June 2024

1979. The International Year of the Child.

January - President Jimmy Carter proposes Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, January 15th, as a federal holiday. President Carter also announced he was awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to anthropologist Margaret Mead.

July 2, 1979. The Susan B. Anthony dollar was issued. It was the first U.S. coin to honor a woman.

October 17, 1979. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2003 Pope John Paul 11 bestowed the title ‘blessed’ to her. In 2016 Pope Francis canonized her and in 2017, she was declared co-patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Calcutta at a Mass in the city.

January 9, 1979. Session Meeting. Memorial Fund Report. The Session voted to accept a check in the amount of $300.00 from the Fund as reimbursement for the ramp that was completed in October. Mr. Springer requested that the monies given to the Fund in memory of Brenda Springer, his wife, be used for the ramp project. Session voted the following: that the ramp be dedicated in the Memory of Rev. Brenda Springer and that a plaque be placed in an appropriate place. The Sacramento Presbytery is forming a committee to set up a fund in the memory of the Rev. Springer and would like to have a representative from this church. The Session voted to have Bill Rominger or Betty Koeppen act as representative.

May 8, 1979. Session Meeting. Pastor’s Report. Rev. Reimers suggested some areas that could be considered for the church’s financial problems: 1. Goal to seek financial stability by - a. Presenting a detailed program of stewardship; b. Stressing tithing; c. Seeking cost of operation. 2. To have a part-time pastor - a. To seek a tent-making pastor; b. To combine with another church; c. to have a part-time supply pastor. Rev. Reimers reminded the Session he would only be here through June. Session approved for Mr. Reimers to inquire about a replacement for himself. Dean Aune presented plans for an awning that would help remove the problem of rainwater standing on the upper deck of the CE building. The cost would be approximately $200. Mr. Herbst has agreed to donate the steel needed for the project. Session voted for Dean to go ahead with the plans and project. The men of the church will install the awning. Church school will close for the summer on May 27th. Vacation Bible School will be held June 11 - 22. A communicant class will start on May 13th at 9:30 a.m. by Rev. Reimers. Rev. Reimers will also lead a class on the history of the Bible. Bill Rominger reported that the church information form has been completed and mailed to the proper parties. He stated that the financial condition of the church makes it difficult to consider a full-time pastor. He stated that Sacramento Presbytery suggested a person who might be considered and would come for two thirds salary. The Pastor Seeking Committee will seek dossiers for evaluation.

May 14, 1979. Special Session Meeting. The purpose was to meet with the Pastor Seeking Committee to discuss the sharing of a pastor with the Guinda Church. Information had been received through the Bishop of the district superintendent of the Methodist Church, Arthur Thurman, that there was a possibility that this would be agreeable. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Reimers. Ruling Elders present were Lloyd Rominger, Mary Anne Schaupp, Lonnie Barr, Bill Rominger, Edith Haynes, Lea Hall, Vernia Bahlman, and Joe Bradshaw. Pastor Seeking Committee members present were Betty Koeppen, Jean Errington, Jim Durst, Janet Hayes, Bill Rominger, and Mary Anne Schaupp. Bill Rominger presented the information on sharing a pastor with the Guinda Church. He had discussed this with Boyd Stockdale and Leroy Runquist of the Sacramento Presbytery. After some discussion, the Session voted for Bill Rominger to investigate what the people in the Guinda Church thought about the sharing of a Presbyterian minister. Bill will report back his findings to Session.

June 12, 1979. Session Meeting. Rev. Reimers moderating. Teachers for Vacation Bible School are Joe Bradshaw, Diana Bair, Margaret Johnson, Linda Bolhoeffer, and Pat Hayes. Dee Ann Johnson in charge of refreshments and Mrs. E. Lisle of music. Baccalaureate service for the high school was attended by 17 seniors and their families and friends. Lea Hall did an excellent job on the program. Session voted the dedication of the ramp will be June 24th at the regular worship hour. The following persons will be asked to participate: Jeanne Han, Schell Han, Zack Springer, Jean Errington, Rose Russell and Ruth McGinnis. Lea Hall will contact the Woodland Democrat for publicity. Pastor Seeking Committee: Bill Rominger reported on the meeting with the Guinda people. Their congregation will be meeting on June 17th to make a decision on sharing a pastor. They stated that the most they could contribute toward a pastor’s salary would be about $5,000. It was the consensus of the Session members that the Pastor Seeking Committee continue the sharing of a pastor with Guinda. Bill will contact the proper person in the Sacramento Presbytery to work out the details. Rev. Reimers requested a day-off in the last week of June. He will see about pulpit supply persons for the month of July. He also stated that time has about ended for him here at CCC. Since there was no other business, the meeting closed with prayer. Jean Errington, Clerk of Session.

December 16, 1979. Special Congregational Meeting. The meeting was opened by the moderator, Rev. John Reimers, in the sanctuary immediately following the worship hour. The purpose of the meeting was to present the call of the Rev. James McClane as pastor. A quorum was present. Since the call also requires that he will serve the Guinda Methodist Church, their membership was present to vote. Both congregations were present during the worship hour to hear as Rev. McClane preached the Sunday sermon. The Pastor Seeking Committee reported that it was their unanimous vote to recommend Rev. McClane to the congregation. A motion was made and seconded to vote on the call of the Rev. McClane. A count of qualified members of Countryside Community Church to vote was 34. The vote was a written ballot. The membership of Guinda Methodist Church also voted. The vote to call Rev. McClane was reported by the tellers as follows: Countryside voted 30 yes, 1 no, 2 abstaining. Guinda had 10 yes votes. When the votes had been announced, the Rev. Howard Thurman, district superintendent for the Methodist Church for this area, announced the appointment of Rev. McClane to the Guinda Church pastorate. This is consistent with their form of government. The Rev. Reimers presented the Rev. McClane as our called pastor for the Countryside Community Church. He will begin as our pastor on January 15, 1980. The call is to be signed by the authorized persons of CCC and then Rev. McClane’s name will be sent to the Sacramento Presbytery M.R. Committee for confirmation. The Pastor Seeking Committee was commended for their work and were then dismissed. The meeting was closed with prayer by Rev. Reimers. Coffee hour followed the meeting. Respectfully submitted, Jean Errington, Clerk