September 2023
1969. January 28, 1969, the Santa Barbara Oil Spill of 1969 spewed an estimated 3 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean creating an oil spill 35 miles long along California’s coast, killing thousands of birds, fish and mammals. In the aftermath of the spill, President Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. It was an instant hit.
July 11, 1969. Phillips Records released David Bowie’s song, “Space Oddity” (about a fictional astronaut “Major Tom”) in conjunction with the expected launch of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Bowie had recorded the song just 3 days earlier.
July 20, 1969. Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin made the space flight, lunar landing and the safe return to earth during the Apolo 11 Mission. Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon was such an epochal event it was worthy of intense media coverage and international celebration.
August 15, 1969. Woodstock Music and Art Fair rocked a farm in upstate New York for 3 days. Billed as “An Aquarian Experience: 3 Days of Peace and Music”, it was attended by over 400,000 people. The epic event later would become synonymous with the counterculture movement of the 1960s.
February 3, 1969. The Session gave the Memorial Fund Committee permission to spend the undesignated funds to repair the floor and then put carpeting on one classroom upstairs. Father Lucas discussed the use of the old Catholic Church for a Teen Center. If that happens, his congregation would need to use part of our Education Building for their catechism classes on Mondays. No action was taken pending further information about the Teen Center. Elders Robert Hayes and William Feeney will be delegates to meet with the Esparto Unified School District to ask for additional funding to cover the costs of utilities, pro-rating of insurance, and other costs that we share for their use of our rooms.
March 3, 1969. Session recently learned that many churches have asked each member to pay his own per capita tax each year, which amounts to only $1.80, a small amount for an individual, but a large budget item when multiplied by 180 persons. It was decided to ask each person on our membership rolls to donate $3.60 to cover last year's tax as well as this year's tax. Session accepted a gift of a rug for use in the Christian Education Building from the Robert Hayes family and they approved the purchase of a sink for the Junior room of the building.
April 7, 1969. Session voted that the renters of the manse should be responsible for the manse’s water and sewer bill. The committee will meet with the school board to arrive at the 1969 rent due for the use of the Christian Education Building. Approved use of classroom space in the Christian Education Building for Saint Martin’s Parish Catechism classes. Approved contacting Guinda Methodist Church to work out worship services on April 20, 1969. Approved May 25, 1969, for the Church School Picnic.
August 4, 1969. The Pastor, the Rev. L. Don Smith presented a letter of resignation. On motion, the Session voted to accept his resignation, with regrets and recommend to the congregation that they concur with his request. The following resolution was adopted by the Session on the motion of Elder William Feeney. The Session wished to express their appreciation for the minister’s Christian presence, leadership, and guidance given to us during his time with us. They approved one-half month salary and allowances to Rev. L. Don Smith for September.
August 19, 1969. August Special Session. Approved the use of the Church School Building classroom by the Esparto School District for Special Education classes. The School District will provide custodian care and $10.00 monthly for utilities. A $500.00 rental fee was approved for the use of the room during the 1969-1970 school year. Approved use of the kindergarten room by the Head Start Program for the 1969-1970 school year. Custodian care and $10.00 monthly for utilities. The Head Start Program will install a tile floor, subject to Session approval as a maintenance to the building.
August 26, 1969. August Special Session. Called at the request of Presbytery Committee on the Minister and the Church of the Minister Relations Department of Presbytery of Sacramento. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss concerns raised by a delegation of members of Countryside Community Church to the chairman of the Department. A report was received by members of the Session from the delegation, but Session took no action on the report. Session voted to request that the Rev. H.B. McFadden be invited to fill the pulpit on a pulpit supply basis until Session meets in September at which time they can discuss a request for an Interim Pastor.
March 2, 1970. Session approved that the Easter Sunrise services will be at Monument Hill Memorial Park, Woodland. Approved to invite Winters Pioneer Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in Woodland to our Easter Sunrise Service. Approved Mary Anne Schaupp to fix breakfast for after the Easter Sunrise Service. Approved Jean Bonnet be appointed Clerk of Session and church secretary, at a rate of $2.00 per hour. Approximately 12 a week plus time spent at Session meetings. Approved to let the High School students use our office facilities for their newspaper, under the direction of Eleanor Durst. Approved to accept a painting from the Barbara Fredericks estate to hang in the church.
