At what cost?

Acts 2:44-47 (NRSVUE)

44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

When I was younger, I held a romanticized vision of the early Church. I imagined it as a time of perfect harmony and cooperation, where Christ's followers, with Him recently ascended, came together for the common good and to spread the Good News. I likened it to life on the Waltons, where, despite difficulties, everything was resolved by the end of the day, and everyone went to bed content.

However, reality paints a different picture. Disagreements and conflicts challenge this idealized notion. Our disagreements grow, feelings get hurt, and conflicts escalate. This is the reality we face. The idea of unanimous agreement shatters, and we often find ourselves pursuing our ministries in isolation, devoid of inclusive efforts.

What stands out in the passage from Acts is not the selling of possessions, although that often captures our attention. The selling of possessions was an expression of their commitment to unity and shared spirit. The real challenge lies in how we strive to live together, fully acknowledging the validity and personhood of those around us, especially when we disagree.

This effort should begin with humility. In humility, we recognize that, as flawed individuals deeply loved by God, we are just like those we disagree with. We are all valid and valuable. We are no better or worse than anyone else. We are the same, worthy of respect and place. Since others are dearly loved by God and of equal value, their beliefs, opinions, and efforts are as worthy of acceptance as our own. Success in living together harmoniously starts with the humility to level the playing field.

The early believers sold their possessions as an outpouring of this profound humility. Their community was defined by their actions, and their actions were guided by their beliefs. Today, we have the opportunity to live in a similar spirit. While we do not need to sell all our possessions, we can make a covenant to humbly accept and recognize the value of others as equal to our own. There would be far less conflict in our churches, our countries, and our lives if we could adopt this simple first step.

My prayer for our Presbytery and our congregations is a willingness to take this small but important first step toward peace. May we move closer to peace in our time and may we bring and be this peace.

Rev. Joshua Trautmann, Bridge EP

You can register to be an online observer, to get a GA Daily Digest, to see the worship schedule (a highlight for many) and so much more. Committees begin meeting Tuesday, June 25^th. Committees are going to conduct their work completely via Zoom.

The plenary sessions will be in person in Salt Lake City beginning June 29^th.

Go to the link to get started: https://ga-pcusa.org/

Executive Presbyter Search Committee Update

The EP search team has completed in-person interviews of the final candidates and enjoyed sharing our wonderful Capitol Park and a few

NCCP Churches with our candidates.

Our next steps are to discern among the remaining candidates

which one is to become the next NCCP EP!

We are continually thankful for the many prayers that continue to cover the team

in both health and discernment in this

important work of evaluating and selecting a final candidate.

West Sacramento, CA—This year, Trinity Presbyterian Church of West Sacramento again hosted Religious Emblems classes for local scouts. These classes are designed to meet the religious emblem requirements set by all the national scouting agencies, including 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, we have partnered several times with West Sacramento Cub Scout Pack 49. Scouts in second and third grades take the God and Me class, where they learn that God created them special, and that they can be best friends with Jesus. Fourth and fifth graders take the God and Family class, where they learn that families are like a pizza, with many layers that make us all unique. It has been a joy to host these classes, as it brings children and families into our church community who may not otherwise have come. 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 program is available for any church and any scouting group. 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. We will be starting them up again in the fall.

Faithfully,

Lori Schlunegger

Elder, Christian Education, Trinity West Sac

lorileanne07@hotmail.com

916-205-6463

El Dorado Federated Church just held a very successful Compassion Camp on their campus the week of June 10-14. Free to the children of their community, there were 35 campers and 11 youth counselors who participated. Led by the talented Amanda Anderson, Director of Faith Formation and PCUSA Candidate for Ordination, the camp included a mission in action focus as well as bible stories, crafts, water games and delicious snacks. Multiple adult volunteers and generous gifts from the

congregation make this camp possible. 

If you are a pastor, commissioned ruling elder (CRE), a leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community or a member of a stewardship team we have Church Financial Leadership Grants available for you. The grants will enable you to institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce you to new models of giving and stewardship, and offer you new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within your church.

Who can apply?

• PCUSA pastors
• Commissioned Ruling Elders
• 1001 New Worshiping Community leaders
• Church member attending the event with their pastor

What do the funds cover?

The grants are matching funds to help cover half of the cost of:

• Registration fees
• Transportation
• Lodging
• Meals
• Other expenses

The other half of the funds will need to be provided by the church or another source.

What events can I use the funds for?

• Stewardship Kaleidoscope
• Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF) through the Lake Institute
•  Other church financial leadership events (subject to approval)

What is the deadline?

For Stewardship Kaleidoscope, we are asking that applications be sent in by Monday, August 12 so that we have time to process the application and send out the funds prior to the start of the event. Applications received after the deadline or for the ECRF program will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Once we receive your application, it may take up to six weeks to process.

This Bible-based book by Dominique Gilliard explores how "unchecked privilege prevents us from seeing that we are inherently connected to one another." It uses biblical figures like Pharaoh’s daughter, Esther, Paul and Silas, Zacchaeus, and Jesus as models for emulation in our modern context, promoting faithful participation in God's Kingdom.

Through these biblical characters, the book covers:

· Identifying and explaining privilege and its power.

· Using privilege to resist systemic sin.

· Using privilege to create systemic change.

· Abandoning and leveraging privilege to proclaim the Good News.

· Using privilege to foster social transformation.

· Producing fruits in keeping with repentance.

The five-week book study will take place on Thursdays via Zoom from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, from June 27 to August 1, 2024. Dr. Béatrice Russell will facilitate the discussion, with guest speakers to be announced. Books are available on the SVCC campus, thanks to Mr. Edrine Ddungu, who ordered free books for participants.

Zoom Meeting ID: 820 7946 2248. Join: https://csus.zoom.us/j/82079462248

Gilliard, Dominique DuBois. (2021). Subversive Witness : Scripture's Call to Leverage Privilege. Grand Rapids Michigan: Zondervan Reflective. ISBN-13978-0310124030.

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.)

Mark your calendars for Sunday afternoon, June 23, to attend Parkview Presbyterian’s second annual Summerfest celebration, and be sure to purchase your tickets. The event will be held at Lucky Jade Restaurant, 7007 South Land Park Drive starting at 4:30 p.m. We will welcome family and friends, enjoy excellent entertainment, shop for unique, one-of-a-kind items at our Silent Auction and Marketplace, and dine

on a delicious nine-course Chinese banquet.

The event will start about 4:30 p.m., with time for fellowship and line dancing, plus a chance to shop at the Silent Auction and Marketplace. The program will start about 5:00 p.m., and a delicious nine-course Chinese banquet will be served at 5:30. Tickets are only $65 each, and sponsorships are available, as follows:

·       $1,000 Table Sponsor – Complimentary 10 person seating

·       $500 Gold Sponsor – Complimentary 3 person seating

·       $300 Silver Sponsor – Complimentary 2 person seating

·       $150 Bronze Sponsor – Complimentary 1 person seating

All donations of $100 and up will be publicly acknowledged.

For further information, please contact Maurine Huang at maurine_estelle@yahoo.com 

Information about the Silent Auction/Marketplace can be found

by contacting Judy Yee at judyfyee@gmail.com



Click below for a direct link to further information, including ticket/sponsorship purchases.

Parkview Presbyterian Church invites all within the North Central California Presbytery to attend a benefit concert to help the children of Ukraine, who have lost fathers in the war. Renowned violinist Igor Veligan, accompanied by pianist Natsuki Fukasawa, will perform Sonata in E-Flat Major for Violin and Piano. Op. 18, by Richard Strauss, at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, July 7, in the church sanctuary, 727 T Street, Sacramento. 

Funds raised will support the work of Pastor Igor Bilorus, based in Ternopil, western Ukraine, where, he reports, there are air strike alarms 3-4 times daily, no electricity for 9-12 hours daily and more frequent funerals. As a consequence, people are attempting to flee the country. Children are particularly affected. Pastor Igor is helping 150 children and young adults, organizing a summer camp with emphasis on artistic activities, small trips, Bible study, food, and more. 

A free-will offering will be taken. If you are unable to attend the concert but would like to contribute, please make donations to Parkview Presbyterian Church and mark them clearly “Attn: Ukrainian Children’s Program".

Pastor Igor Bilorus in Ternopil, Ukraine visiting Parkview Presbyterian Church in Sacramento on Oct.15, 2023. He expressed his appreciation for the direct

support from our community. Igor Veligan, his friend, assisted as a translator. 

JOIN US FOR A WORK TRIP TO PARADISE

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SKILL - WE NEED YOU!

FRIDAY JULY 12 to SUNDAY JULY 14, 2024

The Camp Fire was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history, destroying more than 18,000 structures in the first four hours. 86 people lost their lives.  

While the 2018 Camp Fire is long out of the news there is a continuing need from rebuilding homes to clearing brush in the area. Tiny Pine Foundation is now building tiny homes on foundations. You can visit the website for inspiring details:  https://www.tinypinefoundation.org/about

The struggle to rebuild is complicated. It takes a long time for insurance claims and issuance of permits. Opportunities abound for us to lend a hand. Our work will include building homes for families whose insurance did not cover rebuilding. It takes substantial time for the completion of all the steps in the rebuilding process.

We will be staying at the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) Host Site at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Oroville, CA. Please visit the Church website https://trinityoroville.com/

To register for this trip of making a difference, please contact :

NCCP Mission Organizer Nancy Disher at (916) 792-7725

Please email: Missionorganizer@nccpresby.org and njdisher@garlic.com

The cost is $90.00 per person and will cover the host site lodging and

all meals for our 2-night stay.

Checks may be made to Disaster Response Ministries and sent to:

Nancy Disher   1193 Clemensen Circle, Folsom, CA 95630

North Central California Presbytery

5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA, 95608

www.nccpresby.org