June 2025

1991.

George H.W. Bush was President.  J. Danforth Quayle was Vice President. The California Governor was Pete Wilson.  Life expectancy was 75.5 years. Minimum wage was $4.25 per hour. Personal income averaged $20,952 in California.  Cost of a first-class stamp was $.29.

The Sacramento Valley population of the common raven has fluctuated over the years. Three characteristics of the species have been involved: 1. Ravens are highly social, older birds teach the younger birds how to make a living, including danger and  staying safe. 2. They are long lived, sometimes to age thirteen and much longer in captivity. 3. They have extraordinary long-term memory to match their longevity. They were widespread around the time of the Gold Rush, but by the early 20th century they had abandoned settled areas, because they were shot on sight. Ravens associated humans with danger. In the 1980’s much of the valley had become urban and suburban, and with that change came a softening of human attitudes and bans on firearm use in populated areas. For the first time in over 100 years, a generation of ravens was not persecuted and the birds slowly and cautiously edged back into a valley now full of humans. Yolo County reflects the shift. In the 1990’s ravens were rare in winter and absent as breeders. But twenty years ago their numbers were noticeably increasing on the valley floor. They are now a common bird with large flocks foraging on farmland and patrolling the highways in search of road-kill.

February 23, 1991.  Session Training Meeting.   

Elders present: Joe Haden,Ella Mae Haden, Cindy Brock, Leland George, and Ellen Peckham.  Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Moderator.

Breakfast cooked and served by Pastor Mark and the meeting was called to order.  Cindy Brock was nominated by Mark to serve as Session Clerk and was accepted.  Sunday, March 3rd was  set for the Ordination and Installation of Elders.

Easter schedule was set:  Maundy Thursday, simple supper and communion service.

Sunrise service will be at the Fire Station in Brooks with breakfast following.

Regular schedule at Countryside Community Church.

Ellen moved for approval of the Great Hour of Sharing on Palm Sunday and Easter. A second by Joe, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,  Cindy Brock, Clerk of Session.

March 3, 1991.  Special Session Minutes. 

Elders present:  Joe Haden, Leland George, Cindy Brock.   Prospective new member:  Laurie Hayes.  Laurie gave witness of her faith.

Motion by Joe Haden to accept her into the church.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted, Cindy Brock, Clerk of Session

March 12, 1991.  Session Minutes.

Prospective new member Shelly Vannucci gave witness of her faith.  Motion made by Mark to accept Shelly as a new member into the church. Joe second and the motion carried.  New members will be welcomed into the church on Easter Sunday.

Christian Ed. children will be singing on Palm Sunday. Palms will decorate the church.

Easter lilies will be used for decorations for Easter. A Living cross will be in the church.  Eva Mae Herbst will decorate the church for Easter.

March 17, 1991.  Special Session Minutes.

Prospective new members, Evelyn Pike and Liz Lehmkuhl gave witness of their faith.

Leland moved to accept Evelyn and Liz into the church.  Liz will be welcomed into the church on Palm Sunday, March 24th, and Evelyn will be welcomed on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1991.

April 9, 1991.  Session Minutes.  Combined meeting with Guinda Church.

Elders present: Leland George, Joe Haden, Ella Mae Haden, Ellen Peckham, Mark Hollingsworth.

Guinda representatives present: Pearl Jones, Paul Martin, Pat Coker, Evan Lowrey, Ellen Lowrey.

Meeting was opened with prayer.  There was a joint discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of both churches.   Both churches would like to keep the Intergenerational Sunday School and the Readers Theater.  The pastor will be at Countryside on the second Sunday in May and in Guinda on the second Sunday in June.

Guinda pays the pastor one quarter of his salary and a housing allowance. It was agreed that $100 of the funds for the house allowance from the Guinda Church should go for the repair and improvement of the manse.

It was decided that the Session of Countryside Church and the representatives from the Guinda Church should meet at least twice a year, and more times if the need arises. October 8th will be the next joint meeting.   The combined session adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,  Ella Mae Haden. 

October 8, 1991.  Special Session Minutes. Combined meeting with Guinda Church.

Meeting was opened with prayer by all present.

Those present were:  Mark Hollingsworth, Mike O’Kane, Joe and Ella Haden, Leland George, Harry and Pearl Jones, Evan and Ellie Lowrey, Jean Reynolds, Pat Coker, Paul Martin, and Johnny Slaughter

Discussion on the mission of our churches, answering the question, “What is it that you wish the church would do for you?”  Make me more holy; Bring me closer to God; Place of peace & welcome; Re-invigorate me; Sing & dance with me; Offer earlier services; Make me more loving; Speak louder & clearer; Pray for me and my wife; Offer evening service; Educate me.

As Jesus Christ leads us into mission in our community He calls us to: Make every person feel welcome and to invite people to church; Worship joyfully and pass that joy around; Carry the word to others; To give them joy & strength for living; To give purpose for life & a standard for living; Help people with their physical needs; Listen to others; Try to understand them and contact them; Pray for and with others; Live a holy life together with others.

Began plans for a combined, outdoor worship service on Palm Sunday, April 12, 1992. Next combined meeting will be April 7, 1992 in Esparto.

Meeting adjourned with prayer.

Regular Session meeting following the combined meeting.

Request from Tisha Graybill to use church for a wedding on March 7, 1992, conducted by Glen Keith (licensed by Kingsway Fellowship.) Mike moved that we approve the use of the church for the wedding provided the couple go through the standard pre-marital counseling with Pastor Mark. Seconded and carried.

Joe moved that we approve the use of the church on Sunday October 27, for the wedding of Harlan Asher and Helen Kellner (members of this church). Motion seconded and carried.

Mike moved that we send a letter of thanks and congratulations to Walt Link on his retirement as Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Sacramento. Motion seconded and carried.

Leland moved that we baptize Kelly Murray O’Kane. Tentative date set for Sunday, December 1, 1991.  Motion seconded and carried.

Meeting was adjourned.

November 3, 1991.  Special Session Minutes.

A motion by Mark Hollingsworth for the baptism of Gregory and Jessica Vieira on December 1, 1991.  Motion granted.

Prospective new member, Nan Arnold, gave witness of her faith. Ella Mae Haden made a motion to accept Nan Arnold as a new member into the church. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned.

December 15, 1991.  Session Minutes.  

Pastor Mark Hollingsworth, Mike O’Kane, Ellen Peckham, Leland George, Cindy Brock.

Greg and Jessica Vieira were baptized and Rachel Vieira became a new member on Sunday 

December 1, 1991.

A motion by Ellen Peckham to have a Christmas offering for retired pastors. Motion carried.

Motion by Mark Hollingsworth to allow the 4-H to use the basement of the church to make gingerbread houses on December 17th. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned with prayer.