Spring is in the air. Compared with many places in North America, spring comes very early in Southern California. A few weeks ago, pear blossoms appeared. Trees that had shed their greenery in December began producing new leaves in January.

We have not only begun a new year, but a new season of the year with new hopes and possibilities. In like manner, the individuals you have asked to lead the Southeastern California Conference for the next four years are pulling together in new ways. Many continue with responsibilities they have carried in the past, providing stability and much-needed services. Others are taking new roles and duties. It is a time to evaluate and reassess. It is a time for growth and change. It is spring!

In this issue of Conference Priorities you’ll see a picture of your new conference committee in action. In addition, an article introduces new personnel in property and trust services department (PATS). In the Southeastern California Conference news section of the Recorder, you’ll also find a profile of Don Dudley, our new superintendent of education. All of us would appreciate your prayers as we open ourselves to the needs and opportunities of the coming year.

– Gerald Penick, President

A four-day event embraced “76 years of precious memories” for the 1,700-member San Bernardino 16th Street Church.

Hundreds of past and present members attended the milestone anniversary. Former pastor Gary Wimbish (1983-84) spoke Sabbath morning. Former member Ollie Jackson preached Friday night and Rebecca White, a professional musician, presented special music. The October 27-30, 2004, celebration ended with a Saturday night banquet.

The 16th Street Church has it origins in 1928 when a group of believers began meeting in the living room of the Green Weston family home. Newly converted, they and the Eli Lane family had moved to San Bernardino from Los Angeles. In 1930, after evangelistic meetings with Elders J. E. Johnson and Elder Owen A. Troy, Sr., the group increased to 40 members and on November 6, 1931, was organized as the Valley View Church. More evangelists continued to preach for the church and many community members, often in a tent on the vacant corner of 8th and “K” streets in San Bernardino. In 1939 the 100-member congregation constructed a church on this location and called it the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 1952 after extensive enlarging and remodeling, it became the “K” Street Church.

In 1978 the current building was constructed at 1602 West 16th Street in San Bernardino. Through the years, the 16th Street Church has had the privilege of raising up daughter churches and companies including the Kansas Avenue Church, Blythe Company, Valley Fellowship Church, Palmdale Company, and Sharon Church (Tucson, Arizona). The church’s motto and mission is “Setting the Captives Free…All Glory Be to God.”

New Talent Energizes Property and Trust Service Department

Eight new people have joined the property and trust services department (PATS) in Southeastern California Conference during 2004 and early 2005. In addition, three staff members have accepted new assignments within the department. Six are staying by, continuing the work they have been doing.

“During 2004 several PATS employees retired or moved away,” explains Charles McKinstry who became director last October. “My first task has been to find good replacements. We are now getting acquainted and rebuilding the team.”

What Does PATS Do for You?

The property and trust services department works on behalf of church members, schools, and congregations in three major areas.

1. Planned giving, trusts, and wills. Traditionally, people think of personal or family trusts and wills when they think of PATS.

Trust officers can assist church members in gathering information to help their attorney prepare a will. If a family doesn’t have an attorney, suggestions can be provided. A will indicates how you want your assets distributed at death. Generally, wills are subject to probate taxes in California.

Trust officers can also help church members set up a trust. A living trust allows you to manage assets in your lifetime and to indicate how to distribute your assets at death. Trusts do not go through probate court. A trust may help families reduce the costs of settling an estate.

“As a planned giving department, PATS is here to serve families by facilitating their wishes. This includes providing for their children and other family members in the event of their death,” McKinstry said. It is wise to make long-term plans when family members plan their estate.

2. Endowment funds. A second responsibility for PATS is doing the accounting for conference endowment and quasi-endowment funds.

The Stahlheber estate is the largest endowment. About 15 years ago SECC received properties willed to it by Augusta Stahlheber. Made up primarily of rental properties, the estimated value was about $36 million when it was donated. Since then, many properties have been sold and the money invested. Others are still held by SECC and a management company oversees day-to-day operations. Careful accounting must be done to track expenses, income, and proper distribution of earnings.

The educational endowment includes funds invested from the sale of San Pasqual Academy and some investments from individual schools in SECC. Again, careful accounting must be done to track investments, earnings, and appropriate pay-outs.

“Endowment funds are a great asset to the Southeastern California Conference,” McKinstry said. Tithe, donations, and tuition don’t cover all the costs of providing pastors and teachers, churches and school buildings. Earnings from endowments are providing a small but important new income stream.

“But,” he emphasized, “nobody wants to put money into endowments unless they are sure it will be carefully managed. Good accounting and investment decisions are essential. ”

3. Property management. Although this work is virtually invisible to most of us, PATS helps every church and school in the Southeastern California Conference by managing property—“in the legal sense.”

Yes, churches and schools are tax-exempt—but not automatically. They must apply for this exemption every year, McKinstry explained. To further complicate things, some churches and schools have two or three separate parcels of land. Some are side-by-side but applications must be made for each parcel. Preparing the required legal forms for 200 to 300 such parcels in SECC is a huge task.

The State has also begun requiring a full inventory of furnishings and equipment owned and used on these properties—chairs, pianos, VCRs, and so forth—even though these items will be tax-exempt. “Schools tend to have this kind of information, but many churches do not,” he said.

In addition, the department reviews and signs paperwork for any SECC property being bought or sold. “Our work is to protect our churches and schools by assuring that everything is done correctly,” McKinstry added.

Overall, the goal of property and trust services department is to provide services to SECC churches, schools, and individual members. Trust services benefit members themselves and provide a way that they can also support the work of the church.

Last November nearly 1,000 delegates from local churches voted to approve a new executive committee for the Southeastern California Conference. Of the 27-member committee, 20 are lay persons, pastors, and teachers and represent each of the five counties in the conference territory by ethnicity and gender. (Seven administrators are members by virtue of their positions.)

Those attending the January 20 session worked through 18 agenda items including decisions to buy and sell property and votes to approve new positions for pastors and teachers. They also signed conflict of interest statements, established a new pastoral advisory committee, and reviewed financial reports. The committee meets 11 times a year.

Handbell Festival (March 11) 7 p.m. at La Sierra University Alumni Pavilion, SECC schools participating.

SECC K-12 Schools Spring Break (March 21-25).

Pathfinder/Teen Colorado River Trip (March 31-April 3) Information: 951-509-2265.

Hispanic Women’s Retreat (April 1-3) Pine Springs Ranch. Information: 951-509-2333.

Vacation Bible School Workshop (April 10) Southeastern California Conference assembly room, 11330 Pierce Street in Riverside. Information: 951-509-2265.

Small Schools Choral Festival (April 13) 6:00 p.m. at La Sierra University Church, corner of Pierce and Sierra Vista streets. William Chunestudy, director. Sponsored by the Southeastern California Conference office of education.

Adventurer Fun Day (April 17) A parade begins at 10 a.m. Fun Day ends at 2 p.m. Southeastern California Conference grounds, 11330 Pierce Street. Information: 951-509-2265.

Pacific Union Conference ASI Convention (April 27-30) Honolulu, Hawaii. Information: Vivienne Lansdown, 805-413-7254.