June greetings from your new Bridge Executive!

I retired in early May as the pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sacramento and have spent the last month fixing lawn sprinklers, visiting relatives in Washington and watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel with my wife. But retirement is a process, I imagine, so I'm back to work now in service to the presbytery,

if only in a part-time, short-term capacity.

My job in the next four months will be to provide staff leadership in the office, be a resource for the committees of the presbytery and provide pastoral and administrative support for the pastors and churches of the presbytery, especially those in a season of pastoral transition. Being part time, I obviously won't be able to provide the level of support that Mary Westfall did, but I hope to do all I can to help maintain the vibrancy of Christ's ministry in this region through our churches and other ministries, so please send me an email or call the presbytery office if there is something I can be of assistance with. I look forward to working with you in the coming months.

The purpose of my bridge ministry is to give the Executive Search Committee time to discern the gifts and abilities the new executive will need to lead our presbytery in the coming years and then to accomplish a search. Please be in prayer for this team.

Uh-oh, there's a new geyser in the front yard, so I'll be signing off and heading to the hardware store for another sprinkler. Enjoy your summer!

Your partner in ministry,

Wes

Here’s the Utah Presbytery’s welcome video:

https://www.pcusa.org/news/2022/7/18/welcome-utah/

One minister, one ruling elder and one Young Adult Advisory Delegate along with an alternate of each will be elected at the September 6^th Presbytery meeting. Click the link below for more information and the nomination form. 

Putting together diverse teams means that not every qualified person will be called at this time, and will be noted for future opportunities.

Presbytery Executive Search Committee

The Council will put together a diverse team of people who come from the wide regions of the presbytery to serve on this committee. This will be an intense, several months process that will give participants an opportunity to discern God’s will and be richly blessed by the deep Christian community experienced in small group service. Persons need be able to make weekly and/or bi-weekly meetings and be prepared to handle assignments in between meetings. These need to be persons with a strong understanding of people, some understanding of the role of a presbytery today and the new things God is doing in the church, an ability to recognize the Spirit’s leading while setting aside any agenda of their own, and an ability to set appropriate boundaries. They need to be members of a church or fellowship. Because of the diverse geography, there will likely be two to three in person gatherings and then Zoom meetings.

Nominating Committee

Council is seeking two people to put in nomination at the September Presbytery meeting. Prospective members need to be ruling elders or deacons with a general understanding of Presbyterian polity. Do they have to know a lot of people in the presbytery? Absolutely not!! What is important is that prospective nominees understand people and group dynamics, are discerning, value a commitment to diversity as reflected in the Book of Order and the NCCP, be comfortable with email and phone conversations, and have some tech ability. This is rewarding work as committee members have holy conversations with diverse people and shape many areas of the presbytery’s life through selecting its leaders. The Chair needs to be someone who is available to attend most Council meetings on the 2^nd Wed. of the month, have the qualities mentioned, AND be a skilled facilitator. Nom Com meetings are via Zoom as are Council meetings. Council also has one or two in person retreats each year.

Have a Name for Nom Com or the Search Committee?

Please contact them with your thinking and ask them to prayerfully consider it. If they are willing to be considered, then either you or they can contact Council Moderator Pat Terry at [email protected] with the person’s contact info and bio.

Submitted by MWS Jeri Viera Dahlke, Stated Clerk

Less than two weeks ago 36 migrants (mostly from Venezuela and Colombia) were flown from El Paso, TX to Sacramento on private chartered flights with the promise of jobs and housing waiting for them. They were left on the doorstep of the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, promises unfulfilled. While the political story made national headlines, it has now faded into the background, but very human needs remain. A coalition of faith communities continues to meet the immediate needs of these migrants as they await their political and legal stories to play out. 

Sacramento Area Congregations Together (SacACT) has been providing shelter, food, and clothing to these individuals. Many congregations have been asking how they can help, and I wanted to provide a couple of options.  

Financial Support 

These migrants require support, and so does SacACT as it continues to respond to this event. Of course, this emergency response effort was not built into any kind of planned budget, so if your congregation or missions committee has access to mission funds that could assist in this response, please consider being generous with them. SacACT is actively working with organizations to assist with finding jobs so that these folks can be independent as soon as possible. 

Please consider offering support at the following link. 

https://bit.ly/sacactmigrantaid 

Clothing and Donations 

SacACT is also seeking donations of a whole variety of items. They are collecting that information in a Sign-up Genius form that allows them to track the donations offered and make sure they don’t create duplications in donations. The form provides a way to contact the SacACT logistics volunteer to make these physical donations. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f44a9af2fabfac16-migrant#/  

In addition to these specific ways you can help above, please add these migrants to your prayer list, and keep in prayer all the faith communities that are providing

hospitality and care. 

Rev. Ivan Herman 

Carmichael Presbyterian Church 

SacACT Faith Leader Caucus

El Dorado County Federated Church just launched solar panels. Check out the drone picture of the roof. Great job at helping our environment!

The Earth Care Team, part of the Mission Committee of Sierra Vista Community

Church was formed in early 2022 after church members were inspired by a class on environmental justice. The Team strives to help the church and its members reduce their environmental footprint in line with the Presbyterian Church’s call to help restore creation by greening its churches.

The Pollinator Garden Project came about after the Team began to look at ways to use church grounds to help restore habitat that attracts bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds and other beneficial creatures that transfer pollen from flower to flower. Many of these pollinators have suffered greatly from loss of habitat, misuse of chemicals, the spread of invasive plant and animal species and the lack of native flowering plants in our gardens.    

In December 2022, the Team applied for a $5,000 grant from the NCCP Mission Support and received the happy news of the award in time to announce it to our congregation on Earth Day Sunday in April. 

The project will create a 110 ft. x 4 ft. long pollinator garden in a raised bed bordering one of our classroom wings and will follow the principles outlined in Douglas Tallamy’s book, Nature’s Best Hope.  Tallamy talks about how essential it is to plant for wildlife by adding trees and flowering plants native to our area to provide necessary habitat for wildlife. Even a few plants that support pollinators are helpful. If each of us did this in our own yards it would go a long way to help restore the ecosystems in our communities. 

The pollinator garden will not only help provide habitat for the dwindling population of insects that rely on these plants, it will also help to educate our youth on the wonder of God’s creation and help to beautify church grounds. Also, through posting a sign along a main street bordering church ground, the project will serve as a demonstration garden to educate our local community of the importance of restoring nature. Installation of the garden will begin this Fall, the best time for plants to develop a strong root system to help survive the coming heat of summer.

Submitted by Ruling Elder Edrine Ddungu

This is a series from the Presbyterian Committee on the Self Development of People 

featuring dialogues and listening forums with church and community leaders, along with 

people from communities impacted by the situations the series addresses.

Four members of the SOS Mission Team recently attended the Justice Conference, jointly sponsored by our Presbytery and Zephyr Point, to explore Micah 6:8 and this question of effective Justice Ministry. 

We were resourced by an inspiring worship team, 40+ leaders from many churches in our region, and speaker B. Hunter Farrell, co-author of Freeing Congregational Mission; A practical Vision for Companionship, Cultural Humility, and Co-Development.

Statistics from 1,200+ mainline Protestant, Catholic, and Evangelical leaders show that 90% of mission efforts and dollars are spent on mercy projects.  Among the most popular are Child sponsorship, Meal packing, Orphanages, Short Term Mission Trips (consumer “selfie” experience rather than encounter. While these gifts are needed for disaster relief, well-placed questions will show much ineffectiveness and often reverse outcomes result from these efforts in situations of chronic need.

We learned that it would be wise to use our “superpowers” as Christians to

1.    Move from the giver/receiver mode (“best of the west to the rest”) to prayerful, humble round-table decision-making and action

2.    Use the Power of a Question. “What are some potential unintended consequences?” Jesus asked more questions than giving answers.

3.    Enlarge our focus from those in dire need to include those local resources at hand and the underlying/upstream causes.

4.    Keep Inviting folks in our churches to go into the place of need (local/global) to learn and collaborate with locals & other churches.

5.    Network for collective impact for long-term accompaniment & advocacy for David and Goliath issues.

We were most inspired by Hunter’s telling of a fleshed out example of the principles of Companionship, Cultural Humility and Co-Development. A mother in Peru was concerned about the increasing illness, brain-damage and death of children in her village. She brought the concern to a network of pastors several towns away. Anecdotal and informal study of the issues showed that the children were getting lead-poisoning from a smelter company owned in St. Louis (USA). Eighty-Two churches in St. Louis with a variety of perspectives were organized to accompany the Peruvian children and parents in their quest for change. When the cost of a formal scientific study by the Center for Disease Control was found, it was clear that no group could afford it. So church folk gained access to media to share the story, ensuring that it was told by the local Peruvians. ABC sent a reporter to Peru; as a result, the CDC voluntarily did the study which confirmed the Company as source of the lead poison in the entire community. Many others got on board to pressure the Company to remediate the situation. With tenacity, vision, networking, curiosity, and prayer, after 7 years the Company took responsibility and many lives have been changed.

What is next for our Presbytery? Will those of us gathered at this conference begin a closer collaboration for joint mission? What other denominations or local organizations can your congregation partner with? Who are the “lepers”/ outcasts in our region with whom we can partner in meeting short-term and long term needs?

 We were so thankful for this opportunity made possible by the NCCP for us to attend the conference and we encourage you to invite your Missions Committee to study Hunter Farrell’s Inspiring and provocative book.

Submitted by Virgil and Lynn Nelson, Shepherd of the Sierra Presbyterian Church, Loomis, CA

Tips on how to prepare for and cope with high heat during the summer using CDC current guidance. As El Niño Looms, US Officials Advised to Prepare Communities for Extreme Heat "This is the time to direct our energies and efforts toward preparedness and readiness, particularly to protect our most vulnerable citizens from the impact of extreme heat," said one expert.



Submitted by Judi Angell

Frontera de Cristo Comes to DCC: June 17 & 18

We are delighted to welcome back to DCC Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado of the Frontera de Cristo border ministry. Mark will preach on Sunday, June 18 but don't miss their deeper dive into understanding the dynamics and history of our southern border on Saturday afternoon in the Library. Their ministries in Agua Prieta, Sonora are extensive including a migrant resource center, a migrant shelter, a drug and alcohol rehab program, Cafe Justo coffee, after-school care, skills development and more! It is simply amazing all that they do! The church is at 412 C Street in Davis.

Registration is now open for Kin-dom Camp at Zephyr Point-Lake Tahoe

What:

Kin·dom Camp is an opportunity for LBGTQIA+ youth ages 12-17 to experience a week of camp where they are safe and free to show up as their full selves. It is an initiative of kin-dom community, with the first kin-dom camp occurring in Texas in 2022.

Attendees will engage in a 5-night residential camp experience (Sunday-Friday) where they stay in dorm-style housing with all meals provided. All outdoor activities will be accessible to beginners and enjoyable for all levels of experience.

The theme for 2023 is “Express Yourself”

When: June 25^th -June 30^th, 2023

Where: Zephyr Point, 660 Hwy 50, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448

Cost: $525.00, with non-refundable $50 deposit due at time of registration

Note: Scholarships are available for campers with financial needs.

Individual registration is now open and there is limited space, so get ready to sign up as soon as possible! Campers must complete an online medical form and medical waiver prior to camp.

Pacific Region APA Conference

September 14 -17, 2023

Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center

Classes offered in person and via Zoom

When: September 25-27, 2023

Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Stewardship Kaleidoscope is an annual conference offering excellent plenary speakers, informative workshop leaders, provocative worship experiences, and incredible networking opportunities for all who are passionate about stewardship and generosity. Drawing leaders from across the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), the ELCA, and other ecumenical partners, Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to help participants explore stewardship, in its many colorful dimensions!

Ethnic Concerns Consultation, or ECC, is dedicated to bringing education and awareness of the concerns of ethnic groups to churches and all of Christendom. The ECC is a place of encouragement that provides avenues for ethnic groups to be connected to and involved in the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  Special time for youth engagement and activities for all ages is planned. The ECC invites those who seek the full diversity of the church in our growing and changing culture. All are welcome to join us at Zephyr Point in October as we come together to enable spiritual growth and cultural awareness and learn how the ECC will advocate for racial and economic justice issues in the church and society.

Event Theme: THIS IS THE MOMENT

This is not a time for complacency or continuation of the status quo – This is the Moment…..

1. To center the voices of BIPOC voices from within and outside the Church
2. To act for racial justice within our churches
3. To do the work of deconstruction for the transformation of the Church and the world
4. To envision how the restorative justice of God can reshape our nation and our world
5. To celebrate the diversity of Creation in all its majesty.

*A discount code is available for PC(USA) participants. Please call (665-588-6759 ext. 113) or email ([email protected]) our office for more information.

We are living in a weary world. Join fellow church leaders for a retreat that will blend respite with generative work for the immediate season and the months to come. We will explore hope on levels both theological and practical: the stories that form our communities, and the systems, structures, and practices that foster hope and purpose. Come for a rich blend of scripture, theology, psychology, pop culture, and more, as we dream, discuss, play, and build resilience together. As busy pastors and ministry leaders, give yourself the gift of a reflective time away to pause, restore, and orient ourselves in the direction of hope.

Event Theme: HOPE ALL THE WAY DOWN

The Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana is a writer, pastor, speaker, and ministry coach living in the Virginia suburbs of DC. She is author of three books, Hope: A User’s Manual, God, Improv, and the Art of Living, and Sabbath in the Suburbs. In addition to her books, her writing has appeared in TIME.com, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, Religion Dispatches, Journal for Preachers, Coaching World, and the Christian Century, and in a monthly column for Presbyterians Today for three years. She was featured on PBS’s Religion and Ethics Newsweekly for her work on Sabbath and was recognized by the Presbyterian Writers Guild with the 2015-2016 David Steele Distinguished Writer Award.

She is a sought-after speaker, preacher, conference leader and writer around issues of leadership, faith formation, and congregational transformation. She served as co-chair for two years of NEXT Church, a movement within the Presbyterian Church (USA) that seeks to call forth vital ministry for our changing cultural context. She currently serves as associate pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon, VA. MaryAnn is a graduate of Rice University in Houston, Texas and received her M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. She is a mother of three, an imperfect knitter, and an occasional ultramarathoner. Connect with her at her website. 

*North Central California Pastors are eligible for a $75 price total

Submitted by Faith and Politics team at Faith PC

North Central California Presbytery

5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA, 95608

www.nccpresby.org