As Lent begins this year we mark the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic which had such a profound impact on church life and the life of our communities generally.  Trauma experts note that individuals and communities who have experienced traumatic events will often feel an “anniversary effect”--a renewal of anxiety and grief around significant anniversaries of the original traumatic event.  If we add to the possible anniversary effect of pandemic anxieties and losses the current tumultuous events occurring in our country and between our country and our global neighbors, life may seem overwhelming to us, our churches, and the communities we serve. 

When my son was a teenager, he went through a phase where he watched The Lord of the Rings movie series on repeat. Some of the dialogue from those movies is permanently imbedded in my memory.  The one that comes to mind as Lent begins is this exchange between Frodo Baggins and Gandalf:

Frodo: "I wish this had never happened," 

Gandalf: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

Perhaps this is the question for us to carry forward into Lent: What do we as people of faith, followers of Jesus, do with the times that have been given to us? How is God calling us to embody love of God and love of neighbor in these times? How are these times that have been given us challenging us to expand our understanding of who is our neighbor? 

As the Great Depression burst upon the world in 1930, Pastor Harry Emerson Fosdick pondered if the Church would be able to respond to the suffering, the chaos, the overwhelming needs of his times. Out of his wrestling, he wrote a hymn that we still sing today:

God of grace and God of glory

On the people pour thy power

Crown thine ancient church’s story

Bring its bud to glorious flower

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage

For the facing of this hour

For the facing of this hour. 

May it be so.

Karen Sapio, Executive Presbyter

In 2025, the Presbytery’s Mission Support Commission is offering each congregation or worshiping community a grant of up to $2500 to extend their mission efforts. We are excited that some applications have already come in from congregations eager to extend outreach in their communities. 

 “Wow!” you might ask, “Where do we sign up?”

The first step is to gather with those in your congregation to discern how these funds could best be put to use to extend an existing ministry or initiate a new ministry or partnership. You can also consider joining with another NCCP congregation to fund a joint project. Once you have completed that discernment, you should fill out the Special Project Grant Application (click here), be sure it is signed by your Pastor and/or Clerk of Session.  Please send the completed application to nccpresby@gmail.com. For more information, please contact one of our MIssion Committee co-chairs, Edrine Ddungu or Tiffany Nicely Holleck.

The present Administration’s changing policies and practices regarding immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers point to the need for those who may be impacted to understand how best to care for themselves in event of an enforcement action. With that in mind, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center <www.ilrc.org>, offers “Red Cards” templates which provide summary information as to one’s rights. They have made available templates for bilingual “Print-it-yourself” cards in 19 languages, along with suggestions for printing the cards. The Presbytery has templates in English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Congregations may contact the Presbytery office if they would like one of these templates to make these cards available to their congregants and community. Please email nccpresby@gmail.com if you would like to request one or more of these templates.

Submitted by: Maurine Huang

Greetings, friends!

What a joy it was to see so many of our clergy and leaders of color come together for our launching meeting on March 3rd! Your presence, insights, and engagement are truly inspiring. As we continue to grow as a network, we are grateful for each of you and the journey we are embarking on together.

In our next meeting, we will focus on strengthening our network through gatherings, events, conferences, fellowship, and other opportunities. Your input is invaluable in shaping our direction!

Thank you for your time, commitment, and energy. We are excited to continue this journey with you and look forward to seeing you soon!

You're Invited: A Space For Embodied Faith

Reclaim your body. Reclaim your faith. Reclaim your story.

Are you longing for a spiritual community that honors your body’s wisdom and lived experience? Whether you’re healing from religious trauma, deconstructing beliefs, or exploring embodied spirituality, this space is for you.

In our first gathering, we’ll introduce what Embodied Healing & Spirituality is all about. Through gentle movement, breathwork, and discussion, we’ll begin the journey of reconnecting with ourselves and each other.

This gathering will be discussion-based—always with an embodied approach, and is all about hearing each others' stories. A time of sharing food and fellowship will follow.

Date & Time: Monday March 24, 2025 - 6-8 PM

 Location: 727 T St. Sacramento, Ca, 95811

Hello NCCP,

I invite you to join Iama Yoga for a free weekly yoga practice! We meet twice a week:

Tuesdays at 10 AM – A gentle, restorative practice.

Thursdays at 6 PM – A more dynamic Hatha-Vinyasa flow.

We gather in the social hall of Parkview Presbyterian Church at 727 T St., Sacramento (on the corner of T & 8th, across from Southside Park).

Parking:

●     A small parking lot behind the church (Solons Alley) is available after 6 PM—please do not use it before then, as spaces are rented out.

●     Plenty of street parking is available on T and 8th streets.

How to Find Us:

Walk to the back of the church on Solons Alley. Enter through the large wooden brown gate, and you’ll see a white metal door up three steps on your right.

Did you know? Beyond its physical benefits, a consistent yoga practice supports cognitive health, enhances memory, and can even help prevent gray matter loss in those at risk for Alzheimer’s.

If you’re interested but have concerns about physical limitations, I’d love to connect and explore how we can make this practice accessible for you. No mat? No problem—we have plenty to share!

Bring a friend, come move, breathe, and find presence with us.

For more information, feel free to reach out: embody.iama@gmail.com

Looking forward to practicing together!

Rev. Rola Al Ashkar

Do you know that you need not be addicted to overdose on drugs? Do you know how to “drug proof” your children, grandchildren, and youthful members of your congregation?  

When Jacquelyn Sneed and Susan Just of Bethany Presbyterian in Sacramento signed up for the Clinton Foundation’s Initiative to train faith leaders to combat the opioid epidemic, they had vague intentions of learning to do something to help the unhoused addicts that found their way to the Church’s front lawn.

Little did they know that they would learn that addiction is a disease that affects the body and the brain, that it can stem from unresolved trauma, and that addiction including opioid addiction can be prevented and treated. They learned that substance abuse disorder (another name for addiction) claims people in every race, nationality, social, and income group. Now they are eager to share what they have learned.

Join us on Saturday May 17th to become more knowledgeable about addiction and what individuals, families, and churches can do to prevent it. The program will take place at Faith Presbyterian Church in Sacramento with registration beginning at 8:30AM. This is a day long program will also be available online. The conversation will be wide ranging: you will learn how to use Narcan to reverse overdoses and you will have the opportunity to experience liturgies that celebrate recovery.

 Save the date!!!

More information will be sent to your church, fellowship,

or new worshiping community soon!

On the morning of February 26, leaders from the New Worshiping Communities (NWC), a Davis Community Church (DCC) elder, and Presbytery staff gathered for a fruitful strategic meeting at Intercultural Mosaics, hosted at Davis Community Church. The session was filled with energy and vision as participants discussed exciting new possibilities for growth and collaboration.

A central theme that emerged from the meeting was the importance of radical hospitality, with meals serving as a key element in building community. Each group emphasized how meals create an environment for authentic connection, making them a vital part of their efforts to foster welcoming spaces within the church.

The meeting also provided valuable insight into several grant opportunities now available to support new and existing ministries. Pastor Stephen Moon, from Intercultural Mosaics, shared his experiences navigating these opportunities and offered to assist others seeking guidance on how to access similar funding.

As the discussion continued, it became evident that standards for leadership roles within the Presbytery have not been consistent. While some leaders are employed directly by the Presbytery, others are seen as direct employees through local churches that host worship communities. Recognizing this gap, the group acknowledged the need for a more unified approach moving forward.

A major takeaway from the meeting was the recognition of the need to re-establish the New Ministries Initiatives (NMI) Committee. This committee will likely include members from the New Worshiping Communities, Commissioned and Teaching Elders, as well as ex officio representatives from the Presbytery. The NMI will play a critical role in developing and nurturing new ministries within the Presbytery, offering guidance and resources to ensure their growth and sustainability.

Key areas of focus for the committee will include developing partnership agreements between hosting churches and new worshiping communities, as well as understanding the life cycle of an NWC. To support this work, the committee will review guides and frameworks created by other Presbyteries that have already implemented similar initiatives.

The group also discussed the importance of recruiting volunteers who are passionate about the New Worshiping Community concept. Engaged and committed volunteers are essential to the success of these ministries, and the committee will focus on finding leaders to help grow and sustain these vibrant communities.

Looking ahead, the next strategic meeting is scheduled for March 27th at 1:30 PM in Sacramento, at the home of Executive Presbyter Karen Sapio. This meeting will continue the important work of planning and collaboration, with participants excited to build upon the momentum generated at this meeting.

This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward a more unified and effective approach to nurturing new ministries across the region. The conversations and planning that took place hold great promise for the future of worshiping communities within the Presbytery, and those involved are eager to see how these strategic initiatives will transform ministry across the region.

Submitted by: Stephen Moon

Congratulations and Blessings to Federated Church Placerville on becoming an Earth Care Congregation through a program sponsored by the PCUSA Hunger Program. To become certified as Earth Care Congregations, churches take the “Earth Care Pledge” and complete activities in the fields of worship, education, facilities and outreach. A big part of Federated Church’s efforts was installing solar panels. 

Interested in learning more? They are eager to share their experience. 

They join Carmichael, Davis, and Shepherd of the Sierra as certified Earth Care Congregations in our Presbytery.

Rev. Joshua Trautmann will be serving as the Executive Presbyter of Western New York.

Trinity West Sacramento Youth Director

El Dorado Federated, Placerville Director of Children and Youth Ministries

Sierra Vista Community Church Half Time Interim Pastor 

Please contact, Kay Munther,  skmuther@att.net for more information.

First Presbyterian Church, Colusa Part Time Pastor

Please contact, Bob Harper, Bob@chiconut.com for more information.

Trinity Presbyterian Church of West Sacramento was honored to again host Religious Emblems classes for local scouts. These classes are designed to meet the religious emblem requirements set by all the national scouting agencies, including Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) and Girl Scouts of America. Scouts participate at their age level and learn about their faith at their local church.

At Trinity West Sac this year, we had scouts join us from five different congregations, representing four different scouting units! Churches included Comunidad Latina de Cristo, Trinity West Sac, Crossroads Church of Grass Valley, Horizon Church of West Sac, and Westminster Presbyterian Church of Sacramento. Scouts in third grade participated in the God and Me class, where they learned that God created them special, and that they can be best friends with Jesus. Fourth and fifth graders took the God and Family class, where they learned that families are like a pizza, with many layers that make us all unique.

As always, it is a joy to host these classes, as it brings children and families together from across the community. At the end of each 6- to 8-week class, scouts are invited to wear their uniforms and receive their medals during a gathered worship service. It is a powerful celebration of partnership between our local church and our local scouts. This year, we were able to celebrate their achievements with a Scout Sunday at Trinity, and we were also able to honor each scout at their respective home church and scouting unit. Visiting their home churches, troops, and packs, is a vital part of the process, as it encourages each child’s church family and scouting family to take joint responsibility for supporting the scouts in their faith formation and growth.

This year, we also had the privilege of training a new Religious Emblems teacher. Laurie Harbour, of Crossroads Church, Grass Valley, came down to West Sac every week to participate with her son, and trained to teach the courses in her community of Auburn & Grass Valley. We are excited to see where God takes this program in the years to come! The Scout Religious Emblems program is available for any church and any scouting group. You can view the curriculum at praypub.org If your church would like to offer this program in your neighborhood, please reach out to me and I would be happy to help you get started. All scouts are also welcome to join our classes in West Sac.

Submitted by: Lori Schlunegger, Elder, Trinity West Sac

lori.schlunegger24@outlook.com

Please see the quarterly report from Rev. Jeanie Shaw.

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.)

After 52 amazing years of annual Ethnic Concerns Consultations, change is on the horizon. At the ECC Business Meeting during the 2024 Annual Event, the decision was made to take a year for discerning the future of ECC for the sustainability of this ministry for years to come. We are excited to announce that in 2025, we are looking to establish a Young Adult Planning Team to help us re-envision the future of ECC. The Ethnic Concerns Committee invites passionate young adults (ages 18-40) to serve on a volunteer planning team to discern the future of ECC and its role in advocating for racial and economic justice in the church and society. APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED NOW THROUGH MAY 31.

For more or to apply go to https://zephyrpoint.org/adult/ecc/

How can our congregations sustain hope and surround the most vulnerable in our communities with compassion? These questions are becoming more pressing each day. Join colleagues and friends at Zephyr Point to explore how God is leading us into deeper belonging and deeper compassion.  NCCP members receive a $200 registration discount.

Dates: May 12-14, 2025

Theme: Doing Church: Models for Mutual Aid and Transforming the World

Keynote Speaker: Rev. Chris Dela Cruz

Registration is open now! https://zephyrpoint.org/adult/justice-conference/

North Central California Presbytery participants are eligible for a $200 registration discount by entering 25JC at checkout. If you have any questions, please contact the Program Department at 775-588-6759 ext. 113.

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  

Dates: October 6-8, 2025

Retreat Leadership: My Anchor Holds

Registration opens April 15 https://zephyrpoint.org/pastors-renewal-retreat/

North Central California Presbytery participants are eligible for a $200 registration discount by entering 25PRR at checkout. If you have any questions, please contact the Program Department at 775-588-6759 ext. 113.

North Central California Presbytery

5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA, 95608

www.nccpresby.org