“The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley lives to serve and encourage congregations as we together seek to be faithful to our calling in Jesus Christ.”
Alternate Formats - click to download: Adobe PDF or MS Words
Thursday Thoughts May 17, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ,
“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 (NRSV)
This past Monday evening, a group of 50 teaching and ruling elders met at First Presbyterian Church Bainbridge for a called meeting to commission Ruling Elder Judi Gage as a lay pastor for Laurens and to appoint an Administrative Commission to dissolve the Guilford Center church at the request of the congregation.
After the called meeting, a Presbytery-wide listening session was held to follow up on the five regional listening sessions. Council chair Rev. Doug Horne shared a summary of the regional listening sessions. One sometimes undervalued part of the group discernment process is coming to terms with objective information about present realities. In that spirit Doug also shared a document about the membership and average worship attendance of the congregations of the Presbytery. This chart shows both 2005 and 2011 statistics and the 2011 statistics are shown with and without Ithaca (First Presbyterian Church Ithaca will be transferred to the Geneva Presbytery at the 220th General Assembly this July as approved by both Presbyteries and the congregations).
|
2005 |
|
2011 |
|
2011 w/o Ithaca |
||||||
|
M |
AW |
M |
AW |
AW adj |
M |
AW |
AW adj |
|||
| 1-60 |
22 |
28 |
26 |
28 |
35 |
26 |
28 |
35 |
||
| 61-130 |
13 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
10 |
11 |
||
| 131-200 |
10 |
4 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
||
| 200+ |
9 |
2 |
8 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
||
| TOTAL |
54 |
46 |
50 |
40 |
50 |
49 |
39 |
49 |
||
Key: M = Membership; AW = Average Worship Attendance; AW adj = Average Worship Adjusted by estimating average worship attendance for the 10 or so churches who did not report it for 2011. General Assembly leaves a blank in the annual report when such information is not reported. Of the 54 churches in 2005 8 did not report AW for 2005. Those figures for 2005 were not adjusted because sufficient information on which to base such adjustments was not readily available.
The General Assembly’s “New Beginnings” congregational assessment initiative (see http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/church-growth/new-beginnings/ for information about this important resource) along with other ecumenical resources, describes congregations according to a “size theory” based on the average worship attendance. That is, congregations with a particular average worship attendance range, tend to have common ways of relating and doing ministry and mission.
Average Worship Attendance
Family Church 1-60
Pastoral Church 61-130
Program Church 131-200
Corporate Church 200+
The 2011 statistics show that a full 2/3 (35 of 50; 35 of 49 without Ithaca) of the churches in the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley are family-size churches.
Small or “Family-size” churches (up to 60 in average worship attendance) tend to resemble extended families and focus on relationships. People matter more than performance. High value is placed on volunteering, rather than on professional skills one may possess for the work that needs to be done. Members may be reluctant to hand over too much authority to the minister. The perception of the minister’s job is to love the members. Ministers need interpersonal skills more than academic credentials or leadership qualities. The small-church minister is but one leader among many-and, in many case, may not be the most influential. In fact, many family-sized churches cannot afford more than a part-time pastor, a commissioned ruling elder, or a pulpit supply.
Eleven churches in the Presbytery fit the pastor-driven category.
Congregations in “pastor-driven” congregations (usually in the 61-to-130 average worship range) tend to hand over more responsibility for care of the congregation to the pastor. The pastor brings proposals to the Session for decision. Most decisions involve the pastor in one way or another. Lay leaders are primarily those who are empowered by or taught by the pastor.
Counting Ithaca there are 4 program-size churches in the Presbytery.
Those who attend “program-size” churches (131-to-200 in average worship attendance) seek performance more than relationships. They want quality programs, well-organized activities and professional leaders. Prospective volunteers are expected to be well qualified for a particular task. The incentive structure of the large church discourages lay involvement. The senior minister of a large church needs administrative skills, and strengths in supervision and leadership of both large and small groups. Member care is a lower priority in the larger church. Care happens, but it is delegated to other staff members.
With or without Ithaca, there are no “corporate-size” churches in the Presbytery (more than 200 in average worship attendance).
These statistics are not prescriptive, rather descriptive. The fact that the Presbytery has 35 out of 49 congregations (as of July) with an average worship of 1-60 means that the Presbytery is blessed with small, relational congregations. It also means that the needs of those congregations will determine in some degree the direction of the Presbytery as it moves forward. At the same time, it also means that there are fewer leaders to recruit for various needs within the Presbytery (just ask the Presbytery’s Nominating committee). Additionally, there are 11 congregations in the pastor-driven category and those congregations have particular strengths as well as needs. How will the Presbytery be shaped to respond well to those needs and strengths? Finally, there are 4 program-size congregations (3 without Ithaca) that bring strengths and needs to the Presbytery. How will the Presbytery be shaped to respond to their needs and strengths?
There is no one-size-fits-all for Presbyteries. This is a time of incredible change throughout the denomination (please read the report of the Commission on Mid Councils to the General Assembly and you will see that change and challenge are everywhere; Susquehanna Valley is not unique in this regard). It is also a time of incredible opportunity. By working together, listening to one another and to God and seeking first God’s kingdom, I am certain that you will discern a way forward for the present time in which we live, move, and have our being as Christians.
May it be so.
Grace and peace,
Cheryl Ann
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Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley is on FACEBOOK! “Like us” and share news of your congregation or team or committee! Please be aware that facebook is a public forum and that the Presbytery is not responsible for postings (or the contents of postings).
==================================================
STAFF NEWS
The presbytery office will be closed on May 28, 2012 for Memorial Day.
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A Calendar of Prayer - like the GA Mission Yearbook - but for our Presbytery
May
20 Endicott 1st Janice and Timothy Devine, Co-Pastors
27 Endicott Union Pat Raube, Designated Pastor
Other Prayer Concerns or Joys to Share
Prayers for the Ter Bush Family and the Laurens Presbyterian Church on the loss of Sheldon Ter Bush, long time member, elder and beloved member of the Community, husband of Betty Ter Bush. Service details are pending, a May 19 Date is anticipated.
Prayers for Betty Davies, wife of Rev. Roger Davies (Interim pastor of Masonville Federated Church) is having health issues. Roger is on a medical leave and has returned to Minnesota with Betty so that she may receive health care in her home state.
Please contact interim executive presbyter, Cheryl Ann Elfond at 607-967-8012 (pmsc) or 607-239-5988 (home) if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
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Presbytery Planning Calendars
It is that time of the year, Presbyterian Planning Calendars!
This is a bulk order through the Presbytery Office; ordered separately individual calendars are $14.00 each plus shipping. By ordering in bulk the price is $8.00 plus shipping ($8.65). You will receive an email or phone call once the calendars arrive, and you will be responsible to pick up your order at the presbytery office.
Payment must accompany order! Please click here for order form: Planning Calendars
Order must be received in Presbytery Office by May 23, 2012.
Make check out to and mail to Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley Mission Support Center, 12 Whitney Way, Bainbridge, NY 13733
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SAVE THE DATE!!!
JUNE 19, 2012
11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.
THE TREADWAY, OWEGO
RETIRED TEACHING ELDERS LUNCH WITH BOARD OF PENSION REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, THE REV. ALLISON SEED
Committee on Ministry co-chair, Ruling Elder Joan Wise-Hostetter (and Association of Retired Ministers, Spouses, and Survivors “ARMSS” contact for the Presbytery) has made arrangements for a Retirees Luncheon with the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley’s Board of Pension Regional Representative, the Rev. Allison Seed.
Come and join with retired clergy for a scrumptious meal provided by the Board of Pensions, meet our Regional Representative Allison Seed, learn about any BOP updates, ask questions on your mind, and have fun and fellowship!
Please R.S.V.P. to Joan Wise-Hostetter at joanwise@stny.rr.com or (607) 687-2636.
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COMING YOUR WAY!!! A WORKSHOP ON EFFECTIVE SALARY AND DUES
BOARD OF PENSIONS REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON SEED
Allison will be providing a workshop on June 19, 2012 (exact time and location to be determined). The workshop will help clarify some of the ins and outs of effective salary and dues. The intended audience: Church Treasurers, Clerks of Session, Personnel Committee chairs, members of the Committee on Ministry, and others who are interested. More information and a description of the workshop will be forthcoming.
* CAMPERSHIPS *CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS *
Youth: Children Through 12th Grade!!
Thinking of Attending a Christian Camp This Summer? Apply for A Campership!
* Overnight Christian Camps only
* Pays 2/3 of Presbyterian (U.S.A.) Camps (up to $400)
* Pays 1/2 of Level 2 Camps (up to $300)
* Pays 1/4 of Level 3 Camps (up to $200)
(Considered on a case-by-case basis)
Applications Considered Beginning April 16th, 2012 - Cut Off Date: July 2, 2012
E-mail contact: alicefirstpresithaca@gmail.com
Or www.susvalpresby.org/youthhappenings
=======================================================
Jewels from the Resource Room
Welcome to “Jewels From the Resource Room”, a new informational article created to let you know what materials are available in the Presbytery Mission Support Center, located at 12 Whitney Way, Bainbridge, NY. You will find the resource room by turning directly to your left upon entering the facility, and going all the way to the end of the hall.
It has become apparent that this highly valuable well of information is being under- utilized. It is the hope that by highlighting some of the wonderful sources of information located here, you the reader, will become more aware of the wide variety of materials and find them helpful in carrying out God’s work.
Selections chosen for each week will be placed on the circular table in the center of the room for your convenience. Please be sure to sign out any materials chosen at the “sign out” area located to your right on the counter as you are leaving. You may place materials back on the circular table when returning.
Here are some returning and newer jewels for thought that may be useful when planning for the week of May 27, 2012.
Title Author Type
Preaching Lamar Williamson Jr. Commentary
The Gospel Of John
The New Interpreter’s Robert W. Wall, N. Thomas Commentary
Bible Volume X Acts Wright, and J. Paul Sampley
Feasting on the Word David L. Bartlett and Barbara Commentary
Brown Taylor, editors
Psalms James Limburg Commentary
Acts Paul W. Walaskay Commentary
Ezekiel Walther Eichrodt Commentary
Ezekiel Ronald E. Clements Commentary
Romans David L. Bartlett Commentary
Acts William H. Willimon Commentary
“I Am Coming Mission Interpretation VHS Tape
To You” and Promotion
Seasons Of Worship Trogler, Adelman, Langford VHS and Worksheet
Pentecost
The New Interpreter’s Robert Doran, Carol A. Newsom, Commentary
Bible Volume IV J. Clinton McCann Jr.
1&2 Maccabees Introduction
To Hebrew Poetry Job Psalms
Romans Art Ross, Martha M. Stevenson Commentary
Meditating on the Psalms John Eaton Commentary
It is my prayer that these sources will be of assistance in planning your work for God.
God’s Miner,
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Doug’s Fish Fry
Nineveh PC is hosting Doug’s Fish Fry on June 12th 11:00am to 6:00pm and again on August 14th 11:00am to 6:00pm.
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Director of Youth Ministries Position Available at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Endwell
Northminster Presbyterian Church is looking for a person to serve as our Director of Youth Ministries. This is a part-time, non-ordained salaried position. Duties include planning and leading weekly youth events, working with our CE committee on VBS, fund raisers, lock-ins, and special events. It is also desirable the Director of Youth Ministries regularly attend and participate in our 9 AM Worship Service and Sunday School Program to provide a visual presence and improve communications and contact with youth and parents.
If you find you would like more information, or apply for this position, please send your name and contact information to office@northminsterpresbyterian.org
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“The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley lives to serve and encourage congregations as we together seek to be faithful to our calling in Jesus Christ.”
Alternate Formats - click to download: Adobe PDF or MS Words
Thursday Thoughts May 10, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ,
This week, Stated Clerk Jim Martin and I met with the General Assembly Commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegate. As I prepared for this orientation meeting for the 220th General Assembly (June 30-July 7, 2012 in Pittsburgh), I reviewed the business that has been submitted including reports from special committees and the Mid-Council Commission. I am lifting up the report from the General Assembly Commission on Mid Councils because it deals with Presbyteries and Synods. In particular, I think it would be helpful for Presbytery members to learn more about the wider church, especially as you prepare for the Presbytery-wide Gathering scheduled for May 14th, to engage in the on-going conversation regarding the role, function, and structure of this Presbytery.
The reports are rather long! However, I do recommend that you read the entire report. I am including a small (very small, really!) section of the report in this Thursday Thoughts so that you may focus on key items that deal with Presbyteries (and Synods). The report and recommendations in it will be discussed at the 220th GA. You may find the complete report at: https://www.pc-biz.org/Explorer.aspx?id=3913&promoID=223.
From the report of the General Assembly Commission on Mid Councils:
The Colors of Vitality: Trends and Attributes in Transformational Presbyteries
The Mid Council Commission mandate includes developing “models that reflect the roles of middle governing bodies in our polity and the changing context of our witness.” Initially the commission endeavored to learn about emerging models in presbyteries and synods with a track record of success that could be recommended to the whole church. Members researched a variety of councils both within the PC(USA) and in a few international bodies. It quickly became apparent that there is considerable experimentation across the church, however with the pace of change many of these endeavors are so new that they are just coming off the drawing board and others are continuing to adapt. While the commission had some thought that it would be possible to develop models for different sizes or types of presbyteries or synods, it became clear from conversations with mid council leaders and from data gathered that councils that reflect emerging trends were very conscious of their particular context, culture, function and need for discernment about how God might be at work in their midst.
The very concept of “models” is problematic because it suggests that a presbytery or synod could simply copy a standard form and succeed in meeting the needs of a changing society and church. Steve Yamaguchi, presbytery pastor in Los Ranchos Presbytery, spoke to the commission about the importance of councils “learning to learn” so that they are continually exploring new paths and adapting to a rapidly changing environment. The commission has concluded that the desire for “models” is an expression of the desire for technical solutions, for generic answers to challenges the church faces, when such solutions do not exist. This is not to say that councils cannot learn from one another’s experience. On the contrary, the commission wants to lift up emerging trends, celebrate the creativity of many mid councils, and offer these many good models as ‘tools’ for other’s creative use, and encourage all councils to reflect on how they can engage in adaptive conversations reflecting on their particular circumstances, calling, challenges and possibilities.
Consequently the commission first calls the church’s attention to the following trends in healthy presbyteries and synods:
Emerging Trends
- The number one shift in presbyteries is to a new focus on support of congregations as the primary agents of mission in the world-that is, instead of seeing themselves as “doing mission” and supporting mission programs, they are putting most of their energies and dollars into supporting congregations as they seek to engage in God’s mission. By the same token, the number one shift in synods is to support presbyteries.
- Presbyteries are intent on building relationships and developing a sense of community in the presbytery while a similar trend can be seen in some synods.
- There is a renewed emphasis on deepening the spiritual life of presbyteries and encouraging spiritual practices in congregations.
Related to the focus on serving congregations is a demand for excellence in ruling and teaching elders-for lifting up the spiritual leadership role of ruling elders, encouraging pastors to participate in ongoing spiritual formation and learning new skills in congregational transformation.
- Presbyteries and synods are experimenting with structures and patterns of decision-making-from down-sizing committees and staffing to using discernment practices or new technologies to connect people for meetings. Some presbyteries took a “sabbatical” for a time from all but Book of Order committee functions to see what emerged as important to renew or begin.
- As giving patterns in our culture have changed mid councils are seeking ways to respond-with different ways of cultivating generous stewards and/or encouraging people to give to their passions. They are attending to their fiduciary responsibilities while looking for new funding streams.
- Cultural shifts and in many cases declining financial support also push mid councils as organizations to let go of some ways of doing things-no longer offering a range of programs or providing staff to do the work of numerous committees or funding local social service agencies.
- Changing demographics are leading some mid councils to risk doing ministry in new ways to reach out to new immigrant communities and/or younger generations-new church developments, fellowships, and emergent worshipping communities may take different forms and use bi-vocational pastors, Commissioned ruling elders, or full-time organizing pastors. Presbyteries and congregations are conscious of the nature of their “mission field” and recognize that traditional forms of new church development may not be appropriate. The best efforts include developing “cultural proficiency” among present members of the presbytery so that they learn how “to interact effectively with people who differ from them” (”Cultural Proficiency: What Is It?” The Cultural Proficiency Group, Beverly Hills, Calif., 2003, p. 1).
TO CONTINUE READING THE EXCERPT FROM THE REPORT, CLICK HERE
Grace and peace,
Cheryl Ann
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Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley is on FACEBOOK! “Like us” and share news of your congregation or team or committee! Please be aware that facebook is a public forum and that the Presbytery is not responsible for postings (or the contents of postings).
==================================================
STAFF NEWS
The presbytery office will be closed on May 28, 2012 for Memorial Day.
=================================================
A Calendar of Prayer - like the GA Mission Yearbook - but for our Presbytery
May
13 Gilbertsville 1st Mark Piedmonte, Pastor
Garrettsville
20 Endicott 1st Janice and Timothy Devine, Co-Pastors
27 Endicott Union Pat Raube, Designated Pastor
Other Prayer Concerns or Joys to Share
Prayers for Betty Davies, wife of Rev. Roger Davies (Interim pastor of Masonville Federated Church) is having health issues. Roger is on a medical leave and has returned to Minnesota with Betty so that she may receive health care in her home state.
Please contact interim executive presbyter, Cheryl Ann Elfond at 607-967-8012 (pmsc) or 607-239-5988 (home) if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
===================================================
Special Called Meeting followed by Council Information Gathering
To the Church Commissioners, Council Elders and Committee Chairs, Commissioned Lay Pastors, and Minister Members of Presbytery:
Special Called Meeting
Presbytery Moderator Linda Riddell, at the request of Ruling Elders Joan Wise-Hostetter(Owego), JoAnn Aymar(Unadilla), Dean Veenhoff(Gilbertsville), John Shafer(Owego), Dale Barber(Waverly), Judi Gage(Stamford), Bonnie Wheeler(Binghamton United) and Teaching Elders Jan Devine(Endicott First), Cheryl Ann Elfond(IEPTT), Dale Francis(Waverly), Diarmuid O’Hara(Bainbridge), Robert Peak(Johnson City), David Robinson(Dryden), and Mark Montfort(Oneonta First) of the Committee on Ministry, has called a Special Meeting of the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley to be held on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 6-8:30 pm at the Bainbridge Presbyterian Church.
The business to be transacted at the Special Called Meeting will be:
- To appoint an Administrative Commission to work with the Guilford Center Presbyterian Church on their request for dissolving the church
- and to examine a Ruling Elder for Commissioning to Particular Service as lay pastor for the Laurens Church.
Dessert and coffee will be available at 5:30pm. Presbytery Council will have an Informational Gathering in the remainder of the time not used by the business. The Presbytery Gathering will hear a summary from the Presbytery Council on the recent Listening Sessions held around the Presbytery. The Gathering time will also include further discussion, questions, feedback and idea exchange in preparation for our June Presbytery Assembly as we together seek to serve Jesus Christ.
===================================================
Presbytery Planning Calendars
It is that time of the year, Presbyterian Planning Calendars!
This is a bulk order through the Presbytery Office; ordered separately individual calendars are $14.00 each plus shipping. By ordering in bulk the price is $8.00 plus shipping ($8.65). You will receive an email or phone call once the calendars arrive, and you will be responsible to pick up your order at the presbytery office.
Payment must accompany order! Please click here for order form: Planning Calendars
Order must be received in Presbytery Office by May 23, 2012.
Make check out to and mail to Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley Mission Support Center, 12 Whitney Way, Bainbridge, NY 13733
===================================================
SAVE THE DATE!!!
JUNE 19, 2012
11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.
THE TREADWAY, OWEGO
RETIRED TEACHING ELDERS LUNCH WITH BOARD OF PENSION REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, THE REV. ALLISON SEED
Committee on Ministry co-chair, Ruling Elder Joan Wise-Hostetter (and Association of Retired Ministers, Spouses, and Survivors “ARMSS” contact for the Presbytery) has made arrangements for a Retirees Luncheon with the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley’s Board of Pension Regional Representative, the Rev. Allison Seed.
Come and join with retired clergy for a scrumptious meal provided by the Board of Pensions, meet our Regional Representative Allison Seed, learn about any BOP updates, ask questions on your mind, and have fun and fellowship!
Please R.S.V.P. to Joan Wise-Hostetter at joanwise@stny.rr.com or (607) 687-2636.
===================================================
COMING YOUR WAY!!! A WORKSHOP ON EFFECTIVE SALARY AND DUES
BOARD OF PENSIONS REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON SEED
Allison will be providing a workshop on June 19, 2012 (exact time and location to be determined). The workshop will help clarify some of the ins and outs of effective salary and dues. The intended audience: Church Treasurers, Clerks of Session, Personnel Committee chairs, members of the Committee on Ministry, and others who are interested. More information and a description of the workshop will be forthcoming.
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SEEKING COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM) ADVISOR
FOR 5 CENTRAL NEW YORK PRESBYTERIES
(Albany, Cayuga-Syracuse, Northern New York, Susquehanna Valley, Utica)
POSITION TITLE: COM Advisor
TERM: This is a one year contract, from 2012 through 2013, renewable for one additional year, with a six month probationary period. The Advisor is employed on a part-time (flexible within 40 - 60 hours/month) basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES: To provide resources, training, and guidance as requested by each COM and specified in the job description
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Training and expertise in family systems (for example, Healthy Congregations)
2. Training and expertise in conflict management and mediation
3. Familiar with Book of Order and GA Ministry Committees Handbook
4. Relate well to others, listen to others
5. COM experience preferred
6. Be familiar with emerging models for ministry
7. Comfortable working with current technology for communication purposes (GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, Skype, etc.)
For more information or to apply for this position, contact:
Cheryl Ann Elfond, Interim Executive Presbyter
Susquehanna Valley Presbytery
12 Whitney Way
Bainbridge, NY 13733-1017
executivepresbyter@susvalpresby.org
Applicants please note: To apply please send your dossier and three references. The application deadline is May 15, 2012.
For position description click: PPG Advisor
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* CAMPERSHIPS *CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS *
Youth: Children Through 12th Grade!!
Thinking of Attending a Christian Camp This Summer? Apply for A Campership!
* Overnight Christian Camps only
* Pays 2/3 of Presbyterian (U.S.A.) Camps (up to $400)
* Pays 1/2 of Level 2 Camps (up to $300)
* Pays 1/4 of Level 3 Camps (up to $200)
(Considered on a case-by-case basis)
Applications Considered Beginning April 16th, 2012 - Cut Off Date: July 2, 2012
E-mail contact: alicefirstpresithaca@gmail.com
Or www.susvalpresby.org/youthhappenings
=======================================================
Jewels from the Resource Room
Welcome to “Jewels From the Resource Room”, a new informational article created to let you know what materials are available in the Presbytery Mission Support Center, located at 12 Whitney Way, Bainbridge, NY. You will find the resource room by turning directly to your left upon entering the facility, and going all the way to the end of the hall.
It has become apparent that this highly valuable well of information is being under- utilized. It is the hope that by highlighting some of the wonderful sources of information located here, you the reader, will become more aware of the wide variety of materials and find them helpful in carrying out God’s work.
Selections chosen for each week will be placed on the circular table in the center of the room for your convenience. Please be sure to sign out any materials chosen at the “sign out” area located to your right on the counter as you are leaving. You may place materials back on the circular table when returning.
Here are some jewels for thought that may be useful when planning for the week of May 20, 2012!
Title Author Type
Preaching The Gospel Of John Lamar Williamson Jr. Commentary
Feasting on the Word David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor, Editors Commentary
Psalms James Limburg Commentary
Acts Paul W. Walaskay Commentary
Preaching the Gospels Without Ronald J. Allen & Clark M. Williamson Commentary
Finding Words For Worship Ruth C. Duck Book
Reading Scripture in Public Thomas Edward McComiskey Book
Acts - Interpretation William H. Williamson Commentary
From Text To Sermon Ernest Best Book
The Jesus I Never Knew Philip Yancey Book & Audio Cassette
The New Interpreter’s Bible Volume X Robert Wall, Thomas Wright & J. Paul Sampley Commentary
Bread And Wine, Readings for Lent and Easter A Collection From Various Authors BookIt is my hope that these sources will be of service to my Brother’s and Sister’s in Christ.
God’s Miner
Barb Cona
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Director of Youth Ministries Position Available at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Endwell
Northminster Presbyterian Church is looking for a person to serve as our Director of Youth Ministries. This is a part-time, non-ordained salaried position. Duties include planning and leading weekly youth events, working with our CE committee on VBS, fund raisers, lock-ins, and special events. It is also desirable the Director of Youth Ministries regularly attend and participate in our 9 AM Worship Service and Sunday School Program to provide a visual presence and improve communications and contact with youth and parents.
If you find you would like more information, or apply for this position, please send your name and contact information to office@northminsterpresbyterian.org
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Confessing the Beatitudes: Any extra copies?
If you or your church has extra copies of the Horizons Bible Study (books, CD or other materials) entitled Confessing the Beatitudes that you would like to sell to another church, please contact Cynthia Walton-Leavitt at (607) 267-4333 or cynuff@aya.yale.edu.
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“The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley lives to serve and encourage congregations as we together seek to be faithful to our calling in Jesus Christ.”
Alternate Formats - click to download: Adobe PDF or MS Words
Thursday Thoughts May 3, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ,
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own
people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out
of darkness into his marvelous light. I Peter 2:9
In a recent blog, General Assembly Vice Moderator Landon Whitsitt opens his post with these words: “It’s one of the Church’s biggest mistakes: over-reliance on one person to do the bulk of the work (planning, visioning, preaching, organizing, cleaning gutters… you name it).” Or I might add that we often label just a few people leaders and then expect them to do the bulk of the work. What happened to the “royal priesthood” that 1 Peter talks about or “the priesthood of all believers?” as Presbyterians sometimes affirm.
Landon says we’ve got a lot to learn from Wikipedia, a community that’s open to anyone’s gifts, yet is very clear on what it is: an encyclopedia. Of course, we’re the church - but when was the last time we defined exactly what that meant? And when was the last time we were truly open to anyone’s gifts for ministry? Anyone?
Jeanne Porter talks about unleashing the leadership potential of your church in her book, A Church Full of Leaders. “A church full of leaders is a church that sees building up, nurturing and equipping the people for ministry within the church as well as outside its walls, as a crucial part of its mission. In this church every member participates in the transformative leadership processes of the church.” Every member?
“These leaders are not ordinary members who come to church only on Sundays, nor are they people who clamor for titles and positions, but they are people of God who see spiritual leadership as an integral responsibility of discipleship.”
I encourage you to read the Parish Paper posted in this week’s Thursday Thoughts for practical suggestions on “How to Turn Bystanders into Active Disciples.”
How might your church and your Presbytery seek to turn bystanders into active disciples?
Grace and peace,
Cheryl Ann
Parish Paper May Issue
Click here for the Parish Paper May.
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Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley is on FACEBOOK! “Like us” and share news of your congregation or team or committee! Please be aware that facebook is a public forum and that the Presbytery is not responsible for postings (or the contents of postings).
==================================================
STAFF NEWS
The presbytery office will be closed on May 28, 2012 for Memorial Day.
=================================================
A Calendar of Prayer - like the GA Mission Yearbook - but for our Presbytery
May
6 East Guilford United Patty Wolff, Pastor
Unadilla 1st
13 Gilbertsville 1st Mark Piedmonte, Pastor
Garrettsville
20 Endicott 1st Janice and Timothy Devine, Co-Pastors
27 Endicott Union Pat Raube, Designated Pastor
Other Prayer Concerns or Joys to Share
Prayers for Rev. Parrish Bridges (pastor of First Presbyterian Union Church in Owego) and his family at the loss of his grandfather this past week.
Prayers for Betty Davies, wife of Rev. Roger Davies (Interim pastor of Masonville Federated Church) is having health issues. Roger is on a medical leave and has returned to Minnesota with Betty so that she may receive health care in her home state.
Please contact interim executive presbyter, Cheryl Ann Elfond at 607-967-8012 (pmsc) or 607-239-5988 (home) if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
=====================================================
Presbytery Planning Calendars
It is that time of the year, Presbyterian Planning Calendars!
This is a bulk order through the Presbytery Office; ordered separately individual calendars are $14.00 each plus shipping. By ordering in bulk the price is $8.00 plus shipping ($8.65). You will receive an email or phone call once the calendars arrive, and you will be responsible to pick up your order at the presbytery office.
Payment must accompany order! Please click here for order form: Planning Calendars
Order must be received in Presbytery Office by May 23, 2012.
Make check out to and mail to Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley Mission Support Center, 12 Whitney Way, Bainbridge, NY 13733
======================================================
Special Called Meeting followed by Council Information Gathering
To the Church Commissioners, Council Elders and Committee Chairs, Commissioned Lay Pastors, and Minister Members of Presbytery:
Special Called Meeting
Presbytery Moderator Linda Riddell, at the request of Ruling Elders Joan Wise-Hostetter(Owego), JoAnn Aymar(Unadilla), Dean Veenhoff(Gilbertsville), John Shafer(Owego), Dale Barber(Waverly), Judi Gage(Stamford), Bonnie Wheeler(Binghamton United) and Teaching Elders Jan Devine(Endicott First), Cheryl Ann Elfond(IEPTT), Dale Francis(Waverly), Diarmuid O’Hara(Bainbridge), Robert Peak(Johnson City), David Robinson(Dryden), and Mark Montfort(Oneonta First) of the Committee on Ministry, has called a Special Meeting of the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley to be held on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 6-8:30 pm at the Bainbridge Presbyterian Church.
The business to be transacted at the Special Called Meeting will be:
- To appoint an Administrative Commission to work with the Guilford Center Presbyterian Church on their request for dissolving the church
- and to examine a Ruling Elder for Commissioning to Particular Service as lay pastor for the Laurens Church.
Dessert and coffee will be available at 5:30pm. Presbytery Council will have an Informational Gathering in the remainder of the time not used by the business. The Presbytery Gathering will hear a summary from the Presbytery Council on the recent Listening Sessions held around the Presbytery. The Gathering time will also include further discussion, questions, feedback and idea exchange in preparation for our June Presbytery Assembly as we together seek to serve Jesus Christ.
===================================================
Bad News from the Board of Pensions reported by Rev. Emrys Tyler
Dear fellow presbyters:
I attended the Board of Pensions regional consultation in Baltimore 25-28 April. They opened up the fire hose of information for us, covering everything from medical insurance to pension credits to emotional intelligence. I came away with a skull full of info and names, so if you have any questions about the Board of Pensions, please ask me. If I don’t know the answer, then I know someone I can put you in touch with. Two nuggets of importance:
First, the good news: the pension plan, as of April 28th, is fully funded. The stability of the pension off retiring Teaching Elders is no less certain than any other plan on the market.
We learned, however, that even though a whole series of preventive health care procedures have $0 co-pay and $0 deductible, less than 40% of Teaching Elders have these procedures done (including annual check-ups). This is bad news. I don’t think it’s quite in order to call us fools for turning up this health- and cost-saving provision, but I’m sorely tempted to do so. Teaching Elders: get your preventive procedures done, if for no other reason than to save us younger pups from having to pay for your health care down the road! See also http://web.pensions.org/Publications/pensions/Home/Forms%20%26%20Publications/Product%20Sheets/pts-630.pdf
I think that the presbytery that gets its Preventive Care usage up to 100% gets free colonoscopies all around. Let’s do it!
=============================================================
SEEKING COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM) ADVISOR
FOR 5 CENTRAL NEW YORK PRESBYTERIES
(Albany, Cayuga-Syracuse, Northern New York, Susquehanna Valley, Utica)
POSITION TITLE: COM Advisor
TERM: This is a one year contract, from 2012 through 2013, renewable for one additional year, with a six month probationary period. The Advisor is employed on a part-time (flexible within 40 - 60 hours/month) basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES: To provide resources, training, and guidance as requested by each COM and specified in the job description
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Training and expertise in family systems (for example, Healthy Congregations)
2. Training and expertise in conflict management and mediation
3. Familiar with Book of Order and GA Ministry Committees Handbook
4. Relate well to others, listen to others
5. COM experience preferred
6. Be familiar with emerging models for ministry
7. Comfortable working with current technology for communication purposes (GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, Skype, etc.)
For more information or to apply for this position, contact:
Cheryl Ann Elfond, Interim Executive Presbyter
Susquehanna Valley Presbytery
12 Whitney Way
Bainbridge, NY 13733-1017
executivepresbyter@susvalpresby.org
Applicants please note: To apply please send your dossier and three references. The application deadline is May 15, 2012.
For position description click: PPG Advisor
================================================
Social Security Offset - Pastor’s Terms Of Call
Dear Friends:
Most of you are aware of the reduction in Social Security Withholding that the IRS enacted for 2011, and which has now been extended through the end of the 2012 tax year. This has impact on the payroll for each church.
Originally, employees and employers shared equally in contributions to Social Security Insurance (SSI) and Medicare [FICA 6.2% each and Medicare 1.45% each = 7.65% of gross wages]. For 2011 and through the end of 2012, the SSI tax for employees has been reduced to 4.2% for a total of 5.65% of withholdings on gross wages per pay period, while employers remain responsible for 6.2% SSI tax plus the 1.45% Medicare tax - or the usual 7.65%.
The tax change was enacted in order to give employees (yes, even pastors) more money in their paychecks, while continuing to support the Social Security System. What this means for the churches is:
- The employee’s part of SSI withholding is less than it was in 2010, increasing the employee’s “take-home pay”.
- Example: The organist is paid on a W-2, and receives $100 per week. The organist only wants SSI withheld - no income taxes.
- Each check will be made out for $94.35 and a SSI Payable Liability for $5.65 and a Medicare Payable Liability for $1.45 would be recognized. (Note: This is what would happen in Quickbooks. Churches using other software or spreadsheets may want to record the liabilities differently.)
- The church may also recognize its liability/expense of $7.65 at this time.
- The SSI offset on the pastor’s terms of call must remain the same as is required on the “Terms of Call” sheets made out each year.
- The tax break was meant specifically for employees, not employers.
- The SSI offset in our “Terms of Call” is meant to help pastors pay the employer’s part of SSI, as pastors are considered employees for tax purposes, but use tax rules applicable to the self-employed.
- Per the tax rules for the self-employed, pastors must make estimated tax payments throughout the year (including an allowance for SSI) and are responsible for the full 13.3% on Schedule SE at the end of each tax year.
- Reducing the SSI Offset paid per our “Terms of Call” would effectively make the pastor responsible for the 2% break they were supposed to get.
I hope this is helpful. Please call with any questions (607) 369-4742.
Peace,
Patty Wolff, Treasurer
===================================================
The 220th General Assembly June 30 - July 7, 2012 Pittsburgh, PA
Walking, Running, Soaring in Hope
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV) (Isaiah 40:31).
FAQ’s from the Office of the General Assembly:
1. What if my schedule doesn’t allow me to participate in the live webinars? Are they being recorded?
YES! All webinars are being recorded and videos are being posted within 1 week. They are available at http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga220/ga220-webinars/.
2. Is there a published schedule of future webinars?
YES! A complete schedule is available at http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga220/ga220-webinars/. All Webinars, unless otherwise listed, will be offered on a Tuesday at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT.
3. Can I sign up to receive weekly email notifications?
YES! Anyone can sign up to receive our weekly announcements. They can visit this address to sign up http://eepurl.com/j8qfn.
4. Can I participate if I’m not serving as a commissioner or advisory delegate?
YES! Even though these training tools are specifically being designed for commissioners and advisory delegates anyone interested in learning more about the 220th General Assembly is invited to attend. These are great teaching tools for all leaders in the church.
Interim Executive Presbyter Cheryl Ann Elfond and Stated Clerk Jim Martin will hold a Commissioner’s Orientation on Wednesday, May 9th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church. If you are going to attend the General Assembly and want to join the Commissioners on May 9th, please join us. In order to provide for space at the church, please contact Office Administrator Christine Rogalski at pmc@susvalpresby.org to register your attendance at the orientation.
We would like to know who will be in attendance at General Assembly to invite you to a Presbytery meal. Would you please let us know by sending you name, dates of attendance, cell phone number, and lodging location (if you have it) to Christine Rogalski at pmc@susvalpresby.org?
Your Commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegate:
The Rev. Dr. Tim Devine (co-pastor, First Presbyterian Church Endicott) - Teaching Elder
Elder Joan Wise-Hostetter (First Union Presbyterian Church Owego/Clerk of Session and co-chair Committee on Ministry) - Ruling Elder
Sarah Erckert (Nineveh Presbyterian Church) - Young Adult Advisory Delegate
===================================================
* CAMPERSHIPS *CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS *
Youth: Children Through 12th Grade!!
Thinking of Attending a Christian Camp This Summer? Apply for A Campership!
* Overnight Christian Camps only
* Pays 2/3 of Presbyterian (U.S.A.) Camps (up to $400)
* Pays 1/2 of Level 2 Camps (up to $300)
* Pays 1/4 of Level 3 Camps (up to $200)
(Considered on a case-by-case basis)
Applications Considered Beginning April 16th, 2012 - Cut Off Date: July 2, 2012
E-mail contact: alicefirstpresithaca@gmail.com
Or www.susvalpresby.org/youthhappenings
=======================================================
Jewels from the Resource Room
Welcome to Jewels from the Resource Room: a new source to let you know what is available in the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley Resource Center. It has become apparent that this valuable well of information is being under- utilized. We hope that by highlighting some of the wonderful materials available, you the reader will become more aware of books, movies and other resources that are available and find them helpful in God’s work.
Here are some jewels that I found this week that may be useful when planning for the week of May 13, 2012:
Title Author Type
Feasting on the Word Barlett and Barbara Brown Taylor, Editors Book
Acts Paul Walaskay Book
Psalms Limburg James Book
Preaching The Gospel Of John Lamar Williamson Jr. Book
Preaching Is Believing Ronald Allen Book
Speaking the Truth in Love J. Phillip Wogaman Book
All of the books are pulled from the shelves for easier excess.
Barb Cona
======================================================
Director of Youth Ministries Position Available at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Endwell
Northminster Presbyterian Church is looking for a person to serve as our Director of Youth Ministries. This is a part-time, non-ordained salaried position. Duties include planning and leading weekly youth events, working with our CE committee on VBS, fund raisers, lock-ins, and special events. It is also desirable the Director of Youth Ministries regularly attend and participate in our 9 AM Worship Service and Sunday School Program to provide a visual presence and improve communications and contact with youth and parents.
If you find you would like more information, or apply for this position, please send your name and contact information to office@northminsterpresbyterian.org
====================================================
Confessing the Beatitudes: Any extra copies?
If you or your church has extra copies of the Horizons Bible Study (books, CD or other materials) entitled Confessing the Beatitudes that you would like to sell to another church, please contact Cynthia Walton-Leavitt at (607) 267-4333 or cynuff@aya.yale.edu.
======================================================
“The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley lives to serve and encourage congregations as we together seek to be faithful to our calling in Jesus Christ.”
Alternate Formats - click to download: Adobe PDF or MS Words
Thursday Thoughts April 26, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Presbyterian Church (USA) is a denomination of predominantly small churches. As of 2010, of the 10,536 churches in our denomination, half of them had fewer than 95 members.
In 2010, 3,001 churches had 50 or fewer members: 584 of them had an installed pastor; 1,208 had other pastoral leadership and 1,209 had no pastoral leadership at all.
In 2010, 2,471 churches had 51-100 members: 1,202 of them had an installed pastor; 825 had other pastoral leadership and 444 had no pastoral leadership at all.
Of course, small is relative. Size is not an indicator of spiritual vitality or community involvement. So big isn’t necessarily better, but the size of a congregation does matter. In addition, the average number of people in worship is more indicative of a congregation’s size than is the number of people on the membership roll. Here are characteristics of churches based on average worship attendance according to national church leaders across denominations.
Small “Family-sized” churches (up to 60 in average worship attendance) tend to resemble extended families and focus on relationships. People matter more than performance. High value is placed on volunteering, rather than on professional skills one may possess for the work that needs to be done. Members may be reluctant to hand over too much authority to the minister. The perception of the minister’s job is to love the members. Ministers need interpersonal skills more than academic credentials or leadership qualities. The small-church minister is but one leader among many-and, in many case, may not be the most influential. In fact, many family-sized churches cannot afford more than a part-time pastor, a commissioned ruling elder, or a pulpit supply.
Congregations in “pastor-driven” congregations (usually in the 61-to-130 average worship range) tend to hand over more responsibility for care of the congregation to the pastor. The pastor brings proposals to the Session for decision. Most decisions involve the pastor in one way or another. Lay leaders are primarily those who are empowered by or taught by the pastor.
Those who attend “program-size” churches (131-to-200 in average worship attendance) seek performance more than relationships. They want quality programs, well-organized activities and professional leaders. Prospective volunteers are expected to be well qualified for a particular task. The incentive structure of the large church discourages lay involvement. The senior minister of a large church needs administrative skills, and strengths in supervision and leadership of both large and small groups. Member care is a lower priority in the larger church. Care happens, but it is delegated to other staff members.
In the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley, the 2011 statistics show that the majority of the 50 churches are family-sized churches.
Based on worship attendance, 36 of the churches are family-sized, 10 are pastor-driven and 4 are program size.
If we use membership as the criterion instead of worship attendance, 26 of the churches are family sized, 10 are pastor-driven and 14 are program size.
It is not unusual for a congregation that was once pretty sizable to be struggling to continue to ACT like a pastor-driven church, when in reality, the congregation is a family-size church.
As you work together to discover the most effective way to “be” Presbytery together, it will be important to take the nature of the congregations and their average worship attendance into consideration. What models for being Presbytery would most effectively support the witness of Christ among the congregations of the Presbytery? This is a question for every member and not just various Presbytery leadership or pastors.
Grace and peace,
Cheryl Ann
Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley is on FACEBOOK! “Like us” and share news of your congregation or team or committee! Please be aware that facebook is a public forum and that the Presbytery is not responsible for postings (or the contents of postings).
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STAFF NEWS
Interim Executive Presbyter, Cheryl Ann Elfond will be at a Board of Pensions Regional consultation and vocations event with Committee on Ministy Co-Chairs Mark Montfort and Joan Wise-Hostetter and Committee on Preparation Chair, Emry Tyler Thursday - Saturday of this week.
FREE…
The presbytery office has Day Runner undated planners (black and red), wire bound journal note books, note pads, and coloring books. The planners will be available at the PMSC for those who will be coming by and will also be available at the June presbytery assembly.
=================================================
A Calendar of Prayer - like the GA Mission Yearbook - but for our Presbytery
April
29 Endwell Northminster Lisa Heckman, Pastor
Other Prayer Concerns or Joys to Share
Prayers for Betty Davies, wife of Rev. Roger Davies (Interim pastor of Masonville Federated Church) is having health issues. Roger is on a medical leave and has returned to Minnesota with Betty so that she may receive health care in her home state.
Please keep Rev. Dr. Janet Adair Hansen (pastor Christ Community Cortland) and her family in your prayers.
Janet’s mother, Bonnie Clay Hansen passed away Saturday. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, April 18th at 5:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden, Utah.
Cards can be sent to:
Rev. Dr. Janet Adair Hansen
4 East Main Street
Cortland, NY 13045
Prayers for Joshua Gay (son of Rev. John Gay, Member at large and Mrs. Jennifer Gay) was born with spina bifida. Joshua is doing very well. He goes for a checkup at the neurosurgeon in April.
Please contact interim executive presbyter, Cheryl Ann Elfond at 607-967-8012 (pmsc) or 607-239-5988 (home) if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
=====================================================
Presbytery Planning Calendars
It is that time of the year, Presbyterian Planning Calendars!
This is a bulk order through the Presbytery Office; ordered separately individual calendars are $14.00 each plus shipping. By ordering in bulk the price is $8.00 plus shipping ($8.65). You will receive an email or phone call once the calendars arrive, and you will be responsible to pick up your order at the presbytery office.
Payment must accompany order! Please click here for order form: Planning Calendars
Order must be received in Presbytery Office by May 23, 2012.
Make check out to and mail to Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley Mission Support Center, 12 Whitney Way, Bainbridge, NY 13733
===================================================
Special Called Meeting
An Informational Gathering and a Special Called Meeting of the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley will be held on Monday, May 14, 2012 from 6-8:30 pm at Bainbridge Presbyterian Church with Dessert and coffee to be served at 5:30pm.
The official call for the meeting will come to you when the Council of Presbytery meets on Wednesday May 2. The business to be transacted at the special called meeting will be
- appoint an Administrative Commission to work with the Guilford Center Presbyterian Church on their request for dissolving the church
- and to examine a Ruling Elder for Commissioning to Particular Service as lay pastor for the Laurens Church. Following the brief business meeting, the Presbytery Gathering will hear a summary from the Presbytery Council on the recent Listening Sessions held around the Presbytery. The Gathering time will also include further discussion, questions, feedback and idea exchange in preparation for our June Presbytery Assembly as we together seek to serve Jesus Christ. “
======================================================
SEEKING COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM) ADVISOR
FOR 5 CENTRAL NEW YORK PRESBYTERIES
(Albany, Cayuga-Syracuse, Northern New York, Susquehanna Valley, Utica)
POSITION TITLE: COM Advisor
TERM: This is a one year contract, from 2012 through 2013, renewable for one additional year, with a six month probationary period. The Advisor is employed on a part-time (flexible within 40 - 60 hours/month) basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES: To provide resources, training, and guidance as requested by each COM and specified in the job description
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Training and expertise in family systems (for example, Healthy Congregations)
2. Training and expertise in conflict management and mediation
3. Familiar with Book of Order and GA Ministry Committees Handbook
4. Relate well to others, listen to others
5. COM experience preferred
6. Be familiar with emerging models for ministry
7. Comfortable working with current technology for communication purposes (GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, Skype, etc.)
For more information or to apply for this position, contact:
Cheryl Ann Elfond, Interim Executive Presbyter
Susquehanna Valley Presbytery
12 Whitney Way
Bainbridge, NY 13733-1017
executivepresbyter@susvalpresby.org
Applicants please note: To apply please send your dossier and three references. The application deadline is May 15, 2012.
For position description click: PPG Advisor
================================================
Social Security Offset - Pastor’s Terms Of Call
Dear Friends:
Most of you are aware of the reduction in Social Security Withholding that the IRS enacted for 2011, and which has now been extended through the end of the 2012 tax year. This has impact on the payroll for each church.
Originally, employees and employers shared equally in contributions to Social Security Insurance (SSI) and Medicare [FICA 6.2% each and Medicare 1.45% each = 7.65% of gross wages]. For 2011 and through the end of 2012, the SSI tax for employees has been reduced to 4.2% for a total of 5.65% of withholdings on gross wages per pay period, while employers remain responsible for 6.2% SSI tax plus the 1.45% Medicare tax - or the usual 7.65%.
The tax change was enacted in order to give employees (yes, even pastors) more money in their paychecks, while continuing to support the Social Security System. What this means for the churches is:
- The employee’s part of SSI withholding is less than it was in 2010, increasing the employee’s “take-home pay”.
- Example: The organist is paid on a W-2, and receives $100 per week. The organist only wants SSI withheld - no income taxes.
- Each check will be made out for $94.35 and a SSI Payable Liability for $5.65 and a Medicare Payable Liability for $1.45 would be recognized. (Note: This is what would happen in Quickbooks. Churches using other software or spreadsheets may want to record the liabilities differently.)
- The church may also recognize its liability/expense of $7.65 at this time.
- The SSI offset on the pastor’s terms of call must remain the same as is required on the “Terms of Call” sheets made out each year.
- The tax break was meant specifically for employees, not employers.
- The SSI offset in our “Terms of Call” is meant to help pastors pay the employer’s part of SSI, as pastors are considered employees for tax purposes, but use tax rules applicable to the self-employed.
- Per the tax rules for the self-employed, pastors must make estimated tax payments throughout the year (including an allowance for SSI) and are responsible for the full 13.3% on Schedule SE at the end of each tax year.
- Reducing the SSI Offset paid per our “Terms of Call” would effectively make the pastor responsible for the 2% break they were supposed to get.
I hope this is helpful. Please call with any questions (607) 369-4742.
Peace,
Patty Wolff, Treasurer
===================================================
The 220th General Assembly June 30 - July 7, 2012 Pittsburgh, PA
Walking, Running, Soaring in Hope
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV) (Isaiah 40:31).
FAQ’s from the Office of the General Assembly:
1. What if my schedule doesn’t allow me to participate in the live webinars? Are they being recorded?
YES! All webinars are being recorded and videos are being posted within 1 week. They are available at http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga220/ga220-webinars/.
2. Is there a published schedule of future webinars?
YES! A complete schedule is available at http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga220/ga220-webinars/. All Webinars, unless otherwise listed, will be offered on a Tuesday at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT.
3. Can I sign up to receive weekly email notifications?
YES! Anyone can sign up to receive our weekly announcements. They can visit this address to sign up http://eepurl.com/j8qfn.
4. Can I participate if I’m not serving as a commissioner or advisory delegate?
YES! Even though these training tools are specifically being designed for commissioners and advisory delegates anyone interested in learning more about the 220th General Assembly is invited to attend. These are great teaching tools for all leaders in the church.
Interim Executive Presbyter Cheryl Ann Elfond and Stated Clerk Jim Martin will hold a Commissioner’s Orientation on Wednesday, May 9th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church. If you are going to attend the General Assembly and want to join the Commissioners on May 9th, please join us. In order to provide for space at the church, please contact Office Administrator Christine Rogalski at pmc@susvalpresby.org to register your attendance at the orientation.
We would like to know who will be in attendance at General Assembly to invite you to a Presbytery meal. Would you please let us know by sending you name, dates of attendance, cell phone number, and lodging location (if you have it) to Christine Rogalski at pmc@susvalpresby.org?
Your Commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegate:
The Rev. Dr. Tim Devine (co-pastor, First Presbyterian Church Endicott) - Teaching Elder
Elder Joan Wise-Hostetter (First Union Presbyterian Church Owego/Clerk of Session and co-chair Committee on Ministry) - Ruling Elder
Sarah Erckert (Nineveh Presbyterian Church) - Young Adult Advisory Delegate
===================================================
Volunteer Members Needed for Church Development and Grants committee
As co-chairs of Presbytery Council’s Church Development and Grants committee, we are in need of some volunteer committee members to help us with our work. We could use some people who have a heart for struggling congregations that want to develop a vibrant ministry and that are seeking to discern God’s will for their future. We could use some people who don’t want to attend meetings, but who would be comfortable researching data online from the denomination’s website and from community demographics, all while never leaving the comfort of home! We need people to help us evaluate grant requests in light of some very challenging fiscal times. If you are willing to help, please call one of us: Bob Heinle, 692-2564 or Doug Garner, 656-8470.
====================================================
* CAMPERSHIPS *CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS *
Youth: Children Through 12th Grade!!
Thinking of Attending a Christian Camp This Summer? Apply for A Campership!
* Overnight Christian Camps only
* Pays 2/3 of Presbyterian (U.S.A.) Camps (up to $400)
* Pays 1/2 of Level 2 Camps (up to $300)
* Pays 1/4 of Level 3 Camps (up to $200)
(Considered on a case-by-case basis)
Applications Considered Beginning April 16th, 2012 - Cut Off Date: July 2, 2012
E-mail contact: alicefirstpresithaca@gmail.com
Or www.susvalpresby.org/youthhappenings
========================================================
Director of Youth Ministries Position Available at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Endwell
Northminster Presbyterian Church is looking for a person to serve as our Director of Youth Ministries. This is a part-time, non-ordained salaried position. Duties include planning and leading weekly youth events, working with our CE committee on VBS, fund raisers, lock-ins, and special events. It is also desirable the Director of Youth Ministries regularly attend and participate in our 9 AM Worship Service and Sunday School Program to provide a visual presence and improve communications and contact with youth and parents.
If you find you would like more information, or apply for this position, please send your name and contact information to office@northminsterpresbyterian.org
====================================================
CALLING ALL WOMEN:
You are invited to schedule a “Mountaintop Experience” with Presbyterian Women at the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Orlando, Florida, July 18-22. Join with thousands of women to experience enrichment, community, recreation and joy-all under one roof at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando.
Presbyterian Women of Susquehanna Valley offers to pay the $440 registration fee for any woman from this presbytery who plans to attend. More information at www.presbyterianwomen.org/gathering. Contact Jo Ann Gray 607-687-5076 to make registration arrangements.
====================================================
Confessing the Beatitudes: Any extra copies?
If you or your church has extra copies of the Horizons Bible Study (books, CD or other materials) entitled Confessing the Beatitudes that you would like to sell to another church, please contact Cynthia Walton-Leavitt at (607) 267-4333 or cynuff@aya.yale.edu.
======================================================
Free - Communion Trays
5 old aluminum communion trays with most of the glass cups and a cover available for free from Christ Community Church in Cortland, email christcommunitychurch@cnymail.com or phone (607) 756-1710.
====================================================
“The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley lives to serve and encourage congregations as we together seek to be faithful to our calling in Jesus Christ.”
Alternate Formats - click to download: Adobe PDF or MS Words
Thursday Thoughts April 19, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ,
Like most pastors in the Presbytery, I preached and led worship during Holy Week and Easter. It is such a privilege to bring God’s word of new life and hope to God’s people! Shortly after Easter, I took two days of continuing education to be trained as a special consultant for the General Assembly initiative called “New Beginnings.” This is a wonderful process for existing congregations to make prayerful decisions about their future ministry including the possibilities of “doing nothing” and “closing.” First Presbyterian Church United (Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery), which was gradually going to run out of money due to rising building costs, budget deficits, and lower membership decided to close and use any remaining assets to start a new worshiping community. There are many more options for moving forward other than “doing nothing” or “closing” and many congregations around the country are finding new direction as they take time to listen to God and one another, consider the history of the congregation, and connect with the community context in which they serve.
This week, I enjoyed 3 days of vacation and was surprised by a news profile on the 11 p.m. news of the former North Presbyterian Church in Binghamton. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the repurposed building. According to an article in the pressconnects.com, the church that had merged with Broad Avenue (and then merged as Broad Avenue North with Conklin Presbyterian) left a facility that was too costly to maintain and it was sold to Volunteers of America who used the annex of the church as a shelter for persons in transition for over 25 years. The adjacent church building sat in disrepair for years until it was reopened with 29 studio apartments. The article may be found at: http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20120415/VIEWPOINTS02/204150305/Let-Us-Arise-After-30-years-neglect-former-North-Presbyterian-Church-lives-again.
We serve a God of hope and resurrection. While we may find that at times a church may close or merge because demographics have changed from the time when there was a “baby boom” and an “industry boom” in the area, there are many possibilities for ministry including a new church start or a repurposed building. It is my prayer that congregations that are finding themselves challenged by any number of realities would consider an intentional discernment process such as “New Beginning” and make bold decisions to be ambassadors for Christ in a new time. To be sure, it is risky and unknown. Such is the life of faith!
Grace and peace,
Cheryl Ann
Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley is on FACEBOOK! “Like us” and share news of your congregation or team or committee! Please be aware that facebook is a public forum and that the Presbytery is not responsible for postings (or the contents of postings).
==================================================
STAFF NEWS
FREE…
The presbytery office has Day Runner undated planners (black and red), wire bound journal note books, note pads, and coloring books. The planners will be available at the PMSC for those who will be coming by and will also be available at the June presbytery assembly.
=================================================
A Calendar of Prayer - like the GA Mission Yearbook - but for our Presbytery
April
22 The Staff of the Presbytery Cheryl Ann Elfond, Interim Executive Presbyter
Christine Rogalski, Office Administrator
James Martin, Stated Clerk
Patty Wolff, Treasurer
29 Endwell Northminster Lisa Heckman, Pastor
Other Prayer Concerns or Joys to Share
Prayers for Betty Davies, wife of Rev. Roger Davies (Interim pastor of Masonville Federated Church) is having health issues. Roger is on a medical leave and has returned to Minnesota with Betty so that she may receive health care in her home state.
Please keep Rev. Dr. Janet Adair Hansen (pastor Christ Community Cortland) and her family in your prayers.
Janet’s mother, Bonnie Clay Hansen passed away Saturday. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, April 18th at 5:00 p.m. At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden, Utah.
Cards can be sent to:
Rev. Dr. Janet Adair Hansen
4 East Main Street
Cortland, NY 13045
Prayers for Joshua Gay (son of Rev. John Gay, Member at large and Mrs. Jennifer Gay) was born with spina bifida. Joshua is doing very well. He goes for a checkup at the neurosurgeon in April.
Please contact interim executive presbyter, Cheryl Ann Elfond at 607-967-8012 (pmsc) or 607-239-5988 (home) if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
=====================================================
SEEKING COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM) ADVISOR
FOR 5 CENTRAL NEW YORK PRESBYTERIES
(Albany, Cayuga-Syracuse, Northern New York, Susquehanna Valley, Utica)
POSITION TITLE: COM Advisor
TERM: This is a one year contract, from 2012 through 2013, renewable for one additional year, with a six month probationary period. The Advisor is employed on a part-time (flexible within 40 - 60 hours/month) basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES: To provide resources, training, and guidance as requested by each COM and specified in the job description
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Training and expertise in family systems (for example, Healthy Congregations)
2. Training and expertise in conflict management and mediation
3. Familiar with Book of Order and GA Ministry Committees Handbook
4. Relate well to others, listen to others
5. COM experience preferred
6. Be familiar with emerging models for ministry
7. Comfortable working with current technology for communication purposes (GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, Skype, etc.)
For more information or to apply for this position, contact:
Cheryl Ann Elfond, Interim Executive Presbyter
Susquehanna Valley Presbytery
12 Whitney Way
Bainbridge, NY 13733-1017
executivepresbyter@susvalpresby.org
Applicants please note: To apply please send your dossier and three references. The application deadline is May 15, 2012.
For position description click: PPG Advisor
================================================
The 220th General Assembly June 30 - July 7, 2012 Pittsburgh, PA
Walking, Running, Soaring in Hope
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV) (Isaiah 40:31).
FAQ’s from the Office of the General Assembly:
1. What if my schedule doesn’t allow me to participate in the live webinars? Are they being recorded?
YES! All webinars are being recorded and videos are being posted within 1 week. They are available at http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga220/ga220-webinars/.
2. Is there a published schedule of future webinars?
YES! A complete schedule is available at http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga220/ga220-webinars/. All Webinars, unless otherwise listed, will be offered on a Tuesday at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT.
3. Can I sign up to receive weekly email notifications?
YES! Anyone can sign up to receive our weekly announcements. They can visit this address to sign up http://eepurl.com/j8qfn.
4. Can I participate if I’m not serving as a commissioner or advisory delegate?
YES! Even though these training tools are specifically being designed for commissioners and advisory delegates anyone interested in learning more about the 220th General Assembly is invited to attend. These are great teaching tools for all leaders in the church.
Interim Executive Presbyter Cheryl Ann Elfond and Stated Clerk Jim Martin will hold a Commissioner’s Orientation on Wednesday, May 9th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church. If you are going to attend the General Assembly and want to join the Commissioners on May 9th, please join us. In order to provide for space at the church, please contact Office Administrator Christine Rogalski at pmc@susvalpresby.org to register your attendance at the orientation.
We would like to know who will be in attendance at General Assembly to invite you to a Presbytery meal. Would you please let us know by sending you name, dates of attendance, cell phone number, and lodging location (if you have it) to Christine Rogalski at pmc@susvalpresby.org?
Your Commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegate:
The Rev. Dr. Tim Devine (co-pastor, First Presbyterian Church Endicott) - Teaching Elder
Elder Joan Wise-Hostetter (First Union Presbyterian Church Owego/Clerk of Session and co-chair Committee on Ministry) - Ruling Elder
Sarah Erckert (Nineveh Presbyterian Church) - Young Adult Advisory Delegate
===================================================
General Assembly Restricted Funds Applications
The General Assembly Council has sent a letter to all congregations announcing the 2012 listing of unassigned General Assembly Restricted Funds. Please be aware that all applications are to be sent to the Council Church Development/Grant sub-committee Co-chairs (Bob Heinle at Rheinle@wpcsd.org or Doug Garner at GarnarDC@sunybroome.edu) for review and then the Presbytery Council act on the recommendation of the Church Development/Grants sub-committee of Council and forward those applications to the Synod. Each presbytery can only forward one application per fund to the synod and each synod, can, in most cases, send only one request per fund forward. Please contact Bob or Doug if you have any questions. The deadline for submission to Bob or Doug is April 25 so that they may review the applications and if need be follow up on any questions before presenting them to the Council at its May 2nd meeting.
You may find the information posted in the Leadership Handbook of the Presbytery on the website under Grant Information 5. General Assembly Funds Make Available to Churches or click here: GA Restricted Funds packet 2012
=====================================================
Volunteer Members Needed for Church Development and Grants committee
As co-chairs of Presbytery Council’s Church Development and Grants committee, we are in need of some volunteer committee members to help us with our work. We could use some people who have a heart for struggling congregations that want to develop a vibrant ministry and that are seeking to discern God’s will for their future. We could use some people who don’t want to attend meetings, but who would be comfortable researching data online from the denomination’s website and from community demographics, all while never leaving the comfort of home! We need people to help us evaluate grant requests in light of some very challenging fiscal times. If you are willing to help, please call one of us: Bob Heinle, 692-2564 or Doug Garner, 656-8470.
=====================================================
* CAMPERSHIPS *CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS *
Youth: Children Through 12th Grade!!
Thinking of Attending a Christian Camp This Summer? Apply for A Campership!
* Overnight Christian Camps only
* Pays 2/3 of Presbyterian (U.S.A.) Camps (up to $400)
* Pays 1/2 of Level 2 Camps (up to $300)
* Pays 1/4 of Level 3 Camps (up to $200)
(Considered on a case-by-case basis)
Applications Considered Beginning April 16th, 2012 - Cut Off Date: July 2, 2012
E-mail contact: alicefirstpresithaca@gmail.com
Or www.susvalpresby.org/youthhappenings
========================================================
Director of Youth Ministries Position Available at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Endwell
Northminster Presbyterian Church is looking for a person to serve as our Director of Youth Ministries. This is a part-time, non-ordained salaried position. Duties include planning and leading weekly youth events, working with our CE committee on VBS, fund raisers, lock-ins, and special events. It is also desirable the Director of Youth Ministries regularly attend and participate in our 9 AM Worship Service and Sunday School Program to provide a visual presence and improve communications and contact with youth and parents.
If you find you would like more information, or apply for this position, please send your name and contact information to office@northminsterpresbyterian.org
====================================================
CALLING ALL WOMEN:
You are invited to schedule a “Mountaintop Experience” with Presbyterian Women at the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Orlando, Florida, July 18-22. Join with thousands of women to experience enrichment, community, recreation and joy-all under one roof at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando.
Presbyterian Women of Susquehanna Valley offers to pay the $440 registration fee for any woman from this presbytery who plans to attend. More information at www.presbyterianwomen.org/gathering. Contact Jo Ann Gray 607-687-5076 to make registration arrangements.
====================================================
Landscape Water Color & Spirituality Classes
Landscape Water Color & Spirituality Classes in Cortland Rev. Dr. Janet Adair Hansen and artist Karen Kucharski will collaborare on a series of 6 classes about spiritually connecting to the landscape through water color painting. The first two classes will be Sunday afternoons April 15, 22, from 1:30 4:30 PM, then changing to Saturday mornings, April 28, May 5, 12, 19 from 9:30 AM 12:30 PM. Classes will be at Christ Community Church on Tompkins Street, or “en plein aire” at Lime Hollow Nature Center, and may be taken individually or together.. You may be an experienced or beginning artist in the medium of water color it doesn’t matter. Artist Karen Kucharski (http://www.karenkucharski.com/ will develop and sharpen your water color skills donation is $20 per class, or $45 for any 3 classes, or $75 for all 6. Bring your own art supplies water colors, brushes, water color paper some supplies will also be available if requested in advance. Rev. Hansen will use materials from her doctoral dissertation on “Wilderness Spirituality” and from Steven Chase’ book Nature as Spiritual Practice. Register in advance for the classes you plan to attend (607) 756-1710 or christcommunitychurch@cnymail.com
===========================================================
Integrating Spirituality into Relationships, Counseling, and Community
On Saturday, May 12th, the staff of Susquehanna Family Counseling Ministry will offer a learning day for clergy, pastoral and secular counselors, social workers and psychologists, mental health counselors and other health care professionals. We will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of United Presbyterian Church, Binghamton, New York. The focus will be on exploring ways we can encourage deeper response and healing in our clients/patients/families and congregational groups with psychotherapeutic techniques and by developing our own disciplines of spiritual presence.
The fee of $50.00 includes refreshments and lunch. FCMs staff of six pastoral counselors will lead plenary sessions and workshops around their clinical/pastoral specialties and/or interests. You will find details on our flyer/registration form which will be sent individually, or in bulk on request from phebeallen@gmail.com . You will also be able to download the flyer as a pdf from fcmsite.org.
Phone requests/questions: Contact Suzanne at 607-329-1849
====================================================
Free - Communion Trays
5 old aluminum communion trays with most of the glass cups and a cover available for free from Christ Community Church in Cortland, email christcommunitychurch@cnymail.com or phone (607) 756-1710.
====================================================
Free Tyndale New Testament Commentaries
I have a set of Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (1982) free for the taking. Complete New Testament from Matthew thru Revalations. Can call me (845-586-4618) or email me at ps139@catskill.net. Set is in excellent condition.
Thanks and God bless -
Commissioned Lay Pastor
Shirley Davis
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“The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley lives to serve and encourage congregations as we together seek to be faithful to our calling in Jesus Christ.”
Alternate Formats - click to download: Adobe PDF or MS Words
Thursday Thoughts April 5, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ,
For some reason, I expected this week to be quieter than most because we are focused on Holy Week and Jesus’ Triumphal Entry in to Jerusalem, his last supper with the disciples, his crucifixion, and resurrection. E-mail and calls have continued to come in with as much frequency as most weeks. One of the e-mails included a message from the 219th General Assembly Moderator Ruling Elder Cynthia Bolbach. The message in her communication is timely as congregations, Presbyteries, Synods, and General Assembly wrestle to discern how God might be leading the church to “live and move and have its being” in this century and in this decade. I am very hopeful about what God is doing even though we remain in the dark at times about it! Unfortunately the church has settled into understanding itself as an institution rather than a living organism, but I do believe that God is making all things new. May we watch and wait and listen and discern with others so that we may follow the Christ who calls us into community.
Here is the full article from Cynthia Bolbach that was sent out this past week and posted to the PC(U.S.A.) news on March 29, 2012.
“Landon Whitsitt, Vice Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), posted an interesting question on Facebook recently: “Where do you get your news about religion and/or religious events?”
Now I realize that a survey of Landon’s Facebook friends would probably not pass scientific muster with those who conduct surveys for a living. Nonetheless, I think the thirty-two friends who responded provide interesting feedback: Most referenced social media sites like Facebook, only two cited The Presbyterian Outlook, and another two referenced the Presbyterian News Service (PNS).
I’m taking a leap here, but my sense is that Landon’s friends skew more toward the under-40s. And, taking a further leap, I think a survey of over-40s would show a greater propensity toward reading sources like the Outlook and PNS.
What does this mean? “The times, they are a-changin’” to use a phrase that will resonate with those of us 50 and over.
It’s not just the means of communication that are changing. Denominational structures that we’ve erected over the past fifty years are fading away. The question is: What, if anything, will replace those structures? What will mid councils look like? What about the General Assembly itself?
The issue that faces us as a church right now is to somehow get all those who love those structures to be in sync with all those who have no patience at all with those structures, who view them as ineffectual and irrelevant. Can all the “GA junkies” out there accept changes in the way we do an Assembly? Can those who love the Roberts Rules way of doing presbytery (or doing Session) accept a different style? And, just as important, can those who disdain these particular structures understand that some sort of structure is helpful and, in fact, needed?
This is one of the greatest challenges before this summer’s General Assembly. My hope, and prayer, is that the Assembly commissioners can find common ground and discern ways in which we can retool our structures, so that we can effectively proclaim the gospel in our 21st century contexts.”
Grace and peace,
Cheryl Ann
Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley is on FACEBOOK! “Like us” and share news of your congregation or team or committee! Please be aware that facebook is a public forum and that the Presbytery is not responsible for postings (or the contents of postings).
==================================================
STAFF NEWS
The presbytery office will be closed on April 9, 2012 for Good Friday. We wish you a Joyous Easter.
Christine Rogalski, office administrator, will be on vacation April 10-12, 2012. The presbytery office will be closed and there will be no Thursday Thoughts.
Cheryl Ann Elfond, interim executive presbyter for transition and transformation will be on continuing education leave April 11-12, 2012 and on vacation April 16-18, 2012.
FREE…
The presbytery office has Day Runner undated planners (black and red), wire bound journal note books, note pads, and coloring books. The planners will be available at the PMSC for those who will be coming by and will also be available at the June presbytery assembly.
=================================================
A Calendar of Prayer - like the GA Mission Yearbook - but for our Presbytery
April
8 Windsor Emrys Tyler, Moderator
15 Cincinnatus United Dave Robinson, Moderator
George Carruth, Temporary Student
22 The Staff of the Presbytery Cheryl Ann Elfond, Interim Executive Presbyter
Christine Rogalski, Office Administrator
James Martin, Stated Clerk
Patty Wolff, Treasurer
29 Endwell Northminster Lisa Heckman, Pastor
Other Prayer Concerns or Joys to Share
Prayers for Betty Davies, wife of Rev. Roger Davies (Interim pastor of Masonville Federated Church) is having health issues. Roger is on a medical leave and has returned to Minnesota with Betty so that she may receive health care in her home state.
Rev. Janet Adair Hansen (Pastor, Christ Community Church in Cortlandville and former Stated Clerk) thanks everyone for prayers for her brother Charlie in Denver and her mother Bonnie in Utah. While their health is still a concern, they are each out of immediate crisis.
Prayers for Joshua Gay (son of Rev. John Gay, Member at large and Mrs. Jennifer Gay) was born with spina bifida. Joshua is doing very well. He goes for a checkup at the neurosurgeon in April.
Please contact interim executive presbyter, Cheryl Ann Elfond at 607-967-8012 (pmsc) or 607-239-5988 (home) if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
=====================================================
SEEKING COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM) ADVISOR
FOR 5 CENTRAL NEW YORK PRESBYTERIES
(Albany, Cayuga-Syracuse, Northern New York, Susquehanna Valley, Utica)
POSITION TITLE: COM Advisor
TERM: This is a one year contract, from 2012 through 2013, renewable for one additional year, with a six month probationary period. The Advisor is employed on a part-time (flexible within 40 - 60 hours/month) basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES: To provide resources, training, and guidance as requested by each COM and specified in the job description
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Training and expertise in family systems (for example, Healthy Congregations)
2. Training and expertise in conflict management and mediation
3. Familiar with Book of Order and GA Ministry Committees Handbook
4. Relate well to others, listen to others
5. COM experience preferred
6. Be familiar with emerging models for ministry
7. Comfortable working with current technology for communication purposes (GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, Skype, etc.)
For more information or to apply for this position, contact:
Cheryl Ann Elfond, Interim Executive Presbyter
Susquehanna Valley Presbytery
12 Whitney Way
Bainbridge, NY 13733-1017
executivepresbyter@susvalpresby.org
Applicants please note: To apply please send your dossier and three references. The application deadline is May 15, 2012.
For position description click: PPG Advisor
================================================
The 220th General Assembly June 30 - July 7, 2012 Pittsburgh, PA
Walking, Running, Soaring in Hope
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV) (Isaiah 40:31).
FAQ’s from the Office of the General Assembly:
1. What if my schedule doesn’t allow me to participate in the live webinars? Are they being recorded?
YES! All webinars are being recorded and videos are being posted within 1 week. They are available at http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga220/ga220-webinars/.
2. Is there a published schedule of future webinars?
YES! A complete schedule is available at http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga220/ga220-webinars/. All Webinars, unless otherwise listed, will be offered on a Tuesday at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT.
3. Can I sign up to receive weekly email notifications?
YES! Anyone can sign up to receive our weekly announcements. They can visit this address to sign up http://eepurl.com/j8qfn.
4. Can I participate if I’m not serving as a commissioner or advisory delegate?
YES! Even though these training tools are specifically being designed for commissioners and advisory delegates anyone interested in learning more about the 220th General Assembly is invited to attend. These are great teaching tools for all leaders in the church.
Watch for information about an invitation to attend the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley Commissioner Orientation coming soon.
Your Commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegate:
The Rev. Dr. Tim Devine (co-pastor, First Presbyterian Church Endicott) - Teaching Elder
Elder Joan Wise-Hostetter (First Union Presbyterian Church Owego/Clerk of Session and co-chair Committee on Ministry) - Ruling Elder
Sarah Erckert (Nineveh Presbyterian Church) - Young Adult Advisory Delegate
===================================================
General Assembly Restricted Funds Applications
The General Assembly Council has sent a letter to all congregations announcing the 2012 listing of unassigned General Assembly Restricted Funds. Please be aware that all applications are to be sent to the Council Church Development/Grant sub-committee Co-chairs (Bob Heinle at Rheinle@wpcsd.org or Doug Garner at GarnarDC@sunybroome.edu) for review and then the Presbytery Council act on the recommendation of the Church Development/Grants sub-committee of Council and forward those applications to the Synod. Each presbytery can only forward one application per fund to the synod and each synod, can, in most cases, send only one request per fund forward. Please contact Bob or Doug if you have any questions. The deadline for submission to Bob or Doug is April 25 so that they may review the applications and if need be follow up on any questions before presenting them to the Council at its May 2nd meeting.
You may find the information posted in the Leadership Handbook of the Presbytery on the website under Grant Information 5. General Assembly Funds Make Available to Churches or click here: GA Restricted Funds packet 2012
=====================================================
Volunteer Members Needed for Church Development and Grants committee
As co-chairs of Presbytery Council’s Church Development and Grants committee, we are in need of some volunteer committee members to help us with our work. We could use some people who have a heart for struggling congregations that want to develop a vibrant ministry and that are seeking to discern God’s will for their future. We could use some people who don’t want to attend meetings, but who would be comfortable researching data online from the denomination’s website and from community demographics, all while never leaving the comfort of home! We need people to help us evaluate grant requests in light of some very challenging fiscal times. If you are willing to help, please call one of us: Bob Heinle, 692-2564 or Doug Garner, 656-8470.
=====================================================
* CAMPERSHIPS *CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS * CAMPERSHIPS *
Youth: Children Through 12th Grade!!
Thinking of Attending a Christian Camp This Summer?
Apply for A Campership!
* Overnight Christian Camps only
* Pays 2/3 of Presbyterian (U.S.A.) Camps
(up to $400)
* Pays 1/2 of Level 2 Camps (up to $300)
* Pays 1/4 of Level 3 Camps (up to $200)
(Considered on a case-by-case basis)
Applications Considered Beginning April 16th, 2012 - Cut Off Date: July 2, 2012
E-mail contact: alicefirstpresithaca@gmail.com
Or www.susvalpresby.org/youthhappenings
========================================================
Director of Youth Ministries Position Available at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Endwell
Northminster Presbyterian Church is looking for a person to serve as our Director of Youth Ministries. This is a part-time, non-ordained salaried position. Duties include planning and leading weekly youth events, working with our CE committee on VBS, fund raisers, lock-ins, and special events. It is also desirable the Director of Youth Ministries regularly attend and participate in our 9 AM Worship Service and Sunday School Program to provide a visual presence and improve communications and contact with youth and parents.
If you find you would like more information, or apply for this position, please send your name and contact information to office@northminsterpresbyterian.org
====================================================
Calling all Presbyterian Women - SPRING GATHERING
“Blessed are…………………….”
Who: You may not have a “PW group” in your church. BUT if you are a woman and you attend a Presbyterian Church you are welcome. In fact, even if you attend another church, you are welcome! Men are welcome too!
Theme: “The Beatitudes”. This is the featured 2011-2012 Bible Study for Presbyterian Women as presented in the Horizon’s Magazine.
What: It will be a time to gather, reflect and grow as one body of Christ
When: Saturday, April 21 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Where: Northminster Presbyterian Church in Endwell
711 Farm to Market Rd., Endwell, NY 13760
Food? Goodies at 9:30. Lunch will be served ($5.00)
RSVP by Monday, April 16 - Muriel Herzig 607-785-8716 dfherzig@aol.com
Child care provided upon request
Come be blessed. There is much to be gained from the Beatitudes. We hope you will bring a group of women from your church or circle of friends.
====================================================
2012 Earth Day Computer Recycling at “Red Door” on Saturday, April 21st
The 4th annual Earth Day Computer Recycling event is being held on Saturday, April 21st from 8:00 AM to 12 Noon at First United Presbyterian (aka the “Red Door” Church) on the corner of Main Street and Walling Avenue, Oneonta. This is a FREE service to the community which has grown each year. All of us who volunteer our time really enjoy helping the community dispose of their unwanted “electronic gadgets.” Just bring your items to curb side or the church driveway across from the Friendly’s parking lot on Walling Avenue for volunteer help to unload your vehicle.
“Be a good steward of the earth and bring your old items to be recycled responsibly.”
We will gladly accept any of the following items: Computers (in any shape); Scrap circuit boards; Cables (all types); Printers; Copiers; Print cartridges; Keyboards; Monitors; “Mice;” Speakers (No household stereo speakers); Disk drives; Projectors; Photo equipment; VCR/DVD players; Telephone equipment; Medical or scientific equipment; Control modules. We are NOT accepting TV’s or Microwaves.
We certify destruction of all personal information.
For more information, contact Carol Sprague, Church Secretary, at (607) 432-7520 or Deborah Collins, DK Recycling, at (607) 859-9400 or visit www.dkrecycling.com
===================================================
CALLING ALL WOMEN:
You are invited to schedule a “Mountaintop Experience” with Presbyterian Women at the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Orlando, Florida, July 18-22. Join with thousands of women to experience enrichment, community, recreation and joy-all under one roof at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando.
Presbyterian Women of Susquehanna Valley offers to pay the $440 registration fee for any woman from this presbytery who plans to attend. More information at www.presbyterianwomen.org/gathering. Contact Jo Ann Gray 607-687-5076 to make registration arrangements.
====================================================
Landscape Water Color & Spirituality Classes
Landscape Water Color & Spirituality Classes in Cortland Rev. Dr. Janet Adair Hansen and artist Karen Kucharski will collaborare on a series of 6 classes about spiritually connecting to the landscape through water color painting. The first two classes will be Sunday afternoons April 15, 22, from 1:30 4:30 PM, then changing to Saturday mornings, April 28, May 5, 12, 19 from 9:30 AM 12:30 PM. Classes will be at Christ Community Church on Tompkins Street, or “en plein aire” at Lime Hollow Nature Center, and may be taken individually or together.. You may be an experienced or beginning artist in the medium of water color it doesn’t matter. Artist Karen Kucharski (http://www.karenkucharski.com/ will develop and sharpen your water color skills donation is $20 per class, or $45 for any 3 classes, or $75 for all 6. Bring your own art supplies water colors, brushes, water color paper some supplies will also be available if requested in advance. Rev. Hansen will use materials from her doctoral dissertation on “Wilderness Spirituality” and from Steven Chase’ book Nature as Spiritual Practice. Register in advance for the classes you plan to attend (607) 756-1710 or christcommunitychurch@cnymail.com
===========================================================
Integrating Spirituality into Relationships, Counseling, and Community
On Saturday, May 12th, the staff of Susquehanna Family Counseling Ministry will offer a learning day for clergy, pastoral and secular counselors, social workers and psychologists, mental health counselors and other health care professionals. We will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of United Presbyterian Church, Binghamton, New York. The focus will be on exploring ways we can encourage deeper response and healing in our clients/patients/families and congregational groups with psychotherapeutic techniques and by developing our own disciplines of spiritual presence.
The fee of $50.00 includes refreshments and lunch. FCMs staff of six pastoral counselors will lead plenary sessions and workshops around their clinical/pastoral specialties and/or interests. You will find details on our flyer/registration form which will be sent individually, or in bulk on request from phebeallen@gmail.com . You will also be able to download the flyer as a pdf from fcmsite.org.
Phone requests/questions: Contact Suzanne at 607-329-1849
=====================================================
Free Tyndale New Testament Commentaries
I have a set of Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (1982) free for the taking. Complete New Testament from Matthew thru Revalations. Can call me (845-586-4618) or email me at ps139@catskill.net. Set is in excellent condition.
Thanks and God bless -
Commissioned Lay Pastor
Shirley Davis
========================================================
“The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley lives to serve and encourage congregations as we together seek to be faithful to our calling in Jesus Christ.”
Alternate Formats - click to download: Adobe PDF or MS Words
Thursday Thoughts March 29, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ,
“Where shall the word be found, where will the word Resound? Not here, there is not enough silence.” (T.S. Eliot, from “Ash Wednesday”)
This past week, my reading took me to various articles, devotionals, and of course e-mails. There was a theme among some of the readings, that of silence and hearing God.
Whether it be the noise of e-mail, phone calls, TV, YouTube, Facebook or Twitter and other social networking platforms or noise within our own heads, silence can easily be drowned out in so many different ways, here, there and everywhere around us.
For Pastors, it may be especially difficult as there is much focus on preparing bulletins and sermons for Holy Week. This year, I am preaching for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter so I am remembering how little time there can be for silence in light of these preparations along with all of the other pastoral duties.
“Silence is God’s first language. Everything else is a bad translation,” is attributed to Mother Teresa.
What spiritual practices do you engage in to keep you in a posture of silence so that you might be open to the whispers of God?
Grace and peace,
Cheryl Ann
Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley is on FACEBOOK! “Like us” and share news of your congregation or team or committee! Please be aware that facebook is a public forum and that the Presbytery is not responsible for postings (or the contents of postings).
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STAFF NEWS
The presbytery office will be closed on April 9, 2012 for Good Friday.
Christine Rogalski, office administrator, will be on vacation April 10-12, 2012. The presbytery office will be closed and there will be no Thursday Thoughts.
FREE…
The presbytery office has Day Runner undated planners (black and red), wire bound journal note books, note pads, and coloring books. The planners will be available at the PMSC for those who will be coming by and will also be available at the June presbytery assembly.
=================================================
Pastoral Comings and Goings
The Bovina Presbyterian Church has called the Rev. Garrett Schindler as Pastor beginning April 1, 2012. He comes to us from the Ohio Presbytery. Please welcome him when he arrives.
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A Calendar of Prayer - like the GA Mission Yearbook - but for our Presbytery
April
1 Conklin Elaine Rhodes, Interim Pastor
Broad Ave/North Chapel of Conklin
11 Windsor Emrys Tyler, Moderator
18 Cincinnatus United Dave Robinson, Moderator
George Carruth, Temporary Student
25 The Staff of the Presbytery Cheryl Ann Elfond, Interim Executive Presbyter
Christine Rogalski, Office Administrator
James Martin, Stated Clerk
Patty Wolff, Treasurer
29 Endwell Northminster Lisa Heckman, Pastor
Birthdays and Ordination Anniversary’s for the month of April
Birthdays
13 Frank Amalfitano
16 Timothy Devine
18 Martha Vink
27 Patricia Raube
Ordination Anniversary’s of Ministers
6 David Robinson
13 Carol Wilson
17 Barbara Schwartz
29 Gerald Hertzog
30 Mark Montfort
Other Prayer Concerns or Joys to Share
Prayers for Betty Davies, wife of Rev. Roger Davies (Interim pastor of Masonville Federated Church) is having health issues. Roger is on a medical leave and has returned to Minnesota with Betty so that she may receive health care in her home state.
Janet Adair Hansen, Pastor at Christ Community Church in Cortlandville, thanks everyone for prayers for mother and brother. Her mother Bonnie continues to decline due to Parkinsons (dementia along with physical manifestation). Her brother Charlie spent a month in ICU at a Denver hospital (after 4 months hospitalized in regular bed) and is still on the ventilator but has improved enough to be moved to an Acute Care Center.
Prayers for Joshua Gay (son of Rev. John Gay, Member at large and Mrs. Jennifer Gay) was born with spina bifida. Joshua is doing very well. He goes for a checkup at the neurosurgeon in April.
Please contact interim executive presbyter, Cheryl Ann Elfond at 607-967-8012 (pmsc) or 607-239-5988 (home) if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
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General Assembly Restricted Funds Applications
The General Assembly Council has sent a letter to all congregations announcing the 2012 listing of unassigned General Assembly Restricted Funds. Please be aware that all applications are to be sent to the Council Church Development/Grant sub-committee Co-chairs (Bob Heinle at Rheinle@wpcsd.org or Doug Garner at GarnarDC@sunybroome.edu) for review and then the Presbytery Council act on the recommendation of the Church Development/Grants sub-committee of Council and forward those applications to the Synod. Each presbytery can only forward one application per fund to the synod and each synod, can, in most cases, send only one request per fund forward. Please contact Bob or Doug if you have any questions. The deadline for submission to Bob or Doug is April 25 so that they may review the applications and if need be follow up on any questions before presenting them to the Council at its May 2nd meeting.
You may find the information posted in the Leadership Handbook of the Presbytery on the website under Grant Information 5. General Assembly Funds Make Available to Churches or click here: GA Restricted Funds packet 2012
=====================================================
Volunteer Members Needed for Church Development and Grants committee
As co-chairs of Presbytery Council’s Church Development and Grants committee, we are in need of some volunteer committee members to help us with our work. We could use some people who have a heart for struggling congregations that want to develop a vibrant ministry and that are seeking to discern God’s will for their future. We could use some people who don’t want to attend meetings, but who would be comfortable researching data online from the denomination’s website and from community demographics, all while never leaving the comfort of home! We need people to help us evaluate grant requests in light of some very challenging fiscal times. If you are willing to help, please call one of us: Bob Heinle, 692-2564 or Doug Garner, 656-8470.
======================================================
Director of Youth Ministries Position Available at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Endwell
Northminster Presbyterian Church is looking for a person to serve as our Director of Youth Ministries. This is a part-time, non-ordained salaried position. Duties include planning and leading weekly youth events, working with our CE committee on VBS, fund raisers, lock-ins, and special events. It is also desirable the Director of Youth Ministries regularly attend and participate in our 9 AM Worship Service and Sunday School Program to provide a visual presence and improve communications and contact with youth and parents.
If you find you would like more information, or apply for this position, please send your name and contact information to office@northminsterpresbyterian.org
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2012 Earth Day Computer Recycling at “Red Door” on Saturday, April 21st
The 4th annual Earth Day Computer Recycling event is being held on Saturday, April 21st from 8:00 AM to 12 Noon at First United Presbyterian (aka the “Red Door” Church) on the corner of Main Street and Walling Avenue, Oneonta. This is a FREE service to the community which has grown each year. All of us who volunteer our time really enjoy helping the community dispose of their unwanted “electronic gadgets.” Just bring your items to curb side or the church driveway across from the Friendly’s parking lot on Walling Avenue for volunteer help to unload your vehicle.
“Be a good steward of the earth and bring your old items to be recycled responsibly.”
We will gladly accept any of the following items: Computers (in any shape); Scrap circuit boards; Cables (all types); Printers; Copiers; Print cartridges; Keyboards; Monitors; “Mice;” Speakers (No household stereo speakers); Disk drives; Projectors; Photo equipment; VCR/DVD players; Telephone equipment; Medical or scientific equipment; Control modules. We are NOT accepting TV’s or Microwaves.
We certify destruction of all personal information.
For more information, contact Carol Sprague, Church Secretary, at (607) 432-7520 or Deborah Collins, DK Recycling, at (607) 859-9400 or visit www.dkrecycling.com
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CALLING ALL WOMEN:
You are invited to schedule a “Mountaintop Experience” with Presbyterian Women at the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Orlando, Florida, July 18-22. Join with thousands of women to experience enrichment, community, recreation and joy-all under one roof at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando.
Presbyterian Women of Susquehanna Valley offers to pay the $440 registration fee for any woman from this presbytery who plans to attend. More information at www.presbyterianwomen.org/gathering. Contact Jo Ann Gray 607-687-5076 to make registration arrangements.
====================================================
Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel’s Messiah
Since the Catskill Choral Society (of which I am a member) is doing Handel’s Messiah this spring, I thought it would be a good time to use the Kerygma Program Study, “Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel’s Messiah” to enrich my singing experience. I would like to invite you to join me in this endeavor. You can get your book and a compact disc recording if you need one, at www.kerygma.com. We can meet virtually with a face to face option for those who wish it. We’ll finish the 10 session study in time for the concert, which I hope you can attend live, Friday, May 11th at 7:30 or Saturday, May 12th at 4:00. Call or email if you have questions, or you’d like to let me know you want to participate.
Lynn J. Shepard
607-829-2531
lynnjshepard@gmail.com
=====================================================
Integrating Spirituality into Relationships, Counseling, and Community
On Saturday, May 12th, the staff of Susquehanna Family Counseling Ministry will offer a learning day for clergy, pastoral and secular counselors, social workers and psychologists, mental health counselors and other health care professionals. We will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of United Presbyterian Church, Binghamton, New York. The focus will be on exploring ways we can encourage deeper response and healing in our clients/patients/families and congregational groups with psychotherapeutic techniques and by developing our own disciplines of spiritual presence.
The fee of $50.00 includes refreshments and lunch. FCMs staff of six pastoral counselors will lead plenary sessions and workshops around their clinical/pastoral specialties and/or interests. You will find details on our flyer/registration form which will be sent individually, or in bulk on request from phebeallen@gmail.com . You will also be able to download the flyer as a pdf from fcmsite.org.
Phone requests/questions: Contact Suzanne at 607-329-1849
=====================================================
Free Tyndale New Testament Commentaries
I have a set of Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (1982) free for the taking. Complete New Testament from Matthew thru Revalations. Can call me (845-586-4618) or email me at ps139@catskill.net. Set is in excellent condition.
Thanks and God bless -
Commissioned Lay Pastor
Shirley Davis
========================================================
“The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley lives to serve and encourage congregations as we together seek to be faithful to our calling in Jesus Christ.”
Alternate Formats - click to download: Adobe PDF or MS Words
Thursday Thoughts March 22, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ,
This week, I was on vacation from Monday-Wednesday (except to write this article!). There were a few interruptions but for the most part, I was away from e-mail, phone calls, and meetings as well as my pastoral duties in the Presbytery. I was also away from home and my familiar surroundings. As I traveled, I enjoyed conversation with people from many places and from different walks of life. I enjoy meeting people and I especially enjoy hearing the unique stories that people share even with strangers.
In the course of my many conversations, the questions “where are you from?” and “what do you do?” invariably come up if the conversation is of any duration. It is fascinating to see the various responses when I tell people that I am a minister. What is more fascinating and truly rewarding are the faith conversations in which I engage with complete strangers. It is really refreshing.
Most of the people I met and talked with on this vacation were not “church” people; that is, they had no affiliation with a congregation. But, they had faith and one person I met worshipped in a house church.
One of the questions that I would like to ask the various people of faith I meet who have no affiliation with a congregation but refrain from asking is, “why don’t you attend church or what keeps you away from church?” I wonder about this at times. How about you?
Grace and peace,
Cheryl Ann
Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley is on FACEBOOK! “Like us” and share news of your congregation or team or committee! Please be aware that facebook is a public forum and that the Presbytery is not responsible for postings (or the contents of postings).
==================================================
STAFF NEWS
The presbytery office will be closed on April 9, 2012 for Good Friday.
Christine Rogalski, office administrator, will be on vacation April 10-12, 2012. The presbytery office will be closed and there will be no Thursday Thoughts.
FREE…
The presbytery office has Day Runner undated planners (black and red), wire bound journal note books, note pads, and coloring books. The planners will be available at the PMSC for those who will be coming by and will also be available at the June presbytery assembly.
=================================================
Pastoral Comings and Goings
The Bovina Presbyterian Church has called the Rev. Garrett Schindler as Pastor beginning April 1, 2012. He comes to us from the Ohio Presbytery. Please welcome him when he arrives.
=================================================
A Calendar of Prayer - like the GA Mission Yearbook - but for our Presbytery
March
25 Ithaca 1st James Henery, Pastor
Alice Tewell, Associate Pastor
Other Prayer Concerns or Joys to Share
Prayers for Betty Davies, wife of Rev. Roger Davies (Interim pastor of Masonville Federated Church) is having health issues. Roger is on a medical leave and has returned to Minnesota with Betty so that she may receive health care in her home state.
Janet Adair Hansen, Pastor at Christ Community Church in Cortlandville, thanks everyone for prayers for mother and brother. Her mother Bonnie continues to decline due to Parkinsons (dementia along with physical manifestation). Her brother Charlie spent a month in ICU at a Denver hospital (after 4 months hospitalized in regular bed) and is still on the ventilator but has improved enough to be moved to an Acute Care Center.
Prayers for Joshua Gay (son of Rev. John Gay, pastor United Presbyterian Cortland and Mrs. Jennifer Gay) was born with spina bifida. Joshua is doing very well - he is going into braces that he’ll have to wear 23 hours a day (at least at first). He goes for a checkup at the neurosurgeon in April.
Please contact interim executive presbyter, Cheryl Ann Elfond at 607-967-8012 (pmsc) or 607-239-5988 (home) if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
======================================================
General Assembly Restricted Funds Applications
The General Assembly Council has sent a letter to all congregations announcing the 2012 listing of unassigned General Assembly Restricted Funds. Please be aware that all applications are to be sent to the Council Church Development/Grant sub-committee Co-chairs (Bob Heinle at Rheinle@wpcsd.org or Doug Garner at GarnarDC@sunybroome.edu) for review and then the Presbytery Council act on the recommendation of the Church Development/Grants sub-committee of Council and forward those applications to the Synod. Each presbytery can only forward one application per fund to the synod and each synod, can, in most cases, send only one request per fund forward. Please contact Bob or Doug if you have any questions. The deadline for submission to Bob or Doug is April 25 so that they may review the applications and if need be follow up on any questions before presenting them to the Council at its May 2nd meeting.
You may find the information posted in the Leadership Handbook of the Presbytery on the website under Grant Information 5. General Assembly Funds Make Available to Churches or click here: GA Restricted Funds packet 2012
=====================================================
Volunteer Members Needed for Church Development and Grants committee
As co-chairs of Presbytery Council’s Church Development and Grants committee, we are in need of some volunteer committee members to help us with our work. We could use some people who have a heart for struggling congregations that want to develop a vibrant ministry and that are seeking to discern God’s will for their future. We could use some people who don’t want to attend meetings, but who would be comfortable researching data online from the denomination’s website and from community demographics, all while never leaving the comfort of home! We need people to help us evaluate grant requests in light of some very challenging fiscal times. If you are willing to help, please call one of us: Bob Heinle, 692-2564 or Doug Garner, 656-8470.
=====================================================
An Introduction from Jim Martin, Stated Clerk
I know that most of you know me, but there are some who are new to the Presbytery in the last 3 years and others who may also need a brief introduction to me. When I submitted my name to the personnel committee last month for the position of Stated Clerk I had no idea it would come about by way of a nomination from the floor. I have been a member of Lackawanna Presbytery for just over 2 years, doing an Interim Pastor position in Towanda, Pennsylvania beginning in November 2009, so I had not followed recent meetings or events here. Our home was flooded again this year, with 17 inches of water on the first floor, and since the flood we have been intensely involved with our own flood recovery all fall, and only recently feeling ‘at home’ again. There are still a couple of small pieces of furniture to move back downstairs to their pre-flood positions, but a few weeks ago, your Council Moderator, Doug Horne, was part of the ‘moving crew’ to get the last large items returned to their appointed place. While I have been doing pulpit supply in both Presbyteries during this time, I really was not aware of the need for a temporary/short term Stated Clerk until February 14. In conversation with the first person who called me, I laughed and said “I’m happy in Lackawanna Presbytery.” But clearly something else was in the works. After returning from visiting my mother for an extended weekend in Missouri, along with her 101st birthday, I contacted Linda Riddell since I had not heard any response from the personnel committee, and also asked Cheryl Ann Elfond (on March 2) for her understanding and expectations regarding the position. At the same time, Emrys Tyler asked me if I were willing to be nominated from the floor, and I said yes.
Here is a sketch of what I’ve done and where I’ve been before being elected last Saturday. I first came to this Presbytery in March of 2000 as Pastor of the Walton church, and served there as full-time pastor for 6 years. At Presbytery I served on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry and Presbytery Council. After the retirement of Barbara Renton as Presbytery Executive in 2002, Enid Carter announced her intention to retire as Stated Clerk, and after staring this in the face for several months I applied and was elected in the Fall of 2002 to serve part-time as Stated Clerk beginning in January 2003. In 2006, the position of Office Administrator at ¾ time was added to the role of Stated Clerk making my role full-time. My role as Stated Clerk lasted 6 years and included transitions of Interim and temporary Presbytery leaders, the 2006 flooding and a number of difficult situations. In 2008 I decided not to run for re-election as Stated Clerk, and after some time, Janet Adair Hansen then applied for the position through the Personnel Committee, was then interviewed and nominated through the normal process and served for the last 3 years. After handing things on to Janet, I then began to do pulpit supply, substitute teaching in the local schools and then served Ross Memorial for 6 months as temporary supply pastor up to November 2009.
I have enjoyed Lackawanna Presbytery, but my main work will be here in your midst through the end of 2012.
Jim Martin (aka Rev. James F. Martin, PhD)
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Minutes in Seconds
Digest of Actions Taken at Stated Meeting
of The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley
First Presbyterian Church of Gilbertsville, Saturday March 3, 2012
Presbytery Moderator Linda Riddell opened the assembly with prayer and a period of silence in memory of the Rev. Harry Myers (Laurens). The Rev. Mark Piedmonte (Gilbertsville), gave a welcome, directions, wifi password and historical background on the church and its current ministry.
A quorum was present - 32 churches were represented by Ruling Elder Commissioners, and there were 30 Teaching Elders, 2 Commissioned Lay Pastors, 8 Ruling Elders with vote due to office, and 11 visitors. The Rev. James Martin (Lackawanna) was seated as a corresponding member. Guests were Candidate Garrett Schindler to be examined for ordination and George Carruth (Cayuga-Syracuse, serving as student intern for Cinncinnatus) given voice at this meeting for a total enrolled attendance of 84.
Rev. Emrys Tyler(Nineveh) introduced a motion to be included under the Council Report, and the written Stewardship of Creation Enabler report was included in the Consent Agenda. The Agenda, Consent Agenda and Minutes of Nov. 19, 2011 were approved.
As today was her last day in office, Stated Clerk Janet Adair Hansen gave thanks to clerks of Session who had submitted their annual statistical reports and noted that only 7 churches had failed to make the deadline. A round of applause was given honoring her service as Stated Clerk and Cheryl Ann Elfond presented her with a gift and called for more ‘Pentecostal shout-outs’ and another round of applause.
Presbytery continued with Worship, including the Necrology of deceased elders in the last year and an offering was collected of over $660 to be divided with half to the One Great Hour of Sharing and half to the local food pantry (Butternut Valley).
During the Council Report, new Finance Chair Dale Francis (Waverly) presented the 2011 Year End Financial Reports which were approved after several clarifying questions.
A motion passed to convey the property of the former Gilchrist Memorial UPC of Kortright to the Mountaintop Christian Fellowship of Harpersfield. This action was incomplete in 2001. The printed report naming South Kortright in 2003 was a confusion of the two churches and was incorrect.
The two part motion by Emrys Tyler for Presbytery to review the actions of Council in appointing Treasurer and Stated Clerk was discussed extensively. In regard to the second part, nominations for those offices will be handled under the nominating committee report, and neither appointee desires to be nominated. The first part of the motion to review was voted on by ballot and failed 15/50 with 4 abstaining.
Presbytery divided into small groups for sharing by mutual invitation the questions “What is your understanding of the church?” and “What is your hope for the church?” A dozen short announcements sharing Good News from around the Presbytery were followed by prayer for lunch by Rev. Diarmuid O’Hara (Bainbridge). Lunch was served downstairs with two different entrees available.
Following lunch, Presbytery examined Candidate Garrett Schindler (Ohio Valley Presbytery) and approved his terms of call to the Bovina United Presbyterian Church. Elder Jack Burns (Bovina) presented a summary of their call process and Garrett answered questions from his spiritual autobiography and statement of faith. The Presbytery of Ohio Valley will ordain Garrett and transfer him to Susquehanna Valley. There was prayer for Garrett and the Bovina Church and a prayer of thanks for the work of CLP Judi Gage.
Presbytery approved changes to Policy 6 made by the Committee on Ministry and acted to dismiss the Adminstrative Commissions to Install the Rev. Mark Piedmonte as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Gilbertsville and the Rev. Cynthia Walton-Leavitt as Pastor of the First United Presbyterian Church of Oneonta(Red Door). Cynthia has been their Designated Pastor.
Interim Executive Cheryl Ann Elfond laid aside her plans for an exercise for the group today and spoke about the nature of community, trust and mistrust, communication and miscommunication and told a story about a group of monks and a Hasidic Rabbi who told the monks ‘The Messiah is among you,’ hoping that we will treat one another as the monks began to do as they realized one of them might be the Messiah and as John the Evangelist did to his dying day when he constantly told those around him to ‘love one another … for if you have done this one thing, you have done everything.’
Following written reports by Preparation for Ministry and the Committee on Lay Preaching, Presbytery acted on the report of the Nominating Committee electing
Rev. Douglas Hatch to the Committee on Ministry, class of 2013
Joan Wise-Hostetter(Owego) as ruling elder commissioner to the 220th General Assembly
Roger Halbert (Gilbertsville) as alternate ruling elder commissioner
Rev. Lisa Heckman (Northminster) as alternate teaching elder commissioner to GA
[Rev. Tim Devine was elected as teaching elder commissioner in November]
Rev. Pat Raube (Endicott Union) to Synod Council class of 2013
Rev. Parrish Bridges (Owego) as alternate to Synod Council (April and June 2012) and by nominations from the floor: added Meredith Hammerslag (Walton) as Synod YAAD
Rev. James Martin (Lackawanna, member-at-large) as Stated Clerk through 12-31-2012
Rev. Patty Wolff (East Guilford/Unadilla) as Treasurer through 12-31-2014.
There was no report from the Committee on Representation or the Christian Nurture Team.
Junietta Brooks reported for the Ethiopian Partnership Team on an upcoming conference, 4 people now teaching English in Ethiopia and current activities including an upcoming visit by Teferi Barkesa from May 1-15. Pray for visas for visitors back and forth. Please contact Peg Corwin 785-0485 or Junietta 748-9097 to request a visit to your church or events, dinners, etc. There is also a need for housing and local transportation. The team is only 6 members, so they can use your help.
There were written reports from Justice in Mission and the Stewardship of Creation Enabler.
Presbytery approved an Overture to the 2012 General Assembly to dismiss the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca, New York from the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley and transfer it to the Presbytery of Geneva. There was prayer for Ithaca after the vote.
The November 17 Assembly will be at the United Presbyterian Church of Binghamton. Walton will host the Sept 11 Assembly. The next Assembly will be at Owego on Tuesday June 19, 2012.
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SEEKING COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM) ADVISOR
FOR 5 CENTRAL NEW YORK PRESBYTERIES
(Albany, Cayuga-Syracuse, Northern New York, Susquehanna Valley, Utica)
POSITION TITLE: COM Advisor
TERM: This is a one year contract, from May 15, 2012 through May 14, 2013, renewable for one additional year, with a six month probationary period. The Advisor is employed on a part-time (60 hours/month) basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES: To provide resources, training, and guidance as requested by each COM and specified in the job description
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Training and expertise in family systems (for example, Healthy Congregations)
2. Training and expertise in conflict management and mediation
3. Familiar with Book of Order and GA Ministry Committees Handbook
4. Relate well to others, listen to others
5. COM experience preferred
6. Be familiar with emerging models for ministry
7. Comfortable working with current technology for communication purposes (GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, Skype, etc.)
For more information or to apply for this position, contact:
Cheryl Ann Elfond, Interim Executive Presbyter
Susquehanna Valley Presbytery
12 Whitney Way
Bainbridge, NY 13733-1017
executivepresbyter@susvalpresby.org
Applicants please note: To apply please send your dossier and three references. The application deadline is April 1, 2012. The successful candidate will be presented to Synod commissioners at the May 12, 2012 meeting of the Central NY Presbytery Partnership Group, and will start immediately upon confirmation.
For the position description, please click: COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM) ADVISOR
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CALLING ALL WOMEN:
You are invited to schedule a “Mountaintop Experience” with Presbyterian Women at the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Orlando, Florida, July 18-22. Join with thousands of women to experience enrichment, community, recreation and joy-all under one roof at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando.
Presbyterian Women of Susquehanna Valley offers to pay the $440 registration fee for any woman from this presbytery who plans to attend. More information at www.presbyterianwomen.org/gathering. Contact Jo Ann Gray 607-687-5076 to make registration arrangements.
====================================================
Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel’s Messiah
Since the Catskill Choral Society (of which I am a member) is doing Handel’s Messiah this spring, I thought it would be a good time to use the Kerygma Program Study, “Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel’s Messiah” to enrich my singing experience. I would like to invite you to join me in this endeavor. You can get your book and a compact disc recording if you need one, at www.kerygma.com. We can meet virtually with a face to face option for those who wish it. We’ll finish the 10 session study in time for the concert, which I hope you can attend live, Friday, May 11th at 7:30 or Saturday, May 12th at 4:00. Call or email if you have questions, or you’d like to let me know you want to participate.
Lynn J. Shepard
607-829-2531
lynnjshepard@gmail.com
=====================================================
Integrating Spirituality into Relationships, Counseling, and Community
On Saturday, May 12th, the staff of Susquehanna Family Counseling Ministry will offer a learning day for clergy, pastoral and secular counselors, social workers and psychologists, mental health counselors and other health care professionals. We will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of United Presbyterian Church, Binghamton, New York. The focus will be on exploring ways we can encourage deeper response and healing in our clients/patients/families and congregational groups with psychotherapeutic techniques and by developing our own disciplines of spiritual presence.
The fee of $50.00 includes refreshments and lunch. FCMs staff of six pastoral counselors will lead plenary sessions and workshops around their clinical/pastoral specialties and/or interests. You will find details on our flyer/registration form which will be sent individually, or in bulk on request from phebeallen@gmail.com . You will also be able to download the flyer as a pdf from fcmsite.org.
Phone requests/questions: Contact Suzanne at 607-329-1849
=====================================================
“The Beatitudes, A Guide for Living”
The Presbyterian Women of the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi are very excited to invite you to “The Beatitudes, A Guide for Living”. This event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The program will include brunch and a morning of engaging with the Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1 - 12).
Pastor Susan Woodworth of the Hurleyville and Woodridge, NY United Methodist Churches, will lead us as we reflect on the relevance of the Beatitudes for our lives today. Brunch will be served at 9:00 a.m. with the program beginning between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. A free will offering will be taken. Child Care will be provided.
To register, please call the First Presbyterian Church Office at 607- 746-2155 prior to March 23. When registering, please let us know of your child care needs.
Please join us as we share in this time of Christian growth and fellowship! For more information please click here: The Beatitudes, A Guide for Living
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Magnificent Musical Extravaganza - Oneonta First
A most exciting evening of musical talent is coming your way on Saturday, March 31 at 7 PM right here at First Presbyterian Church! This event is being produced/directed by Jakob Rostboll and Dana La Croix.
Tickets are available from the church office (432-4286), on Sundays after church starting on March 11, or at the door. Prices are: Advance sale $12.00, At the door $15.00. children 12 and under are FREE. Delectable refreshments will also be served. This is a benefit for our Jamaica Mission to Pringle Home Orphanage. (If you need a ride, please let us know, we’d be happy to help.)
Don’t miss this extraordinary musical event! Come to hear our own beloved church family members! Come to support this benefit for out Jamaica Mission to Pringle Home! Come to share fun and fellowship with one another! Tell your neighbors! Inform your co-workers! Bring your friends!
Hope to see you there!
Bonnie Manes
====================================================
Free Tyndale New Testament Commentaries
I have a set of Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (1982) free for the taking. Complete New Testament from Matthew thru Revalations. Can call me (845-586-4618) or email me at ps139@catskill.net. Set is in excellent condition.
Thanks and God bless -
Commissioned Lay Pastor
Shirley Davis
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“The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley lives to serve and encourage congregations as we together seek to be faithful to our calling in Jesus Christ.”
Alternate Formats - click to download: Adobe PDF or MS Word
Thursday Thoughts March 15, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ,
It’s not differences that divide us. It’s our judgments about each other that do.
- Margaret Wheatley
I was struck by this quote from Margaret Wheatley that I came across while engaging in my recent continuing education event in Coaching Fundamentals. Several summers ago in July of 2009, I attended a week-long continuing education seminar with Margaret Wheatley at the Cape Cod Institute entitled “Renewable Leadership: How to respond well to crisis after crisis.” A prolific writer, Wheatley is especially well known for Leadership and the New Science, first published in 1992, and Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time (2005, in 3 languages).
Today I am thinking about another one of her books: Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future (2002 and an expanded edition in 2009, in 7 languages). Wheatley wrote this book based on the belief that we can change the world if we just begin listening to one another again.
In her newest book, coauthored with Deborah Frieze, Walk Out Walk On: A Learning Journey Into Communities Daring to Live the Future Now. (2011), she details the experiences of seven communities with whom she and Deborah partnered for many years. These are communities in India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Greece, Mexico, Brazil and Columbus Ohio. In each of these places, people walked out of limiting beliefs and assumptions and walked on to create healthy and resilient communities. These “Walk Outs” who “Walk On” use their ingenuity and caring to figure out how to work with what they have, to create what they need. In every case, they challenge our assumptions about what’s possible and provide us with truly hopeful examples of how a shift in beliefs makes it possible to solve seemingly intractable problems.
The community of the Presbytery is in a time of opportunity. This is a time when significant change can take place and new ways of being Presbytery may be explored. I have great hope that together you will find the way, learn together, and create a healthy a resilient community. I believe with God’s help and each person’s and each congregation’s gifts, you can solve seemingly intractable problems. I also believe that this is only possible in a context of mutual care and openness and suspension of the notion of “we” and “they.”
During this Lenten season, may we all abandon ourselves to the love and care of a God who calls us together as the body of Christ.
Grace and peace,
Cheryl Ann
Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley is on FACEBOOK! “Like us” and share news of your congregation or team or committee! Please be aware that facebook is a public forum and that the Presbytery is not responsible for postings (or the contents of postings).
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STAFF NEWS
Cheryl Ann Elfond, interim executive presbyter, will be on vacation March 19-21, 2012.
The presbytery office will be closed on April 9, 2012 for Good Friday.
Christine Rogalski, office administrator, will be on vacation April 10-12, 2012. The presbytery office will be closed and there will be no Thursday Thoughts.
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Pastoral Comings and Goings
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A Calendar of Prayer - like the GA Mission Yearbook - but for our Presbytery
March
18 Bainbridge 1st Diarmuid O’Hara, Pastor
25 Ithaca 1st James Henery, Pastor
Alice Tewell, Associate Pastor
Other Prayer Concerns or Joys to Share
Prayers for Betty Davies, wife of Rev. Roger Davies (Interim pastor of Masonville Federated Church) is having health issues. Roger is on a medical leave and has returned to Minnesota with Betty so that she may receive health care in her home state.
Janet Adair Hansen, Pastor at Christ Community Church in Cortlandville, thanks everyone for prayers for mother and brother. Her mother Bonnie continues to decline due to Parkinsons (dementia along with physical manifestation). Her brother Charlie spent a month in ICU at a Denver hospital (after 4 months hospitalized in regular bed) and is still on the ventilator but has improved enough to be moved to an Acute Care Center.
Prayers for Joshua Gay (son of Rev. John Gay, pastor United Presbyterian Cortland and Mrs. Jennifer Gay) was born with spina bifida. Joshua is doing very well - he is going into braces that he’ll have to wear 23 hours a day (at least at first). He goes for a checkup at the neurosurgeon in April.
Please contact interim executive presbyter, Cheryl Ann Elfond at 607-967-8012 (pmsc) or 607-239-5988 (home) if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
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General Assembly Restricted Funds Applications
The General Assembly Council has sent a letter to all congregations announcing the 2012 listing of unassigned General Assembly Restricted Funds. Please be aware that all applications are to be sent to the Council Church Development/Grant sub-committee Co-chairs (Bob Heinle at Rheinle@wpcsd.org or Doug Garner at GarnarDC@sunybroome.edu) for review and then the Presbytery Council act on the recommendation of the Church Development/Grants sub-committee of Council and forward those applications to the Synod. Each presbytery can only forward one application per fund to the synod and each synod, can, in most cases, send only one request per fund forward. Please contact Bob or Doug if you have any questions. The deadline for submission to Bob or Doug is April 25 so that they may review the applications and if need be follow up on any questions before presenting them to the Council at its May 2nd meeting.
You may find the information posted in the Leadership Handbook of the Presbytery on the website under Grant Information 5. General Assembly Funds Make Available to Churches or click here: GA Restricted Funds packet 2012
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Volunteer Members Needed for Church Development and Grants committee
As co-chairs of Presbytery Council’s Church Development and Grants committee, we are in need of some volunteer committee members to help us with our work. We could use some people who have a heart for struggling congregations that want to develop a vibrant ministry and that are seeking to discern God’s will for their future. We could use some people who don’t want to attend meetings, but who would be comfortable researching data online from the denomination’s website and from community demographics, all while never leaving the comfort of home! We need people to help us evaluate grant requests in light of some very challenging fiscal times. If you are willing to help, please call one of us: Bob Heinle, 692-2564 or Doug Garner, 656-8470.
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An Introduction from Jim Martin, Stated Clerk
I know that most of you know me, but there are some who are new to the Presbytery in the last 3 years and others who may also need a brief introduction to me. When I submitted my name to the personnel committee last month for the position of Stated Clerk I had no idea it would come about by way of a nomination from the floor. I have been a member of Lackawanna Presbytery for just over 2 years, doing an Interim Pastor position in Towanda, Pennsylvania beginning in November 2009, so I had not followed recent meetings or events here. Our home was flooded again this year, with 17 inches of water on the first floor, and since the flood we have been intensely involved with our own flood recovery all fall, and only recently feeling ‘at home’ again. There are still a couple of small pieces of furniture to move back downstairs to their pre-flood positions, but a few weeks ago, your Council Moderator, Doug Horne, was part of the ‘moving crew’ to get the last large items returned to their appointed place. While I have been doing pulpit supply in both Presbyteries during this time, I really was not aware of the need for a temporary/short term Stated Clerk until February 14. In conversation with the first person who called me, I laughed and said “I’m happy in Lackawanna Presbytery.” But clearly something else was in the works. After returning from visiting my mother for an extended weekend in Missouri, along with her 101st birthday, I contacted Linda Riddell since I had not heard any response from the personnel committee, and also asked Cheryl Ann Elfond (on March 2) for her understanding and expectations regarding the position. At the same time, Emrys Tyler asked me if I were willing to be nominated from the floor, and I said yes.
Here is a sketch of what I’ve done and where I’ve been before being elected last Saturday. I first came to this Presbytery in March of 2000 as Pastor of the Walton church, and served there as full-time pastor for 6 years. At Presbytery I served on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry and Presbytery Council. After the retirement of Barbara Renton as Presbytery Executive in 2002, Enid Carter announced her intention to retire as Stated Clerk, and after staring this in the face for several months I applied and was elected in the Fall of 2002 to serve part-time as Stated Clerk beginning in January 2003. In 2006, the position of Office Administrator at ¾ time was added to the role of Stated Clerk making my role full-time. My role as Stated Clerk lasted 6 years and included transitions of Interim and temporary Presbytery leaders, the 2006 flooding and a number of difficult situations. In 2008 I decided not to run for re-election as Stated Clerk, and after some time, Janet Adair Hansen then applied for the position through the Personnel Committee, was then interviewed and nominated through the normal process and served for the last 3 years. After handing things on to Janet, I then began to do pulpit supply, substitute teaching in the local schools and then served Ross Memorial for 6 months as temporary supply pastor up to November 2009.
I have enjoyed Lackawanna Presbytery, but my main work will be here in your midst through the end of 2012.
Jim Martin (aka Rev. James F. Martin, PhD)
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Minutes in Seconds
Digest of Actions Taken at Stated Meeting
of The Presbygtery of Susquehanna Valley
First Presbyterian Church of Gilbertsville, Saturday March 3, 2012
Presbytery Moderator Linda Riddell opened the assembly with prayer and a period of silence in memory of the Rev. Harry Myers (Laurens). The Rev. Mark Piedmonte (Gilbertsville), gave a welcome, directions, wifi password and historical background on the church and its current ministry.
A quorum was present - 32 churches were represented by Ruling Elder Commissioners, and there were 30 Teaching Elders, 2 Commissioned Lay Pastors, 8 Ruling Elders with vote due to office, and 11 visitors. The Rev. James Martin (Lackawanna) was seated as a corresponding member. Guests were Candidate Eric Schindler to be examined for ordination and George Carruth (Cayuga-Syracuse, serving as student intern for Cinncinnatus) given voice at this meeting for a total enrolled attendance of 84.
Rev. Emrys Tyler(Nineveh) introduced a motion to be included under the Council Report, and the written Stewardship of Creation Enabler report was included in the Consent Agena. The Agenda, Consent Agenda and Minutes of Nov. 19, 2011 were approved.
As today was her last day in office, Stated Clerk Janet Adair Hansen gave thanks to clerks of Session who had submitted their annual statistical reports and noted that only 7 churches had failed to make the deadline. A round of applause was given honoring her service as Stated Clerk and Cheryl Ann Elfond presented her with a gift and called for more ‘Pentecostal shout-outs’ and another round of applause.
Presbytery continued with Worship, including the Necrology of deceased elders in the last year and an offering was collected of over $660 to be divided with half to the One Great Hour of Sharing and half to the local food pantry (Butternut Valley).
During the Council Report, new Finance Chair Dale Francis (Waverly) presented the 2011 Year End Financial Reports which were approved after several clarifying questions.
A motion passed to convey the property of the former Gilchrist Memorial UPC of Kortright to the Mountaintop Christian Fellowship of Harpersfield. This action was incomplete in 2001. The printed report naming South Kortright in 2003 was a confusion of the two churches and was incorrect.
The two part motion by Emrys Tyler for Presbytey to review the actions of Council in appointing Treasurer and Stated Clerk was discussed extensively. In regard to the second part, nominations for those offices will be handled under the nominating committee report, and neither appointee desires to be nominated. The first part of the motion to review was voted on by ballot and failed 15/50 with 4 abstaining.
Presbytery divided into small groups for sharing by mutual invitation the questions “What is your understanding of the church?” and “What is your hope for the church?” A dozen short announcements sharing Good News from around the Presbytery were followed by prayer for lunch by Rev. Diarmuid O’Hara (Bainbridge). Lunch was served downstairs with two different entrees available.
Following lunch, Presbytery examined Candidate Garrett Schindler (Ohio Valley Presbytery) and approved his terms of call to the Bovina United Presbyterian Church. Elder Jack Burns (Bovina) presented a summary of their call process and Garrett answered questions from his spiritual autobiography and statement of faith. The Presbytery of Ohio Valley will ordain Garrett and transfer him to Susquehanna Valley. There was prayer for Garrett and the Bovina Church and a prayer of thanks for the work of CLP Judi Gage.
Presbytery approved changes to Policy 6 made by the Committee on Ministry and acted to dismiss the Adminstrative Commissions to Install the Rev. Mark Piedmonte as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Gilbertsville and the Rev. Cynthia Walton-Leavitt as Pastor of the First United Presbyterian Church of Oneonta(Red Door). Cynthia has been their Designated Pastor.
Interim Executive Cheryl Ann Elfond laid aside her plans for an exercise for the group today and spoke about the nature of community, trust and mistrust, communication and miscommunication and told a story about a group of monks and a Hasidic Rabbi who told the monks ‘The Messiah is among you,’ hoping that we will treat one another as the monks began to do as they realized one of them might be the Messiah and as John the Evangelist did to his dying day when he constantly told those around him to ‘love one another … for if you have done this one thing, you have done everything.’
Following written reports by Preparation for Ministry and the Committee on Lay Preaching, Presbytery acted on the report of the Nominating Committee electing
Rev. Douglas Hatch to the Committee on Ministry, class of 2013
Joan Wise-Hostetter(Owego) as ruling elder commissioner to the 220th General Assembly
Roger Halbert (Gilbertsville) as alternate ruling elder commissioner
Rev. Lisa Heckman (Northminster) as alternate teaching elder commissioner to GA
[Rev. Tim Devine was elected as teaching elder commissioner in November]
Rev. Pat Raube (Endicott Union) to Synod Council class of 2013
Rev. Parrish Bridges (Owego) as alternate to Synod Council (April and June 2012) and by nominations from the floor: added Meredith Hammerslag (Walton) as Synod YAAD
Rev. James Martin (Lackawanna, member-at-large) as Stated Clerk through 12-31-2012
Rev. Patty Wolff (East Guilford/Unadilla) as Treasurer through 12-31-2014.
There was no report from the Committee on Representation or the Christian Nurture Team.
Junietta Brooks reported for the Ethiopian Partnership Team on an upcoming conference, 4 people now teaching English in Ethiopia and current activities including an upcoming visit by Teferi Barkesa from May 1-15. Pray for visas for visitors back and forth. Please contact Peg Corwin 785-0485 or Junietta 748-9097 to request a visit to your church or events, dinners, etc. There is also a need for housing and local transportation. The team is only 6 members, so they can use your help.
There were written reports from Justice in Mission and the Stewardship of Creation Enabler.
Presbytery approved an Overture to the 2012 General Assembly to dismiss the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca, New York from the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley and transfer it to the Presbytery of Geneva. There was prayer for Ithaca after the vote.
The November 17 Assembly will be at the United Presbyterian Church of Binghamton. Walton will host the Sept 11 Assembly. The next Assembly will be at Owego on Tuesday June 19, 2012.
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Elder Training held at Nineveh Presbytery Church
Nineveh Presbyterian Church will hold its quarterly Elder Training on Saturday, March 24th, from 9:00am to Noon in the Nineveh PC Sunday School wing (2997 Route 7, Nineveh, 13813). All elders from the Presbytery are invited to join us. Topics covered usually include elements from the Book of Confessions, the Book of Order, and case studies about leading the people of God. Questions are always welcome, and make for much more interesting time together!
It helps me to plan better if you let me know before March 17th that you’re coming (821.4662 or emrystyler@gmail.com); but last-minute drop-ins are welcome, too. If you would like to cover a particular topic, I’ll gladly take advance request.
Emrys Tyler
Teaching Elder, NPC
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SEEKING COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM) ADVISOR
FOR 5 CENTRAL NEW YORK PRESBYTERIES
(Albany, Cayuga-Syracuse, Northern New York, Susquehanna Valley, Utica)
POSITION TITLE: COM Advisor
TERM: This is a one year contract, from May 15, 2012 through May 14, 2013, renewable for one additional year, with a six month probationary period. The Advisor is employed on a part-time (60 hours/month) basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES: To provide resources, training, and guidance as requested by each COM and specified in the job description
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Training and expertise in family systems (for example, Healthy Congregations)
2. Training and expertise in conflict management and mediation
3. Familiar with Book of Order and GA Ministry Committees Handbook
4. Relate well to others, listen to others
5. COM experience preferred
6. Be familiar with emerging models for ministry
7. Comfortable working with current technology for communication purposes (GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, Skype, etc.)
For more information or to apply for this position, contact:
Cheryl Ann Elfond, Interim Executive Presbyter
Susquehanna Valley Presbytery
12 Whitney Way
Bainbridge, NY 13733-1017
executivepresbyter@susvalpresby.org
Applicants please note: To apply please send your dossier and three references. The application deadline is April 1, 2012. The successful candidate will be presented to Synod commissioners at the May 12, 2012 meeting of the Central NY Presbytery Partnership Group, and will start immediately upon confirmation.
For the position description, please click: COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM) ADVISOR
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Comments on the Worship at the 3/3 Assembly
I wanted to let you know about the very positive feedback that our folks have given regarding the worship service at Presbytery on March 3. “Powerful,” “amazing,” “warm,” and “I didn’t want it to end” are just a few of the descriptives I’ve noted. I was personally struck by the real, raw and vulnerable approach to the reflections. No one had consulted a commentary - how refreshing!
It set a tone for us - and even though the meeting took us out onto rougher waters - still, it gave me hope for moving forward. If we as a body can be in worship like that together - if we can open our hearts to God in such a way - devoid of all pretense and simply coming, as we are, together - there is hope that our work can then become an extension of our worship. I am convinced that we were able to get through the rough waters because of the way we had given our time and attention first to God in such a powerful way.
Thank you on behalf of the Gilberstville and Garrattsville churches for the blessing.
May God bless you with deep breaths and a focused spirit.
Rev. Mark Piedmonte
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CALLING ALL WOMEN:
You are invited to schedule a “Mountaintop Experience” with Presbyterian Women at the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Orlando, Florida, July 18-22. Join with thousands of women to experience enrichment, community, recreation and joy-all under one roof at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando.
Presbyterian Women of Susquehanna Valley offers to pay the $440 registration fee for any woman from this presbytery who plans to attend. More information at www.presbyterianwomen.org/gathering. Contact Jo Ann Gray 607-687-5076 to make registration arrangements.
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For the Taking: Worship Attendance Pads
Do you pass attendance pads during your worship service? If so, would you like some more? We have quite a few found in a closet, but not used in recent years.
If interested, they are now at the presbytery office.
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Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel’s Messiah
Since the Catskill Choral Society (of which I am a member) is doing Handel’s Messiah this spring, I thought it would be a good time to use the Kerygma Program Study, “Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel’s Messiah” to enrich my singing experience. I would like to invite you to join me in this endeavor. You can get your book and a compact disc recording if you need one, at www.kerygma.com. We can meet virtually with a face to face option for those who wish it. We’ll finish the 10 session study in time for the concert, which I hope you can attend live, Friday, May 11th at 7:30 or Saturday, May 12th at 4:00. Call or email if you have questions, or you’d like to let me know you want to participate.
Lynn J. Shepard
607-829-2531
lynnjshepard@gmail.com
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Integrating Spirituality into Relationships, Counseling, and Community
On Saturday, May 12th, the staff of Susquehanna Family Counseling Ministry will offer a learning day for clergy, pastoral and secular counselors, social workers and psychologists, mental health counselors and other health care professionals. We will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of United Presbyterian Church, Binghamton, New York. The focus will be on exploring ways we can encourage deeper response and healing in our clients/patients/families and congregational groups with psychotherapeutic techniques and by developing our own disciplines of spiritual presence.
The fee of $50.00 includes refreshments and lunch. FCMs staff of six pastoral counselors will lead plenary sessions and workshops around their clinical/pastoral specialties and/or interests. You will find details on our flyer/registration form which will be sent individually, or in bulk on request from phebeallen@gmail.com . You will also be able to download the flyer as a pdf from fcmsite.org.
Phone requests/questions: Contact Suzanne at 607-329-1849
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Senior Moments at Gilbertsville Presbyterian Presents: Earl Bird Special!!!
Thursday, March 22, 1:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church - Join us in welcoming authors Mike and Jeanne Piedmonte who will read from their humorous book Early Bird Special!!! And 174 Other Signs that You Have Become a Senior Citizen. In the book, the authors beg the question: Wouldn’t you like to know if you’ve become a senior citizen? Wouldn’t your spouse or your children like to know if you’ve become one? With chapter titles like Tell-Tale Health Signs, Tell-Tale Chronological Signs, and Tell-Tale Mental Signs, the authors take a hilarious nostalgic and bittersweet look at the many signs that one has become a bonefide senior citizen. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event. The program is sponsored by FPGs new Senior Moments, an outreach ministry held every fourth Thursday of the month and featuring programs of interest for senior members in our surrounding communities. All are welcome! Bring a friend! For information please contact Pastor Mark at 607-783-2867 or Mary Jane Schaeffer at 607-783-9444, or send email to pastorpiedmonte@gmail.com.
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“The Beatitudes, A Guide for Living”
The Presbyterian Women of the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi are very excited to invite you to “The Beatitudes, A Guide for Living”. This event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The program will include brunch and a morning of engaging with the Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1 - 12).
Pastor Susan Woodworth of the Hurleyville and Woodridge, NY United Methodist Churches, will lead us as we reflect on the relevance of the Beatitudes for our lives today. Brunch will be served at 9:00 a.m. with the program beginning between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. A free will offering will be taken. Child Care will be provided.
To register, please call the First Presbyterian Church Office at 607- 746-2155 prior to March 23. When registering, please let us know of your child care needs.
Please join us as we share in this time of Christian growth and fellowship! For more information please click here: The Beatitudes, A Guide for Living
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“Dear fellow preachers of the Word:
I’m looking for a couple folks who would be willing to spend some time on a regular basis (monthly? bi-monthly) coaching each other on sermons. This would involve preaching to each other and making comments, observations, and suggestions in an informal atmosphere. The only goal is improvement of everyone’s preaching for the sake of the whole Church.
Times are negotiable and I will travel.
If you’re interested, please contact me at emrystyler@gmail.com.
Emrys Tyler, Nineveh.”
Thanks,
emrys
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“The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley lives to serve and encourage congregations as we together seek to be faithful to our calling in Jesus Christ.”
Alternate Formats - click to download: Adobe PDF or MS Word
Thursday Thoughts March 8, 2012
Dear Friends in Christ,
This article is a bit longer than the usual article. I am providing a written version of what I shared during my report at the Presbytery Assembly on March 3, 2012 because I have had many comments on the report. Those of you who were not at the Assembly may have an opportunity to read the report; it is always spoken a bit differently but this will give you the sense of it.
Throughout the Church; in all of its expressions as congregations, presbyteries, synods, and general assembly and indeed in all denominational and non-denominational expressions of the body of Christ, there is a need to take stock and see once again who we are and who God is calling us to be. I wrote about what Phyllis Tickle calls the Great Emergency in this past Thursday Thoughts. We can call it whatever we want to and we can try to pretend it isn’t happening, but it has and it is happening. Things in the local community and culture near and dear as well as things further removed from the local community have changed and are changing. It is simply a fact.
In response to the many changes (whether it be a slower economy, decline in population, a different cultural ethos, etc.), the church has to make some decisions. Things just are not the way they used to be and they will not be that way again.
This is a time of opportunity and a time of challenge. God is working on the whole church and no one congregation or Presbytery is exempt from God’s work. Opportunity for a strong witness has been requiring change and will continue to require change
There is a story I have shared with several congregations. It goes like this.
Once a Hasidic teacher told this parable: A man had been wandering about in a forest for several days, unable to find the way out. Finally he saw a man approaching him in the distance. His heart was filled with joy. “Now I shall surely find out which is the right way out of this forest,” he thought to himself. When they neared each other, he asked the man, “Brother, will you please tell me the way out of the forest? I have been wandering about in here for several days and I am unable to find my way out.” Said the other to him, “Brother, I do not know the way out either, for I, too, have been wandering about in here for many days. But this much I can tell you. Do not go the way that I have gone, for I know that it is not the way. Now come, let us search for the way out together.” The teacher added, “So it is with us. The one thing that each one of us knows is that the way we have been going until now is not the way. Now come, let us join hands and look for the way together.”
We are like those men in the forest; we do not know the way forward but we do know that the way we have been going is not the way. And, we cannot find the way forward by ourselves. There are likely more than 173 different ways to do what a Presbytery needs to do (this is the number of Presbyteries in the denomination) and for each person here today, we could add yet another number to the different ways to be and do Presbytery because everyone has ideas. There is no one right way. What is needed is to “join hands and look for the way together.” The church has to engage in a discernment process together. Together in relationship, the church moves forward. The church is not to take those relationships for granted. Rather, the church is called to love one another as Christ has loved us. Following the way of Christ requires that persons regard others as better than themselves and that we outdo one another in showing honor.
Engaging in discernment process requires a climate of mutual respect, mutual concern, mutual care. It requires an atmosphere of trust.
I am sensing an atmosphere of distrust. Voicing concern about how the body lives out its life together is not the same as distrust and it is not a bad thing; in fact, it is a good thing. We are called to be transparent and honest. But ascribing motives to others or putting people in categories of us and them is not a sign of health in a body.
As I prepare the leave this body, I am concerned for the body. It saddens me to see the body torn by mistrust and I suspect that this mistrust stems in part from miscommunication, lack of communication, ill-timed communication, or misunderstanding. And, then of course, this can all lead to gossip; passing on information we believe to be true but that may in fact not be accurate. I don’t think there is anyone in this room who hasn’t been caught up in these dynamics at one time or another in some way. We’re human.
I came into a situation like this when I came to serve alongside you all. I am sensing a regression, an erosion of trust.
When I was asked to come to meet and address the Presbytery on September 16, 2006, I reflected on the many tasks outlined in the contract (there were many and some are just now being addressed, such as the PMSC building). The one that stood out was the following:
Work with Council and other presbytery leaders to nurture unity and rebuild trust between congregations and the presbytery.
That was in my mind, the most important task because without that foundation, I saw the body working against itself. In fact, I quote the scripture, “A house divided against itself, cannot stand.” And then, I shared a story. You may remember it:
There was a famous old monastery, which had fallen on hard times. Formerly its many buildings were filled with young monks and its big church resounded with the singing of the chant, but now it was nearly deserted. People no longer came there to be nourished by prayer. A handful of old monks shuffled through the cloisters and praised their God with heavy hearts.
On the edge of the monastery woods, an old rabbi had built a little hut. He would come there from time to time to fast and pray. No one ever spoke with him, but whenever he appeared, the word would be passed from monk to monk: “The rabbi walks in the woods.” And for as long as he was there, the monks would feel sustained by his prayerful presence.
One day the abbot decided to visit the rabbi and to open his heart to him. So after the morning Eucharist, he set out through the woods. As he approached the hut, the abbot saw the rabbi standing in the doorway, his arms outstretched in welcome. It was as though he had been waiting there for some time. The two embraced like long-lost brothers. Then they stepped back and just stood there, smiling at one another with smiles their faces could hardly contain. Their faces were aglow.
After a while the rabbi motioned the abbot to enter. In the middle of the room was a wooden table with the scriptures open on it. They sat there for a moment in the presence of the book. Then the rabbi began to cry. The abbot could not contain himself. He covered his face with his hands and began to weep and weep and weep. For the first time in his life, he cried his heart out. The two men sat there like lost children, filling the hut with their sobs and wetting the wood of the table with their tears.
After the tears had ceased to flow and all was quiet again, the rabbi lifted his head. I know what you have come to ask. “You and your brothers are serving God with heavy hearts,” he said. “You have come to ask a teaching of me. I will give you this teaching, but you can only repeat it once. After that, no one must say it aloud again.”
The rabbi looked straight at the abbot and said, “The messiah is among you.” For a while, all was silent. Then the rabbi said, “Now you must go back.” And so the abbot left in silence without ever looking back.
The next morning, the abbot called his monks together in the chapter room. He told them he had received a teaching from “the rabbi who walks in the woods” and that this teaching was never again to be spoken aloud. Then he looked at each of his brothers and said, “The rabbi said that one of us is the messiah!” This startled the monks. “What could it mean?” they asked themselves. “Is Brother John the Messiah? Or Father Matthew? or Brother Thomas? Am I the Messiah? What could this mean?”
They were deeply puzzled by the rabbi’s teaching. But no one ever mentioned it again.
As time went by, the monks began to treat one another with a very special reverence. There was a gentle, whole-hearted, human quality about them now, which was hard to describe, but everyone noticed it. They lived with one another as men who had finally found something. But they prayed the scriptures together as men who were always looking for something. Occasional visitors found themselves deeply moved by the life of these monks. Before long, people were coming from far and wide to be nourished by the prayer life of the monks, while young men were asking, once again, to become part of the community. People came to be taught and to be prayed for.
In those days, the rabbi no longer walked in the woods. His hut had fallen into ruins. But somehow or other, the old monks who had taken his teaching to heart still felt sustained by his prayerful presence.
The Presbytery spent a good amount of time focused on Healthy Congregations at the Presbytery level several years ago and there was an openness and willingness to suspend judgment of others and to refrain from assumptions, especially assumptions of motives.
As this body discerns its future forward let it do so from a foundation of trust, respect, mutual love and forbearance. Let each person asks “What can I do?”
May you affirm the worth, value and dignity of everyone as you journey together. May each person ask him- or herself, “how can I speak my truth or concern clearly without assuming the motives of others? “ “Where can I practice forbearance?” The quality of the relationship within the community is something for which everyone is responsible.
Be positive, affirming with mutual forbearance and care.
There are many hard decisions to be made and I know this community of faith can do it. You have demonstrated it in the past. Work together; listen for all the voices; all are important and have something to offer. Listen for the voices of those who are like-minded and for those who are not like-minded.
You may have heard the story of John the Evangelist who grew so old and weak that the brothers had to carry him to the pulpit and who because he was so weak, always repeated the same message: “Little children, love one another.” After some time of hearing the same message, the brothers asked him, “Father, why do you always repeat the same message, “little children, love one another?” To this John the Evangelist replied, “Because if you can do this one thing, everything else will follow.”
As you engage in discernment together, listen to one another, be open for the wisdom within each person and God will surely lead you forward.
Grace and peace,
Cheryl Ann
Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley is on FACEBOOK! “Like us” and share news of your congregation or team or committee! Please be aware that facebook is a public forum and that the Presbytery is not responsible for postings (or the contents of postings).
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STAFF NEWS
The Presbytery elected Rev. Dr. James F. Martin as its Stated Clerk through 12/31/2012. Welcome Jim. This is a paid position and the person in this position serves as an officer of the Presbytery. Jim may be reached at: statedclerk@susvalpresby.org.
The Presbytery elected Rev. Patty Wolff as its Treasurer for a three year term. This is a volunteer position and the person in this position serves as an officer of the Presbytery. We welcome Patty. Patty may be reached at: revwolfe@frontiernet.net.
We thank Rev. Dr. Janet Adair Hansen for her service as Stated Clerk and Elder Jack Bell for his service as Treasurer as well as Rev. Lisa Heckman for her service as Acting Treasurer in 2012.
Moderator Linda Riddell and Chair of Personnel Sub-committee of Council
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Pastoral Comings and Goings
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A Calendar of Prayer - like the GA Mission Yearbook - but for our Presbytery
March
11 Andes 1st Steven Swanson, Pastor
18 Bainbridge 1st Diarmuid O’Hara, Pastor
25 Ithaca 1st James Henery, Pastor
Alice Tewell, Associate Pastor
Other Prayer Concerns or Joys to Share
Prayers for Betty Davies, wife of Rev. Roger Davies (Interim pastor of Masonville Federated Church) is having health issues. Roger is on a month of medical leave and has returned to Minnesota with Betty so that she may receive health care in her home state.
Janet Adair Hansen, Pastor at Christ Community Church in Cortlandville, thanks everyone for prayers for mother and brother. Her mother Bonnie continues to decline due to Parkinsons (dementia along with physical manifestation). Her brother Charlie spent a month in ICU at a Denver hospital (after 4 months hospitalized in regular bed) and is still on the ventilator but has improved enough to be moved to an Acute Care Center.
Prayers for Joshua Gay (son of Rev. John Gay, pastor United Presbyterian Cortland and Mrs. Jennifer Gay) was born with spina bifida. Joshua is doing very well - he is going into braces that he’ll have to wear 23 hours a day (at least at first). He goes for a checkup at the neurosurgeon in April.
Please contact interim executive presbyter, Cheryl Ann Elfond at 607-967-8012 (pmsc) or 607-239-5988 (home) if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
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Presbytery Wide Listening Sessions Planned to shape the Presbytery
Dear Friends,
In response to the actions taken by the Presbytery at the November 2011 assembly, the Presbytery Council has planned a series of listening sessions in order to provide an opportunity for feedback and discussion regarding the future of our Presbytery. It is our hope that members from each Session as well as other congregational members will participate. To accommodate differing schedules, some host churches will hold their gatherings in the morning (from 10 - noon), while others are scheduled for the evening (from 7 - 9). Members of Presbytery Council will be facilitating the discussions.
The agenda for the gatherings will be as follows:
Evening Gatherings Agenda Morning Gatherings
7:00-7:30 Opening Prayer & Worship 10:00-10:30
7:30-7:45 Introduction & Ground Rules 10:30-10:45
7:45-8:45 Discussion of the questions 10:45-11:45
8:45-9:00 Wrap-Up & Closing Prayer 11:45- noon
Please see the list below for times, locations and churches for each cluster. If the date, time, or location for your congregation does not fit your schedule, please feel free to attend another listening session.
Please note that the cluster meeting on March 10, 2012 at First Presbyterian Oneonta will include a Hospitality/Coffee time in the Social Hall from 9:30-10:00 a.m.
We will be asking you to consider the following questions:
1. Why do you want to be part of a Presbytery? What are the benefits of membership in a Presbytery?
2. What does mission mean to you?
3. What are your financial priorities for your church and for our Presbytery?
We hope that you will spend some time in advance, prayerfully reflecting on these questions both individually and together as Sessions. Significant challenges lie ahead for the Presbytery, but your council believes that within the challenges lie seeds of opportunity to renew and strengthen the ties that bind us
together. That can only happen if every congregation is involved. It is up to each and every one of us to come with a generosity of spirit and openness of mind so that we can freely share and prayerfully seek God’s will for this Presbytery as we move into the future.
Grace & Peace,
Doug Horne
Council Moderator
Listening Sessions
March 10, 10-noon Oneonta First (host), Davenport Charlotte Valley, Garrattsville, Gilbertsville, Laurens, Oneonta First United (Red Door), Otego, Worcester (Hospitality/Coffee time 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.)
March 10, 10-noon Delhi First (host), Andes, Bovina Center, Delancey, Cabin Hill, The United Ministry of Delhi, Hamden, Hobart, Lordville, Margaretville/New Kingston, Stamford, Walton, West Delhi
March 15, 7-9 p.m. Union Endicott (host), Binghamton United, Immanuel, John Hus, Ross Memorial, Conklin, First Endicott, Northminster, Johnson City First, Nichols, Owego First United, Waverly First
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Elder Training held at Nineveh Presbytery Church
Nineveh Presbyterian Church will hold its quarterly Elder Training on Saturday, March 24th, from 9:00am to Noon in the Nineveh PC Sunday School wing (2997 Route 7, Nineveh, 13813). All elders from the Presbytery are invited to join us. Topics covered usually include elements from the Book of Confessions, the Book of Order, and case studies about leading the people of God. Questions are always welcome, and make for much more interesting time together!
It helps me to plan better if you let me know before March 17th that you’re coming (821.4662 or emrystyler@gmail.com); but last-minute drop-ins are welcome, too. If you would like to cover a particular topic, I’ll gladly take advance request.
Emrys Tyler
Teaching Elder, NPC
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SEEKING COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM) ADVISOR
FOR 5 CENTRAL NEW YORK PRESBYTERIES
(Albany, Cayuga-Syracuse, Northern New York, Susquehanna Valley, Utica)
POSITION TITLE: COM Advisor
TERM: This is a one year contract, from May 15, 2012 through May 14, 2013, renewable for one additional year, with a six month probationary period. The Advisor is employed on a part-time (60 hours/month) basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES: To provide resources, training, and guidance as requested by each COM and specified in the job description
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Training and expertise in family systems (for example, Healthy Congregations)
2. Training and expertise in conflict management and mediation
3. Familiar with Book of Order and GA Ministry Committees Handbook
4. Relate well to others, listen to others
5. COM experience preferred
6. Be familiar with emerging models for ministry
7. Comfortable working with current technology for communication purposes (GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, Skype, etc.)
For more information or to apply for this position, contact:
Cheryl Ann Elfond, Interim Executive Presbyter
Susquehanna Valley Presbytery
12 Whitney Way
Bainbridge, NY 13733-1017
executivepresbyter@susvalpresby.org
Applicants please note: To apply please send your dossier and three references. The application deadline is April 1, 2012. The successful candidate will be presented to Synod commissioners at the May 12, 2012 meeting of the Central NY Presbytery Partnership Group, and will start immediately upon confirmation.
For the position description, please click: COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM) ADVISOR
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Central New York Presbytery Partnership Group Annual Boundary Awareness Training
This is offered at no charge to those attending and includes lunch. It fulfills the requirement for boundary awareness training.
Boundaries Awareness with Rev. Dr. David Olsen
Saturday, May 5, 2012
9 am to 3 pm
Held at the First Presbyterian Church
603 Tulip Street
Liverpool, NY 13088-5044
For more information: Click Here
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CALLING ALL WOMEN:
You are invited to schedule a “Mountaintop Experience” with Presbyterian Women at the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Orlando, Florida, July 18-22. Join with thousands of women to experience enrichment, community, recreation and joy-all under one roof at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando.
Presbyterian Women of Susquehanna Valley offers to pay the $440 registration fee for any woman from this presbytery who plans to attend. More information at www.presbyterianwomen.org/gathering. Contact Jo Ann Gray 607-687-5076 to make registration arrangements.
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For the Taking: Worship Attendance Pads
Do you pass attendance pads during your worship service? If so, would you like some more? We have quite a few found in a closet, but not used in recent years.
If interested, please contact the “Red Door” Church, Oneonta at (607) 432-7520 or reddoorchurch@stny.rr.com.
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Jim Black is Guest Speaker at First Presbyterian Church, Bainbridge
For: The Community
When: March 16th
Who: Jim Black
Where: First Presbyterian Church, Bainbridge
What: A presentation of relief efforts in Haiti after the earthquake
A soup supper will be provided by the First Presbyterian Church in Bainbridge beginning at 6pm and Jim’s program will start at 7pm.”
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Unadilla Presbyterian Church Celebrates St Patrick’s Day
SAVE THE DATE!
Our kitchen is finally operational and we are celebrating the recovery of our kitchen and fellowship hall after the 2011 flood.
Unadilla Presbyterian Church at 156 Main Street, Unadilla, will host a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on Saturday, March 17, 2012 from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the church. The menu will include Corned Beef, Cabbage, Onions, Carrots, Potatoes, Home-made pies and Beverage. Take-outs will be available. Ten per cent of this fundraiser is earmarked for the church’s mission outreach.
For more information, call Sharon Havens (607-610-4033) or Louise Lesh (607-369-9579). (The church is handicapped accessible via the entrance ramp on the Church Street side of the church and the elevator indoors.)
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YOU AND PARKINSONS — What You Need to Know
On Sunday, March 18th the community is invited to learn more about Parkinsons (and other neurological challenges) in the social hall at First United Presbyterian (Red Door) Church, corner of Main St. & Walling Ave., Oneonta. In particular, we encourage those affected, family members, caregivers, and medical personnel to join us.
12:30 to 1:30 PM - Light lunch (optional) - No charge for meal or event
1:30 to 3:00 PM - The program will include a brief reading by Jim Atwell from his book Wobbling Home: A Spiritual Walk with Parkinsons — comments from a neurologist — a panel of Parkies and caregivers with time for Q & A. Community resource people will be available as well as informational handouts.
For more information, contact Currie Marr (607) 432-5434 or Avery York (607) 965-6207.
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Integrating Spirituality into Relationships, Counseling, and Community
On Saturday, May 12th, the staff of Susquehanna Family Counseling Ministry will offer a learning day for clergy, pastoral and secular counselors, social workers and psychologists, mental health counselors and other health care professionals. We will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of United Presbyterian Church, Binghamton, New York. The focus will be on exploring ways we can encourage deeper response and healing in our clients/patients/families and congregational groups with psychotherapeutic techniques and by developing our own disciplines of spiritual presence.
The fee of $50.00 includes refreshments and lunch. FCMs staff of six pastoral counselors will lead plenary sessions and workshops around their clinical/pastoral specialties and/or interests. You will find details on our flyer/registration form which will be sent individually, or in bulk on request from phebeallen@gmail.com . You will also be able to download the flyer as a pdf from fcmsite.org.
Phone requests/questions: Contact Suzanne at 607-329-1849
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Dear Fellow Presbyters at the March 3rd Assembly:
After reflection on my experience of making a motion during the Assembly, and on several discussions of which I was a part afterward, I believe that I had not made good use of our parliamentary procedure. I also understand that through my own ignorance I caused the Assembly to spend time on a matter that might have been better spent on other business. For these I am sorry, and I resolve to learn from the experience so that in the future I may be a better parliamentary colleague to all of you.
Thank you for your grace with this still-young presbyter.
Shalom,
emrys
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“Dear fellow preachers of the Word:
I’m looking for a couple folks who would be willing to spend some time on a regular basis (monthly? bi-monthly) coaching each other on sermons. This would involve preaching to each other and making comments, observations, and suggestions in an informal atmosphere. The only goal is improvement of everyone’s preaching for the sake of the whole Church.
Times are negotiable and I will travel.
If you’re interested, please contact me at emrystyler@gmail.com.
Emrys Tyler, Nineveh.”
Thanks,
emrys
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