October 2023
In 1937, because of the national “Dust Bowl” crisis, (when millions of acres of farmland were destroyed due to drought and erosion) the federal government passed legislation that established the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). To increase the ability to respond to specific local needs, the states formed “Soil Conservation Districts” that were controlled by local boards of directors. In California, Soil Conservation Districts began forming in the 1940s, and today there are 98 districts throughout the state. The first Soil Conservation District in Yolo County was formed in 1955, after which two others were formed. Those three districts (Western Yolo, Hungry Hollow and Capay Valley SCDs) consolidated in 1977 to form a single conservation district. In the early 1970s, these districts that were originally empowered to address soil and water issues, expanded their emphasis to also include “related resources” such as fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, restoration and the control of exotic plant species. This broadening of scope was reflected in the name change in 1971 from “Soil Conservation” to “Resource Conservation Districts.”
April 6, 1970, Session Minutes. A letter from Mrs. Helen Campbell asking permission to use the sanctuary for a piano recital. Session approved the request. Marriage: Lloyd Shane Whitfield and Colleen Marie Wanshop, March 21, 1970, in the church. Witnesses were Joseph Gallardo and Cynthia Wanshop. Baptism: On Maundy Thursday, March 26, 1970, Julie Eileen Rominger, born October 25, 1969, child of Gary LaVern and Rose Marie (Schmidt) Rominger. Funeral: Merlin J. Taber, Sr., March 20, 1970, in participation with the Masonic Lodge at the Capay Valley Cemetery, March 24, 1970. Moderator, Mr. Henry MacFadden (Interim Pastor) presented Mrs. Ellen Nellie (Powell) Lindberg, to be received into membership on reaffirmation of faith. Mr. MacFadden also presented Mrs. Jean Ann (Smith) Bonnet; Sue Alice Campbell, daughter of Henry and Helen Campbell; and Robert Jay Schaupp, son of Clarence and Mary Anne Schaupp, for membership on profession of faith. Session approved all of them.
June 1, 1970, Session Minutes. A letter from the Rev. Wilford C. Smith, Methodist minister of Guinda Church, concerning a common ministry for the Capay Valley. Elders of Guinda would like an answer to bring before their board. Will wait until further discussion from our congregation.
June 21, 1970, Special Session Meeting in the Sanctuary of the Church prior to regular Sunday Worship service. Purpose: Request of Baptist Mission Church to use Christian Education Building for their Vacation Bible School in July 1970. Session approved this request. A motion to have Mr. MacFadden write to Synod and Presbytery officials to get information about the possibility of developing a Capay Valley parish with the Methodist Church at Guinda and with the Seminary about Third level seminary student service. It was approved.
July 6, 1970, Session Minutes. A discussion was held with the Rev. Roy Runquist of the Mission Dept. of the Presbytery and the Rev. William Johnson of the Ministerial Relations Dept. of the Presbytery. It was a prolonged discussion and these men committed themselves to check into the possibility of a common Capay Valley Guinda Church. They will contact the Methodist Conference officials and will confer with the Seminary officials about securing a third level student to serve here. It being recognized that in either case it would take at least a year for details to be worked out.
July 26, 1970, Special Session Meeting. A request of EOC to use our building for a childcare center for children of working parents. It would be six days a week from 6:30am to 6:30pm. The program would be administered under the direction of Yolo County Schools. It was moved to table the request until the August 3rd meeting. A motion was made to give the EOC permission to use rooms for a childcare center until the regular session meeting. Motion was approved.
August 3, 1970, Session Minutes. Eleanor Durst asked to use the basement to store food for the Yolo Volunteer Bureau and to let Mr. Pablo Galvan have a key to the basement door. Request approved. Eleanor Durst also asked for a room for the Laubauch Literary classes, August 28, 7-10pm and August 29, 9-4pm. Request approved. Session approved the use of rooms in the Christian Education building for Head Start, Educational Handicapped class, and EOC childcare center, if asked for.
September 6, 1970, Special Session Meeting. A request from the County Superintendent of Schools to build a fence around the Christian Education Building for the Childcare Center. A motion was made to allow installation of permanent fencing at the east end and south end and temporary fencing on the north, providing the fence is compatible with our building. The details were assigned to Trustees to work with the Superintendent of Schools office. Motion approved.
March 1, 1971, Session Minutes. David Herbst reported that he, Mike Warren and Phil Arellano conducted the morning service in our sanctuary on Sunday,
February 28, 1971. Session voted to present David Herbst’s name as a Youth Observer at the General Assembly in Syracuse, N.Y. in May 1971.
May 3, 1971, Session Minutes. The motion was made and approved for the Trustees re-roof the manse when the present renters move out. It was suggested the Trustees also examine the floors in the sanctuary. Rev. MacFadden reported that the Baccalaureate Service will be in the Catholic Church on June 6. Rev. MacFadden will deliver the sermon and Mr. Robertson and Mr. Akins will assist, with Father Lucas in charge.
Rev. MacFadden suggested we have a “Come as you are” service at 11:30am on the 4th Sunday of each of the summer months, and that the 3rd Sunday in each month be planned by the young people of the church. He also requested he be released on Sunday, August 22 to be in Placerville that day. A motion for all three suggestions was made and approved. A motion was made and approved to elect Jean Errington as Clerk of Session.
