April 2026
1996.
President William J. Clinton was reelected president along with Al Gore, Vice President.
California Governor was Pete Wilson and Lt. Governor was Grey Davis.
Dolly, a female Finn-Dorset sheep, was the first mammal that was cloned from an adult somatic cell, born in Scotland July 5, 1996. She lived eight years.
Margret Rey, author of the Curious George children’s books died December 21, 1996. She and her husband Hans escaped on homemade bicycles with some of their manuscripts, shortly before the Nazis entered Paris in 1940. Their first Curious George adventure was published in America in 1941.
January 9, 1996. Session Minutes. Rev. Kathy McIntosh Smith opened session with prayer and by greeting three guests, Ruby Storz, Susan Temple and William Rominger. They have been nominated for session and will be ordained and installed after the Congregational Meeting.
Elders present: Arlie Hurt, Laurie Hayes, Ellen Peckham, Suzanne Riley, Betty Koeppen and Vern Finney.
Clerk’s Report. Investigated the issue of Vicki Giguiere’s membership in our church. After reviewing minutes and registers since 1968, there was not a record of Mrs. Giguiere’s membership. She was a twenty year worshipper with us, but evidently did not formalize her membership. She is now a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Woodland.
Moderator’s Report. The wedding of Susie Bourland was cancelled. Clara Guillen requested a church wedding for March 9, 1996, she is the sister of Serena Denny.
Jeanice Hurt Strutton requested baptism for her daughter, Kimberly Anne Strutton, January 14, 1996, during worship. Laurie Hayes moved to approve the baptism. Motion carried.
Jessica Vieira and Katie Muller requested a confirmation class to prepare them for membership. Ellen Peckham moved the church offer a confirmation class to prepare them for membership so they can make their final decision at the conclusion of the class. Motion second and approved. Katie Muller also would need to be baptized.
The first Youth Group meeting was held January 3, 1996. Eighteen teens attended. They seemed excited about plans for a ski trip at Zephyr Point, January 26-28, 1996. Vern Finney assisted as a chaperone.
Buildings & Grounds. Laurie Hayes suggested that we look into a check valve between the sump pump and the basement sink to prevent backwash into the basement during times of rain, before building a new drain on the west side of the church. Bill Rominger will experiment with one to see if it will work.
Old Business. Human Sexuality and the Church. Ellen Peckham reviewed material regarding the ongoing issue of Human Sexuality and the Church. There is a video and enough information to present a workshop if there is interest in pursuing the issue. Vern Finney moved to have Session meet to watch the video and then decide whether or not to continue with the workshops. Motion seconded and approved.
Ordination and Installation. Suzanne Riley moved the ordination and installation of Session members to February 4, 1996. Motion approved. Rev. Kathy will set a date for Ruby Storz, Bill Rominger and Sue Temple for officer training after the congregational meeting.
Christmas Food Basket Followup. Laurie Hayes reported 40 food baskets were given out at Christmas time. A thank you note will be sent to Bernice Hurt for her hard work. Kathy will invite Father Joe from St. Marten’s Catholic Church to co-write a letter, and to try to reach the 40 families as a part of our local mission and as a follow-up for their need for food basket assistance.
February 13, 2026 Session Minutes. Worship Committee. Ellen Peckham reported that Katie Muller and Jessica Vieira are ready to meet with Session. Ellen moved that Katie Muller be baptized and that Katie and Jessica Vieira be presented to the congregation March 31, 1996.
Maundy Thursday will be a simple meal and communion. Bill Rominger offered his ranch for an Easter Sunday sunrise service, April 7th. Offer accepted.
The Worship committee feels children used in worship should be trained prior to their service. Ellen moved the committee to offer a class to children 9 years and older to train those interested in becoming candle lighters.
Old Business. Human Sexuality and the Church. Session reviewed a video regarding the ongoing issue of Human Sexuality and the Church and decided there was not enough interest in pursuing the issue.
March 12, 1996. Session Minutes. Moderator’s Report. Rev. Kathy participated in four special services: Linda Williams Memorial Service on February 16th; Ash Wednesday on February 21st; World Day of Prayer at St. Martin’s Catholic Church; and Dean Aune’s Memorial Service on March 5th.
Mission. P.J. Simmons will present a 5 minute talk about Habitat for Humanity, and Sue Temple will present a 5 minute talk about the Yolo Wayfarer Center on separate Sundays during coffee hour.
Ellen presented an idea of a street dance and pot luck dinner during the summer. Todd Bolton has been approached to donate his time playing for the dance. The idea was accepted.
A prayer chain was established with 7 members.
Five children are interested in becoming candlelighters. Worship committee will oversee the training.
March 24, 1996. Special Session Minutes. Purpose: To examine 2 people for membership.
Moderator: Rev. Kathy McIntosh-Smith. Clerk: Elizabeth Koeppen
Members Present: Arlie Hurt, Paul Stephens, Ellen Peckham, Sue Temple, Bill Rominger, Laurie Hayes, Betty Koeppen.
Guests: Jessica Rachel Vieira, Rachel Vieira, Katherine Leigh Muller, Jacqueline Muller.
Rev. Kathy opened the special meeting with prayer to examine for membership two Confirmation candidates, Jessica Rachel Vieira and Katherine Leigh Muller. Betty Koeppen moved to accept both candidates. Motion was seconded and approved unanimously and with great joy. Katie will be baptized March 31st during regular worship, and then Katie and Jessica will be presented to the congregation.
The meeting was closed with prayer.
April 9, 1996. Session Minutes. Rev. Kathy participated in the memorial service for Cliff Garrison, Jr.
Worship Committee. Laurie Hayes will make some new banners for the sanctuary. They will be used when the traditional color of the church season is white. The committee will ask the Memorial committee to fund materials needed for making additional banners to follow the liturgical calendar/colors.
May 14, 1996. Session Minutes. Prior to opening Session, a presentation about a 386 IBM compatible computer with a 100 megabyte HD and 4 megabytes of RAM, including software,
keyboard, 14” monitor, mouse and 1 year warranty of replacement parts for $500.00.
Rev. Kathy opened Session with a prayer, “The Energies of the Spirit of God.”
Moderator’s Report: Rev. Kathy, Cindy Brock and P.J. Simmons took 9 girls to Pt. Reyes for a whole day trip. Catherine Carson and Mark Hopkins are counseling with Rev. Kathy for a November 9, 1996 wedding.
Christian Ed. Paul Stephens moved to accept the following mission statement presented by the CE Department. Motion second and approved.
“The mission of the Christian Education Committee at Countryside Community Church is to provide opportunities and experiences that will lead children, youth, and adults into a loving relationship with God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Our mission includes providing opportunities to initiate, nurture, and support this growing faith relationship for individuals, small groups, and the church as a whole.”
Mission Committee. Vern Finney reported the committee wants to have a “food basket day” once a month to help stock the food closet with specialty or hard to get items. The first Sunday of the month was the designated day. Motion second and approved.
Stewardship/Memorial Committee. The committee approved financing the new banners that the Worship Committee is making. After much discussion, it was decided not to purchase the 386 IBM computer. It was out-dated and some of the new software being published would not be adaptable to the computer. It was decided the Memorial committee would spend money on a computer chosen by a computer selecting committee. The computer selecting committee : Laurie Hayes, Bill Rominger, Vern Finney, Jean Reynolds and Betty Koeppen.
Old Business. Money Market. Based on the recommendations from the annual audit, Laurie moved to open a money market account at Bank of the West and close the savings account.
The money market will be more convenient and earn more interest. Motion approved.
New Business. Pre-School. Betty and Laurie reported on a meeting with Frank Fox, director of the pre-school. The pre-school is interested in renting the same room again for the term of August 28, 1996 - June 11, 199, for $6500.00. Ellen moved to accept the terms with some minor changes. Motion second and approved.
