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Business of the Presbytery
Moderator John Peirce reconvened the meeting at 1:40 p.m.

Consent Calendar
The Stated Clerk REQUESTS that Presbytery:

1. Dismiss with thanks the following Ordination Commission for the Rev. Penny Marcus:
   The Revs. Tom Tripp, John Moser, Jim Hardy, Liz Shaw; Elders Alice Hayes, Jean Hansen and Alan Woodruff. The Ordination was held on December 29, 2002 at Covenant Community Church, Vacaville.
2. Dismiss the Rev. Penny Marcus to the Presbytery of the Redwoods.
3. Dismiss the Rev. Peter Maier to the Presbytery of the Redwoods.

The Presbytery Council REQUESTS that Presbytery: Approve the change in status of the Rev. Jim Clark from Member-at-Large to Honorably Retired.

The Philippine Partnership Committee and Mission Support Team REQUESTS that, as relationships and activities are continuing and expanding on the 3-year anniversary of the Partnership,
Presbytery extend the timeframe of our Covenant with NESTCON (formerly SELC) of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines for another three years.

The Committee on Ministry REQUESTS that Presbytery approve the following actions taken on its behalf since the December 3, 2002 meeting of Presbytery:

1. The continuing ministry through 2003 of the following Members-at-Large: the Revs. Dan Schwan, Kathy Schwan, Jim Zazzera, Bill Stevens and David Williams.

2. The continuing ministry through 2003 for service Beyond the Jurisdiction of the Church: the Revs. Donna Waterman, Thomas Sisterson, Sarah Stevens and Dexter McNamara.

3. The Temporary Supply contract between the Rev. Pamela McNally Anderson and Countryside Community Church, Esparto, for 3 months through March, 2003. Terms of Contract:

4. The Stated Supply contract between the Rev. Charles Crumley and Woodland PC for one year beginning January 1, 2003. Terms of contract:

5. The Stated Supply contract between the Rev. Katherine McIntosh-Smith and Woodland PC for one year beginning January 1, 2003. Terms of Contract:

6. The Interim Pastor contract between the Rev. Keith Posehn and Grace PC, Sacramento, for one year beginning January 21, 2003. Terms of Contract:

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7. The transfer of the Rev. Dan Fowler to the Presbytery of the Redwoods.

8. The request of the Rev. Dr. Doug Rumford, Heartland Presbytery, to labor within the bounds of Sacramento Presbytery 1/24-26/03. He was a speaker at a conference at Fremont PC.

Presbytery VOTED approval of all items on the Consent Calendar.

Budget and Finance Committee: Marie Segur

• Marie reminded the Presbytery that the Budget & Finance Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Church finance and property issues should come to this committee before being forwarded to Synod. Please make arrangements to meet with the committee if you have financial issues to discuss.
• PER CAPITA AWARD -- For the past three years the Auburn PC has had their per capita paid in advance. In recognition of this, Pastor Ken Winter was called forward and presented with a candle in order to continue to “Let Your Light Shine”.

Budget and Finance Committee RECOMMENDS that Presbytery:

1. Approve a request of Auburn Presbyterian Church for a Synod Line of credit loan in the amount of $50,000 to pay contractors for change orders required to finish the current building project and that their application be sent on to Synod for approval by the Synod Mission Finance Committee.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the request of Auburn PC.

2. Approve the request from St. Stephens Presbyterian Church of North Highlands to extend its contract with AT& T for a cell phone tower under a rental agreement, with a guaranteed rate, for a period of 15 years.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the request of St. Stephens PC.

3. Approve the request from Carmichael Presbyterian Church to enter into a contractual offer to purchase a 1.34 acre parcel of land adjacent to their existing site and to arrange for and obtain the needed debt financing to complete the purchase, subject to approval by the congregation, presbytery, and synod, as well as the usual and customary building inspections, title search, and zoning clearances.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the request of Carmichael PC.

4. Approve and Act upon the Following: That any two members of the Budget and Finance Committee, acting as the Trustees for the Presbytery of Sacramento, be authorized to sign any and all documents relating to transactions on behalf of the Presbytery of Sacramento and that this authorization be put in the form of a resolution and that this action be reflected in the minutes.
> > Discussion regarding the By-Laws indicated that this would be an interim change until such time as the By-Laws are revised.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the request that any two members of the Budget and Finance Committee, acting as the Trustees for the Presbytery of Sacramento, be authorized to sign any and all documents relating to transactions on behalf of the Presbytery of Sacramento.

Sacramento Presbytery Endowment Fund Committee update: The presbytery-wide offering will be held on March 9, 2003, the first Sunday in Lent. Material to be used in connection with the offering will be sent to the churches during the last week of February.

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Committee on Ministry: Tom Tripp

1. The call of the Rev. Greg Cootsoma to serve as Associate Pastor at Bidwell Memorial PC, Chico, was approved at the December 3, 2002 Presbytery Meeting, but he was unable to attend at that time. COM requests that Presbytery welcome him at this time and approve the following installation plans: The installation to take place on Sunday, March 23 at 10:45 a.m. at Bidwell Memorial Church, Chico.

Commissioners:
Elder John Peirce, Moderator, or his designee, Federated, Placerville
Rev. Steve Schibsted, Bidwell Memorial PC
Rev. Jeff Gephart, Bidwell Memorial PC
Rev. Jeff Coons, Bidwell Memorial PC
Elder Sally Hinchman, General Presbyter for Ministry
Elder Dave Weilen, Bidwell Memorial PC
And the following corresponding member:
Rev. Elizabeth Brookens-Sturman, First PC. Bethlehem, PA

Presbytery VOTED to approve the Installation Commission for the Rev. Greg Cootsoma Bidwell Memorial PC, Chico; Installation is planned for Sunday March 23, 2003 at Bidwell Memorial PC.

2. The Rev. Roger J. Newquist, a California Highway Patrolman, serves as a Chaplain when needed. He is currently a member of the Presbytery of the Pacific, lives in El Dorado Hills and attends Fair Oaks PC. He is requesting transfer to Sacramento Presbytery. His Statement of Faith is included in the packet. COM RECOMMENDS that Presbytery approve the Rev. Newquist’s membership in the Sacramento Presbytery, with the status of Service Beyond the Jurisdiction of the Church.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the transfer of the Rev. Roger J. Newquist from the Presbytery of the Pacific and to enroll him as a member of the Presbytery of Sacramento with the status of Service Beyond the Jurisdiction of the Church.

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3. The Rev, Jerry Tabler, HR, has moved to Fairfield, CA from the Presbytery of Northeast Georgia and is requesting transfer to this presbytery. He will be available to do pulpit supply. He has been attending Vacaville Community Church. His Statement of Faith is included in the packet. COM RECOMMENDS that Presbytery approve Rev. Tabler’s membership in the Sacramento Presbytery.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the transfer of the Rev. Jerry Tabler, HR from the Presbytery of Northeast Georgia and to enroll him as a member of the Presbytery of Sacramento.

4. Sierra PC, Nevada City requested that the Rev. Dan Prout be approved as their Parish Associate. Since a Parish Associate serves at the request of an Installed Pastor, and Sierra has an Interim Pastor, this appointment is not possible. (Book of Order G-14.0515)). However, it is possible for the person to do the tasks while serving as Temporary Supply. Therefore, COM RECOMMENDS to Presbytery that it approve
the request of Sierra PC, Nevada City, to appoint the Rev. Dan Prout as Temporary Supply.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the request of Sierra PC, Nevada City, to appoint the Rev. Dan Prout as Temporary Supply.

5. COM RECOMMENDS to Presbytery that it approve the request of Vacaville Community PC to dissolve the relationship between the Rev. Thomas Michael Smith and the church, at the request of Rev. Smith. Terms of the Dissolution are: Ministry duties to cease January 26, 2003, Salary, housing, pension and medical to be paid through April 30,2003. All benefits to be discontinued at any time prior to April 30, 2003 that Rev. Smith begins fulltime employment; part-time employment to be appropriately prorated.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the request of Vacaville Community PC to dissolve the relationship between the Rev. Thomas Michael Smith and the church, at the request of Rev. Smith with Terms of Dissolution as listed above.

General Presbyter for Ministry -- Sally Hinchman

• Sally announced that Byron Nelson, Associate for Mission Support, was unable to attend today due to car trouble; he is also preparing for attendance at Nevada Presbytery. His wife Virginia, who has just completed 5 weeks of chemo and radiation treatments, may possibly need more therapy in the future, remember her in your prayers.
• Byron will have information on how we are using the funds from the One Great Hour of Sharing in the Sacramento Presbytery. For more information contact him at the SMP office.
• Del Burnett was called forward in recognition of the Folsom PC being the first to turn in their Mission Pledge. Sally presented him with a box of candy for his Session and Treasurer.
• The Conference Center has been completed. The recent COM Retreat was held there and one or two churches have already used it. There are seats for 50 + at tables. The Budget Committee has decided that the center can be used free of charge until September. After that time there will be a modest charge to cover expenses.
• Lynn Shultz is no longer the Interim Director of the Resource Center; she is now, full time.
  Her position title is Director of Educational Ministry. She is available to meet with Christian Education Committees and to assist with teacher training or help with needs in the area of educational opportunities.
• General Assembly voted last year to move to biennial GAs. Moving toward this change they will be voting this year on increasing the number of participants. There is a possibility that San Jose may be hosting the 2008 GA; however, things are all very uncertain as to what will happen.
• The Web page responsibilities in the SMP office have now been given to Shelley and Barbara.
• Sally announced that the Rev. Jack Schutte has been called to the vacant SMP position and
  asked Joyce Hathaway, from the SMP Personnel Committee to come forward.
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Sierra Mission Partnership -- Joyce Hathaway

• The Rev. Jack Schutte has been called as Associate for Congregational Support for the Sierra Mission Partnership, serving the Presbyteries of Nevada, Sacramento and Stockton. Rob Brink, Executive, Synod of the Pacific, requests that each of the three Presbyteries vote to concur with this election. The Sierra Mission Partnership REQUESTS that the Presbytery of Sacramento CONCUR with the election of the Rev. Jack Schutte to the position of Associate for Congregational Support for the Sierra Mission Partnership.
  Presbytery VOTED to concur with the election of the Rev. Jack Schutte to the position of Associate for Congregational Support for the Sierra Mission Partnership.

Proposed Amendments to the Constitution of the PC(USA)
Amendment booklets were available for all those attending today, as they have been at previous meetings. The Moderator ruled that item 02-A and its 5 parts will be treated as a single amendment; he also ruled that 02-C and its 5 parts will be treated as a single amendment -- hearing no objections the ruling stands. Discussion /debate was invited before the vote was taken on each amendment, with equal time allowed for pro and con.

Results of voting:

Amendment 02-A.1 - A.5 Defeated
Amendment 02-B Carried
Amendment 02-C.1 - C.5 Carried
Amendment 02-D Carried
Amendment 02-E Carried

Proposed Overture to the 215th General Assembly
The Presbytery of Sacramento has received a request from First PC, Colusa to send the following overture to the upcoming General Assembly, to be held in Denver in May. The rationale which accompanied the overture is included in the packet and has been on the website (www.sacpresby.org) for several weeks.
Resolved, that the 215th General Assembly, meeting in Denver, Colorado, reaffirms the 209th General Assembly’s moral counsel “to the church that the procedure known as intact dilation and extraction (commonly called ‘partial birth’ abortion) of a baby who could live outside the womb is of grave moral concern” and further offers the moral counsel that if necessary to end a pregnancy to protect the mother’s life or health in the later months of pregnancy when the baby would be able to live outside the womb, a procedure should be chosen which gives both the mother and the child the opportunity to live.
Presbytery VOTED to approve the request from First PC, Colusa to send this Overture to the 215th General Assembly.
This Overture has been approved by other Presbyteries and will be G.A. Overture #18.

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Ministry Teams:

Pastoral Support -- Mary Lynn Tobin

• June 25 or 26 -- Bill Enright, Head of Staff at 2nd PC, Indianapolis, will be here to meet especially with heads of staff on staff management issues and mentoring.
• October 19 -21, 2003 -- Clergy Retreat -- no speaker yet
• October 17 -19, 2004 -- Clergy Retreat, speaker Tony Campolo
• Sabbath Retreat at Zephyr Point, June 13 - 15,2003 Kris Haig and John Sonnenday, leader

Congregational Support -- John Moser

• The Congregational Support Committee REQUESTS recognition of the Sacramento Indonesian Presbyterian Fellowship as a worshiping fellowship in relationship with us.
  Presbytery VOTED to approve the request for recognition of the Sacramento Indonesian Fellowship as a worshiping fellowship in relationship with us.

Mission Support -- Warren Barnes

• Several questions were asked: Would you like to revitalize your church and make it more vital and resilient? Have you read the reprinted article from the Harvard Review dealing with the topic? Would you like to revitalize the leadership of your church? Are you attending the revitalization conference at Fremont Church March 14,15? Information regarding the conference can be found on Fremont’s website.

Stated Clerk -- Elizabeth Groelle

• The Stated Clerk reports that the Review of Session Records as required by the Book of Order (G-10.0301. G-11.0103x) has been completed. The following churches had no exceptions noted: Auburn, Burney, Carmichael, Celtic Cross, Corning, Davis, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Capital Korean, Oroville, Placerville, Rancho Cordova, Red Bluff, Redding, Roseville, Weed, West Sacramento, Woodland Yuba City, and Sacramento churches: Faith, Grace, Northminster and Westminster. Eight churches had one exception noted; and eight churches had two or more exceptions noted. Even with exceptions, most reviewers remarked on the neatness and good organization of the minutes books.
  The Clerks of Session are to be congratulated !

† Special Recognition to Howard Crowley who has completed 28 years as Clerk of Session at Carmichael Presbyterian Church and has now retired from that position !!!

Reports from Breakout Groups -- Del Burnett
1. Admirable on the part of Presbytery.
2. Assessments are helpful tools. NCD program gives strong guidelines on how to use the information and make it valuable.
3. Helpful papers distributed. More information will be placed on the Presbytery website.
4. Many feel it would be helpful to have the program available. Congregational Support offered to pay the $150 fee. Contact Congregational Support or Presbytery Council.

Closing Worship
The Revs. Jim Kitchens and Mary Lynn Tobin led the closing worship based on the scripture Acts 4: 5-11. Music participation by the Davis Community Church Choir. The Benediction was pronounced by Rev. Kitchens.

Presbytery VOTED to adjourn at 2:55 p.m. -- Have a safe trip home.

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Groelle, Stated Clerk

Leola Davies, Recording Clerk

The next meeting of the Sacramento Presbytery is
May 13, 2003 -- 2 to 8 p.m.
at
First Presbyterian Church
Roseville, CA