Northern California Conference

Lodi Academy

PHOTO: JOHN SILVESTRI

Rio Lindo Adventist Academy

NCC Members Creatively Adapt to the “New Normal”

By Julie Lorenz

Although many scheduled plans have been canceled or changed due to the ongoing pandemic, people throughout the Northern California Conference have responded to the challenge with creativity and resourcefulness.

Antioch - Hilltop Christian School

Adapting to public health requirements, the school enthusiastically celebrated its eighthgrade graduates in person and online. Principal Mekey Lepulu, teachers, and staff visited the 10 graduates at their homes, holding a mini-graduation

Hilltop Christian School

service for each one. In addition to a diploma, each student received a poster to place in the front yard, as well as a cake, sparkling cider, and gift cards. The school also held an online commencement service for the class. “We care about the students and miss them,” said Sherry Starr, the school’s administrative assistant. “We wanted them to have a beautiful and meaningful graduation.”

Hilltop also hosted a drive-through

Humboldt Bay Christian School

kindergarten graduation. “I was just so happy to be able to give my kids a memorable graduation and to be able to see them in person again!” said Liliana Samuel, kindergarten teacher.

Eureka - Humboldt Bay Christian School

About 20 people attended the school’s outdoor eighth-grade graduation, sitting in family groups at picnic tables. The three graduates gave speeches and listened to a challenge from Eureka/Orleans district Pastor Roger Williams. Afterward, they enjoyed personalized cakes with their families. “We really wanted to honor our graduates during this time of crisis,” said Teaching Principal Ruthanne Altsman.

Grizzly Flats - Leoni Meadows Christian Camp

Although Leoni Meadows cannot host camp this summer, the staff

Leoni Meadows Christian Camp

has another plan for ministry—an enormous garden. In late spring they planted 2,600 feet of corn and 1,000 feet of squash and pumpkins in the same garden space the Leoni family used more than 100 years ago. This fall, the camp will be able to provide hundreds, if not thousands, of ears of corn and squash to community members in need. “Even if Leoni can’t have guests in the usual way, we can still be a ministry of blessing to others,” said Craig Heinrich, executive director.

Healdsburg - Rio Lindo Adventist Academy

Instead of a traditional class gift, Rio’s Class of 2020 gave the gift of education. The senior class funded three substantial scholarships for next school year to assist students whose families have been financially impacted by the public health crisis. “I am really proud of our seniors for thinking of the idea and overwhelmingly voting for a class gift that will continue their legacy by helping out their fellow students,” said Denise Tonn, one of the class sponsors.

Lodi - Lodi Academy

Social distancing didn't stop the school from giving its seniors a memorable send-off during the first NCC graduation service this year. The ceremonies took place on the field, with an enormous screen displaying what was happening on stage for family members sitting in

PHOTO: MARKET STREET URBAN MINISTRY

Market Street Church

their vehicles. The seniors marched down the field and later took turns walking on stage to be congratulated by Principal John Winslow—without shaking hands.

“The day was just an outstanding team effort on the part of a number of parents, class sponsors, class officers, and the staff,” said Winslow. “They created a wonderful spiritual celebration of the seniors' high school accomplishments.”

Oakland - Market Street Church

On Mother’s Day, even in the midst of the pandemic, members of the church’s urban ministry remembered the mothers that people often forget. They prepared 30 gift baskets for homeless women. Each basket—containing lotion, slippers, nail clippers, a hairbrush, snacks, and other useful items—was attractively wrapped and came with an encouraging handmade card reminding them that their present situation is not their destiny.

Church elders Beverly Thompson and Donna King distributed the baskets, along with lunches, and prayed for each woman. “We told them, ‘You were born with a purpose and bought with a price by the blood of Jesus. Jesus loves you and so do we,’” said Thompson, who heads the church’s urban ministry.

The ministry also gave Walmart gift cards to mothers in shelters who have been victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence. In addition, they purchased a number of baby items for one expectant mother.

“During a time when people are running away from homeless people, somebody has to run to them,” said Thompson. “We want to let them know that God still cares for them despite what is going on around them.”

Rocklin - Gracepoint Church

Instead of their usual spring campout, the Gracepoint church’s Adventurer Club held a “camp-in.” Club leaders and parents endeavored to make the weekend as much like a real camping trip as possible. Families slept in tents in their backyards, prepared camp food, and took nature walks. They gathered together via Zoom for a Friday evening vespers and a Sabbath afternoon program, where they worked on the Nature A to Z award and played online charades. “The experience made me remember that we’re all together as God’s family—here to encourage and fellowship with each other even during this pandemic,” said club director Janis Koh.

The event was a fun and reassuring time for the children. “It made me feel less lonely during quarantine,” said nine-year-old Kylie.

“What I appreciated the most was that we all got together and shared love,” said Alex, age seven.

Ten-year-old Zach agreed: “The camp-in helped me realize that we have people that we can trust and go to during quarantine—friends, family, and God.”

Gracepoint Church

NCC Membership Assistance Fund Steps up to Help Families

By NCC Communication & Development Department

Northern California Conference President Marc Woodson and Director of Communication and Development Laurie Trujillo discuss the NCC Membership Assistance Fund.

What is the Membership Assistance Fund?

Woodson: We heard from local pastors that many church members are struggling to cover basic human needs because they have been unemployed for a number of months due to the pandemic. In May, the other executive officers and I voted to establish the fund. Its goal is to provide up to $100 in cash assistance to Adventist households in need of immediate support in our region. We recognize that we can’t remove our members’ burden, but we can come alongside them and help carry it by offering financial support.

How are the funds distributed?

Woodson: As a collaborative effort, the local church pastor or leader will identify families in their congregations and request up to $100 per family. Once the request is approved, the pastor will distribute the assistance directly to the families.

What does the conference learn about the families?

Trujillo: The conference doesn’t learn the names or anything personal about the families. To develop our donor reports, we are capturing the total number of households served, total number of family members in the household, and total amount of assistance sought.

Who funds the project?

Trujillo: The fund is completely supported by donations to the conference. We have asked potential donors to make a gift of $100 to assist one family household. Of course, the donor can choose to make a gift of any size.

What new things are you doing with this project?

Trujillo: We are following established development protocols. Key components include confidentiality, stewardship, transparency, and accountability. For example, every donor is thanked within 48 hours of a donation, and they’ll receive an impact report once we reach our goal. For consistent transparency, we continually run stories in “Northern Lights,” the official news source of the NCC.

How have people responded to your request for support?

Trujillo: Since our initial goal is to serve 200 families, we need to raise $20,000. So far, I have been inspired by 44 dedicated and compassionate givers. Moreover, every NCC executive officer has voluntarily made a personal contribution. As of mid-June, donors have given $13,520, and—as the result of a very committed donor— every dollar has been matched, for a total of $27,040, which will help 270 families. One donor expressed that she was happy the NCC was stepping up and thankful to be part of this effort. Because of attitudes like this, we have surpassed our initial goal. We will continue raising support and distributing it to the local churches as long as funds are available and the need still exists.

Any final words?

Woodson: Please remember to return your tithe and support your local church. Also, we want to help our schools, which have done such a fantastic job of educating our students during this difficult time. In addition, our NCC ministries have been adapting to our current challenges to bring many closer to Christ. Let’s keep all of these in prayer and support them as well.

Trujillo: We ask that every person pray and let God lead their hearts. A statement from Ellen White really hits home for me: “In the providence of God events have been so ordered … that there may be a constant exercise in the human heart of the attributes of mercy and love. [People are] to cultivate the tenderness and compassion of Christ” (The Signs of the Times, June 13, 1892).

“One donor expressed that she was happy the NCC was stepping up and thankful to be part of this effort.”

Fairfield

NCC Members

PHOTO: GINA GLASS Call for Justice By Julie Lorenz

In early June, Northern California Conference church members, pastors, and leaders responded to racism in the country and in the church. “I’m proud to belong to a church that stands up to injustice,” said President Marc Woodson. “In June, our conference statement urged church members to engage their community with compassion, while bravely speaking out against racism, injustice, violence, and hatred.”

Stockton

Three churches marched together in Stockton: Mayfair, Pittsburg, and Valley Community. “The churches thought it was important that the Adventist church join the community to express God’s demand for justice and His power to heal,” said Gregory Johnson, pastor of the Valley Community church, which spearheaded the event.

“We recognize that silence in the face of injustice is participation in injustice,” said Rudy Peters, Mayfair church pastor. “It was a welcome change to hear our members chanting for justice and peace and affirming the vitality and importance of Black lives.”

Others joined the Stockton march, including African American Ministries Coordinator/Urban Ministries Director Willie Johnson. “We marched sharing Micah 6:8 on our signs: ‘Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God,’” he said. “It felt good to protest peacefully and hear all the positive reactions from the people of Stockton as we marched together—Seventh-day Adventists for justice.”

Lodi

Lodi English Oaks church Senior Pastor Bob Mason also participated in a protest in his city. “I recognized that so many of my fellow Americans could not help but feel that knee on

Stockton

PHOTO: STEWART SMITH

their own necks as they watched [the video of George Floyd],” he wrote on his Facebook page. “And I realized that loving my neighbor as myself means that I must let myself feel it along with them and say the words: Black lives matter.”

Fairfield

Fairfield Community and Vallejo Central church members held a prayer walk for justice—from a Fairfield city park to the steps of the Solano County Superior Court. “I think Christ is waiting for his church to unite and eliminate structures that were put in place by racism of old but we keep up because we are afraid of change,” wrote Fairfield Community church Pastor Chris Estay on his Facebook page.

NCC Office NCC office

On June 1, the NCC headquarters opened its doors for the first time since mid-March. At noon, the employees gathered outside for a short prayer service, asking God for healing and peace in the country and throughout the world.

Online roundtable

On June 13, the Stockton Mayfair church hosted an online discussion titled “Crucial Conversations.” Led by Peters, the roundtable included Pacific Union Conference President Ricardo Graham, Woodson, Johnson, Ministerial Director Jim Lorenz, and a number of NCC pastors. The participants discussed racism, specifically how it exhibits itself in the church.

Graham encouraged everyone to speak out against systemic injustice. “The mandate to really love as Jesus loved must transcend all barriers and must result in unity of purpose,” he said. He went on to encourage pastors and leaders: “You must not only teach what Jesus would do; you must do what Jesus did.”