Easter’s Gift and Our Response
Mary Westfall, Transitional Executive Presbyter
In coming days we will share a sacred journey that, once again, exposes human frailty and brokenness, revealing God’s immense love and grace. We will sing and pray, listen to the stories, sit in silent darkness, lean into resurrection Light. Immersed in the beauty of springtime, in a world so bruised and brittle, we will again be invited to embrace a promise, a gift, a calling. Might we prepare in such a way that we find the courage and humility to proclaim our Alleluias from deep within our souls, and in joyful response accept the invitation to live more boldly, more fully and more lovingly. Thanks to the Risen One!
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Easter Sunday - Rachel Hackenberg
It would have been enough,
yes Lord!,
it would have been enough
for us to have the good news of God With Us
in your lessons, in your life, in your death.
But you determined that it was not enough…
…that although it was good for you to walk with us
through fear and death,
you knew that we could be freed of the fear of fear
and even the fear of death,
so that we could stop walking
and start running the race set before us;
…that although it was good for you to touch us and heal us,
you knew that if we were truly steeped
in the foundation of something
as impossible as resurrection,
then we would be empowered
to touch and heal others in our daily lives;
…that although it was good for you to feed us and welcome us
all to the same table,
you knew that if we would just lay down
our skepticism and doubt
then we could multiply bread and fish and juice
to feed crowds by the thousands.
So you gave us the good news of resurrection,
the assurance that nothing whatsoever
can separate us from the love and life and light of God!
You gave us this foundation —
a complete, holy, miraculous, mysterious, unbelievable
gift that gives us the freedom
to live boldly,
to live without fear,
to live fully and joyfully in a responsive “Amen!”
to your “Yes!” in Jesus Christ.
So let all of God’s people say,
AMEN!
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PC(USA) COMPASSION PEACE AND JUSTICE TRAINING |
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As we look around the country and around the globe, the issues of human rights have never been more pressing. The attack on voting rights at home and fierce suppression of human rights activists internationally are signs that we must be ever vigilant in pressing for human dignity and rights for all.
Join us for Compassion Peace and Justice Training 2022! This year we will once again be centering our event on the Ecumenical Advocacy Days theme addressing the fierce urgency of human rights both at home and abroad!
This year’s event will be offered in two parts:
On April 19th we will host a roundtable discussion and workshop on the work of the Compassion Peace and Justice Ministry in supporting international human rights. We will lift up the work we and our partners are doing to support human rights globally and the intersection of human rights with the issues of food sovereignty, migration, racism, climate change, corporate accountability and corruption, militarism, and development. Join us to learn what you and your church can do!
On April 20th we will be hosting a roundtable discussion on the work of the Compassion Peace and Justice Ministry on domestic civil and human rights. We will hear from staff who are working and organizing nationally on the issues of voting rights, poverty, racism, environmental justice, LGBTQIA+, gun violence, and domestic human rights for all of god’s children. Learn how you and your church can plug into the work and contribute to further civil rights at home!
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Make sure to register for both parts! |
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NCCP, LISTENING FOR GOD’S MESSAGE OF INCLUSION AND WELCOME |
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Along with many churches in our denomination, our new presbytery continues to listen deeply for who God is calling us to be regarding our welcome and inclusion of LGBTQ persons. Following is an article from PCUSA Stated Clerk inviting our deepening reflections and an invitation to participate in an upcoming, “Covenant Conversation,” as we prayerfully gather to discuss and discern ways to be more inclusive of our LGBTQ siblings.
Please also read the good news from one of our congregations celebrating 10 years of being a “More Light” church and re-committing to that journey of welcome, hospitality and love.
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GOOD NEWS FROM OUR CONGREGATIONS |
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Federated Church, Placerville just celebrated ten years of being a More Light PCUSA congregation and a member of the United Methodist Church Reconciling Fellowship and is more committed than ever to being a place of radical love, inclusion, equity, hospitality and love. Living out the values of the gospel and of our new presbytery. Welcoming LGBTQ+ people with God’s love!
(Picture of the dedication of their new Progress Pride Flag, dedicated March, 27, 2022)
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Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes |
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May 2-4, 2022
Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center
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"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations."
—Iroquois Maxim
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As people of faith, what is our response to the climate crisis that is happening right now?
What is our role? How can we respond? Where can we find hope? What can we do with our decisions today to help the betterment of the next seven generations to come?
Please join us May 2-4 up at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center for the Missions Committee first annual Justice Conference entitled "Connect with Creation – Heal Our Communities". We are very excited to have Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes of Union Theological Seminary, a theologian and environmentalist, be our keynote speaker. He is very much looking forward to being with us!
To register for the event, please click the link below. This will give you all the information that you need and an in depth bio of Dr. Carvalhaes. Sponsoring this conference is the North Central California Presbytery Missions Support Committee, Pastoral Support Committee and the Committee on Representation.
*Please note that if you are with the North Central California Presbytery, we have limited scholarships for one pastor and one lay person per church on a first come, first served basis. If you have the financial means, we encourage you to pay the full price so that this can give the opportunity for greater participation. Thank you for your understanding. With that being said, please know that everyone is invited. For example, if you have eight people coming from your church, that's great! Come! Just know that we only have scholarships enough for one pastor and one lay person of each church and then everyone else would pay regular price. We look forward to seeing you all up at the Lake!
Submitted by Rev. Dr. Pamela Anderson
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Save the Date!
Saturday, June 4th, 2022
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Sacramento
9:30am-4:00pm
Plenary, workshops, and lunch
Hosted by North Central California Presbytery & Covenant Network of Presbyterians
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2022 STATED MEETINGS OF THE PRESBYTERY |
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Save the dates of our next Presbytery meetings! |
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May 21st
September 10th
November 5th
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Casa de Español is a Spanish language school and cultural center in Sacramento. The school offers Spanish language classes with a 15% off discount (using POS15) to our presbytery members!
The Spring session four day workshops is April 18th -21st.
The Spring session for grammar and conversation classes is April 25th - June 23rd.
Check out their website at the link below!
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PANDEMIC AND BEYOND: PCUSA RESOUCES TO RENEW AND REVITALIZE |
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Every congregation throughout the country is exploring their ministry and mission in light of changes brought about by the pandemic. The PCUSA is offering a wide array of resources to help support the growth and revitalization of spiritual life for all ages. Don’t miss seeing what’s available! |
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The Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival |
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Some of you may be wondering what the Poor People's Campaign is all about. It is a continuation of Dr. King's work. On December 4, 1967, Dr. King along with his colleagues, launched the Poor People's Campaign in Washington DC. Five months later to the day, on April 4, 1968, Dr. King was murdered in Memphis, Tennessee. Why was he in Tennessee? He was there for the Poor People's Campaign. He was there for the garbage strike to take a stand for the rights of sanitation workers. When Dr. King was murdered, the campaign sadly died with him. But now fifty years later, it has been relaunched. It is alive and well and the torch has been passed to the new co-chairs of the campaign, Bishop William Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis. The campaign is alive and well and you are invited to participate. Go to www.poorpeoplescampaign.org to learn more. Additionally, we are mobilizing for a march on Washington, DC and you and your churches and your families and your friends are all invited to join us on Saturday June 18 at 10am. Also, before we head to DC we are heading to LA on Monday, May 16 for a march beginning at 4:30pm at Los Angeles' City Hall. If you would like to learn how you can get involved and if you would like to be a delegation captain or help organize a bus, reach out to Rev. Dr. Pamela Anderson, CA state organizer for the Poor People's Campaign. You can reach her at revpamelaanderson@gmail.com. She is more than happy to help get you mobilized, organized and energized! As we say in the campaign, "When we lift from the bottom, everybody rises!" Come join the campaign. Come join the National Call for Moral Revival.
Submitted by Rev. Dr. Pamela Anderson,
CA Organizer for the Poor People's Campaign
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ETHNIC CONCERNS CONSULTATION JUBILEE- "AT THE THRESHOLD" |
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Rev. Elona Street Stewart |
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October 7-9, 2022
Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center
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Pastors, Commissioned Ruling Elders, & those serving in validated ministries!
October 10-12, 2022
Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center
All NCCP Clergy are invited to attend for only a $50 registration fee
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Are you or someone you know a skilled listener and writer? Familiar with our rules for meetings or a fast learner about such details? The presbytery is now looking for a new Recording Clerk. Check out the job description because it may be your calling or the calling of someone you know! For more information or to submit your cover letter and resume, contact:
The Rev. Brian Spangler
916-529-0805
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NCCP
5645 Marconi Ave.
Carmichael, CA, 95608
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