MINUTES OF THE PRESBYTERY OF SACRAMENTO
FREMONT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
February 16, 1999

Moderator Rev. Peggy Cross-convened the Presbytery of Sacramento with prayer in stated meeting at Fremont Presbyterian Church in Sacramento, California.  A quorum was present.

ROLL: MINISTERS PRESENT: Frank Anderson, Donald Baird, Warren Barnes, Peter Buehler, Barry Cavaghan, Richard Chiolis, Jim Clark, Cynthia Cochran-Carney, Jeffrey Cochran-Carney, Bob Cordier, Peggy Cross, Gail Cullerton, Henry De Graaff, Clair Denman, Dan Fowler, Donald Griggs, Deborah Haffner, Jim Hardy, Andrew Headden, Bruce Heiple, Stan Henderson, Skip Herbert, Larry Huggett, Joreen Jarrell, Chris Kersting, Jong Choon Kim, Bill King, Sue King, Jim Kitchens, Walter Link, Timothy Little, Easton Long, Peter Maier, Dexter McNamara, Jack McNary, Robert Meyer, John Moser, Byron Nelson, Hugh Nelson, Judith O’Neill, Tom Patterson, Richard Pearson, Sandy Peirce, Keith Posehn, Daniel Prout, David Ratcliff, Lewis Rooker, Pete Sabey, Sharon Sauer, Robert Scott, Tim Soule, William Stevens, Joan Stock, Tom Tripp, Jim Upshaw, Aart Van Beek, Dave Weidlich, Dan Wells, Henry Wells, Ken Winter, Richard Wylie, Bob Yule, Jim Zazzera.

 MINISTERS EXCUSED: Clifford Baker, Robert Ball, William Bowen, Del Burnett, Robert Burns, William Chalmer, Pong Eun Chung, Robert Clapham, Dale Cooper, Charles Crawford, Ernest Cubbon, E. Bruce Ellithorpe, George Fry, John Gunn, Harvey Harper, Wayne Hartmire,  Zae Doo Kim, James Knox, Dou Sub Lee, Hong Jei Lee, Arnold Leverenz, Stuart Leyden, Ed Longabaugh, Maurice Marcus, Bob Masciola, Kazuo Masuno, Joseph Matthew, Stephen McDougall, K. McIntosh-Smith, Lydia Richards,  Stacy Roberts, John Robinson, Steve Schibsted, Mary Shearly, Thomas Sisterson, Ronald Smith, Tom Smith, Ronald Soucy, Sarah Stephens, H. Winnfield Stevens, Noble Streeter, Nancy Symons, Jerry Taylor, J. Ray Thompson, Mary Lynn Tobin, Phil Trinh, Ernest Tufft, Gregory Tyree, Greg Vacca, William Van Ness, Brad Van Sant, Lynne Vandercook, Stephen Weber.

 MINISTERS ABSENT:  Dave Baker, Dwight Beattie, Robert Blackstone, Patricia Bourne, Tyler Breese, Robert Browne, John Chendo, Gene Crumley, Larry Emery, Cliff Graves, Augustus Noland, Jim Zeek.

 COMMISSIONED LAY PASTORS: Bob McCarthy

 COUNCIL ELDERS PRESENT:  Jim Carter, Leola Davies, Frank Grow, Florence Holman, Ellen López, Jimmi Mishler, Marie Segur and Kathy Trott

 CORRESPONDING MEMBERS: Dana Gardner, (S. F. Theological Seminary) Presbytery of San Francisco; Joanne Hines, Presbytery of Nevada; Dr. Bob Peters, Presbytery of Nevada; June Ramage Rogers, Presbytery of the Ohio Valley; Les Sauer, Presbytery of Stockton; Kim Verock, (Staff S. F. Theological Seminary) Presbytery of San Francisco;

 CHURCHES REPRESENTED BY ELDERS: Auburn (Luttinger, Talbolt), Carmichael (Angell, Mishler, Shultz), Chico (Miller), Citrus Heights (Van Duker, Runquist), Colusa (Rauch), Corning (Oldfield, Waller), Davis (Cayler, Kessler, Nishi), Fair Oaks (Cooper, Hartbower, Hartbower, McNally, Snider), Folsom (Weick), Loomis (Hughes, Walker), Marysville (Martin, Martin), McCloud (Meyer), Nevada City (Alden, Harrison, Wright), North Highlands (Hadley, Hadley), Oroville (Jans), Placerville (Groelle, Ramos, Upshaw), Rancho Cordova (Cooley, Hartwell), Red Bluff (Sherman, Wittorff), Sacramento Bethany (Betts), Sacramento Capitol Korean (Kang), Sacramento Faith (Hathaway, Pisor) Sacramento Fremont (Aldrich, Red-Horse, Schultz), Sacramento Grace (Cavaghan, Robertson),  Sacramento Northminster (Messmer, Stateman), Sacramento Parkview (Suwade), Sacramento Westminster (McCartney), Vacaville Covenant (Cayler, Woodruff), Weed (McDowell, Wallace), West Sacramento (Carroll), Winters (Rothe, Westmoreland), Woodland (Heinson, Pomeroy), Yuba City (Kunde).

 CHURCHES NOT REPRESENTED BY ELDERS: Burney, Carmichael Korean, Esparto, Elk Grove, Gridley, Orland, Redding, Roseville, Vacaville Community, and Walnut Grove.

 OTHERS PRESENT: Walter Balfour (Personnel Committee), Elnora Bradish (PW Co-Moderator), Kay Cayler (Stated Clerk), Sarah Chow (U.C. Davis Student - Cal Aggie) Howard Crowley (Orientation), Ray Fitch (COM), Dick Gist (Nominations), Sally Hinchman (Executive Presbyster), Dorothy Huggett (Nametags), Sook He Jihn (Chico Grace Korean), Taeborg Jihn (Chico Grace Korean), Bob Justman (Overtures), Bev Norton (Global Mission Advocate), Lorna Peters, Mary Simpson (PW Co-Moderator, PWP Enabler South Central District), Cindy Wilson (U. C. Davis Student - Cal Aggie)

MODERATOR:         The meeting was called to order by Moderator Peggy Cross at 9:35 a.m. with prayer.

MORNING PLENARY SESSION
 

REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK: Kay Cayler reported that she had received most of the Statistical Reports from the churches, she will be contacting those churches that have not returned their Statistical Report.

 She complimented Bidwell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Chico and Faith United Presbyterian Church in Sacramento for reaching 500 plus members.  They will now be authorized to have three voting Commissioners.

 Presbytery Voted to accept the Docket as presented.

JOYS, SORROWS AND CONCERNS:

Joys…Les Matheney, Chair of the Presbytery Endowment Fund, had a kidney removed and is recovering from that surgery.

Sorrows…Merrill Follansbee, HR, died on January 1, 1999 in Sacramento.  He had been an ordained minister for 56 years.

MORNING WORSHIP :  Worship was opened with a Call to Worship led by Moderator Cross.  Pianist, Connie Forlunato, provided music.

INTRODUCTIONS:

 Elder Commissioners: Betty Messmer, Northminster Presbyterian Church; Betty Statesman, Northminster Presbyterian Church; Lynn Shultz, Carmichael Presbyterian Church; Don Kessler, Davis Community Church; Karen Luttinger, Auburn Presbyterian Church; Marie Alden, Sierra Presbyterian Church; Darrel Cooley, Cordova Presbyterian Church; Arthur Hartwell, Cordova Presbyterian Church; Nathan Hughes, Shepherd of the Sierra; Ramona Rothe, Pioneer Presbyterian Church of Winters; Genevieve Miller, Bidwell Memorial Presbyterian Church; Betty Schultz, Fremont Presbyterian Church; and Marge McDowell, Grace Presbyterian Church of Weed.

 Corresponding Members: Joanne Hines, Presbytery of Nevada; Dr. Bob Peters, Presbytery of Nevada; June Ramage Rogers, Presbytery of the Ohio Valley; Les Sauer, Presbytery of San Joaquin; Kim Verock, Presbytery of San Francisco;

 Presbytery Voted to seat the new Elder Commissioners and Corresponding Members.

WELCOME: Host Pastor, Reverend Donald Baird welcomed us.  He stated that Fremont Presbyterian Church was organized in 1882.  He went on to give a brief, but interesting history of the church.

Moderator Cross-reported that Presbytery has designated February as Mission Emphasis Month.  She encouraged Presbytery to look at the many Mission Displays on exhibit in the Fellowship Hall.

She went on to say that this would be a year of experimenting as we moved towards our new structure that will begin in the year 2000.  She explained that every Presbytery meeting will have a different format and encouraged the Presbytery to complete and return the Evaluation Form, included in the Docket, giving their honest opinion on how Presbytery was conducted.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING: Nancy Eng MacNiell and “Talented Helpers” presented an interesting and humorous skit Celebrating 50 Years of One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) and the goals of OGHS for 1999.

ZEPHYR POINT CONFERENCE GROUNDS COMMISSION: Phil Mishler stated that the Zephyr Point would be eternally grateful to a small group of people from this Presbytery, notably our beloved Merrill Follensbee, who saw and pursued a vision to revitalize Zephyr Point.   The Presbytery loaned Zephyr Point $50,000 20 years ago to remodel.  It was with great pleasure that the Zephyr Point Conference Grounds repaid the $50,000 load to the Presbytery.  Kay Cayler and Sally Hinchman accepted the check on the behalf of Presbytery.

 The Moderator invited Pete Sabey and Don Griggs to come forward,
 

CELEBRATING THEIR MINISTRY: The Moderator invited Pete Sabey and Don Griggs to come forward.  Reverends Sabey and Griggs have asked to be moved to the Rolls of the Honorably Retired.

 Jim Kitchen spoke to Pete Sabey’s many years of ministry as a College Chaplain.  Many others spoke to his years of faithful service.

 Sally Hinchman invited Pat Griggs to join her husband Don Griggs, as she spoke to Don’s ministry to Westminster Presbyterian Church and their combined ministry as educational consultants.  Many others spoke to their years of faithful service.

 The Moderator read a “Litany of Recognition” to Pete Sabey and Don Griggs, then recognized them as being Honorably Retired in accordance with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  Moderator Cross then closed with prayer.

 Presbytery Voted to move Pete Sabey and Don Griggs to the Rolls of Honorably Retired.

Kay presented them with Certifications of Retirement.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MISSION ADVOCATE:  Les Sauer stated that several years ago Mission, Social Justice and Peacemaking (MSJP) was reorganized into Working Groups, one of these is Worldwide Mission Working Group.   Beverly Norton was the first convener of this Working Group, picking up on the yearly denominational themes for Presbytery, like 1999’s theme “The Year of Education.”  As General Assembly encouraged Presbytery to name Mission Advocates, MJSP recommended that Beverly Norton be commissioned into this role.  She will report to Presbytery through MJSP.   Les requested Beverly to come forward and asking her to accept the role as Presbytery’s Mission Advocate and leading this Presbytery in Worldwide Mission.  Evelyn Weick, Prayer Convener & Moderator of Worldwide Mission Working Group, commissioned Beverly Norton.

NECROLOGY REPORT:   The Moderator asked that the Commissioners come forward and read the individual Elder and Deacon names who have gone to be with our Lord during the year 1998.  As each name was read, a bell tolled in remembrance.

 Presbytery of Sacramento    Reverend Stuart Potter
       Reverend Robert Graham
       Reverend Charles Link
       Reverend Charles French
       Reverend Herbert Werner

 Bethany Presbyterian Church   Elder & Deacon Laura Telletson
       Elder Adella Alt
       Elder Bob Jones
       Elder Al Burch
       Deacon Pearl Rucker
       Deacon Ann Lewis

 Bidwell Memorial Presbyterian Church  Elder Nancy Coolidge Coulter

 Burney Presbyterian Church   Elder Nina Francis
       Deacon Hazel McSheffney
       Deacon Pat Willis

 Carmichael Presbyterian Church   Elder & Deacon Barbara W. Hogan
       Elder M. Donald Kraft
       Elder Wallace M. Parry
       Deacon Inez Beattie
       Deacon Anne M. Coker
       Deacon Raymond E. Hillar
       Deacon Patricia L. Mullins
       Deacon Martha E. Seeger
       Deacon Raymond M. Seeger

 Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church   Elder & Deacon Beverly Samora
       Elder & Deacon Dalene Wales
       Deacon Wilbur Clarke

 Davis Community Church    Elder & Deacon Hielke Sheneman
       Elder & Deacon Julian Crane
       Elder Dillon Brown
       Elder Dick May
       Elder Verner Haapala

 First Presbyterian Church of Colusa   Elder & Deacon Ernie Baker
 
 First Presbyterian Church of Corning  Elder & Deacon Louise Evers

 First Presbyterian Church of Gridley  Elder & Deacon Myrrell D. Boll

 First Presbyterian Church of Marysville  Elder Woodrow Jang
       Deacon Everett Reid

 First Presbyterian Church of Redding  Elder William Mattson
       Deacon Sally Ritchie

 First Presbyterian Church of Roseville  Elder Ralph Donaldson
       Elder Donald Ware

 Fremont Presbyterian Church   Elder Fred Groat
       Elder Frederic Errett
       Deacon Jessie Silvius
       Deacon Ruth Caldwell
       Deacon Muzelle Raymond

 Grace Presbyterian Church of Sacramento  Deacon Carol Lou Hayes

 Grace Presbyterian Church of Weed  Elder Sue Davis

 Northminster Presbyterian Church   Elder Mahlon Robert MacPhee
       Elder Elva Marie Richardson
       Deacon Lois Johnson Geery

 Pioneer Presbyterian Church   Elder Margaret Holmes
       Elder Leo Herrala
       Deacon Fay Siler Vasey
 
 Sierra Presbyterian Church   Elder Kathryn Clauset
 
 St. Stephens Presbyterian Church   Elder & Deacon Ruth Roman

 The Presbyterian Church of Fair Oaks  Elder & Deacon Vernon Petefish
       Elder George Sherman
       Elder H. Bruce Johnson
       Elder Floyd Franksen
       Deacon Don Wilcox
       Deacon Louis Parton

 The Presbyterian Church of Red Bluff  Elder Ken Burton
       Deacon Alice Snow
       Deacon Wilber Myers

 Trinity Presbyterian Church of Oroville  Deacon Jean Scherer

 Trinity Presbyterian Church of West Sacramento Deacon Milton Tackitt

 Westminster Presbyterian Church   Elder & Deacon Haldis Scampini
       Elder & Deacon Clarence Perry
       Deacon Kathleen Acuff
       Deacon Roland Barton
       Deacon Paul Mundiner

 Woodland Presbyterian Church   Deacon Danzil (Dennie) Kepner

The Moderator closed with a Prayer of Thanksgiving.

LISTENING TO GOD’S WORD: Moderator Cross led the people in prayer in preparation for worship.  Rev. June Rogers, Missionary in Residence, delivered the sermon “And God Gave the Increase.”

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD: Following our time of worship, Presbytery presented their 1999 Mission Pledges while singing “All Things Are Yours.”

YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Judy O’Neill, Jim Kitchens and Barry Cavaghan spoke to the ministry in the higher education institutions.   This specialized ministry is the oldest supported ministry, other than individual congregations, in the Presbyterian Church.

 Barry introduced Dr. Tom Pine, Professor and Head of the Philosophy Department at Cal State, who spoke briefly on United Campus Ministry at Cal State, which is a ministry to the faculty and staff.   He spoke of the need to address the ministry to higher education.

 Barry stated that he felt it would very important, as we reorganize this Presbytery, to have a task force to studying higher education and mission.  He went on to acknowledge the work of Dexter McNamara with Campus Ministries.

 Jim briefly discussed campus ministry at U. C. Davis where the students are interested in very basic questions about God and who often have very little experience in living a Christian life.

 Judy introduced two U. C. Davis students, Cindy Wilson and Sarah Chow.   Cindy and Sarah talked briefly about what being in College Ministry meant to them.  They helped Judy with a presentation on the makeup of students at U. C. Davis, which has 24,600 students enrolled in all levels of education.  Judy went on to note that this figure does not include faculty and staff.  20% of the students live on campus.  87% of the students living on campus are Freshmen, with a median age of 21 (Cal State’s median age is 30).  There are 330 Student Groups, including Cal Aggie House.

LUNCH: Delicious soups, with a variety of bread and fruit was served for lunch. Traditionally, the first meeting of Presbytery is a subsistence lunch, to remind us of those in the world who are hungry and living on subsistence diets every day.  Special thanks to the men and women of Fremont Presbyterian Church for preparing lunch

SEMINARS: The “New Commissioners Orientation” seminar was held 30 minutes before the start of
 of  the Presbytery Meeting today.   Howard Crowley led this meeting.   Other seminars began at the end of lunch, they were:

? Education & Leadership Development Around the World”    Led by Rev. June Rogers
? Public Education - It’s the Church’s Business Too!     Led by Stephany Rewick
? Revitalizing Your Church’s Mission        Led by Church Development & Mission Strategy
? Amendments Questions & Answers                  Led by the Overtures Committee

AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY:  Bryon Nelson recommended the following actions:

1. That Presbytery approves the Policy on Commissioned Lay Pastors.  The policy reads as follows:

Commissioned Lay Pastors in Sacramento Presbytery

The Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery shall establish the “CLP Oversight
Subcommittee (subcommittee) for the training and oversight of prospective and active Commissioned Lay Pastors (CLPs) within its bounds, recommending to the Presbytery persons of Commissioning as it deems appropriate, and monitoring the activities of the CLPs, pursuant to the definitions and directives set out in the Book of Order G.14.801.

The subcommittee will evaluate and authorize available training opportunities, guiding each prospective CLP to training best suited for the intended ministry, and including the subjects listed in the Book of Order (Bible, Reformed Theology and Sacraments, Presbyterian Polity, preaching, leading worship, pastoral care and teaching).  This will ordinarily be done in consultation with the session of the church, which will oversee the ministry.

When appropriate training has been satisfactorily completed, the subcommittee shall examine the prospect as to ‘personal faith, motives for seeking the commission, and the areas of instruction mentioned previously.’  Upon successful completion of the exam, the subcommittee will recommend the commission to the Presbytery, with all the necessary stipulations as to effective dates and authorized activities.  The Presbytery may establish the Commission for a period of time not to exceed three years.  The commission may be renewed at expiration.

The subcommittee will maintain oversight of the activities of each CLP, conducting annual reviews ordinarily in consultation with session of the church, which will oversee the ministry.  The Subcommittee will recommend renewal of each commission as appropriate.  In the event the CLP does not abide by the provisions of the commission, or his/her work is evaluated as not adequate to meet the needs of the particular church or the Presbytery, the subcommittee may recommend to the Presbytery termination of the commission.

In recommending approval Bryon pointed out the following:

? Commissioned Lay Pastors are a rapidly evolving segment of ministry within our denomination.  As a result, it would be unwise to overwrite this first policy, believing instead that those who are charged with the tasks of the subcommittee will develop policies and strategies as they see fit, and the official policy will evolve with the ministry.

? Neither the subcommittee on membership, nor the Committee on Preparation is the right tool for this new job.  The establishment of a new subcommittee dedicated to this task seems the best approach.  Other Presbyteries have come to the same conclusion.

? At least two groups have already established thorough training programs for preparing CLPs.  Rather than give a blanket imprimatur to a single program, the uniqueness of each lay pastorate will be supported by evaluating the training of each prospect individually.

? It is important that COM always remember its central task is to enable local churches to be successful in their ministries.  Therefore consultation with the sessions of the churches involved whenever possible is to be emphasized.

     Presbytery Voted to approve the Policy for Commissioned Lay Pastors.

2.  Bryon presented for examination George (Geordie) W. Zeigler who has received a call as Associate Pastor to Fremont Presbyterian Church. He will be ordained by the Presbytery of San Francisco (his Presbytery of care).  George read his Statement of Faith and Polity.

George was briefly questioned by the Presbytery on his Statements of Faith and Polity.

Presbytery Voted to arrest the examination.  George was excused for the vote.

Presbytery Voted to approve George W. Zeigler for ordination as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament.

 
       3. To approve of the following terms of call and approve George W. Zeigler for membership in the Presbytery of Sacrament, pending his ordination in San Francisco.   He terms of call are as follows:

  Salary      $  6,000
  Housing      $30,000
  Pension/Medical/Dental    $10,980
  Professional Expenses    $  1,200
  Auto Mileage Allowance    $  1,600
  Study Leave     $  1,000
  Moving Expense Allowance   $  5,000
  Vacation     Four Weeks
  Study Leave     Two Weeks

 The call meets AAEEO requirements.

 Presbytery Voted to approve the terms of call for George W. Zeigler.
 

4. Approved the following Installation Commission for George W. Zeigler.  Ordination will take place at Fremont Presbyterian Church on April 11, 1999 at 4:00 p.m.:

Moderator, or her designee
Rev. Donald Baird, Fremont Presbyterian Church
Rev. Nick Sorani, First Presbyterian Church of Gridley
Rev. Steve Schibsted, Bidwell Memorial Presbyterian Church of Chico
Elder Ray Fitch, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Elder Jean Wallace, Fremont Presbyterian Church

There will also be several corresponding members, as yet not named.

Presbytery Voted to approve the Installation Commission for George W. Zeigler.
 

COMMITTEE ON PLANNING: Jimmi Mishler reported that the Presbytery of Sacramento now has a Web Page, thanks to work of Les Sauer, Jim Parks and Jim Davis. The e-mail address is www.sacpresby.org.   The Committee is requesting information on how many churches are set-up to receive and/or download information, such as Presbytery Minutes.  They are still working on how best to use this technology in communicating with individual churches and pastors.

 A copy of the new Sacramento Presbytery Web Page was shown to the Presbytery, explaining the various Links.

 Jim Park asked Presbytery to contact him at park@quick.com with any suggestions or concerns.

PRESENTATION OF BYLAWS: Sally Hinchman represented the new Bylaws for the Presbytery of Sacramento for the First Reading.  She explained in the past Presbytery worked under the guidelines of Standing Rules.   Bylaws were needed to set forth the nature and change process for the organization.  Once these Bylaws are approved they will start creating a Policy Manual for Presbytery.  The Bylaws read as follows:

The Presbytery of Sacramento
Synod of the Pacific
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

BYLAWS

1.000 PREAMBLE

1.001 Composition The presbytery is composed of all the churches of the denomination and Ministers of the Word and Sacrament within its bounds and constituted by all the ministers and elders duly enrolled and elected by the sessions of the churches within the bounds of presbytery.

1.002 Boundaries  The Presbytery of Sacramento is composed of all the churches located in the counties of Siskiyou, Modoc (with the exceptions of Townships 45, 46, 47, 48 of Ranges 1W, 2W, 1E, 2E, 3E, 4E, and 5E), Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Tehama, Plumas, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Yolo, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, El Dorado (excluding the city of South Lake Tahoe, California), and Amador and those portions of Solano County lying North of a line running due West from the Southwest corner of Yolo County along base meridian 44 degrees to the Napa County line and East of a line running North from the town of Rio Vista to the Southwest corner of Yolo County.
 
a. This presbytery functions as a part of the Sierra Mission Partnership, which consists of the Presbyteries of Nevada, Sacramento and Stockton.

1.003 Incorporation

a. As directed by Book of Order, G-8.0202 the Presbytery of Sacramento, part of the Synod of the Pacific of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has caused to be formed a corporation under the laws of the State of California to enable it to receive, hold and transfer property and to facilitate the management of its corporation affairs in such manner as the presbytery may from time to time direct.

b. The name of said corporation is the Presbytery of Sacramento.  The Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of said corporation as adopted are approved by the Presbytery of Sacramento as being the powers and purposes of this corporation.

c. As permitted by Section 9210(b) of the California Corporation Code, the Presbytery of Sacramento shall itself be the governing body (board of directors) of the corporation.   From time to time and as specifically now and hereafter authorized in these bylaws, the governing body may delegate certain of its powers to subordinate units and committees, always reserving the right of final review and decision to itself.

d. Officers of the Corporation shall be the Chair of Presbytery Council, Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee of Presbytery Council and the Stated Clerk of the presbytery.   These shall have authority to sign all legal documents on behalf of the presbytery when so ordered.

1.004  Laws  The rules of the presbytery shall be:

The Constitution of the Presbyterian church (U.S.A.) - Book of Confessions and
Part II - Book of Order (Government, Worship and Discipline)

The Rules for Governing Bodies of the General Assembly, as far as they apply to a presbytery.

The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, as far as they apply to a presbytery.
 
 The incorporation laws of the State of California as the presbytery relates to civil governments as a civil corporation.

 The Bylaws herein as adopted.
2.000 VISION

Open to the movement of the Holy Spirit, Sacramento Presbytery is growing, serving in mission with existing and new congregations and ecumenical partnerships, intentionally including people of all colors, cultures, and ages, developing committed leadership and spiritually vital congregational life.

3.000 MEETINGS

The presbytery shall meet in stated session five times a year and in special meetings when called according to the provisions in the Book of Order, G-11.0201.  A quorum for a meeting of presbytery shall be that which is directed in the Book of Order, G-11.0201.

4.000 OFFICERS

 The officers of the presbytery shall be a moderator, moderator-elect, stated clerk and treasurer.

4.001 A moderator and moderator-elect shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the presbytery during the final stated meeting each year.  The term shall begin the first day of the New Year.

4.002 A stated clerk and treasurer shall be elected for a term of three years and may be re-elected at the conclusion of any term.

5.000 PRESBYTERY COUNCIL
 
5.001 The Presbytery Council is responsible for:
 
? Visioning and planning.
? Coordinating the mission and program of the presbytery.
? Communication - ensuring the congregations are heard and that information is shared in a timely and helpful manner.
? Budget and finance for both the ecclesiastical and mission program budgets
? Oversee the employees of presbytery

5.002 The Presbytery Council shall have such committees, as they deem necessary.
 
6.000 COMMITTEES OF PRESBYTERY AND MINISTRY GROUPS

6.001 Elections  The annual election shall be at the final stated meeting of presbytery of the year, and those persons elected shall assume office on the first day of the New Year.

6.002 Terms  Members shall be elected for terms of three years and shall be eligible for re-election for an additional term, after which they shall be ineligible for that committee/ministry group for one year.

6.003 Chairpersons  Chairperson shall be elected for a term of one year and shall be eligible for re-election for additional terms provided that their membership on the committee/ministry group shall not exceed a total of six years of continuous membership.

6.004 Elder Members  Elders who serve as chairpersons for the continuing committees/ministry groups of the presbytery or as members of Presbytery Council shall be enrolled as members of the presbytery with voice and vote.

6.005 Duties and Responsibilities    In general, committee/ministry groups work shall be accomplished in accordance with the Book of Order G-3.000, G-11.0103, G-15.0100 and Directory for Worship.

 The following committees are mandated by the Book of Order:

a. Committee on Ministry  This committee shall perform all functions enumerated in the Book of Order G-11.0500 and other duties as specified in the Book of Order.
 
b. Nominating Committee  This committee shall nominate persons to fill all vacancies on continuing committees, councils, boards, chairpersons and other bodies that require election by the presbytery.  It shall nominate persons for those offices and relationships, which extend beyond the organizational boundaries of the presbytery.  The committee shall propose to the Presbytery Council nominees for moderator and moderator-elect.  All committee duties shall be performed in accordance with Book of Order G-9.0104a, b.

c. Preparation for Ministry    This committee shall perform all the functions enumerated in the Book of Order G-14.0300 and other duties as specified in the Book of Order.

d. Representation  This committee shall perform all the functions enumerated in the Book of Order G-9.0105 and G-11.0302 and other duties as specified in the Book of Order.

The presbytery will engage in its ministry and mission through the work of ministry groups, which are responsible for:

? Planning
? Visioning
? Developing policies
? Appointing task groups to help accomplish their work

7.000 RULES OF DISCIPLINE   In accord with he Rules of Discipline D-6.0302a and D-10.0201b, the following persons are empowered to appoint a committee of counsel and an investigating committee when needed:  The chairperson of the Committee on Ministry, the moderator, the stated clerk, and the Associate Synod Executive.

8.000 COMMISSIONS

8.001 Permanent Judicial Commission   This commission shall be composed of seven members elected from the ministers and elders of the presbytery for a term of six years in three classes as provided in G-9.0503b, D-3.000 and D-5.000.

9.000 REPRESENTATIVES TO HIGHER GOVERNING BODIES

9.001 Eligibility    Any active or member-at-large ministerial member of presbytery and any elder of a church having paid its per capita apportionment shall be eligible for nomination as a commissioner to higher governing body.

9.002 Election   Commissioners and Youth Advisory Delegates to the General Assembly and commissioners to Synod shall be elected far enough in advance of the announced meeting dates of these governing bodies to provide opportunity for proper briefing of the persons elected.  The stated clerk shall notify all members of presbytery and all clerks of session of the date and format of these elections.

10.000 RELATED AGENCIES

10.001 Sierra Mission Partnership  The Presbytery of Sacramento is related to the Sierra Mission Partnership for the purposes of coordination of programs, resources and budget as defined in the Sierra Mission Partnership Mission Design.

11.000 AMENDMENTS

11.001 Suspension   These bylaws may be suspended by two-thirds vote of the members present at any stated meeting of the presbytery.

11.02 Revision  These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any stated meeting of the presbytery provided that the proposed changes have been presented at a previous meeting.

The Presbytery expressed many questions and concerns regarding wording and content of the Bylaws.  It was moved that the Bylaws be referred back to Council for revision.   Presbytery Voted to approve this action.  Sally asked Presbytery to write out their questions, concerns or suggestions and give them to the Stated Clerk.

NOMINATIONS: Jim Carter presented the following nominations:

 Committee on Church Development and Mission Strategy
 01-1 *John Moser P.O. Box 1773, Vacaville 95696 (707) 448-5234 Covenant

 Committee on Ecclesiastical Responsibilities  (Eccl. Budget Sub-Committee)
 01-1 Dick Bradish 2810 Latham Dr.   (916) 488-8334 Fremont
 Sacramento 95864

 Committee on International Partnership
 Marie Segur (1999 Chairperson)   4716 Foster Way  (916) 482-2836 Carmichael
       Carmichael 95608
 Elnora Bradish  2810 Latham Dr.   (916) 488-5055 Fremont
     Sacramento 95864

 Committee on Ministry
 01-1 *Jim Hardy P.O. Box 1686, Vacaville 95696 (707) 448-3807 HR

 Committee on Mission, Social Justice and Peacemaking
 01-1 Stuart Robertson  4800 Winding Way (916) 488-8020 Grace
      Sacramento 95841

 The Moderator opened the floor for further nominations.  Hearing none, nominations were closed.

 Presbytery Voted to approve the nominations as presented.

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL Marie Segur recommended the following:

1. Upon receipt of a letter from Synod about churches desiring to be a part of the Presbytery of West Hamni, Council appointed a committee to work with Capital Korean Presbyterian Church, who has indicated interest in this move.  A committee was appointed composed of Byron Nelson of COM or his representative, Aart Van Beck, Henry Wells, and David Mauerman.  They are to ascertain all points that will need to be considered such as property, payments of per capita, candidates for ministry and standing in general in the Presbytery of Sacramento.  A report is to be made at the March 23rd 1999 Council meeting and the following April Presbytery meeting.  Marie moved that Presbytery ratify the appointment of this committee.

Presbytery Voted to ratify the appointment of this committee.

2. That the Presbytery of Sacramento endorse the invitation to be considered as the host for General Assembly in 2005.

Presbytery Voted to endorse the invitation to host General Assembly in 2005.

3. That the Presbytery of Sacramento endorse the Jubilee of Jesus Christ 2000.

Presbytery Voted to endorse the Jubilee of Jesus Christ 2000.

Marie went on to report that the Vision Statement was reaffirmed, it reads as follows: Open to the movement of the Holy Spirit, the Presbytery of Sacramento is growing, serving in mission with existing and new congregations and ecumenical partnerships, intentionally including people of all colors, cultures, special needs and ages, developing committee leadership and spiritually vital congregational life.

The Council met on January 26, 1999.  Council members were invited to participate in the Sierra Mission Partnership retreat of the SMP Coordination Council and the three Presbytery Councils on January 29-30, 1999.  Joyce Hathaway was selected as the Sierra Mission Partnership Coordinating Council liaison to Council and as such will serve as a member of Council.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE: Sally Hinchman reported that all three Councils are working together for networking, planning and understanding on what it means to be in partnership with each other.

 She received a report from General Assembly regarding partners across presbytery boundaries.   She attended a conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico on PERCEPT, a planning tool for our Presbytery.    PERCEPT is a group of church people who have made a commitment to help congregations and presbyteries in planning and expansion of their ministry.

REPORT OF THE SYNOD:

 Report from the Mission Partnership Committee:       Yvonne Hartzell reported that the Hilda V. Thompson Foundation funds have been transferred to Kendall Presbytery.  At this time it is expected that the funding will be available for the final year of the eight on-going foundation recipients.  Depending on the final funds available, we hope to fund one or two new health-related mission projects.

 The new Hilda V. Thompson Foundation sub-committee is as follows:  Yvonne Hartzell, Chairperson, Fred Howe, Rev. Richard Scout, Phyllis Scholbohm and Judy Wilkins.  This sub-committee will meet on May 13-15, 1999, Synod Meeting at Zephyr Point to review applications and award the 1999 funds.

 Mission on the Rim: Final deadline for the Mission on the Rim Prospectus has been set for May 1, 1999.  The committee urges Presbyteries to affirm and submit their selected Mission Projects.

 Mission Personnel Committee: Larry Huggett reported that they are looking for both an Interim Synod Executive, as will as a new Synod Executive to replace Rev. Philip Young who will resign, effective December 31, 1999.

 Moderator’s Report: Larry Huggett reported that the Auburn Presbyterian Church has been approved for a loan of $475,000 to begin construction of their sanctuary.

 The following persons are serving our presbytery at the General Assembly level, they are:
  Joan Alston, Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns
  Warren Barnes, General Assembly Council
  Nancy Eng MacNeill, Peacemaking Advisory Committee
  Alice Nishi, Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (Caucus)
  Jananne Sharples, Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN: Elnora Bradish and Mary Simpson, Co-Moderators paid tribute to Rev. Merrill Follansbee for his many years of support of Presbyterian Women.

OVERTURES: Bob Justman made the following recommendation as an Overture to General Assembly, amended to read as follows:

 Whereas, the Presbytery of Nevada has undertaken a New Church Development in Truckee, California, within the bounds of the Presbyter of Sacramento, with the consent and knowledge of the Presbytery of Sacramento; and

 Whereas, there was agreement between the two Presbyteries that the New Church Development in Truckee, California would be established by the Presbytery of Nevada; and

 Whereas, no Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. churches currently exist in the area under discussion; and

 Whereas, the Presbytery of Sacramento voted on February 16, 1999 to approve the boundary change; and

 Whereas, the Presbytery of Nevada voted on _____________ to approve the boundary change; and

 Whereas, the Synod of the Pacific voted on ______________ to approve the boundary change; therefore, be it

1. Resolved, that the Presbytery of Sacramento, the Presbytery of Nevada, and the Synod of the Pacific jointly overture the 211th General Assembly (1999)  to change the boundaries between the presbyteries of Sacramento and Nevada as follows:   (Changes are italicized)

Boundaries: The Presbytery of Sacramento is composed of all Churches located in the counties of Siskiyou, Trinity, Shasta, Tehama, Plumas Glenn, Butte, Yuba, Sutter, Colusa, Yolo, Sacramento, Amador, those portions of Modoc (with exception of Townships 45, 46, 47, 48 and Ranges 1W, 2W, 1E, 2E, 3E, 4E, and 5E), Lassen, Sierra, Nevada, Placer and El Dorado lying West of line from West shore of Goose Lake at Oregon Border, to Susanville, to Donner Summit, to Echo Summit, to the Northeast corner of Amador County where it joins Alpine County, East of a line running due West from the Southwest corner of Yolo County along a base meridian 44 degrees to the Napa County line and East of a line running North from the town of Rio Vista to the Southwest corner of Yolo County.

Bob explained that what this Overturn does is transfer a section of land about 30 to 50 miles
West of the California Nevada border to the Presbytery of Nevada.  There was some concern that General Assembly might not understand the underlying reasons for this change.  Kay stated that she would be present at General Assembly to speak to this Overture.

Presbytery Voted to approved the Overture as amended.
 
 The ballots for the Amendments were distributed, Bob stated that there would be discussion on each Amendment before taking the vote.   The following Amendments were voted on:

 Amendment A        Passed
 Regarding Preservation of Governing Body Records.

 Amendment B1        Passed
 Regarding changes to the Book of Order dealing with New Church Development.

 Amendment B2        Passed
 Regarding Commissioned Lay Pastor’s Service as an Organizing Pastor.

 Amendment B3        Passed
 Regarding Commissioned Lay Pastor’s serving a New Church
 Development or Other Validated Ministry.

 Amendment C        Passed
 To aid in the implementation of the Formula of Agreement.

 Amendment D        Failed
 Regarding release from exercise of Ordained Ministry.

 Amendment E        Passed
 Securing fuller and more equal ordained representation by women
 at the Congregational Level.

 Amendment F        Passed
 Deleting the requirement that a Stated Supply Minister be a member
 of a church’s Presbytery in order to moderate the Session.

 Amendment G        Passed
 To provide for homebound church members to participate in the
 Lord’s Supper.

 Amendment H        Passed
 Regarding standing to file complaint.

 Amendment I        Passed
 Amending the Book of Confessions by striking the current text
 of the Nicene Creed and inserting the contemporary version of the
 Nicene Creed.
 
TRUSTEES: Kay Cayler reported for Dave Mauerman.  The Trustees recommend the following actions, necessary for the Auburn Presbyterian Church to obtain a Synod load to begin construction of their sanctuary.  The recommendations are:

1. That the Presbytery of Sacramento pay up to $1,000 a month on a Synod loan for Auburn subject to the following: When the membership reaches 250 or the budget is $150,000 whichever comes first, the church will relieve the Presbytery of ½ or $500 of the monthly payment.  When the membership reaches 300 or the budget is  $200,000 whichever comes first the church will relieve the Presbytery of the total amount or $1,000.  If neither of these goals is reached by the end of 5 years (60 months) the church will relieve the presbytery of the full payment of $1,000 a month at that time.

Presbytery Voted to approve this recommendation.

2. That the Presbytery of Sacramento will continue to pay the debt service on the site loan for a period not to exceed 5 years (60 months).  When during that time the membership reaches 300 or the budget reaches $200,000 the church will relieve the Presbytery of ½ of the monthly payment.

Presbytery Voted to approve this recommendation.
 

CONSENT AGENDA: It was requested that Item 11 from the Consent Agenda be removed, for further discussion.

 Stated Clerk: Kay Cayler recommended the following actions:

1. The Minutes of the December 2, 1998 meeting be approved with the following correction:  Les Matheney is a member of the Presbytery Endowment Committee only.  He is not with the Foundation.  The Foundation is an Investment Management Service and a Mutual Fund has been added to the services.
2. Dismiss with thanks the commission to ordain Darcy Hall.  The commission consisted of those named at the previous Presbytery meeting in addition to Hazel Angell, Elder at Carmichael Presbyterian Church.
3. Approve the practice of inviting each Session to send two Elder Commissioners to Presbytery Meetings, with an additional Elder Commissioner for each 500 members in the congregation, to a maximum of six Elders.  This gives three Elder Commissioners to Chico, Davis, Nevada City, Placerville, Roseville, Faith, Westminster, Vacaville Community and Yuba City; four Elder Commissioners to Fremont; and six Elder Commissioners to Fair Oaks.

 Committee on Ministry: Recommends the following actions:

1. Approve the invitation of Trinity Presbyterian Church in West Sacramento to Keith Posehn to serve as interim pastor on a 2/3 times basis.
2. Dismiss Lynn Vander Cook to the Presbytery of the San Jose where she has a call.
3. Dismiss Helmi Fulton to the Presbytery of Grand Canyon where she has an invitation to serve as an interim pastor.
4. Dismiss Stuart Leydon to the Presbytery of Charleston-Atlantic where he has his retirement home.
5. Approve the request of the Council of Chaplains that Steven Webber serve as a chaplain in the United States Navy for an indefinite period of time.
6. Grant authority for Steven Webber to administer the Sacramento of the Lord’s Supper and the Sacrament of Baptism for the period of time that he is serving as a Chaplain I the United States Navy.
7. Approve the request of Rev. Henry Wells and the Session of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church that Larry Huggett be named as Parish Associate.  He will have specific duties, which include, but are not limited to, serving as staff resource for various senior activities, Presbyterian Women, Pastoral contacts and visitations.  Position is to be 20 hours a week with remuneration of $2,000 a month plus mileage.
8. Approve the request of the Congregation of Carmichael Presbyterian Church that Sharon Sauer be moved to a half time call with the terms to be decreased accordingly.  This change to be effective on February 1, 1999.
9. Grant COM the authority to approve the call of First Presbyterian Church of Roseville to a candidate for the position of senior pastor of that congregation.  The parties involved are desirous that a pastor be in place at that church prior to the next Presbytery meeting, which will be after Easter.  The authority to approve calls is found in The Book of Order G-11.0502h.
10. Approve the request of the congregation of Pioneer Presbyterian Church of Winters to change the Terms of Stated Supply Pastor, Rev. Frank Anderson to full time from January 1, 1999 through March 31, 1999.  The terms (based on annual full time) are as follows:
   Salary     $  9,000
   Housing     $30,000
   Pension     $11,989
   Auto Allowance    $  1,800
   Study Leave    $     800  Two Weeks
   Vacation    Four Weeks

 Presbytery Voted to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

 Item 11, removed from the Consent Agenda, states: Grant Relief of Conscience to the First Presbyterian Church of Colusa.    Kay explained that “Relief of Conscience” refers to Pension funds from a particular church.  The General Assembly has voted to permit churches to choose to request that pension funds going from that church not be used to pay for abortions.  These funds would then be used for things such as adoptions.  There is no financial impact on Presbytery, Synod or General Assembly.

 Presbytery Voted to approve the Relief of Conscience request from the First Presbyterian Church of Colusa.

REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK: Kay reported that she had received a letter from Princeton Theological Seminary asking that the Presbytery endorse Graham Baird as a TSAD to the 211th General Assembly.  Graham is a student at Princeton and he recently came under the care of this Presbytery as an Inquirer.  The Seminary has chosen him as a TSAD but Presbytery endorsement is required also.  Kay moved that we endorse Graham Baird as a T-SAD to General Assembly.

 Presbytery Voted to approve this request.

 Kay reported that the decision read in June 1998 has been appealed.  The Synod Permanent Judicial Committee will be hearing this appeal on the last Friday in February.

MISCELLANEOUS: Donald Baird reported that Vice Moderator of General Assembly, Jim Mead would be speaking at Fremont Presbyterian Church on March 14-16, 1999.

ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business to bring before Presbytery, it was Voted to adjourn the meeting.  The meeting was closed with prayer at 4:05 p.m.
 
 
 
 
 

Kay Fulfs Cayler, Stated Clerk    Shirley Westmoreland, Recording Clerk