PRESBYTERY OF SACRAMENTO

Stated Meeting, February 23, 2002
Fremont Presbyterian Church
Sacramento, CA

Minutes

ROLL CALL (P=Present; Ex=Excused; A=Absent)

CLERGY, CHURCH, Votes, LAY COMMISSIONERS

P Kenneth Winter AUBURN, P.C. 2 Julia W. Edwards; Beverly Anderson

P Brent Benton

Ex Dan Wells SS BURNEY, P.C. 2

P James Clark CARMICHAEL, P.C. 3 Harry C. Lindley; Margaret Herman; Jim Aaron

P Keith DeVries CARMICHAEL P.C.

Ex Stephen Schibsted CHICO, BIDWELL 3 Janet L. Simpson; Genevieve I. Miller

Ex Jeff Gephart CHICO, BIDWELL

P Robert Yule CITRUS HEIGHTS, CELTIC CROSS 2 Al Bare; Norma Lee Runquist

P Thomas Tripp COLUSA, FIRST 2 Nancy Hull; Robin Rauch

CORNING, FIRST 2 Beverly Talbott, CLP; Judy Turner; Gertrude Crossman

P James Kitchens DAVIS, COMMUNITY 3 Hazel Watson; Kay Cayler; Alice Nishi

Ex Mary Lynn Tobin DAVIS, COMMUNITY

A Richard Hutchison(HR)-Interim ELK GROVE, PEACE 2 Don Bunner

P Pam McNally-Anderson/TS ESPARTO, COUNTRYSIDE 2

P Jong Choon Kim CAPITAL KOREAN @ FAIR OAKS 2 Jason Ku

Ex G. Henry Wells FAIR OAKS, P.C. 6 Tom Suttle, Jr.; Christian Larsen; Fred McNally;

P Margaret Suttle FAIR OAKS, P.C. Donald M. Snider; Carl Hartbower; Luella Hartbower

P Ed Longabaugh FAIR OAKS, P.C.

P Delbert Burnett FOLSOM, P.C. 2 Evelyn Weick; Roger B. Newquist

P Nick Sorani GRIDLEY, FIRST P.C. 2 Sandra Macfarlane; Maybell Miller

P David Ratcliff LOOMIS, SHEPHERD OF SIERRA 2 Marcia Walker; Paul Enneking

P Jennifer George LOOMIS, SHEPHERD OF SIERRA

P Robert Cordier MARYSVILLE, FIRST 2 Irene Martin; David Martin

P Robert Masiola MC CLOUD, COMMUNITY 2 Shirley M. Meyer; Daniel G. Bringle

P Bruce Heiple NEVADA CITY, SIERRA P.C. 3 Darlene Moberg; Vaughan Wright;

P Tom Patterson NEVADA CITY, SIERRA P.C. William V. McIntosh

P Margaret ‘Peggy’ Cross NO. HIGHLANDS, ST STEPHENS 2 Cecilia Kay McGovern; Bob Justman

A Christine Banfill ORLAND, FEDERATED 2

P Stanley Henderson OROVILLE, TRINITY 2 Elise W. (Joan) Nylund; John Nylund

P Sandy Peirce PLACERVILLE, EL DORADO CO FED 3 Jean Caldwell; Amy Hilton; Paul T. Converse

P Andrew Headden PLACERVILLE, EL DORADO CO FED

P Erika Funk PLACERVILLE, EL DORADO CO FED

P Gail Cullerton-Interim RANCHO CORDOVA, CORDOVA 2 Darrel R. Cooley

P Brad VanSant-Interim RED BLUFF, P.C. 2 Ruth Wittorff; Joie Raymond

P Bob Meyer (HR)-Interim REDDING, FIRST 2 Warren J. Merritt; Stanley R. Holt

P James Barstow ROSEVILLE, FIRST 4 Scott Holiman; Dolly Fiddyment; Don Van Diest;

P Ron Oldenkamp ROSEVILLE, FIRST Marlys Derania

P Lew Rooker SACRAMENTO, BETHANY 2 Trisha Uhrhammer; John (Jack) Foster

P Peter Buehler SACRAMENTO, FAITH 3 Bill Frye; Chuck Bell; Hal Turner

P Dan Fowler SACRAMENTO, FAITH

P Joan Stock - SS SACRAMENTO, FAITH

P Donald Baird SACRAMENTO, FREMONT 4 Jay Abbott; Lynn Burkholder; Dorothy M. Knoell;

P Geordie Ziegler SACRAMENTO, FREMONT Tom Aldrich

P Jack McNary SACRAMENTO, FREMONT

SACRAMENTO, GRACE 2 Peggy J. Cavaghan

P Bill Van Ness (HR)-Interim SACRAMENTO, NORTHMINSTER 2 Robert R. Smith; Betty Stateman

P Larry Huggett(HR), Interim SACRAMENTO, NORTHMINSTER

P Aart Van Beek SACRAMENTO, PARKVIEW 2 Grace Suwabe; Joyce Uyeda

P David Thompson SACRAMENTO, WESTMINSTER 3 Jill Sherrill; Wendell Potter; Lorraine Cunningham

P Richard Pearson(HR) TS SACRAMENTO, WESTMINSTER

A Philip Trinh SACRAMENTO, VIETNAMESE BETHANY NCD 0

P Hong-Jei Lee SACRAMENTO, ZION (KOREAN) 2

P Thomas Smith VACAVILLE, COMMUNITY P.C. 3 John W. (Bill) Seiden; Raymond G. Erck; Jerry D. Hill

P John Moser VACAVILLE, COVENANT COMMUNITY 2 Jack Battenburg; Pete Johnson

P Larry Emery WALNUT GROVE, COMMUNITY 2 Christopher Hudson

P Henry DeGraaff WEED, GRACE 2

P David Huusko WEST SACRAMENTO, TRINITY 2 Majel Small

P Frank Anderson WINTERS, PIONEER 2 Elizabeth West-Speegle; Julia B. West

P Gene Crumley-Interim. WOODLAND, P.C. 2 Karen Shepard; Kathryn Heinson

P Kathy McIntosh-Smith (SS) WOODLAND P.C.

P Christopher Kersting YUBA CITY, ST. ANDREW 3 Robert Kunde; Darryl Keiser; John Mayer

Other Clergy Present: Warren Barnes, Patty Bourne, Barry Cavaghan, Garry Cox, E. Bruce Ellithorpe, Dina Gardner, Clifford Graves, James Hardy, Harvey Harper, Wayne (Chris) Hartmire, George ‘Skip’ Herbert, Helen Jackson, Joreen Jarrell, Sue King, William King, Dou Sub Lee, Walter Link, Timothy Little, Easton Long, Dexter McNamara, Hugh Nelson, Judy O’Neill, Carol Pagelsen, Keith Posehn, Daniel Prout, Peter Sabey, Daniel Schwan, Katherine Schwan, Elizabeth Shaw, Jerry Taylor, Ernest Tufft, Donna Waterman, Richard Wylie, Ian Young, James Zazzera.

Other Clergy Excused: Clifford Baker, William Bowen, Robert H. Browne, Robert A. Burns, William Chalmers, John Chendo, Pong Eung Chung, Robert Clapham, Dale Cooper, Charles Crawford, Ernest Cubbon, Clair Denman, Tom Kerr, Zai-Doo Kim, James Knox, Arnold Leverenz, Maurice Marcus, Kazuo Masuno, Joseph Matthews, Augustus Noland, Wesley Nordman, John Robinson, Sharon Sauer, Robert B. Scott, Mary Shearly, Ronald Smith, Ronald Soucy, Sarah Stephens, H. Winnfield Stevens, Robert Stevenson, Noble Streeter, J. Ray Thompson, Gregory Tyree, James Upshaw, Greg Vacca, James Zeek.

Other Clergy Absent: David Baker, Peter Maier, Stephen McDougall, Lydia Richards, Renee Rico, Lisa Schilbe, Thomas Sisterson, Calvin Stevens, William Stevens, Nancy Symons, David Williams.

Voting Council Elders Present: John Peirce, Moderator Elect; Marie Segur, Treasurer; Sally Hinchman, General Presbyter for Ministry Support; Elizabeth Groelle, Stated Clerk; Kathy Trott; Joe Yun; Joyce Hathaway.

Sierra Mission Partnership Staff Present: Rev. Byron Nelson, General Presbyter for Mission Support; Lynn Shultz, Interim Resource Center Director.

Others Present: Hazel Angell, COM; Janet Arunyakasem, Elder-Westminster P.C., & Vice Moderator, Presbyterian Women in the Sacramento Presbytery; Elnora Bradish, Presbyterian Women Rep. to Ethnic Concerns Committee, Philippine Partnerships of Sacramento Presbytery, & Mission Support Ministry; Rob Brink, Synod of the Pacific Executive; Glenda Carter, Fremont P.C.; Dr. Kathy Chance, Elder-Fremont P.C.; Howard Crowley, Clerk of Session, Carmichael P.C.; Granger Davies, COM; Leola Davies, Recording Clerk for Sacramento Presbytery; Cindy Easterday, Missionary from So. Africa, Member Fair Oaks P.C.; Jean Hansen, CPM; J. Weaver Hess, Bethany Presby. Spokane; John Hindman, Elder- Fair Oaks P.C.; Florence M. Holman, Immediate Past Moderator of Sacramento Presbytery, and Elder-Westminster P.C.; Dorothy Huggett, Fair Oaks P.C.; LeRoy Lyon, Elder–Fair Oaks P.C.; Mary G. Mayer, Alternate Elder Commissioner-St. Andrew P.C. Yuba City; Robert McCarthy, CLP-Roseville; Nancy Millin, Deacon-Fremont P.C.; Dr. Eddie Norvell, Elder-Yuba City & Past Moderator, Sacramento Presbytery; John Simpson; Mary Simpson, SFTS Auxiliary Board–Presbyterian Women; Jan Stone, Moderator of Presbyterian Women in the Sacramento Presbytery.

Opening Activities

• Moderator Jim Kitchens called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. He gave the opening prayer, followed by the singing of the hymn Lift Every Voice and Sing.

• The Rev. Don Baird, pastor of the host church, Fremont Presbyterian, Sacramento, WELCOMED the Presbytery. He gave a brief history of this church since it’s establishment in 1882 as a Sunday School on the outskirts of town at 15 & O Streets as Fremont Park Presbyterian, since it was located by the park of that name.

• Seating of CORRESPONDING MEMBERS: Elder Rob Brink, Executive, Synod of the Pacific; Elder Doug Knight, San Francisco Presbytery; Dr. M. P. Joseph, India

• WELCOME to First-time Commissioners: Approximately twelve new Commissioners were

introduced by the pastor of the church they were representing.

• Elder Jan Stone introduced Cindy Easterday who is with the African Enterprise, work that is sponsored by the World Wide Mission of the PCUSA. Cindy brought greetings from South Africa and highlighted the AIDs ministry that is being done there. She will be in this area until April 30 and still has a few openings to speak to groups/churches.

Consent Agenda

The Stated Clerk REQUESTS that Presbytery:

1. Approve the Docket for this meeting.

2. Approve the minutes of the November 27, 2001 Presbytery meeting.

3. Dismiss with thanks the following members of an investigative committee comprised of the Revs. James Upshaw, HR; Wayne C. Hartmire, HR; and Elders Sally Davis, Westminster PC, Sacramento; David Pelz, Trinity, West Sacramento; and Peggy Vanderkar, El Dorado County Federated Church, Placerville.

4. Will be part of Nominating Committee recommendation.

The Mission Support Team REQUESTS that Presbytery approve the request of Presbyterian Women to celebrate Holy Communion at their April meeting. Furthermore, they are requesting permission to hold Communion at all future meetings in 2002.

The Committee on Ministry REQUESTS that Presbytery approve the ministry of the following persons in the categories listed through 2002:

Members at Large: Garry Cox, Nancy Symons, Greg Vacca, Jim Zazzera, Gene Crumley (up to the time he became Stated Supply), and Lydia Richards.

The Presbytery VOTED to approve the Consent Agenda with item #4 removed.

Elder Rob Brink, Executive, Synod of the Pacific

• Elder Brink brought greetings from our brothers and sisters in the Synod. He began his position in the Synod May 1, 2001, coming from the Synod of Alaska-Norhwest. Rob is married to Marvelyn, and they are the parents of two sons. His background includes 18 years experience in banking.

• Goals of the Synod -- all executives met in Memphis representing 16 Synods. In their report to GAC they noted that all synods have differences and there needs to be more flexibility and responsiveness to the urgent needs of the Presbyteries; which in turn would address the urgent needs of the congregations.

• The Mission Statement of the Synod of the Pacific is non-programatic, the objective is to help the presbyteries with their work. Some areas of focus are, a savings and loan program for churches; and facilitating the consultation for racial ethnic ministries.

• Western 5 Synods held a planning meeting in March to develop several areas: 1) a consultation to bring leadership of the racial ethnic cultures together; 2) facilitate a synod wide meeting for COM & CPM leaders discussing issues encountered by these committees; 3) Commissioned Lay Pastors;

• Other areas of service provided by the Synod is financial assistance through Mission grants, credit loans and commercial loans; there is a custodial investment account. Assistance is also available to presbyteries in the areas of personnel management and payroll services.

Considering the Amendments

1. Report of the Amendment discussion meetings held on January 26th, in Red Bluff and February 2nd, in Carmichael, were given by John Moser and Erica Funk.

2. Panel Discussion: Panel members: Kay Cayler, Walter Link, Margaret Suttle, Mac Clemons,
David Lewellyn, Doug Knight

3. Questions/Comments from the Floor on topics not previously discussed were invited.

4. Voting by secret ballot. Ballots were issued to and signed for, by the elected Commissioners upon their arrival at the meeting. 178 ballots were signed for.

•••• As each Amendment, A - H, was to be voted on, it was MOVED and 2nd to approve the Amendment; discussion followed; and then the vote by SECRET BALLOT.

•• Tellers for ballots -- Kathy Trott, Tom Patterson, Bill Van Ness, Chris Larsen, Amy Hilton

RESULTS OF AMENDMENT VOTING:

01-A No 69-106 01-E No 85-87

01-B Yes 115-48 01-F Yes 147-18

01-C Yes 127-36 01-G Yes 119-46

01-D No 64-105 01-H No 50-117

Worship Midday Worship using scripture, meditation and the singing of hymns followed the completion of the voting.

Joining Hands Against Hunger

• Nancy Eng MacNeill is the Associate for Peacemaking Conferences and the coordinator for Sacramento Presbytery and the Joining Hands Against Hunger Pilot Program with South India Joining Hands Against Hunger is a new strategy for a holistic international hunger ministry. The main goal is to establish relationships of solidarity with overseas partners who are engaged in the struggle against hunger. Six congregations in this presbytery are participating in this pilot program. A Travel Study Seminar specifically for Young Adults, ages 20 - 30 years old is being planned. Information available from Nancy.

• Dr. M. P. Joseph was introduced. Dr. Joseph is the Companionship facilitator for Joining Hands - India. He told the Presbytery of the problems currently being faced in South India.

• Lunch will be available in the Westminster Room for those persons who wish to learn more about this program.

Staff/Support Team Reports

• Sally Hinchman, General Presbyter for Ministry Sally introduced Carolyn Bush, the new Hunger Action Enabler for Sacramento & Stockton Presbyteries. Carolyn described her work and a bit of her background. She has recently earned a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Seminary.

• Jim Zazzera, Communications Specialist -- Jim called attention to the new design for the Web Site that is on display in Ferguson Hall. He encouraged those present to come by and see it and offer critique. He also called attention to the fact there is a Mission Fair in Ferguson Hall containing the projects being carried on by many churches in our presbytery.

Lunch • The meeting was recessed, to be reconvened following lunch in Ferguson Hall. Carolyn Bush was invited to give the Grace for the meal.

• The meeting was reconvened at 1:10 p.m. with prayer by the Moderator.

Celebrating the Saints - A power point presentation of the names and home church of those Elders and Deacons that have left us during the year 2001 was done most effectively.

Celebrating the Saints
Elders and Deacons Who Have Left Us in 2001

Carmichael PC
Francis Thomas (Frank) Filer - Elder

Juyne K. Gunn - Elder

Earl P. Hanson - Elder and Deacon

Nancy Fannin McCartney - Elder and Deacon

Mary Helen Marcarelli - Deacon

Kenneth Sloan - Deacon

Virginia Sloan - Deacon

Albert Elsworth Wiley - Deacon

Edward Paul Williams - Deacon

Bidwell Memorial PC, Chico
William Geha - Elder

Willa Messersmith - Elder

George Petersen - Elder

Mildred Kerr - Deacon

Corning PC
Ellen Peterson – Deacon

Davis Community Church
Alton Hatton - Elder

Carroll Jones - Elder

Emily Burdette - Deacon

Carla Ann Wulff - Deacon

Countryside Community Church, Esparto
Mary Ellen Lewis - Elder

George Vernon Lokie - Elder

Ellen Tandy Peckham - Elder

Presbyterian Church of Fair Oaks
Richard Ackerman - Elder

Robert Fritz - Elder and Deacon

Signe Eschrich - Deacon

William Parrott - Deacon

Charles Waltersheid - Deacon

Robert Nielsen - Deacon

Folsom PC
Leland R. Sherman - Elder

First PC, Marysville
John Burns - Elder and Deacon

June Gingrich - Elder and Deacon

Ruth Kraft - Elder and Deacon

Marjorie Stage - Elder and Deacon

The Presbyterian Church of Red Bluff
Imogene Betty - Deacon

Katherine Phillips - Deacon

Leora Riessen - Deacon

First Presbyterian Church, Redding
Donald Frederick Lapp - Elder

Robert Richard Rettke - Elder

Max Sinclair Elliott - Elder

Margaret Merrill Heinzel - Elder and Deacon

First Presbyterian Church, Roseville
Dixie Maurer Umbenhaur - Elder

Bethany PC, Sacramento
Agnes Roche - Elder

Margaret Stanley - Elder

Faith PC, Sacramento
Don Norris - Elder and Deacon

Fremont PC, Sacramento
A. Karl Pape - Elder

Maxine VanZee - Elder

Bob Dockham - Elder and Deacon

Joseph M. French - Elder and Deacon

Howard Herb Hoover - Elder and Deacon

Ralph E. Haverkamp - Deacon

Henry Walter Schmidt - Deacon

Frank B. Simms - Deacon

Northminster PC, Sacramento
Bobbette T. Johnston - Elder

Harold D. Beaumont - Elder and Deacon

Galen F. Striemer - Elder and Deacon

Vivian Ludwig - Deacon

Westminster PC, Sacramento
Owen K. Kuns - Elder

Kenneth L. Maxwell - Elder

Helen E. Amick - Elder and Deacon

Eleanor L. Durst - Elder and deacon

Philip A. Douglas - Deacon

Herlen O. Loyd - Deacon

Bayo C. Omotunde - Deacon

James R. Reeves - Deacon

Community PC, Vacaville
Graham E. Chandler - Elder

Susan E. Greeno (sic) - Elder

Walnut Grove Community Church
Edgar P. (Bud) Kruse - Elder and Charter Member

June Werhan - Elder

Dorothy M. McCormack - Deacon

Mary Day – Deacon

Trinity PC, West Sacramento
Eleanor Capel – Elder and Deacon

Mel Olson - Elder

Pioneer PC, Winters
Ed Neel - Elder

Meredith Bruhn - Elder

Kathleen Holmes - Elder

Lin Schroeder - Elder and Deacon

Jim Felix - Elder and Deacon

Jean Mosier - Deacon

Lita Yanci - Deacon

Mae Belle Clayton - Deacon

Mary Bourland Wion - Deacon

†††† Prayer for all those Saints listed concluded the remembrance

Staff/Support Team Reports (con’t)

Sally Hinchman, General Presbyter for Ministry

• Sally reviewed the history of the many changes that have occurred in the past four years, beginning with the needs survey and decisions that were made by the Council, in the transition period just prior to her coming to the Presbytery. The old building on H Street was sold and the Folsom Blvd. building purchased; there is now access to the Resource Center. There is a focus on three support teams, designing what ministry is about. Presbytery is now meeting four times a year with an overnight meeting once each year. We are in Partnership with the Southeast Luzon Conference in the Philippines and with Nancy Eng MacNeill’s project with South India and the Hunger Program. Council is continuing to explore healthy congregations; and continuing to explore and redefine mission and ministry.

• There is a discussion in General Assembly whether or not to continue meeting each year.

There is a proposed recommendation to meet on a biannual basis beginning in 2004. If this recommendation passes Sacramento would be considered as the host for 2008, instead of 2005 as it is right now.

• Thanks was expressed for the Mission Pledges. The staff continues to pray for each of the churches and their staffs in the Presbytery.

Pastoral Support Ministry Group - no oral report. Announcement in docket

Mission Support Ministry Group, Warren Barnes, Chair

• This group has been grappling with the best way to serve the needs of the churches in the presbytery, in the area of mission. The result is the formation of a Consulting Team that will come to your church and listen to those responsible for mission. They will return with ideas for you in the areas of local, national and global mission. For more information contact Warren Barnes.

Election of a Youth Advisory Delegate to General Assembly

• Each candidate for YAD made a two minute presentation giving their background and qualifications for this position. They are: Brien Bell, Faith Presbyterian Church, Sacramento; Brody Day, Fremont Presbyterian, Sacramento. Erica Bjornsson, El Dorado County Federated Church, Placerville, was unable to be present and sent her presentation on a video.

•• The voting resulted in a tie vote between Brien Bell and Brody Day. The voting to break the tie declared Brien Bell, the winner.

Triennium Report - Erica Funk

• The PC(USA) Youth Triennium was held in Indiana, with approximately 6,000 in attendance, (the largest one yet). Two of the attendees from Sacramento Presbytery were present today, Mac Clemons and Brien Bell. There were also two delegates from the Southeast Luzon Conference, Philippine Partnership that attended with our group.

• Brien and Mac explained that Triennium is a big gathering of youth from 53 countries from around the world that have the opportunity to share, pray, worship, and have fun together. It is a very special time with many impressive and powerful experiences for the youth in attendance. They narrated a visual presentation showing some of the week’s activities.

Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center, Dorman Leader, Executive Director

HELP! IS NEEDED AT ZEPHYR POINT IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

• Remember Zephyr Point in your daily prayers. 2/27/02 is the TRPA hearing on permitting the next phase of the building program to continue.

• The Park & Walk structure is now complete, providing space for 80 cars to park.

• $$ are needed in the building fund. Major donors are needed to support ZP. Donations have been received from Foundations in support of ZP, but more is still needed.

• Program brochures have been mailed to churches. CIRCULATE THEM. PROMOTE PROGRAMS.

Special attention was called to the Men’s Retreat, 4/26 - 28 and Grandparent/Grandchild event 7/19 - 21.

• Interim Pastor Training with a spouse track: ZP is one of the few places in the United States that offers this training. Brochures are available in the SMP office.

• Cabin Adoption Weekend is April 26 - 28. This is a week end of fixing, cleaning, painting, etc.

• Summer Sing is already FULL.

• Food Service Supervisor is needed.

Presbytery Business

Budget and Finance Committee, Marie Segur, Treasurer

1. The Committee RECOMMENDS to Presbytery that it approve the request of Shepherd of the Sierra PC of Loomis to expand their facilities, and to seek funding from a private bank.

The Presbytery VOTED to approve the request of Shepherd of the Sierra PC, Loomis.

2. The Committee RECOMMENDS to Presbytery that it approve the request of Burney PC to receive financial assistance from the Presbytery in order to continue with needed renovation of their facilities in the form of a $15,000 grant from the New Church Development/ Redevelopment Funds, and by carrying an additional interest-free 10-year loan of up to $15,000.

The Presbytery VOTED to approve the request of the Burney PC.

•• IT WAS NOTED that Auburn Presbyterian Church paid $65,000 to cover the remaining loan balance for their site purchase and acknowledged their gratitude that the Presbytery assisted them by payment of the interest.

Presbytery Council RECOMMENDS that Presbytery approve the following policy:

The work of the committees and ministry groups of Presbytery is vital to the health and progess of the church. While conflicts with scheduled meetings occur, it is expected that committee members will be faithful in their attendance. As a courtesy, committee members will inform their moderator when they cannot attend a meeting. If a member has not regularly participated in the committee work, the moderator will contact that person to discuss the lack of participation. However, six months of non-participation on the part of a member of a ministry group or committee, will constitute abandonment of the position. Upon notification by the committee moderator that such is the case, the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery shall inform the member of this action.

The Presbytery VOTED to approve this policy.

Presbytery Council forwards the following overture from the Session of McCloud Presbyterian Church for Presbytery’s approval:

Whereas, Scripture instructs us that all believers are to God as adopted
children through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5);

Whereas, the adoption of children is an act of goodness for all parties involved;

Whereas, the General Assembly has affirmed the role of adoption in the creation and building of families;

Whereas, adoption is the only option available for the building of a family for those who suffer the pain of infertility;

Whereas, the cost of adoption through legitimate agencies may exceed $10,000 ($15,000 for overseas adoption), an expense not currently covered by the Board of Pensions of the PC(USA);

Whereas, for many pastors, especially those working in small and/or rural ministries, the cost of adoption may be out of reach;

Whereas, this discrepancy adds yet another layer of pain to those already suffering with infertility;

Therefore, the Presbytery of Sacramento overtures the 214th General Assembly of the PC(USA) to offer compensation for adoption through licensed agencies (not to exceed an amount equivalent to the average of covered childbirth expenses according to the most recent Board of Pensions data), and to make this compensation available to all eligible members of the Board of Pensions of the PC(USA) who have been diagnosed with fertility problems. These funds shall be made available in one of the following ways:

a. Through a new or existing program of the Board of Pensions, or

b. Through a new or existing program of the General Assembly or related entity.

The Presbytery VOTED to approve sending the Overture to General Assembly with the

“Therefore” section rewritten after consultations by the Stated Clerk with the Board of Pensions et al.

•• Discussion/debate followed regarding the wording of the “Therefore” section resulting in amending the section, to read as above, striking out those portions indicated.

The Presbyter VOTED, by a split vote, to amend the “Therefore” section by the elimination of the phrases through licensed agencies and who have been diagnosed with fertility problems.

Moderator declared the motion carried.

Further, the Session of the McCloud Community Presbyterian Church asks the Presbytery of Sacramento, if this overture is adopted, to appoint and fund an overture advocate to present and defend this overture to the 214th General Assembly.

•• Following discussion of this issue, it was REFERRED TO COUNCIL.

Nominating Committee -- Peter Buehler

Having no further nominations from the floor, the following nominations were made:

• Congregational Support Ministry Group, Richard Hutchinson, 2004-1, Peace PC

• Mission Support Ministry Group, Ken Winter 2001-1, Auburn PC

• Treasurer: Marie Segur, Carmichael PC (to be elected annually,per Presbytery Bylaws)

The Presbytery VOTED to elect the nominees.

Committee on Preparation for Ministry reports the following:

1. David Bush was received as an Inquirer on February 13, 2002.

2. Kim Backlund was received an an Inquirer on January 9, 2002.

3. Chris Hays was received as an Inquirer on January 25, 2002

4. Monte McClain has been assessed as ready or ordination, February 13, 2002.

•• The CPM Committee brings the following policy to Presbytery for a First Reading. To be considered at the May, 2002 meeting of Presbytery.

•••• Churches in the Sacramento Presbytery are requested to include an offering at all ordination and installation services for ministers; the money to go to a designated account which the Committee on Preparation for Ministry will oversee and utilize to provide financial help to Inquirers/Candidates.

Closing Worship

The business of the day completed, Bob Justman, led the closing, with scripture and meditation. The hymn Lord, Make Us More Holy, was sung.

Adjourn

The Moderator pronounced the Benediction
The Presbytery VOTED to adjourn at 2:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Groelle, Stated Clerk
Leola Davies, Recording Clerk