Arden Arcade Carmichael Faith Communities Meeting Summary
Thursday, AUGUST 20, 2026 (1:00 P.M.) (VIA ZOOM)
Attendees – Tree Nebeker, Church of Scientology, Jason Bense, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Julie Linderman, St. Michael’s Episcopal, John McCormack, Saint Mark’s United Methodist, Jeff Byrd, Eastern State LDS, Katie Heffelfinger Eastern Stake LDS
Sacramento Area Congregation Together (Sac-ACT) Presentation – At the invitation of Jason, Maribel Arizmendiz joined us and provided a PowerPoint presentation on the work of Sacramento ACT. She came to Jason‘s office for the Zoom presentation. She is a member of Saint Ignatius Roman Catholic Church and served on the church council. She is an organizer for Sacramento ACT and her heart is in Arden Arcade as St. Ignatius has been her parish for 25 years in the United States. She became a naturalized citizen of the United States 16 years ago from the Philippines. Her work background includes corporate roles with Intel Corporation and Wells Fargo as an HR professional. She has an MBA from the University of San Francisco and was a student activist during her college days at the University of the Philippines. After she lost her job during the pandemic, she worked for St. Ignatius for two years and at age 60, became a Community Organizer for Sacramento ACT. She summarized initiatives that ACT focuses on, including homeless mitigation, immigration, education advocacy, healthcare etc. Saint Ignatius was one of the parishes that started Sacramento ACT in 1991 along with a few congregations and there are now around 60 faith groups, schools, community organizations, and individuals who are members. They use a community organizational model adopted by community activist groups nationwide. They talk to power brokers and engage elected officials. Sacramento ACT is part of the largest faith-based organizing network in California, PICO California, and part of Faith in Action, an international umbrella organization. Maribel summarized several state legislative bills, including AB2465, an anti-detention center bill, AB 1633, AB 2208, AB 2599 and AB 1646 which would allow juveniles to hug their families while incarcerated (known as “The Hug Act”). ACT also supports a bill which would provide $1 billion in ongoing annual funding for local California secondary schools. Maribel leads the ACT Immigration Solidarity LOC ( local organizing Committee) and works with Sacramento FUEL Network https://www.sacfuelnetwork.org/ which is currently funded by the City of Sacramento‘s budget. FUEL stands for Sacramento Family Unity, Education and Legal Network and supports the needs of Sacramento’s local immigrant and refugee population. Other members of the FUEL Network are NorCal Resist and Opening Doors, Inc, a federally certified refugee resettlement agency. Maribel also shared that some members of her LOC do court watch through NorCal Resist where they accompany people going to their ICE hearings to monitor due process. Funding for FUEL Network of $500,000 per year will hopefully continue to the physical year 2027.
Public advocacy is a strong component of ACT. Interfaith vigils have taken place since October 2025 to highlight the atrocities of ICE and the names of detained persons that passed in the last months are read aloud. The next ICE Vigil is September 16th, 12-1 pm, at the same location, pending an approved permit. ACT needs more involvement from non-Abrahamic religious traditions (e.g. Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus). The Immigrant Solidarity LOC is also a supporting member of the Sac4Sanctuary Coalition (https://www.instagram.com/p/DcPWbidD28n/) to ensure that the Sanctuary City ordinance is enforceable. ACT also works with Sacramento RISE Hub https://www.sacrisehub.org/ particularly to have churches as places of refuge in the event of ICE mass enforcement. Sacramento ACT believes that everything is political, especially things that affect people’s lives. As a 501(c)(3) it cannot advocate for specific politicians, but can lobby for measures and legislation, etc. that advances justice. Sacramento ACT conducts listening sessions and community gatherings, and some outcomes from these events empowered individuals to attend court proceedings, do voter canvassing and voter education, hold education series (e.g. Catholic Social Teaching), and support a food and toy drive during Christmas. It also opposes House Resolution HR 1, a federal law signed in July, 2025 that cuts billions of dollars from health and food programs in California. ACT works against Medi-Cal cuts and various speakers speak to this issue.
Maribel noted that Monday, August 24th from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, Sacramento ACT will hold a program called “Families are Sacred” Community Gathering at Saint Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church in South Sacramento with a guest speaker, Michael Benjamin from Senator Angelique Ashby’s office addressing AB 2465, a bill that prohibits companies that operate detention centers from receiving state benefits like tax credits, subsidies, grants, loans because we believe that CA should not reward family separation.
Maribel can be contacted directly at: maribel@sacact.org or through her cellphone no.: (916) 940-7267.
“911 Memorial Day of Service” – will occur on Sacramento, September 12th, to commemorate the attack on the U.S. on September 11, 2001. This will be the 3rd annual Day of Service so we should be able to expand our volunteer base. Maribel will recruit ACT members. Jason will send a flyer with details about the event. The lead faith group managing this project is the local LDS church. Specific work tasks are being set and assigned from 9 a.m. to noon that day.
- LDS member Jeff Byrd is working on a partnership with World Relief on Watt Avenue. They need 15 volunteers to work directly at that site to move and sort supplies and food. Address is 2233 Watt Avenue, Suite 360.
- Another project will be grounds’ cleanup and trim painting at the Cottage Elementary School, 2221 Morse Avenue.
- Jason also noted a plan for street cleanup, including trash, needles and hazardous waste, on Marconi from Eastern to Walnut and possibly from Marconi to Mission on Whitney.
- Hygiene kit assembly for the disabled at the Mission Whitney LDS stake. Noted that the Arden Arcade HART supply room at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer has lots of brushes, soaps, and toiletries that can be used for the kits.
- Shriner’s coloring book assembly drive. Only Crayola brand crayons can be used. Site will be Saint Michael’s Episcopal.
The “Day of Service” flyer Jason is sending out has a Google Doc form from LeslieAnn Grace and she will match volunteers and leads to tasks. There is no need to pre-register. Just show up at 9 AM at the site you choose to work at. More details to follow. There will be a free brunch for volunteers at 12 noon with hamburgers, hot dogs and sides/drinks at the Mission Oaks LDS Stake building parking lot and grounds at Whitney and Mission.
LDS Food Distribution of 250th U.S. Anniversary – In connection with this event, the LDS Church will provide 250 truck loads of food to communities across the U.S. from it supply warehouse in Salt Lake City. Three trucks will be sent to the Sacramento area and distributed to local food banks through Just Serve on August 25th from 8 to 10 a.m. The Mayor Sacramento will hold a presser for this event. See ABC Channel 10 TV report here.
Norcal Resist Food Distribution – Will be Friday, August 21st at LCOR from 9 a.m. to noon, with pop-up site.
FUEL Network – Having upcoming ESL classes for immigrants and asylees.
Community Blood Drive – Will be held at the Eastern Avenue LDS Stake on Thursday, August 27th.
Megan Anderson Gartin, the Rector at Saint Michael’s Episcopal since 2025, is back from maternity leave and wants to deepen her relationship with the ACT member groups.
Sacramento Immigration Seminar – Today (August 20th) at CSUS Student Union at 4:00 p.m. Jessie Mabray, CEO of Opening Doors, will be speaking and registration is required. See 17-minute interview with Mabray on Capitol Public Radio “Insight” on August 17th by Vicki Gonzalez. https://www.capradio.org/news/insight/2026/08/17/ca-utilities-and-wildfire-bills-sacramento-immigration-seminar-early-wine-harvests/
Next AACFC Meeting – September 24, Thursday at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. John will not be in attendance that day.
Arden Arcade Carmichael Faith Communities (AACFC) Meeting
Minutes, June 25, 2026 (1:00 p.m.)
Via Zoom
Attendees: Rev. Jason Bense, Julie Linderman, Katie Heffelfinger, John McCormack
Opening Prayer – Jason Bense
God’s Helping Hands Laundry – Julie reported only 8 guests utilized the laundry this month and 11 last month. Low attendance was partly due to guests watching the FIFA World Cup games. Julie asked for input on the amount we should spend per guest for laundry services. After discussion, it was agreed that the old price for a double load ($9.25) will be raised to $10.00. We have an ample balance in our account. Also, there was a recent $50 donation by check which Jason will pick up and deposit in the account. The next Laundry Day is Saturday, July 18th.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Live Stream Watch Party – Katie noted this event is tonight at El Camino High School in Arden Arcade
Interfaith Power and Light Lobby Day – John noted that he attended this event on Wed, June 24th. This non-profit lobbies for environmentally sustainable solutions to the climate crisis, with a focus on California’s environment. IPL has a faith-based focus and works to preserve and enhance God’s creation. The Lobby Day is an annual event of IPL. Approximately 40 volunteers and staffers met that morning at Saint John’s Lutheran at 2701 L in midtown. After a briefing and group photos, several teams walked to the Capital Annex to meet with representatives of the California State Assembly and Senate to advocate for progressive positions on several bills in the pipeline.
- Balcony Solar, SB 868, Wiener – Would streamline approvals and establish safety standards for portable solar energy devices, which can provide highly efficient electricity for homeowners and renters without using the grid. Can power light transportation (street carts, e-bikes, etc.) and in-home power.
- Gas Wells Cleanup, AB 2461 (Hart) – Would close sales loop holds and strengthen accountability of owners to do gas well cleanup.
- Heat Pumps, SB 222, Wiener – Would align heat pump permitting with other technologies to drastically reduce indoor air pollution, climate emissions and lower energy costs.
- Energy Autonomy, AB 2313, (Berman) – Would give consumers the choice to electrify their homes and discontinue gas service (PGE). Gas providers would be required to offer this voluntary choice.
- CEQA – California Environmental Quality Act Safeguards, SB 954, Blakespear – CEQA is the enabling legislation which became law years ago and kick-started the modern California government environmental movement. This bill would review and clean up exemptions from the law to continue to support a clean and abundant future for Californians.
John’s advocacy group included Regina Q. Banks, Policy and Legislative Director, Lutheran Office of Public Policy, LeslieAnn Grace and Brooke Purvis of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer.
Julie noted that SMUD is currently canvassing neighborhoods to install new solar technologies for consumers to receive financial credits. AACFC should pursue details to notify our member congregations. Public interest in this should be high.
September 11th Day of Service – Bryce Holladay (LDS) is our point of contact for this yearly volunteer event. They have done street, park and school cleanups in the past including painting, playground construction and flower planting. Cottage School, Star King and Del Paso Manor School have been supported and currently many schools cannot afford full grounds keepers. Ideas of needed on what to do this Fall.
Benches made from plastic bags – John noted that Saint Marks has done a project where plastic bags were collected and a manufacturer used these bags as feedstock for construction of a permanent bench placed on the Saint Marks campus. AACFC could consider this as a future project involving all of its faith groups. It would also reduce landfill and ground pollution. John will send a photo of the Saint Marks bench.
Peace Garden Event – Jason noted that this event is today at 5:30 p.m. at the State Capital garden. A retired Episcopal budget will speak on the importance of religious freedom and separation of church and state.
Sacramento Area Congregations Together Town Hall – Several members of the Saint Marks community attended or worked at this political town hall meeting at Saint John’s Lutheran. Candidates for County Supervisor District 1 spoke, including Tim Riley, Deborah Ortiz, Eric Guerra and Flo Cofer.
Jason noted that he is meeting with Maribel of Sac-ACT after this AACFC meeting. She is the former council president at Saint Ignatius. Saint Michaels is not a Sac-ACT member but the new rector Megan Anderson-Gartin was formerly at Trinity Cathedral.
Next AACFC Meeting – Jason will be out of town in July so there will be no meeting that month. The next normal meeting date would be August 27th but will be moved up to Thursday, August 20th to allow time for planning the September 11th Day of Service.