Greetings to everyone from your NCCP Council Leadership–

As our individual congregations in the presbytery participate in liturgical practices related to Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide, the NCCP Council strives to incorporate the spirit of this crucial season in the way we carry out our work for the Presbytery and its congregations. We are especially thankful to those in leadership in our congregations and at in the presbytery for their contributions to the Church in this region. The NCCP Council would like to shine the spotlight on our transitional presbyter, the Rev. Dr. Mary Westfall, in heartfelt thanks for her guidance over the last 3 ½ years. Mary has overseen the birth of a new presbytery. structured from what was formerly the presbyteries of Stockton and Sacramento. The North Central California Presbytery became official on July 1, 2021, after numerous meetings, surveys, discussions, and conversations involving all churches projected to be a part of the newly formed presbytery. Mary tirelessly sought input from congregations and others at all levels of the presbytery, modeling a respect for inclusion and transparency. We thank Mary for her pastoral presence, leadership, broad vision, and compassion which helped form the new structure of NCCP. The North Central California Presbytery is “on the move” for Christ in large part to the leadership provided by Mary Westfall. So, it is with much gratitude but also with sadness that we will bid Mary Godspeed on her continuing journey in life and ministry. We want to wish her and her family blessings as they make plans to re-unite with their family members on the East Coast.

We also wish to thank our treasurer John Arthur for his monumental role in bringing clarity and stability to our financial situation. The Presbytery now has a foundation from which to build and a clear perspective we can use to make much needed financial decisions. Thank you, John! In those decisions we will be guided by Maria Mar, our new treasurer. We wish John well in his future endeavors and hope to see him at Presbytery events.

In other news initiatives arising out of the new presbytery include (1) the adoption of Presbytery values (2) the establishment of the Gospel Equity Inclusion Task Force, (3) the New Ministries Initiative, and (4) the restructuring of congregational support and pastoral support into the Vitality in Ministry Commission, composed of the Congregational Vitality and Pastoral Vitality subcommittees. (5) Ongoing concerns about how to expend funds derived from bequests and the sale of properties are being addressed systematically. We are always on the lookout for opportunities for outreach and support that allow for greater Christian witness in our region .

May we live into the vision God has for us.  



After months of thoughtful and enthusiastic planning and preparation,

Stockton First Presbyterian church held a weekend of celebration marking their 100 year

presence in the community. Events spanned over two days and included

community and church members enjoying a festival on a sunny, but windy

Saturday along with a Sunday afternoon worship service and catered meal

that also included a number of past and present clergy from the presbytery.

Rev. Ashley Love was overjoyed by the turn-out for the weekend and

looks with enthusiasm to the journey ahead for the congregation as

it continues to serve the community in ever-expanding ways.

Congratulations to all those who so faithfully have tended the building

and ministries of Stockton First for 100 years. May God continue to guide

and bless them in the years ahead.

Justice Conference

Book Description:

There is a deepening crisis in mission as practiced by North American congregations. Many mission activities are more effective at satisfying church members than making a lasting difference, producing what’s too often consumer-oriented “selfie mission.” Too much effort is based on colonial-era assumptions of mission launched from a position of power. These practices are not just ineffective―they deviate from mission in the way of Jesus. Hunter Farrell and Bala Khyllep want to help free congregational mission from harmful cultural forces so churches can better partner

with God’s work in the world.

*NORTH CENTRAL CALIFORNIA PRESBYTERY PARTICIPANTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A $200 REGISTRATION DISCOUNT. DISCOUNT WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHOW UP AT CHECKOUT.

Cards may be sent to Mary at:

Rev. Dr. Mary Westfall

North Central California Presbytery

5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA, 95608

*Mary's last day will be May 15th, 2023

There are many ways the PCUSA provides resources and information

to congregations and pastors.

This new podcast is a great way to “listen in” while innovators and creative thinkers

share ideas, encourage new practices and celebrate the movement of the Spirit.

Free and available to all.

A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast debuts Korean language episodes: A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast is excited to announce the debut of quarterly Korean language episodes! The Korean podcast is hosted by Hyeyoung Lee and Kurt Esslinger (mission co-workers, South Korea) and So Jung Kim (associate for Theology). These episodes are entirely in Korean for Korean-speaking audiences. The first episode features the Revs. Eun Joo Kim and Ann Menzie discussing the work of the Korean American Presbyterian Clergy Women as a network to empower and support female Korean American ministers. The first episode will debut in late February/early March. The debut episode will be available on all podcast platforms and on the podcast’s website.

We are there to create opportunities for young people to grow, thrive and take part in building up the body of Christ through our gifts to the Pentecost Offering.

The news breaks our hearts, shatters our hopes and causes great distress, as we read again and again of another mass shooting

This prayer, written in the aftermath of the recent school shooting in Tennessee, may offer words that resonate with many in these times.

May we remain in prayer, even as we also speak out, and work to end the epidemic of gun violence in our communities and nation.

NEW Free Resource: “Why Presbyterians are Like That” (Congregation Edition), a 10-session Bible study for congregations. This new edition is an adaptation of the College Student Edition announced last fall. The Office of Christian Formation has partnered with UKirk Collegiate Ministries to offer this downloadable PDF Bible Study based on one Presbyterian chaplain’s suggestion of 10 reasons Presbyterians are the way we are. The study was written by Austin College chaplain and director of Church Relations, the Rev. Dr. John Williams. Now you have two options to choose from based on your setting. Individual lesson PDFs will soon be available, too, from here. To learn more about the College Student Edition, visit the Ukirk website. (This resource is not currently available in Korean or Spanish.)

NEW Free Resource: The Care Partner Tool Kit is a series of 13 QuickSheets and resources for congregations supporting caregivers and for individuals who are caring for others. This tool kit is a partnership between the Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE), Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network (POAMN) and the Office of Christian Formation. Some topics for these PDF downloads include Roles and Responsibilities, Accompanying a Loved One to the Doctor, A How-To Guide: Starting a Care Partner Support Group, The Guilt of Caregiving, Churches Ministering to Care Partners, and Care Partners Planning Together: Preparation for the Hard Conversations. (This resource is not currently available in Korean or Spanish.)

Across the country, as more and more churches are served by part-time pastors, Ruling Elders are stepping in to fill the pulpit. 

The gifts of this Presbytery have borne fruit for over 20 years in the spiritual formation of people across many traditions. Bread of Life Center’s birth at Davis Community Church many years ago gave life to the depth of growth of thousands of people over the years. And the work still continues.

Now operating out of a space made sacred at Fulton Avenue and Hurley Way in Sacramento, Bread of Life also has a growing presence through online offerings. The workshops and courses recognize that the spiritual life can be explored through a variety of practices: writing, reading, centering prayer, collage, mandala and the important conversations that prepare us to work for antiracism and justice in the world. Spiritual Direction has remained at the core of the character of Bread of Life. The act of listening deeply to God within our lives allows both clergy and laity the space needed to grow deeper in discipleship.

Like many congregations, there was fear that the closures forced by the pandemic could bring the end of this holy work, at least in the existing form. Instead, after a season of discernment, new ways of being present were learned and in 2022 with the leadership of Rev. Jen Goto, Spiritual and Executive Director, the center is back to a full slate of offerings including a new Community of Practice.  

A word from Jen:

“As a United Methodist clergyperson, I have served in congregational and campus ministry settings. In each location, I discovered that some of the people were ready to go deeper in their faith than others. When they followed that desire, they became incredible catalysts for a hunger in others in the congregation. I also found that at times I, as the pastor, needed to find a place outside of my congregation and even my denomination, to be held in sacred space, without judgment or expectation of a particular outcome. I found that in spiritual direction, which ultimately led me to Bread of Life. Now I’m hoping to come alongside the leaders of faith communities, so that you and your congregants can be continually open to the ways God nurtures and challenges. As a preacher, I’m happy to share about the joy of this spiritual walk through a guest sermon (and give the pastor a break!) or to connect individuals to the next right thing for their own walk.”

jennifer@breadoflife.org

916-648-1803

www.breadoflife.org

On March 12^th members of Grace Presbyterian Church, Rev. Philip Trinh and Transitional

Presbyter, Mary Westfall journeyed to Stockton for a special “thanksgiving” worship service with members and friends of VEO and current pastoral leader Timothy Thien Nguyen. Various other congregations joined by bringing music for this worship

experience, words of thanks and praise, and delicious

food items for the fellowship afterwards. 

VEO has been reaching out to the Vietnamese community in Stockton for several decades. The pandemic and the challenges it brought significantly impacted the congregation which declined in membership over the past several years. Under the coordination of Pastor Timothy and the dedication of some of the members, VEO is experiencing a time of renewed vision and vitality. They hope to hold special services throughout the coming year to better reach out to the local community and engage them in worship, praise and celebration.

Special thanks to Pastor Trinh and members of his congregation who have long provided

support for VEO and will continue to send members down to the congregation as they look to their future. Be watching for more news about VEO as it seeks to become a stronger Christian presence in their community.

Apply for a Presbyterian Undergraduate Scholarship today! Students may be eligible for $4,000 or more from the Presbyterian Mission Agency through the Office of Financial Aid for Service. Learn more about the guidelines and application process at the link below.

Apply before May 15th!

Virtual Event

In 2023, we gather during a time of fear and uncertainty. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands of deaths and created 12 million refugees. Newly-empowered populist regimes violate human rights and flout international law. Unnumbered conflicts rage in every corner of the globe. These wars—and the looming threats of others—are used to justify increases in military spending, investments in more efficient tools of destruction and death. Meanwhile, every four seconds someone dies of hunger.

Through the prophet Micah, God declares, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” But God also tells us why: “They shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid.” God intends that we should enjoy our time, move about without fear, and participate in sabbath rest. In this holy Shalom, our portions will suffice, and all will have enough. 

Having spent so long running in every direction but peace, it’s easy to forget there’s another way. No one can serve two masters; we cannot excel in both war and justice, both wealth and mercy. We cannot take by force what is intended to be shared. Let us heed Christ’s call and gather as one body to discern how we can reforge weapons of destruction into tools of growth, cultivate healing throughout God’s creation, and pursue systems that empower each person to thrive. Join us at Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2023, a conference to worship, educate, and advocate for the innovative and courageous policies needed to realize God’s promise.

As ruling elders and deacons serving in local congregations across the denomination, webinars give us an opportunity to gather together virtually and in the presence of other leaders who walk alongside us on this formation journey. 

Reclaiming Our Calling: Deacons & Ruling Elders and the Care of Souls 

A Leader Formation Webinar

April 27, 2023; 7:00 – 8:30 pm (eastern)

Registration Deadline: April 19, 2023

Are you seeking a more vibrant ministry of pastoral care that does not solely rely on the pastor? Have you ever wondered what to say when visiting someone who is navigating cancer or a chronic illness? Do you find yourself struggling between how to validate people's emotions and how to assure them of the promises of God? Join us as we explore the care of souls in a congregational context and the role that ruling elders and deacons play in that important work.

This event is provided for free for participants and is funded through your per capita dollars. It does not come without cost, however. Knowing the diversity of language within the PC(USA), this webinar will be provided in several languages with interpretation based on requests made through the registration process. As a result, there is a registration deadline of April 19, 2023, in order to be able to have time to arrange for those services. Advanced registration is not necessary for access to the recording which will be available in English following the event. 

This webinar will be led by Revs. Rachel Achtemeier Rhodes and Matt Rhodes. Rachel serves as Senior Pastor of Morrisville Presbyterian Church, outside of Philadelphia, and Matt has taught chaplains in Princeton as a Clinical Pastoral Educator with Penn Medicine Princeton Health. Together, Rachel and Matt Rhodes will lead a conversation about both the theoretical and practical realities of caring for one another in the church.

The North State Ecumenical Committee is planning and organizing this event in partnership with Lt. Brent (and his team) with SAC PD who is leading this event for the Police Department.

We are asking for VOLUNTEERS to work on event day and Monetary Donations to help with the gun surrender.

Please contact Nancy Disher, with any questions: njdisher@garlic.com

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 may be available for campers with financial need.

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.

North Central California Presbytery

5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA, 95608

www.nccpresby.org