synod of southern california and hawaiisaturday, may 9, 2015 plenary i invitation to worship and...

SYNOD OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND HAWAII SYNOD ASSEMBLY STATED MEETING MAGNOLIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA Saturday, MAY 9, 2015

PLENARY I INVITATION TO WORSHIP AND CALL TO ORDER The Synod of Southern California and Hawaii met in its 59th Stated Meeting on May 9, 2015, at Magnolia Presbyterian Church in Riverside, California. The Moderator, Teaching Elder Kristin Leucht, called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. with prayer and the reading of Psalm 100. The Christ candle was lit. She then read I Samuel 3: 1-14 and reflected on what message that passage might have today for the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii. ATTENDANCE (By Presbytery, noting absences, excuses and vacancies) Commissioners

(E = excused; A = absent; V = vacancy) Presbytery Los Ranchos Rev. Forrest Claassen Rev. Michael Haggin Rev. Mark Hong Rev. Jonathan Moore Rev. Ann Oglesby-Edwards Ms. Harriet Hughes Mr. Paul Kim Ms. Pat Niles Mr. Chuck Wakamoto Ms. Sharon Wakamoto Ms. Sue Currie (alternate) Pacific Ms. Marion Battle Ms. Martha Kadue Mr. Paul Niberger Mr. Cliff O’Daniel

Ecclesiastical 1.2 White

Synod Assembly May 9, 2015 Riverside, California

E Rev. Sung Chang Rev. Martin Garcia

E Rev. Sunny Kang Rev. Neal Neuenschwander Riverside Mr. Jim Shepard Ms. Amy Smith Rev. Christine Dickerson Rev. Sam Roberts San Diego Rev. Scott Mitchell Rev. Ed Piper Rev. Ray Sperling

V Rev. Mr. David Buck Ms. Marilyn Buck Mr. Tom Wickstrom Mr. Michael Williams Mr. Barry Billingsley (alternate) San Fernando

Ms. Areta Crowell Ms. Carol Hiestand Rev. Ken Baker Rev. Darrel Meyers San Gabriel Rev. Wendy Tajima Rev. Rocky Supinger

V Rev. Mr. Sterrett Collins Mr. Ben Furuta Ms. Janice Takeda

Synod Assembly May 9, 2015

Riverside, California

Santa Barbara Ms. Mickey Stueck Mr. Larry Lindsay

E Rev. Jeff Bridgeman Rev. Rolf Granath

Officers Rev. Kristin Leucht, Moderator Ms. Doska Ross, Stated Clerk Ms. Jo Smith, Moderator of Committee of Assembly

Mr. Bill Hughes, Treasurer

Corresponding Members Rev. David Won Former Synod Moderator Mr. Jim Stueck Former Synod Moderator Rev. Leon Fanniel Synod staff Mr. Fried Wilson Synod staff

Those present to report and guests Ms. Susan Skoglund Hanmi Administrative Commission Rev. Linda Culbertson Presbytery of the Pacific Ms. Jerri Rodewald Riverside Presbytery

REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK – Part 1 Elder Doska Ross reported. Declaration of a Quorum The Clerk advised that a quorum was present and the Moderator declared a quorum present. A quorum as stated in the Bylaws, Article IV, Structure, A. Synod Assembly is as follows: A quorum of the Synod Assembly shall be sixteen (16) commissioners, at least eight of whom shall be ruling elders and at least eight of whom shall be teaching elders, representing at least five presbyteries. Adoption of the Agenda The Clerk recommended and the Assembly VOTED to adopt the Agenda.


Seating of Corresponding Members The assembly VOTED to SEAT the following as Corresponding Members with voice, but not vote: Former Synod Moderators TE David Won and RE Jim Stueck and Synod staff members TE Leon Fanniel and RE Fried Wilson. Consent Agenda The Assembly VOTED to APPROVE the consent agenda as follows:

1. To approve the appointment of Ruling Elder Fried Wilson as Journal Clerk. 2. To approve the minutes of the meeting of Synod Assembly held on November 1, 2014 as

included in the documents sent with the call to this meeting. 3. To approve that the distributed reports of the commissions, committees, and related

entities be received for the record and placed into the minutes. REPORT OF THE TREASURER Ruling Elder Bill Hughes reported that David Suarez, the Synod Finance Director has been on medical leave since the middle of January and is expected to return on May 18. With the approval of the Commission of Assembly, Nina Menjivar, a retired Synod employee who had worked with David in the Finance Office, was retained on a part-time, contract basis during his absence. Given her limited hours, she handled the primary daily finance office functions with the understanding that David would complete the financial reports when he returned to work. Bill Hughes presented a draft of the year-end 2014 financial statement and reported that income and expenses were close to the budgeted figures. The 2014 draft report is contained in Attachment 1. The final 2014 financial report and a report for the period ending April 30, 2015, will be available for the June meeting of the Commission of Assembly. REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE Ruling Elder Jim Stueck presented a written report from the Finance Committee. For Information: At the request of the Commission of Assembly, the Synod Finance Committee has reviewed the current reversionary language used by the Synod when transferring a Synod-owned property to the presbytery or the local congregation. Upon the advice of our legal counsel, the committee believes that the language faithfully upholds the denomination’s trust clause. For Action: The Committee recommends that the Synod Assembly authorize the Synod Finance Committee to enter into negotiations for the sale of the property in Riverside, California that is currently



occupied by the Casa Blanca House of Neighborly Services (CBHNS) and authorize the Commission of Assembly to approve a final sales agreement. Background: CBHNS has provided social services to its neighborhood since the early 1950’s. The current operator has expressed an interest in purchasing this property in partnership with Family Service Association (FSA), a large, well-financed provider of social services in the greater Riverside County area. The Finance Committee believes it is in the best interests of the Synod to move forward with these negotiations. The Assembly VOTED to AUTHORIZE the Synod Finance Committee to enter into negotiations for the sale of the property in Riverside, California that is currently occupied by the Casa Blanca House of Neighborly Services (CBHNS) and AUTHORIZE the Commission of Assembly to approve a final sales agreement. REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK – Part 2 The following items were reported for information.

Report from the Synod Permanent Judicial Commission The following cases have been adjudicated since the Assembly met last on November 1, 2014:

• A remedial complaint, Kuh vs. Han Yang Session, inherited from Hanmi Presbytery, was dismissed on November 14, 2014.

• There were two remaining complaints (of the original nine) against Presbytery of Los Ranchos protesting the dismissal agreements reached by the Presbytery and the dismissed congregations. One of those complaints was dismissed on April 6, 2015 following approval by the Synod PJC of a settlement agreement agreed to by all the parties. The one complaint remaining against Los Ranchos Presbytery will go to trial if it is not settled.

• Two disciplinary cases were inherited from Hanmi Presbytery. On November 14,

2014 one was dismissed on the grounds that the Investigating Committee’s authority lapsed when the Presbytery of Hanmi was dissolved on June 21, 2014. The other trial has not yet been scheduled.

• Two other disciplinary allegations were filed against Hanmi ministers; the

Investigating Committee decided not to file charges. On March 28 the PJC reviewed a request to have another IC appointed; this petition was denied.

Future meetings of the Commission of Assembly in 2015 The Commission of Assembly meetings are scheduled for Saturday, June 20 Saturday, September 26 Saturday, December 12 if needed


Next meeting of the Synod Assembly The Synod Assembly will meet next on November 7, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church in San Diego.

Insurance Coverage The Stated Clerk reports that the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii has obtained property and liability insurance coverage with the Insurance Board to protect its facilities, programs, staff, and elected and appointed officers, per G-3.0112 in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Order. Proof of this coverage is provided in Attachment 2.

Report of a Lawsuit Naming the Synod On May 6th the Synod was served with a Summons naming the Synod as a defendant in a lawsuit also naming the Presbytery of Santa Barbara Presbytery and the PC(USA) General Assembly. The documents have been forwarded to the Insurance Board who will handle any defense necessary.

SYNOD STRUCTURE TASK FORCE REPORT Task Force Chair Ruling Elder Steve Salyards presented a written report for the Task Force members. Evaluation

The Synod of Southern California and Hawaii has been in a sabbatical season for the last 18 months with the Synod Assembly handling the primary business of the Synod and a Commission of Assembly given interim authority for matters that arise between Assembly meetings.

The objective of this arrangement was two-fold: First, it was intended to more closely link the business of the Synod with the direct representatives of the presbyteries - the commissioners - to better facilitate communication and give presbyteries more of a stake in the operations of the Synod. Second, it was to allow the Synod to see what functions needed to be supported. In response to an earlier evaluation it was recommended and approved that the Polity and Records committee be reactivated.

In considering the experience of the initial 18 months the Task Force found that there was a significant learning curve as the Synod lived into this structure but with time it did help facilitate the better interaction of the presbyteries and the Synod. However, the Synod is still growing into this structure and the length of the sabbatical so far has not been long enough to fully evaluate this structure.

One of the observations is that while it did improve the interaction more can be done to help the communication and connectionalism of the councils. However, with the process of electing commissioners being a presbytery function the Synod does not have a mechanism to facilitate balanced representation across the whole body of commissioners. To provide better inclusion and connectional relationships the Task Force strongly encourages presbyteries to take seriously the role of synod commissioners as conduits between the two councils - to represent the presbytery a the synod level and to return to and inform the presbytery of the work of the synod.



Recommendations and Action Items The SSTF recommends the following actions to the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii:

• The Spring 2015 Synod Assembly meeting be structured so that commissioners have additional interaction with the business of the Assembly through a time of meeting as commissioner committees with representatives of Synod related to various business functions. This will be an education process facilitated by the SSTF

• Action Item] The Spring 2015 Synod Assembly request that the Polity and Records Committee bring to the Fall 2015 Synod Assembly proposed changes to the By Laws and Standing Rules that would:

o Restructure the Synod similar to the sabbatical season with a Synod o Assembly and a Commission of Assembly with interim authority o Empower the Commission of Assembly to create needed committees and

working groups to carry out the work of the Synod o And that the majority membership of those committees and working groups

should be composed of commissioners to the Assembly o That the terms of commissioners to Synod Assembly be specified as two years

and renewable once so that the commissioners bring continuity to the meetings of the Synod

• The constituent presbyteries of the Synod are encouraged to nominate commissioners to the Synod Assembly who have an interest in the work of the Synod and are prepared to serve on a committee of the Synod in addition to their service as a commissioner to the Assembly meeting. The presbyteries are strongly encouraged to nominate and elect commissioners who will reflect the diversity of their presbytery with equal numbers of women and men and teaching and ruling elders. Racial ethnic representation should also be reflected and the appointment of at large members to committees and working groups should help to balance this.

• That the SSTF continue its work to help evaluate and implement this process.

Members of the Task Force

RE Steve Salyards – SG TE Wendy Tajima – SG RE Michael Williamson – SD TE Ken Baker – SF RE Sandy Thoits – SB RE Jerri Rodewald – RS RE Sue Currie – LR TE David Won – HM

End of Report

The Assembly VOTED to REQUEST the Synod Polity and Records Committee bring to the Fall 2015 Synod Assembly proposed changes to the By-Laws and Standing Rules that would:

• Restructure the Synod similar to the sabbatical season with a Synod Assembly and a Commission of Assembly with interim authority;

• Empower the Commission of Assembly to create needed committees and working groups to carry out the work of the Synod and that the majority membership of those committees and working groups should be composed of commissioners to the Assembly; and


• Specify the terms of commissioners to Synod Assembly be two years and renewable once so that the commissioners bring continuity to the meetings of the Synod.

Welcome from Magnolia Presbyterian Church Associate Pastor Claire Schlegel brought greetings from the pastor and session. She then proceeded to relate some of the history of the church and the early days of the City of Riverside. WORLD CAFÉ SESSIONS Presentations about five Synod Committees and Work Groups were offered at three times during the next two hours at five locations: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30; 10:45 to 11:15; and 11:30 to 12:00. The committees and work groups were as follows:

1. Congregational Partnering Grants Work Group 2. Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee (JPIC) 3. Property and Finance Committee 4. Racial Ethnic Pastoral Leadership Committee (REPL) 5. Restricted Funds Work Group

The plenary session was adjourned so that the commissioners could attend these break-out sessions. The plenary session will reconvene at 12:45 p.m. following lunch.

PLENARY II The moderator reconvened the plenary session at 12:50 p.m. HYMN AND LECTIO DEVINA The session began with the singing of the Hymn “Be Thou My Vision” and a second reading of I Samuel 3: 1-14. There was then a time for silent reflection. REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK – Part 2 The Stated Clerk continued her report. Review of Presbytery Minutes On January 22, the Stated Clerks of Los Ranchos and Riverside Presbyteries met with the Synod Stated Clerk to review their presbytery minutes since they were not present for this review in July 2014. The Clerk recommends that the following report of the Review of Records be approved and have it spread on the minutes of the meeting of the Synod Assembly.



Approve with exceptions: Presbytery of Los Ranchos Presbytery of Riverside

It was VOTED to APPROVE the report of the Review of Records and to have it spread on the minutes of the Synod Assembly.

Report of Committee on Representation and Nominations On November 1, 2014 the Synod Assembly approved adding three new members to the Commission of Assembly, “one from each major non-white racial group (African-American, Latino, Asian/Asian-American) but not restricted to members of the old Synod-related caucuses.” On November 21, 2014 the Committee on Representation and Nominations nominated Ruling Elders Hagar Benitez (Los Ranchos) and Janice Takeda (San Gabriel) as members of the Commission of Assembly. On December 11, 2014 Elizabeth Hicks was nominated to serve on the CoA as the third person in this category. Both Hagar and Elizabeth were contacted and immediately agreed to serve; they were approved by the Commission of Assembly as new members on December 13, 2015. Janice Takeda had been out of town and agreed to serve on December 23. Since the Commission of Assembly has not met since December 13, 2014 and has not confirmed her, the Stated Clerk recommends that the Synod Assembly elect Ruling Elder Janice Takeda to the Commission of Assembly. It was VOTED to ELECT Ruling Elder Janice Takeda to the Commission of Assembly. Hanmi Executive Commission Action Upon the recommendation of the Stated Clerk and Synod legal counsel the Assembly VOTED to:

1. Ratify the creation and on-going existence of the administrative commission commonly referred to as the Hanmi Executive Commission, as and when appointed.

2. Confirm that the Hanmi Executive Commission is empowered (and remains empowered until completion of each task), pursuant to the Synod’s responsibility and authority under the Book of Order, including under G-3.0403c. to: a. Act on the same basis as the Presbytery of Hanmi could have acted for any and all on-

going matters relating to churches that were members of the Presbytery of Hanmi (each a “Hanmi Church”) upon the dissolution of the Presbytery of Hanmi on June 21, 2014, until each Hanmi Church is transferred to the geographic presbytery in which it is located, dismissed to another Reformed body, or dissolved.

b. As a first priority, oversee the project of transferring each Hanmi Church to its geographic presbytery, based upon the geographic presbytery’s individual criteria and acceptance.


c. Approve on behalf of the Synod the transfer of each Hanmi Church to its geographic presbytery after acceptance by its geographic presbytery.

d. As to any Hanmi Church that refuses to or cannot meet its geographic presbytery’s individual criteria, supervise consideration of the gracious dismissal of the Hanmi Church to another Reformed body upon terms deemed appropriate by the Hanmi Executive Commission.

e. Approve on behalf of the Synod the dismissal of any Hanmi Church to another Reformed body upon terms deemed appropriate by the Hanmi Executive Commission.

f. Take any other actions as may be necessary or appropriate with respect to the Hanmi Churches or in connection with the dissolution and winding up of the affairs of the Presbytery of Hanmi.

3. Ratify all actions taken by the Hanmi Executive Commission through the date hereof. Commission of Assembly Action since December 2014 The Commission of Assembly is responsible for electing the members of the Committee on Representation and Nominations. These four people have been elected to serve in the Class of 2017; three of them will be starting a second term and Sharon Wakamoto is a new member: Martha Kadue Ruling Elder Pacific Presbytery Sylvia Karcher Teaching Elder Riverside Presbytery

Paul Reeves Teaching Elder Los Ranchos Presbytery Sharon Wakamoto Ruling Elder Los Ranchos Presbytery

NEW BUSINESS An issue was raised from the floor about the posting of Assembly reports on the Synod website as password protected documents. Some discussion followed. The Assembly VOTED that all future Assembly documents will be posted on the website without being password protected. HANMI EXECUTIVE COMMISSION The current report of the Hanmi Executive Commission to the Commission of the Assembly was included in the documents distributed for this meeting and is included here.



Report to Synod Assembly from the Hanmi Executive Commission

May 09, 2015

The Hanmi Executive Commission (HEC) continues its work in overseeing the transfer of former Hanmi churches to their geographic Presbyteries. In addition, it acts as the Presbytery for those churches until they transfer, are dismissed or dissolved. As of this date, three churches and their pastors have been transferred, all of them into Los Ranchos: New Praise, Korean Hope and Woori. Three more are awaiting transfer to Los Ranchos: Korean Independent, Antioch, and a portion of Zion Central. The other part of Zion Central is being considered by Los Ranchos as a new church development. Pacific Presbytery is poised to accept four congregations at their July 25 meeting: New (former Sung Lim), West PC of America, Eden and Hanmi (last two in Hawaii). Hosanna might be added to those being transferred in July. Teams are still working with Korean United and Torrance First. Two churches are still considering transfer to San Fernando: Hanwoory and Glendale. Two congregations have been dissolved: Korean Thousand Oaks (Santa Barbara) and Antelope Valley (San Fernando). Korean Palm Springs in Riverside and Young Nak in San Diego are being worked with. New Church Developments Gwangyoung Beautiful in San Fernando and Blessed in Los Ranchos are starting the conversations about their future. An NCD in Santa Monica apparently no longer exists. Hanmi Transfer Teams meet as a body approximately every month to six weeks to share information, concerns and ideas. A number of the members have served on multiple teams and have contributed significantly to the progress made to date. In the next several weeks a concerted effort will be made to contact pastors, especially those honorably retired, to offer assistance, if needed to facilitate their transfers into geographic presbyteries. Members of the Hanmi Executive Commission RE Susan Skoglund (moderator), RS TE Mark Hong, LR RE Jim Stueck, SB RE Jo Smith, LR TE Ann Hayman, PA TE David Won (clerk), HM

End of Report REPORT OF RACIAL ETHNIC PASTORAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Teaching Elder Leon Fanniel presented a written report that is included here.


RACIAL ETHNIC PASTORAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Synod of Southern California and Hawaii

REPORT TO THE SPRING SYNOD ASSEMBLY MEETING May 9, 2015 - Magnolia Presbyterian Church, Riverside, CA

REPL — A Brief History . . . for new Commissioners

The REPL program was developed in response to a 1979 Synod task force study on the growing need for pastors of racial ethnic congregations within the Synod and nationally. In 1982, the Executive Presbyters and the Synod Executive requested the task force to "draw up a 'Synod level Ethnic Minority Scholarship Fund.'" The Synod Assembly approved this program in 1982. Initial funding came from presbyteries, congregations, Racial Ethnic Caucuses, and individuals. These funds were invested with the Presbyterian Foundation, with the interest continuing to be used to provide the primary financial source for scholarships. The initial individual scholarship grant in1983 was $200.00.

2014 FALL SCHOLARSHIP CYCLE - Summary:

The 2014 Fall REPL scholarship cycle provided scholarships and other supportive services for the winter (2015) academic semester or quarters. This was the first year for two cycles to accommodate students who did not apply during the spring cycle. One (1) racial ethnic seminarian applied during this period. The following seminarian received a scholarship through the fall application process:

Stephen I. Robertson - PAC - FTS 5,000.00

(PAC - Pacific Presbytery) (FTS-Fuller Theological Seminary)

NOTE: During the 2014-2015 academic year, five (5) seminarians received scholarships. This is the first time in the history of the REPL program that we have been able to give a maximum scholarship of $5,000.00, due in part to the smaller number of applicants. The new maximum was greatly needed because of the increase in tuition at all of the seminaries. Funding for the Fall 2014 scholarship cycle came from REPL Restricted Funds.

The total number of REPL scholarships awarded from 1983 thru January, 2015 is approximately 335 with a total amount of $372,375.00.

2014 - 2015 REPL COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES: The committee meets five (5) times yearly. Our November2014 meeting included the review of scholarship applications received in our Fall Scholarship cycle. Our January 2015 meeting included the interview of our Fall cycle applicant. The April 2015 meeting (Conf. Call) included the election of new officers for 2015-2016. We are grateful to the Union Church of Los Angeles for hosting our regular meetings for the past several years and Monte Vista Grove Homes for hosting our 2014 August meeting for interviews. We will continue to meet at MVGH during 2015.

REPL COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP: We are deeply grateful for the capable and faithful service of our REPL Committee: Class of 2014: Elder Hagar Benitez (At-large –LR) - Rev. Ken B. Ly, Chair (At-large -SG) Class of 2015: Elder James Furuya (At-large - AMC – PAC) - Elder Lois Hines (At-large –NBPC-SC-PAC) Class of 2016: Rev. Daniel Bahng (AMC / Korean Conf. SG) - Elder Joan C. West, Secretary (NBPC-SC-PAC).



A Special "Thank You" to RULING ELDER JAMES FURUYA (PAC/AMC), one of the organizing members of REPL and the REV. KEN B. LY, (SG) a former REPL recipient, who has also served the past two years as Chair. Both have provided significant leadership. We accepted their resignations with deep regret. We also extend a warm welcome to the REV. DR. STEVE YAMAGUCHI (LR), a former REPL recipient, who will join the Class of 2017 along with Ruling Elder Hagar Benitez. 2015-2016 OFFICERS

Elder Hagar Benitez, Chair Ruling Elder Lois Hines, Vice Chair Ruling Elder Joan C. West, Secretary Teaching Elder Leon E. Fanniel, Coordinator

END OF REPORT

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN OF THE SYNOD Janice Takeda, Moderator of Presbyterian Women of the Synod, presented a written report which is included here.

Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii Report to the Synod Assembly -- May 9, 2015

January 10, 2015 The Together in Action program, “Sever the Shackles,” focusing on Human Trafficking was held at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Riverside. The program featured a readers’ theater “Survivor’s Stories: Then and Now”, the showing of the UNICEF documentary “Not My Life”, and the keynote speaker was Opal Singleton, sharing about the Million Kids program. March 2, “Water Surrounds Us, Water Sustains Us”, the Spring Gathering of PW was held at First Presbyterian Church in Encino. Wendy Gist, Mission Advocate for Hunger, Poverty and Peacemaking for San Gabriel and San Fernando Presbyteries spoke on water projects. Doska Ross, Synod Executive gave an update on what is happening with the Synod and Presbyteries both locally and nationally. She also installed the new PWS officers. Susan Skoglund will be our new PWS Moderator. Shari Stump, our Synod representative to the Global Exchange to the Caribbean reported on some of her experiences. Sharon Wakamoto, Synod representative to the Churchwide Coordinating Team commissioned those who will be attending the Churchwide Gathering in June. June 10 – 16 Our PWS will be hosting Farida De Costa from Curacao. She will be here as a Global Partner attending the Churchwide Gathering after her time here. She was one of the women who hosted Shari Stump while she was on the Global Exchange.


June 18 – 21, 2015 The Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The theme is “One Body, One Spirit”. The Synod luncheon will be held on Friday, June 18 from 12 – 1:30 at Westminster Presbyterian Church (across from the Hyatt). Kathleen Julian from Los Ranchos will be our Synod representative to the business meeting. Nermine Hanna from San Gabriel will be installed as the MAL for Middle Eastern Women on the Churchwide Coordinating Team. PWS is providing three scholarships to the Gathering. There is still time to register for the Gathering. The new 2015-16 Horizons Bible Study is now available both in paper and electronically. “Come to the Waters” is written by Judy Fletcher. If any group would like to hear more about the PW Global Exchange to the Caribbean, Shari Stump is available to come and speak.

END OF REPORT CONGREGATIONAL PARTNERING GRANTS Work Group Chair Teaching Elder Linda Culbertson presented the report. The Congregational Partnering Grants Program was begun by the Synod in 2006 using restricted funds held for New Church Development and Church Redevelopment. There was an initial allocation of $300,000 for each presbytery and a later allocation of another $150,000 for each presbytery. The program requires that the matching funds be provided by the presbytery, local church, the denomination or from some other source. This is the first grant request submitted by Presbytery of the Pacific. The Work Group has determined that this project meets all of the requirements of the Congregational Partnering Grants program. The Work Group has reviewed the New Worshiping Communities Investment Grant Application for Iglesia Presbiteriana Agape (Agape) from Presbytery of the Pacific and recommends that it be approved for funding. A copy of the grant application is included as Attachment 3. The Assembly VOTED to APPROVE funding the grant application from Pacific of the Pacific for Iglesia Presbiteriana Agape. RESTRICTED FUNDS In the absence of Work Group Chair Ruling Elder Jane Atkins Vasquez, Stated Clerk Doska Ross presented the report. These grants are funded with income and in some cases principal from a number of Synod investment funds. The Work Group reviewed the grant application for the Denver Youth Trip



which is included as Attachment 4 and recommends that it be approved for funding contingent upon the receipt of the required approvals from San Gabriel and Riverside Presbyteries. The Assembly VOTED to APPROVE funding for the Denver Youth Trip contingent upon the receipt of the required approvals from San Gabriel and Riverside Presbyteries. JUSTICE, PEACE AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION In the absence of Committee Chair Teaching Elder Darrel Meyers, the Stated Clerk directed the Assembly’s attention to the flyer advertising a Climate Crisis Conference that is being sponsored by the committee. It will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Palos Verdes and run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. LECTIO DEVINA CONTINUED There was then a third reading of I Samuel 3: 1-14 and time for meditation and refection. FUTURE OF THE SYNODS 2.5 Doska Ross presented a report and then held a workshop for the commissioners to express their views on the issue. Her report is as follows: The General Assembly in 2014 passed Item 05-04 which directed that a new configuration of synod boundaries be established based on an emerging sense of purpose, partnership, context and call through a collaborative process between the synods and presbyteries resulting in no more than 10-12 synods. The synods shall report to the 222nd General Assembly (2016). Synods across the country are having consultations with their presbyteries and/or are asking for results of internal conversations within a presbytery. In November, 2014 our Synod Assembly approved a task force consisting of one person from each of our seven presbyteries to work with Doska on this undertaking. [see below for names] This group in January met with a similar group from the Synod of the Pacific to discuss a possible merger; the conversation included the particular gifts and challenges of each synod and what we might see as benefits of such a merger. In June the same group will be meeting with a group from the Synod of the Southwest for a similar conversation. There is a possibility of a larger group coming together later this summer; this would include people from the five western synods. At the April Forum of Synod Executives we shared what we are hearing in our synods about this topic. The consensus around the country is that there is little energy in the system to spend time, talent, treasure to pursue this goal of fewer synods since there seems to be no particular benefit to the presbyteries. It is rumored that there may be overtures sent to the GA next summer to rescind the action taken. But we can still profit from the larger conversation, even if nothing ends up being changed.


For the workshop she asked those present to write their thoughts on the following questions and to share those thoughts around their table with 2-3 others.

1. What do you see right now as the purpose and call to your presbytery and to this synod? 2. How could an expanded partnership with (an)other synod(s) expand this purpose and

call? 3. What are the ministries in your presbytery that are shaped by relationships with people in

other presbyteries? Is the synod currently involved in that partnership; if so, how? 4. What benefits could be possible if we merged with another synod? What costs might

there be? 5. What else would you like to share?

Members of the Task Force

TE Kristin Leucht – San Fernando RE Jim Shepard – Riverside RE Maurice Caskey – San Diego TE Wendy Tajima – San Gabriel RE Jo Smith – Los Ranchos TE Leon Fanniel – Pacific RE Bill Hughes – Santa Barbara RE Doska Ross

End of Report

After discussions around the tables, people were invited to share any of their thoughts with the larger group. BENEDICTION AND ADJOURNMENT After the singing of the hymn “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and a closing benediction the assembly was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015. ________________________________ ______________________________ Fried R. Wilson, Journal Clerk Doska Ross, Stated Clerk

Report to Synod Assembly from the Hanmi Executive Commission

November 07, 2015

The Hanmi Executive Commission (HEC) continues its work in overseeing the transfer of former Hanmi churches to their geographic Presbyteries. In addition, it acts as the Presbytery for those churches until they are transferred, dismissed or dissolved.

At this time, seven churches have been transferred and received for membership in geographic presbyteries. Three churches have been dissolved. One church has been dismissed to the Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad (KPCA). Seven churches and two new church developments are still working through the process. One of these is stymied by ongoing litigation; an attempt to work out a settlement is ongoing. Provided below is a breakdown by geographic presbytery.

Los Ranchos - Received into membership: Korean Hope; New Praise; Woori; Zion Central NCD split. Dismissed to Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad: Southern California Antioch. Still in process: Korean Independent; Zion Central; Blessed Presbyterian (NCD).

Pacific – Received into membership: Hanmi Presbyterian (Hawaii); Korean Eden (Hawaii); New Presbyterian; West Presbyterian of America. Still in process: Hosanna; Korean United; Torrance First.

Riverside – Dissolved: Korean Presbyterian Church of Palm Springs. (A remnant of the congregation were received by the presbytery as a new church development.)

Santa Barbara – Dissolved: Thousand Oaks (proceeds from sale of property distributed and to be distributed to organization to benefit primarily Southern California Korean congregations and pastors).

San Diego – Still in process: Young Nak.

San Fernando – Dissolved: Antelope Valley (property to be sold). Still in process: Hanwoory

San Gabriel – Received into membership – Presbytery will vote on Glendale Korean in their November 14 meeting.

All pastors of churches received into membership in geographic presbyteries were also transferred to those presbyteries. One pastor of a church that was dissolved was received into membership by his geographic presbytery. A limited number of honorably retired pastors have been transferred at this time. HEC acting as Presbytery removed from PCUSA rolls those pastors for whom we had no contact information. One of the first actions we took as HEC was to hold a meeting for honorably retired pastors to brief them on the process for transferring. Ongoing efforts have been to contact them individually. While transfer to a geographic presbytery is not necessary to receive their benefits, it is necessary to remain on the rolls of the PCUSA.

We are grateful for the on-going prayers of the presbyteries and congregations of the synod. We expect to have all transfers complete by General Assembly in Portland next summer.

Ecclesiastical 1.3 Gray

Synod of Southern California and Hawaii – Committee on Representation and Nominations

Report to Synod Assembly – November 7, 2015

Synod Staff, Committees, Boards, Organizing Bodies, Working Groups, and Cabinets: 2014 Gender and Ordination Status Race/Ethnicity

#

Unit/entity T

Total

Male

T E

Male

R E

Male

OTHER

Female

T E

Female

R E

Female OTHER

As Asian

/Pacific Islander

B Black/ African

American

Af African

H Hispanic/ Latino/a

NA Native

American

ME Middle Eastern

W White/

European American

1 Synod PJC 11 1 5 0 4 1 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 7 2 Synod Executive

Committee 16 4 5 0 4 3 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 12

3 Synod Commissioners

45 16 11 0 9 9 0 10 4 0 2 0 0 29

4 Synod Staff 4

1

1

1

0

1

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

2

5 Synod Officers

5 0 2 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4

6 Polity and Records 9 5 1 0 0 3 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 6 7 Com on Rep and

Nominations

12 4 2 0 2 4 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 9

8 Hanmi Exec. Commission

6 2 1 0 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4

9 10 11 12

Totals 108 33 28 1 21 25 0 23 7 0 5 0 0 73

Key: As = Asian; B = Black, African American; Af = African; H = Hispanic/Latino/a; NA = Native American; ME = Middle Eastern; W = White Male TE = Male Teaching Elder; Male RE = Male Ruling Elder; Male OTHER = Male neither ruling nor teaching elders; Female TE = Female Teaching Elder; FR = Female Ruling Elder; Female OTHER = Female neither ruling nor teaching elders

Notes: The sum of Male Teaching Elders (ministers), Male Ruling Elders, Male Other, Female Teaching Elders (ministers), Female Ruling Elders and Female Other should equal the number in the Total column. Multi-racial or multi-ethnic persons should be included in each applicable Race Ethnicity category. If there are no multi-racial or multi-ethnic persons in a particular group or committee, the sum of the six race ethnicity categories should equal the number in the Total column.

Ecclesiastical 1.4b White

Synod of Southern California and Hawaii – Committee on Representation and Nominations Report to Synod Assembly – November 7, 2015 (continued)

Synod Staff, Committees, Boards, Organizing Bodies, Working Groups, and Cabinets: 2014, continued Ability Age

#

Unit/entity T Total

DNA Persons w/ disability

requiring NO accommodation(s)

DRA Persons w/

disability requiring accommodation(s)

ND Persons with

NO DISABILITY

Not Reported

Y ≤25

YA 26-35

A1 36-45

A2 46-55

MA 56-64

SA ≥65

1 Synod PJC 11 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 1 4 6 2 Synod Executive

Cmte (Council)

16

0

0

16

0

0

0

2

5

6

3

3 Synod Commissioners

45 0 0 45 0 0 2 10 10 11 12

4 Synod Staff 4 0

0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 2

5 Synod Officers 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 2 2 1

6 Polity and Records 9 0 0 9 0 0 0 1 2 3 3 7 C Com on Rep & Nom 12 0 0 12 0 0 0 2 4 3 3 8 Hanmi Exec.

Commission 6 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 2 2 2

9 10 11 12 13

Totals 108 0 0 108 0 0 2 15 26 33 32

Key: D = Person With Disability (PWD) “Persons with disabilities are a diverse group of individuals who have a physical or mental disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as relating, caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.” (Adapted definition from General Assembly Minutes, 1991, Part I, p. 630)

NA = not requiring accommodation(s); RA = requiring accommodation(s); and ND = No Disability

Y = Youth 25 and younger; YA = Young Adult 26-35; A1 = Adult 36-45; A2 = Adult 46-55; MA = Mature Adult 56-64; SA = Senior Adult 65 and older

Note: The sum of the four age groups should equal the number in the Total (persons) column.

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POLITY AND RECORDS COMMITTEE (P&RC) Report to Fall Synod Assembly 2015

First Presbyterian Church, San Diego, California November 7, 2015

The Polity and Records Committee and the Presbytery Stated Clerks met on September 1 to review presbytery minutes and records. The Polity and Records Committee members then met in the afternoon to approve a draft of the revised Synod Bylaws and to develop revised Sexual Misconduct and Child Protection Policies.

I. REVIEW OF RECORDS The Polity and Records Committee RECOMMENDS that the following report of the Review of Records be approved and spread on the minutes of the meeting of the Synod Assembly. Approve without exceptions:

Presbytery of San Fernando Approve with exceptions:

Presbytery of Los Ranchos Presbytery of the Pacific Presbytery of San Diego Presbytery of San Gabriel Presbytery of Santa Barbara Presbytery of Riverside

II. SYNOD BYLAWS

The 2015 Fall Synod Assembly had directed the Polity and Records Committee to bring to the next Synod Assembly revised bylaws that would:

• Restructure the Synod similar to the sabbatical season with a Synod Assembly and a Commission of Assembly with interim authority;

• Empower the Commission of Assembly to create needed committees and working groups to carry out the work of the Synod and that the majority membership of those committees and working groups should be composed of commissioners to the Assembly; and

• Specify that the terms of commissioners to Synod Assembly be two years and renewable once so that the commissioners bring continuity to the meetings of the Synod.

The Committee drafted and approved the attached bylaws that meet the requirements set forth above. In addition, to accommodate the two-year terms for commissioners, the length of term for members of Synod Ecclesiastical committees has been changed from three years to two years with a maximum of two consecutive terms. This change in the length of the term does not apply

Ecclesiastical 1.5 and

Ecclesiastical 1.5a Gray

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to the members of the Permanent Judicial Commission as their term of six years is mandated by the Book of Order. The changes can be found on the following pages of Report 1.5a.

Commission of Assembly (CoA) Pages 4-6 CoA power to create subcommittees, work groups, et. Page 6 Membership of those groups Page 6 Terms of Commissioners Page 2 Terms of members of Ecclesiastical Committees Pages 4 & 5

The Polity and Records Committee RECOMMENDS that the attached Bylaws labeled as Report Eccl 1.5a be approved.

As proposed as of 09/28/15

ECCLESIASTICAL AND CORPORATE BYLAWS OF

THE SYNOD OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND HAWAII PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)

ARTICLE I. NAME AND DESCRIPTION The name of this organization shall be the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii. It is a middle council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and encompasses the following Presbyteries:

Los Ranchos Pacific Riverside San Diego San Fernando San Gabriel Santa Barbara

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE As disciples of Jesus Christ, instructed by the Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Synod is called by God to be a community of faith to carry out the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) within its bounds, and specifically to perform the function of synods as set forth in G-3.04 of the Form of Government in the Book of Order. The purpose and vision of the Synod is set forth in a Vision Statement included, along with the Mission Design, in the Manual of Administrative Operations.

ARTICLE III. CIVIL CORPORATION A. The Synod of Southern California and Hawaii exists under the California Non-Profit

Public Benefit Corporation Law for the religious and charitable purposes noted above. B. The principal office for the transaction of the business of the Corporation will be located in

Los Angeles County, California. C. The general powers of the corporation shall be those normally ascribed to such

corporations, and shall be subject to the provisions of the California Non-Profit Corporation Law and any limitation noted in these bylaws.

D. The Directors (Trustees) of the Corporation shall be the Commission of Assembly of the

Synod.

Ecclesiastical 1.5a

2

E. The officers of the Civil Corporation shall be (1) a President, who is the Chair of the Commission of Assembly, (2) a Secretary, who is the Stated Clerk of the Synod, and (3) a Treasurer. The Synod Assembly shall also elect a Moderator and a Vice-Moderator. These five officers collectively shall be called the ecclesiastical and corporate officers.

F. The Annual Meeting of the Corporation shall be held in connection with the first meeting

of the Commission of Assembly held in each calendar year. G. The corporation may indemnify any agent of the corporation against any liability asserted

against or incurred by the agent in such capacity and arising out of the agent’s status as such, as may be allowed by the California Non-Profit Corporation Law and any future amendments to it.

ARTICLE IV. STRUCTURE

The Synod shall maintain appropriate structure to carry out its purpose and mission. A. SYNOD ASSEMBLY The Synod ordinarily will meet twice a year as an Assembly to conduct the necessary business; at least one of these meetings shall include the observance of the Lord’s Supper. 1. Authority and responsibility. The Synod Assembly has the primary responsibility for, but

may delegate to commissions or the Commission of Assembly the following:

a. The Vision Statement, Mission Design, and the Ecclesiastical and Corporate Bylaws. b. Election of the officers of the Synod; members of the Permanent Judicial

Commission, the Ecclesiastical Committees, and the Commission of Assembly; and trustees of related corporations.

c. Synod Budgets, with authority granted to the Commission of Assembly to amend such budgets.

d. Overtures to the General Assembly and to the Synod. 2. Time of meeting. The stated meetings of the Synod Assembly will be held at a time and

place designated by the Commission of Assembly to conduct any business appropriate to it. Additional meetings may be called according to the provisions of G-3.0405.

3. Membership. The Synod Assembly shall be composed of an equal number of teaching

elder and ruling elder commissioners elected by and from each of the presbyteries, so as to provide a ruling elder and a teaching elder commissioner for each 4,000 church members or major fraction thereof, provided that no presbytery has fewer than two teaching elder and two ruling elder commissioners, with the number to be determined by the Stated Clerk of the Synod. Each presbytery should also elect alternates, or provide by rule for the naming of alternates, in the event that elected commissioners are unable to attend. The Stated Clerk of each presbytery shall certify in writing to the Stated Clerk of the Synod the

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names of those who will serve as commissioners, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the convening of the Synod Assembly. Commissioners to the Synod Assembly will be expected to serve as members of the Synod’s various committees or the Commission of Assembly.

4. Term. The term of each commissioner will be two calendar years beginning on January 1.

Any teaching elder or ruling elder within a presbytery is eligible for election as a commissioner. Commissioners may be elected to one additional term of two years, and shall be ineligible for re-election to any additional term after a total of four years, until one year has elapsed.

5. Officers. The Synod shall have a Moderator and a Stated Clerk as required by G-3.0104.

In addition to the two required officers, the Synod shall elect a Vice-Moderator who will serve as the Moderator-elect. The Moderator shall serve the following year as Chair of the Commission of Assembly. The Synod shall elect a Treasurer. These five officers collectively shall be called the ecclesiastical and corporate officers.

6. Terms of Officers. The term of the Moderator, Vice-Moderator and Chair of the

Commission of Assembly is one (1) year. The term of the Treasurer is three (3) years. The term of the Stated Clerk is determined by the Synod Assembly.

7. Ex Officio Members. Members of the Commission of Assembly and members of the

Synod staff will be named ex officio members, without vote, of the Synod Assembly. 8. Corresponding Members. Corresponding members may be seated with voice but without

vote. Former Moderators of the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii shall be enrolled as corresponding members at their request. Official guests of the Synod Assembly may be seated as corresponding members, upon approval of the Assembly.

9. Quorum. A quorum of the Synod Assembly shall be fourteen (14) commissioners, at least

seven (7) of whom shall be ruling elders and at least seven (7) of whom shall be teaching elders, representing at least five (5) presbyteries.

B. PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION & ECCLESIASTICAL COMMITTEES Permanent Judicial Commission 1. Responsibilities. The Permanent Judicial Commission shall have the responsibilities

outlined in the Book of Order D-5.0000. 2. Membership. There shall be eleven (11) members of the Permanent Judicial Commission,

all of whom shall be either teaching elders or ruling elders, in numbers as nearly equal as possible, with at least one member from each of the constituent presbyteries as provided in D-5.0101.

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3. Term. The term of each member of the commission shall be six years, and members shall

be elected in three classes as provided in D-5.0102 and D-5.0103. Ecclesiastical Committees are committees that are accountable directly to the Synod Assembly, and whose responsibilities are required by the Book of Order. 1. Committee on Representation and Nominations.

a. Responsibilities. The Committee on Representation and Nominations shall have the responsibilities outlined in the Book of Order at G-3.0103 and G-3.0111. It shall have the responsibility to identify and recruit individuals to serve in elected positions in the Synod and shall work to assure fair representation.

b. Membership. There shall be twelve (12) members on the committee, with at least one

from each presbytery within the Synod. The majority of members shall be commissioners to the Synod Assembly. The Synod Executive, if any, shall serve as an ex officio member of the committee, without vote. To serve on the Committee on Representation and Nominations, individuals are nominated by a Nominations Work Group of the Commission of Assembly.

c. Term. The term is two years. Members may serve no more than two consecutive

terms. 2. Polity and Records Committee.

a. Responsibilities. The Polity and Records Committee shall have the responsibility to review presbytery records, process overtures, train/resource ecclesiastical functions and relate to other ecclesiastical bodies.

b. Membership. There shall be nine (9) teaching elder/ruling elder members of the

committee, with at least one from each presbytery within the synod. The majority of members shall be commissioners to the Synod Assembly.

c. Term. The term is two years. Members may serve no more than two consecutive

terms. C. COMMISSION OF ASSEMBLY

1. Responsibilities. a. The Commission of Assembly shall serve as the Board of Trustees for the

corporation, and will have the power to act in the name of the Synod between meetings of the Synod Assembly reporting such actions to the succeeding Synod

5

Assembly. The Commission of Assembly has primary responsibility for trustees, interim authority, financial oversight, budget development, personnel and property.

b. The Commission of Assembly has responsibility to develop and support a broad strategy for mission and ministry across the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii. The Commission of Assembly shall coordinate and provide oversight of ministries that cross presbytery boundaries. This will include making recommendations for the use of church development funds and restricted and designated funds for mission and ministry. The Committee has initial responsibility for church development/redevelopment funds, restricted/designated funds for mission and ministry, Racial Ethnic Pastoral Leadership (REPL), racial ethnic and justice ministries including Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation (JPIC), emerging mission and ministry issues, and Related Mission Partners.

2. Meetings. There shall normally be four stated meetings of the Commission of Assembly

each year. Additional meetings may be held upon the call of the Chair or any five (5) voting members of the Commission of Assembly, representing at least three (3) presbyteries.

3. Membership. There shall be voting members of the Commission of Assembly as follows:

• five (5) ecclesiastical and corporate officers, • seven (7) members who serve ex officio as the executives of the seven

presbyteries within the synod, or the designee of that presbytery; • four (4) commissioners to the Synod Assembly chosen to balance the diversity

of the Commission of Assembly, • three (3) members, one from each major non-white racial group (African

American, Latino/a, Asian/Asian American) and the chairs of the two (2) ecclesiastical committees shall serve ex officio.

4. Term. Those who serve ex officio serve for the term of that office. The term of the

members from the seven presbyteries is two years. Members are eligible to serve no more than two consecutive terms. The classes shall be established by the Stated Clerk.

5. Officers. The Officers of the Commission of Assembly shall be a Chair, who normally

shall be the immediate past Moderator of the Synod Assembly, and a Secretary, who is the Stated Clerk of the Synod. The Commission of Assembly may choose to elect a Vice-Chair upon the recommendation of the Chair.

6. Terms of Officers. The terms of the Commission of Assembly Chair and Vice-Chair, if

any, shall normally be one year. The term of the Secretary is concurrent with the term of the Stated Clerk.

7. Quorum. A quorum for a meeting of the Commission of Assembly shall be eleven (11)

voting members, so long as five (5) presbyteries are represented, and there are at least four (4) ruling elders and four (4) teaching elders present.

6

8. Approval of Sub-groups. The Commission of Assembly has the authority to create

committees, work groups, and task forces to assist in carrying out its responsibilities. Each of these sub-groups should have at least one member of the Commission of Assembly serving on it. The majority of each sub-group shall consist of Assembly Commissioners. The names of those serving on such groups should be recorded in the minutes of the Commission of Assembly and also recorded in the minutes of the Synod Assembly.

D. RELATED ENTITIES The Synod of Southern California and Hawaii has a direct relationship with others that engage in mission and ministry on behalf of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The following corporations have accountability to the synod through (1) election of their trustees by the synod, (2) an ex officio member of their boards designated by the synod, (3) concurrence of the synod in changes to the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, and (4) an annual report, including a copy of the audit, made to the synod annually.

Monte Vista Grove Homes, Inc.

Presbyterian Camp and Conference Centers, Inc. Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Commission, Inc.

The Synod of Southern California and Hawaii of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Synod of the Nile, Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt have established a sister synod relationship.

ARTICLE V. OFFICE OF THE SYNOD EXECUTIVE

The Synod may authorize the staff services of a Synod Executive. (G-3.0110) The Executive shall be elected by the Synod Assembly, according to procedures set out in the Manual of Administrative Operations, and is responsible to perform the functions detailed in the Position Description for the Synod Executive as adopted by the Synod Assembly.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICE OF THE STATED CLERK The Synod shall elect a Stated Clerk (G-3.0104). The Stated Clerk is the chief ecclesiastical officer of the Synod. The Stated Clerk shall be elected by the Synod Assembly according to procedures set out in the Manual of Administrative Operations, and is responsible to perform the functions detailed in the Position Description for the Stated Clerk as adopted by the Synod Assembly.

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ARTICLE VII. ELECTIONS A. Principles governing those elected to serve in the Synod of Southern California and

Hawaii include:

1. The Synod is committed to ensure that the principles of diversity and inclusiveness are upheld in the variety of those elected to serve the Synod.

2. Wherever possible, and wherever specified in these Bylaws, all elected bodies shall

include at least one member from each of the presbyteries within the synod.

3. It is important to assure a balance of experienced and new leadership. Thus there are, within these bylaws, limits on the number of terms an individual can serve. Only those who serve ex-officio may be elected to the same body for more than two consecutive two-year terms. a. Commissioners to the Synod Assembly may serve no more than two consecutive

two-year terms, and there must be at least one year intervening before an individual can be again elected.

b. Elected members of Ecclesiastical Committees and the Commission of Assembly

shall normally serve a two-year term, with a total limit of no more than four consecutive years on any body. Election to more than four consecutive years can be accomplished only by setting aside these Bylaws.

c. Terms for chairs of Ecclesiastical Committees shall be two years, with the

possibility of two consecutive terms.

d. The term of office for the Moderator and Vice-Moderator of the Synod, and of the Chair of the Commission of Assembly is one year. The Vice-Moderator of Synod shall serve as the Moderator-elect of the Synod. The Moderator of the Synod shall serve the succeeding year as Chair of the Commission of Assembly. If it is not possible for the Vice-Moderator to serve the succeeding year as Moderator, or for the Moderator to serve the succeeding year as Chair of the Commission of Assembly, the Committee on Representation and Nominations shall make suitable nominations.

4. Term of office for those elected to serve Synod entities shall normally begin January 1

of the year following election at the Synod Assembly.

5. In order to encourage broad participation, individuals who are elected to serve on a committee of synod or the Commission of Assembly are ineligible to serve on a second committee of the synod or Commission of Assembly, except as provided in these bylaws.

8

6. In order to encourage the best possible leadership, wherever a member has been

absent from an elected responsibility for three consecutive meetings, the Stated Clerk shall report that fact to the appropriate body, and the position may be declared vacant.

B. Nominations for election are made as follows:

1. Moderator, Vice-Moderator/Moderator-elect of the Synod, Chair of the Commission of Assembly, and Treasurer by the Committee on Representation and Nominations, in compliance with Article VII.A.3.d above.

2. Stated Clerk by a Search Committee elected by the Synod in accordance with the

Manual of Administrative Operations.

3. Synod Executive, if any, by a Search Committee elected by the Synod in accordance with the Manual of Administrative Operations.

4. Members of the Commission of Assembly, the Permanent Judicial Commission, the

Polity and Records Committee by the Committee on Representation and Nominations.

5. Members of, and Chair of, the Committee on Representation and Nominations by the Commission of Assembly.

6. Chair of the Polity and Records Committee by the Committee on Representation and

Nominations. 7. The Moderator and Clerk of the Permanent Judicial Commission by the Synod PJC.

(D-5.0201).

8. Trustees of the Related Entities by the Committee on Representation and Nominations, normally upon recommendation of those corporations.

9. All others as provided in the Manual of Administrative Operations.

C. Any vacancy in an elected position within the Synod may be filled by the Commission of

Assembly until the next Synod Assembly.

ARTICLE VIII. SUSPENSION OR AMENDMENT A. Any portion of these Bylaws may be suspended by a two-thirds vote of the commissioners

present at any Synod Assembly. B. These bylaws may be amended or revised by a two-thirds vote of the commissioners

present at any meeting of the Synod Assembly, provided that the proposed amendment or

9

revision has been previously submitted to the Assembly in writing.

ARTICLE IX. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY Parliamentary Authority for all meetings of the Synod Assembly and Commission of Assembly, and other entities of the Synod, shall be the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, except in those cases where the Constitution of the denomination, or these Bylaws otherwise provide. Note: All Book of Order References in these Bylaws are taken from the 2013-2015-2017 edition. Adopted 10/24/1997 Amended 10/23/1998 Amended 12/05/1998 Amended 10/28/2004 Amended 10/21/2005 Amended 12/08/2007 Amended 10/25/2008 Amended 10/30/2010 Amended 04/21/2012 Amended 11/03/2012 Amended 11/07/2015

synod of southern california and hawaiisaturday, may 9, 2015 plenary i invitation to worship and...

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