Greetings members and friends of North Central California Presbytery,
As we continue to claim the hope and promise of Easter, we do so aware of challenges that remain, war that persists, losses that weigh heavy. Even so, we dare proclaim good news and strive to be the church for these times, acting with mercy, love, justice and compassion. The way forward is not always clear, but we know the Spirit is at work within and around us, coaxing up our imagination, creativity and engagement.
Scrolling through this newsletter you will learn of upcoming events on climate justice and earth care, inclusion and welcome of LGBTQ persons, stewardship and more. You will find resources for dealing with conflict, healing the political divide, summer reading suggestions, a new Matthew 25 confirmation curriculum. Here you will find details for upcoming events like our next Presbytery Meeting, Poor People’s Campaign and several presbytery-hosted events at Zephyr Point Conference Center.
God is richly blessing our new presbytery as we seek to walk along new paths, allowing ourselves to trust the Risen One who goes before us. May you be encouraged, inspired and grateful as you see the new things God is doing in our midst and find tools, ideas and resources that will further bless your life, ministries and community.
We are North Central California Presbytery, disciples of Jesus Christ, called to gather in love, equip to serve, inspire transformation!
Onward together!
Mary Westfall, MDiv, PhD
Transitional Executive Presbyter
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Please note that registration closes on April 28th, 2022 at 3pm. |
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Church Conflict Can Easily Be Managed |
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Your role as a leader is to have a plan in place to
resolve conflicts in the healthiest way possible.
This course will help you navigate the roots of conflict and how to healthily engage with your community. The old adage is true – where there are people, there is conflict. And since the church is comprised of people, it is inevitable that there will be conflict.
Though, contrary to popular belief, conflict is not bad. Rather it is essential and even holds a tremendous opportunity for personal and congregational growth when handled well. This on-demand course will walk you through how to handle conflict in healthy, balanced ways that open doors for community transformation.
One and a Half Day Training
May 20-21, 2022
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Presbyterian Women Offers Justice and Peace Calendar and Resources
Available to All!
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Summer Reading Opportunities: New Books on Essential Themes |
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As you choose your summer reading, a topic for your congregation’s book group, or a gift for a friend, please consider these new titles from the PCUSA store. All are on sale now! Important themes for these challenging times. |
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New Confirmation Curriculum Available with a Matthew 25 Emphasis: A great way to re-launch youth engagement in your congregation |
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Faith & Politics Resources |
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Attached is the 13th edition of The Bridge: Resources for Healing the Political Divide. This edition focuses on anger. We hope you find something that speaks to you on the topic of anger and how we can navigate this challenging emotion that all of us experience.
Submitted by Faith and Politics team at Faith PC
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The California Poor People’s Campaign invites you to come to Los Angeles on Monday, May 16th as the national PPC Mobilization Tour comes to the West. This is the only tour stop in the western U.S. and is an opportunity to shine a light on the interlocking injustices as we see them play out here in our home state.
Poor and low-income people, faith leaders, and moral advocates from California, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, and Washington will be gathering for a march and rally at rush hour in downtown Los Angeles, and we’re excited to announce that co-chairs Bishop William J. Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis will be with us. We'll be gathering at 4:30pm PT, followed by a march at 5pm and the Mass Assembly at 6pm.
The priorities and demands of poor and low-wealth Californians and western region neighbors will be front and center as we continue to demonstrate the voting and moral power of those most impacted by the policy violence of the US Congress and state houses. Somebody’s hurting our people, and it’s gone on far too long, and we WON’T BE SILENT ANYMORE!
Additionally, we are mobilizing for 100,000 people to join us in Washington DC on June 18. We are very happy to announce that Scott Warren will help to mobilize folks from the North Central California Presbytery. If you are interested in joining the Poor People's Campaign in Washington DC contact Scott at ScottW.usa@att.net. Additionally, you can go to www.poorpeoplescampaign.org to get more information. See you in DC!
Submitted by Rev. Dr. Pamela Anderson,
CA Organizer for the Poor People's Campaign
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Reflection on the Jubilee Celebration of ECC |
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In 1972, General Assembly adopted Overture 141, which recommended that all synods and presbyteries be proactive in reaching out to immigrants, racial, and ethnic groups that are within their boundaries by creating Ethnic Concerns Consultations (ECC). The Synod of the Pacific reached out to the Presbyteries of Sacramento, Stockton, San Joaquin, and Nevada for such a mission, which was then known as the Sierra Mission Area.
In the same year, the first organizing meeting was held at the Catholic Retreat Center in Galt, California with representatives of various racial and ethnic groups. It was then decided to have the subsequent annual meetings at at the Presbyterian Conference Center at Zephyr Point, Lake Tahoe.
Over the past 50 years, diverse racial and ethnic groups have participated in the annual meetings. They include African Americans, Cambodian Americans, Chinese Americans, Filipino Americans, Indonesian Americans, Indigenous Native Americans, Japanese Americans, Korean Americans, Thai Americans, Vietnamese Americans, Assyrian Americans, and Armenian Americans.
Some of the goals and programs during the annual gatherings are:
(1) Have a platform to share racial and ethnic personal stories.
(2) Encourage ethnic youth and young adults to be an active part of the church and society.
(3) Explore and implement ethnic church development in the former Sierra Mission Area.
(4) Work on racial, social, and legal issues, such as the Chol Soo Lee Defense Fund.
(5) Encourage spiritual growth in predominately white churches as well as ethnic congregations.
(6) Develop and publish ethnic oral history projects of different groups in California.
(7) Identify and develop a personnel bank of racial, ethnic persons to serve at all levels of the Church leadership.
The space is limited for recognizing so many individuals over the years, who sacrificed and contributed to the life and work of this uniquely active Ethnic Concern Consultation in our denomination. We salute the staff of Zephyr Point, who have helped ECC to hold the annual Consultation. Thank you.
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Submitted By Rev. Bryce Little, HR |
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NCCP
5645 Marconi Ave.
Carmichael, CA, 95608
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