Presbytery Matters

January 22, 2026

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

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.

Thank you!

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Joys and Concerns around the Presbytery

In our prayers together this week:

We lift up the Rev. Karen Chamis as she undergoes knee replacement surgery today. Please guide the hands of her surgeons and medical team, grant her safety and peace, and bless her with a smooth procedure and full, swift recovery. Surround her with your healing presence and comfort all who care for her.
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: Port Byron Federated; First, Scipioville; Sennett Federated Church; First, Skaneateles

Stated Meeting

A stated meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse was held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 on Zoom.

Here are some highlights from the meeting:

The Zoom was opened at 5:45 p.m. and the meeting started at 6 p.m. by our Moderator the Rev. Michael Hill.
Vice Moderator the Rev. Dr. Shavonn Lynch and Teaching Elder Courtney Steininger led us in a beautiful worship.
Worship included two songs you can watch on YouTube - Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) and Christ's Love Moves the World.
The Stated Clerk, the Rev. Ben Fitzgerald-Fye, reminds everyone that the deadline to submit Statistical Reporting is February 20th! See below for more details and access to the portal.
Our Lead Presbyter for Transformation the Rev. Greg Garis referenced a podcast with the Rev. Dr. Gil Rendle, which can be listened to here. Rather than mourning the decline of traditional church structures, Gil explores how disruption may be clearing space for new forms of faith and community to emerge.
Several overtures were discussed and all were confirmed by our Presbytery to be presented to the General Assembly. The following overtures were discussed and approved:
On In-Person Assemblies (from our friends at the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship)
On Prohibiting Non-Disclosure Covenants in Employee Relations (from Stated Clerk, Presbytery of the Pacific)
Green Future Endowment Fund
Regenerative Farming and Creation Care
Changing Course for a Green Future
Repudiate Christian Nationalism
Recognition that Israel has Violated the International Law Prohibiting Genocide
On the Jeju 4.3 Tragedy in South Korea
The contract for our Stated Clerk was extended until the annual meeting in June.
The schedule for stated meetings and future meetings of our Presbytery were discussed during New Business. Meeting locations are to be determined, but please save the following dates:
Saturday, March 14th -- Stated Meeting (In Person)
May TBD -- Joint Meeting with The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley. (In Person)
Saturday, June 13th -- Annual Meeting
Saturday, September 19th -- Stated Meeting (In Person)
Wednesday, November 18th -- Stated Meeting (Zoom)
The meeting ended at 8:37 p.m.

Meeting Papers:

From the Focus and Coordination Team

On November 1, 2025, we had a meeting of both Presbyteries to provide an update and begin discussions on a vision. There was significant energy in the meeting. Some suggested that our vision statement be transitional since we will be learning and experiencing much as we go through the merger review process. Our next joint Presbytery meeting will be scheduled during the month of May or June. We hope to have a representative of the newly formed merger resulting in Mountain Laurel Presbytery speak to us about their observations of their merger.

We expect to make significant progress over the next four months.

The major tasks for the next few months include:

1. Formalize the joint working committees and begin monthly updates

2. Communicate to Synod and request funding for a merger coordinator and legal support.

3. Complete a review of both Presbyteries, including finances, organizational structure and committees, web and social media, spiritual leadership, and other topics important to the review process.

4. Continue to review examples of other mergers and leading thoughts on the future of the church

5. Increase the level of communications within our Presbyteries and our churches.

Our transitional vision statement is:

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.

We look forward to future communications and discussions on the merger review.

Thanks

Focus and Coordination Team

From the Stated Clerk

ATTENTION: Moderators and/or Clerks of Sessions:

Dear Clerks of Session,

I am writing to let you know that the PC(USA) Statistical Reporting (Statistics of Congregations) portal is now open.

You may access the portal at the following link:

https://ogaapps.pcusa.org/security/Login.aspx?RequestUrl=http%3a%2f%2fogaapps.pcusa.org%2fsoc%2f

If you do not know your password or are having difficulty logging in, please email: statedclerk@cayugasyracuse.org

Completed statistical reports are due no later than February 20, 2026.

Thank you for your faithful work in completing this important annual report, which helps the church understand its life, ministry, and mission more fully. If you have questions or encounter problems beyond login issues, please do not hesitate to be in touch.

Grace and peace,

Ben Fitzgerald-Fye

Stated Clerk

Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse

Officer Training for Ruling Elders, Deacons (and Pastors!)

Officer Training for Ruling Elders, Deacons (and Pastors!) — JOIN US!

Saturday, January 31st

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In-person at Walton United PC or Northminster PC (Endwell)

or Zoom

NOTE: This training covers new and different topics than last year…

What to expect this year:

Spiritual Leadership: The Eight Cs and how leadership in the church may be

different from leadership with other groups.

Nuts & Bolts: What do the ministries of each office look like in YOUR church?

Is there anything you are experimenting with in your church (or would like to)?

ALL are invited to join us: Deacons, Ruling Elders, Pastors, and those thinking of filling

one of these roles in the church.

Leaders: Rev. Mary Anderson, the Assistant to the Lead Presbyter, and Rev. Dr. Cynthia

Walton-Leavitt, Pastor at First United Presbyterian (“Red Door”) Church.

How to join us: This workshop is offered in a hybrid format. Come in-person to Walton

United PC (58 East St., Walton, NY 13856) OR online via Zoom.

Please register at susvalpresby.org/register

If your church would like to host another “hybrid watch location” -- please contact Scott

Kindig at cclefchair@susvalpresby.org or call the presbytery at 607-323-4477.

To join the meeting on Zoom, use this link: https://bit.ly/3MjR6hG

or call 1-646-558-8656. Zoom Meeting ID: 890 0988 6459, passcode: PSV

Church Spotlight

Spotlight on First Presbyterian Church of Mexico, NY from the Assistant to the Lead Presbyter, the Rev. Mary Anderson

A Legacy Born in a Barn, Led by Seven Women

The story of First Presbyterian Church of Mexico begins in a barn on August 27, 1810, when seven courageous women gathered to form a new worshiping community in what was then a frontier town. All seven had come from New England, bringing with them a deep commitment to faith, education and shared ministry. Their bold beginning is still remembered today in the congregation’s play, The Seven Who Started, and in a sanctuary window dedicated to their witness.

Although the group first organized as a Congregational body, the church did not receive legal standing until 1811 -- at a time when only men could serve as trustees, clerks or moderators. Even so, the women remained the driving force behind the young congregation’s life and mission, a truth the church still proudly claims.

The congregation continued as a Congregational church until March 1818. On April 12th of that year, the first elders were elected, and the church formally joined the Oneida Presbytery, beginning its long Presbyterian identity. Over time, that connection grew into what is now the Presbytery of Cayuga‑Syracuse.

Honoring the faith and determination of those seven founders, the church celebrated its 200th anniversary in August 2010.

Around the Presbytery

Westminster Bids a Reluctant Goodbye

On Sunday, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn said a reluctant goodbye to an amazing couple who will be greatly missed.

Janet Newman and her husband, Rich (an elder at WPC-Auburn), are moving from Auburn to Ithaca. Janet is an honorably retired Minister of Word and Sacrament in our presbytery.

We give thanks to God for the many ways Janet and Rich have shared their faith, wisdom and gracious spirits among us. While we will miss them dearly, we send them forth with grateful hearts, trusting that God will continue to bless and guide them in this next chapter.

May their new home be filled with joy, meaningful community, and the abiding peace of Christ.

The next "Can We Talk?" gathering will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026 in the lounge at Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church, 5299 Jamesville Road in Syracuse.

Coffee and goodies will be served.

The gathering is for retired clergy, clps, and retired Christian Educators - those who have served churches and those who have labored in other venues. First-timers are always welcome!

Take Your Sweetheart to Hear Pepper and Sassafras at the Steeple Coffee House on Valentine’s Day - February 14th!

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers, grand prize winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, teams up with multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Wendy Sassafras Ramsay in this dynamic acoustic duo.

Rodgers, also the founding editor of Acoustic Guitar magazine, delivers masterful band-in-a-box guitar work while Ramsay, harmonizer extraordinaire, adds flute, clarinet, guitar, accordion, and her quirky originals to the mix. Ramsay also plays in the alternative rock band Starting Off Red. For this Steeple performance, they'll be joined by John Dancks (The Cadleys) on upright bass.

Pepper and Sassafras were finalists for Best Duo at FreshGrass and have been featured on the public radio show Folk Alley. Along with performing original music, Rodgers and Ramsay - and Dancks - play together in the acoustic Grateful Dead collective Dead to the Core. For more information check out pepperandsassafras.com.

The collaboration between Rodgers and Sassafras makes music that is witty, humorous, and accessible. You don’t want to miss this performance!

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, February 14^th - 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) includes refreshments

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