August 2023
1968. The year that shook the nation 55 years ago. The war in Vietnam, the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4th and Bobby Kennedy on June 6th, the defiant power salute of 2 athletes at the Mexico Olympics, and student protests across the nation.
“We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today... in this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
The nationwide boycott of California grapes brought the unfair and inhumane conditions of migrant workers into the national spotlight. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 made it illegal for sellers and landlords to refuse housing to people based on their race, religion, sex, or national origin.
“There are people in every time and every land who want to stop history in its tracks. They fear the future, they mistrust the present, and invoke the security of a comfortable past which, in fact, never existed.” Robert F. Kennedy.
The 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago ended in violent assaults by the police that injured hundreds of people. Republican Richard Nixon was elected President and Spiro Agnew was elected Vice President.
November 6, 1967. Memorial Fund Report: Balance on hand 1/1/67 - $1190.15; Memorial Gifts received through 6/6/67 - $2529.00; Disbursements - $1796.26; Balance on hand 6/6/67 - $1922.89. The Committee recommended the available money be spent as follows: 1. Stanley Rooney Fund – Furniture for kindergarten, 4 pieces, $122.80; 2. McGinnis Memorial – Loudspeaker for nursery and basement, $25.00; Start of the church library, $138.24; Session voted that the Memorial Fund Committee also be the Library Committee. 3. Drapes and indoor-outdoor carpeting for the Fireside Room, from undesignated Memorial Funds; 4. The Lord’s Supper, stained-glass window will be installed by Hogan’s Studio for $996.00, in memory of Mrs. Laura Hopkins from the Hopkins Memorial Fund of $757.50. The balance to be paid from the undesignated funds or additional gifts.
April 1, 1968. The Session voted to receive the following for membership: William Jay Earnest, Joseph Criner Bahlman, William Russell Hayes, David Michael Warren, and Sue Ellen (Hess) Earnest.
June 3, 1968. The Session voted to accept a piano donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes. It will be placed in the Sanctuary. It was accepted with deep appreciation.
September 30, 1968. Ruling Elder Mary Anne Schaupp reported on the Teacher’s reception. Over 100 people attended, and dinner was paid for. She recommended that the dinner be dispensed with for the present since the teachers were not responding. The Session voted to adopt the recommendation. Ruling Elder Mary Anne Schaupp presented data on the grape boycott. The Session voted to form a committee to present a resolution at the next regular meeting to be sent to (1) Presbytery (2) The National Council of Churches and (3) Northern California-Nevada Council of Churches. The committee as approved were Ruling Elders: Mary Anne Schaupp, Eleanor Durst, and Geraldine Warren.
October 6, 1968. A Special Session meeting was called and approved the following: 1. A request from the Esparto School District for the use of one of the Christian Education Building rooms for a Special Education group. 2. A request for Rev. L. Don Smith to leave the pulpit Sunday, October 13th and have Rev. Hamblin fill it. 3. Rev. L. Don Smith's vacation from December 23, 1968 to January 6, 1969, and his study leave beginning November 18, 1968 through November 30, 1968, to be used in research for the history of Northern California county churches. 4. To accept the gift of the carpet for one of the rooms in the Christian Education Building under the supervision of the Furnishings Committee who are to present an overall plan for finishing the floors to the Session for approval.
November 24, 1968. A Special Session meeting was called. 1. Session voted to approve the Junior room for use for the Special Education group. 2. Session approved the use of the kindergarten room for the Head Start Program after Mrs. Corbett Grant explained the purpose of the class and promised to pay for supplies, janitorial supplies, and any damages. 3. Session voted to pay $75.00 to the Janitor with the job description as follows: 2 offices, Fireside room, Nursery, and crib rooms of the Christian Education building.
December 2, 1968. The Memorial Committee on carpet recommendation for the Christian Education building recommended the entire building be carpeted with the same color. Best-grade indoor-outdoor carpet in shades of tan and light brown tweed. The Memorial Committee reported that (a) the Library should be dedicated as “Countryside Memorial Library”, (b) the Library Bronze Plaque, requested by the family of Frank and Laura Hopkins to be placed in the Library and should read, “In Memorium Frank and Laura Hopkins”. Rev. L. Don Smith reported the need for volunteers for eight mornings, three hours each. They will answer the telephone, work on the newsline and put the mailing list in order.
