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Dismissed California ABC Church Finds New Regional Home in New York State
On
Monday, April 30, 2001, San Leandro Community Church in San Leandro, CA was
accepted into the Rochester/Genesee (NY) Region. Rochester/Genesee is also the
regional home to First Baptist Church of Granville, Ohio. San Leandro is
the last of the 5 disfellowshipped churches to find a American Baptist Region.
The requirement to join another Regions was a compromise reached by the American
Baptist Churches/USA governing board to allow churches expelled from one Region
because of their membership in the Association of Welcoming & Affirming
Baptists to remain within the denomination.
San
Leandro pastor, Rev. Kay Wellington and 4 members of the church made a
presentation to regional delegates that was filled with joy and lots of emotion.
After a time of prayer and silence, the vote was made by written ballot.
The Region requires affirmation by 75 percent of the delegates present and
voting to receive a church into Region membership. With 69 people voting, the
count was 64 in favor, 5 opposed, no abstentions. 52 votes were needed to
receive the new church.
This was a significant moment for the Rochester/Genesee Region and for the San
Leandro Community Church. Lisa Drysdale from Rochester/Genesee says, "We
believe our delegates were well equipped to make a thoughtful decision. Thank
you to the task force responsible for attending to this application (Peter
Carman, Chair, Betty Stevens, Edwina Fisbaugh, Ken Dodgson, George Huffsmith).
The Region is looking forward to nurturing their relationship with its new
church member.
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