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Newsletter May Part 2
REGISTER in advance for this meeting (by midnight, Thursday, May 19th, 2022):
Why Talk About Inclusion and Welcome?
 Our Doors Are Always Open
The Rev. Dr. Mary E. Westfall, Transitional Executive Presbyter
Recently, I was preaching in one of our churches and mentioned the upcoming
Covenant Conversation day-long event taking place June 4th
on becoming more hospitable with LGBTQIA+ members of our communities.
Afterward, a church member came up to me as she left the sanctuary and said,
 
Why do we need to have events like that? 
We are the church, we are already open to everyone? 
Besides, it might be too controversial. 
 
Yes, I thought to myself, as the church we are called to follow the witness of Jesus,
welcoming those who have been outsiders, sitting at table with the downtrodden and despised, sharing the gospel boldly. Yes, we are called to listen to those with whom we might not agree and those whose lives are different from our own,
reflecting back the love and grace of God. 
 
Yes, we have visions and statements about being open.
However, when we listen to those who are not coming,
when we listen to those who are not in the center of our communities,
 when we listen to those who have left, and
even when we listen to those in the center…
we discover ways we have been inhospitable, closed, hurtful.
 
Many in our churches had a growing curiosity and desire to explore ways to expand their capacity to be hospitable, to cross the boundaries, to learn how to hold their values and experience with integrity while being open to what the Spirit might be uncovering.
Some began expressing a particular interest in extending hospitality to LGBTQIA+ persons in our churches and their surrounding communities. This sense of the Spirit’s movement led to some cross-pollinating conversations and enthusiasm (en-theos…within God) that then led to setting up this optional opportunity for interested persons in the presbytery with leadership from our presbytery and the
Covenant Network of Presbyterians.
There are other conversations ongoing about other areas.
  
Below are some quotes from leaders within our presbytery sharing why attending this event matters to them. I invite you to read their quotes, go to the link to learn more about the event and perhaps register for our
 first in-person presbytery-wide event in over two years.
(An on-line option is also available.) 
 
Thanks to Westminster Presbyterian Church for providing the space for the day,
and many of in our presbytery for planning this
opportunity for engagement, discipleship and spiritual growth.
 
Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey,
you are invited and warmly welcomed. Hope to see you there!

-The Rev. Dr. Mary Westfall, Transitional Executive Presbytery
Mental Health Awareness Month – May 2022
Long has mental health been an issue in our nation, leading to the establishment of Mental Health Awareness Month, taking place each May. Since the start of the pandemic the numbers of those experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges has risen dramatically, affecting those of varied backgrounds, professions and socio-economics. Children and teens, parents and the elderly, all ages can experience mental and emotional distress and trauma. How is your church educating about mental health issue? What are ways your community of faith can engage to help promote safety, health and well-being? 

Please see these resources made available through the Presbyterian Mission Agency, PCUSA
Faith & Politics Resources
Attached is the 14th edition of The Bridge: Resources for Healing the Political Divide.
Submitted by Faith and Politics team at Faith PC
NCCP Resource Center
Attached you will find the May Resource Center Newsletter.
Faith-Based Summer Fun and Celebration for Families
The past two years have been hard on everyone, but perhaps children and teens have been affected even more, due to the lack of social engagement, play, rich spiritual engagement. Studies show a sharp rise in depression and anxiety in children, as young as 5 and 6 years old and is nearly epidemic in teens. 

As you tend your own children or grandchildren, or those within your congregation, consider this new summertime series. It contains a range of faith-based activities to help, even the very young, know they are loved, cared for and valued. Perhaps even a great gift to give your church or neighborhood families as they move into the summer months.
Beginnings, Endings, Transformations
Manteca Presbyterian Church to End their Current Ministry
When we speak of God “doing a new thing,” that does not always mean something new, immediately, comes into being. Sometimes, God invites us to change directions, end one course of action and remain open to what is next. That would describe Manteca Presbyterian Church and their decision to close their ministry, and allow the Spirit to guide what will be next.

Their final worship service together will be June 5th, Pentecost Sunday, a time of remembering and grieving, but also celebrating and giving thanks. The congregation has been active in their community for over 30 years and served with love and compassion. As they make this change, you are invited to hold them in your prayers, knowing that even faithful and spirit-led decisions are often accompanied by mixed emotions. In all times and all places, in life and in death, we belong to God.

If you are inclined, please send a card or note to the Manteca Presbyterian Church members or CRE Sharon Miller:
 
Manteca Presbyterian Church
275 N. Main St.
Manteca, CA 95336
c/o Sharon Miller
PCUSA and Reproductive Choice
We come to this complex area of concern as a diverse presbytery which in turn has some churches that are themselves diverse, and there are differences within families. From those varied places, we are hearing questions and a desire to know what resources and what positions our denomination offers. Our denomination has indeed struggled to find a faithful perspective on the matter of abortion and related reproductive health care, spending many years prayerfully listening to the leading of the Spirit, the voices of women, the wisdom of scripture. The attached resource from the Presbyterian Mission Agency provides the resulting background on the various overtures and statements. This will continue to be a justice issue that requires we find compassionate, open and thoughtful ways to engage on this issue. More resources are available through the PCUSA website.
NCCP
5645 Marconi Ave.
Carmichael, CA, 95608