eNews                                                                                                                                                January 19, 2012 

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

We do not put the dates of local church

events here as we never could get them

all and we would always miss some!    

JANUARY 2012

AFRICAN DINNERS ALL AROUND THE REGION IN EVERY CHURCH

DATE SET TO MEET YOUR CHURCH'S CALENDAR     

21- New Church Committee  Regional office

21- Women's Ministries "What's Next" Cafe with UCC Women's Network, San Mateo Congregational Church, Noon-3:00pm  

21- Celebration of Ministry for Chalice CC, San Carlos

Week of the 23rd- Disciples History and Polity Course begins

22- Installation of Yolanda Moreno as pastor At FCC Watsonville 11:00 am 

23- Chapman Board Meeting- Orange, CA (Ben serves on this Board) 

24- Recognition and Standing Committee 9:30-3:00  RO

25- DSF Advisory Committee Ecumenical Center, Berkeley

28- Outdoor Ministry Committee MMManor, West Sacramento

FEBRUARY 

1- Training and Care Committee Ecumenical Center-Berkeley

7- Regional Elders- FCC Sac. 10:00-2:00

11- Justice Commission 10:00-2:00 UCC Livermore 

13- Regional Resources Committee 10:00-2:00

18- Ad-Ministry Council 12:00-4:00 Regional Office

18-20- Feb Camp

17- Healthy Boundary Training- Cultural Competency

18-19 - ACTS Winter Course

25- Regional Executive Committee 9:30-3:00 Mayfair CC, Stockton

APRIL

20-22 - Annual Meeting- Hotel Sofitel  

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DEVOTIONAL by  Molly Carlson 

"Have you had a chance to..."  

"I sat on the floor and patted him.  Told him he was a good dog.  He 
just quivered and cried and then finally died."

"I know you are really busy.  But you said a month ago you'd call him."
"Be sure she knows everything has to be moved out by the end of the month."
"I was working in the church and the phone wasn't there any more."
"Mom, put your phone away.  Cuddles don't count unless you're giving me attention."
"My dad called and he wants to send you some money."
 "But I don't have any clean pants."
"Well, what if we started a new program."
"Have you gotten my blanket fixed yet?  We really want to use it."
"I can't get my hook into the stitch.  Maybe this yarn I bought at another store wasn't my best choice for your class."
"I'm just so overwhelmed.  Can't you take the kids?"
"I really wish you had included me in this conversation."
"Can you make a meeting on Tuesday next week?"
"Visiting you is more of a culture shock than visiting your sister in France."
"You don't know some of the awful ways your grandmother treated us."

"So you'll get him a new pair of glasses by the end of the day?"
"Did my needles come in yet?"
"Remember we need to pay taxes this month, too."
"I'm so sorry - I'm sick and won't be able to come to work.  Can you  cover my shift?"
"He has to make it to class every day and pass his weekly drug test or he'll go back to prison."
"But I don't like burritos."
"Have you had a chance to.."

NO!

No, I really haven't had a chance to do whatever it is that is needed. 

Yes, I really do intend to do it.  Yes, I really WILL do it - I just  don't know when I will be able to.  Can you find a few more hours in  the day to help out?

Secondly, this is more than I can handle-on my own. without God's help. Tragedy, trauma, personal struggles, grief, finances, relationships - can really be too much on our own.  But having God by your side makes all things possible.  Having faith in something more than the events surrounding us keeps us from drowning.  Having hope that things will always get better is a spiritual gift beyond price.  Knowing the unconditional love of God through Jesus Christ gives strength to keep going.

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CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS

CELEBRATIONS

It is great to know that CCNC-N will be strongly represented at the NAPAD Korean Disciples Convention being held this week in Las Vegas. Attending from our Region are: Pastor Chris Kim and his family and Children Minister, Pheobe Lee from Revival Christian Church, Sacramento; Pastor Moon Il Lee and his wife from Bethel CC, Oakland,and Pastor Daniel Kyung Min Lee and his family, Walking Faith Korean-American CC, Sunnyvale. Kyung Min serves on our Regional Staff as Regiona Minister for NAPAD Ministries (North American Pacific Asian Disciples) and also is part of the General Church NAPAD staff. Following the Korean Convention, he will remain two extra days in Las Vegas for National NAPAD Staff meeting. 

If you have not seen the Republic of Congo PP that has been prepared for our African Dinners- it is fantastic!! Even if you are not attending a dinner, watch it! www.ccncn.org and the password is EDCC. We are so grateful to a new friend and Chapman Disciples student for producing this for us. Paul sent us this piece to tell us more about himself: "Paul Hextall is a Junior at Chapman University in Orange, California who studies Creative Producing with a minor in Advertising. Currently he is overseas at Chapman's film campus in Singapore. Originally from in Ascot, England, Paul moved to California in 2005 with his family where he became a member of First Christian Church in Torrance. He has owned his own film production company since the end of 2005 called Cat Eye Productions. For more information on Paul and Cat Eye Productions visit www.cateyeprods.com.  Despite his busy schedule as he prepared for his move to Singapore, Paul enjoyed working on this project as he loves traveling and learning about foreign cultures." We are grateful he did!

New Members as reported: FCC Selma (2 transfers); FCC Sacramento (3 adult baptisms and 1 youth baptism);    

CONCERNS

We are very sad to learn that Pastor Taulau Tupua, Via Dolorosa Congregational CC of Samoa in Modesto has been diagnosed with lymphoma leukemia. The doctors believe that they caught this early and he has begun chemo treatment and has taken a two month "leave of absence" from the church. Many will remember Taulau when he introduced the Via Dolorosa Samoan Dance Team at Annual Meeting two years ago. The Tupua family and the Via Dolorosa appreciate prayers greatly. You can send cards to: 2329 Senimi Circle, Ceres, 95307.

This wonderful note from Sally Burnham, FCC Redding, former Moderator of the Congregation:  "Good news!  My CT scan was clear and my CA 125 was 14 (in the normal range)!  So I am dancing with NED (no evidence of disease).  My next scan is in April.  My scan did show a ventral hernia at the incision site where evidently the internal stitches did not heal properly. For right now, we will just keep a watch on it.Thank you for your support and love and prayers!  2012 is going to be a great year. Love, Sally" We will move Sally down to our ongoing prayer list.

Our prayers for Lani Stoner, one of our Regional Elders just ending her term and member at Mayfair CC, Stockton had shoulder replacement surgery this past Monday and will be recuperating for 6-8 weeks. She is home already and doing well. Your cards can be sent to: PO Box 691558, Stockton, CA 95269-1558.   

Very heart-breaking news from Disciples Seminary Foundation this week:

"Dr. Mark David Parsons, Dean of Disciples Seminary Foundation and Vice Dean of Claremont School of Theology, has recently been diagnosed with incurable liver cancer.  For several weeks, his medical team has been evaluating ways to extend his life and to improve his quality of life. This week, Mark will undergo an extensive surgery to reduce the size of the cancer, and plans are underway for other treatments to follow.  Mark is now on medical leave from his work at DSF, for the duration of this treatment.  Please keep him and all of the DSF family in your prayers during this difficult time.  Mark would welcome your cards at DSF, 300 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont CA 91711." Many clergy in our Region will remember Mark with great appreciation as the major presenter at our 2010 Clergy Retreat.  

From our friend and former pastor at FCC Corning, Bill Bergman, "Please pray for discernment and wisdom as my medical team and I sort out and prepare for upcoming right knee replacement as well as lower back surgery in February. I am blessed with sports medical orthopedic surgeons who care and are careful. Not sure which will be first and second yet. Details to follow." I will be greatful when all this is behind me in four to six months. Still Healing.... Retirement Info Changes: 130 Main Avenue South, Apt. 227 Renton, WA 98057 PNW Cell #: 206.954.8595

Pastor Marty Williams, United CC, Livermore, continues to improve slowly but surely. She says she is back to close to 70% of her energy, but still must be very careful in what she eats. Don't forget her!  Cards can be sent to: 6906 Lassen St. Pleasanton, 94588.

Many in this Region know and love retired Disciples minister, Clarice Friedline, whose family, the Wilder Immels, and the Wilsons, have been key pastors and leaders in CCNC-N for over 50 years. Clarice keynoted Mission Springs a few years ago. Clarice is now home after a week in two hospitals and numerous tests, but doing well!  If you wish to send a card: 1420 Santo Domingo Ave, #127, Duarte 91010.   

Good news that we are able to remove Darla Foglio, wife of Pastor Mark Foglio, from our concern listing. Her major back surgery is doing well and she is not beginning physical therapy. Please keep the prayers going and we will add her to short list at the bottom. Prayers and cards can be sent to: Oakdale CC, 330 Maxwell Avenue, Oakdale, 95361.

We celebrate the continuing improvement for Barbara Wikoff, musician at Oakdale CC, and husband Bob, Chair of our Regional Resources Committee. She may have only 5 more chemo treatments remaining.  Cards can be sent to: 941 Terrace Court, Oakdale, 95361.

This update on Agnes Sours, long time member and leader at Arden CC, Sacramento who continues to be very weak with congestive heart failure. Please keep your prayers for healing and better health coming. She has chosen not to enter hospice care at this time. Cards can be sent to: 4420 Robertson Avenue, Sacramento, 95821.

Our prayers continue for the following who remain in need of our support and concern: 

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FINAL WORD 

Dear Disciples,

Today as I sit to write, it is the anniversary of the massive earthquake that shook Haiti two years ago. We have experienced the shock of other tragedies since then: the earthquake in Japan, storms across North America, and the on-going drought and starvation in the Horn of Africa (to name a few.)

For many Disciples in the US and Canada, however, the disaster that hits closest to home is the economy. We are told the recession is over, yet too many still look for work, too many are still choosing between rent and medicine. A recent Pew Research Center poll indicates: "Conflict between rich and poor now eclipses racial strain and friction between immigrants and the native-born as the greatest source of tension in American society."

What does the good news of Jesus Christ look like at such a time? The story of Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3:13-17 gives us some clues. There is John the Baptist, stunned that Jesus would come to him for baptism. Does "Your Majesty" bow down to a mere "Mr."?  Jesus' request turned the world upside down! Instead of going to the high and mighty for validation, he did "the limbo" (how low can you go?) and turned to a wild man, asking for immersion in water.

Water, in the Bible, is more than cleansing, bathing, birth. It is also - chaos! In Genesis, God creates the earth by pushing back the watery chaos of space. In the Psalms, watery oceans are the places of monsters and unpredictability. Water, in the Bible, evokes a primal, deep-seated fear of the unknown.

So what happens when Jesus goes into the water? The heavens open. But instead of watery chaos pouring in through those holes in the sky, God's voice wafts down with blessing, and a dove appears as a sign. "You are my son, my beloved," says God. "I am pleased." Jesus goes through the watery chaos, comes out again to receive a blessing from God and heads into his ministry.

The good news still involves that same progression - from chaos to blessing to mission! When the walls of water are waiting to burst in, this is when the people of God are at our best. When we follow Jesus right into the chaos and come through on the other side to a blessing and a mission. When against all common sense we rediscover our hope.

Jesus told John, "I must be baptized by you." It seemed an idea designed to turn the world on its head, making chaos out of the normal human order of things. But Jesus wasn't afraid of a little chaos. He went for it! And instead of turning the world on its head, the world turned right side up! God spoke. "Beloved, I am pleased."

When the massive tornado churned through Joplin, Mo., last year, South Joplin Christian Church was not in the direct path of the tornado, but it was severely damaged on the away side of the tornado by debris being swept in by that powerful vortex of destructive energy. The roof of the church was peeled back and the next several days of rain poured down through all floors to the basement.

I had the privilege of joining with the congregation of South Joplin as they dedicated a refurbished building. Beautiful! A blessing, indeed. A couple of weeks ago, South Joplin also opened their refurbished youth center - now a mission station that will house volunteers who come to Joplin to help rebuild. A blessing and a new mission, too. The people of South Joplin Christian Church, like so many others, dove right into the chaos. It hasn't taken away the pain of loss, but it has given a way forward.

In this year of 2012, chaos may still loom. Decisions beyond our control may affect our economic future. In the U.S., an election year seems bound to unfold with personal attack instead of thoughtful debate about achieving the common good. It's tempting to give in to cynicism or despair. But Jesus leads a different way - right into the middle of the chaos - in a progression through chaos to blessing and a mission.

As we move more fully into 2012, I offer a prayer that we will, as a church, be willing to head into the chaos of our time with a sense of God's blessing and a call to God's mission. Perhaps we will lead a mission trip to Joplin or Tuscaloosa or Southwest Good Samaritan Center. Perhaps we will call our congregation to pray regularly for the healing of the nations. Perhaps we will increase our stewardship for the mission of the church through Disciples Mission Fund, Reconciliation and Week of Compassion. Perhaps we will join with other congregations in our own town to be a blessing to our neighbors closer to home.

Disciples, we are a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. Our calling is to follow Jesus -and that usually means right into the chaos. But also right on through to blessing and to a mission and to a sense of things being right side up at last.

Sharon E. Watkins
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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