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 pray to keep our children safe in our schools. Please pray for all of the victims of these unnecessary tragedies.
• Please pray for our country in this fractured political climate. Pray for the children and family of Charlie Kirk. Pray for our nation as we mourn another senseless act of violence. Let us pray that peace rises above hatred.
• 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. 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

A stated meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse was held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 6 p.m. on Zoom.

Here are some highlights from the meeting:

• Our meeting started at 6 p.m. via Zoom.
• Moderator Rev. Michael Hill opened the meeting in prayer.
• We shared good news from our congregations!
• A wonderful worship service was held and led by outgoing Vice Moderator Lynn Jacques, Moderator Rev. Michael Hill and incoming Vice Moderator Rev. Dr. Shavonn Lynch.
• The Rev. Dr. Shavonn Lynch was installed as the new Vice Moderator. She will serve a two year term.
• We thanked outgoing Vice Moderator Elder Lynn Jacques for her service to the Presbytery.
• During the Human Resources Committee update we learned that phone interviews have concluded in our search for the assistant to the Lead Presbyter for Transformation. The interview process is ongoing.
• We received an update from the Social Justice Committee. Committee Meeting Minutes
• We heard a first read of the 2026 Budget, see report below.

• Motion Approved: Committee on Preparation for Ministry moves that Briana Vaught's status be updated to, “certified ready to call.” Brianna's biography and faith statement are below.
• Elder Linda Russell gave an update of Korea Pacemaker and Synod.
• The meeting ended at 7:26 p.m.

Papers from Meeting:

Docket

Combined Special Meeting 8.14.25

2026 Budget Report

Briana Vaught Statement of Faith

Briana Vaught Biography

Per Capita Report

Statement of Financial Position

Statement of Activity

Budget Report

March Meeting Minutes *

May Meeting Minutes *

*Please note: The March & May meeting minutes were edited before/during 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!

Interested in engaging in a faith filled conversation in a way that's meaningful in our modern day context? Join Westminster’s Pastor Adam Demetros for Theology on Tap -- a time of faith, fellowship, and fun in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere to take on life's biggest questions while enjoying a few craft brews. The first monthly meeting will be Tuesday September 23 at 6pm at Prison City Farm and Brewery, 251 North St, Auburn. Topics for discussion will be work, satisfaction, truth, and peace.

Register in advance for this meeting

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

APPLE PIE SEASON: Pie making is well underway at LaFayette Columbian Presbyterian Church!

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

Now Hiring | Finance Clerk

To apply for this position, submit a resume with references to Rev. SanDawna Ashley at sandawna.ashley@synodne.org. This is a part-time (15 hrs. week) position located in East Syracuse, New York. The applicant must live in the Syracuse, NY area. The position continuation is subject to a satisfactory 90-day orientation period and performance reviews. In accordance with New York State Law, this position is an “at will” employment. Position description: Synod Finance Clerk Position Description

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.

What if God is about to do something new in your wilderness?

The Rev. Justin Spurlock delivers rich insight during worship at Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network’s annual conference

Nearly 100 people from 24 states are attending “Bridging Generations,” the annual conference of the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network.

During opening worship Wednesday at the Frasier Retirement Community in Boulder, Colorado, the Rev. Justin Spurlock, senior pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Covenant Presbyterian Church in Greenwood Village set the vision for those in attendance with an inspiring sermon based on Isaiah 43 and his own experience.

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Conference musicians the Rev. Bill Davis and Brendan Schuster added to worship with voices, guitar and shruti box. Worshipers wrote their prayer concerns on ribbons which they wove through chicken wire sandwiched by wooden frames, all of which were on their tables.

“My hope is that you will take a peek behind the veneer,” Spurlock said after reading most of Isaiah 43. When God tells the people “I know you” and “I love you,” “those are words that mean a lot to people who don’t have those connections, who aren’t rooted in that place,” such as the people of Isaiah’s time. “Particularly as we work with older adults, so often they have come from a place where they were rooted and are now in a place that feels quite different, a place where they don’t have those connections. They begin to think — and we leaders push it on them — that those eyes that have seen a lot cannot be trusted anymore.”

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