February 2024

1974. President Richard Nixon resigned the Presidency on August 8, 1974 amid threats of impeachment regarding his Watergate involvement. He was succeeded by Vice President Gerald Ford. On September 8, 1974 President Ford granted “a full, free and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed.” Shortly after the announcement, Richard Nixon accepted the pardon, publicly acknowledging his guilt in the Watergate cover-up. Jerry Brown was Secretary of State of California and was instrumental in the passing of the Political Reform Act in the June 1974 election. California was the first state to pass a comprehensive political reform package in the aftermath of Watergate.

In the summer of 1973, a pilot program of four members of a Woodland family opened and ran a home for adults with developmental disabilities as a 6 week pilot program to determine the success and feasibility of group home living for people with disabilities. On March 1, 1974, a rented single-family home was a home for up to five residents, but was not suitable for both men and women. A non-profit corporation called Summer House was formed in November 1974. In December the corporation purchased a four-plex, which has been remodeled many times over the 50 years to create 12 private bedrooms for individuals. Summer House has initiated an Independent Living Program, a Supported Living Program and in July 1993 a second residence was opened in Davis. Today Summer House supports 75 people with developmental disabilities in Yolo County.

Special Congregational Meeting on March 10, 1974. The congregation voted to add the following to the Articles of Corporation papers: “The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to charitable or religious purposes, and upon liquidation, dissolution or abandonment of the owner, after providing for the debts and obligations thereof, the remaining assets will not inure to the benefit of any private person but will be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable or religious purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under Section 501 ( c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. There were 22 persons eligible to vote. The 22 voted unanimously to incorporate this Article into the church’s Articles of Corporation. The meeting was closed with prayer by the Moderator, William Gearhart.

November 19, 1974. Session Meeting. Mrs. Linnea Herger and Mrs. Janice Lopez presented the future plans for a Community Nursery Center in Esparto. They requested the use of the two lower classrooms in the Christian Education building. They also requested the possibility of enlarging the play area by including the lawn area of the Manse. The consensus was to not enlarge the play area, it would make the yard area too small for the Tenants of the Manse. The Session voted to grant them the use of the two rooms for a period of one year and to have the Trustees arrange an agreement for compensation for use of the rooms and utilities. The church will bear no responsibility for supplies, material or furnishings.

December 17, 1974. Session Meeting. Study Period. A motion was made to discontinue study period during session meetings except for church business related matters. The motion was defeated by a majority. The vote was three no, two yes, and 3 not voting. The topic for study was the question of the church’s responsibility in the Farm Workers Movement. A discussion of the pros and cons of why the church should or should not become involved was the main topic. Changes in the church’s attitude were noted and suggestions received as to how to influence this more recent openness.

February 18, 1975. Session Meeting. Rev. Gearhart presided with Ruling Elders Jean Errington, Jim Durst, Gerry Warren, Dean Aune, Everett Lisle, Bonnie Feeney, Clarence Schaupp, Elinor Parker and Kenton Keithley. Rev. John Reimers was also present. Rev. Gearhart announced his decision to retire from the ministry and resign as pastor of the church. This came as a great shock to the Session and with deep regret. The Session voted to accept Mr. Gearhart’s resignation with deep regret and a deep appreciation for the past relationship with the congregation and the community. Rev. Reimers spent time on the procedure the Session should take in dissolving the relationship and steps to be taken in calling a new pastor. Mr. Reimers will meet with the Session again. Use of Building: the following recommendations were submitted: a) Private use of church facilities - the sanctuary, social hall, and other facilities of the church may be used by private parties for such things as weddings provided that such use is first approved by the session. b) All private parties who use any facilities shall be liable for clean-up with a fee of up to $25 per room, if the room requires cleaning; and shall also be liable for full payment of breakage or damages caused. c) Use fees shall be charged as follows: $15 for sanctuary only; $25 for social hall and kitchen; $35 for sanctuary, social hall and kitchen; $20 for social hall only; $15 for a room in the education building. d) Use fees may be waived by the session for regular active members of the church and for friends of the church who are donors of record for two out of the past five years. e) All users including members are liable for clean-up and damages. f) Users may not serve alcoholic beverages and will be subject to other terms of the session’s approval. The Session voted to accept the recommendations as the policy for use of church facilities. Jim Durst told Session of his plans to go to the Marshall Islands. The Session voted to accept the resignation of Jim Durst with regret of his leaving, but also wished him well in his new experiences.

February 25, 1975. Special Meeting. The purpose was for the dissolution of Rev. Gearhart’s duties as pastor. Rev. John Reimers as acting Moderator. The Session voted to accept the resignation of the Rev. Wm. W. Gearhart as of April 30, 1975. The last 3 weeks of April will be his vacation. He plans to retire from the ministry on May 1, 1975. The Session voted to call a special Congregational meeting on March 6, 1975 immediately following the 11:00am service of worship. The Rev. John Reimers will act as Moderator. The purpose of the meeting will be to present the resignation of Rev. Gearhart as pastor of Countryside Community Church to the congregation to act upon thereto. The Session voted on the final plans for the retreat to be held on March 9, 1975 from 3 to 5 pm, ending with a meal. The Rev. Burt Smyth of Synod and the Rev. Ed Higgins from the Sacramento Religious House, have been invited to act as leaders of the retreat. The Session and members of the congregation are urged and requested to attend. The retreat will be centered around “What things that have to be done during this period of change of pastor and the ongoing work of the church”. Lucille Gearhart, Elva Lisle, Mary Anne Schaupp and Jean Errington will arrange for the meal. The Session voted to call for election of a nominating committee for 1975 at the special Congregational meeting on March 16. Five persons are needed from the congregation at large and two persons appointed from the Session. Dean Aune and Bonnie Feeney have been appointed from Session and Dean Aune will serve as chairman. The Session voted to call for election of Ruling Elder at the March 16 Congregational meeting to fill the vacancy of the resignation of Jim Durst. There being no further business, the Session closed with prayer by the Rev. Wm. Gearhart.

March 16, 1975. Special Congregation Meeting. Rev. Gearhart invited the Rev. John Reimers, pastor of the Pioneer Presbyterian Church of Winters and a member of the Ministerial Relations committee of Sacramento Presbytery to act as Moderator. Twenty-five persons were present, which constituted a quorum. The call for the meeting was in order. Order of business: Mr. Wm. W. Gearhart requested the official dissolution of his relationship as pastor of Countryside Community Church effective on April 30, 1975 due to his wishes to retire from the ministry. The members voted to concur in the request for the dissolution of the pastoral relationship of the Rev. William W. Gearhart effective on April 30, 1975. The members voted Joe Bradshaw and Lyndol Cunningham to be representatives of the congregation at the next presbytery meeting on March 22, 1975, to present to presbytery the action of the congregation and to present the Rev. Wm. W. Gearhart’s wishes to retire from the ministry, which necessitates the steps of dissolution. All business pertaining to the pastor being concluded, the balance of the meeting was under the direction of our Moderator, Rev. Gearhart. Other business: Election of new Ruling Elder to replace Jim Durst. Mr. Lyndol Cunningham was nominated and elected by acclamation. Nominations were opened for five persons as members of the 1975 nominating committee for church officers and elders. Nominations were: Alice Marsh, Ruth McGinnis, Rose Russell, Floris Mast, and Alice Stephens. The members voted nominations to be closed and those nominated were elected by unanimous vote. With no other business announced at this time, the meeting was adjourned by vote and closed with prayer. Jean Errington, Clerk of Session.