I hope some of you are finding inspiration in our theme for 2025: Practicing Deep Belonging--and in the book that theme is based on: The Deepest Belonging: Discovering Where God Meets Us by Kara Root. Each chapter of that book describes a practice of belonging that opens us more to God’s presence among us. One of those practices, (chapter 13) is “Living With and For Each Other.” I know that many of our NCCP congregations, fellowships, and worshiping communities engage in this practice through serving their communities in various ways: respite care, after school tutoring, food pantries, backpacks for school children in need, resettling recently arrived refugees-and by engaging in advocacy work that addresses the root causes of hunger, homelessness, and global migrations. 

This year, the Presbytery’s Mission Support Commission is offering each congregation a grant of up to $2500 to extend their mission efforts. “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, be sure it is signed by your Pastor and/or Clerk of Session. Please send the completed application to nccpresby@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing the stories of how our congregations invest these grants in Practicing Deep Belonging.

Karen Sapio, Executive Presbyter

Since January 20, several major cities such as Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, Denver, Philadelphia, Seattle, and others, have experienced aggressive immigration enforcement actions.  Many of those apprehended are in the U.S. legally.  Quoting ProPublica and the Texas Tribune, the Feb. 11, 2025 CalMatters stated that, of the 8,200 people caught in immigrant raids between Jan. 20 and Feb. 2, fewer than half had criminal convictions. 

Additional changes to immigration enforcement practices have included: 

• Terminating previous policy that protected certain areas—such as churches, school, and hospitals—from immigration enforcement, replacing it with an unreleased directive that gives ICE agents unbridled power to take enforcement actions in any of these spaces  
•  Terminated the United States Refugee Program and terminated funding to support that program.   
• Ended Temporary Protected status almost 350,000 Venezuelans. 
• Eliminated access to asylum. 
• Discontinued the CBPOne App for asylum applicants and refused to honor already scheduled appointments. 

 Many of our congregations, fellowships, and New Worshiping Communities have community members who are immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers.

To help us care well for one another and for the vulnerable in our midst, the Immigration Task for of NCCP offers the following list of resources.

On January 29th, Lunar New Year’s Day, our NWC leaders—MWS Rola Al Ashkar (Iama Yoga), Pastor Timothy Nguyen (Vietnamese Evangelistic Outreach – VEO), MWS Stephen Moon (Intercultural Mosaics), Pastor Alex Vaiz (Common Table Gathering), and Pastor Liz Vaiz (Casas de Paz – House of Peace)—gathered for a meaningful and strategic discussion with key Presbytery leaders, including Executive Presbyter Karen Sapio, NCCP Treasurer Maria Mar, and Congregational Vitality Chair RE Sharyl Stevens.

This gathering fostered an environment of open dialogue, allowing leaders to share insights, challenges, and opportunities within their ministries. Topics included the evolving needs of their diverse communities, innovative approaches to outreach and discipleship, and strategies for sustainable growth. Through collaboration, they explored ways to support one another and enhance their collective impact in advancing God’s work.

A key focus of the discussion was financial sustainability. Leaders explored creative funding models, such as grant opportunities, community partnerships, social enterprises, and shared resources among ministries. They also considered developing revenue-generating programs—such as workshops, cultural events, and service initiatives—that align with their missions while fostering financial resilience.

As they continue to strengthen their shared mission, the next meeting is scheduled for February 26th at Davis Community Church at 10 am, where they will further develop actionable steps for ministry growth, intercultural engagement, and long-term financial sustainability.

Currently, there are 1 in 5 Californians who struggle with food insecurity AND California produces half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables.

Every Tuesday from 9 am-12 pm there are 15-20 volunteers dedicated to serve food to their neighbors for the North Highlands Christian Food Ministry (NHCFM). A family is served every minute for three hours, which is about 180 families each Tuesday. Last year (2024) 7,150 families received groceries from NHCFM feeding more than 25,000 people.

The volunteers are steadfast, and all have been serving for 5-15 years. This has created a family atmosphere that embraces the clients every week with personal connection. Whether clients or those serving…we all need to feel a sense of belonging and you feel this at NHCFM!

Our Shepherd of the Sierra Presbyterian (SOS) Church has 4-5 Volunteers who regularly help distribute food at the Pointe Church in Antelope. Rich Powell states “we provide our clients with a well-rounded shopping cart of food including fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, dried food goods and canned food items.” Most of the food comes from the Sacramento Food Bank. There is a team of volunteers that pick up the food, load and unload the food, transporting food items to the distribution site at the Pointe Church because there is no storage on site.

Evelyn Jordan (SOS volunteer) shared with me why she serves. She says, “I have never been hungry or cold. I am humbled and I cannot imagine the daily challenges...BUT I can help by serving and caring for my neighbors.”

Personally, I felt a deep sense of community as I heard stories from volunteers as we packed bags of food on my visit last Tuesday. I witnessed volunteers passionately serving from their hearts.    

Many thanks to the dedicated volunteers that make this life-line operation happen every week.



In these turbulent times in our world, one SOULution (Nancy Disher) might be to seek out what is good in your neighborhood and SERVE. Volunteers are always welcomed and appreciated in many community venues.  

Article submitted by Nancy Disher, NCCP Mission Organizer

We’re beyond thrilled to share that the Clergy of Color Network (COCN) has been officially approved in the North Central California Presbytery (NCCP)! This is a big step forward in creating a strong, supportive, and empowering space for clergy of color in our presbytery.

A Community of Support & Growth

COCN is all about building connections, encouraging one another, and growing together in leadership, advocacy, and faith. Through fellowship, training, and participation in regional events—like the annual Zephyr Point Clergy of Color Retreat—we’re committed to making sure every clergy member in NCCP has the resources and community to thrive.

Join Us!

If you’re a clergy of color within NCCP, we’d love for you to be part of this journey! Whether it’s through leadership workshops, bi-monthly gatherings, or the 2025 Zephyr Point Retreat, there are plenty of ways to connect, grow, and serve together.

Meet the Founding Team:

-MWS Stephen Moon – Intercultural Mosaics, Davis

-MWS Grace Suwabe – First Presbyterian Church, Marysville

Invited Clergy:

-MWS Rola Al Ashkar – Iama Yoga, Sacramento

-MWS Sam Sung Su Jun – Celtic Cross Church, Citrus Heights

--MWS Janice Kamikawa - Specialized Ministry

-MWS Jeachul “JC” Kang – Sacramento Capital Korean Presbyterian Church

-MWS Steve Netniss – Grace Presbyterian Church, Lodi

-Pastor Timothy Nguyen – Vietnamese Evangelistic Outreach (VEO), Stockton

-Pastor Miryam Osario (CRE) – Comunidad Latina de Cristo, West Sacramento

-MWS Philip Khanh Trinh – Grace Community Presbyterian Church, Sacramento

-Pastor Liz Vaiz – Casas de Paz (House of Peace), Sacramento

-Pastor Alex Vaiz – Common Table Gathering, Sacramento

What’s Next?

-Official launch event (details coming soon!)

-Bi-monthly lunch gatherings to connect and share 

-Planning for the 2025 Zephyr Point Retreat (100% covered)

We can’t wait to embark on this journey together—lifting each other up, growing in faith, and strengthening our community.

Stay tuned for more details! If you’d like to get involved or have any questions, feel free to reach out:

📩 Rev. Dr. Stephen Moon – catalyst@nextg.org | 916-217-5470

📩 Rev. Dr. Grace Suwabe – gsuwabe02@gmail.com | 916-835-8380

Trinity West Sacramento Youth Director

Davis Community Church Director of Operations

Sierra Vista Community Church Half Time Interim Pastor 

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

El Dorado Federated, Placerville Director of Faith Formation 

Please email the church at,  office@eldoradofederatedchurch.org for more information.

El Dorado Federated, Placerville Director of Children and Youth Ministries

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.)

Opening Doors Inc. (ODI), a local non-profit with whom a number of NCCP congregations collaborate,  is facing a serious funding emergency and needs your immediate help.  The local affiliate of Church World Service and Witness, one of ten national refugee resettlement agencies, it is struggling to serve 520 newly arrived refugees.  The recent sudden termination of the nationwide refugee resettlement program and the abrupt cut in federal funding, have seriously impacted on ODI’s ability to ensure that the families can receive federally mandated and badly needed services.  Jessie Mabry, CEO of ODI, cites financial support as the most helpful.  The Opening Doors website has a “Donate” button, or checks made out to Opening Doors may be sent to their office, 1111 Howe Avenue, Suite 125, Sacramento CA 95825.  Their telephone is 916-492-2591. 

Among other life-affirming programs, ODI is responsible for resettling Sacramento-bound refugees legally admitted to the US.   In 2023, the last year for which information is readily available, it received 1,635 new refugees, provided pro bono legal support to 970 immigrants, helped 101 victims of human trafficking, and distributed $463K in loans to tiny Sacramento area businesses. 

Church World Service and Witness, a faith-based ecumenical cooperative ministry founded in 1946, has a presence on every continent except Antarctica. Comprised of 37 denominations, including the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., it focuses on providing disaster relief, ensuring the safety of migrants, and building healthy, self-sustaining communities, often in hard-to-reach rural areas.  Its website is  

Submitted by: Maurine Huang

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  

North Central California Presbytery

5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA, 95608

www.nccpresby.org