It is with deep gratitude that I send this farewell message. It has been a challenging few years, but it has also been a deep honor to serve this presbytery during a season of immense change. In the past weeks I have so appreciated the kind notes so many of you sent and the special events in which we shared worship, a meal, stories, laughter, tears and prayer. I was quite moved to receive the beautifully crafted kintsugi bowl as a farewell gift at our May 6 presbytery meeting and will cherish it always. It’s message of the beauty found in imperfection is something I will hold close as I continue my ministry. I know the Spirit will continue to move through this presbytery, its leaders, pastors and congregations and pray that you will continue to strive to be a people of compassion, courage, justice, and love.

Next week, my husband and I will return to the east coast and along with rejoining family and many friends, we have also accepted new professional positions. I will be serving as the Relational Co-Leader/Executive for Coastland Presbytery in south eastern New Jersey. As you continue your journey as a presbytery, please know you will be in my prayers, even as I serve in a new setting.

May the God who brought us together for holy and transformative work continue to work in your lives, ministries and communities to bring forth good news. Blessings, Beloved Community and thank you for the trust you have placed in me and the work we have accomplished together. As you read this newsletter you will see there is much happening across the presbytery, with upcoming trainings, resources and events to support the work of congregations and those who serve them. God is on the move and we have much for which to feel grateful and inspired. 

Onward in the Spirit!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time where we can turn our attention to the emotional well-being of ourselves and those around us. 

Check out the information below on

12 things your congregation can do in Mental Health Ministry.

Help spread the word about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline during May, Mental Health Awareness Month. People in distress, crisis, or struggling with alcohol or substance use can text, call, or chat 988 anytime, day or night.

Inviting ALL Congregations to Engage in an Exciting Matthew 25 Online Workshop Opportunity

May 23, 2023        Eradicating Systemic Poverty (Part 1)

11:00 am -12:30 pm

Note: Once registered you will be on the list to receive the recording even if you can't attend the day of this event.

Gather with Presbyterians--across the country and around the world-- to share and learn five spiritual practices (worship, learn, relate, act, and share) as well as resources and activities that Presbyterians engage in to end poverty. Walk away with practical tools and ideas for next steps! Facilitators will be national staff and mid-council leaders who sit on a monthly PC(USA) Matthew 25 consulting team on eradicating systemic poverty.

Stay tuned for upcoming dates and times for Part 2 and 3.

August 2023          Building Congregational Vitality (Part 2)

November 2023     Dismantling Structural Racism (Part 3)

Questions? Please Contact Nancy Disher at njdisher@garlic.com or (916) 792-7725 

Webinar - Tuesday, May 23, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Pacific)

Church leaders need an understanding of a church’s debts and assets – two major components of the balance sheet. If you don’t quite know what we’re talking about, or have questions, this is the webinar for you.

You’ll hear from experts with the Presbyterian Foundation, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, and New Covenant Trust Company. We will spend time on three aspects of church finances:

• Understanding your balance sheet
• Appropriate levels of debt and the process for acquiring debt
• Matching assets with time horizons for optimal investment returns.

The first 60 minutes of the webinar will focus on presentations, and the last 30 minutes (if needed) will be reserved for anything you’d like us to explain in more depth and remaining questions you may have.

This webinar is presented free of charge, and will be recorded for those who cannot attend in person – but we encourage you to participate live so you can get your questions answered.



Sign up at the link below, and in the extra space provided during registration, tell us your financial questions that you’d like to see addressed.

Sacramento-Uganda Fellowship 

Sacramento-Uganda Fellowship is a New Worshipping Community formed in 2016 with 132 members gathering monthly. An outgrowth of the Uganda Fellowship is the Africa House, a multicultural organization celebrating the diversity and beauty of the whole African continent. One of the many goals of the Africa House is the construction of a facility in Sacramento County dedicated to inter-cultural education and celebration.

The Africa House of Sacramento is a non-profit organization, established as a multicultural and community resource center seeking to share the arts and culture of Africans and their Diaspora. The Africa House serves as a venue for community gatherings for reconciliation, healing, health & wellness, networking, peacemaking, civic engagements, and cross-cultural/bilateral activities, and seeks to promote and showcase African, Caribbean, African American and other African identities.

During COVID-19, Africa House Sacramento implemented townhall meetings to help educate members of the city of Sacramento about vaccinations and health. A new Africa House initiative is the first annual prayer breakfast coming on May 25^th. All are welcome to join us as we continue to reach out to the large international community in Sacramento County and beyond.

May 22-26, 2023

10 voices answering the important question:

How do we decolonize the imagination and visions for the future?

Do you think the church can change? It's a big question.

If yes, what's the most important direction for that change?

Where do you see the Spirit at work in our current shifts?

What is the most important practice, action,

reflection space churches could take up when learning to

decolonize their imaginations for a creative, flourishing future?

How will it work?

During the week of May 22, we will feature two speakers each day. You will have the chance to watch the conversations throughout the day and we will then launch two more conversations the following day. 

Parkview Presbyterian Church

Pledges As A Matthew 25

Congregation In April 2023

At our April 2023 session meeting, Parkview’s elders voted to answer the call from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to be actively engaged in our community for the sake of the gospel by working towards:

-  building congregational vitality

-dismantling structural racism

-eradicating systemic poverty

We believe that these urgent tasks are a direct response to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and an expression of our commitment to be

His faithful followers in this time and place.

Historically a Japanese American church, Parkview was shuttered from 1942 until 1945 as the church members were incarcerated in concentration camps throughout the US in WWII. Following the war, Parkview housed many families returning to Sacramento who were unable to rent or buy property due to racism. Helping our neighbors, our community, and those in need around the world through acts of service and financial support has been part of Parkview Church since our founding.

We have been a Matthew 25 Church for over 110 years! We just made it official in April 2023. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus explains what God wants for the world as He describes acts of mercy we can do to care for others. What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus’ words to us-feed the hungry, give those without homes a place to stay, look after the sick and imprisoned. Sacramento has so many challenges, which gives us so many opportunities to work together to bring the redemptive love of God to our neighbors.

-Rev. Dr. Sarah Nave

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE MATTHEW 25 MOVEMENT

Sign up to officially become a Matthew 25 Congregation

As part of our commitment to wholeness, the Board of Pensions recognizes the need to elevate mental health and wellness for everyone. The following resources are available to you to support your mental health and well-being.

The PC(USA) partnered with the Viewpoint project — viewpointproject.com — producer of high-quality social and educational documentaries for public television with the mission of positively impacting our communities and the world to produce and share a short video documentary. Our educational segment focuses on the denomination’s Matthew 25 commitment to creating healthy, just communities and a radically inclusive world.  

In May, households across the U.S. can view this segment via their local public broadcasting station. Your local PBS station will have the opportunity to show this documentary between broadcasts. A shorter version of the segment will also air across a myriad of cable networks like CNN and HLN.

Click here [link to pcusa.org/viewpoint] to check out the videos, learn more about the program and get some tips on how to prepare your congregation.

PC(USA) Church Membership Still In Decline

The Office of the General Assembly released its annual statistics report this week and the downward trend in membership continues. For 2022, the PC(USA) reports a loss of 53,105 members, nearly 2,000 more than reported the year before. Current membership still stands at just over 1.1 million.

There was also a loss of 108 churches last year, bringing the total to 8,705.

“We are not surprised by the numbers we are seeing. While the pandemic may be over, the impact on church membership is still being felt,” said the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA). “In the midst of the lower numbers, we continue to find encouragement in that new worshiping communities are still on the increase. We have added more than 20 in the past year, bringing our total to 267.”

Disability Inclusion Toolkit

Faith and Disability

A Practical Guide for Church Leaders

Join Parkview Presbyterian Church on June 25, 2023, as we welcome the beginning of summer with our inaugural Summerfest celebration. Get ready for fun, fellowship, a nine-course Chinese banquet, silent auction, entertainment, and more!

Deadline for all reservations: June 11



Sunday, June 25, 2023

Lucky Jade Restaurant

7007 South Land Park Drive

$60 per person

4:30 pm for fellowship

5:00 pm for program

5:30 pm for dinner

Registration is now open for Kin-dom Camp at Zephyr Point-Lake Tahoe

What:

Kin·dom Camp is an opportunity for LBGTQIA+ youth ages 12-17 to experience a week of camp where they are safe and free to show up as their full selves. It is an initiative of kin-dom community, with the first kin-dom camp occurring in Texas in 2022.

Attendees will engage in a 5-night residential camp experience (Sunday-Friday) where they stay in dorm-style housing with all meals provided. All outdoor activities will be accessible to beginners and enjoyable for all levels of experience.

The theme for 2023 is “Express Yourself”

When: June 25^th -June 30^th, 2023

Where: Zephyr Point, 660 Hwy 50, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448

Cost: $525.00, with non-refundable $50 deposit due at time of registration

Note: Scholarships are available for campers with financial needs.

Individual registration is now open and there is limited space, so get ready to sign up as soon as possible! Campers must complete an online medical form and medical waiver prior to camp.

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 (programs@zephyrpoint.org) 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

Job opening in Sacramento: New part-time associate pastor position at Sierra Vista Community Church, a joint congregation between PCUSA and UCC denominations, www.sierravistacc.org, 890 Morse Ave, Sacramento, CA 95864. This position will concentrate on community engagement and outreach, reporting to our current head of staff, and working with church volunteers to develop ways to expand our influence and presence in our local community. This is a 20-25-hour/week position that will include Sunday worship leadership, occasional preaching, and other general pastoral duties. Salary range- 35-40K per year. For any questions, a full job description, or to submit a resume, please contact Pam Engel at sierravistaccoffice@gmail.com

Westminster Woods is currently hiring. Please check out the job opportunities at the link.

Submitted by Faith and Politics team at Faith PC

North Central California Presbytery

5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA, 95608

www.nccpresby.org