Someone once defined consciousness as that annoying period between naps. There have been times when this humorous definition has resonated with me. Usually, those times have been when my to-do list has been long and the waking hours available to attend to these tasks have been short. We too often experience our lives as a mad scramble to accomplish all the duties prescribed by our concerns—work, family, self-care, church, civic organizations, etc.

Perhaps this intense goal orientation has always been a part of the human experience. After all, the scriptures tell us of the ancient Jewish practice of sabbath, and Jesus said that sabbath was made for humans and not the other way around. Humans require rest.

Yet, sabbath is one of the more difficult spiritual disciplines to practice regularly. We tend to define ourselves and measure our worth by the quality and quantity of our production. God relates to us differently, as beloved children inherently worthy of life and love. The notion of sabbath affirms this truth. We can rest in God’s enough-ness.

The presbytery has worked especially hard these past three years, with the merging of presbyteries, the adaptations required by Covid and the formation of numerous Administrative Commissions and task forces, in addition to the usual committee work. We need a sabbath rest.

Last month, presbytery council voted to invite NCCP to a sabbath rest during the season of Lent in 2024, encouraging committees and other working groups to refrain from meeting from Ash Wednesday, February 14, to Easter, March 31. We don’t want to treat this proposed sabbath legalistically, as the religious leaders did in Jesus’ day, but rather graciously, as an invitation to “be still and know that I am God.” Some groups may absolutely need to meet, while some groups will need to approve urgent matters by email vote, but it is our hope that we’ll find space to take a break from the usual work and that this respite will bear fruit of joy and spiritual refreshment for you personally, as well as renewed creativity and vision for the life of the presbytery.

Your partner in ministry,

Wes

If you still have Wes’ old email address of [email protected] in your address book, please update your email address book with the following address

for Wes: [email protected]

Good words to hear from Council as the Executive Presbyter Search Committee is seeing 2 months of dedicated labor pay off with the approval of key documents – the Job Description of the Executive Presbyter and Ministry Discernment Profile which serves as a resume for our Presbytery. These 2 documents serve as the foundation for what prospective candidates will use when deciding to apply for the Executive Presbyter Position. We continue to be thankful and humbled by the

prayer covering and kind words from so many of you!

The next steps are to get our information loaded onto the official hiring platform (already in progress) and begin receiving applications. The Search Committee is laying down the groundwork for how we review candidates and how we go through the interview process to find our next Executive Presbyter. We ask for continued prayers of discernment for both the search committee and the prospective

candidates that will soon be evaluating our Presbytery.

The pictures below are from a recent in-person meeting (Dec 9, 2023) where we were able to enjoy seeing each other around a table for work and lunch. We also had Jim Kitchens join us in person where he is using his wisdom to help the search committee chart the next steps in the search process. A big thank you to our friends at Faith Presbyterian Church for hosting our meeting!

Sincerely,

Maria Mar

Treasurer, NCCP

916.414.2080, ext 4

[email protected]

Join us for a joyous celebration with GKI (Gereja Kristen Indonesia) Sacramento! We're thrilled to invite our dear friends and family from NCCP to a special Christmas Eve Celebration on Sunday, December 24, 2023, from 4 pm to 8:30 pm, complete with a delightful dinner feast. The venue is Celtic Cross Church, located at 5839 Dewey Drive, Citrus Heights, CA 95621. Your presence would truly make our celebration complete! Thank you for considering our invitation.

"That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." – John 1:9

Take a peek at some lovely moments captured during the 2nd Advent Sunday Service, where the wonderful Rev. Dr. Stephen Moon led the way at GKI Sacramento. It's a beautiful way to share in the joy of the season! We look forward to celebrating with you.

Photos by Bruce and Sharon MacLean

In the warmth of deep gratitude, Intercultural Mosaics happily marked a decade of meaningful existence on November 18, 2023, guided by the caring leadership of Rev. Dr. Stephen and Grace Moon. The celebration, named "A Decade of Gratitude: Thanksgiving & 10th Anniversary Gala," brought together over 90 individuals for a special gathering full of unity and joy. We sincerely thank each person who shared this significant day with us.

The captured images beautifully showcase the best moments of this special event. If you're curious to learn more, feel free to visit www.nextg.org. As we reflect on our journey, the uplifting support and prayers from Davis Community Church and the Presbytery have been our guiding lights, filling our path with warmth and strength. To express our heartfelt appreciation, we extend our deepest thanks. Thank you!

Submitted by Rev. Dr. Stephen Moon

Shepherd of the Sierra Presbyterian Church is searching for a permanent worship pianist. The worship pianist is a part-time paid position — approximately 10 hours a week — and involves providing musical accompaniment and solo music for Sunday morning worship services and other special services as needed. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency at the piano through sight reading skills and knowledge of traditional hymns and contemporary Christian music. The ability to play from a lead sheet is required. Accompanying the choir and supporting soloists is also necessary.

If you would like more information, please contact our music director,

Keir MacMillan, at [email protected]

Sierra Vista Community Church, Sacramento, CA Presents

Book: “ Subversive Witness. Scripture’s call to Leverage Privilege”.

In this Bible based book, Dominique Gilliard explains how “unchecked privilege prevents us from seeing that we are inherently connected to one another. Faithful biblical witnesses like Pharaoh’s daughter, Esther, Paul and Silas, Zacchaeus, and Jesus serve as practical models to ‘emulate’ for our modern context, casting a vision for faithful participation in God’s Kingdom as colaborers with Christ.  Through the above- mentioned biblical characters, we will discuss how to:

·       Identify and explain privilege and its power.

·        Leverage privilege to resist systemic sin.

·        Leverage privilege to create systemic change.

·        Abandon and leverage privilege to proclaim the Good News.

·        Leverage privilege to foster social transformation.

·        Produce fruits in keeping with repentance.

A Five -week Book study. Time: Thursdays on Zoom from 10:00 AM- 11:30 AM.

January ( Jan.) 11, Jan. 18, Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb .8.

         Join Zoom Meeting

https://csus.zoom.us/j/85373474234

Meeting ID: 853 7347 4234

Discussion Facilitators: Dr. Béatrice Russell and Pastor Alex Vaiz.

Our mission network received an urgent appeal in early November 4 from the Rev. Joseph Kassab, General Secretary of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL).  We sent this email message to you at that time; this is a reminder that we are still collecting funds to respond to this appeal.  

Thank you to all who have already responded. 

NESSL is seeking $47,850 in contributions from its mission partners in the US and Europe to fund a project to support 145 Protestant families who have been displaced from their villages on the Lebanon/Israel border. 

There are six Synod churches along the southern border in Marjayoun, Ibel al-Saqi, Khiam, Deir Mimas, Rashaya al Fukhar, and Alma al Shaab. Even the exclusively Christian villages are being shelled and bombed repeatedly by Israel despite claims that Israel is only targeting Hezbollah. The office of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in South Lebanon has also been attacked.

Over 29,000 residents of South Lebanon have been displaced by the war. They are now facing the loss of their livelihood. It is the olive harvest season when farmers take their olives to the presses so they can sell the olive oil. Unfortunately, they were not able to reach their gardens so they have produced no olive oil this season. Others who have fruit orchards were unable to water them, so their trees died while they were far away from home. Others who work locally in their villages have lost their daily income and can no longer support their families. Schools, which had begun a new academic year, are now closed until further notice. The church clinic in Deir Mimas that used to serve the whole area is now in a critical situation since the majority of the village population has left, due to the fighting that has reached the outskirts of the village.

Assis Joseph writes: “We continue to beseech Almighty God, imploring that the war does not escalate further and that Lebanon may be spared from additional suffering and violence. Despite the ugly outlook in the region, we remain people of hope, firmly believing that Peace and Justice are at the core of God's divine plan. The Church of Christ must serve as a beacon of light in these dark times.”

Your contributions to this project for 145 displaced Protestant families will help provide one family with $100 a month for 3 months. The SLPN Steering Committee has set a goal of raising $10,000 from our mission network.

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution. All donations will be combined and sent directly to NESSL.

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 [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.)

MATTHEW 25 SUMMIT Conference January 16 -18, 2024 in Atlanta, GA

Partial scholarship opportunities available for NCCP Church Leaders.

The Matthew 25 Summit will bring mid-councils, churches, and individuals together to explore this vision. What does it mean to eradicate poverty; how can we begin dismantling systemic racism; how will we know if we are building a vital congregation? We are offering you an invitation to innovation. A chance to dialogue, learn with, and grow with others in exploration. Featuring innovative speakers, thriving ministries, transformative workshops, and space to imagine what’s next!

(Content Source: Presbyterian Mission Agency website).

Event Location: New Life Presbyterian Church

6600 Old National Highway Atlanta, GA 30349

(770) 996 – 7159

Special Annual Event for Week of Prayer for

Christian Unity on Tuesday, January 23, 2024

You are invited to attend a Special Annual Event on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Sponsored by the North State Ecumenical Conference (NSEC), which was established in 1968 and is comprised of Christian faiths in the Greater Sacramento Area. The event will consist of the following key segments:

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

• 3:30 – 5:00 PM Panel Discussion - Several Christian faith leaders will address

the topic of: How does our faith impact public policy?

• 5:30 – 6:30 PM Dinner –There is a charge for dinner and a *RSVP is required.

• 7:00 – 8:00 PM Worship Prayer Service

This Special Event will be hosted by Reverend Frank Espegren.

You are invited to attend this event in person at the Church

(916.444.0874)

St. John’s Lutheran Church

1701 L Street

Sacramento, California 95811

Please note: You can virtually view the event by Livestream on 1/23/2024 (and after the event date) on the link provided closer to the event.

There is no charge for this Special Event. Donations may be made to Midtown HART To donate please click on the following link: Midtown | HARTs Together (when making a donation please make reference to: NSEC Special Event). Thank you!

*Important: If you want to RSVP for dinner or have questions, please contact Nancy Disher, NSEC Presbytery Representative at (916) 792-7725, or e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Save the date!

Presbyterian Women’s Churchwide Gathering (CWG) is celebrated every three years! In 2024, the CWG will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, August 8–11

Registration opens in March 2024!

For more information visit: presbyterianwomen.org/gathering

Submitted by Faith and Politics team at Faith PC

North Central California Presbytery

5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA, 95608

www.nccpresby.org