It is hard to believe that May 1 marked six months since I arrived to begin my work as Executive Presbyter of North Central California Presbytery.  It has been a joy to begin to get to know this Presbytery, its congregations, and the beautiful and diverse region of north central California. In the past twenty-four weeks I have preached or participated in worship at 19 churches or new worshipping communities and I have five visits with other congregations on my calendar for the weeks ahead.  I’m eager to visit with all our churches, fellowships, and worshiping communities. Please let me know when I can come and be with your community if we don’t have that scheduled already. 

Another joy over these recent months has been to see how readily our congregations have embraced the opportunity for Special Mission Grants from our Mission Commission.  So far Mission Commission has approved grants to support a community garden at Shepherd of the Sierra in Loomis, participation in the Sierra Service Project in San Diego for members of Faith, Sacramento, and a weekly hot meal offering to those in need at Celtic Cross, Citrus Heights.  We have received a number of other applications since then and will consider them at our April meeting.  If your congregation has not yet applied for these grant funds, the application is available here.

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.  Philippians 1: 3-5

Karen Sapio, Executive Presbyter

Please help all commissioners and minister members know these best practices that fit with Robert’s Rules:

--read the materials when they are sent out the Monday or Tuesday prior

--make a note of any questions

--if you have one or more questions about a motion, please send an email with your questions to the person who will bring the motion (not sure who that is, contact Tayler Stone: cdmanager@nccpresby.org)

--read the response and follow-up with concerns or questions, if needed

This will provide you and the presbytery with the most accurate information. When introducing a motion, the maker will be more aware of information gaps and will speak to those with clarity and accuracy.

As you listen to the introduction of a motion, if a new question arises, Robert’s Rules allows a person to ask one question. Limits are set to allow more people to speak. The way to do that is to say, when the Moderator recognizes you and after you identify yourself, “Moderator, I have a question of information.” If the moderator gives you the okay, proceed to ask your question.

If, during the course of the meeting, you have a question about the process, after the Moderator recognizes you, say “Moderator, I have a parliamentary inquiry.” If the moderator gives you the okay, proceed to ask your question.

Rev. Jeri Viera Dahlke

Stated Clerk

As sweeping immigration policy and enforcement changes impact our communities, many of our congregations are seeking ways to respond in ways that demonstrate the compassion of Christ. At its March Session meeting, Westminster, Sacramento approved this statement which affirms their continuing commitment to stand with the most vulnerable among us. Westminster member Jill Sherrill, who serves on the Immigration Task force remarked, “We hope this statement will inspire other congregations to take a public stand regarding their commitment to stand with vulnerable people and communities in these times.”

On a bright afternoon, March 27th, NWC pastors and NCCP leaders came together at EP Karen’s home for their third meeting. Over coffee and refreshments, they reflected on their ministries, sharing both joys and challenges while uplifting one another in encouragement.

The conversation centered on strengthening NMI’s support for NWCs, exploring funding opportunities, and developing the NWC handbook as a practical resource. Through open dialogue and collaboration, a shared vision for the future began to take shape.

As the gathering concluded, they planned to showcase videos of each NWC at the upcoming Presbytery meeting in May. Looking ahead, they eagerly anticipate their next gathering at Vietnamese Evangelistic Outreach (VEO) in Stockton on April 30 at 1:30 pm, continuing their journey together.

Photo provided by Rev. Dr. Stephen Moon

By God’s grace, GKI Sacramento was able to send a Mission Fund of $1,100 to Yayasan Panti Asuhan Buah Hati, an orphanage in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

This orphanage was founded by a faithful couple, Rev. Telly Panjaitan and her husband, Rev. Soleman Samuel, in one of the most hardline Islamic communities in the region. From the beginning, they faced tremendous challenges—including having their home stoned and receiving death threats. Yet, by God’s grace alone, they endured these trials and have since received growing support from local residents, the government, and even members of the once-hostile community.

Currently, the orphanage is home to approximately 40 children from diverse ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds. Many of these children have come to know Jesus, choosing to study the Bible and be baptized.

Their lease is ending soon, and they are praying for a larger facility that can provide better living conditions and allow them to care for more children in need.

Yayasan Buah Hati is an independent nonprofit organization. As Rev. Soleman shares,

  “All our monthly needs, including those of the children, total IDR 75,000,000 (about $4,600). Each month we face a shortfall of approximately IDR 50,000,000 (around $3,000). But praise God! God has always sustained us. We have never lacked anything. God continues to provide in miraculous and unexpected ways.”

Please continue to pray for this ministry and the precious children under their care. May God’s provision and protection continue to abound.

Submitted by Rev. Dr. Stephen Moon, Liaison and Moderator of GKI Sacramento Indonesian Fellowship

We wanted to share a few photos and reflections from a couple collaborative youth events this Spring. RIDICULOUSNESS, as it has affectionately come to be known, joins together a number of churches in a festive Friday late-night event filled with laughter, team games running through the big downtown church (Westminster)! This year, teams accomplished various challenges to collect ingredients to create and cook their own pizzas (on “Pie Day” March 14). A few brave souls volunteered for dessert, which required them to search for a pickle, hidden inside a cream pie, without using their hands. It was a hilarious night of fun and new friends. Lori Schlunegger of Trinity offered moments of reflection and wisdom about the various components (ingredients) that make our faith a reality.

As a member of this team of youth leaders that meets twice a month on zoom and a couple times a year in person, I am grateful for the ongoing prayer and camaraderie of this fantastic group. Ridiculousness becomes a celebration of both silliness and depth of faith that emerges from those conversations that we can pass along to our kids! We are so thankful to our friends at Westminster for hosting this annual event. Our teens look forward to it every year. Churches involved this year were Carmichael, Celtic Cross, Westminster, Faith, Trinity West Sac, St. Andrew, and Shepherd of the Sierra - about 60 kids attended.

Also this Spring, Carmichael and Faith Presbyterian put together a weekend of fun and fasting at Westminster Woods camp. Yes, fun and fasting can coexist in an international World Vision fundraising effort called the 30 Hour Famine. The highlight this year was a service project to help prepare a women’s rehabilitation shelter with the Redwood Gospel Mission staff in Santa Rosa. We hope to return to see it in action next year perhaps! Our churches plan to do this again next year, and we’d love to have other churches join in the fun! Michael and Brett are grateful as well for the grant from Presbytery to make this fundraiser affordable as a getaway, and to Lindsey Knea from St. Andrew that came to help drive, lead worship, and provide needed support to our leader team!

Our next teen-only event will be Thursday, April 17. Join us for a Spring Break Picnic in Yuba City, and a visit to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church’s Journey with Jesus event. Meet our caravan at Trinity Presbyterian Church, West Sacramento at 10AM, or meet us directly at Greenwood Park in Yuba City at 11AM. Bring a friend, a sack lunch, optional snacks to share, sports equipment such as a football or frisbee. Contact Lori Schlunegger for more info at lori.schlunegger24@outlook.com

The conference features speakers/panelists from Omni Youth Services , The Sacramento Opioid Coalition, Celebrate Recovery and more. Participants will leave with Narcan, fentanyl test strips, Deterra and with the knowledge to use them.  

Local ministers from the North Central California Presbytery and Celebrate Recovery will address addiction and spirituality.

Trinity West Sacramento Youth Director

El Dorado Federated, Placerville Director of Children and Youth Ministries

Davis Community Church Installed Pastor 

First Presbyterian Church, Colusa Part Time Pastor

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

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