Installed as Moderator of the Presbytery of San Diego for 2005 was Dick Berry, center, an elder at First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon, site of the January meeting of Presbytery. At his side was the new Vice Moderator, Rev. Jack Baca of Rancho Santa Fe Village Community Presbyterian Church. Rev. Jan Cook, retiring Moderator, officiated. Berry’s son, Rev. Thomas Berry, currently a pastor in Arizona, made a heart-felt statement of encouragement for his father.

Dick earned an engineering degree at Lafayette College when it was still closely affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. This was followed by a Master's degree in geophysics and a PhD in geochemistry/mineralogy.

After a long, slow, sometimes difficult faith journey, he fully accepted Christ as Lord and Savior when he became a member of the West Hartford (Connecticut) Presbyterian Church in the late 1950's. Dick arrived in San Diego in 1961 and transferred his membership to Faith (then College Park) Presbyterian Church. where he was ordained as an Elder and served as Clerk of Session.

The ensuing 40 years were a time of growth, intellectually as a professor and scientific researcher, and spiritually as a Christian active in the Presbytery, first of Los Angeles and later when it became San Diego. He remains active in the Presbyterian Church, at El Cajon First (where he is a member), at Presbytery and at General Assembly.

Dick has three sons (one of them a Presbyterian Pastor) and two step-daughters. His wife JoAnne and he share 11 grandchildren.

Jack Baca, senior pastor at Village Community Presbyterian Church, Rancho Santa Fe, was born and reared in Socorro, a small town south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico (history major) in 1978, his Master of Divinity (preaching concentration) from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1982, and his Doctor of Ministry degree at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Jack's first call to ministry was as associate pastor of Woodhaven Presbyterian Church in Irving, Texas. From there he became an associate at First Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque, and then senior pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona. In September of 1998, Jack assumed the senior pastorate of the Village Church.

In addition to his experience with the local church, he has served on numerous presbytery and synod committees, as a national board member and vice-president of Presbyterians for Renewal, and as a commissioner and committee moderator at the 205th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Jack and his wife, Helen, have four children: Amanda, Robert, Heather, and Rebecca. He enjoys, but is not necessarily good at, golf. He and Helen love to entertain and travel.

The year of...Stephen? You may think I’ve totally lost my mind. The Stephen who was the first martyr of the early church? The Stephen who presented a powerful message in defense of the faith in the shadow of the temple in Jerusalem (Acts 7)? The Stephen who was stoned to death as Saul looked on with approval (Acts 7:54-8:1)?

Yes, that Stephen. Maybe I have lost my mind. Maybe not.

The first reformation in the church occurred not with Martin Luther but with...Stephen. As frightened and dismayed disciples stood on the edge of a pit and watched their new and powerful leader stoned to death, a radical shift was occurring in the life of the church.

The church stood on the edge of an uncertain future, and they ran for their lives—right into the mission field. The sovereign scattering of the gospel was underway. Nothing could stop it. Nothing ever will.

Stephen represents a “hinge” in the life of the early church. His message was radical—it led to reformation. On one side of Stephen stands a temple. Solomon, the Son of David, originally built a physical temple, for a particular people, in which God dwelled. That temple represented a regulatory religious life. On the other side of Stephen stands another temple. Jesus Christ, the Son of David, is building an invisible temple, for all people, in which God dwells. With Stephen’s death, the church was transformed from a regulatory institution into a relational organism, taking the gospel into all the world.

Stephen represents the ending of the “TEMPLE MINDSET.” We in the PC(USA) are standing on the edge of an uncertain future. The decrease in unrestricted giving to the General Assembly, synods, and presbyteries is resulting in the dismantling of budgets, programs, and staff. Many are frightened and dismayed. The landscape of the denomination is changing in radical ways. Sound familiar? Maybe we are standing on the edge of reformation. The old, topdown, temple mindset is crumbling. But a new, bottom-up, missional mindset is developing.

Stephen represents the beginning of the “MISSIONAL MINDSET.” Presbyteries and local congregations are beginning to discuss creative ways of working together in collaborative efforts for mission and evangelism. In the coming year, we in San Diego will have the opportunity to participate in a number of those collaborative efforts: tsunami disaster relief; a partnership with San Diego Habitat for Humanity; the complete decentralization of Military Outreach Ministries and the Arabic speaking fellowship; and a future collaborative ministry with the Afar in Africa.

In response to the guidance of the Long Range Planning Task Force, we will also focus on developing healthy congregations, creating new church developments, and fostering church revitalization. We will introduce new ways for pastors and churches to deepen their relationships with one another in meaningful ways. An exciting relational connectionalism is beginning to surface in our midst. It is a reformation happening from the bottom up.

Stephen’s gift to the church is the doctrine of the invisible church. He was right. The Most High God doesn’t live in a temple made with human hands (Acts 7:48). The temple no longer has a street address. It is invisible. So is the presbytery. In this reformation year of Stephen, may his life and death lead us deeper into relationship with each other as we, together, take the gospel into the world.

Andy Smith

Growing discontent with how money sent by the Presbytery of San Diego to the General Assembly Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Louisville is spent has resulted in two key votes at the January Presbytery meeting. Commissioners voted to approve two separate motions.

The first will see the Presbytery retaining all funds designated for Shared Mission, rather than sending a share of those funds to GA and Synod. This action was on recommendation of the Budget Property and Finance Committee in an effort to balance the 2005 Budget. $47,000 was retained for local missions. It was pointed out that local churches already designated $300,000 to Synod and General Assenmbly

The second motion, made by the session of Graham Memorial Church, Coronado, will allow the Presbytery to not make up any shortfalls in per capita. Under prior rules, the Presbytery would pay for any church that was unable or unwilling to contribute its per capita assessment to GA and Synod.

John Pearson recently retired from Presbytery as CFO/Treasurer. John came to the Presbytery in March 1996, and retired this December. He plans to visit all the nation’s national parks. Presbytery presented him with a large framed map of the U. S. so he could keep all his travels recorded on it with push pins.

Debbie Clauson, currently Controller of the Presbytery and a member of Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, has been named to succeed Pearson and handle the duties of CFO/Treasurer.

In response to a call by Executive Presbyter Andy Smith and David Whitmoyer, chair of Presbytery Council, $94,000 in donations has been contributed to the tsunami relief effort through PC(USA) Disaster Relief. “The presbytery...will forward 100 percent of all monies received to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA)” to provide aid to the millions of people and thousands of villages and towns in the 12 nations affected by the Dec. 26 tsunami, the two presbytery officials stated. They also assured local Presbyterians that PDA will distribute at least 95 percent of all monies that body receives directly to the survivors most in need.

Those who still wish to donate to the relief effort through the presbytery can make checks payable to the Presbytery of San Diego and write “tsunami relief” on the memo line.

Smith and Whitmoyer noted that in the aftermath of the October 2003 fires that devastated large areas of the county, PDA (a denominational entity) contributed $85,000 to the presbytery’s efforts to minister to those affected by the disaster. “Presbyterians all over the country responded graciously with financial contributions to help us walk beside those displaced by the fires,” they said. “How wonderful it would be for the Presbytery of San Diego to return the favor and give back to the PDA.”

The Presbytery’s Evangelism Committee and the Committee on Ministry, in a joint recommendation, recommended that the Presbytery approve the position of “Designated Associate Pastor for Arabic Ministries” at the Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church (RBCPC) effective January 1, 2005. The Rev. Dr. Mofid Wasef was named to fill this three-quarter time position. The Arabic New Church Development, which was housed on the RBCPC campus but administratively independent, was dissolved effective December 31, 2004.

An Arabic New Church Development project was established by the Presbytery of San Diego approximately nine years ago and Dr. Wasef was hired to develop this ministry. Since that time he has been a member of the Presbytery staff but has served on-site at the RBCPC and under the direction of their Mission Pastor. This new relationship will allow Rev. Wasef to be a full participant of the session of RBCPC and his congregation eligible for membership in RBCPC. Pastor Wasef will transition from an NCD pastor to a Designated Associate.

Stated Clerk Linda Therien reports receipt of grants totalling more than $33,600. Presbyterian Crisis Center received a grant of $5,851.00 from Las Patronas for the purchase of a computer system and software. In addition, the Presbytery received a grant of $10,000 from the Frances Hamilton White Donor Advised Fund at the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation. At year-end, Military Outreach Ministries received a grant of $10,000 from the North County Times and $7762 from the Combined Federal Campaign.

Rev. Hap Brahams, a retired pastor who formerly served at La Jolla Presbyterian Church, has accepted the invitation of the Valley Presbyterian Church, Paradise Valley, Ariz, to serve as Temporary Supply Pastor and moderator of session. His membership has been transferred from San Diego Presbytery to Presbytery of the Grand Canyon.

Rev. Dr. Charles Hammond, a former executive presbyter and a former moderator of General Assembly, has been appointed Part-time Stated Supply to serve at La Jolla Presbyterian Church.

San Diego Presbytery Moderator Dick Berry played tour host to PCUSA Vice Moderator Rev. Jean Marie Peacock on Friday, January 21. She was in San Diego for a Self Development of People meeting.

Expressing interest in immigrant ministries -- particularly Hispanic -- and any associated youth activities/programs, she was taken to meet with Rev. Galdino Don Juan who heads the Hispanic ministry at Solana Beach, and with Chris Yanov, director of Reality Changers at Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana in San Diego.

"I chose only the two stops so that Jean Marie could have somewhat relaxed visits and not feel too rushed while seeing two remarkably contrasting styles of immigrant ministries that we have within our Presbytery," explained Berry, adding that Peacock has been actively involved with Hispanic ministries in the past.

Don Juan gave her a tour of Solana Beach's campus with emphasis on the space dedicated to his Hispanic ministry.

On the way to Iglesia, Berry explained that a similar model for immigrant ministry is in place with the Arabic-speaking ministry at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church. "We also talked about the Sudanese American Fellowship New Church Development and its relationship to Faith Presbyterian Church, as well as the Korean Presbyterian congregation that is part of our Presbytery," Berry said.

"We arrived at Iglesia at about the same time that two of the Reality Changers' students arrived from school. We had a good visit with them and Chris Yanov, and were given a tour of the facilities. He explained the program -- its history and his vision for the future."

On the way back to her hotel, the conversation turned to the Presbytery's role in Border Ministries, particularly with Baja Presbyterian Missions which supports eleven churches and mission sites in Baja California. They also talked about Presbyterian Crisis Center and other ministries/missions.

The Reverend Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, former Chaplain of the United States Senate and a nationally recognized author and speaker, will preach at the First Presbyterian Church of San Diego on Tuesday, March 15, as part of the March meeting of the Presbytery of San Diego.

The entire Presbytery is invited to join together in worship which will begin at 7 p.m. First Presbyterian is located at 320 Date Street (the corner of Fourth) near downtown San Diego.

Dr. Ogilvie was named the 61st Chaplain of the U.S. Senate on January 24, 1995. During eight years as chaplain, he served the nation’s lawmakers through September 11th, a presidential impeachment, and a war. Described as a leader’s leader, his ministry focus has been to encourage leaders in business, politics and local communities around the country.

Dr. Ogilvie’s first parish in 1956 was in Winnetka, Ill. Seven years later he moved to Bethlehem, Penn., before being named senior pastor of Hollywood Presbyterian Church. He was the host of the TV show, “Let God Love You,” for several years. He is currently president of Leadership Unlimited based in California and has given thousands of talks throughout the world.

Dr. Ogilvie is the author of more than 50 books including “Autobiography of God,” “God’s Strength for This Day,” “A Future and a Hope,” "Asking God Your Hardest Questions", "Quiet Moments With God", and "Facing the Future Without Fear: Prescriptions for Courageous Living in the New Millennium"

ALPHA has the answers! Alpha USA and the Presbytery of San Diego invite you to come to their "first ever" Alpha Urban Strategies Conference on Friday, February 25 through Saturday, February 26 at Southeast Community (Presbyterian) Church, 210 South Euclid Avenue. The course is designed for all church leaders- especially the pastors, youth directors, session members, and the ecumenical, evangelical, and membership chairmen.

Thousands of lives have been transformed through this simple, well thought out strategy of relationally sharing the Gospel. Come and experience this new strategy and watch your group grow! Those working with "counter-cultural" groups such as teenagers and minorities will find the conference especially interesting.

ALPHA is a lay-led non-threatening practical introduction to the Christian Faith. It is specifically tailored to those who would not normally go to church, or those who are new to the faith. It involves three parts: a warm welcome around a meal, a talk or video/DVD based on solid Biblical teachings and open, small-group discussions that encourage guests to ask their toughest questions. It attracts seekers of all ages and backgrounds and is a very effective tool for reaching the younger generations.

You can register at www.atthecenter.com or call The Center in North County for more information at 760-448-1949 and ask for Chris Kohlbry. Churches may want to send several delegates. Cost is $39 a person for this conference (which usually costs much more.) The schedule of events can be found at (link)

The third Afar Partnership Consultation will be held March 4-5 at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in Coronado. The Afar are a people group in Ethiopia that were adopted by the Presbytery of San Diego five years ago as part of the denomination’s “Commitment to Share Good News”, intended to reach an unreached people group with the Gospel in word and deed.

On Friday evening, March 4, a gala Ethiopian banquet will be enjoyed, with authentic and delicious food and music, as well as keynote talks from two Ethiopian mission workers. On Saturday morning, March 5, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, a partnership working session is scheduled, during which representatives from each partner church and mission agency will talk in depth with the Ethiopian mission workers about the future of the ministry.

Tom Theriault, associate pastor at Solana Beach, comments, “Our presbytery was the first presbytery to join the denomination’s frontier mission movement. Thus far, seven of our presbytery congregations have made personal commitments” to partner with the Afar, who called themselves “The Forgotten People” before the outreach began.

Theriault notes there are several ways for people to get involved with the partnership: a “Prayer Pillar” (pick a day a week and remember the Afar people in prayer, using a monthly prayer update that is sent out), a youth 30-hour famine, a Lenten devotional guide, financial giving, even going on a team to Ethiopia, as one did in November. “We are planning another presbytery team in the near future,” adds Theriault.

The seven members of the Long Range Planning Task Force have met seven times this past year. The task force has identified four primary areas of focus for the Presbytery in the next five years:

(1) Healthy Congregations: The primary ministry of the presbytery in the next five years will be to nurture the thirty-one chartered churches and two mission churches and equip them to become vital, growing churches that reach out into the community and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

(2) Mission: The presbytery will rethink how it does mission. Future mission efforts of the presbytery will focus on local, regional and global collaborative efforts in mission among our churches and other presbyteries while minimizing presbytery mission personnel.

(3) New Church Development: The presbytery will make intentional and strategic plans to work directly with our larger churches in developing new congregations that are “sent forth” into neighboring communities. Other models will be considered for a possible second-generation Hispanic NCD’s in our area.

(4) Church Revitalization: 85 % of the churches in the Presbytery of San Diego are either in a stage of plateau or decline. The presbytery will make intentional and strategic efforts to revitalize these churches.

In a final report to be presented to the presbytery in March, the task force will elaborate on these four areas of focus and will present a revised mission statement, goals, and objectives. Members of the task force were Rev. Jackson Clelland, Rev. Jan Farley, Rev. Lewis Leon, Rev. Mike McClenahan, and Bill Tayler, chair. Serving ex-officio were Executive Presbyter Rev. Andy Smith and Chair of Council Dave Whitmoyer.

Visit Mexican Presbyterian Churches in Tijuana, Ensenada, Tecate

Baja Presbyterian Missions and Pueblos Hermanos, both endorsed projects of San Diego Presbytery, are jointly sponsoring the 5th Annual Tour of Mexican Presbyterian Churches in Baja California, Saturday, April 2. This year’s tour will include churches and missions in Tijuana, Ensenada and Tecate. Meet at Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church at 7:45 a.m. and travel by 15-passenger vans. The tour is free; a goodwill offering will be taken to help reimburse the Nueva Jerusalen Church in Ensenada where the tour group will have lunch.

More details will be provided later. Contact Bob Battenfield, president of Baja Missions, at 619-469-6101; or Rev. Bill Soldwisch, PC(USA) missionary and co-director of Pueblos Hermanos of Presbyterian Border Ministry. Register with either Bob or Bill, or with Sharon Pruess at the Presbytery Office.

A call has gone out for Presbyterian volunteers to join the partnership between the Presbytery of San Diego and San Diego Habitat for Humanity to help build a family home in Descanso that was destroyed in the October 2003 wildfire.

The Presbytery joined forces with the San Diego Habitat affiliate following the 2003 fires to concentrate fundraising efforts and secure the volunteer manpower needed to build two Habitat for Humanity homes, the first in Wildcat Canyon and the second in Descanso.

Depending upon the weather, construction on the Descanso home is scheduled to begin in March. It will be a standard Habitat 1,100 square foot, 3-bedroom house that will replace the trailer the family of four lost in the fire. Due to on-going health problems of the father, the family was not able to acquire sufficient financial backing to replace the trailer and were living in makeshift compound on their property.

Since Habitat has committed to help the family rebuild, they have been able to purchase another trailer with their FEMA allotments. While it is better than the compound, it is still inadequate and has a temporary permit good for only one year.

Due to the immediacy of this project, the Presbytery and Habitat are depending on a great variety of volunteers both for home building and for helping reestablish people in their homes. The Rev. David Turner, associate pastor at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, who is serving as head of the project for the Presbytery, has asked each church to appoint a liaison and call Sharon Pruess, Presbytery office manager, who is coordinating volunteers.

The local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity maintains a web site at www.habitatsdiego.org.