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 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: Minister members of the Presbytery who are engaged in specialized ministries, who are at-large members, or who are retired.

PREACH PALESTINE

Resources

Preach Palestine is a free resource developed by FOSNA. The group encourages worship and prayer group leaders who have registered to share with their community as you plan to Preach Palestine.

Please register here.

Download resources here.

From the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship:

Hi friends,

As we enter Advent, I keep returning to Kelly Latimore’s Christ in the Rubble. Many writers, artists, and theologians have been naming the same truth: that if Christ is being born today, he is being born among people crushed by the world’s violence.

Womanist theologian Emilie Townes teaches that God shows up where cultural evil does its deepest harm, with those suffering under systemic evil, not above it. God is found with the people the world tries to push to the bottom. When I look at Latimore’s icon, I hear that teaching in visual form. 

Advent invites us to wait, but not with closed eyes. It calls us to wait with vigilance, with courage, and with solidarity. Living in Chicago as a Black queer person has always made this real for me. And with heightened ICE and Border Patrol presence these past months, my eyes have been opening wider and wider. People have been taken from corners I walk past every day and families are being torn apart. This advent I have practiced waiting by getting to know my neighbors, checking in on families, joining community patrols near schools, and showing up for PPF’s Flight work. It has meant remembering that Christ is not only in the rubble of Gaza. Christ is also in the rubble of our own neighborhoods, our own systems, our own streets.

Invitation to Creative Action & Stubborn Hope

"At [the Chicago Presbytery] assembly meeting on Tuesday, the presbytery unanimously approved this call to action. We speak with one voice against the violence and oppression our members, neighbors, and loved ones are experiencing at the hands of ICE agents, border patrol and law enforcement at the direction of the Federal Government. The connectional church is meant to be a place we build power and take risks for the sake of love and justice." Learn more here.

Kairos Palestine – The Palestinian Christian Initiative

A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide

Palestine Document in 2009 — “A word of faith, hope, and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering.” The Heads of Churches in Jerusalem heard this cry, welcomed it, and offered their support. Likewise, the document resonated widely, both locally and internationally. Then, as now, we gathered — women and men, clergy and laity — from across the different church families in Palestine. After prayer and reflection on the suffering of our people under occupation, we released that cry of hope in the absence of hope, affirming our faith in God and our love for our homeland, convinced that our struggle is ultimately about human life and dignity.

We live now in a time of genocide, ethnic cleansing and forced displacement unfolding before the eyes of the world. This moment demands from us a new stand, one unlike any before it. It’s both a decisive moment and a moment of truth. Today, we renew our stand for truth and our commitment to fundamental religious, theological and moral principles. We look at our reality and take a renewed stand, responding to the voice of the Holy Spirit deep within us, listening to the call of faith in this time of genocide. We renew our message of faith, hope, and love — offering a faith-inspired vision for the time after genocide.

Palestinian Christians the forcible displacement and dispossession continue.

To commemorate 75 years of Nakba, BADIL Resource Center and Kairos Palestine have collaboratively produced a joint document addressing the situation of Palestinian Christians, focusing on their ongoing displacement, dispossession and denial of self-determination. This resource follows our initial joint study published in 2012; Palestinian Christians - Ongoing forcible displacement and dispossession which raised the question “until when?” Now, 11 years later, we find ourselves facing the same question under even more dire circumstances that demand immediate attention and action.

Download Full document

The US House of Representatives has passed two harmful bills: H.R. 5214, the District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025, and H.R. 5107, which would dismantle the District’s 2022 police accountability reforms. The bills now move to the Senate for further consideration by Congress. While presented as public safety measures, these proposals would in fact undermine D.C.’s right to self-govern, disproportionately harm Black, poor, and marginalized communities, and weaken democratic principles the Presbyterian Church (USA) has long upheld.

Restoring cash bail would place a price on human liberty, and rolling back the district’s transparency measures, such as body-worn camera requirements and limits on masked officers, would erode essential public accountability. Together, these bills represent yet another instance of federal interference that undermines D.C.’s autonomy and reverses local efforts to build a more just, equitable, and transparent community.

Learn more and act now.

The Presbytery of Genesee Valley cordially invites you to Congregational Learning Day. All are invited!! A variety of classes both morning and afternoon will be offered with inspiring worship in between.

First the very good news from Isaiah's Table -- they have a new landlord who welcomes them to stay at 223 Marcellus Street. However, the big challenge is that their rent has significantly increased. They were previously paying below market value and now they owe an additional $575 per month.

The other good news is that people are feeling safe and comfortable at their location and word is spreading. They have a record number of folks coming for breakfast each week, feeding 60+ each Saturday this fall. This is increasing their costs for its basic mission as well.

"We have taken a leap of faith and are entering into a two- year lease because we feel called to stay where God led us and where so many find us," according to Isaiah's Table.

If you could help in any way, they would be so grateful. Whether it’s contributing food pantry items for their outside box, basic needs items (toiletries) for their folks or gathering together a group to make breakfasts for them one week. Or please consider a cash donation, either lump sum or monthly, to help defray the rent increase.

"Anything and everything helps! Thank you for prayerfully considering this request. And please say a prayer for our neighbors in need on the Near Westside of Syracuse."

For more information you can contact us at isaiahtable@gmail.com. A cash donation can be made through our website or mailed to Isaiah’s Table, 223 Marcellus Street, Syracuse NY 13204. They also have an Amazon Wishlist that can be found here: Isaiah's Table Amazon Wishlist

The first Bible Study with Gail Banks, certified lay pastor, retired, was deemed a success by those attending, so Gail is willing to do a 3-week Advent Bible Study called Awaiting Love! 

The Bible Study will meet on Wednesday evenings for 3 weeks beginning on December 3rd and ending on December 17th from 7 to 8 p.m. 

The study will be done via Zoom. Everyone is welcome to attend but it is hoped that churches without pastors will take advantage of this opportunity. Contact Rita Hooper, text 315-706-3564 or email twohoops2@gmail.com, and let her know you would like to be included.

First Presbyterian Church of Baldwinsville is pleased to welcome the Rev. Debra L. Thomas as Interim Pastor. 

The congregation is very pleased to have her leadership entering the Advent Season.

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS: Members of LaFayette Columbian Presbyterian Church joyfully prepare the sanctuary during Sunday’s Hanging of the Greens.

Creating Ministries for Neurogent Families

Thursday, December 4, 2025

7:00 – 8:00 PM EDT

Leader – Kim Pope-Seiberling

Mandatory New York State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Webinars

You can take this training any time during the year

charlaine@prcli.org

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 

2:00 – 3:30 PM EST

How to contact our Lead Presbyter, the Rev Greg Garis

Email: leadpresbyter@cayugasyracuse.org

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

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.

The Synod’s new logo tells a story of unity, purpose, and Spirit-led movement. Curved lines evoke Creation and covenant, ripples signify our eight states and faith flowing outward, interwoven hands reflect God’s embrace and our commitment to radical inclusion, flames symbolize the Spirit’s breath animating a responsive Church, and the cross at the center grounds us in Christ, reminding us that leadership, advocacy and love stand at the heart of our call.

Position Announcement

Mid Council Resident

Programs, Leadership Development, and Administration

Location: Remote (must reside within the Synod of the Northeast) Reports to: Synod Leader Status: Full-Time, 2-Year Term (Only)

The Synod of the Northeast invites applications for a two-year, full-time Mid Council Resident. This residency offers emerging leaders an immersive introduction to mid council ministry, emphasizing leadership development, program coordination, governance, administrative support, and relational systems work. Learn more...

Finding his voice to comfort the voiceless

Retired pastor sings Christmas Joy Offering’s praises for helping him meet the financial challenges of a life spent ministering on the margins

Like many a prophetic voice before him, the Rev. Jinho Kim’s story is his song.

It was a song that first burst forth in Kim when, as a young adult, he encountered Jesus in a new and transformative way — not unlike his biblical ancestor, Mary, who spontaneously sang God’s praises upon learning she was carrying the Messiah.

Although born and raised in a Presbyterian household in South Korea, Kim said his faith journey changed dramatically after he had taken part in the “Anti-Yusin” student protest movement of the 1970s, which challenged the 1971 election and authority of Park Chung Hee as president.

“Because I ended up on the intelligence agency’s blacklist, I could no longer take the high-level civil service exam I had long dreamed of and prepared for,” said Kim, who had just earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and diplomacy. “I found myself in the valley of despair.”

It was then that he met the Rev. David E. Ross, a Presbyterian missionary who served in Korea from 1961 to 1980, where Ross and his wife, Ellen, focused their ministry on campus and youth evangelism. Through the Rosses’ “Jesus Evangelism Team,” Kim said that he was “healed and transformed” by their Spirit-filled worship and discipleship training.

And — even though he couldn’t read a single note of music — God put a new song in his mouth.

“During this season of grace, as I meditated on the words the Lord gave me,” Kim said, “I was also blessed with the grace to compose Scripture songs.”

Continue reading...

'God is so endlessly creative, and the body of Christ is so endlessly diverse’

The Rev. Michael Gehrling of 1001 New Worshiping Communities appears on ‘Leading Theologically’

Since this season’s theme for the Presbyterian Foundation’s broadcast “Leading Theologically” is exploring discernment, the show’s host, the Rev. Zoë Garry, knew just who to call to be her guest: her old friend and mentor, the Rev. Michael Gehrling.



Gehrling, who’s worked eight years in the Interim Unified Agency’s 1001 New Worshiping Communities movement, where he’s currently associate for recruitment and assessment, is himself an experienced church planter. He recalled for Garry, associate director for theological education funds development for the Presbyterian Foundation, a memorable experience while still in seminary of hearing God’s voice while driving college students home in a church van.

“I very clearly heard God say to me that I was going to plant a church with my friend,” a fellow seminarian, Gehrling said. “I grew up in a church where things like that didn’t happen — and if they did happen, people didn’t talk about it.”

Gehrling “was experiencing God telling me to do something I wouldn’t have thought to do otherwise, and I needed other people in my life to help me interpret that.” He said he was fortunate to have mentors including Vera White, who at the time was the staff member at Pittsburgh Presbytery tasked with helping new churches to flourish. “She told me to start prayer-walking in the different neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, trying to determine where God was calling me to go,” Gehrling told Garry. “There was a lot of discernment around learning to trust that voice I had heard and also to invite the voices of other human beings into that work. I think that’s what discernment is — it’s listening to God ourself, but it’s also listening to the voice of God through others.”

Continue reading...