The Presbytery of Genesee Valley was established January 1, 1973 with the merger of the Presbytery of Rochester and the Presbytery of Genesee. It includes 50 congregations and new worshipping communities across Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans and Wyoming counties in western New York. It is a member of the Synod of the Northeast, which is a part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

 

In the Bible, a presbytery (from the Greek word presbyterion) means a collective body or council of elders. A presbytery is a regional governing body made up of ministers and elected elders from local Presbyterian congregations within a specific geographic area. Its main purpose is to unite churches for shared leadership, pastoral oversight, resource sharing, and joint mission work, ensuring order and mutual support across a district. 

 

Key responsibilities of a presbytery in church governance include:

• Connectional mission: Coordinating regional community outreach, education, and broader church programs.

• Supervising clergy: Ordaining, installing, evaluating, and disciplining ministers within its area.

• Guiding congregations: Assisting local churches through pastoral transitions, conflicts, or administrative challenges.

• Appellate court: Serving as a higher court of appeal for decisions made by individual church sessions.