Presbytery News

News from the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley

Our presbytery’s newsletter, “Thursday Thoughts”, is published every week and includes announcements from our partner congregations in the region, news from the PC(USA) denomination, and links to webinars & resources available to us through the presbytery.

Thursday Thoughts often announces classes and retreats offered by churches, seminaries, and other agencies, some in person and others online.

We are all invited to expand our understanding of the church and its mission through a broad variety of topics. Check it out, you might find something that sparks your interest.

Working toward Presbytery Merger

The Presbyteries of Susquehanna Valley and Cayuga-Syracuse have both voted to pursue a merger, and leaders from the two presbyteries are working together to bring that about. In August, the presbyteries held a joint assembly meeting via Zoom and approved a plan to share our Lead Presbyter for Transformation, Rev. Dr. Greg Garis, and to seek a part-time Assistant to the Lead Presbyter to work alongside him. As of October 1, Greg’s full-time position is now split 50/50 between Cayuga Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley. The presbyteries’ joint Human Resources/Personnel Team has been receiving applications and conducting interviews for the assistant position.

Focus and Coordination Team Update

Your F&C Team has been meeting regularly. Originally called the Vision Committee, we renamed ourselves as we believe the way forward is to focus on what the myriad needs are as we seek to merge our two presbyteries but just as importantly to coordinate with and seek the wisdom of the body.

We have been working on a vision statement while also keeping a keen eye on the strategies we will need to propel us down the road of this process. Our next step is to share our vision statement with the “councils” of both Cayuga-Syracuse and Susquehanna Valley in a joint meeting. Our intent is to then share our work with the two presbyteries, seeking your feedback and counsel as well as hearing your questions and concerns in small group meetings. After this period of information-sharing and relationship-building, we will begin the detailed work of developing a merger proposal for consideration.

Geneva Presbytery had expressed some interest in joining with our two presbyteries in exploring merger and in fact came to a couple of our meetings. However, at the present time they have decided to explore other options.

We ask that you hold us in your prayers as we continue to meet and strategize our way forward. We are excited and hopeful and it is our prayer that each and every member of our presbyteries will choose to get involved in the coming months. We can all be assured there will be much to do and it is our goal to keep you informed of our progress as well as opportunities for involvement.

DRAFT Vision Statement

“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.”

The Focus and Coordination Team welcomes feedback on its work and the Draft Vision Statement under consideration. Thoughts and suggestions may be given to Team member Robbie Jean Rice at Ricerobbiej@gmail.com.