 2-4, the Rev. Dr. Shavonn Lynch of First Presbyterian Church of Auburn, Rita Hooper of First United of Fulton, and Susan Silliman Smith of First Presbyterian Church of Mexico attended the Triennial/Annual Meeting of Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Northeast (PWSNE) at Singing Hills Christian Camp in Plainfield, New Hampshire.

The theme for the weekend was “Growing in Love with Presbyterian Women,” based on 1 Corinthians 16:13-14: “Keep alert; stand firm in your faith. Be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

The weekend provided opportunities for fellowship, learning, worship and fun. Participants learned about Freedom Farm, heard from Presbyterian Women staff in Louisville via Zoom, and learned about a mission project called Baby Boxes. There was also time to explore the beautiful campgrounds and participate in arts and crafts, yoga, and a campfire on Saturday evening.

The gathering also included information about USA Mission Experience trips attended by delegates from the Synod. On Sunday, participants gathered for a meaningful worship service with Communion, followed by the installation of the new Presbyterian Women officers.

The weekend offered a wonderful opportunity for Presbyterian women to connect, learn, worship and grow together in faith. The hope is that this brief glimpse of the gathering will encourage women in congregations throughout the Presbytery to learn more about Presbyterian Women and perhaps experience one of these gatherings for themselves.

Around the Synod

Grant Opportunities Open for Churches and Ministries to Invest in Young Leaders

The Synod of the Northeast is inviting churches and ministries to apply for two grants that invest in the faith, gifts, and leadership of young people. The application period for the Campus Ministry Grant and the Youth and Young Adult Leadership Development Grant is now open and closes December 5, 2026.

Young people are gifted and essential leaders in the church and the world today. That conviction guides the Synod’s investment in ministries where students find belonging, explore faith, build relationships, serve their neighbors, and help shape the future of the church.

The Campus Ministry Grant, with awards of up to $3,500, supports new and continuing ministries serving students and campus communities. Applicants will be asked to describe their ministry’s connection to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its presbytery, share what students are experiencing through the ministry, and explain what Synod funding will make possible.

The Youth and Young Adult Leadership Development Grant, with requests of up to $7,500, supports initiatives that equip young people to lead. The Synod welcomes proposals that take their ideas seriously and give them meaningful roles in planning, making decisions, creating, serving, and evaluating the work. Applicants will be asked to explain how youth or young adults helped shape the initiative, how they will share in its leadership, and what they hope will change as a result.

Applicants are required to share relevant stories and supporting materials such as photos and/or videos of your ministry and/or photos that show the impact of your ministry

Applications may be downloaded in English, Spanish, or Korean through the Synod’s website https://synodne.org/grants/ to help applicants review the questions and prepare their responses. All responses must be translated into English and submitted in English through the Synod’s online grant interface.

Across the Northeast, young people are already bringing creativity,

compassion, and courage to their communities. The Synod is eager to walk alongside the ministries that welcome their gifts and make room for them to lead.

For further information, please email our Grants Coordinator – Michael Yeoman at michael.yeoman@synodne.org

The application portal opens October 1, 2026. Completed applications are due December 5, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to review the questions and gather their budget materials early.

Click here for Campus Ministry Grant Application

Campus Ministry Grant Application

Click here for Youth and Young Adult Leadership Development Grant

Youth and Young Adult Leadership Development Grant Application

Synod stated clerk position: Part-time opportunity, remote work, community engagement

The Synod of the Northeast is seeking a Stated Clerk to join its leadership team. This part-time, remote position is open to a dedicated teaching elder or ruling elder who is passionate about fostering connections and upholding the values of the Synod. The Stated Clerk will play an integral role in supporting the Synod’s mission of justice and transformative faith while engaging with its wider community.

Those who feel called to this opportunity are encouraged to explore the position and consider how their gifts and experience might contribute to the Synod’s ministry.

Applications should include a cover letter, resume, and three references, and be sent to Lisa Baker at statedclerksne@gmail.com by October 15, 2026. Apply Here.

PRC Webinars

What Kind of Changemaker are You?

Thursday, October 22, 2026

2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT

Leaders – Joy Skjegstad and Heidi Unruh

What to Do About Stewardship When a Well-Loved Pastor Leaves

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT

Leader - Cesie Delve Scheuermann

Gen Gap Lab: Understanding Today’s Young Adults

Thursday, October 29, 2026

2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT