A stated meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse was held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 on Zoom. Papers from the meeting are linked below. Here are some highlights from the meeting:

• The meeting started at 6 p.m.

• Lots of good news was shared, including the announcement of a new pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn. The Rev. Adam M. Demetros will begin on February 3, 2025. Pastor Adam was enthusiastically approved by the congregation in a meeting held following worship on December 8, 2024.

• A Worship Service was held with prayers read by Elder Neil Rotach and the Rev. Michael Hill. Elder Lynn Jacques gave the message entitled "Come, Let Us Go to the Other Side.” In the message, Lynn talked about moving the Presbytery forward and for all of us to remember that God is in the boat with us and He will never leave us.

• Stated Clerk Paul Rack reminded Clerks of Session that Church Statistical Reporting is happening now through February 10th! (See announcement below)

• The motions presented by Human Resources regarding the Stated Clerk's contract and the Communication Coordinator's salary were both approved.

• The Benevolent Care Grant Fund were discussed and approved. There was $11,838.00 available in the fund. We received six applications requesting financial assistance through the program. The money was distributed as follows:

1) Amboy Belle Isle $200.00

2) Collamer United Church $500.00

3) Health Tapestry $1400.00

4) Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church $1500.00

5) Westminster Manor $3,238.00

6) Presbyterian Manor $5,000.00

• Contact the moderator, the Rev. Michael Hill, if you're interested in serving on the five-person committee that is exploring the merger. Email revhill@skanpresby.org to express your interest.

• The Social Justice Committee's report included an event that is happening tonight - Thursday, January 16th. “Supporting Immigrant Families in our Community” virtual workshop will be held on Zoom at 7:30 p.m.

AA stated meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles, 97 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, and on Zoom.

Thank you to the Rev. Michael Hill and the volunteers at the Skaneateles church for hosting us!

Here are some highlights from the meeting:

• Our meeting started at 10 a.m. The Rev. Michael Hill opened us in prayer.

• The Rev. Michael Hill, our moderator, recognized that 5 years ago the COVID-19 pandemic hit - closing church buildings! “We persevered! We are here today!” He recalled the fear we had of being able to continue worship services, including using Zoom for the first time! Zoom has now become a staple in our churches and keeping us connected! “We have persevered!” Amen! Thank you to the volunteers who make attending virtually possible during our meetings!

• A Worship Service was held to start the meeting. Lynn Jacques blessed us with her beautiful voice by singing “On Eagle’s Wings.” The Rev. Paul Rack (our now former Stated Clerk) delivered our message. He stated that the only question our churches should be asking is: “How can we follow Jesus?”

• Motion Passed: The Presbytery of Cayuga Syracuse, pursuant to the synod requirements for merger, establish a three-member team to meet with the three-member team from the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley to form a Visioning Committee to begin formal merger discussions. It is understood that these discussions will involve coordination with the various committees of and groups within the presbyteries. The members of the team will be Steve Plank, Lorrie Cooney and Steve Eidt.

• Thank you to the Rev. Paul F. Rack for serving as our Stated Clerk! Happy Retirement!

• The Rev. Ben Fitzgerald-Fye was installed as the Stated Clerk. Welcome back, Ben!

• Rev. Luke Choi of The Board of Pensions of the PCUSA spoke at the meeting to remind churches that he can help them maximize the benefits that are available for ministers and church staff members.

• Elder Linda Russell gave a Synod Update. See below.

• We heard from members of the IFW Refugee Resettlement program who spoke about their experiences as recent refugees living in Syracuse. One woman who spoke was one of the many who received rent assistance from our Presbytery.

• All Motions Passed: From the 226th General Assembly -- Amendments to the Constitution of the PCUSA and the Episcopal-Presbyterian Agreement on Local Sharing of Ministries. Here is a link to the book of amendments.

• We offered a special prayer for our retiring ministers: Karen Chamis, Karen Green, Robert Langston and Deb Thomas. Have a blessed retirement filled with peace, relaxation and joy.

• The meeting ended at 2:19 p.m.

Papers for Meeting:

Docket
January 2025 Minutes
Budget Report
Per Capital Report
Statement of Activity
Financial Position Statement
Terms of Call
COM Report
HR Report

A Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse was held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Columbian
Presbyterian Church.

Here are some highlights from the meeting:

• Thank you to LaFayette Columbian Presbyterian Church for hosting our stated meeting on a beautiful Saturday morning.

• The meeting started at 8:30 a.m. with prayer and worship service.

• Mary Heather Harrington and Neil Rotach from King Ferry Choir presented the Response in Song with “Thank you, Lord, For Your
  Blessing on Me.”

• The Rev. Michael Hill (our moderator) is giving the message this morning. His message is entitled “Through the Eyes of Christ.”

• Elder Linda Russell gave a report on the Synod Assembly, which was held in October. Emma Hill, our YAAD from Skaneateles, said the experience was awesome. She encourages more youth to get involved.

• MOTION PASSED: A task force - a five member team - will be assembled to discuss the merger.

• Moderator Michael Hill has announced the schedule for Stated Meetings for 2025

Wednesday, January 15: 6 p.m. on Zoom

Saturday, March 15: 10 a.m. at Skaneateles church and Zoom

Saturday, May 17: Time/Place TBD (Annual Meeting)

Wednesday, September 17: 6 p.m. on Zoom

Wednesday, November 19: 6 p.m. on Zoom

• The meeting ended at 11:25 a.m.

Papers for this meeting can be found below:

Docket
Budget Report
September 16, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Committee on Representation Meeting Notes
COM Report
Budget vs. Actuals - As of 10/31/24
Statement of Financial Position Prev Year Comparison
Attendance

A special presbytery meeting was held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024 on Zoom

The highlight of the meeting was the examination of Elder Dr. Shavonn Lynch for ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament on September 15, 2024. This was unanimously approved! Congratulations on the next step, Shavonn! “What a good day for the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse!!

The meeting also featured the Commission of the Commissioners to the 226th General Assembly:

Marissa Saunders
Ruling Elder
Park Central Presbyterian

Ben Fitzgerald-Fye
Minister of the Word and Sacrament
Scipioville Presbyterian Church

The meeting lasted just under 1 hour. See papers below for more details:

Papers from the meeting can be found below:

Docket
January 22, 2024 Minutes
February 29. 2024 Minutes
May 6, 2024 Minutes
May 18, 2024 Minutes
Statement of Faith

A Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse was held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at First Presbyterian

Church of Liverpool. Here are the highlights:

• Rev. Anna Gheen (Cazenovia) led the body in a powerful worship service using First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament and drawing on her family’s heritage as members of a Cherokee tribe.

• Rev. Luke Choi, Board of Pensions liaison, will hold two question and answer Zoom meetings for members of presbytery regarding all the new options for medical coverage for pastors beginning in 2025.

• Approved a motion by the Hannibal Administrative Commission to transfer the Hannibal church property to the American Baptist Church of New York State. Approved a motion to receive the AC report and dismiss the AC with thanks at the conclusion of this transaction.

• Elected Rev. Michael Hill (Skaneateles) as Moderator for a 2-year term. Elected 14 others to serve on various committees and commissions.

• Approved a PILP loan to First Presbyterian Church of Liverpool for a roof replacement project.

• Approved using $15,000 of unspent budget in the Resource Presbyter personnel line for a grant to be given to Interfaith Works-CNY for their Refugee Resettlement program.

• Approved a $2,000 grant to Westminster Church-Auburn from the Vanderkamp Sale Proceeds Fund to be used to support the creation of a “Prayground” in their sanctuary.

• Approved a request from the Korean Church of Syracuse to sell a piece of property with the proceeds to be dedicated to a mission project in the Lodi Street area.

• Approved a request from the First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport to sell a portion of their land with the proceeds to be used to support the ministry of the church.

• Discussed proposed policies on Anti-racism and Anti-harassment. Policies will be refined and brought to the next stated presbytery meeting.

• Amended the Stated Clerk contract to run from May 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025.

• Heard from Moderator Garrett Anderson on meetings held between leadership of Cayuga-Syracuse, Susquehanna Valley, and the Synod regarding a possible merger between Cayuga-Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley. During a time of discussion, Rev. Anderson invited and noted questions, concerns, and insights offered by the body which will be considered by Presbytery’s council. A motion regarding merger is planned for a special called meeting to be scheduled in June.

• Discussed proposed draft of Bylaws Article III (Members and Other Participants in Meetings) and Article V (Meetings), and Standing Rule (SR) 5 (Administrative Action Committee), SR 6 (Congregational Development and Presbytery Connections Committee), and SR 7 (Coordinating Committee). Questions were raised, amendments offered, and draft approved as amended.

• Per Bylaws Article III-c, effective immediately each church session is entitled to send one commissioner to presbytery with voice and vote.

• Resource Presbyter Kathy Dain was thanked for her year of service and presented with a gift card. Kathy concludes her service on June 15.

• Presbytery learned that Shavonn Lynch, Candidate Under Care, received her Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) degree in a commencement ceremony at Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester on May 18. Congratulations to Dr. Shavonn Lynch! Shavonn has received a call to serve as Temporary Stated Supply Associate Pastor at Northminster Presbyterian Church and will be examined on the floor of presbytery at a special called meeting in June in preparation for answering that call. 

• Outgoing Moderator Rev. Garrett Anderson conducted the installation of Rev. Michael Hill and Rev. Paul Rack as Presbytery Moderator and Stated Clerk, respectively.

Updates compiled by Linda Russell with much gratitude!

Visit our Facebook page for photos and more updates from Karen Chamis and Susan Wonderland.