Because I do not hope to turn again

Because I do not hope

Because I do not hope to turn…

                    T.S. Eliot, “Ash Wednesday”

The poem “Ash Wednesday” is Eliot’s meditation on time and mortality. In it he confesses, to his discomfort, the impossibility of returning to the vitality, clarity and confidence of his youth. This recognition, and lament, is a natural part of the aging process, I suppose.

What is true for human beings is also true for human institutions, even those imbued with the Spirit. In the PCUSA we long for the days of fully-voiced choirs, robust budgets and screaming nurseries, when we spent more energy in the presbytery planting churches than closing them. We grope for the formula that would restore our

“vanished power,” as Eliot calls it.

I’m pretty sure though we do not hope to turn again, which means our churches and presbytery will look and do things differently in the coming years, or they will die. Either one, of course, is okay. Death, as we all know, is unavoidable, in time.

Maybe our best spiritual practice during this season of uncertainty is to live into Eliot’s prayer near the end of his poem: “Teach us to care and not to care/Teach us to sit still/Even among these rocks/Our peace in God’s will.”

We’re Reformed, so we should get it—what God wants to do, God does, regardless of human imaginings or anxieties, so let’s care by engaging in discernment processes and activities that bring forth a flourishing future, but let’s release our emotional attachment to outcomes and simply rest in the beauty of what is and what

is to come, whatever it looks like.



This time between presbytery executives is a liminal time of stillness when we can ponder what we need this presbytery to look like in the coming years and the skills and gifts we will need in a new executive to help us live into this future. The executive search team tasked with helping us in this discernment will soon be appointed. Let us be in prayer for their wisdom and insight.

Your partner in ministry,

Wes



To:  Members of North Central California Presbytery

From: Treasurer Maria Mar

An update on the fraud incident

Greetings from my humble Treasurer’s office here in Sacramento. I have been working here for almost three months and I am meeting new people and learning much about the finances of NCCP.

You may recall my first task was to inform you of a fraud event. Since April the funds have been reinstated. NCCP has increased its cyber security efforts. NCCP also has a professional cyber forensics team looking at the events around the breach.

We are confronted with the risks of our on-line presence almost every day. You may get warnings from your banks asking for vigilance or you may get letters from businesses informing you their database was breached.  

Here are some tips to ensure your resources and the resources that you oversee remain intact:

·        Don’t hesitate to question an email and call the person if anything feels out of place.

·        Double check the email address of the sender. Often fraudsters claim to be someone they are not by creating new email addresses that LOOKS like your friend’s email address.

·        Pay attention to awkward grammar or misspellings. 

·        Multi-step authentication...activate it when possible. Most online accounts have an option for multi-step authentication. That means logging onto an account (email, bank, service, etc) will require a second step of proof that you are who you say you are. Most often that means a text code will be sent to your phone.

To all the Treasurers out there, I look forward to meeting you. I intend to have monthly Zoom gatherings so we can discuss topics of interest. July 20^th will be our first gathering. I will send out an email to Treasurers on my list this week. Our accountant, Enrica, and I will be sending Per Capita and Mission Statements this month. Look forward to a special spot on the NCCP website just for financial topics.

With Thankfulness for God’s Grace and Provision,

Maria Mar – Treasurer NCCP  

Join Us in Welcoming Presbyterian World Mission Co-Workers

To SACRAMENTO, CA

On Sunday, July 23, 2023

As regional liaison for Central Africa, Jeff Boyd facilitates support for the relationships, programs, and activities of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) partners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. He also resources PC(USA) mission personnel and helps connect partner churches with PC(USA) congregations that want to be involved in ministry in the region.

Besides the Congo, Christi works in three other French-speaking African countries, Madagascar, Niger, and Rwanda, and one non-French-speaking country, South Sudan. She accompanies global partners as they seek to remedy the marginalization of women and children in their communities and engages with Presbyterian constituencies in the US who wish to come alongside and promote those efforts. - PCUSA

Eventide NWC and Westminster Presbyterian Church     

1300 N. Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

What an honor to be able to host Jeff and Christi!



Please join us at 5:00 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church for a casual worship and a buffet dinner. A love offering for their ministry and for

the dinner will be graciously appreciated.

Please RSVP to Nancy Disher, NCCP Mission Organizer

[email protected] or (916) 792-7725.



The North Central California Presbytery invites you to a concert and dinner featuring singer-songwriter Matthew Black. Join us for this time of music, food, and fellowship!

Matthew Black is a singer-songwriter and worship leader with deep roots in the Presbyterian Church. His songs express a constant search for meaning and an honest spirituality, leaving the listener comforted, challenged, and hopeful. His concerts are filled with humor and audiences singing along to infectious choruses. His original songs are available on all major platforms and at https://matthewblackmusic.com.

Please RSVP to [email protected] by Monday, July 17th. Space is limited!

Sierra Vista Community Church, Sacramento, CA Presents:

A Five-week Book Discussion Class- Wednesdays, July 19– August 16, 2023. 

Time: 12:00 PM-1:30 PM.

Zoom link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/86102168285

(Meeting ID: 861 0216 8285)

Summer Book Discussion: “Freeing Congregational Mission: A Practical Vision for Companionship, Cultural Humility, and Co-Development”, by the Reverend Dr. B. Hunter Farrell and the Reverend S. Balajiedlang Khyllep. They wrote this book to help congregations lay the foundation for more faithful and effective understanding of local and global missions with three core components:

The Jesus model of mission as companionship (1). Cultural proficiency and cultural humility as tools to grow a congregation’s ability to navigate cultural differences (2). Working together for co-development by offering tools and removing barriers to development (3).

Class format will be a mix of reading scriptures, short presentations, video viewing and Q&A in the main Zoom room. Breakout- sessions will be used to facilitate further discussions and reflections if time allows. 

Discussion Facilitators: Dr. Beatrice Russell and Reverent Dr. Bob Azzarito.

More than 150 people crowded into the banquet hall of Lucky Jade Restaurant (7007 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento) late Sunday afternoon, June 25 for Parkview Presbyterian Church’s first-ever Summerfest celebration, a joyous event highlighting Parkview’s community, reuniting with family and friends, and rejoicing to be together again after the long COVID lockdown. As guests were assembling, Terri Atad led line dancing. Jonathan Sakakibara, the master of ceremonies, and Parkview’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sarah Nave, welcomed those attending. Dancers Miyo Uchida and Reiko Ivaska and singers Kishwer Vikaas and Leah Nishizaki, accompanied by family members, provided amazing entertainment. A silent auction and Summerfest Marketplace were well received, as was a nine-course Chinese banquet. A special treat was individualized packages of home-baked cookies, lovingly prepared by Parkview bakers.

Presbytery guests included the Rev. Wes Nordman, Bridge Presbyter; Pat Terry, Council chair and past Moderator; the Rev. Dr. Grace Suwabe, present Moderator; Alice Sundquist, chair, Vitality in Ministry Committee; Mary MacDonald, chair, Pastoral Vitality; and Gordon Zerkel, member, Congregational Vitality. The event was also attended by the Rev. Rola Al Ashkar, the Rev. Janice Kamikawa, and the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Moon.

The event was well received, and the Parkview planning committee is already thinking ahead to next year.

Submitted by: Maurine Huang

PCUSA Mission Co-Workers Mark and Miriam

Visit Davis Community Church

Serving at the U.S.–Mexico border since 1998

with Frontera de Cristo

A warm welcome from Pastor Derek (DCC) and exciting introduction from PC(USA) Mission Engagement Advisor Rev. Jeanie Shaw commenced Mark and Miriam’s visit on June 17, 2023 at Davis Community Church. The presentation about their mission and ministry work at the Arizona/Mexico border was captivating. Seven DCC church members enacted their delegation visit to “THE WALL being built to keep Migrants out of the U.S.” In chilling details evoking emotions from the audience, I am in awe of the commitment to justice and compassion I witnessed. I had the honor of meeting Mark and Miriam and saying, I thank God and you for your service! Secondly,

I asked, how can we ALL support you and your Ministry?” The answer is to purchase Café Justo. Simply, buy coffee! This is an amazing opportunity for our Churches collectively to support Mark and Miriam’s invaluable work.  

Watch the video Café Justo Overview to hear about the benefits such as fair price for organic coffee, creating jobs with benefits, building schools for children, bettering life for generations and reducing migrants coming to the United States.

·      If your Church Community is interested in supporting this great Ministry. One or two volunteers could order coffee in bulk and organize coffee orders for your Church.

·      Host “Serve Sundays” by offering this coffee at Church for gatherings while building relationships.

·      Enjoy a cup of coffee and be grateful for helping others in need.

To order some coffee for yourself today. You will enjoy delicious 100% organic coffee cultivated, roasted, and shipped by the Café Justo cooperative. To order by mail instead of online, just download this form.

You can read more about Mark and Miriam’s ministry and work at the following link:                                                                                                                                        https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/the-rev-mark-adams-and-miriam-maldonado-escobar/

Nancy Disher, NCCP Mission Organizer

[email protected] or (916) 792-7725.

Volunteer Team Opportunities

Help Rebuild after the Camp Fire Devastation 

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Oroville CA.

2350 Foothill Blvd.

Oroville, CA 95966

PH: 530-534-0354

E-Mail: [email protected]

Web site: trinityoroville.com

Trinity Presbyterian Church in Oroville is hosting volunteers willing to help repair homes damaged by the December 2018 wildfires. This California Host site has showers, washer and dryer, commercial kitchen and padded cots and other amenities for a comfortable stay.

Those staying at Trinity Presbyterian Church will be working in Paradise and other communities that were affected by the Camp fire.

For scheduling your stay, please contact Michael Ratto [email protected] or 530-589-5594 for details and information.

• Maximum team size 20 (can be several Churches with volunteers connecting teams together for up to 20 volunteers total).
• The minimum age requirement is 14 (a valuable Youth service opportunity).

For scheduling work projects, please contact Nancy Disher, NCCP Mission Organizer at [email protected] or (916) 792-7725.

This is a great opportunity to make a huge difference in the lives of people in need!

Nancy Disher, NCCP Mission Organizer has led volunteer teams to serve in the Dining Room for 2 years at Loaves and Fishes. Please contact Nancy with your questions at [email protected] or (916) 792-7725.



Visit the Loaves and Fishes website: https://sacloaves.org/programs-services/

Step 1

Read and support our current legislative domestic and global priorities to ensure an end to hunger in the U.S. and around the world.

READ OUR LEGISLATIVE FARM BILL ASK

Step 2

Connect with Your Local Organizer and get support and tips on how best to select a letter topic and plan and promote your event, as well as uplift hunger issues in your state and region.

CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL ORGANIZER

David Gist (CA) – [email protected] or 240-767-4120

Step 3

Schedule and plan your in-person or online event. Work with your pastor, or church council to get permission and support. Promote your event through pulpit announcements, short videos, newsletters, church website, weekly bulletins, and social media.

Step 4

For an in-person event, collect the letters for each member of Congress and mail them to your district office or Capitol Hill. You can also hand-deliver letters to the office of your respective member of Congress.

FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

Step 5

For an online event, write your letters at home and then mail them directly to your members of Congress. Or email and send your letters online to your representative and both senators with a single form. Keep track of how many emails are sent by asking participants to let you know once they have done so.

Step 6

Report your results. After the completion of your Offering of Letters event, tell us about your event and report your results using this short online form.

OFFERING OF LETTERS REPORT FORM

I encourage you to ACT NOW and organize a Letter Writing Campaign in your Church. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO HELP STOP HUNGER.

THANK YOU!

Please contact Nancy Disher, NCCP Mission Project Organizer for any questions, assistance or more information at [email protected] or (916) 792-7725.

Here’s the Utah Presbytery’s welcome video:

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

Friday August 25th is the deadline for applications. 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

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

Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry

Carmichael Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) is celebrating our centennial in 2023 serving the community of Carmichael, California. We are seeking a Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry.  

Requirements:

·      A high level of personal maturity and integrity

·      Good communication skills.

·      Ability to mentor, guide, and encourage youth. 

·      Ability to relate exceptionally well with youth, children, and their families. 

·      Support youth as they face unique challenges related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

·      Coordinate mission trips, weekend retreats, and weekly fun fellowship and recreation.

·      Guide the children and youth of our community into relationship with Jesus Christ so that they come to a living faith.

Hours: 40 hours per week, nonexempt

Compensation:  $25.00/hour. Benefits are outlined in the CPC Personnel Manual

Reports to: Pastor/Head of Staff and Education Division of the Session (governing body).

See the full Job Description at www.carmichaelpres.org

Submit resumes to David Studer, Chair of Personnel at [email protected]

Submitted by Faith and Politics team at Faith PC

North Central California Presbytery

5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA, 95608

www.nccpresby.org