eNews                                                                                                                                                                      February 2, 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!    

FEBRUARY 

5- Annual Meeting Planning Committee - FCC Concord  2:00-6:00 

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

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

11- Women's Ministries Healing Spa at Sierra CC, Loomis

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

17- Healthy Boundary Training for clergy

17-18 ACTS Course on Cultural Competency

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

18-20- Feb Camp

22- Ash Wednesday- Lent begins

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

AFRICAN DINNERS ALL AROUND THE REGION IN EVERY CHURCH

DATE SET TO MEET YOUR CHURCH'S CALENDAR  

APRIL

20-22 - Annual Meeting- Hotel Sofitel  

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DEVOTIONAL
By Paula Pociecha,
Minister of Congregational Care & Women's Ministries

"The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established."  Prov. 19:21

 

Whenever someone asks me how my sabbatical was, I have a hard time answering, as I am afraid the answer that comes out doesn't seem to claim much, but it has been the best answer:

 "I didn't have the sabbatical I planned-so I guess I got the sabbatical I needed!"

 

All the books I set out in a pile to read-still there, pretty much untouched...

The 2012 Calendar I put out to plan a year of workshops and gatherings and agendas, still pretty much empty...

My very long to-do list of appointments, errands, cleaning, organizing and catching up with friends and colleagues-only a few things checked off...

The get-aways for spiritual retreat time all fell through...

 

So what DID I do?  I slept in most every morning until I was ready to get up without paying attention to the clock.  I took my time getting out of bed, allowing for some quiet meditation and prayer time before starting the day.  I spent a little longer each morning pondering over my crossword puzzles.  I spent more time cuddling with my dogs. I connected with friends I hadn't been in touch with-even being able to reconcile with one after a two-year rift of hurt and misunderstanding. I spent many quality moments with my husband, sharing and dreaming together about what this year might hold.  And I did a lot of Soul-searching.

 

I've come to trust that what I did on this sabbatical was Winter Growth.  Winter is an interesting season.  It is probably one of the hardest for human beings to validate and endure-not because it is dark and cold-but because signs of progress and growth are mostly invisible.  On the surface, winter looks like death.  The trees have lost their leaves. The shrubs and bushes have been cut back and look like dead stumps.  Even the hills have stayed brown and dead with the lack of rain. 

 

Yet I look at all these bare branches and dead stumps and know that come March/April, they will spring to life again.  How does that happen?  Because in the winter, all their growth and progress is underground, in the dark, in their roots.  They are resting, waiting, slowly restoring their energy and re-gathering their vital Life Force.  Their heavy "doing" is taking a break, letting go of everything else and just nourishing the roots-reaffirming their groundedness, being at home in the dark.  Without this season of withdrawal and rest, there would be no burst of new growth later.

 

So, now that I look back on my sabbatical with seasonal eyes, I can see that I did plenty of this Winter Growth.  It was/is a necessary and needed part of my spiritual and work cycle after such a long and busy "doing" spell.  I'm not sure what got planted in this dark, underground Winter Growth, but I can feel a creativity stirring.  So I can say to you now with faith and anticipation-be prepared for anything as I return!

 

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CELEBRATIONS & PRAYERS

CELEBRATIONS

The Monterey Bay Disciples held their combined African Dinner and Singspiration. last Sunday. FCC Watsonville, CC of Pacific, FCC San Jose all gathered at The Circle Church, Santa Cruz for some inspiring singing, emphasizing African music as well as old favorites. Over 50 people attended.  A great time was had by all.

FCC Merced also reports on their African Dinner whch was chaired by Margaret Simmons (Justice Commission member) and was held last Sunday. $163.00 was raised with about 45 attending. They had a great display and great food and showed the regiional video. They also held some contests like: who could name the most African countries; who had visited the most African countries, etc.

Our blessings go with Disciples minister, Gerry Brague, as he departs on a brand new adventure in life. On Tuesday, he flew to Hanoi, Viet Nam to begin a year of teaching English. Gerry has faithfully served this region over many years as pastor at Chalice CC, long time member of the Recognition and Standing Committee, one of our trained Gloal Mission Interpreters and more recently as the Moderator of our new Ministry Council. He is going to be hugely missed, but we send him forth with gratitude and thanksgiving.  Allen Foster, his husband, will travel with him and spend two weeks searching for employment before he returns to CA, awaiting to see if he will remain here during this year or will be able to return to Hanoi. Let's keep them in our prayers.  

With the departure of Gerry Brague as Moderator of the Ministry Council, a search began to find a replacement for a person to serve in this pivotal regional leadership position. Hooray, we found it!! Thanks to Janet Hecker, FCC Concord, for agreeing to serve the region in this position. Janet is a long time leader at FCC as well as participant, counselor and more recently director of the Mexico Mission trip.

 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: Cottage Way CC, Sacramento (1 adult transfer); Mayfair CC, Stockton (2 adult transfers)

CONCERNS

Our prayers are with Teresa Fraticelli, Lafayette CC, who entered Stanford Hospital yesterday and will begin chemo treatments until next Tuesday. On Thursday, Feb 9, she will have a bone marrow transplant and then will be in the hospital 4-6 weeks in order to avoid any infections since her immune system will be compromised. For now, cards of prayer and care can be sent to 4102 Moller Drive, Pleasanton, 94566.

An update on Pastor Taulau Tupua, Via Dolorosa Congregational CC of Samoa in Modesto, who 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.

We are sorry to hear that long time Regional participant, Ruth Costello, recently fell and broke her hip. Surgery went well and she is now at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Rehab in Grass Valley, CA. Ruth was a long time member at FCC San Lorenzo and is now a member at Sierra CC, Loomis with her daughter, Tina Heck. Cards can be sent to: 10743 Ridge Road, Nevada City, CA 95959

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.

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 news from former Regional Minister, Dick Lauer concerning daughter Karen: "Greetings!  Wanted to bring you this latest news. Things are moving ahead. She just completed 6 days of chemo treatments in the hospital.  Then went home Sat. night.   Doris is there now.  But she has a donor in place.  And the stem cell transplant is scheduled for Feb. 29.  She will go into hospital a week or so before that to get prepared.  We are so glad that things are moving ahead and hope that this schedule works out.  Better  than waiting longer.  So, our request now is for your continuing prayers and concern during this period.  Thanks so much for what you are doing.  We feel it very strongly.   We hope this email finds you doing good.  Let us know how it is going with you.  thanks so much.  Karen will probably put out another message on "caring bridge" again soon.   Thanks so much.  Sincerely  with love, Dick and Doris"

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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