Welcome to this week's edition of our e-letter, Presbytery Matters. | | | Park Central’s Cookout Brings Neighbors Together | | |
On Saturday, Park Central Presbyterian Church welcomed neighbors for its annual Community Cookout. This year, moved indoors and transformed into a lively "cook-in" due to rain.
Dozens of guests enjoyed classic favorites like burgers, hot dogs and ice cream, along with games, music, face painting, and free household items and fresh produce to take home.
"We’re so grateful to our volunteers who put in so much time and effort to make this event a success every year," the church said. "We hope to see you there next fall!"
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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.
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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:
- In the wake of another school shooting, 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.
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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.
- 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.
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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
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A stated meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 6 p.m. on Zoom.
Zoom Registration Available Now: Register Here
Our Stated Clerk apologizes for the delayed distribution of meeting materials. There are numerous moving parts involved in preparing for this stated meeting. The docket and supporting papers will be distributed via email before the end of the weekend.
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Please note the Rev Ashley Detar-Birt, Program Director from the Center for Jubilee Practice, presentation has been moved to our November stated meeting. | | |
We're Hiring: Assistant to Lead Presbyter for Transformation
The presbyteries of Cayuga Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley are seeking an individual to support the work of the Lead Presbyter as the two presbyteries begin their collaboration efforts in a merger process. They will work with the Lead Presbyter in spearheading these efforts between the two presbyteries, be capable of working with and assisting Pastor Nominating Committees in conjunction with the COM’s and develop and assist in elder, deacon and CRE training.
Qualities needed include a strong commitment to the vision of the presbyteries as they move forward, an independent thinker but also a team player, familiarity with the structures and committees of a presbytery, a clear communicator and a faithful disciple to the teachings of the good news of the gospel.
The successful candidate will be either a Teaching or Ruling Elder in the PCUSA. The position is 25 hours per week.
Read Job Description
Interested persons should forward their resume, cover letter and references to ldaboll1929@gmail.com.
| | The Synod's worship leader is looking for a pianist or guitarist who is willing to play a couple of worship songs during its meeting at noon on Saturday, September 20th in East Syracuse. If you are interested, please reach ou tot he Synod's State Clerk at Nancy.Talbot@synodne.org | | |
The Presbytery has bulk ordered 2025-2026 Presbyterian Planning Calendars to get a reduced cost. The cost is $12.50 per calendar.
Please note that the planning calendars have a new orientation: The calendar grid is now vertical instead of horizontal and will span across two pages for double the writing space for personal dates and notes. We have 2 calendars remaining, and they will be available on a first come, first served basis. Order Form: https://forms.gle/RB8XpA9Ft88bTcbz9
Questions can be directed to Kristin Schierer, Presbytery Bookkeeper at finance@cayugasyracuse.org.
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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!
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Hymnals Available
Westminster (Auburn) has multiple copies of the The Worshipbook (1972, hymns and liturgy) available to give away to any church, senior living center, organization who might want them.
Please contact office@westminsterauburn.org if you’re interested.
| | Church Family Photo: Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn took its annual church family photo on Sunday! | | |
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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.) | | |
PC(USA) joins ecumenical voices seeking to end hunger
Presbyterians endorse statement from Church World Service on need to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ to feed those who are suffering
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has endorsed a statement from Church World Service — and 16 CWS partners — calling for a renewed effort to fight hunger.
The ecumenical statement, which has more than 60 organizational signatories and more than 800 individual signatories, is a display of faith and an answer to the call in Mark 12:31 to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“As people of faith, our vision is a world where everyone has access to enough nutritious food to thrive,” the statement reads. “We believe that, by standing shoulder to shoulder, our vision can become reality, around the corner and around the world.”
The statement refers to hunger as “an affront to justice” and notes that hunger is surging despite an abundance of food in the United States and other parts of the world.
Hunger is sometimes fueled by conflict, such as the Israel-Hamas war that has led to famine in Gaza, and systematic issues, such as racism, as well as economic policy decisions that undermine people struggling to make ends meet.
Read More...
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P.O. Box 438, Syracuse 13214
(315) 632-5698
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"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
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