Greetings Easter People—Members and Friends of Bethany Presbyterian Church!
As I’ve shared with some of you, a phrase I heard recently is a helpful way of describing our faith—we seek to work at the speed of God’s discernment and intentions. Let’s be honest, though. It is very difficult to trust and to wait! After lots of prayer, lots of seeking God’s people for the tasks of your Administrative Commission, Council has appointed the following persons:
Ruling Elder Dave Studer, Carmichael PC
Ruling Elder William Yee, Parkview PC
Minister of the Word and Sacrament Dexter McNamara, Elk Grove New Church Development
Ruling Elder Maurine Huang, Parkview PC
Ruling Elder Ron Johnson, Federated—Placerville
This information, per the Book of Order, will be shared at Saturday’s regular Presbytery meeting. After I meet with the AC for an orientation, they will introduce themselves to you and let you know how to communicate with them. Other people in the presbytery, including myself, will be assisting at various points upon request of the AC. As stated in March with some of your leaders, no significant changes or decisions are to be made until then. If a significant matter needs the attention of persons with authority before the AC is fully in place, you can contact me or:
Executive Presbyter Karen Sapio
Alice Sundquist, Chair of Vitality in Ministry
Sharyl Stevens, Chair of Congregational Vitality
Once the AC introduces themselves to you, they function as your Session. They will use a variety of ways to listen to your ideas and feelings about the way forward. They will share with you, too—particularly best practices and the Book of Order. Alice and Sharyl will drop out of their role with you. All of you, Karen and I will be guided in our work by the AC and will communicate with them. All questions, concerns, joys and offerings of help are to be directed to the AC.
Being in an in-between time is very difficult. As Easter People, continue to open yourselves to God’s healing power through Christ in any broken or wounded relationships and be gracious to one another as God continually is gracious with you. Continue to pray for one another and for the wise people on the new AC. Listen for God’s word to you in worship, fellowship, nature and service.
This AC’s purpose is to guide you, if the way be clear, into being a spiritually grounded small church that uses best practices for small churches and which functions within the parameters of the Book of Order. The presbytery is providing you the support needed to make those shifts in a timely manner. Part of the hope we all share is that these changes will strengthen your relationship with God and help you relate with one another with mutual respect.
Christ is here! This is Eastertide! You are Easter People!
Jeri Viera Dahlke
North Central California Presbytery Stated Clerk
