“And God gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers”    (Ephesians 4:11)

October in the U.S. is widely known as “Pastor Appreciation Month.”  In my ministry as a Mid-Council leader, I have always supported this effort to say THANK YOU to our clergy. They work so hard and touch lives in the name of Christ each day! One of my pastors in the past was Rev. Robert Andrew Pitman at San Mateo Presbyterian Church, where I interned during seminary. Pastor Bob (as he preferred) was a very compassionate person and high energy. We all admired him and learned from his tutelage. A decade later while on active duty in the USAF I was traveling through SF airport and decided to call the church to talk to Pastor Bob. I was looking for a parish in California and wanted to get his insights. As soon as I reached him at the office he asked; “Where are you?” I told him the San Francisco airport awaiting my next flight. He responded that he would be their promptly. (The airport was close to the First Presbyterian Church of San Mateo) I was shocked but soon he appeared to have coffee, catch up on my family and offer a parting prayer. He responded like a good Shepherd appointed by God, dropping everything to reach out in the name of Christ. I challenge everyone in the NCC Presbytery to find ways to say THANK YOU to the clergy around us. There are LOTS of ideas online if you need some assistance. The Christian bookstores also have beautiful cards and resources. On behalf of the North Central California Presbytery it is my privilege to extend our accolades to every Installed Pastor, CRE, Temporary Pastor etc. who fills the clergy role not only in our congregations but also in numerous community ministries! Thank God for each of you!!

Rev. Dr. Les Hyder

Bridge Executive Presbyter

We have recently seen an increase in phishing emails targeting our organization. These emails are designed to look like legitimate emails from trusted sources, but are actually attempts to steal your personal information or infect your device with malware. To stay safe, it is important to remain vigilant and follow best practices for online security.

Here are some tips to help you stay alert for phishing emails:

-Check the sender’s email address and look out for suspicious or unexpected emails.

 -Be cautious of urgent emails

-Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown or suspicious sources

-Verify the authenticity of any email that seems suspicious by contacting the sender directly 

Please welcome our new Presbytery Members,

Rev. JC Kang, and Rev. Kimberly MacArthur.

Rev. JC Kang holds a Master’s degree in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and an M.Div from Columbia Theological Seminary. He has served as an associate pastor at Auburn Opelika Church and as a senior pastor at Fresno Korean Church. JC is married to Jung Lee, and they have two children: Eunice (12) and Henry (5).

Rev. Kimberly MacArthur was born and raised in Sacramento and completed her undergraduate degree at CSU Sacramento. She received her Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary in Colorado, and was ordained PC(USA) in 2014. She has served in several church contexts in Colorado, Nebraska, and California, ministering in both urban and rural contexts. Kimberly appreciates the opportunity to provide spiritual care in the diverse and compassionate environment of the hospital.

In August of this year, she completed a Chaplain Residency Program at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. She earned 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education. Kimberly is iexcited to remain on for a 2^nd year Fellowship to expand and deepen her Chaplain experience and to work towards Board Certification with ACPE. Recently she presented her research on Post Traumatic Growth to her residence program. She looks forward to engaging this research further during her 2^nd year at SMCS.

When she is not in the hospital, her favorite places to be are at home with her family or out hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada. Currently, her church home is Faith Presbyterian Church in South Sacramento. 

Have you started a sentence like, “I heard…”?

Has someone talked behind your back?

Have you said something about someone else that was false?

Has someone said to you, “Mind your own business”?

In the Standard of Ethical Conduct recently approved by NCCP, all are expected to "refrain from gossip and abusive speech." Scripture highlights the importance of speaking honorably about one another and the impact of harmful speech, from the 9^th commandment to speak truthfully about others, to Proverbs to Romans and 2 Corinthians.

Gossip

Confidentiality is keeping information to those who need to know, when they need to know. Gossip is telling someone true or false information when the listener doesn’t need to know it. It is typically some personal detail, a piece of shocking, humiliating information.

Rumor

A rumor is when the speaker doesn’t know if the information is true, but says it anyway. It also tends to change in the retelling. Generally, rumors not humiliating to another person and can cover all manner of topics.

Common Yet Harmful

Rumor and gossip were part of life in biblical times and are all around us today. Social media helps them spread faster and wider than ever. Then and now, they are harmful to the speaker and to the listener.

They are shared out of what it does for the teller—power, attention, belonging, entertainment, to divert attention to others. In our families, faith communities, country, these are life sucking and inhibit us from bearing good fruit.

Minimizing Their Power

As a potential speaker, ask yourself…

Whose information is it to tell? Is it really mine?

Do I know it is a fact? Did I witness what was said or done?

Will there be harm or help in my telling?

What might be my true motive for sharing?

If it is true, who, if anyone needs to know it?

Find a trusted person to help sort it out.

As a listener, ask yourself…

·       Is what I’m hearing a rumor? Gossip?

·       Is gossip or a rumor hidden in a prayer request or an expression of care?

Be ready to…

·       Ask questions how the person got the info, ask if permission was given to share.

·       Stop the speaker and refuse to listen, clearly state this should not be repeated,

do not repeat it yourself.

·       Encourage appropriate caring action like asking what assistance is needed.

·       Invite others learn these skills, too!

Honor & Truth—Oh Yes!

From Jeri Viera Dahlke, Stated Clerk

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed missionary guests, Apostle Dr. Joseph Serwadda from Uganda and Reverend Joram Calimutan from the Philippines. We deeply appreciate their powerful and insightful messages on the root causes of forced migration, its devastating consequences such as forced labor, human and organ trafficking, enslavement, social exclusion, and various forms of discrimination. Their teachings not only illuminated the biblical mandate to seek practical solutions but also the call to advocate for the rights of the oppressed and restore their God-given dignity.

We would also like to offer our sincere thanks to Pastor Bob Azzarito and Sierra Vista Community Church for graciously hosting our guests, as well as to everyone who was involved in making their travel to America possible. Special appreciation goes to Presbyterian Mission (PCUSA) who funded our event, those who cooked and served dinner, and to the volunteers who prepared the dinner space, ensuring a warm and welcoming environment. Your efforts and dedication have truly been a blessing.

May the Lord continue to bless each one of you abundantly for your service in His kingdom.



SVCC Mission Committee

Photo: To the right sitting: Pastor Bob Azzarito, Beatrice Russell, Doris Dunn. To the right standing: John Wallace, Reverend Joram Calimutan, Dr. Joseph Serwadda and Edrine Ddungu.

Pastor Jon Nelson (SOS) and Darlene Cullivan (TGI)

The mission of The Gathering Inn (TGI) is to meet people where they are, inspire hope, and walk alongside them on their journey to sustainable housing. Their vision is having a community without homelessness.

The 20-year journey of TGI has grown as a year-round transitional program that offer programs to include permanent housing, emergency shelter and medical respite care. Supportive services include a clothing closet, showers and laundry services, case management, resource navigation, and education and training along with a medical clinic and a mental health program. Credit: Who We Are | The Gathering Inn

Shepherd of the Sierra (SOS) was one of the first Churches to host The Gathering Inn 20 years ago. The first 5 years, without a kitchen, Joan Nordine (the first cook) fondly remembers using 2 Dutch ovens to serve hot meals to guests. The rules were very strict, and volunteers encouraged. Guests would arrive to the Church at 6:30 pm and be served a hot meal and spend the night and depart at 6:30 am the next day to move on to stay at another Church.

Fast forward…to today, Dianne Willson is the SOS Coordinator for The Gathering Inn program. In the past year SOS Church has hosted an average of 3 nights per month and a few months 6-7 nights. Over 2,100 guests were served a hot meal and had a warm and comfortable stay in the Church sanctuary. Dianne is known for making delicious breakfast burritos to go for guests the next day.

Dianne makes sure the program runs smoothly and engages and organizes many volunteers. Many hands are needed to support this program for 60 guests a night by setting up chairs and tables, food shopping, cooks who make home cooked meals, bakers who make yummy treats and beverages provided plus a warm welcome for every guest.

Doug and Linda Hunter have volunteered for 18 years. Linda shared with me that she left a job to serve for The Gathering Inn at Shepherd. This ministry is so very close to their hearts.  Doug and Linda warmly greet and get to know each guest personally and  are growing family.

Patti Anderson, a member of SOS and a career nurse has volunteered for the TGI Medical Clinic. Another example of a volunteer sharing her gift of compassion with those in need.

A long-standing Ministry of this magnitude takes very committed and passionate leadership. Pastor Jon is actively engaged in TGI nights by leading devotions, serving meals, talking and supporting guests, and organizing for last minute needs. I am told that Pastor Dave started Trivia Night that is still part of the evening activities. Several SOS members have served on the TGI Board over the years.

On Wednesday, September 25, 2024 SOS members hosted a special Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for all SOS volunteers for TGI and about 90 people were in attendance. Pastor Jon and Darlene Cullivan (TGI) delivered messages of heartfelt gratitude. I was in awe to be with so many servants and leaders AND thanking God for each volunteer.

On my visit to TGI one evening, I witnessed a devoted and loving church community doing the work that is transforming people’s lives. This is Matthew 25 IN ACTION.

Thank you to ALL VOLUNTEERS that make this amazing Ministry possible for 20 years!

The Gathering Inn Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Shepherd of the Sierra Church (September 25, 2024).

Article and photos submitted by Nancy Disher, NCCP Mission Organizer                

The Office of Vital Congregations is pleased to announce its offering of momentum grants to churches that have completed the three-year initiative for vital congregations. The grants are being given to foster the ministry and mission the churches have engaged in through the initiative. They should be used for ongoing ministry work that has resulted from one of the three outcomes:

• Revitalization
• Missional Clustering/Partnering
• Re-emergence (Death and Resurrection)

The grants are not designated for administrative, budgetary, or capital needs.

Each grant, ranging from $1000.00 to $2000.00, has the potential to significantly impact ministry and programmatic support, bringing hope and optimism to future endeavors.

Applications must be completed and returned by noon on November 1, 2024 to be considered.

Come Join The Conversation

You are invited to join with clergy colleagues who gather via Zoom each week (Tuesday at 1-2pm) to discuss the lectionary passages for the coming Sunday. The group shares thoughts, insights, and questions about the passages. The conversations not only offer differing perspectives, they provide a forum for support and connection.

Come be a part of the conversation!

(If you would like to know more about the group or to join, please e-mail David Ratcliff at davidratcliffu2@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.)

You can help end hunger and poverty by participating in this years Placer County INTERFAITH CROP WALK during the month of October 2024.

-You can walk ANY DAY:  individually, with family, a neighbor/friend, or with a small group.

-YOU pick the time, and the route.

-Take selfies/photos and post to Facebook: Placer County CROP Hunger Walk

 Walk with Shepherd of the Sierra Pres. and other church/faith groups,

 Sun. Oct 20th, 1:30  pm,  at MAIDU Park in Roseville.

-REGISTER to walk as an individual or form a team at:

       https://www.crophungerwalk.org/rosevilleca

 -make your personal DONATION, + encourage donors to make donations on line:  

        Placer County Interfaith CROP Hunger Walk

Funds raised are shared as follows: 

-25% local: to THE GATHERING INN-overnight housing for over 200 people in Placer Co. with no shelter 365 nights a year.

-75% - to Church World Service (CWS) -- an international ministry of 37 Christian denominations founded in 1946, to provide sustainable self-help, development, disaster relief and refugee assistance in over 32 countries around the world. 

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.

Leadership Retreat To Paradise, CA

What is Youth Triennium?

A time of worship and faith formation designed by and for young people. Find out more: https://presbyterianyouthtriennium.org

Spread the news to those who will be freshmen through graduated seniors in high school in the summer of 2025 so those interested can attend with others around our presbytery!

Spread the news to wise faithful persons who relate well with young people and are 22 or older and would make a good chaperone.

Spread the news to young adults up to 23 years old who might want to be on the Work Crew.

The presbytery has funds to contribute 1/3 of the cost to attend. Generally, the family contributes 1/3 and the church the other 1/3.

NCCP’s Registrar: Vicki Henderson (St. Andrew Church in Yuba City) … vshgolfer@syix.com  

The University of the Ozarks Pastoral Study Leave Program is a unique opportunity for Presbyterian pastors to visit the University for personal and professional development. 

Self-guided study leave program for PC(USA) Ministers of Word and Sacrament.

North Central California Presbytery

5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA, 95608

www.nccpresby.org