MINUTES OF
THE SACRAMENTO PRESBYTERY MEETING
FEBRUARY 15, 2000
Northminster Presbyterian Church, Sacramento CA
OTHER CLERGY:
Present: Gail Cullerton, At-Large; Clair
Denman, HR; Bruce Ellithorpe, HR/PA, First P.C. Roseville; James Hardy, HR;
George 'Skip' Herbert, PC(USA) Foundation, No. Calif.; Laurence Huggett, HR;
Richard Hutchison, HR / Interim, Manteca, Stockton Presbytery; Sue King, HR;
William King, HR; Walter Link, HR; Easton Long, HR; Dexter McNamara, At-Large,
Interfaith Service Bureau; Robert Meyer, HR; Hugh Nelson, HR; Richard Pearson,
HR, Temp. Supply AP, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Sacramento; Keith Posehn,
At Large; Daniel Prout, At-Large; Elizabeth Shaw, At-Large; Joan Stock, Stated
Supply; Noble Streeter, HR; James Upshaw, HR; William Van Ness, HR; Richard
Wylie, HR; Kathy McIntosh-Smith.
Excused: Warren Barnes, HR; Patty Ferraro Bourne, At-Large; Judy O'Neill, At-Large.
PRESBYTERY COUNCIL ELDERS PRESENT: Kathy Trott, Florence Holman.
SIERRA MISSION PARTNERSHIP STAFF PRESENT: Sally Hinchman, General Presbyter for Ministry; Rev. Joanne Hines, General Presbyter for Congregational Support.
OTHERS PRESENT: Helen Jackson, At-Large, San Jose Presbytery; Taebong & Seek He Jihn, Korean Grace Presbyterian Church; Rev. R. Stephen Jenks, Redwoods Presbytery; Thomas H. Suttle, Jr., Antelope, CA; Ramona Rothe, Elder, Pioneer Presbyterian Church, Winters; Alison Gist, Mission Support, Worldwide Ministries Working Group; Richard P. Gist, Representing Oikocredit/EDCS; Mary Simpson, Presbyterian Women Presbytery Rep., SFTS.; Dorothy Huggett, Fair Oaks, CA; Phil Mishler, Elder, Carmichael, CA; Jimmi Mishler, Carmichael, CA; David Mauerman, Elder, Chair of Trustees; Bobbette Johnston, CLD, Carmichael, CA; Granger Davies, Elder, Northminster Presbyterian Church and Member of Committee on Ministry; Leola Davies, POINT person for Sacramento Presbytery; Joan Rushford, Vacaville, CA; Nancy Eng-MacNeill, Hunger Action Enabler, Folsom, CA; Virginia Price, Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church; Judy Shideler, PC(USA) Foundation, Portland, OR, Cascades Presbytery; Bob McCarthy, CLP, First Presbyterian Church, Roseville; Elder Lou Ross, Northminster Presbyterian Church; JoAnn Diel, Davis Community Church; Marie Segur, Past Presbytery Moderator and International Partnership Committee Member.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting of the Sacramento Presbytery was called to order by Moderator Rev. Richard Wylie at 9:30 a.m. with opening prayer and hymn, "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee."
WELCOME: Rev. Byron Nelson, pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church, welcomed presbytery. He told of the church's outreach to Dyer Kelly School, their new Parish Nurse Program, and small group ministry. Byron has been there over 10 years, and the church was established 45 years ago.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Presbytery VOTED to approve minutes of the November 30, 1999 Sacramento Presbytery Meeting, with one correction: Carol Pagelsen of Westminster Presbyterian Church was in attendance at the November 30, 1999 meeting.
SEATING OF CORRESPONDING MEMBERS: Presbytery VOTED to seat Rev. Skip Herbert, PC(USA) Foundation, Northern California office; Judy Shideler, PC(USA) Foundation, Portland OR; Helen Jackson, San Jose Presbytery, residing in Yuba City; Rev. Stephen Jenks, Interim Synod Executive, Redwoods Presbytery; Rev. Roy Ross, Redwoods Presbytery; Marie Segur, Past Presbytery Moderator; Rev. Joel Tendero, Conference Minister of United Church of Christ in the Philippines; Patrick McDivith, UCCP Partnership President & Chair of Committee, and former UCCP Conference Minister; Dr.Ian Salieandro, President of Youth Council of UCCP, SE Luzon Jurisdiction.
APPROVAL OF DOCKET: Presbytery VOTED to approve the docket with the following additions: An Action Item by Stated Clerk, and additional Committee on Ministry items which will come from their noon meeting.
Announcements will come after lunch. Happy Birthday was sung to Rev. Dan Fowler.
INTRODUCTION: The Rev.Stephen Jenks, the new Interim Synod Executive was introduced. He gave a brief background on himself, and shared that he is glad to be "back home" where he began his life of ministry, having been ordained through the Sacramento Presbytery.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Kathy Trott, Chairperson, gave a brief background of Elizabeth Groelle from Federated Church in Placerville. Kathy thanked the Stated Clerk Search Committee which consisted of herself, Jim Upshaw, Bill Van Duker, Jim Zazzera and staff liaison Sally Hinchman. Presbytery VOTED to elect Elizabeth Groelle to a 3 year term as Stated Clerk beginning February 15, 2000 and ending December 31, 2002.
COMMISSIONER ORIENTATION: New commissioners were introduced. Members were reminded to take out old name tags and submit new commissioner names. A welcome and orientation for all was conducted by Marie Segur. She explained the new Presbytery structure based on three divisions: Congregational Support, Pastoral Support, and Mission Support, as well as other aspects of Presbytery.
WELCOME: Shelley Lafferty from the Sierra Mission Partnership office was welcomed as Recording Clerk for this presbytery meeting.
Moderator Rev. Wylie reminded churches that all session minutes must be approved by Presbytery.
SIGNING OF THE COVENANT OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SOUTHEAST LUZON CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE PHILIPPINES (UCCP): Rev. Aart Van Beek of the International Partnership Task Force introduced Rev. Joel Tendero, Conference Minister of United Church of Christ in the Philippines; Patrick McDivith, UCCP Partnership President & Chair of Committee, and former UCCP Conference Minister; and Dr.Ian Salieandro, President of Youth Council of UCCP, SE Luzon Jurisdiction. Rev. Tendero made a presentation about the Southeast Luzon Conference, showing a map of the Philippines and the area the SE Luzon Conference covers.
Marie Segur of the Partnership Task Force gave a brief background of the Sacramento Presbytery's search for a partnership, having begun the process in 1995. Sacramento Presbytery is now ready to form a partnership with The Southeast Luzon Conference, United Church of Christ in the Philippines.
A litany was led by Rev. Larry Emery. Rev. Aart Van Beek gave a brief summary of the history of the Philippines, its people, and the UCCP.
Moderator Rev. Wylie announced the vote will be to either accept or reject the covenant, as amendments would be difficult at this time. The partnership will be for three years. Presbytery VOTED that the covenant be affirmed and adopted by Sacramento Presbytery. Rev. Dick Wylie, Moderator of Sacramento Presbytery and Rev. Joel Tendero, Conference Minister of UCCP, signed the agreement and Rev. Wylie declared the Partnership a reality. Special thanks go to Rev. Aart Van Beek & Marie Segur for their hard work and persistence.
Bev Norton made a presentation of tee shirts from The Sacramento Kings Basketball Team to all three UCCP delegates. As basketball is a national sport in the Philippines, Bev said she hopes they will make a commitment to the Sacramento Kings. Also, a gift of a pottery communion cup and plate adorned with grapes, was presented to the UCCP delegates. The ceremony closed with the singing of "Called as Partners in Christ's Service" and the sharing of the Peace of Christ.
SIERRA MISSION PARTNERSHIP PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Rev. James Kitchens, Chairperson of The Search Committee, announced that the new General Presbyter for Mission Support is The Rev. Byron Nelson. Byron will move his membership to the Stockton Presbytery. His election was completed at Synod during its February 11-13, 2000 weekend meeting. Rev. Nelson then spoke to presbytery.
NECROLOGY REPORT: Representatives of churches in the Presbytery came forward and read the names of those elders and deacons who had come to be with the Lord during 1999. Following each church's reading a bell was rung.
Presbytery of Sacramento Minister Members
Rev.
Merrill Follansbee;
Rev. John G. Gunn
Deacon Earl Stokes
Bethany Presbyterian Church, Sacramento
Elder
& Deacon Eugene Church
Elder Cory Wolfersberger
Deacon Theodore Hochtritt
Bidwell Memorial Presbyterian Church, Chico
Elder Cecil Read
Elder Maynard Swanson
Deacon Clara Brown
Deacon Hilda Spaan
Deacon Wildabell Wilden
Carmichael Presbyterian Church
Elder &
Deacon William E. Baldwin
Elder Lorene Harper
Elder & Deacon Paul Hattersley
Elder Helen Khoobyar
Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church, Citrus Heights
Elder & Deacon Helene Lindquist
Community Presbyterian Church, Vacaville
Elder
& Deacon Leslie Wayne Swanson
Elder Gerald Phillips
Elder June Ross
Cordova Presbyterian Church, Rancho Cordova
Deacon Gaye Wittkopp
Deacon Margaret Hagan
Countryside Community Church, Esparto
Elder
Merlin Jay Taber, Jr.
Elder Thomas Wicks
Davis Community Church
Elder Julian Crane
Deacon Dorothy Beadle
Deacon Lucy Kravetsky
El Dorado County Federated Church, Placerville
Elder Janet Butts
Elder Fred Hannaford
Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church
Elder Garitt Alden
Mathews
Elder Wanda Landingham
Elder Waldo (Wally) Sapp
Deacon Brooks Floyd
Deacon Lydia Nelson
Faith Presbyterian Church, Sacramento
Elder Sam
Kipp
Elder Marvin Rodgers, Sr.
First Presbyterian Church, Gridley
Elder
Kathleen Newell
Deacon Lucille Smith
First Presbyterian Church, Marysville
Elder
Joyce Bartlett
Elder Jack Brizz
Elder Frank Cook
Deacon Dorothy Bryce
Deacon Paul Forgy
First Presbyterian Church, Redding
Deacon Barcy
Selberg
Deacon Elizabeth Gilmore
Deacon Alberta Williams
First Presbyterian Church, Roseville
Elder
Kenneth Hauser
Deacon Elaine James
Deacon Judy A. Easterling
Fremont Presbyterian Church, Sacramento
Elder
Richard Brown
Elder Tina Tarleton
Elder Frank Smith
Deacon Richard Hopson
Deacon Paul Hardesty
Deacon Dorothy Hardy
Northminster Presbyterian Church, Sacramento
Elder & Deacon Wallace E. Shaeffer, Jr.
Elder Raymond Tatian
Deacon Helen Coulter
Deacon Lee Ralph
Deacon Jody LeFerre
Peace Presbyterian Church, Elk Grove
Elder
Sandra King
Pioneer Presbyterian Church, Winters
Elder Peter
Clark
Elder Jim Rominger
Deacon Antoinete Felix
Deacon Lynn Viverette
Red Bluff Presbyterian Church
Deacon Eula Stice
St. Stephens Presbyterian Church, North
Highlands
Elder & Deacon Charles Ross
Sierra Presbyterian Church, Nevada City
Deacon
Ruth Dillingham
Deacon Helen Wilson
Triinity Presbyterian Church, Oroville
Elder
& Deacon Ruby Pratt
Elder Ward Pscherer
Trinity Presbyterian Church, West Sacramento
Elder & Deacon Marjorie Haskins Johnson
Elder & Deacon Harry Johnson
Elder Charlotte Morgan
Deacon Joan Thomas
Deacon Bernadine Roberts
Deacon Charles Johnson
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Sacramento
Elder Peggy Moir
Elder Haydon O'Neal
Elder John Weber
Woodland Presbyterian Church
Elder & Deacon
Anna Yamauchi
Elder Ella Mae Haden
A commendation was offered by Rev. Byron Nelson. The Bell Choir of Northminster Church then played several selections. The group was dismissed for lunch following prayer. No lunch seminars were held.
RECONVENE: The Plenary Session was called to order at 1:05 p.m. with the singing of "Amazing Grace."
ENDOWMENT FUND:
Sacramento Presbytery Endowment Fund Committee members Les Matheney and Rev.
Skip Herbert, and Foundation Representative, Judy Shideler spoke to the need for
donations to the Endowment Fund. Rev. Herbert introduced The Pentecost Plan
2000, an ongoing presbytery-wide promotion of The Endowment Fund, to encourage
gifts for the vital ministries it will make possible. There will be three
regional gatherings to explain the Plan: Tuesday, March 23, 7:00 p.m. at Fremont
Presbyterian Church in Sacramento; Saturday, March 25 at at 10:00 a.m. at
Trinity Presbyterian Church in Oroville; and Sunday, March 26 at 2:00 p.m. at
First Presbyterian Church in Redding. Churches are asked to send representatives
from their Session and Stewardship or Mission committees to these training
workshops to learn how to inform their local congregations of the Plan.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Stated Clerk, Elizabeth Groelle, asked that requests be put in writing and mailed to her at the Sierra Mission Partnership where she has an office. These include agenda items, materials for the packet, or announcements.
Rev. Dan Fowler announced a Sacramento Presbytery Youth Event February 25-26. Twelve churches will have youth fasting for 30 hours to raise money for World Vision. The Jr. & Sr. High youths will gather at Carmichael Presbyterian Church. Another opportunity to gather will be Saturday, February 26th at 1:30 p.m. at the Sacramento Capitol building to join in prayer for our legislators and those in need.
Rev. Mary Lynn Tobin announced that Internships for the Art of Spiritual Direction Program are available. Information and applications can be obtained from the Bread of Life Center for Spiritual Formation, 412 C Street, Davis CA 95616, Phone (530) 758-1577; Fax (530) 573-1974. Also, Sierra Mission Partnership, is sponsoring a contemplative retreat for those in full time ministry on April 5, entitled "Holding Seeds of Hope in Times of Holy Dark" at Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights.
Rev. Wylie reminded commissioners to pick up copies of the amendments from the 211th General Assembly which will be voted on at the next presbytery meeting.
Bulletin inserts from the Sacramento Presbytery, "The Bridge" are in the narthex. Each church should pick up their packet.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY: Rev. Byron Nelson, Chairperson, reported The Committee on Ministry recommended that Presbytery:
Salary $27,740
Housing $20,000
Auto $ 1,500
Pension $13,368
Study Leave two weeks
Study Leave $ 1,000
Vacation four weeks
Professional Expenses $800
Presbytery VOTED to approve these recommendations.
The Committee on Ministry further recommended that Presbytery:
Presbytery VOTED to approve these recommendations.
PRESBYTERY COUNCIL REPORT: Rev. Del Burnett explained the new Presbytery Structure. Council is establishing different teams so as not to micro-manage presbytery. They are passing on responsibilities to teams in ministry, calling on congregations to reach out in mission, and involving lay leadership. The 1999 committees will continue to function during this time of transition.
John Moser, Chair of the task force, explained that this is the congregation currently nested at Bethany Church. He introduced the Rev. Philip Trinh, Pastor, who spoke to the group.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the sending of the grant application.
EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER'S REPORT: Elder Sally Hinchman said that we are in a time of transition and, while she is energized by that, she knows it is frustrating for others. However, it gives us an opportunity to take more ownership in Presbytery. She explained that the 1999 General Mission Pay-up report is included in the packet, specifically page G, and asked each church to review its status. Her goal is that every church will make a pledge for 2000, and that the pledges will be fulfilled by the end of the year. She then asked everyone to pair up and spend two minutes discussing how they see mission happening within the life of their congregations.
TRUSTEES REPORT: Dave Mauerman reported that the Trustee Committee recommended that Presbytery:
Presbytery VOTED to approve these loan submissions.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the submission of the loan requests.
Finally, Dave reminded all churches to have title to real property in the name of church AND Presbytery of Sacramento to protect their investment.
SYNOD REPORT: Presbytery heard briefly from Rev. Stephen Jenks, new Interim Synod Executive. Rev. Larry Huggett, Synod Commissioner, reported on the Synod meeting held February 11-13, 2000 at Mercy Center in Burlingame. Action included approving the following recommendations: that Rev. Byron Nelson be approved by Synod for General Presbyter for Mission Support of the Sierra Mission Partnership. A loan to Folsom Presbyterian Church for construction was approved. The Insurance Program of PC(USA) became a corporation in order to serve outside the bounds of our church. Applications for the Hilda Thompson grant are available at the SMP office. Interim Ministry training, sponsored by General Assembly, will be offered July 24-29 at Zephyr Point. Presbyterian Women are planning a gift to Diana Lim, Moderator of Presbyterian Women Churchwide. Funds received will go to Cameron House. Checks are to be made out to Diana Lim/ Cameron House. The Sacramento Presbytery Church Member Development event will be held at Fremont P.C. on March 11, featuring Diana Lim as keynote speaker. The Northern area event will feature, Harry Chuck from Cameron House as keynoter. Also, Jim Carter from Sacramento Presbytery is on the Search Committee for a Synod Executive.
Presbytery VOTED to endorse the above recommendations.
Nancy Eng-McNeill, Associate for Peacemaking, announced the Peacemaking Conference in So. Calif. June 26-29, "Joining Hands," as printed in the MSJP flier.
At the request of Dorman Leader, the Stated Clerk recommended that presbytery authorize Mark Hancock of the San Francisco law firm of Sedgwick, Detert, Moran and Arnold, and Jeffrey Rahbeck of Zephyr Cove, Nevada to represent presbytery in the lawsuit filed October 8, 1999 by the cabin owners at Zephyr Point. Westport Insurance Company, which carries the Officers and Directors insurance for the Synod will be paying the defense costs of this action. Steve Jenks, Synod Executive, pointed out that this is an enabling motion, and is going before all the entities being sued. In answer to a question, he explained that the leaseholders entered into an agreement with Zephyr Point 15 years ago to give up their tenancy in 2000. They are now taking exception to this agreement.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the authorization as presented.
The clerk reported that transportation forms need to be filled out for distances of more than 50 miles. New forms are being used, and she is open to suggestions or changes.
CONSENT AGENDA: The Committee on Ministry recommended that Presbytery:
STATED CLERK:
The Stated Clerk recommended that:
Presbytery VOTED to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn at 2:47 p.m., with Patrick McDivith giving the closing prayer.
Next Presbytery Meeting, April 15, 2000 at Woodland.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Groelle, Stated Clerk Richelle Lafferty, Recording Clerk
PLEASE NOTE: We are mailing these minutes to everyone on our lists. We also will be putting them on the Internet at: www.sacpresby.org. If you prefer to NOT receive a hard copy OR if you wish to be taken off the mailing list entirely, please cut off the tear sheet below and return it to the Stated Clerk at 9985 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento CA 95827-1405.
_____ Please take me off the Presbytery mailing list.
Name_________________________________________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________________________