Congregational Letter - August 13, 2007

Dear Member of FPC,

For the past three years our session has been engaged in what we have called "a season of discernment."  During this time we have been studying the issues that continue to plague our denomination since its inception in 1983.  The PC(USA) is clearly in theological turmoil and crisis.  This has become even more pronounced with:  its embracing of a theological viewpoint that is incongruent with the Scriptures (and with historical Presbyterianism); and with the General Assembly's passage of the Peace, Unity, and Purity Task Force recommendations (P.U.P.).  Our season of discernment has also included ardently praying for our denomination and fervently seeking God's will for FPC.

We believe our season of discernment has come to an end and the time has come to act.  We wish to share with you what we have been studying and what we have prayerfully come to feel is God's will for FPC.  Over a three-week time period this September, we invite you to attend three educational gatherings.  These gatherings will explore the issues of the crisis and end with a time of questions and answers.  Each week we will present a new topic that builds on the previous one, so we encourage you to attend all three gatherings.  Each gathering will be conducted twice during the week to accommodate your schedule.  We feel these meetings are so critical to our church that we are asking all church groups to cancel any activities that conflict with the times of our gatherings (the one exception being our youth groups).  These gatherings will culminate in a congregational meeting on Sunday afternoon, October 14.  Please mark that date on your calendar now and make every effort to attend. 

The following is a schedule of the gatherings (all held in the Family Life Center):

Gathering #1:   Wednesday, September 12 @7:00pm.
                             Repeated on Sunday, September 16th @ 4:00pm

Gathering #2:   Wednesday, September 19 @7:00pm.
                              Repeated on Sunday, September 23rd @ 4:00pm

Gathering #3:   Wednesday, September 26 @7:00pm.
                             Repeated on Sunday September 30th @ 4:00pm
Congregational meeting:  Sunday, October 14th @ 4:00pm

(Childcare will be available at all of the meetings but we would appreciate your notifying the church office if you plan on using it, so that we may ensure adequate care.)

We also want you to know that we have been working closely with the leadership of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church.  They are holding the same gatherings and will also be holding a congregational meeting on October 14th.  It has been a wonderful blessing to work with them!

Once again we wish to reiterate just how critical these gatherings are and encourage you to make every effort to attend all three gatherings and the congregational meeting.

Yours in Christ,

The Session of First Presbyterian Church & Pastor Jim Barstow